Resume Upgrade -- Help and Tips

Funemployment Blog

2010-10-23T16:20:00.000-05:00

It's all over now except the thank you notes. The author of the Funemployment Blog was laid off at the end of 2008 and blogged about her job search through July of 2009 until she finally found a job. Along the way there are many gems to be mined. Because being unemployed doesn't mean you can't have fun.

Finding a Job

2010-02-23T15:30:00.003-05:00

It's been about 90 days since I was hired into my new job. Like pregnancies, it's always a good idea to wait until after the first trimester to make sure it's a real thing before announcing it to the world. Plus it's a good idea to have your nose to the grindstone at your new job, which I certainly have.

Having a polished resume helped me get this job, but so did knowing how to "give good interview." Also the one thing I have heard repeated often in this downturn is that employers want to hire people who are already working. There are a number of reasons for this (maintaining good habits for one), but the end result is you want to keep working even after your last job ends?

How do you do that? Perhaps you can find a job, even part-time, elsewhere in the company or community. But you can always create your own job. Hang out the consultancy shingle or, as is the fashion today, start an online business. Who knows, you may even find your niche as an entrepreneur.

Whatever the case may be, if you're currently looking for work, I want to say don't give up hope. Take advantage of every resource open to you and work the new social media landscape.

Job Hunting in the Social Media Age

2009-10-19T16:53:00.000-05:00

Thank you for visiting the Resume Upgrade blog. While I have stopped regularly updating this blog, please explore the archives for job search, resume and cover letter writing tips.

I am now in the job market myself and am blogging about my career search over at OrlandoNext. The new age of Social Media has changed how one goes about finding a new job. I will be passing along some of the new skills and tips I learn along the way.

Finally, please find my current resume at Emurse or join my network at LinkedIn.

Stretching the Dollar

2009-03-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

If you are in the unfortunate position of being between jobs in this rough time of high unemployment, besides constantly working on your resume and job search, you are probably also considering all the ways to stretch the value of each dollar.

When it comes to cooking you can really make that dollar go far if you follow the example of Clara. Clara lived through the great depression and on her new online cooking show, Great Depression Cooking, she shares some of the secrets from that time to make food go far in the kitchen.

Tags: cooking, depression, great+depression, economize, thrift, food, job+search, hints, tips, household, value

What Does The Stimulus Package Mean For The Unemployed

2009-02-21T23:10:00.000-05:00

The recent passage of the stimulus package is intended to put up to 4 million people back to work. That won't result in full employment, by any means, but it's certainly going to help. The new jobs will be created mostly through funds sent to the states. The states will then apply the funds to projects that are 'shovel-ready'. At least that's the theory.

So, if you're unemployed right now, what do you need to be doing to make sure you'll qualify for one of those jobs. Sure, you could apply for one of the typical construction industry positions. But remember positions of support that will be needed as well. Accounting, Safety, Inspection, Planning. Any of your skills fit those descriptions, might be time to emphasize them in your resume.

Technorati Tags: resume, career, unemployment, jobsearch, stimulus

Twitter and your Job Search

2009-01-11T16:08:00.000-05:00

Okay. So you're on Facebook and you're on Linkedin (you are right?), where else do you need to be when you're pounding the virtual pavement in your quest for a new career? How about Twitter? The Wall Street Journal has a recent article that might give you a few ideas on how that can help land you a career.

Looking for a new job, Alexa Scordato didn't email or call her contacts about possible openings. Instead, she messaged them via the social-networking Web site Twitter.com.
Her brief message: "Hey there! Looking for a Social Media job up in Boston. Are you guys doing any entry level hires?"
Within a week, she had an interview. Within two weeks, she had a job.

That's a pretty direct approach and I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. But it's definitely thinking outside the box, which is exactly how you have to think in today's job market.

Now, none of this is going to do any good unless you have already built up your 'street cred' on twitter. So use your knowledge to help others and freely share across the network. Lend a hand where you can and be careful about what you tweet about.

Another way to use Twitter in your job search is to follow users who may be tweeting job openings in your area or field. One of these services is @smjobwire. Social Media Jobwire focuses on jobs in just one industry.

Job Hunting while Fat

2008-09-30T08:05:00.000-05:00

Now, I'm not going to claim that I'm the most physically fit person on the face of the planet, in fact, far from it. I know my shape, which is round in the middle, and therefore consulted people with more fashion sense than I had when chosing my interview attire. But what do you do if you feel you're being discriminated against during the job interview process due to your size?

The HR Wench blog puts her experience in the industry to the test and comes up with these suggestions:

Know who and what you are dealing with before the interview.
Don't be afraid to improve (or call people on their BS).
Repeat after me: you cannot afford to sully your reputation.

As it turns out, good advice for anyone who is afraid they might not get a fair shake in the interview. The onus is on you to knock it out of the park with preparation and performance during the interview process.

Technorati Tags: career, job+hunt, resume, job+interview

Venn Diagram Your Way To Your Next Job

2008-08-22T09:54:00.000-05:00

Ike Pigott, who writes the Occam's RazR blog, is a former emergency management technology specialist for the Red Cross. He left that position and had recently been looking for a new position. But how to describe the ultimate job he desired? What about a Venn Diagram? They're perfect for highlighting intersecting interests.

Ike's Venn looked like this:

He was able to use it to show an interview panel how his experience and interests perfectly intersected with the position they were hiring for. A great tool.

Even if you're not currently interviewing, constructing your own career Venn Diagram is a great way to focus on exactly what you're looking for in your current or next position.

Tags: career, job+hunt, interview+skills, interview, job+search, resume

An argument for career searching sans resume

2008-03-27T21:57:00.002-05:00

Seth Godin is ready to remake another industry, this time the job search. Flipping the funnel he asks why even bother to have a resume?

Great people shouldn't have a resume.
Here's why: A resume is an excuse to reject you. Once you send me your resume, I can say, "oh, they're missing this or they're missing that," and boom, you're out.

Seth believes that great jobs, your perfect job, is most likely to get filled via referral.

If you don't have a resume, what do you have?

How about three extraordinary letters of recommendation from people the employer knows or respects?
Or a sophisticated project they can see or touch?
Or a reputation that precedes you?
Or a blog that is so compelling and insightful that they have no choice but to follow up?

