How to Make a Resume

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Want to make your resume shine? Here's how to put together a resume that will impress any employer.

Steps

1. Start by making a list of all the jobs you had and the dates. Don't leave anything out. Include jobs, awards, educational degrees, skills, personal projects: anything that would be impressive and/or interesting to anyone (even if not impressive or interesting to everyone). Even after your resume is finished, maintain this list. That way, you don't have to revisit those portions year after year. Organize your list by category.
   
2. Tailor your list to the position you're applying for (this will require a bit of research). Trim out each item that is not directly relevant to the job and add on two or three sentences explaining the relevance of each item. Whenever possible, list your experience in terms of accomplishments and achievements rather than tasks and responsibilities. Show your success. You may end up with many different versions of your resume, each one emphasizing a different set of skills.
   
3. Consider stating your objective. Again, keep this short and to the point, a single sentence. Personalize it to the position. Make sure your objective doesn't contradict the position you are applying for. Many employers will ignore an objective; so if it doesn't add something to the resume, don't include it.
   
4. It's time to format. Mind the look and feel of your resume. It should have clean lines and be easy to read. Make it two pages max, and only one page if you're just out of school - if you have more to share, save it for the interview. The font should be 10-13, no smaller, no bigger, but you should be able to read it well when you print it out. Black and white is best unless you're emphasizing your artistic or publishing skills (and even then be careful and tasteful). Keep the format neat and organized.
   
5. Include an address, phone number and email address. But, do not include an email that shows you shouldn't be taken seriously, such as beerandboys@email.com. Don't use your current employer's name, number or email, either. If necessary, get an extra email address with a professional name that you can use for job searches.
   
6. Proofread, proofread and proofread again. Have a friend or professional that you trust proofread. Have an friend proofread. Have a stranger proofread. Then proofread it again and again and again! Remember, this decides your future!! Take criticism well and remember that just because someone suggests something doesn't mean you have to make the change. Also,tell people to be frank. Don't boast about written communication skills with a typo.
   
7. Toot your own horn, but be careful you don't toot it too hard you don't want to inflict disadvantageous damage. There is a fine line between fun and permanent damage.
   
8. Follow directions. This is a huge indicator of responsibility to a hiring manager. If the ad says "no calls please," then don't call! If the job description asks you to provide your salary history, then you will probably want to include that information in your resume. However, this is not an absolute: it may limit your negotiating power to get the best possible salary.
   

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Tips

• The point of a resume is not to get the job, it's to get the interview. Focus on your best accomplishments. Focus on things you've accomplished so that whoever reads the resume will think, "I want to find out more about how this person did that."
  
• Be consistent! Format each entry in your resume in the same way.
  
• Include an Executive Summary. Many (most?) resumes only get a brief look-through (there may well be 40 applicants for one job). Sometimes, just five or ten seconds is spent scanning through on each one. Therefore,consider including an Executive Summary as the very first thing the employer sees. This will be a concise (3-5 line) note on your education, experience, and abilities. Label this prominently (in a contrasting colour).
  
• Don't over-qualify yourself for a position. Give enough information for interest and save the "wow" factor for the interview. Write the resume for the position you are applying for without altering the truth.
  
• Don't go overboard with your attachments! Don't attach 6 letters of recommendation, your diploma, your birth certificate, and your CPR and fitness certifications. Indicate your current certifications and be prepared to give references upon request.
  
• If you list your references in your resume (which many employers request anyway), be sure you have their permission to list them.
  
• If you're just out of school put your educational details in before your employment details, with the most recent first on both of them. If you've been out of school for more than a year, or you have significant job credentials then list past employment and accomplishments first.
  
• Consider leading with your strong suit, whether it be education, skills, work or volunteer experience. The idea is to showcase your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
  
• Detail your duties within each position but don't go overboard. Accomplishments are more impressive than duties. "Cut expenses by 25% over six months while maintaining historic revenue levels," is more impressive than, "Was responsible for a $500,000 budget." The latter says, "I did this," the former says, "I did this and I can do it for you."
  
• Highlight your expertise in any particular skills that will impress the interviewer, such as software programs, foreign languages, customer service, or anything else that might be relevant to the job.
  
