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Rick Saia, CPRW

Rick Saia, a certified professional resume writer, has written resumes and cover letters that have earned him many interviews and job offers over more than two decades. In print and online, his journalistic skills have benefited daily newspapers, high-tech journals, market research firms, and small startups. Rick shares his real-world insight and expertise with today's job seekers.

Posts By Rick Saia, CPRW

Resumes

'Mad Men' Fans: Here's Don Draper's Resume!

March 07, 2011 (11:35AM)

Why Your Resume Can Use a Second Proofreader

March 03, 2011 (10:00AM)

Turn Your Resume Fluff into Facts

February 10, 2011 (2:15PM)

Sending Your Resume? Make It a PDF

January 10, 2011 (3:05PM)

Ever Wonder What Santa's Resume Looks Like?

December 13, 2010 (2:30PM)

Want a Readable Resume Summary? Opt for a Bullet List

December 10, 2010 (12:08PM)

4 Tips to Find Accomplishments to Put on Your Resume

November 29, 2010 (12:01PM)

Should You Dumb Down Your Overqualified Resume?

October 21, 2010 (11:35AM)

How to Get Your Resume Noticed? Think Above the Fold

September 07, 2010 (11:35AM)

Resume and Cover Letter Words That Can Trip You Up

August 17, 2010 (11:55AM)

Hiring Managers Look for Related Experience First

July 26, 2010 (10:00AM)

Focus Your Resume on the Employer's Needs

June 16, 2010 (2:11PM)

Graduation Date on Your Resume: Yes or No?

April 29, 2010 (12:01PM)

Recruiter Reinforces Our Resume Advice

April 01, 2010 (10:20AM)

It's Spring Cleaning Time for Your Resume

March 22, 2010 (10:00AM)

When and How to List Personal Interests on Your Resume

March 18, 2010 (10:30AM)

D-OHHHHH! Here's Homer Simpson's Resume!

March 02, 2010 (1:08PM)

Looking for Temporary Work? Try These Tips

February 22, 2010 (4:00PM)

Calling All Simpsons Fans: Let's Write Homer's Resume

January 13, 2010 (3:35PM)

'Tis the Season to Fine-Tune Your Resume

December 16, 2009 (12:01PM)

Can Your Resume and Cover Letter Use a Little Passion?

December 03, 2009 (3:30PM)

Build a Long Master Resume, Then Cut, Cut, Cut

October 22, 2009 (10:00AM)

If You Say it in the Resume, Prove it in the Interview

August 11, 2009 (10:15AM)

Does Your Resume Have to Be Perfect?

July 27, 2009 (10:00AM)

Addressing a Gap in Your Resume: A Pongo Rerun

July 06, 2009 (11:00AM)

Spice Up Your Professional Summary with a Headline

May 12, 2009 (2:15PM)

Should You 'Dumb Down' Your Resume to Get a New Job?

April 15, 2009 (11:00AM)

Take the 'Cupcakes' Out of Your Resume

April 01, 2009 (10:00AM)

Writing a Resume When You Have No Experience

March 25, 2009 (10:00AM)

Job Fair Yields Cold Truths about Resumes

January 15, 2009 (4:00PM)

Resume Buzz-Kill: Dump the Business Cliches

January 14, 2009 (10:00AM)

Another 5 Power Words to Make Your Resume Get Noticed

November 04, 2008 (11:02AM)

Got Resume Writer's Block? Here Are 5 Cures

October 28, 2008 (10:00AM)

Stand Out in a Rough Job Market: Part I - Your Resume

October 15, 2008 (1:30PM)

Resume Objective or Summary: You Need One, but Which?

October 07, 2008 (10:00AM)

No Bites on Your Resume? Check These 5 Things

September 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

5 More Power Words to Make Your Resume Get Noticed

July 22, 2008 (10:00AM)

7 Phrases You Should Never Have on Your Resume

June 26, 2008 (10:38AM)

5 Steps to Writing a Resume That Can SCORE an Interview

June 17, 2008 (11:30AM)

Back up Your Soft Skills with Hard Facts

May 20, 2008 (10:00AM)

5 Power Words to Make Your Resume Get Noticed

May 14, 2008 (10:00AM)

How to Build a Resume after Many Years with 1 Employer

April 17, 2008 (10:00AM)

The Resume That Never Sleeps

April 02, 2008 (10:00AM)

'So, about This Gap in Your Resume ...'