So that means you'd better get started now to make an impact in your industry, network with people who might just find you a job in the future, or become a subject matter expert through a popular blog.

Keep in mind the caveat that some jobs won't be filled via referral. They'll expect you to follow the instructions on the help wanted ad to the t. The ability to follow instructions being a key requisite for that position, failure to do so automatically eliminates you. Of course, you have to ask yourself if that's the kind of job you deserve.

As much as anything Seth's idea is a strong argument for using LinkedIn. The networking, recommendation, and referral systems built into LinkedIn practically automates the referral process.

Tags: resume, career, job+hunt, linkedin, referral, networking, seth+godin

Use YouTube, but not for a video resume, please

2008-03-18T20:50:00.002-05:00

Seeking a new job? Want to prove you're an expert in your field? Here's an idea that will help you stand out in a crowded, talented field. Do a video everyday on YouTube that demonstrates something you know. Doesn't have to be much, just a two minute how-to, or your subject matter expertise on something in the news.

You don't even have to write a full script. Just an outline with a couple of the big points you want to hit. Maybe put in a good joke or two. But don't do anything forced, let your natural self shine through. It is a good idea to dress and look professional, though. Always dress for the job you want to have five to ten years from now.

If you don't have a video camera, get on eBay and get a cheap Web cam then set up a YouTube, Blip.tv, or Seesmic account (or all three). If you don't have a video you can at least do a few Screencasts of software or research you're an expert at or Google-doc Presentations.

Make sure each account links to your Linked-In page or Emurse resume (or both). You can even add a little tag to the end of each video with the URL and your email for contacting you.

Finally, publicize your videos on Linked-in, Facebook, Twitter, your blog, etc. You want the full affect of your social network to help you promote your job expertise. You don't have a job and even after reviewing and answering job wanted ads you're still going to have extra time in the day. So you have no excuses.

technorati tags: job, career, youtube, video, video+resume, job+hunt, online+resume, self+branding

How to Ask For A Raise

2008-02-20T10:14:00.003-05:00

The Art of Manliness (although I'm sure it applies to any sex) lays out the simple and easy way to ask for and receive a raise.

1. Just Ask
2. No Ultimatums
3. Determine your value by job browsing
4. Ensure people know your value
5. Increase your value

Nothing earth shattering. But worth keeping in mind if you have a review coming up. (Read)

Tags: career, career+advice, job, raise, salary

Blogging your way into a Job

2008-02-04T12:11:00.000-05:00

With the 2008 recession looming in the distance (depending on what part of the country you're in, it's not all that distant at all), it might be time to start a blog.

Even if you're still employed you can supplement your income with a website. Have a passion? Start writing about it. Network online with like individuals, then start writing timely and targeted informative posts that answer key questions that others who share your passion have. By timely, I mean keep an eye out for trends in the news that will cause people to search for terms in your area. Then quickly get a post up answering exactly those questions. Even if its just pointers to where to get the right information, you'll start to become known as an authority on the subject. By targeted, I mean stick to the subject at hand. If you want to have a personal website, or a meta-blog that talks about blogging, keep that on the side. The sole purpose of this blog is to build your authority in the community that surrounds your passion.

Who knows, the end result just might be you get employed doing the very thing your most passionate about. All because you write an authoritative blog on the subject matter.

For a quick five minute set up to your own blog, I recommend you give either Wordpress.com or Blogger.com a try. If you want something more professional with reliable hosting and plenty of other bells and whistles then TypePad is the choice for you. There's a monthly charge for hosting. But I use it for my other professional blog.

Any of the above can be set up by the average internet user in five to ten minutes. For the slightly more advanced user, I recommend that you also purchase your own domain name for your website then use the domain masking service provided by all three of the above services to make it appear as if you're hosting your own website at your domain, even when you really aren't. This allows portability in the future should you wish to move to another service. My recommendation for affordable domain registration is www.GoDaddy.com .

Blogging is the first step. In the future I'll be writing about what other social media steps you can take to further your career. Good luck, I hope you won't need the services of Resume Upgrade in the near future, but if you're hit in the recession. A little planning ahead may make your next job search easy.

Tags: resume, job+hunt, career, job+blog, blog, blogging, weblog, career+advice

How thinking like management can help your career

2007-12-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

Here's some good advice for anyone looking for career advancement: think like your boss.

The first key to thinking like management is to understand their motivations. What or who do they fear? Who do they need to impress? What will make them look bad (or good)? This might mean thinking macro and seeing things above your pay grade, but it will help you understand the good and the bad decisions they make. Just as a good boss takes the time to understand things from his employees’ point of view, the wise employee tries to understand her boss.

Not only can this help you in your current job, but if you're applying for a new position, put yourself in your future bosses shoes. Ask what pressures are affecting their job and then be clear on how you can help relieve that stress and solve those problems. (Via The Job Bored)

Tags: job, career, job interview, interview, career+hunting, hunting, resume

Ten Tips For Writing A Resume That Will Get The Right Kind Of Attention

2007-11-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

The Simple Dollar has Ten Tips For Writing A Resume That Will Get The Right Kind Of Attention. I do disagree with the first point, keep it to one page (it's a guideline, not a rule), but the rest of his points are excellent.

1. One page only, period.
2. Write everything with active verbs.
3. List everything positive that you can think of about past positions, and use the best.
4. Be concrete.
5. Assert your abilities strongly right at the top, but be sure they’re backed up by the concrete achievements that follow.
6. Lead off with home runs.
7. Leave accurate and professional contact info.
8. Write a one-page cover letter, always.
9. Be professional on social networking sites.
10. Don’t be flashy in the design of the resume.

(Read)

Tags: resume, career, jobhunting, job hunting, coverletter

How To Write A Resume, a new guide.

2007-08-16T07:51:00.000-05:00

Mahalo, a different kind of search engine with people moderated results, has posted a how-to on writing a resume. Lots of good stuff there. Particularly the example of how not to make a video resume.

I would make one recommendation opposite of the guide however. Don't include an 'Objective' section on your resume (see my previous post). That information goes in your cover letter.

The recipient of your resume already knows you're interested in the position, to state so again is redundant. Instead, use that space to sell yourself with a 'Summary' that highlights the specific skillset needed for the position you're applying to and how you're the perfect candidate.

