Media Staffing Network

TIPS

How to Create a Winning Resume!

Helpful tips on writing and presenting your resume.

The average hiring manager spends less than a minute reviewing your resume, so it has to be perfect.

Remember that a 1% response rate to your resume is considered good!

There are three types of resumes:

Chronological Resume: Most popular and recognized format, it lists employment and education experience in reverse chronological order, with employment dates mentioned first, followed by job title and name of organization.
Functional or Skills Resume: Is organized to highlight skills and qualifications of the applicant, and puts little emphasis on time or place of employment. Best used for candidates with a varied amount of experience or those looking for a career change.
Combination Resume: Is a combination of the skills and chronological formats putting equal emphasis on both elements. The purpose is to integrate both styles. An effective method would be to describe qualifications and skills included with the traditional list of company name, job title, and employment dates.

Tips to follow:

Your resume is not the place to sell yourself! Always include a personalized cover letter. Call the company directly or research the position online and gather any specific information needed to address the letter to the right person. Never send a generic cover letter. If you are responding to a blind ad, be as specific as you can with the information available (such as job description, location, date of ad, etc.) Never send a resume without a cover letter. Enough said.
Keep it brief. One page for most resumes. Two page resumes are only considered acceptable for seasoned executives. All additional information can be included in your cover letter, professional or creative portfolio or in person once you’re in the interview.
Keep it simple. Refrain from using fancy fonts, graphics, pictures, colors, or anything that can be distracting. Your resume should stand out because of your qualifications, not for any other reason.
Use action words to describe your skills and accomplishments. Use short, clear phrases using verbs in the same tense. Words such as "implemented" or "facilitated" sound better that "did" or worked."
Use a readable style. Use separate headings and categories of information (education, work dates, etc.) and present them in a clear manner. Example: bold headings, capital letters, indented text, etc. Don’t make the reader search too hard for information.
Be specific about qualifications and accomplishments. When describing your background include more than just job responsibilities, also list specific skills and accomplishments. Use actual examples when describing your background and whenever possible list quantifiable results such as dollar amounts, percentage increases, etc.
Keep in mind who will be reading your resume. Technical and specific terminology is appropriate when dealing with someone directly in the field, but would not always be appropriate for a general human resource manager or recruiter. Use simple words and language in order to make your resume readable at all levels.
Don’t lie about your qualifications, salary, education, etc. This needs no explanation.
Continually proofread and edit. Try to have your resume on disk where you can make changes as needed. When working on a final draft, make sure to use spell and grammar check. Practice reading your resume and cover letter slowly, out loud, as this will often catch mistakes that the computer misses. Always have someone else read over the final draft before sending it out to potential employers.
Use a specific "career objective" or none at all. Listing a "career objective" at the top of your resume is not always needed. If you want to list one, make sure that it is specific to the position you are seeking. Keep in mind that this can also hurt you if you want to be considered for more than one position or are not sure what type of job is best suited for you. It is better to list a "professional profile" or something similar to this in order to prevent being unnecessarily categorized. If you are looking to be a financial advisor, list financial advisor as your career objective; if you are looking for a variety of opportunities, don’t list any career objective.
Never include salary or references unless in person. Reference information should only be offered once interest on both sides is determined. Have them typed up on a separate page to be included with your resume. Hand both to the interviewer at the beginning of the meeting. Remember to remove the "references available upon request" from the bottom of your resume, as it is now redundant. Salary should also be dealt with in person and never on the first interview. However, if you are approached with the issue, initially try to discuss a range instead of a specific number. Specifics can and will be discussed when negotiating the offer.
Follow up with a phone call. Always and whenever you can. State your full name (first and last) and your intentions in a confident manner. If you were referred, mention your connection. Ask for an interview or at the very least a chance to follow up with another call at a later date. Respect their time but also be persistent. One call a week until they have made a decision is sufficient. THIS SHOULD GO UNDER INTERVIEWING TIPS

SOURCE: Tips supplied courtesy of All About Careers.

The information contained above is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.

There are three types of resumes - chronological, functional, and combination. This month we are going to feature a functional resume. Following is a description of each type of resume.

Chronological Resume:Most popular and recognized format, it lists employment and education experience in reverse chronological order, with employment dates mentioned first, followed by job title and name of organization.

Functional Resume:Is organized to highlight skills and qualifications of the applicant, and puts little emphasis on time or place of employment. Best used for candidates with a varied amount of experience or those looking for a career change.