March 19, 2008 (10:05AM)

Lie on Your Resume? Don't Be Stupid!

March 11, 2008 (10:00AM)

Top 10 Things to NOT Put in a Resume

February 28, 2008 (10:23AM)

Cover Letters

3 Ways the Cover Letter Helps You Make Your Case

February 17, 2011 (10:15AM)

Your Cover Letter Should be Assertive, Not Obnoxious

July 19, 2010 (11:59AM)

Submit a Cover Letter, Whether You Need It or Not

April 12, 2010 (10:30AM)

Opening Lines: Let Your Cover Letter Drive Your Resume

January 26, 2010 (4:00PM)

3 Tips to Avoid a Boring, Self-Absorbed Cover Letter

April 28, 2009 (1:15PM)

Write Cold-Contact Cover Letters to Warm Up Employers

September 16, 2008 (10:00AM)

Reports of the Cover Letter's Demise Are 86% Wrong

July 02, 2008 (10:49AM)

Interviews

Sound Bites Can Help You in the Phone Interview

January 24, 2011 (11:10AM)

Inside the Hiring Manager's Head at the Job Interview

November 08, 2010 (1:45PM)

Do You Really Want the Job? Tell Them in the Interview!

August 26, 2010 (10:20AM)

3 Questions to Ask Your Would-Be Boss at the Interview

August 09, 2010 (10:00AM)

The Secret to Answering Behavioral Interview Questions

July 29, 2010 (10:00AM)

Weird Interview Questions and the Reason Behind Them

May 06, 2010 (1:50PM)

Be a Good Storyteller at the Job Interview

November 09, 2009 (11:10AM)

3 Ways to Get the Hiring Manager to Like You

October 26, 2009 (10:00AM)

Job Interview Etiquette from the 'Experts'

October 13, 2009 (10:30AM)

What Was Your Weirdest Interview Experience?

September 08, 2009 (11:00AM)

If You Say it in the Resume, Prove it in the Interview

August 11, 2009 (10:15AM)

Interview Question: Tell Me about a Time You Failed

August 03, 2009 (11:00AM)

Why Won't They Tell Me Why I Didn't Get the Job?

July 16, 2009 (12:30PM)

Want the Job? Make a Connection with the Interviewer

June 29, 2009 (11:15AM)

Dumb Question: 'Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?'

June 17, 2009 (10:00AM)

What's Your Favorite Question to Ask in An Interview?

February 03, 2009 (10:00AM)

One Against Many: The Job Interview Gauntlet

August 14, 2008 (11:30AM)

How to Tell an Interviewer You Were Fired? Spin to Win

July 15, 2008 (10:00AM)

Talk is Cheap, Except in the Phone Interview

July 08, 2008 (10:00AM)

Stay Cool on the Hot Seat: 2 Tough Interview Questions

April 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

The 5 'Must Knows' of Job Interview Preparation

March 27, 2008 (10:00AM)

Job Seeker Tips

5 Skills to Help You Succeed in a Sales Job

March 04, 2011 (10:30AM)

Poll: Would You Take a Salary Cut with a New Job?

February 07, 2011 (4:15PM)

5 Tax Deduction Tips for Job Seekers

February 03, 2011 (2:15PM)

Convince the Employer You're the One to Hire

January 27, 2011 (10:00AM)

Poll: What Tops Your Job Search To-Do List for 2011?

January 20, 2011 (2:15PM)

3 'Must Do' Tasks Before You Change Careers

January 13, 2011 (3:15PM)

How You Can Overcome the 'Overqualified' Label

January 06, 2011 (12:15PM)

Changing Jobs: Think It Through Before You Switch

January 04, 2011 (4:15PM)

5 Job Market Predictions for 2011

December 30, 2010 (10:00AM)

Why Temping Might Be a Good Option for You

December 17, 2010 (12:20PM)

Double Dose of Humor for the Job Seeker

December 08, 2010 (4:05PM)

What Do Required, Preferred, and Desired Skills Mean?