Tags: resume, howto, guide, mahalo

Six Figure Jobs Await, Don't Be Shy.

2007-07-25T09:40:00.000-05:00

Consistently named Forbes "Best of the Web" by Forbes Magazine, 6FigureJobs is ranked the industry-leading site for Executive Job Seekers and Career Resources. They offer thousands of jobs ranging from senior manager level to "C-Level" (CIO, CFO, CEO, etc.). Membership at the site is free to the career seeker.

At 6FigureJobs you'll find the largest database of $100K+ jobs from the leading companies, including hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies to smaller organizations, as well as executive recruiting firms. The site is also a frequent destination for thousands of Corporate HR and Executive Recruiters looking to find and hire top professional talent for their $100K+ positions.

6FigureJobs is the leading online executive career portal. FREE! Resume posting with full confidentiality! Search through thousands of $100k+ executive and management level opportunities. Also find all of the tools and resources you need to enhance and advance your successful career.

Post your Resume Today!

What to put for College Education if you never graduated

2006-09-21T11:04:00.000-05:00

One interesting consideration for your resume is what to put under education if you have only a partial completion at the university level. The most important thing is not to lie or imply. Don't make the interviewer think you earned a degree but did not, because if they follow up on that point and believe you were lying, there goes the job. This thread a Ask Metafilter explores the issue.

My inclination would be to put something like this

Education

Whoville High School 1990-1994
University Nevada 1994-1997 (course of study: business admininstration)

Always include your most recent complete degree. If you don't have a AA then that would be high school. If you have additional studies after that, such as computer classes, etc. You could list them as well. The goal is to show that while college may not have been for you, you are still very interested in learning new things. Which is exactly what I'd emphasize in the interview as well.

Dissecting the Job Interview

2006-09-04T12:14:00.000-05:00

Seth Godin, marketing guru and purple cow author, dissects the Job Interview Process. His point of view is from the companies, but as a candidate you might pick up a few pointers if you're astute. For instance, Godin notes:

At least half the interview finds the interviewer giving an unplanned and not very good overview of what the applicant should expect from this job. Unlike most of the marketing communications the organization does, this spiel is unvetted, unnatural and unmeasured.

Well, what if you as a candidate were prepared with research on the company and was ready to give this speil yourself. Explain the history of the company as you see it and how you fit in. Then to top it off you ask to see some current projects you would be working on so you can talk about them with your future team.

Find some way to add value even in the applicant process and that's a foot and a half in the door.

27 money saving tips for college students

2006-09-01T10:45:00.000-05:00

Wish I had read these when I was an incoming freshman. I might actually have a few more dollars saved away toward retirement than I do now. Funny thing is, many of these pointers apply now some *cough* 15 years after my graduation.

Bad news for America's workers, but we already knew it

2006-08-28T21:46:00.000-05:00

Bad news for America's workers:

The median hourly wage for American workers has declined 2 percent since 2003, after factoring in inflation. The drop has been especially notable, economists say, because productivity — the amount that an average worker produces in an hour and the basic wellspring of a nation's living standards — has risen steadily over the same period.

Lest you think this is just a blip to be ignored:

Ben S. Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, did not specifically discuss wages, but he warned that the unequal distribution of the economy's spoils could derail the trade liberalization of recent decades. Because recent economic changes "threaten the livelihoods of some workers and the profits of some firms," Mr. Bernanke said, policy makers must try "to ensure that the benefits of global economic integration are sufficiently widely shared."

It's important that "unequal distribution" get turned around soon. Unless your congress critter has a clear plan for doing so, it's probably a good idea to vote them out this election. This article in the New York Times seems to think Republicans will take the hardest hit.

What do you think? Has your earning power actually declined when you consider inflation (gas prices anyone?) or are you better off today than you were three years ago? (Link)

50 common job interview questions and how to answer them.

2006-08-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

50 common job interview questions and how to answer them. It's not a comprehensive list, but it's pretty good. Most answers can be summed up with: stay positive, always talk about your strengths (even if it's turning a weakness into a strength), and be prepared - do your research on the company before the interview. (Via)

Middle Aged Men Dropping Out Of The Workforce

2006-08-01T18:19:00.000-05:00

The New York Times has a long article that looks at the growing mass of middle aged men (30-55) who once had successful careers and now find themselves on the outside of America's economy.

About 13 percent of American men in this age group are not working, up from 5 percent in the late 1960’s. The difference represents 4 million men who would be working today if the employment rate had remained where it was in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Many are unwilling to take low paying jobs even if that's all there is. 13% of Men who should be driving America's economy are staying at home instead of participating in the new economy of lower paying jobs, fewer benefits, and longer commutes. How did things go so wrong?

Steps into the nonprofit workplace

2006-06-21T11:04:00.000-05:00

Looking for work in the nonprofit field, but want to try out the organization first, then volunteer. Volunteering gives you a chance to see if the organization is really doing good, and it gives the organization a chance to see if you'll be a good fit in its family.

Volunteering is also a good way to show your strong work habits when inbetween jobs.

There are a number of websites that collect Volunteer listings. Here are a few of the biggies: Idealist.org, Volunteer Match, Network for Good, and Points of Light.

Of course, you don't need to be looking for a job to volunteer.

ID Theft and your resume

2006-06-11T19:07:00.000-05:00

It's a sad fact of living in the world today that one must be constantly on the guard for ID Theft. But if you're doing a job search you're constantly sending out your personal information potentially into the hands of those who would use it to do you harm.

So how can you mitigate the chances of ID theft happening to you. The most important is probably to never give out your social security number on anything but an official application you fill out in the HR office. Mail can be intercepted. Online applications may not be sent securely over the net.

More controversial is to not put your street address on your resume. Instead do something like

Joe Strong
(street address withheld for privacy)
City, State

This would prevent anyone who intercepts your resume from associating details of your background (such as current employer) with your current address. I'm not sure how I feel about this. If I were reviewing resumes would I doc that person for points, or reward them for being cautious with their personal information and hoping they would do the same with the companies info.

A quandary for sure.

Fired! Laugh along with these famous firings.