Combination Resume:Is a combination of the skills and chronological formats putting equal emphasis on both elements. The purpose is to integrate both styles. An effective method would be to describe qualifications and skills included with the traditional list of company name, job title, and employment dates.

SOURCE: Tips supplied courtesy of All About Careers.

The information contained above is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.

How to Get the Job!

Helpful hints on interviewing and networking.

Although many factors contribute to the hiring process, most decisions on whether or not to hire someone are based primarily on the interview.

Always include a personalized cover letter with your resume. Never send your resume without a specific letter stating your purpose and intentions. Know who you are trying to reach and how they can help. Don’t talk about what you are looking for in a career; talk about what you can do for the company. When it comes right down to it, the employer will hire the candidates that best meet company goals and objectives. Show your passion! It is what will separate you from the rest of the applicants.

Do you homework. Always do research on the company before the interview. An informational packet or financial report can usually be obtained directly from the company. Also, most companies now have web sights that can be accessed over the Internet. Additional information can be obtained in the resource section of the library. If asked to do follow-up research or write a proposal, make sure that you complete the assignment. The employer is testing your follow-through skills.

Dress professionally. Remember that you don’t have the job yet and depending on your appearance, you might not get it. Keep in mind that even if the office were casual under normal circumstances, the office would most likely dress-up for a client meeting or another important occasion. You convey your competence, enthusiasm, professionalism and capabilities for the job as much as by your "look" during an interview as your actual qualifications.

Respect people’s time. Don’t be late. On the flip side, don’t be too early. Arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled time is reasonable and acceptable, however, more that that is not advised. Once in the interview, be aware of the time. Look for signals that the interview is ending. An interview is not the time to be long winded.

Be prepared to answer specific questions, based on your resume, regarding your work history, education, etc. Never say, "It’s all on my resume" when the interviewer asks about your previous experience. Part of your job in the interview is to elaborate extensively, enthusiastically and knowledgeably about your past. A resume is only meant to get your "foot in the door", not speak in place of you.

Sell yourself. Think of yourself as the product and the employer as the buyer. Why should they hire you? Use all of your persuasive talents to convince them. Be open and friendly. Answer questions in complete sentences and refrain from using one word answers whenever possible. Never be defensive. If you feel that a question is inappropriate or even illegal, politely refrain from answering. Remember, "tough" questions are designed to fluster. Candidates that are poised and professional in such situations will stand out.

Never deny weaknesses or mistakes from your past experiences. No one wants to hire a "perfect" employee because perfection is unrealistic in human nature. We all make mistakes and it’s all right to admit such things during an interview. Remember to always present yourself in the best light even when speaking about a weakness. The best advice is to list a realistic weakness ("perfectionist" is not a weakness, unless you are expected to perform mediocre work) as well as your attempts to improve and better yourself.

Be realistic with regards to salary. Research the industry standard in your market. When changing careers expect to take a pay-cut as it is often difficult to transfer equally between two different industries. When changing jobs in the same industry, most companies will only match or slightly raise your current salary (the standard is 10%). Consider other issues when making your decision such as benefits, company philosophy and work environment. Remember that there is more to a job than just salary.

Have information on three professional references available for the interview. Make sure that each has been contacted prior to listing them as a reference. List managers and not co-workers or peers whenever possible. Have your list typed up neatly on the same type of paper as your cover letter and resume. Have an idea of wheat each will say about you and articulate that to the interviewer.

Interview the company. Time allowing, ask questions. It shows the interviewer that you have initiative. Ask intelligent questions based on what was discussed during the interview or information that you obtained while researching the company. Taking notes during an interview is a great way to prepare questions. On the first interview it is not recommended to ask about salary, benefits, or growth. Keep your questions in line with the position.

Never neglect a thank you note. Even when you know you won’t get the job or you’re not interested in pursuing the opportunity; a thank you note is still a must. It’s a small world out there and not following through with this common courtesy can come back to haunt you.

Always follow through. If you are asked to "stay in touch", make sure that you do. A phone call a few days after interviewing is acceptable and usually expected. When calling, give your full name and the purpose of your call. Be concise and professional. End the call by thanking them for their time and asking what the next step will be in the hiring process. It’s also a perfect time to ask again for the job.

Use common sense and remember the basics. Look nice, be well-groomed, dress conservatively, smile, don’t chew gum, look the interviewer in the eye, say thank you, act intelligently, don’t wear strong perfume or cologne, sit up straight, and last but not least –ask for the job!!

