Arnold-Smith Associates

07/05/2025

Providing the latest job opening with Monroe County agencies.

08/01/2024

CELEBRATING OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY
30% OFF CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

ResumeSOS.com / Arnold-Smith Associates is offering a 30% discount for August, 2024 in celebration of its 30th anniversary. We’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of job seekers pursue their career goals by providing resume, cover letter / e-messaging, LinkedIn, and interview prep services – prices for which will be discounted through August 31, 2024. (Some restrictions apply)
Please consider:

* If you’ve been in your current job for more than a year – and haven’t updated your resume and LinkedIn profile, this is a good time to prepare for a potential new opportunity.

* If you’re currently seeking a new opportunity, and haven’t seen positive results (yet!), a professionally prepared resume or LinkedIn profile may help generate increased interest from prospective employers and / or recruiters.

* If you haven’t completely fleshed out your LinkedIn profile, we can help you optimize the content to raise your visibility with prospective employers and / or recruiters.

Visit us at http://www;ResumeSOS.com or call 585-383-0350 for more details.

07/30/2024

05/21/2024

Lifespan is a nonprofit in Rochester, NY providing information, guidance and services to older adults

05/15/2024

Honor and respect the police who protect us every day ...

03/31/2024

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

11/11/2023

We live in the land of the free because of the brave. Thanks to all veterans for your service to our nation. 🇺🇲

07/13/2022

Is Your Resume ATS Compatible?

There’s lots of chatter on social media about making your resume ATS compatible. If you’re not already familiar with that term, ATS stands for “Applicant Tracking Software.” Many employers, especially larger companies, use ATS systems to collect and manage information about job applicants.

The evolution of ATS systems has been rapid and continuous in recent years and has led to some misconceptions as the parameters have changed. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re applying online:

• Most ATS systems can read MS Word documents (.docx) or PDFs. When you apply online, the employer’s website will usually tell you which file formats it can accept, but in most cases, that will include both Word and PDF files. We recommend uploading a PDF whenever possible. The PDF format will preserve the formatting and readability of your document for when a hiring person eventually reads it.

• Make sure to use key words. The best approach is to read the job posting to identify the key words that are most important to the employer. Incorporating those key words into your resume will improve the chances that it pops up in search results when an employer searches the ATS database for suitable applicants.

• Use a “Reverse Chronological” format. ATS systems look for employer names and dates and are designed to seek the current or most recent employer first, and then work backwards from there. A functional or skills-based resume can confuse the software. It’s also preferable to place employment dates on the right margin.

• You CAN use fancy fonts. If you want to give your resume a visually appealing appearance for the human reader, feel free to use creative fonts, as appropriate. ATS systems see the characters without regard to the type face. At the same time, you want to be sure that the fonts you choose can be easily read by that human hiring person.

• Avoid using headers/footers. Some applicants put their contact information in a header within a word document. This is a bad idea because ATS systems ignore anything in a header or footer. This means that your fantastic resume that would otherwise get you an interview will be skipped because your contact information can’t be seen by the ATS systems.

• Tables and text boxes won’t be seen. Text boxes and tables are viewed by ATS systems as graphics, which means they will be ignored. Sometimes it’s tempting to put lists of skills or capabilities in a table, or a key bit of information in a text box for emphasis, but ATS can’t read them. A better choice is to use columns, or you can draw a box around text you want to emphasize, both of which are compatible with ATS.

These are just a few tips on how to optimize your resume for ATS systems and online applications. For a FR** critique of your resume and advice on how improve its ATS compatibility, contact ResumeSOS at [email protected] To learn more about our full spectrum of job search services, including LinkedIn profiles, interview preparation, and career change coaching, visit us at www.ResumeSOS.com.

06/08/2022

Is LinkedIn Important to My Job Search?

If you’re looking for your next job and you’re not on LinkedIn already, you should be. Research shows that a majority of recruiters and hiring professionals use LinkedIn to find candidates for positions they are filling. If you’re hoping to advance your career, having a solid LinkedIn profile will make you more visible to these decision makers.

LinkedIn can also be a “passive” job search tool, as well. Because HR professionals are always searching on LinkedIn, they may find you there and call you about opportunities that you didn’t even know existed.

In addition, LinkedIn is great for networking, both locally and globally. You can connect with other professionals in your field, or join industry groups. Career experts will tell you that networking is a key component of a successful job search, and LinkedIn is an efficient way to network, especially during the pandemic.

To get the best results, your profile needs to be more than just an upload of your resume. LinkedIn is your opportunity to tell your story in a much more compelling way. Everything from your “Headline” and “About” section to your “Background” and “Skills” section can work together to advance your brand. You can link to media that showcase your professional skills and accomplishments, as well as uploading photos, PowerPoints, or documents that demonstrate your unique value to a prospective next employer.

At www.ResumeSOS.com, we have the training and experience to tell your story and optimize your presence on LinkedIn. Contact us for a free critique of your existing LinkedIn profile, or ask about how we can help you build an effective new profile from scratch. [email protected] / 585-383-0350. Arnie Boldt | LinkedIn

01/13/2022

Now almost two years into the pandemic, many businesses have adjusted to using online interviews to meet job candidates while adhering to social distancing guidelines. The migration toward more remote work has also contributed to the growth of virtual interviews.

While it can be challenging to make a positive impression with this form of communication, it's possible to hone your interview skills to ensure a successful meeting. Here's some advice on how to ace an online interview.

How to Succeed in an Online Job Interview

1. Perform a Test Run
While advances in technology make it possible to meet with interviewers at the push of a button, new unfamiliar apps, computer malfunctions, and connectivity issues can still present challenges in online meetings. Like arriving on time for an in-person meeting, a strong internet connection and a basic understanding of the conferencing software is vital when attending an online interview.
Prepare in advance by familiarizing yourself with the meeting software and testing functions like your audio, video, and internet connection. If possible, host a mock interview with a friend or relative for technical feedback and to practice your interview skills.

2. Dress Professionally
Despite the casual forum, it's essential to dress the same online as you would for an in-person interview. Though you'll likely only be visible from the waist up, completing your outfit from head to toe, including shoes, can help you feel more confident and put together, which comes across in both your body language and attitude.
It's also important to choose an environment in your home that is quiet, tidy, and professional in appearance. If possible, avoid interviewing in front of your television or cluttered areas.

3. Slow Down
Unlike face-to-face conversations, it can be challenging to identify social cues or vocal inflections during online communication. If you're feeling nervous, you may talk faster than usual and unintentionally cut your interviewer off. Audio delays can exacerbate this issue, especially in multi-person interviews.
Prevent accidental interruptions by taking a short pause before you speak to ensure your interviewer has finished. Allowing a few seconds to pass before answering also gives you time to think about your response and provide a more thoughtful answer.

If you need help preparing for your next interview, contact www.ResumeSOS.com in Rochester, NY. For over a quarter of a century, our career transition experts have provided professional guidance, helping jobseekers across North America strengthen their resumes and interview skills. Call (585) 383-0350 to schedule an appointment or visit them online to learn more about their services.