2006-06-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

Before you get hired in a new job you've either quit or been fired from your old job. If it's the latter then you'll probably want to get this book to comfort yourself in what could be a depressing period in your life. Fired! : Tales of the Canned, Canceled, Downsized, and Dismissed, by Annabelle Gurwitch, is a hilarious look at the firings of some famous people who've been fired at one time or another.

Some of the celebrities interviewed include: Felicity Huffman, David Cross, Bill Maher, Brian Unger, Anne Meara, Tate Donovan, Judd Apatow, Jeff Garlin, Tim Allen, D.L. Hughley, Robert Reich, and Andy Dick.

You may also want to visit Gurwitch's web site which encourages people to turn in tales of their own firings.

[ Tags: job, career, fired, annabelle+gurwitch, celebrities, humor, funny, book+review, resume ]

Resumes from Hell, how to avoid them

2006-03-04T20:41:00.000-05:00

Over at CNN they've got some good advice on how to avoid a resume that goes direct to the circular file.

Lesson 1

Keep all of the information on your resume relevant.

What not to do:

"When I'm not programming, I perform magic. I like solar applications, optical stuff, cool technology and anything to do with radio waves. I juggle and twist balloon animals. I bungee jump on occasion, and I would like to experience skydiving soon."

"I am attending college to obtain two degrees and three certificates in the field of Computer Science. In my spare time I like to work on my computer and do various activities with my girlfriend."

8 things to craft your career

2006-02-23T08:22:00.000-05:00

Gautam Ghosh keeps an eye on career prospects in India, but his advice on how to build a good career applies to everyone:

1. Develop an area of deep expertise
2. Get to know a lot of other areas related to yours better, while not developing major expertise for them.
3. Become the "go-to" person for your expertise. That means making sure organizational and industry leaders know your expertise and you build credibility for that expertise.

There's more....

[ Tags: resume, career, job, career+advice, job+hunting, gautam+ghosh ]

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

2006-02-13T08:55:00.000-05:00

I can't stress enough how important it is to proofread your resume. Have a couple friends proofread it too. Just spellchecking isn't enough. And don't forget to check for semantic errors.

"I am able to wok well with computers." - Do you bring your own soy sauce?
"My father is a computer programmer, so I have 15 years of computer experience." - Is your dad available for an interview?
"I'm attacking my resume for you to review." - Don't be so hard on yourself.
"Planned and held up numerous meetings." - Take the minutes, stick to the agenda and no one gets hurt.

Find more mistakes like these at Resumania, a website that collects humorous examples Resume Gaffs. Don't let this happen to you.

New Federal Rules for Resumes?

2006-02-07T07:55:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what to make of these new rules for resume processing by employers. But it definitely looks like federal regulation gone crazy. If these rules are enforced it will mean big changes for that way you search for a job.

How to Do What You Love - Paul Graham

2006-01-25T15:46:00.000-05:00

Looking for a new perspective on your search for a rewarding career? Then read Paul Graham's excellent essay: How to Do What You Love.

To do something well you have to like it. That idea is not exactly novel. We've got it down to four words: "Do what you love." But it's not enough just to tell people that. Doing what you love is complicated.

Alternate Job Experience Entry

2006-01-10T08:30:00.000-05:00

Instead of just writing your job experience in paragraph or bulleted style, mix it up a little bit. Use a combination of the two that spells out your responsibilities in a paragraph and highlights your achievements in a bullet list. This will allow the reader to quickly scan your resume and identify the salient information quickly. Here is an example:

Communications Director at Health International, a multi-state regional hospital and medical facility. Developed marketing plans and maintained good community relations. Previously managed staff of 12 sales representatives in insurance sales, health products and services. As Director of Sales, monitored 10 sites and supervised team of 45.

Strategic Communication – Created Direct Mail Campaign to continuously attract new accounts. Directed content upgrade for Website.
Business Development – Grew subscription revenue from $1 million to $1.8 million and spearheaded development of Insurance Program Sales to direct focus toward expansion and customer retention.
Event Planning – Served on community relations team. Represented company at health fairs and other regional events.

CollegeBoard's Four Must-Haves

2006-01-04T11:43:00.000-05:00

The College Board recommends Four Key Elements that belong in the resume of every strong, but young, candidate. It's possible to get a good job just on the virtue of these items alone. That, while true, will get you a cup of coffee if you also have $2.90 already in your pocket. So don't forget the networking and relevant experience parts.

Four main themes you should always include in your resume, no matter where you're applying, are volunteerism, association memberships, computer proficiency, and knowledge of other languages.

1. Volunteerism

No matter where you're applying or what you plan to study in college, potential employers want to know you're a well-rounded member of society. Listing your participation in a program such as Habitat for Humanity or your weekly work at a local soup kitchen can definitely add some pizzazz to a resume short of work experience.

2. Association Memberships

It's also an added bonus for younger high school students to list any associations they've belonged to, such as:

* National Honor Society (NHS)
* National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
* DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America; association of marketing students)

Juniors and seniors probably have more experience in this area, but never underestimate participation in group roles. This includes any other club participation at school or in your community.

3. Computer Proficiency

Let's face it, technology is everywhere. Knowledge of computers will most likely be a requirement for just about any job. List any and all experience you have with computers, naming the actual program names you're familiar with (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.)

4. Other Languages

The world is getting smaller and smaller, especially in the job market. Knowing a second or third language can put you at an advantage in qualifying for a job and will certainly separate you from other candidates

Of course, number 2 is important if you want to rely on networking for finding your next job.

You too could be a billionaire

2005-12-29T09:19:00.000-05:00

Here's a look at the Resume of Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, as it appeared in 1996 before his days planning global domination at the world's largest search engine. Just nine years later he was worth $11 billion.

What's interesting about this resume, besides how unassuming it is for the future Emperor of search, is how he also hosted a HTML version with links to his companies and projects on the personal webspace his school provided.

Resume Hell

2005-12-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

Andrew Kantor writes about his experience after placing a help wanted ad in the paper. You could learn a few lessons from this if you're in the job hunt right now.

Resume Hints from Headhunter

2005-12-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

Harry Joiner at the highly rated Marketing Headhunter site posted the biggest reason for the aspiring job candidate to craft their resume for OCR scanning. A recruiter like Harry will go out of the way to manually enter the information on resumes that catch their eye, but most recruiters won't. If you want to get past that first level screen you'll need to make sure your information scans well.