• Listing personal hobbies is optional (and can make you look well-rounded), but make sure they are sending the right impression. You may be proud of your skateboarding prowess, but the employer will probably be more impressed with your Toastmaster's International speaking experience.
  
• Quantify your accomplishments, if possible, by applying specific numbers to your successes. For instance, if you streamlined the flow of work for your department, define how much time it saved the company over a period of, say, 4 months. Time is money.
  
• Think hard about what you've done and what you've accomplished. Many people are somewhat shy and modest about what they have done on the job. Don't be! For instance, instead of saying "answered phones," say "answered multi-line phone and routed calls for an office of 43 people." The example here shows the prospective employer the volume of work you've handled and the complexity of the equipment.
  
• Consider double submissions: Send one application to Human Resources, another to the most applicable ranking officer (research and find out who that is). HR clerks have been known to disqualify resumes on a technicality, while it may catch the (less bureaucratically inclined) officer's eye.
  
• If possible, keep the resume for a day or two before reading it again. You may think of something else you want to add before submitting it to prospective employers.
  
• Write a cover letter that is short, sweet and to the point (and specifically written for the job you're applying for). If at all possible, do not write more than a page-long cover letter (make sure, though, that you include everything the employer asks for). Try and remember that the person reading it is probably looking at hundreds of resumes. Address logical questions in your cover letter. If you're applying for a position in California but your resume has a New York address, explain why. If you don't, the reader will probably trash the resume (unless the company is ready and willing to pay for a relocation package).
  
• Keep your layout simple. For example, don't use too many type fonts, two or three at most. Sans-serif fonts are best for headers, serif fonts are best for listing the details. White space is free and makes for easier reading. Be very careful in using colour (except very occasionally and for emphasis). Make it easy for the employer to find the information he wants.
  
• Backup your resume, on a USB, hard-copy, or even in the draft folder of your email.
  
• Do not pad your resume. This may be illegal, and, if discovered, may well cost you the job, if not immediately, then months or even years later.
  
• Do not include irrelevant personal information. This includes age, religion, political affiliation, race, and similar (unless these are job-related).
  
• Be culturally aware. In some cultures it is customary to list your age, marital status, and family status, it is not common everywhere (such as in the US). If you think age is important, you can allude to it with the year you graduated college or high school. Otherwise, these dates aren't necessary. Beware that, depending on the industry, you may face age discrimination if you graduated many years ago. For example, in creative industries, having graduated more than a few years ago may disqualify you from getting an interview for a junior position.
  
• Including a photograph? In some countries, or for certain jobs, this is expected. Elsewhere, it may be illegal for the employer to ask for one. It certainly personalizes your resume and adds visual appeal (assuming you don't make Quasimodo look handsome!)
  
• Fill-in-the-blank style resume builders are readily available, particularly on Microsoft word processors.
  
• Draft, re-draft, and revise again!
  
• Remember, the resume lands you the interview and the interview gets you the job!
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Write a Resume for graduates
  
• How to Find an Internship
  
• How to Switch Careers
  
• How to Get a Job for Which You Are Not Really Qualified
  
• How to Develop Your Personal Elevator Pitch
  
• How to Write a Good Cv (curriculum Vitae)
  
• How to Include References on a Resume
  
• How to Post Your Resume Online
  
• How to Answer an Interview Question on Your Previous Job Experience
  
• How to Write a Theater Resume
  

Sources and Citations

• Example CV Resume Template
  
• Resume
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Resume. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How to Buy a Home in Charleston South Carolina

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article provides a step by step accounting of the key steps in the home buying process - from budget planning to mortgage considerations to home inspections to closing.

Steps

1. Be across the six major steps in the buying process. These are:
   
   • 1) Understanding Your Goals
     
   • 2) Determining What You Can Afford
     
   • 3) House Hunting
     
   • 4) Submitting an Offer
     
   • 5) Post Ratification Action Items and
     
   • 6) Closing the Deal will be addressed in this guide.
     
