Monday, June 1, 2009

Do you need Professional Affiliations?

Are affiliations necessary on your resume? There is a great deal of debate concerning the importance of affiliations on your resume. Should you join one? Which one? How many? Does it really help you stand out? The answer to these questions are both yes and no.

Affiliations are good in the sense that they show your commitment to your career of choice. Being a part of group can help you to locate work, create a peer community, and help you to find continuing measure to enhance and refine your skill set. Yet, most of these groups require payment and dues. The costs are sometimes more than the benefits. Plus, your resume might not have room for added extra's such as affiliations. That is when a good resume writer will weigh the benefits and importance of your affiliations.

Start by asking yourself: Is it really necessary? After 12 years of creating professional resumes we can attest to the value of professional affiliations. Most companies want to see that you are invested in your career of choice enough to join the "group." In addition, many of these affiliations help you to find work, educational courses that can advance your skills, and keep you current in the news of what is happening in your field. Therefore, we highlight recommend that you invest the "due" money and join at least one professional affiliation.

Here are a few Examples:
Teachers Associations of CA
SHRM
NASW
National Association of Realtors
NAPEW
NAHB

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