The Impact of Resume Power Words

2005-08-25T06:05:00.000-05:00

When writing use plenty of resume power words to convey that you're a pro-active applicant who can get things done. These are particularly effective when used in your cover letter, summary, and accomplishments/job description.

Think of yourself as a best-selling author. You want to pack your story with powerful descriptive words that will keep your reader intrigued. You're doing the same thing with your cover letter and resume but you're telling your own story instead of a fictional one.

If you haven't added in power words to your resume yet, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results. The resume even reads better when you read it out loud.

A quick google for 'resume "power words"' will give you longer lists, but here is a quick one to get you started.

Accomplished
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Arranged
Assembled
Assisted
Audited
Built
Calculated
Charted
Clarified
Collected
Completed
Compounded
Conducted
Conserved
Consolidated
Constructed
Consulted
Controlled
Coordinated
Corresponded
Counseled
Created
Criticized
Delivered
Designed
Detected
Determined
Developed
Devised
Diagnosed
Directed
Discovered
Dispensed
Disproved
Distributed
Drew up
Edited
Eliminated
Evaluated
Examined
Expanded
Forecasted
Formulated
Founded
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Inspired
Installed
Instituted
Instructed
Interpreted
Interviewed
Invented
Lectured
Logged
Maintained
Managed
Motivated
Navigated
Negotiated
Obtained
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Oversaw
Performed
Planned
Prepared
Prescribed
Presented
Processed
Produced
Promoted
Proposed
Protected
Provided
Purchased
Realized
Received
Recommended
Recorded
Reduced
Referred
Rendered
Represented
Researched
Restored
Reviewed
Routed
Selected
Served
Sold
Solved
Studied
Supervised
Supplied
Tested
Trained
Translated
Wrote

Resume: Summary

2005-08-16T21:38:00.000-05:00

So now you have your page formatted, your name and contact info added in with proper puncuation, and you've sketched out your job history including major accomplishments at each position. What comes next? Well, geographically on the page, the next thing is the Summary. However, you'll probably want to leave the 'Summary' section unfinished until you're done with the resume. It may near the top of your resume, but no one said you have to write it in order.

You place the ‘Summary’ section at the top of your resume above the Experience section and after your name and contact info. Some might think the Summary is what used to be called ‘Objective’ or 'Work Objective'. It goes in the same location, but the purpose of the Summary is different. Instead of stating a personal objective that might differ from the company's objective, and thus eliminating you from consideration, you broadly summarize your background and state how you're right for the position.

The Summary is very important. First, if the resume becomes separated from the coverletter the Summary serves as a mini-cover letter and frames the rest of the document based on the position you’re applying for. Second, the Summary is your chance to sell yourself once again, to make the reader want to continue. Yes, it's all about the sell. After all ther person reading your resume has never met you and most likely won't unless you can sell them on why you're right for the job.

To that end, you will want to customize the Summary with the skills/experience required for the position you’re applying for. For example, if applying to a large organization your summary would be something like this:

Summary: A public relations and communications expert. Able to research and write clear and persuasive copy for speeches, press releases, and marketing materials. Confident spokesperson for a large organization with many facets.

If you were applying to a small firm, you would change your summary:

Summary: A public relations and communications expert. Able to handle all preparation and delivery of speeches, press releases, appearances, and marketing materials. Confident spokesperson for any size organization.

It won't hurt to echo back some of the job description in your summary. Just might make you seem like the perfect fit.

[ttags: resume, tips, help, blog, resumeblog ]

Your Resume: Skills, smoke'm if you got'em

2005-08-11T15:56:00.000-05:00

Skills is the section where you load your resume up with keyword triggers. If your resume ends up in a database, these keywords will be useful in making your resume show up in search results.

Some positions require that you possess certain skills before they even consider your resume. Unfortunately, very few companies want to train new hires these days. It's a fact of life. This means, the best thing you can do to make sure you get a better job than the one you're leaving, is to enroll in training classes on a regular basis. Career Enhancement -- but that's a topic for another book.

Udner Skills you will be listing all the skills you've acquired since you started earning a paycheck that you could possibly use in a professional capacity. Were you responsible for copier maintenance in a job you had 10 years ago? Put that down. The company you're applying to may want you to handle their copier maintenance contract.

Don't be afraid to get minute here. If you know three kinds of word processing software, list all three titles. Don't abbreviate either. Abbreviations won't show up in keyword searches.

Some new skills you may not think of adding but probably have if you found this blog; Internet Navigation, Search, and Retreival; Joined Internet in 1994, HTML, Blogging, Discussion Board Moderation, Email, Text Messaging, etc..

Group your skills by subheading if you are listing more than ten to twenty skills. You might try; Computers, Internet, Office Skills, and Languages for a place to start.

Indeed: a New Kind of Job Search

2005-08-10T06:23:00.000-05:00

I've added a new website to the sidebar today.

Indeed is a search engine for jobs - with a radically different approach to job search. In one simple search, Indeed gives job seekers free access to millions of employment opportunities from hundreds of websites. Indeed.com includes all the job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages - and we continue to add new sites every day.

If you're in the job market, you owe it to yourself to check out the A VC Blog's post about his recent funding of Indeed.com. It helps to be as educated about the job market, and the job listing market, as possible in your job search.

Even if you don't plan on using Indeed in your job hunt, you need to see their Trend watching page. This provides a very real look at where the jobs are right now. Definately a data point you need to know if you're planning to move, graduating from college, or contrarian-like you want to get away from the hustle and bustle.

References: What to do about Uncle Bob?

2005-08-09T05:15:00.000-05:00

Finally, we get to the last section of the resume: your references. Many guides advise you to add a line at the bottom of your resume that states, "References Available Upon Request." But today that line is usually left off the resume. It is assumed that you will have references. It is likely they'll be calling the HR Departments of your former employers and you'll want to provide personal contacts to round out that vision of your work history. If the recruiter wants to see them they will ask for them in the job listing or for your first interview.

A professional reference is anyone you have worked with or for, in a professional relationship. That could be client/vendor, boss/underling, associate from your department, or similar experience. The exception to this rule is if that person is also a relative, even through marraige. Sometimes you won't be able to avoid listing a relative as a professional reference, but if at all possible find another worker from company. If you have a professional reference that works at the company you're applying to this is the place to list them.