   
   
2. Understand your goals. Purchasing a home is a valued investment which can have many financial advantages. Generally homes appreciate in value which means each monthly payment you make is an investment in your future. But even if the home doesn’t appreciate (rare but it is dependent on length of ownership and market dynamics) you will benefit from tax benefits (you can deduct both the interest on home mortgage payments as well as the cost of property taxes). Making payments toward a mortgage is an excellent way to establish a good credit rating.
   
3. Realize the emotional gain. For many the knowing that you are free to decorate, keep pets, paint etc. is the most satisfying element of home ownership. A special sense of security and satisfaction comes from being able to put down roots in a neighborhood.
   
4. Determine what you can afford. Before you take the Homeownership plunge you must understand your current financial position. You must consider how long you intend to live in the home and in our current economic market it is advised that you carefully consider your job security.
   
5. Do an asset analysis. Before initiating the home buying process you must examine your assets, liabilities and get a handle on your monthly expenses. You will want to consider all sources of income, housing expenses, current loans, cost of health care, transportation, childcare, food and entertainment.
   
   • In general terms to qualify for a conventional mortgage, your total monthly housing cost (includes principal, interest, taxes and insurance – PITI) should not exceed 28% of your monthly income. For example: 28% of a $3,600 gross monthly income would qualify a buyer for a $1,108 per month payment. This is a general rule of thumb and exceptions do exist which is why you must speak with a mortgage professional.
     
   • Credit Scores are more important than ever in determining your “lending risk” and in some cases you may need to repair your credit prior to qualifying for a mortgage.
     
   • To access a free copy of your Credit Report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com – the only authorized online source for you to get a free credit report under US federal law. You can get a free report from each of the three national credit reporting companies every 12 months. Some other sites claim to offer "free" credit reports, but may charge you for another product if you accept a "free" report.
     
   
   
6. Get ready to make an offer on a property. A pre-qualification letter from the lender is necessary to accompany it. Therefore, it's important to start this process first, sometimes even before looking at properties. A second benefit is that the buyer will know beforehand exactly what they're qualified to buy, what issues might need to be addressed, items might be needed to be ready when applying for the loan, etc. To understand the cost of a home you must understand how it is financed. There are three critical components that impact the cost of a mortgage:
   
   • 1) Down Payment
     
   • 2) Closing Costs and
     
   • 3) The Mortgage. When you know the amount of down payment, closing costs and monthly mortgage payments you can afford, you can better determine how much home you can afford.
     
   • Typical closing costs may include the following items.
     
     • Costs of Establishing the Loan – loan origination fee (usually one point or 1% of the loan amount) , appraisal fee, credit report, (PMI) private mortgage insurance, homeowners hazard insurance, prepaid interest on the loan for the period between the closing date and the end of the purchase month
       
     • Costs of Borrowing Money – discount points (the more points, the lower the interest rate)
       
     • Costs of Document Preparation – attorney fees, title search to ensure the property is free of liens etc., recording & transfer fees
       
     • Your lender will provide a Good Faith Estimate which will show you these estimated charges by the line item. Your REALTOR should also be prepared to review these items with you if desired.
       
     
     
   
   
7. The principal amount of the mortgage, interest rate, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance will determine the amount of your monthly payments and is commonly referred to as PITI. To calculate your estimated monthly payment just click here on Mortgage Calculator.
   
8. House hunt. You will want to prioritize needs and wants before you hit the pavement and you will definitely want to work with a knowledgeable real estate professional. Examine your lifestyle carefully and ask yourself such questions as:
   
   • Geography – What area do I want to call home? What will be the commuting distance to work – to my children’s school?
     
   • Neighborhood – Do I want an older established community or a new construction neighborhood? How important are amenities to me and my family i.e., pool, play park, golf etc.
     
   • Styles of homes – How much space will you need? Do you prefer to have all bedrooms upstairs? Do you only want to consider 1-story dwellings? How about a townhouse? Do you like to do yard work or is a low maintenance condo best for your lifestyle?
     
   • Condition of home – Are you prepared to do some fix up work? If yes, to what extent – just cosmetic or major systems repair? Can you role any of these costs into your mortgage? If not, can you afford them?
     