SOURCE: Tips supplied courtesy of All About Careers.

The information contained above is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.

How to Find Job Leads!

Helpful hints on creating and pursuing leads

Researching a company and pursuing leads can be the most difficult but important part of your job search.

Visit your college career office. Schedule an interview with one of the guidance counselors. Ask for specific information on companies. Use all the materials available.
Alumni are great resources. Try to get a recent directory from your alumni office for those graduates who live in your area and have similar careers.
Talk to everyone you know about your job search. Family and friends are full of "free" advice. Every time you talk to someone about your job search you are networking.
Commit yourself to network-building activities. Join professional organizations (Women Employed, HCA, American Marketing Association, etc.) that support your goals and that also include access to job hot lines or industry information. Attend all association meeting/functions that you can. Volunteer as much as possible for assignments or on committees.
Consider recruiters, staffing services, or headhunters specializing in your field. Take time to research their background and reputation. Make sure that the goals they have for you match the ones you have for yourself. Make sure there is no fee to you to use their services. Remember, a service should only be a "partner" in your job search, not the "leader." The responsibility of finding a job ultimately rests on your own shoulders.
Compile a list of 25 companies in your geographic area that are a good match for your goals and interests. Cold call their offices and try to get a contact name. Ask if the company would be willing to send you an informational packet of financial report. After all, you are looking for a career, not just a job.
Answer Help Wanted ads in trade publications. It's also a good idea to regularly read the trade publications specific to your field or industry. Why would a company hire you if you are not abreast of the industry?
"Surf the Net" for jobs. Most companies now have a web-site and there are numerous job banks located on the Internet with specific postings by industry and geographic area. If you don't have access to a computer, find a way to correct that problem.
Always ask yourself why you are researching a company- this will help focus your thoughts and career. Also, once in the interview, make sure articulate your interest in and knowledge of the company.
Use a phone book. This may take some time but can prove to be quite resourceful.
Always get a name. Keep a journal with all your contact names and company information. And always follow through!
Phone, letter, fax, and personal contact are critical! Stay in touch when pursuing a job lead. The rule of thumb is remain in contact at least a week until the position is filled.
Send articles and prospecting letters regularly in order to begin a dialogue and create interest. Find a way to get the name of the contact person and begin creating a paper trail. Once this is established follow-up with personal contact such as lunch or coffee. Make your contact a professional friend and work all potential angles.
Be polite but persistent. Don't be aggressive or pushy.
When trying to learn about a company or job opening, be a LISTENER, not a SPEAKER! The only way to get the information you need is by closing your mouth and opening your ears.
Be polite but direct on the phone. State your purpose, give them a valuable reason for meeting with you, and ask for the interview. Remember, you are contacting busy companies. Make it valuable to them.
Consider a vocational skill test. Check your high school or college first. Staffing services, career placement offices and headhunters may also use such test in their screening process.
Consider informational interviews. Most people love to talk about their job and how they got started. The key to scheduling an informational interview is finding the most convenient time for the interviewer. This might mean before work or after hours. Most informational interviews should run only 15-30 minutes. Be brief and to the point. Have questions already prepared.
If turned down, gently probe the reason why.The decision could be a matter of timing or budgets. This will determine when and if you try again.
Always be prepared to ask question. This is especially true if you are making a prospecting call or are in an informational interview. Remember, you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you!

Keep resume to 1 page
Remove the “references available upon request” from the bottom of your resume. Have your references on a separate page to be included with your resume.
Start with your most recent work experience and work backwards from there
Include your email address
Include dates of employment
Make sure the format is "scannable" - leave off fancy lines and borders
Include numbers when you can. For example, increased overall sales by 27%, closed $2,400,000 in new business over 2 years, responsible for 62% of entire company billing, etc.
Don’t lie

Before the Interview:

It is imperative you know who you are interviewing with prior to the meeting. You should know what the company does, who owns the company, who their main competitors are, as well as their billing. It is also helpful if you know about the key players at the company. You will look prepared and show the interviewer that you have done your research.

There are excellent sources available to you in doing research. Here are a few:

Listen to, watch or read the product
Check the company's website as well as their parent company
Check the Internet for any articles about the company
Try to locate a copy of their annual report
Use industry publications such as SRDS (Standard Rate & Data Services) or RedBook for more details - check your local library for publications
Ask for a sales kit
Talk to people in the industry

Questions:

You need to be interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you. Have some solid questions ready to ask before you go into the interview. Whatever you do, DO NOT has your first questions be about compensation or vacation.

