Why did you quit your job?

Many professionals feel that including the reason for quitting every job is important. From my experience, employers will only be curious about why you are leaving your most recent job, which may be asked during the interview. The reasons could be numerous and the best answer is never because of money. Think about it this way... They want to hire someone who quit for a better opportunity, better quality and/or for a more challenging position. If your goal is to make more money, then explain that you weren't given the opportunity to advance within the company. This will make you sound more prepared. Also, if you are seeking a management position please don't say that the company isn't doing so well. Always talk positive about your previous and current employment during the interview, because it will show you as a positive thinker.

Let's talk money

Many jobs require you to specify the desired salary range. Don't fall for this trick! Many employers screen this way and some even use it against you. Let's talk about few examples... Many employers are trying to hire for low wages and will screen less demanding candidates. Other employers will test you for no apparent reason just to see what's more important for you: the job or the money. In any case, your best bet is to leave that field blank and/or open for negotiation. This way you show your interest for the money after your interest for the job and get a higher chance of landing an interview to show your strong qualifications. You are always welcome to indicate how much you are currently making if it comes up in the interview to give an idea if the company can afford you.

Make sure to check out Resume Soldier's other blogs. We appreciate your curiosity!

Interview the right way

You've written an art piece of a resume and your cover letter scored you an interview. You are probably doing something right and there's not much to worry about. First, don't forget that you are not only trying to impress the company, but the company needs to impress you. Ask if it's ok to ask questions during the interview. This gives the chance to find out if the company is the right fit for you. Always wait until the interviewer has finished talking before asking anything. Another thing to keep in mind is that practice makes perfect. If the interviewer asks you why you worked in science and looking for business management position, look them in the eyes and explain yourself. In this instance, I would answer that over the coarse of my science job I practiced analyzing and making sense of the data and that led me to be good at analyzing numbers and pursuing higher education in business. Always be ready to explain any inconsistency in your professional experience.

Importance of job titles

So you have a lot of experience on your resume but unsure how to choose proper job title... Don't worry my friend! Today, I will explain how to choose proper job titles while improving your resume skills at the same time. For instance, I worked with a professional whose resume had some salesperson experience, but we both knew that there was more to selling than just taking a payment for a sale. We switched her title to Sales Ambassador to highlight the brand marketing and consulting side of the job. Choosing an appropriate jobtitle can also help externally. It's helpful for employers or customers to know if they're talking to somebody from sales, support, or development since people usually set their expectations based on the job title of the person that they're talking to.

Relevant Experience and required Qualifications

Ok, so you found a job in the newspaper and you're not sure if you are qualified enough. Stop, don't panic! You can 'beef up' your resume with proper keywords and using your professional experience to your advantage without making anything up. For instance, let's say, you wish to work as a web developer while your last few positions were associated with customer service. How do you make customer service relevant to web development? Well, if you were employed in 21st century, chances are, you must have used a PC or Mac that had internet access. You probably got acquainted with SalesForce or other database, software, tools to enter sales into the computer. Make sure to highlight your computer skills as well as web applications that you are familiar with. Second, research the desired qualifications for the position. Always ask yourself, what does it take to be a successful candidate for this position? Next, choose a proper resume format. Creative jobs would probably require creative resumes while standard formats could apply for office positions. In any case, don't limit yourself and it's OK to stretch the truth a little on your resume, but keep it clean. Ask someone else to proofread your resume when you are finished.

The right attitude for a new job

So you made it through the interviews and you have succeeded over other potential applicants. Good for you! Now the real challenge beings... Get your game plan ready to tackle a new job that requires you to prove yourself. Your experience and skills are not the only things that are crucial to maintaining your position. The attitude that you have towards the job and your new co-workers can make or break you. First of all, when you start your new job it's time to tackle all the challenging tasks head-on. It doesn't matter if you don't get acknowledged for every task you complete successfully. Your overall progress in the team environment depends on your ability to challenge yourself and overcoming any obstacles. If  one person notices your hard work, usually so does the rest of your team. Don't let others intimidate your ability to establish your path in the company. Always be professional and do it for the team. Your progress depends on your success as an individual. Keep your head up during hardships and train yourself with any challenges given. I noticed that any problems in the work environment normally make me grow as an individual. Keep up the good work!

Resume Length

Does size matter when it comes to resume? Well, yes it does. You don't want your resume to be too wordy and you don't want it to be too brief. Here's the thing... If you have over 10 years of professional experience, then you can use up to 3 pages. In all other cases, try to get straight to the point and don't go over 2 pages. I would recommend to cut down on old experience that's more than 5 years old. If you are in the field that's very diverse in terms of your skills and experience, then build a skills-based resume which allows you to control the length of the resume by categorizing professional skills. Short resumes, on the other hand, portray your lack of experience. Please don't stress yourself out too much over the length of your resume! If you would like to keep it over 3 pages long, then organize it in the way that  will make an employer want to keep scrolling down. Keep it interesting and unique. Organization and quality of content is the key here. Good luck!

How to properly quit your job

So how do you put in your 2 week notice without burning any bridges? The most proper behavior is to always stay professional. You want to write resignation letter and give at least two weeks. If anyone gives you the hard time you just have to be a better person in all scenarios  For example, some people may be happier that you're leaving since you didn't do a great job in the first place, don't let that bother you, after all you are leaving for a better opportunity. When I left my previous job as a copywriter, many employees who wanted my position were eager for me to leave and I felt a sense of desperation. Many people showed their true characters. I also found out that many people were seeking another job as well and exchanged their contact information with me. Let's discuss the most anxious part of the whole process. Meeting with your boss to discuss your resignation. Well, here's my advice: Keep it concise and positive! Your boss may value you enough to offer a counteroffer for you to stay. Make sure to give warm thanks and explain that you would like to stay in touch. You never know. Don't burn your bridges! Also make sure to thank and say goodbye to all your co-workers.