   • Covenants & Restrictions – Do you want to keep a boat in the backyard? Better check to see if there neighborhood restrictions that allow this type of storage. Do you own a large dog? Better check to see if the community covenants will allow you to keep your pet.
     
   
   
9. Develop a sound home-search strategy. This includes a discussion of the Buyer’s Agency Agreement and the level of service & commitment they may anticipate. Once you have determined the "must have" elements and developed a list of preferred features, tell your real estate agent. This places them in a position to search the MLS database for properties that meet your needs. Once you understand the answers to these questions and the amount of home you can afford you can begin your search in earnest. One of the best ways to stay current with new homes coming on the market is to sign up for e-HomeNotice; this program will email you properties each day that meet the search criteria you establish.
   
10. Submit the offer. At this point it shouldn’t be too nerve wracking as you have done your preparation. The first thing to do is to check the comparable home sales in that subdivision to see if this home is priced fairly, and how it relates to others similar to it that have sold. This CMA (comparable market analysis) tells us the price range of sold properties are in the area, what the average time on the market for them has been, and the average sales price per square foot of the recent solds. Know if the home has been under contract recently and any information about the seller regarding their motivation. This might be an estate sale and the heirs may prefer to sell the property quickly or a bank owned home with additional requirements. All of these factors will influence how an offer to purchase is written.
    
11. Make sure that the purchase offer is complete. When the seller signs it, the document becomes a binding “Sales Contract” – you don’t want to omit any pertinent sale conditions. If the Offer is particularly complex it may be necessary and prudent to have a real estate attorney review the document prior to submitting the offer. Terms / Conditions to consider in the Purchase Offer may include:
    
    • Sale Price
      
    • Amount of the Earnest Money Deposit
      
    • Request for Closing Cost Support
      
    • Closing Date
      
    • Need for a Home Warranty
      
    • What Items Convey with the Home i.e., Swing Sets, Refrigerator, Window Treatments etc.
      
    • Contingencies based on Home Inspection / Wood Infestation Report (commonly referred to as the CL-100 Letter)
      
    • Expiration Date & Time
      
      • Once submitted the seller may accept the offer as is, reject it outright, or make changes and sign it back to you, the purchaser to see if you are willing to accept their changes. The process continues until a deal is agreed upon or negotiations are terminated.
        
      • Once the Purchase Offer is ratified it becomes a Sales Contract and the buying side really goes into action, arranging mortgage financing, scheduling a closing date / time with a real estate attorney, accumulating documents and data required for the closing.
        
      
      
    
    
12. Perform the post ratification action items. Make a mortgage application first. If you have not already done so, you will complete the lender’s application package which will include the necessary instructions and forms. The number of items can be lengthy but timeliness of response is critical. You must provide the seller with a written loan approval and the clock is ticking. Your lender will be busy obtaining: an appraisal of the home you intend to buy, verifying bank deposits, verifying the requirements for hazard/flood insurance etc.
    
13. Do a home inspection. Buyers should have a professional – licensed – inspector thoroughly inspect the home and provide a written report with accompanying photographs. A well qualified inspector can spot problems that you might not be able to see or recognize as a potential problem. Whenever possible you should be present for the Inspection and you should expect any problems that are identified to be clearly explained.
    
    • Lead Based Paint Disclosure. If you are purchasing a home built prior to 1978 you need to be aware of the possible presence of lead based paint in the home. Exposure to lead paint can have serious consequences, especially for infants, young children and pregnant women. By the law the seller must provide you written information about lead hazards and tell you about any known lead paint hazards in the home. You can have a professional inspect for the presence of lead based paint. You should never attempt the removal of lead based paint yourself.
      
    • Other Inspections You may opt to have the home inspected for other environmental hazards such as Radon Gas, Asbestos or Mold. It may be wise to contact the regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office if you have questions concerning hazards in the area.
      
    • Depending on the results of the inspections it may or may not be appropriate to prepare a List of Items to be Repaired or a Request for a Repair Credit. These items are required to be submitted in writing to the seller no later than 48 hours following the contract inspection date.
      