November 19, 2010 (12:01PM)

Step Up Your Job Search During the Holidays

November 18, 2010 (10:15AM)

Hate Your Job? Stay Positive While You Look for Another

November 15, 2010 (1:30PM)

Poll: How Did You Get Your Last Job?

November 01, 2010 (10:20AM)

A Little Slow in Getting Hired? Get Inspired!

October 25, 2010 (11:35AM)

Why Do Employers Want to Know Your Salary History?

October 12, 2010 (4:05PM)

3 Questions to Guide You Toward a Good Internship

September 30, 2010 (12:01PM)

Are Your Skills on Employers' Most-Wanted List?

September 27, 2010 (11:15AM)

Older Workers: This is Your Week to Nail That Job

September 24, 2010 (11:05AM)

How Important Is Salary When You Decide to Switch Jobs?

September 21, 2010 (3:00PM)

Jolts of Inspiration for Your Job Search

September 20, 2010 (10:00AM)

Obey the 10 Commandments of Networking

September 13, 2010 (10:15AM)

General Consensus: Job Market's Still Tough

August 30, 2010 (12:01PM)

A Teacher's Accidental Lesson in How to Hurt a Career

August 23, 2010 (10:00AM)

Your Job Search Doesn't Always Have to Be Serious

August 05, 2010 (1:15PM)

Tell Us Your Biggest Job Search Gripe

August 02, 2010 (10:45AM)

Is It Safe to Switch Jobs? 3 Questions to Ask Yourself

July 15, 2010 (10:00AM)

Once You've Got the Job, Start Managing Your Career

June 28, 2010 (10:20AM)

A Lesson in Perseverance from an '09 Graduate

June 07, 2010 (10:00AM)

How Far Would You Go to Land a Job?

May 27, 2010 (1:15PM)

How Do You Define a Job Hopper?

May 20, 2010 (12:01PM)

Encouraging Job Search News for New Grads

May 10, 2010 (11:07AM)

Happy Earth Day! Here's How to Find a Green Job

April 22, 2010 (9:15AM)

Overqualified? Turn it into an Advantage

April 15, 2010 (2:01PM)

3 Ways to Line Up Reliable Job References

April 05, 2010 (10:15AM)

2009 Tax Tip: Job Search Expenses Are Deductible

March 08, 2010 (12:01PM)

Looking for Temporary Work? Try These Tips

February 22, 2010 (4:00PM)

Is College Still the Surest Path to Success?

February 18, 2010 (11:00AM)

Does Your Job Search Take More than 18 Minutes a Day?

February 08, 2010 (10:00AM)

Seeking Job Search Inspiration? Look to Music Lyrics

January 25, 2010 (11:45AM)

There's Only So Much You Can Control in the Job Search

January 21, 2010 (10:40AM)

5 Steps to Assessing Your Skills for a Career Change

January 18, 2010 (10:36AM)

A January To-Do List for the College Class of 2010

December 30, 2009 (10:00AM)

5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do in 2010

December 21, 2009 (12:30PM)

The 3 Best Industries for Career Changers

November 30, 2009 (10:45AM)

3 Reasons to Keep Job Searching Through the Holidays

November 23, 2009 (10:00AM)

LinkedIn Meets Twitter: What It Means for You

November 16, 2009 (10:15AM)

Veterans Have Help for Transition to Civilian Jobs

November 11, 2009 (11:00AM)

Stupidity and Humor in the Job Search

November 02, 2009 (10:00AM)

Does Job Search Success Lie in Planning and Attitude?

October 01, 2009 (11:00AM)

Mini-Resume Can Ease the Strain of Networking

September 28, 2009 (11:45AM)

Follow-Up Calls: Always? Or Never?

September 24, 2009 (10:30AM)

Would You Resort to a Gimmick to Land a Job?

