Berks & Beyond Blog

Your résumé says a lot about you to a potential employer.

Are you confident yours is saying the right things?

If not, don’t worry – you’re not alone.  Many candidates are unsure about the quality of their résumés, or need assistance in improving content.  In fact, each year, Berks & Beyond Recruiters answer literally thousands of résumé questions.

We want to help you make the best possible first impression on a potential employer.  So take advantage of our experience!  Use our answers to these common questions to create a polished, powerful résumé:

How long should my résumé be?

The absolute max is two pages.  But honestly, you should try to keep it to one.  As a guideline, the length of your résumé should be determined by what you’ve accomplished in your career.  If you’re a seasoned veteran, you may need two pages; if you’re fresh out of school, limit yourself to one.

What are résumé keywords, and why are they important?

Résumé keywords are words or phrases you use to describe your skills and experience.  Most often, these terms are specific to your industry (e.g., an administrative job may be associated with keywords like “MS Word,” “word processing,” or “prepare presentations”).

Keywords are important because they can rule you in or out of consideration for an available job.  Recruiters use them to search through résumé databases, business networking sites and web job sites to identify potential job candidates.  The keywords you include in your résumé put your skills into focus for a recruiter and help him determine if you may be right for a job.

Why do I need multiple versions of my résumé?

There are two main reasons to create multiple versions of your résumé.  The first has to do with customization.  Simply put, the better your résumé matches an available position, the more likely you are to get a call for an interview.  So start by developing a “base” résumé that is generic enough to work for a variety of positions.  Then, as you apply for jobs, take your generic résumé and tailor it to match the requirements of each.

The second reason you need multiple versions of your résumé has to do with technology.  Different job sites and employers have different résumé submission requirements, so yours has to be flexible enough to be used in a variety of applications.

Create your “base” résumé in an ASCII text format (using a program like NotePad or WordPad to create this .txt version).  Use your .txt version for all your electronic submissions where you have to “cut and paste” your résumé to submit it.  Why?  A .txt file ensures your résumé will retain its formatting on the receiving end – and look right to the employer.

For printing or attachment purposes, convert your ASCII file to a Microsoft Word version.  Using MS Word, you can easily format margins, fonts, rules, etc. to make your printed copy look clean and professional.

Have a résumé or job-search related question?  Contact a Berks & Beyond Recruiter today.  We’ll listen and help you find the answers you need.  And if you’re looking for great jobs in Reading, Allentown, Pottstown, Harrisburg, York or Carlisle, check out our Job Board.

A food distribution company in Reading is seeking a Quality Assurance Assistant for a temporary-to-hire position.  This is a first shift position, Tuesday through Saturday, with the possibility of some overtime.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Microbiological testing of products, environment, and raw materials;
• Quality control checking of raw material;
• Monitoring, record keeping, and verification;
• Physical, chemical, and sensory quality control checking of finished product for quality and food safety;
• Conducting Daily Quality Attribute tests on in-process products;
• Recording raw material and finished product attributes;
• Involvement in QC functions such as mock recalls and calibration activities;
• Helping to maintain lab equipment;
• Assisting the QA Technician and plant management/supervisors to improve practices or products to improve any quality or food safety programs;
• Assisting in conducting training programs for employees on topics such as new employee hygiene training, food safety, etc.

Job Requirements:

• High School diploma;
• Minimum 1 year experience in a food production facility, working directly in hands-on production, QC monitoring, and record keeping;
• Must be detail-oriented and proactive;
• Must have good MS Word and Excel skills;
• Must have a good command of the English language, both written and spoken;
• Knowledge in safe food handling, GMPs, food plant sanitation, HACCP, and QC procedures (including microbial testing and analysis) is a plus;
• Must pass drug screen and background check.

Pay Rate:

Pay is $9.00 / hour.

Apply for the Quality Assurance Assistant job here.  Or search for other employment opportunities here.

Berks & Beyond is currently searching for a 2nd Shift Wrapper Operator.

Job Details:
A food manufacturing facility in Reading, PA is seeking a Wrapping Machine Operators for a 2nd shift position.

Job Requirements:
The ideal candidate must have previous wrapper operation experience in a food manufacturing environment. Knowledge of setting up, tearing down, and troubleshooting wrapping machines is a must. Must be able to pass drug screen and background check. Must have own transportation.

Pay Rate:
Pay is $12.00 per hour plus $.35 shift differential.

Apply for the 2nd Shift Wrapper Operator Job here.  Or search for other manufacturing jobs here.