Highlight and Quantify Leadership

When you embark on a career in the hospitality industry, you are agreeing to take on jobs that will directly impact the public.  This level of responsibility requires strong, self-assured leaders who can navigate customer service issues while leading a crew or team to meet a company’s overall goal.

If you are interested in a high-paying hospitality career, you will need to show that you have strong leadership skills.  No matter which field you operate within, you will need to prove that you’ve been responsible for leading teams in the past, and then quantify your accomplishments in this role—something that can easily be accomplished by listing revenue earned, quantities of people managed, etc.

Showcase Your Versatility

Working within the hospitality industry means you’re taking on one of the more diverse career options out there.  As a person interested in a high-paying job, it helps to show that you are a versatile candidate—someone who understands life at the managerial level but can also relate to problems across several fields.

For instance, if you are hoping to become a casino general manager, you could benefit from casino, hotel, and restaurant experience as many casinos encompass all three.  Showing that you have a diverse background could give you a leg up on your competition.

Present a Deep-Rooted Understanding of the Industry

Another tip to consider as you push toward higher-paying jobs in hospitality is that most hiring managers are going to expect you to showcase a deep-rooted understanding of the industry.  To help you gain this understanding, it’s a good idea to read trade magazines and Web sites that zero in on the ups and downs of hospitality—especially as they relate to the field on which you’re focused.

Don’t be shy about taking your knowledge one step further by setting up a Twitter profile dedicated to industry-related tweets—or even starting your own hospitality blog.  Also, consider joining an industry-related organization.  Of course, these details would be listed on your resume as further proof of your entrenchment in the industry, helping to push you ahead of your competition.

Earning a larger salary in any industry requires a higher level of dedication.  Proving you are capable of doing the work that merits earning the big dollars is completely possible, especially if you make it a point to submit the right resume.

For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.

First, decide just when to ask for a raise. This can be tricky. Many employees opt to only ask for a raise on a yearly basis, but it is possible and sometimes even suggested, to ask for raises on a more frequent basis. When trying to determine the best time to ask for a raise, consider the following:

Is your employer financially secure? Even if your company announce it’s earnings from the rooftop, it is generally possible to determine if they are secure or experiencing cash flow difficulties. Obviously asking for a raise when a company is strapped for cash is not a great idea.

Has your employer recently won new business, reached a sales goal or other milestone? If so, it is often best to ask for a raise as soon as possible – especially if you contributed to the success.

Have you recently done something to change your company in a positive way? Finishing a large project, winning a new client or developing a helpful program for the company can make you shine and is the best way to successfully ask for a raise.

Once you have determined the perfect time to ask for a raise, you next need to learn how to do so in an appropriate manner that is professional but also persuasive (minus the chocolates and sucking up). Remember to keep all communications regarding your request positive, and be prepared for a ‘no’ or an offer that is less than you expected.

When asking for a raise, remember that your best weapon is your record of successful accomplishments. Properly documenting and presenting them is critical towards a successful request. Carefully and concisely outlining your accomplishments as well as your growth is the first step towards asking for a raise.

Finally, always remember that professionalism is key. Because of this, it is vital that an employee not ignore the management structure of their organization. Every employee should first approach their manager or supervisor with their salary raise increase request. Jumping ahead is little more than stepping on the toes of the manager and will likely not result in a raise.

If you are not satisfied with cost of living or non-existent raises, don’t be afraid to approach your manager about your needs. An employee who recognizes their strengths and contributions and is willing to learn and grow is an asset to any organization – raises simply make sense. Find the best time to present your request and documentation and you will likely see your salary increase.

Guest Post by:  Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional & Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 9+ best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals. As a proud member of PARW, CDI, AORCP, Erin also sits on CDI’s Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDI’s Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com.

For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.

Have you thought about switching careers but have felt intimidated by the process—especially writing a new resume?  The transition can be relatively smooth if you consider the following ways to make your move:

Thoroughly Study the New Industry

As an executive who has focused on one career for many years, there’s no doubt that you probably know your field inside and out.  If you want to switch to a new field, you have your work cut out for you in attempting to duplicate the level of wisdom and insight you’ve acquired from your many years of hard work.

The good news is that, when entering your new field, you don’t have to possess the same level of wisdom.  But you do need to take time and really study some of its important ups and downs to help you smoothly navigate into a new position when the time is right.