A personal reference is someone who will vouch that you're not some wacked out looney and that the timeline and story you tell in your cover letter and resume is true. This someone might be a teacher, close friend, business partner, family friend (oh I knew Johnny when he was still in diapers), relative you have worked for or with in the past, etc. In this case I would avoid spiritual advisors or psychiatrists.

This next step is important: contact each person before listing them and politely ask them if you may use them as a reference. While you're talking with them verify address and contact information. Try to take a few minutes and discuss your career goals with them so they are on the same page as you if they are called for follow up. You don't want them saying you want to be a doctor if you've changed your mind since you last talked with them and now want to be a human resources director.

So what do you do if there is overlap between your professional and personal references? If your professional life and your friends overlap, you may want to use the same name on both your reference lists. There are some situations where you are probably fine doing this. However, if it is possible to chose someone else from that company or office who isn't also a personal reference, then do so. It's much better to list a family friend on your reference list than a family member.

Now you're ready to format your reference list:

Prepare a separate sheet of the same paper your resume is printed on with your same name and contact info formated exactly as on the resume. A few lines below that put the word 'References.' Then list three or four professional references with names, addresses, phone numbers and emails. You may format these aligned left or centered. I prefer centered, but aligned left may scan better. You may tab it in a few times if you like.

Now do the same thing for three personal references, except you'll title the sheet 'Personal References', that are different names from your professional references.

If you have more than four references, consider listing the four you think will give you the best recommendation for the particular job you're applying for. This may change from job to job.

When you’re all done make sure you have someone proofread it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A fresh pair of eyes is important. If you can't find a proofreader, set it down for at least three hours, go watch some mindnumbing movie or PBS show, then come back and look at it.

The 3 P's of a Resume: Page Setup, Paper, and Printing

2005-08-05T20:28:00.000-05:00

Page Setup and Formatting

When formatting your resume you must keep in mind three things: Professional Appearance, Readability, and Scanability. A resume that looks messy and unprofessional will be rejected out of hand. One that takes effort to read on the part of the recruiter must have some pretty valuable content to overcome that barrier. And many many companies still scan every resume then perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on it before entering it into a searchable computer database with other resumes. Of the three Scanability has changed the most how a resume must look today.

You are now constrained in your margins. Any text closer than 0.75 inches to the edge of a page risks being lost in scanning. Any text aligned vertically on the page will not be scanned accurately. The use of graphic elements such as lines or icons will not translate at all in scanning. Vertical text and graphic elements are the two biggest foes to a pain free scan for the recruiter.

Your actual margins on the page should be fairly standard. The left margin should be wider than the right and between 1.0" to 1.25". The Top and Bottom margins can be adjusted so as to fit your content onto one page or move more to page two, as needed. Just keep text no more than 1.0" from the top to start.

Paper Choice

Paper choice for your resume is more important than ever. Is the paper clean, smudge free, and bright? Printing on Yellow, Pink, or Tan paper doesn't make you more qualified for the position and can negatively affect the readability and scanability of your resume. Instead, chose your paper based on its weight (24lb minimum / 30lb maximum (so as not to jam the scanner)) and brightness (bright white: 90 minimum). If those numbers don't make sense to you, ask the helpful folks at OfficeMax or OfficeDepot and they'll help you out.

Printing

Is laserprinting your resume, which usually means a trip to Kinko's, required? Not anymore. These days there are high DPI (600DPI and up) inkjet printers, you probably have one at home or at the library, that will do the job just fine. Just take precautions against smearing by letting the pages dry for a few minutes in the printer tray before picking them up.

[ttags: resume, jobhunt, career, jobsearch, job, resumes ]

Your Resume: Address and Contact Info

2005-08-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

Your resume should start with your name and contact information. Don't get too fancy with the layout here. Centered or Aligned left or right is fine. Try to keep it to 5 lines maximum (4 is best) with your name in bold on the first line. The second and third line would be your address information. The 4th line is your email address (you must have one these days) and two phone numbers (Home and Cell/Mobile or Home and Message). Don't provide a 'work' number here.

Font size can be one or two points above the size you use for the body of your resume. The whole point is to make it easy to read by a scanner for companies (like Disney) that OCR each resume. Choice of font ‘Arial’ is fine. You can go down to size 10 or 11 with Arial and still be readable. The sans serif look stands out from the serif fonts that recruiters receive all day every day.

John Smith
123 Main Street U.S.A.
Disneyland, CA 92803
E: JSmith@gmail.com
Ph: 310.555.1212 Cell: 213.555.1212

or

John Smith
123 Main Street U.S.A., Disneyland, CA 92803
E: JSmith@gmail.com -- Ph: 310.555.1212 - Cell: 213.555.1212

The Debate: Resume Order Chronologic or Function

2005-07-29T06:16:00.000-05:00

There has of late been a movement away from the traditional Reverse Chronological Resume and toward listing by Function. I can see arguments for both. Listing by function gives you the chance to shine by highlighting your skills as grouped together with skills from your past. Reverse chronological order allows you to tell a story about how you came to be where you are today; including the accomplishments that propelled you to the next level in each position.

There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. But here I think the rule is give the recruiter what they expect to see. The trick is to make your resume fit that expectation as close as possible. (It's not always easy, which is why research is important. But that's another post.)

For instance, if 10-years experience in a particular industry is required then make sure your resume reflects that. Perhaps grouping your job experience by industry is an appropriate approach for that position. This is particulary true if you've done a lot of project based work as a consultant or freelancer.

But by and large a hiring executive wants to see progression. They want to know that not only are you qualified for the position, but that you'll continue to grow in it and contribute to the future of the organization. This is why the default should be reverse chronological order and other ways should be the exception to the rule.

Out of the Box Thinking

2005-07-25T07:03:00.000-05:00

When you're looking for work in a creative field or something that is just outside the realm of normal work you might have to do something out of the box to get the attention of the recruiters. For instance you might want to print your resume on your shirt (see also here) or switch to the Portfolio format.

Free Cover Letter Help

2005-07-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm through with my coverletter tutorial, I wanted to list the posts here for easy referal. Think of building your cover letter like a sandwhich. You need two good thick slices of bread, some meat, some toppings, and one of those fancy toothpicks to stick in it.

