Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Résumé Blitzing

In the days of typewriting, a common practice for job seekers was to hire a résumé writer, mimeograph the document and then mail it out to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in town.

I often receive a request for a hundred hard copies of a general qualifications package.. Unless you're planning to circulate it at an event like a career-fair, mass mailing a general resume in today’s highly competitive job market may not reflect the best use of your time and resources.

Why?

Considering that many, if not most, applications are required to be made online today, you'll have to request the electronic version of the document, or you'll have retype it and save it on your hard drive.

A general qualifications package could also potentially waste prospective employers’ time.

No busy hiring manager wants to read a page of information if most bullet points have little or nothing to do with specifics of the job they are trying to fill, even if you're perfect for the job. Let the manager know your fitness by speaking their language and crafting a document that reflects how you have displayed the qualities and characteristics and have mastered the skills they seek.

A better approach is to carefully target your résumé to the company and position in question.

Folks often complain to me that this approach takes too much time, especially when considering multiple applications.

In the scheme of things, it’s time well spent. In my experience, applicants who take the time to target, and do it correctly, get the interview.

More about how to effectively target your résumé in upcoming posts.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Résumé Material?

It comes up with my clients time and again.

Whether volunteer work; musical talent; fitness awards/certifications/abilities, or; social affiliations like fraternities and sororities; it's clear that certain life experiences raise questions about their appropriateness on a résumé.

What is my answer when asked if such information should be included?

“Yes.”

And, “No.”

Each situation must be individually examined within the context of the application; the industry in which the client seeks employment; as well as the company to which the client is applying.

If, in your best judgment, your life experience enhances the perceived value you have to the employer, then yes, by all means, include it.

If the life experience is completely irrelevant to your ability to perform the job inquestion, it’s a definite “no.”

For example, should you find yourself applying as a sales specialist at a veterinary product supply company, by all means, list your volunteer experience with the ASPCA. It demonstrates your passion for animals, an intangible bonus for the employer.

If, in contrast, you are applying for a C++ programmer at a dental implant manufacturer, such experience may be irrelevant.

The best reccomendation I can offer is to exclude it unless you are able to specifically provide an explanation on how working with injured and neglected animals has made you a stronger programmer.

In the end, including such information is really up to you.

When deciding, it's a good idea to consider all the pros and cons; consult at least three trusted friends on their opinion, and; as in all things career-related, exercise your very best judgment.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Eagle or Seagull?

Eagles are mighty predators. They soar high above their territory. Eagles see the whole picture and from that global view, zone in on their target. With one confident, effortless swoop, an eagle dives to the mark, and then lands a large prize.

Seagulls, on the other hand, are known scavengers. They aimlessly roam the beach in droves. Without a plan, they peck at scraps (and the occassional unfortunate crab scuttling by) .

Following an afternoon fighting amongst themselves for skimpy meals of soggy popcorn and cracker bits, seagulls strut off to the boardwalk to see what casts-offs they can be first to claim.

Apply this analogy to your job search.

Are you wondering around during the week, looking for “Help Wanted” signs in shop windows? Do you scan the job classifieds and then fire off your qualifications to each and every company within a 50 mile radius? Do you gaze at shooting stars, wishing somebody would just interview you already?

If you are guilty of any of the above, you may be a seagull.

Sure, every now and again a toddler may drop 2/3 of a soft pretzel, and you'll get lucky. In the long run, however, not you're not focusing in on the goal.

In addition, you may not be doing enough to distinguish yourself from the pack to secure a bigger piece of the pie.

How do you ensure you're approaching your job search like an eagle?

For starters, sign up today for advanced, targeted, specific job alerts through internet search free services like http://www.indeed.com/. You'll get a good overview of what's happening jobwise in your industry and specified geographic location.

If you are already doing this, consider yourself well on your way to conducting your job search like an eagle.

If, however, your currently finding yourslf more in the seagull catagory, no worries.

Just check back here often. I’ll share tricks and tips in upcoming posts to help you spread your wings and soar.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Building the Perfect Résumé


Supplies

  1. A good word processor.
  2. Bright white paper, in the heaviest weight you can afford.
  3. Action verbs and the vocabulary of a seasoned marketing professional.
  4. Hours to spend.
  5. Buckets of patience.
  6. The ability to toot your own horn

Directions

  1. Summarize years and years of work experience and education in a format that can be read in under thirty-seconds.
  2. Effectively answer a prospective employers‘ most pressing question …“Why should I hire you?”
  3. Leave plenty of white space.
  4. Play by established rules (write in third person, omit all descriptions of physique, never ever embellish). Explain unemployment gaps, or minimize their impact using formatting techniques.
  5. Eliminate all grammatical and spelling errors.
  6. Ensure formatting is uniform and professional.
  7. Leave plenty of white space.
  8. Choose words and phases for power and impact.
  9. Avoid redundancy.
  10. Pair with an expertly written cover letter on matching paper and letter head.

If all this seems a bit overwhelming, ResuMom is here to help.