Here are some samples of good questions:

What do you see as your biggest challenges?
How do you differentiate yourselves from the competition?
Can you tell me about your career and what made you successful?
Why did you join this company?
I noticed on your web site that your company also owns ____, do you ever do any cross promotions?
Do you have a written job description for this opportunity?
Can you describe what type of person you are looking to hire to fill this position?
What are the growth opportunities with your company?
Can you describe what turnover you have experienced? Why and where did they go?
Please describe your management style.
What is our next step?

Follow up:

You have had the interview and regardless of whether you decide to go forward or not, it is proper to follow up and thank the person for their time. You never know where you or that person will end up as it is a very small world. If you are interested in the position, let them know. If you are not, let them know and save both of your precious time.

SOURCE:Tips supplied courtesy of All About Careers.

The information contained above is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion.

SALARY INFORMATION

Here are three web sites that offer salary information:

JOBSTAR.ORG
Links to and descriptions of more than 300 salary surveys, broken down by career and specific occupation.

SALARY.COM
Features the salary calculator, plus advice on careers.

SALARYEXPERT.COM
Multilingual site has online courses for users as well as salary information.

HOW SHOULD I WORK WITH A RECRUITER?

A candidate recently asked, “How do I best work with you?” This is a great question. She had someone tell her to “call each week and stay in the recruiters face and make sure they are working for you!”

First and foremost, keep in mind that a recruiter is being paid to fill a job, thus providing a service for their client. Part of that includes qualifying and screening candidates to save the client time in the hiring process.

At Media Staffing Network, we may not work like other recruiters. We ask you to sign confidentiality forms as well as forms that allow us to check your references (which we don’t do until you tell us it is ok). In return, our clients also sign confidentiality agreements to protect you. We don’t send out resumes without having a candidate’s approval and being assured that they are interested in the position.

As a recruiter we develop a very specific job profile and set of required skills for our clients open positions. Our goal is to locate candidates that fit, and then to discuss with them on how they may be a fit. When there is a fit, a recruiter should work with a candidate in how to best present their skills, accomplishments and why they should be granted an interview. A recruiter can not get someone a job, only an interview, it is up to the candidate in the interview to close the job. However, we are responsible to get our candidates prepared for that interview.

The most important things for you to do are:

Check in periodically if you have not heard from them
Keep them updated as to changes in your status or skills, especially with your contact information
Work with reputable recruiters
Check their websites to see what new positions are open
Be aware that recruiters get many calls and emails, if they are not working on a job that fits your skills, understand that they may not be able to get back to you right away – don’t take it personally
Be honest and upfront – don’t tell the recruiter one thing and the hiring manager at the client another thing
Help them create your angle in how they can best sell your skills to the client that is hiring

FAQ’S

What types of industries does Media Staffing Network deal with?

Internet/New Media, Print, Cable, Advertising Agencies, Television Stations and Radio Stations, and Vendors who deal with the business of buying and selling media. In addition, we work with sales organizations that need strong, results oriented results.

What types of jobs does Media Staffing Network fill?

Temporary and full-time positions. Primarily jobs associated with the buying and selling of advertising sales. Our positions range from entry-level to senior management. Positions include: administrative, sales, media buying, media planning, traffic, continuity, promotions, marketing, financial and general management. Positions ranges from $20,000 to $300,000+

Is there a cost to the applicant?

Not to register to be in our database. Employers pay our fee.

Is Media Staffing Network a nationwide service?

Yes, we do placements on a nationwide basis. Our home office is located in Chicago, and we have representation in NY, Phoenix and Detroit.

What is a typical entry-level salary for the media/advertising industry?

It can range anywhere from $24,000-$30,000 annually.

Will my resume be given out without my prior knowledge?

No, Media Staffing Network’s Resource Managers will contact each candidate before submitting a resume to a client. We keep everything confidential.

What kind of entry-level or computer training does Media Staffing Network offer?

MS Office (Word, Power Point, Excel, Access)
What Is A Spot – Our exclusive quick and easy program to help entry-level employees quickly understand the media sales industry.

ARTICLES

Not knowing what u want to do
Understanding the job offer
Negotiation tips for grads
Fitting in on the new job
Breaking the Ice with the Interviewer
Budgeting for the Job search
Making the Holidays worthwhile
The Final Stretch
Using the Internet to do research
Working a Career Fair for Best Results