Good luck and happy Job Searching!

How to get your Dream Job

2005-07-19T07:03:00.000-05:00

While the interviewees in this Fast Company magazine article may not reveal any secrets to landing your dream job it is a good study in not being afraid of doing what you like.

Which leads me to another tip for the job hunter. Pick two or three business magazines from the list below and subscribe to them, or make weekly trips to the library to read them. Keeping on top of current business trends and lingo will make you a stronger conversationalist with the recruiter and keep your brain in business mode during an extended layoff.

Business 2.0

Fast Company

Fortune or Forbes

Entrepreneur or Inc.

Wired (yes Wired!)

What makes a great resume?

2005-07-14T07:16:00.000-05:00

I've posted quite a bit about how your cover letter should come together. Here's one more piece of advice on that topic: keep your cover letter short. A concise review of your accomplishments and fit for the specific job you're seeking. No more than 500 words, or about two-thirds of a page, please.

On the other hand, it's okay to go to two pages on a resume (three if you have a lot of management or executive level experience). If you have a skill, award, or job related experience and you don't list it on the resume the recruiter won't know about it. Neither will the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software that scans your resume and puts it into a database for skill based searches.

If you were planning on explaining about your additional skills, awards, and/or experience in the interview, then those should go in the resume too or you won't make it to the interview. By the time someone decides to interview you, they've already decided you have the basic skill set required for the position. Your job at that point is to convince them you have the right personality and outlook for the position and will play well with the team and company environment.

A great resume will have the hiring executive sold on your before you even meet. So how do you create a great resume? That's why you're reading this blog, right. But don't neglect the hints and tips given out at the major job listing sites either.

Slice Two: The Conclusion

2005-07-13T07:38:00.000-05:00

As you finish your cover letter, which is your opening sales piece about you, you want to wrap everything up in a bow for the reader. Show them you'll fit with the job and give them a reason to continue onto your resume.

Into the last paragraph goes a short recap of your skills, any personal experience you feel is pertinent to the job, salary requirements (see previous post for my advice on that), and a call to action. A call to action is what a sales person always tries to end a pitch with. You want the recipient to feel a need to do something after reading your pitch and here's your chance to suggest what you want them to do.

The final line of the Coverletter is usually "I look forward to hearing from you." Unfortunately, that is what everyone says, and you're putting the onus on the person to contact you. Instead say, "I look forward to discussing this further with you at your conveinence." or "While this cover letter and resume serve as an introduction, I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you to discuss how I would be an asset to XYZ Company." If you're really bold, "I look forward to discussing this further with you and will call your office to arrange an appointment." But you have to judge for yourself if bold is appropriate for this position.

Then call the company and follow up. Ask if your resume has been received and restate your desire for an interview. You'd be suprised how many people fail to follow through, which is a basic requirement for any position. Your future boss will want to know that you can follow through on a task.

Toppings: Salary History & Requirements

2005-07-12T00:38:00.000-05:00

This is always tricky. I believe in following all the stated requirements of a job listing. If they want you to email your resume in a text document, then you'd better do so. But when it comes to a Salary History or Salary Requirement request, I suggest you play coy.

The reason is, whether the hiring manager intends to do so or not, they use this request as a culling device. They're very unlikely to hire someone who earned $50,000 last year for a position that pays $35,000 (even if that person is a perfect fit otherwise) as the belief is that they'll be unhappy earning less and therefore less productive.

I wish more companies would put salary ranges in the job listings and let the applicants make that decision for themselves.

If the job listing does request a salary history or requirement always include something, don't ignore their request. If you’re not comfortable giving a range (say $35,000 - $40,000) because you don’t know what they’ll be offering (your range should always match theirs or they’ll just throw out your resume), then just say “salary and benefits are negotiable.” Then be sure to negotiate.

Toppings: Sell Yourself

2005-07-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

The final paragraph of the coverletter emphasizes any experience you have that directly corresponds to the job listing.

Some believe you should explain why you’re looking for work, “I've reached the top of the ladder at ABC Company.” But you don’t want any negative connotations in your coverletter. It is your sales piece. So leave that out. Instead say something about your excitement for the future and what you can do for the company you’re applying to. “I look forward to making a difference at The XYZ Company Merchandise Department.”

Always conclude with a positive statement about yourself and your ability to bring a positive result to the company. For instance, "With my project management and training skills, I can bring XYZ Company's next release in on time and underbudget."

The Meat: Accomplishments

2005-07-08T06:22:00.000-05:00

The body of the coverletter should be 3 to 5 bullet points showing how you have completed projects, saved money, or earned money for the companies you've worked for. Stick away from purely skill oriented bullet points. Those belong on the resume. Size and scope of the companies is appropriate but shouldn't be the focus, your accomplishments should be.

For example:

While serving in a public relations and corporate communications capacity my accomplishments included:

(or simply "Some Accomplishments Include:")

Led the team to launch a new awareness campaign for the counter water utilities. Project was completed underbudget and ontime. Net result was a water savings of 15% from the previous year.
Won a Clio award in 2003 for advertisement on X.
Researched and wrote speaches for Department of Power Executives.
etc.

Always tailor the accomplishments to the position you're applying to. To that end, I recommend developing a list of 10-15 accomplishments you can substitute in and out of the coverletter based on what industry, position, or skill level the job you're seeking requires.

A great accomplishment list gives the reader a reason to turn the page to your resume and check that the experience matches the requirements of the position. But you've already shown that you're a do-er and sometimes that's enough to score an interview.

Know thine enemy

2005-07-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

The number one rule of warfare is to know your enemy. Friends, when you're hunting for a job, especially when it's 'the' job, the human resource professional is your enemy. HR is the army that stands between your resume and the executive whose hands you want to get your resume in to. So it makes sense during a job search to do some research on what makes an HR person tick.

The Employment Law Blog is as good as place as any to start. It's very readable, au current, and occaisionally features pithy humor. The blog also features a list of great links that will help you continue your journey down the path to career employment via the stragetem above.

Slice One: The Opening Paragraph

2005-07-03T07:23:00.000-05:00

Remember you only have 5-10 seconds to grab the attention of the person reading the cover letter. You need to make them want to continue and the best way to do that is to show you're a fit for the company.