September 21, 2009 (11:00AM)

What You Need to Know Before You Sign a Job Offer

September 14, 2009 (10:30AM)

Want More Money? It May Be the Right Time to Get It

August 31, 2009 (10:00AM)

Social Networking Can Get You Hired or Fired

August 24, 2009 (11:25AM)

Got Math? In-Demand Jobs Call for Number Crunchers

August 20, 2009 (10:00AM)

Brag Your Way to a New Job or Pay Raise

August 17, 2009 (10:30AM)

Build Your Network and Uncover the Hidden Job Market

August 13, 2009 (10:15AM)

Why Won't They Tell Me Why I Didn't Get the Job?

July 16, 2009 (12:30PM)

When Does It Make Sense to Take a Job with Less Pay?

July 13, 2009 (11:00AM)

The Blue-Collar Job Makes a Comeback

June 24, 2009 (12:01PM)

The 3 Pillars of a Solid Job Search Strategy

June 10, 2009 (1:30PM)

5 'Best Companies' List Their Most-Wanted Skills

June 03, 2009 (10:00AM)

Jobless? Don't Let Desperation Expose You to ID Theft

May 07, 2009 (10:00AM)

The Job Security Glass Is Still Half Empty - for Now

April 13, 2009 (11:15AM)

Newsworthy Lessons about Work and Job Searching

March 17, 2009 (10:05AM)

Ditch the Gloom: Keeping Your Head Up in Bad Times

March 10, 2009 (10:00AM)

Does the Stimulus Package Include a Job for You?

March 03, 2009 (10:00AM)

A 5-Step Plan for Landing a Summer Internship

February 24, 2009 (10:00AM)

Changing Careers: 5 Famous Flip-Floppers

February 17, 2009 (10:00AM)

Can't Get Hired? Consider Temp or Contract Work

February 10, 2009 (10:00AM)

Is Now the Right Time to Change Careers?

January 22, 2009 (12:00PM)

What College Seniors Should Do over Break (But Won't)

January 02, 2009 (1:00PM)

5 Resolutions to Help You Get Hired in '09

December 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

Stats and Surprises to Help Your Job Search

December 10, 2008 (10:00AM)

Not Quite Qualified? Apply Anyway

December 02, 2008 (10:15AM)

The Value of Thanks-Giving in Your Job Search

November 25, 2008 (10:00AM)

Tips for Veterans Trying to Crack the Job Market

November 11, 2008 (12:54PM)

5 Job Search Lessons from Obama's Victory

November 06, 2008 (10:00AM)

Expand Your Job Reach by Going Green or Bilingual

October 21, 2008 (10:40AM)

5 Bits of Bad Job Search Advice

October 14, 2008 (10:00AM)

Who Are You? Answer the Question, Help Your Job Hunt

September 09, 2008 (10:00AM)

Dude! Where's My Job? 5 Reminders for the Class of '08

August 26, 2008 (10:00AM)

MVP Slugger's Attitude Provides 3 Career Lessons

August 12, 2008 (11:00AM)

Seven Lessons from a Long-Ago Layoff

July 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

5 Tips on Working a Job Fair - Real or Virtual

June 10, 2008 (10:00AM)

Take a Leap of Faith in a Job Hopper?

June 04, 2008 (10:00AM)

Going Up? Building Your Elevator Pitch

May 28, 2008 (10:00AM)

Prepare for Life after College with These Tips

May 06, 2008 (10:00AM)

Your Pongo Membership Could Mean Tax Savings

April 04, 2008 (10:00AM)

Over 50? Your Time May Have Just Begun

February 26, 2008 (9:55AM)

Beginner Basics

3 Questions to Guide You Toward a Good Internship

September 30, 2010 (12:01PM)

What You Need to Know Before You Sign a Job Offer

September 14, 2009 (10:30AM)

Interview Question: Tell Me about a Time You Failed

August 03, 2009 (11:00AM)

The 3 Pillars of a Solid Job Search Strategy

June 10, 2009 (1:30PM)

Writing a Resume When You Have No Experience

March 25, 2009 (10:00AM)

7 Phrases You Should Never Have on Your Resume

June 26, 2008 (10:38AM)

Stay Cool on the Hot Seat: 2 Tough Interview Questions

April 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

The 5 'Must Knows' of Job Interview Preparation

March 27, 2008 (10:00AM)

Top 10 Things to NOT Put in a Resume

February 28, 2008 (10:23AM)

Work/Life

Name Something You Love about Your Job (or the Search)

February 14, 2011 (11:30AM)

Does Your Job Fit Your Zodiac Sign?