Fortunately for you, the Internet age is thriving, giving you the opportunity to not only study all of the historical and up-to-date information about your field that you could want—but also almost all of the companies for which you’d like to work.  Think about what it is you’d want someone working for you to know about the industry you are leaving, and then take time to learn information about the new company in order to help you write a better resume.

Create a Common Ground Between Your Old and New Careers

One thing that is important when writing your resume is finding a way to create a bridge between your old career and the one you’re hoping to switch to.  Hiring managers will immediately recognize that you don’t have a background specifically in the position you’re applying for.  Don’t make them have to guess how it is that you will be able to use one background to excel in a new career.  Take time to create that common ground on your own by highlighting aspects of your career that you feel can enhance a company’s goals.

But don’t spend time comparing and contrasting; in other words, don’t send the message, “I’m not from your field, but can you hire me anyway?”  Instead, push to let the company know you’re simply the right person—that’s all.  Let them ask you questions about gaps and concerns after you score your interview.

For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.

Do you fit into this category?  Can you go above and beyond the call of duty to meet the demands of the company at such an important level?  If you can, your job is to prove it through your resume.  Here are some tips to help you show the company that you are indeed a great catch.

Prove You’re Results-Driven

Getting results, whatever they may be for the company and the position in which you’re interested, is one of the most important factors in determining whether you are the right candidate over another very qualified executive.  This means, not only is it important that you show that you fully understand what they company needs but also that you are the person who can deliver results.

One great way to prove you’re results-driven is to show that you’ve achieved the desired results for previous employers.  Be specific about your accomplishments.  Tell the prospective employer how much you’ve earned for a company, how many new clients you pulled in, and the initiatives you started that changed the direction of a company.  In other words, give them everything they need to make them think when they first glance your resume: “This person is too good to pass up.”

Show How Unique You Are

Now that you’ve found some ways to show you’re a great catch, you’ve managed to accomplish what probably every other candidate has too.  Next, your job is to prove that, even though the other candidates have results as well, something makes you unique—you are able to stand out from the pack.

Be sure to create a winning job target/headline at the top of your resume that markets your skills and accomplishments in one brief statement.  Also, create a career summary that highlights key moments in your career that make you truly unique.

Have you won awards for your leadership, been published in major publications, or given presentations in your field?  Be sure to list them in their own section somewhere not far from the top of your resume.  And don’t be shy about raking in some testimonials from influential people who are willing to vouch for your candidacy.

All of these small inclusions make a huge difference in showing how unique you are as a candidate.  So put a lot of effort into doing all you can to stand out.  The more time you give to lining yourself up with the job, company, and industry, the more likely an employer is to think you’re a great catch.

For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.

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One tool that is regularly recommended is the career summary.  As a biotech professional, it’s good for you to consider this option as well.  It not only summarizes your most important professional accomplishments but also gives the reader a quick guide to help him or her decide whether to add you to the “keeper” or “denial” file.

Why Experts Are Moving Away From Objective Statements

If you’ve written a resume in the past, you’re probably familiar with the objective, which is a one- or two-sentence statement explaining what you’re objective is in applying for the job.  Usually, it looks something like this: “Seeking to showcase my skills, achievements, and talent in hopes of joining XYZ Biotech Company.”

The problem with an objective statement like this is that it comes across as bland and too broad.  It doesn’t break down what you can actually do for that company, forcing the reader to dig through your resume to find this information.  The career summary, on the other hand, offers the information right at the top of the resume, ensuring that your career highlights are easy to find.

How Do I Write a Great Biotech Career Summary?

So how can you create a winning biotech career summary that will entice a hiring manager or recruiter?  Similar to writing a summary for any other field, your job will be to highlight standout aspects of your career that make you shine and also line up with the position for which you’re applying.

To get started, it’s good to look over the most significant moments in your career to date.  Try to come up with about 10 (e.g., winning a clinical research award, being published in a scientific journal, discovering a not-yet-discovered organism, etc.), then narrow your list down to no more than five.

To help you narrow down the list, think of what is most impressive to you or others and what you are most proud of.  Then come up with as many details for those highlights as you can while trying to keep each bullet-point item to one sentence (e.g., “Winner of Leadership Award with XYZ Biotech Company for exceptional site technical leadership in cell culture process and management of tech transfers of new processes in manufacturing”).

Really take time to think about what you want to add to each summary you write for each resume you submit.  In other words, don’t just use the same summary over and over again—tailor it to each position.  This way, you can create a resume that genuinely shows you are the right person for the job.

For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.