Provisional Blog

You’ve probably heard many times before that you should customize your resume for each job opening you’re applying for, whether it’s a variety of temporary jobs or a full-time one. The problem with this approach is that after spending hours – or even days – crafting the perfect resume, the last thing you want to do is spend more time customizing it.

But if you make some relatively simple modifications, you’ll likely get better results in the form of more interviews. To help you, here are 5 easy ways you can customize your resume and make it stand out:

1. Speak the same language as the job posting.

For instance, if the job posting calls for a “team player that can contribute innovative ideas,” then your resume should state that you’re a team player that has contributed innovative ideas. Be sure to give a specific example of an idea and the results it achieved.

2. Think about the order.

One job opening might require strong organizational skills, while another job opening might require leadership abilities. For each, you’ll want those respective skills to be highlighted first under your various job titles. So you may need to move bullet points around when customizing your resume.

3. Think about relevancy.

Not every item on your original resume will be valuable for every job opening. So if an item has zero relevancy for a particular position, then take it out. If you held multiple positions at one company, try to condense them or just feature the most significant job. Keep in mind, you want hiring managers to be reading the highlights of your career that pertain to the specific job opening.

4. Add some new details.

For instance, if the position you’re applying for is at a non-profit, and you do volunteer work at a local non-profit, then include that information on your resume. Why? It will give you an edge over your competitors who don’t have any non-profit experience.

5. Be honest.

Sometimes job postings will list skills or qualifications that you don’t have, which is o.k. Just don’t lie about having those skills, thinking it will help your chances. Instead, work on focusing and playing up the similarities between the job’s requirements and your background.

If you have any questions about customizing your resume, or would like some help landing job interviews, Provisional can help. As an employment firm in Spokane, Washington, we can give you access to a variety of opportunities, from temporary jobs that offer a more flexible schedule, to full-time positions at some of the city’s leading companies.

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As a Spokane employment agency, we understand that being unemployed for a long period of time is stressful and scary. But if you accept a job offer amidst a flood of warning signs – just to rejoin the workforce – you could be in trouble. In fact, you’ll likely wind up unhappy, unproductive, and back on the job hunt in no time flat. We’ve seen it happen before.

Instead, when you’re searching for a new job, you should be looking for one that’s a good fit for your skills and personality. And you should also always be on the lookout for these 5 red flags:

1. A step down.

Be cautious if a potential employer wants you to take a big step down. Not only will this hurt your career, but it will also impact your quality of life. You’ll likely be making less money doing work that isn’t rewarding or is flat out boring for you. What’s more is that in the future, a prospective employer looking at your resume will question your wisdom in accepting a big demotion from a previous position.

With that said, if taking a small step back in your career will help you land a job at a Spokane firm you’ve always wanted to work for and there’s room for career growth, by all means, go for it. The bottom line is that it’s important to look at the big picture when planning your next career move.

2. An immediate offer.

If an employer makes you an offer on the spot, at your first interview, be wary. You may have knocked their socks off with your impressive skills; or they may be experiencing high turnover and be desperate to fill the position. If you’re uncertain, ask them questions about their turnover rate and how many jobs they currently have open or unfilled.

3. Vague answers.

To truly assess whether a job and an employer are a good fit for you, you should be asking lots of questions during the interview. But if the interviewer is giving you vague answers in return, that could be a sign of trouble. They could be trying to conceal a problem with the company or the fact that the job opening isn’t really what it seems to be. Reputable employers will give you clear and specific answers to your questions about their company and the job opening.

4. 11th hour changes.

If you’ve verbally accepted a job offer and the employer wants to make changes right before you sign a contract, this could be an indication of what’s to come in the future if you do accept the job – unpredictability and frustration.

5. Gut feelings.

When you leave a job interview, you will probably have a good sense of whether the job is right for you or not. Either you’ll feel a sense of elation at the prospect of landing the position, or a sense of doom at the thought of being offered the position. If it’s the latter, then go with your gut. Too often, candidates accept positions that they know aren’t right for them just so they can get back to work – only to wind up miserable in the end.

And if you need help finding a job that you love, please contact Provisional. We are an experienced and award-winning Spokane employment agency that has put more than 20,000 people to work since 1994. Contact us today – and you could be next!

You get up at 5 am. Check your email. Get the kids ready for school. Exercise. Go to work. Put out fires. Skip lunch. Go to meetings. Get home late. Help with homework. And then do it all over again the next day.

Sound familiar? From Seattle to Spokane to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, it seems like we’re all busier than ever and, as a result, it’s becoming harder and harder to juggle personal and professional lives. But there is a better way. Here are some tips for achieving balance in your life:

Determine what really matters to you.

Figure out your priorities by asking yourself some questions:

• If you could focus on one thing in your life and one thing only, what would it be? (Think job, family, friends, faith, hobbies, community service, etc.)
• What would the second thing be?
• The third?

And so on until you have a list of your top five priorities.

Whenever you’re engaged in one of these priorities – whether it’s career, family or personal – focus totally on it. Don’t think about all the laundry that’s piling up at home while you’re trying to prepare for a meeting, or about next week’s performance review when you’re spending time with your kids.

Eliminate unnecessary activities.

Now that you have a concrete list of your priorities, you may realize that you’re spending too much time on unimportant activities – like watching TV or surfing the web. Drop or cut back on the activities that aren’t on your priorities list because they are keeping you away from what matters most.

Take some private time.

You probably wouldn’t skip work because you didn’t have time. Nor would you miss a parent-teacher conference because it got in the way of your schedule. Your private time should be just as protected. Making time for yourself can lead to greater satisfaction and productivity in both your personal life and your work life.

Accept help.

We all need to rely on others at one time or another. Don’t make yourself feel guilty for relying on your spouse, family, co-workers, or friends to help you succeed.

Plan time for fun.

Fun and relaxation are an important part of a well-balanced life. So make time for those hobbies that are important to you, whether it’s working out, going out with friends, or taking a guitar lesson.

Achieving a better work life balance isn’t rocket science. All it takes is some careful planning and focusing on what matters most.

What about you? Has there been anything you’ve done lately to achieve a more balanced life? Please share your thoughts below.