January 17, 2011 (11:15AM)

Poll: How Long Should Someone Stay at a Job?

December 20, 2010 (11:25AM)

Unemployed? 3 Tips for Surviving Holiday Parties

December 02, 2010 (12:50PM)

Do Employers Put Too Much Emphasis on a College Degree?

November 10, 2010 (2:45PM)

Was There a Teacher Who Influenced Your Career?

October 05, 2010 (12:30PM)

What's Most Important in Accepting a Job Offer?

September 16, 2010 (12:15PM)

Labor Day: It's Got Something to Do with Work, Right?

September 02, 2010 (11:00AM)

Valuable Career Lessons from a Baseball Controversy

June 04, 2010 (1:20PM)

What Did You Learn from Your First Job?

May 31, 2010 (10:00AM)

Tell Us about the 'Wrong Turns' in Your Career

May 13, 2010 (10:20AM)

Getting Back at Employers Who Snub You

February 01, 2010 (10:15AM)

The Pain, Grief, and Shock of Being Laid Off

January 04, 2010 (12:39PM)

5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do in 2010

December 21, 2009 (12:30PM)

How Often Is Too Often to Change Jobs?

September 17, 2009 (10:15AM)

Are You Unemployed and Happy or Employed and Miserable?

July 09, 2009 (11:00AM)

4 Visions of the Post-Recession Workforce

July 02, 2009 (10:01AM)

Monday Motivation: Summer's Arrival Spurs Warm Thoughts

June 15, 2009 (10:35AM)

Monday Motivation: Good News in the Numbers

June 08, 2009 (10:00AM)

Monday Motivation: A Recovery in Sight!

June 01, 2009 (12:10PM)

Wellness Programs: Good Investment or Corporate Waste?

May 26, 2009 (11:00AM)

Monday Motivation: Less Mope, More Hope

May 18, 2009 (10:00AM)

Monday Motivation: Job Market Turnaround Near?

May 11, 2009 (10:00AM)

Monday Motivation: Confidence Boosters

May 04, 2009 (10:00AM)

Monday Motivation: Job Hunt with a Smile

April 27, 2009 (10:00AM)

Monday Motivation: The Brighter Side of Things

April 20, 2009 (10:00AM)

Is 'Career Path' An Outdated Concept?

April 08, 2009 (10:00AM)

Bald Guys Are Beautiful! So Why Not Hire One?

January 27, 2009 (10:00AM)

Is the 'Dream Job' Real? Or a Mirage?

December 16, 2008 (10:00AM)

A Layoff by Any Other Name Still Sucks

November 18, 2008 (10:00AM)

Retire? More Seniors May Get to Dictate Their Futures

September 23, 2008 (10:00AM)

Think You're Ready to Retire? 6 Things to Consider

September 02, 2008 (10:00AM)

Bringing Boomers and Millennials Together at Work

August 06, 2008 (10:00AM)

Seven Lessons from a Long-Ago Layoff

July 30, 2008 (10:00AM)

Employers Try to Ease Workers' Pain at the Gas Pumps

June 25, 2008 (10:00AM)

Should Employers Play `Big Brother' with Your Health?

April 24, 2008 (10:00AM)

Gen Y Ushers in Promise of a Better Workplace

April 09, 2008 (10:00AM)

Why Employees Aren't Loyal Anymore

March 05, 2008 (10:00AM)

Over 50? Your Time May Have Just Begun

February 26, 2008 (9:55AM)

In the Workplace

How Much Do You Socialize at Work?