Here's a standard opening that many people have used in the past:

I am seeking new challenges in my career. The Dishwasher position at XYZ Company is of great interest to me and I know I will be a great fit.

These days that is the bare minimum requirement for an oppening paragraph. In today's business world if you're breathing you should be seeking new challenges. Instead of that tired and boring opening, this is where you should be using your ability of wordcraft to show you're right for the job.

The opening paragraph should also include the exact job title as listed in the want ad, how you heard about the position, and any personal references you have (ie, "Joe Dobson of the sales department and I have discussed the Sales Manager position and he has been kind enough to pass along my resume to you, I can't thank him enough for the opportunity." or "I am sending you my resume after researching the position of Sales Manager that XYZ Company had listed on Monster.com.")

Addressing the Coverl Letter

2005-07-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

If at all possible the Cover letter should be addressed to a specific person or position. It's more likely to end up on their desk and it shows that you're capable of doing research for a project. If you can't find that out, then "To whom it may concern," or "Dear Hiring Executive," will work. "Dear Sirs," will not as it excludes half the possible pool of readers.

So how do you find out the name of a specific person if its not listed in the help wanted ad? You can either use the internet or use the phone. The easiest thing to do is call the company and ask who a coverletter should be addressed to. At worse, they'll tell you the correct title and you can use that. You can also go to the company's website and see if the job listing there has more detail, if the HR manager is listed in the company officials page, if there is a press release with the Human Resources name, etc. Get creative. Use Google. You may be able to find something out about the company that you can use in your cover letter.

The Toothpick: Your Signature

2005-07-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

The signature used to be a place to add a little flourish. But again, following the theory that you don't want anything distracting from the meat of your coverletter, the traditional simple signature is better here. Therefore, always close with "Sincerely," two lines then your name and address with contact info. Sign your name boldly and in blue if at all possible.

Btw, don't use a PO Box if you have a street address. If you're moving into an area ask a friend who already lives there if you can use their street address. If you don't have a local phone number get one using a VOIP provider such as Vonage and provide a local message phone. Then configure Vonage to send you an email whenever you get a new message. It's okay to return a phone call the next day, but two days later is probably too late.

Follow up your resume submission with a phone call three business days later. Ask if your resume was received and what the interviewing process is. Then ask for an appointment. It never hurts to ask. You'd be suprised how many people never call and never send thank you letters after interviews.

Dealing with Odd Interview Requests - WSJ

2005-07-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

You're asked to do something in the hiring process that just seems weird, and makes you uncomfortable. If you express hesitation or flat-out refuse, you risk losing the job. Employers may label you uncooperative or overly sensitive. But if you suppress your discomfort and perform the task, you may be ignoring a red flag telling you this company isn't the place for you.

I've experienced this a few times. Personality tests, usually oriented at seeing if you're a type-A or type-B personality, are the most common. Even if you believed in the ability of a test to tell your personality, the results will be skewed by how you're feeling at the time you take the test. This WSJ story lists some even stranger interview tests (some potentially opening up the company to charges of discrimination). Still what are you going to do if you're unemployed?

Cover Letter: More Background

2005-06-30T07:55:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard that you only have 10 seconds to grab the attention of the reader. That's true. Once they start reading your cover letter the clock is ticking. But some decisions about the quality of your cover letter are made even before the reading begins.

Is the paper it is printed on clean and bright? Is the letter formatted and addressed properly? Did the candidate hand sign the document?

Paper choice for your cover letter and resume is important. Obvious attempts at attention grabbing are usually viewed as unnecessary. Printing on Yellow, Pink, or Tan paper doesn't make you more qualified for the position. Instead, chose your paper based on its weight - 24lb minimum / 30lb maximum - and brightness - 94 minimum. If thosefigures don't make sense to you, ask the helpful folks at OfficeMax or OfficeDepot and they'll help you out.

I know a question you're dying to ask -- is laserprinting, which usually means a trip to Kinko's, required? Not anymore. These days there are high DPI (600DPI and up) inkjet printers that will do the job just fine. Just watch for smearing.

If you've read Malcom Gladwell's Blink : The Power of Thinking Without Thinking then you know how decisions are made in a split second. Don't give the screener a reason to 'blink' you into the circular file.

Cover Letter: form follows purpose

2005-06-29T19:47:00.000-05:00

The Cover letter is your initial sales piece. Its purpose is to get your resume past the initial screener and, once in the hands of the right person, to show you're a capable, productive, and intelligent candidate for the position. When you keep that in mind, the form of the cover letter follows naturally.

To show you're capable, the document must answer the questions asked in the job description, indicate where you found the listing, and show that you're a match. To prove your productivity, you must list your accomplishments in a manner the person doing the hiring will understand. To show your intelligent, you must have perfect grammar and spelling and be persuasive.

To repeat: cover letters are your primary sales piece about you. They should list your top accomplishments, special experience related to this job, and why you’re right for the company. And they should do it in a manner that is as creative, brief, and compact as possible. I've read so many boring coverletters from marketing professionals, designers, human resource managers, sales people. These positions require creativity and sales ability, you have to put that in the coverletter too.

Your Resume Upgrade Station

2005-06-29T07:01:00.000-05:00

This blog is the direct agglomeration of my personal experience dealing with Resumes, Coverletters, Job Searches, and Career choices. I worked for 6 years at a personnel placement company that specialized in human resources positions. Although not in a HR position myself, I learned what a recruiter looked for in a resume, the purpose of a coverletter, and the best practices in a job search, from the best managers, recruiters, and personnel specialists in the industry.

Over the years that knowledge has been very useful to me in finding new positions. I frequently receive requests from friends and family to review their resumes, which I am happy to do. So the time has come to formalize that knowledge. As you can see, I'm taking advantage of the unique publishing platform that is the weblog to do so. I hope this will be as successful a merging of information and technology, form and function, as your resume should be.

My mission is that you, the reader, should be able to find useful hints, clear instructions, and hard facts that will help you promote yourself into the next job in your career path. I realize I am not the end point of all knowledge when it comes to resumes, coverletters, and job searches, so I'll also be providing pointers to other resources that I have found useful. I'm sure you will to.

So welcome one and all to the Resume Upgrade blog. Now let's forge a path to your future.