Part 2 in writing a winning resume.

We have already looked at in an early post:  Personal information, top accomplishments that most interests employers and the resume check list.  Next for your resume lets look at:

Work History:

 Your work experience should be written in reverse chronological order – last or present position first. It should tell the employer what you have done and accomplished in your past employment. For each position previously or presently held, you should provide:

1. Month and year you were employed (Giving the years of employment is not enough – it leaves room for suspicion!).
2. The name of your employer.
3. Your title.
4. Your responsibilities – written in paragraph form, with all duties and responsibilities you held for that position. It should be around  6 sentences in length.
5. Your accomplishments. Don’t just say what you did:spell out the consequences and implications. Every single time you mention a duty or an accomplishment, pretend an interviewer is asking, “So What? Who cares? What does that mean to me?” This will enable you to write from the potential employer’s perspective. List your accomplishments in quantifiable terms.

Accomplishments include:

• Dollar amounts. Ways you made or saved your company money – be sure to include the exact dollar figures.
• Percentages. Examples of this would be increased in occupancy, increase in net operating expenses, a decrease in delinquency. Be sure to include an exact number.
• Awards, nominations, and scores on evaluations. Unless this is your first resume, do not include jobs you held during high school. The exception would be any job that directly relates to the position for which you are applying. There should be no unexplained gaps over 6 months on your resume. Acceptable gap fillers include: stay-at-home mom, temporary assignments, went back to school.

 Education:

The Education section of your resume is to show an employer that you have the necessary education to do the job. Education includes certificates, continuing education, higher education, degrees and seminars. This, too, should be listed in reverse chronological order – use the most recent first. Be sure to include degree(s) or certificate attained, the institution you attended, and the date you received your diploma. You may also include any academic honors you were awarded. We do not recommend including your GPA – unless it will help sell yourself to an employer.

Once you have prepared your resume your are ready to start looking for a new job. Remember, your resume is the first impression a potential employer gets of you. Make sure it is crisp, professional, factual, informative and easy to read.

Article by:  Micha Dearen is an associate director for Action Executive Search, in Houston Texas specializing to the Real Estate – Multifamily industry since 1999.

Michael Maynard, Certified Personnel Consultant, is an associate director for Liberty Executive  Search with over nine years experience.

Tips to writing a winning resume

A resume is one of the most important screening tools companies use to decide which potential candidates to interview.  Since most hiring authorities look at a resume for less than 40 seconds, the time you invest in its creation is very important; the information therein will determine whether you are considered for an interview.

Employers want to know about your skills and accomplishments and how these will benefit their company. It will be helpful to look at your resume from the Employer’s point of view. Ask yourself, “How do my skills and experience look to a potential employer?” In order to ensure your resume promotes your career in the most positive light, consider the following information.

Personal Information:

The first section should include your name, address, home phone number, mobile phone number, fax number and e-mail address. If you may be contacted at your current employer, you may include your work phone number and your fax number. Be sure to include all of this information so you can be easily contacted by the potential employer.

Top Accomplishments That Most Interest Employers:

• Increased revenue (by how much $?)
• Saved money (How much $?)
• Increased efficiency (By what percentage?)
• Cut overhead (By how much $?)
• Increased sales (By how much $?)
• Improved workplace safety (By doing what?)

Resume checklist:

1. Is all the important information included?
2. Is the information included important to the employer?
3. Have I used specific, quantifiable numbers in describing my accomplishments?
4. Is all the information included accurate?
5. Is the typeset/font clear, professional?

 Work History & Education are key.

In part 2 we will look at both of those aspects of your resume.

Extra Tip: As we look at your resume it is also a good time to look at your linkedin profile if you have one, or start one.

(photo credit: InterviewMastermind)

Construction Project Manager

If you are looking for a new opportunity as a construction manager in the Houston area, read on…

An owner/developer/ manager apartment management company based in Houston, Texas is seeking a construction project manager. All projects are very high end and very detailed. Candidate must have a proven record in apartment development/construction with minimum of 8 years experience in stick frame and epicore construction.   This position will direct and oversee the construction management in all phases of construction.

Candidate must have familiarity with current unit pricing of materials and sub contractor cost.

Requirements for a construction project manager:

• Bachelors Degree in Construction Management or related discipline (a plus but not mandatory);
• Must be experienced in all aspects of construction – Stick and epicore construction;
• Knowledge of all local and state building codes.

Superstar Bilingual Leasing Agent in Houston

Superstar bilingual Leasing Agent needed for  350+ unit properties in the Galleria,SW, and 1960 areas of Houston. Candidates must have at least one year experience and good tenure. Salary depends on experience and strengths. Leasing and renewal bonuses are included as well as a discount on property. Housing experience is a plus. Full benefits are included.

A+++ Leasing Agents needed for a number of garden style, mid and high-rise properties in the downtown, inner-loop, mid-town, Galleria, West U, and energy corridor. Candidates must have great customer service skills, have at least one year experience on an A+ property, maintains a strong closing record and creative marketing ideas. Salary is determined by experience, education and interviewing skills. Leasing and renewal bonuses are very strong. Full benefits and stock options.

Sorry the position is filled…

Property Management Opportunity

We are seeking a Property manager for an A++ property that is near the University of Delaware. Candidates must have 3+ years experience as a Property Manager, degreed preferred or if you are currently working on your degree that is fine. This property is a larger property so the opportunity for advancement is very  high.

Very few people ever leave this company. Please send your resume to vic@aesrecruit.com or call Vic at 281-593-2910. Compensation is not an issue, they want the best manager in the area.

Start the new year with a new job in property management.

A national student-housing development and management company is looking for a super star Property Manager for an A++ student housing property located near the University of Delaware.

This student housing management opportunity in Delaware offers a great compensation package as well as opportunity for advancement. Candidates must have a degree or currently working on a degree in addition to 3+ years as a Property Manager. Managers with conventional A+ experience that are degreed will be considered. Very few people leave this company once they get on board. This management company is consistently building new properties and also taking on 3rd party management, so the company is experiencing a great deal of growth.

Please send your resumes to micha@aesrecruit.com. or call Micha at 832-437-2060.

Join an award winning team.

An owner, manager, developer is looking for a talented, dedicated Regional Manager. Properties range from A++ new construction to B-. Some travel may be required. Candidates MUST have at least 4 years experience as a Regional or Area Manager, experience with A product and good or explainable tenure. Degrees are preferred. Please contact me at 832-437-2060 or micha@aesrecruit.com

A large, national management company is looking for 2 A+ managers with A++ experience for their properties in the Houston, Texas area (both located in the Inner Loop/Galleria area). Candidates must have a very professional image, at least 3 years experience as a Manager and good or explainable tenure. Degrees are a plus. Please contact me at 281-593-2910 or at vic@aesrecruit.com

A national student housing management company is looking for a very strong Marketing Director in the Delaware area.

Candidates must have at least 1 year experience as a Marketing Director and a degree or in college working towards a degree. Opportunity for advancement or relocation is very strong. This particular position is for a single site, but there is the opportunity to become a multi-site Marketing Director. Please contact me at 281-593-2910 or vic@aesrecruit.com