December 06, 2010 (3:45PM)

The Workplace is No Place for a Generational Divide

November 22, 2010 (11:15AM)

If Job Seekers Can Be Flexible, Why Can't Employers?

July 08, 2010 (1:00PM)

New Grads: Survival Tips for Day 1 of Your First Job

June 21, 2010 (10:00AM)

Has the Recession Shattered Your Sense of Job Security?

March 25, 2010 (11:00AM)

What Motivates You to Do Your Best at Work?

March 11, 2010 (4:05PM)

Are Credit Checks on Job Seekers Really Necessary?

March 10, 2010 (4:00PM)

Coworkers Can Make or Break Your Job Satisfaction

March 01, 2010 (10:00AM)

You May Love Work, But Does Work Love You Back?

February 15, 2010 (10:00AM)

Why Most Workers Can't Get No Job Satisfaction

January 07, 2010 (11:30AM)

The Pain, Grief, and Shock of Being Laid Off

January 04, 2010 (12:39PM)

5 Things Job Seekers and Employers Should Do in 2010

December 21, 2009 (12:30PM)

Prepare Properly for Your Performance Review

October 08, 2009 (10:30AM)

Did School Teach You the Skills to Get the Job Done?

August 27, 2009 (10:00AM)

Brag Your Way to a New Job or Pay Raise

August 17, 2009 (10:30AM)

Wanna Tell Off Your Boss? Do It Here!

July 20, 2009 (1:00PM)

Are You Unemployed and Happy or Employed and Miserable?

July 09, 2009 (11:00AM)

Wellness Programs: Good Investment or Corporate Waste?

May 26, 2009 (11:00AM)

Bringing Boomers and Millennials Together at Work

August 06, 2008 (10:00AM)

Should Employers Play `Big Brother' with Your Health?

April 24, 2008 (10:00AM)

Gen Y Ushers in Promise of a Better Workplace

April 09, 2008 (10:00AM)

Can Boredom Inspire a Job Search?

February 20, 2008 (2:52PM)

The Pursuit of Workplace Happiness

February 15, 2008 (10:19AM)

Contests

Answers to Our Presidents' Day Jobs Quiz

March 02, 2011 (10:00AM)

Win a Pongo T-Shirt in Our Presidents' Day Jobs Quiz!

February 21, 2011 (10:00AM)

New Graduates

Once You've Got the Job, Start Managing Your Career

June 28, 2010 (10:20AM)

New Grads: Survival Tips for Day 1 of Your First Job

June 21, 2010 (10:00AM)

Focus Your Resume on the Employer's Needs

June 16, 2010 (2:11PM)

A Lesson in Perseverance from an '09 Graduate

June 07, 2010 (10:00AM)

What Did You Learn from Your First Job?

May 31, 2010 (10:00AM)

Encouraging Job Search News for New Grads

May 10, 2010 (11:07AM)

How Pongo Helped Leslie Get Interviews

I love Pongo. It was so easy and helpful. I got six interviews from my resume. Not bad for a mom returning to the workforce after 15 years!- Leslie
How Pongo Helped Melissa Write a Great Resume

When I was finished creating my resume, it looked professionally prepared and I received calls from three hospitals for interviews, all whom commented that my resume was impressive.- Melissa
How Pongo Helped Kathleen Get Hired

I couldn't have done it without Pongo. The easy Resume Builder, cover letter and thank you letter have been valuable tools. Easy, affordable, and yet very professional.- Kathleen S., DE
How Pongo Made Amber's Life Easier

I loved how easy it was to put my resume together. I was coming off of maternity leave and had no idea how I was going to get a resume together. Pongo made it so easy, and that made my life easier.- Amber M., Canada
How Linda Stood Out with Pongo's Services

By providing a template with headings that I can organize in any way I like, Pongo helped me tailor each resume to perfection and allowed me to immediately email it to as many contacts as necessary.- Linda M.
How Pongo's Resume Builder Helped Sarah

Pongo's Resume Builder is so easy to use. It takes the hassle out of resume building, leaving you to focus on the other important job searching tasks such as interviewing, and buying that nice suit.- Sarah L., FL