    • Wood Infestation Report (South Carolina, etc). This is a document completed by a qualified, licensed inspector following an inspection of the home for the presence of termites, other wood –destroying insects and fungi (water damaged wood, rot or decay). The report which is frequently referred to as the CL-100 Letter is required in order to proceed to Closing. In fact the attorney’s office will request the original copy of the report not a photocopy! The Cl-100 Inspection is typically ordered and paid by the seller – although this is not mandated and in many cases buyers prefers to manage this inspection. In fact the South Carolina Pest Control Association recommends that the purchaser of the structure rather then the seller, obtain the Wood Infestation Report. Note: In some practices, the estate agent will encourage the buyer to hire their own inspector.
      
    • Attorney Selection. In order to pass the title of a property, a deed with a proper description of the land must be executed and delivered. This is where you need a South Carolina Real Estate Lawyer. The State of South Carolina requires that an attorney be present at all real estate closings. In South Carolina it is customary for the buyer to select the closing attorney.
      
    
    
14. Chase up miscellaneous items. Do not be mistaken by the word miscellaneous, these items are critical if your closing is to go smoothly.
    
    • If you have selected to have a survey completed you must identify and schedule a surveyor. Again be advised that dates outlined in the contract are critical dates.
      
    • Select a Home Owners Insurance Carrier… your mortgage provider will require proof of your Home Owners Policy prior to closing. In addition if the property is located within a Flood Zone your mortgage provider will also require you to purchase a Flood Insurance Policy.
      
    • Arrange for Transfer of Utilities: It is advisable that you have critical utilities (electric, water, sewer) transferred into your name commencing on the day of closing. Utilities may include but are not limited to the following: Electricity, Water, Sewer, Cable, Telephone, Garbage, Gas, Security System etc. Please keep in mind that utility providers may require several days to schedule initiation of your service.
      
    • You may want to rekey the doors to your new home. If this is desired you must identify a locksmith and schedule this work.
      
    • If no Home Warranty is being provided you may want to consider the purchase of a policy which will protect various items in the home for your first year of possession following the closing. Differing levels of coverage are available so please read the respective policy carefully prior to selecting the plan that is most appropriate.
      
    
    
15. Close the deal. Ok the day will soon arrive … you are going to be the owner of a new home!! So let’s review a couple of items to ensure the closing goes smoothly.
    
    • First you will need to know the amount of funds you must bring to the closing table. Many attorneys in South Carolina will request that the funds be wired into their Trust Account prior to the actual closing. In some instances you may be able to bring a Cashier’s Check for the amount required…. Regardless I will make sure you have the required information.
      
    • Whenever possible you will want to review the HUD -1 – Settlement Statement prior to presenting at the attorney’s office. This provides an opportunity to review all costs and make any necessary adjustments. It is from the HUD-1 that you calculate the amount of money you may need to bring to the closing.
      
    • Always bring your personal check book so that you can pay any incidental costs.
      
    • Always bring an official photo ID i.e., A Drivers License as this will be required by the closing attorney.
      
    • You will want to have your moving plans in place… including the utilities turned on or possibly storage for your household items.
      
    • YOU MAY WANT TO BRING A NEW RING FOR YOUR KEYS!!
      
    
    

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy a Home in Charleston South Carolina. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How to Buy Seized Properties at Auction

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

So you want to begin making a living or a little extra purchasing seized properties? Read on in this simple guide to learn how.

Steps

1. Contact your local police station to find when seized properties will be auctioned.
   
2. Look through your local paper they may be listed there.
   
3. Arrive at said auction house and sign in or fulfill whatever procedures are required.
   
4. Bring several thousand dollars, at times houses may go for less then $10,000. Decide what type of property you want and buy it.
   
5. After purchasing the property make whatever plans necessary to renovate the property.
   

Tips

• Bring as much money as you can spare
  

Warnings

• Properties may be dilapidated and possibly have contraband in them depending on what crime the occupant(s) were charged with.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser
  
• How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent
  
• How to Do a Short Sell
  
• How to Perform a 1031 Exchange
  

Sources and Citations

• Jacksonville Florida Appraisers - An excellent source of Counties, Cites and Appraisers in the state of Florida.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Buy Seized Properties at Auction. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Read more...