CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the timing is right for potential job seekers to explore new opportunities. The December 2018 report indicates that U.S. employers continue to add jobs, while unemployment rates remain at a historic low.
“For would-be job-seekers, the timing has never been better to dust off your resume and pursue new opportunities,” says Sarah Yedlick, Office Expert at Boise Paper. "There are a record number of jobs and workers are in a good bargaining market – but a polished resume is still the key to getting your foot in the door.”
To take advantage of the current market, Yedlick advises applicants to review their resume word-for-word, line-by-line.
“No matter how many times you read through your resume, misspellings or typos are bound to slip through, Yedlick added. “Unfortunately, errors provide hiring managers with an easy way to weed out applicants.”
Because it’s easy to overlook mistakes when proofreading on a computer screen, print out a hard copy to review, Yedlick says. Regular copy paper works, or create less waste by using the back of another one-sided print you no longer need. To ensure it is 100 percent error-free, place another sheet of paper on top to block out the rest of the text, and then review word-for-word, line-by-line.
In addition to submitting an error-free resume, applicants can further stand out by using strong action verbs to describe their work experience, like “Implemented new strategy that increased sales by 10 percent,” or “Managed budget for integrated advertising campaign.” When creating action in your resume, Yedlick notes that it’s essential that your keywords relate to the position or job description, and to list the most impressive and important descriptions first.
Unfortunately, even the best-crafted resumes can fall victim to today’s technology – especially as an increasing number of companies rely on computer algorithms to filter applicants.
“Software conversion can wreak havoc on an otherwise well-formatted resume, so when applying to a position via email, always save and attach your resume as a PDF to ensure it will look exactly the way you want when opened,” Yedlick says.
Likewise, using resume builders for online job applications may seem like a time-saver, but may introduce errors in formatting and spacing – or worse, fail to upload all your information. If you cannot attach your resume as a PDF, it’s better to take the time to retype it word-for-word into the application, according to Yedlick.
Despite the digital nature of today’s job search process, Yedlick says that it’s still just as important as ever to come prepared to interviews with paper copies of your resume.
“Your resume is an opportunity to impress, so show you’re both serious and prepared by using the right paper,” Yedlick says. “Boise POLARIS® Premium Multipurpose paper is optimized to deliver crisp print regardless of whether you’re using a laser or inkjet printer.”
Yedlick suggests choose the 28 lb. sheet to combine exceptional brightness with a heavier weight for a professional touch. In addition, its 99.99% Jam-Free® Performance Guarantee will ensure worry-free printing every time.
“In many ways, your resume is a sample of the quality of your work your new employer can expect,” added Yedlick. “While the content is critical, don’t underestimate the importance of style and presentation.”
For more on improving office skills and productivity, visit www.BePaperSmart.com.
Contact:
Hannah Cheney
L.C. Williams & Associates
312/565-4610
hcheney@lcwa.com
About Boise Paper:
Boise Paper is a division of Packaging Corporation of America, headquartered in Lake Forest, IL. They manufacture a full line of office papers including copy, multipurpose, inkjet, laser, and colors, as well as printing and converting papers. They also offer recycled content options across all product lines. Their high quality products provide consistent, reliable results and are proudly made in the USA. Through their Quality You Can Trust promise, Boise Paper is committed to meeting the highest standards for product performance, customer collaboration, and supply chain excellence. Keep current with news and events at www.BoisePaper.com.