I was inspired to write this after reading plf515 post about being employed. As I was reading some of what was said I found myself agreeing and saying to myself "those are some good ideas" and then a lightbulb went off.
Of course I think those are good ideas duhhhhh! because I help people find jobs for a living. I am shaking my head as I write this only because I feel a little guilty in not sharing, because I know from experience that every little bit helps.
I have written hundreds of resumes and cover letters. I have filled out countless applications and coached many people on how to do better in an interview. Criminal backgrounds, disabilities, gaps in employment, you name it I have seen it before.
That being said below the fold(I am beginning to use more bloggity lingo even thought it makes me want to puke) I will put out some of the things I know about job hunting especially in this crap and hopefully any of you that are looking or know someone looking for work can pass it on.
I just realized that I have a lot of information so I am going to break this up into a few sections this one will focus on resumes.
Resumes To start you need to create one. I believe that a resume is not just a tool to get an interview, but it is important to keep your work history recorded. You can dump information that you don't feel is relevant or too old, but I think it is an excellent idea to keep a file of names, numbers, addresses, dates, wages of the places you have worked.
Once you have created your resume it is time to create another one. Most people have more than one interest in life and varied work experience. On paper our work history tells a story. If you have worked as a Barista for ten years then got a job as a financial manager for the past five people will notice that. They will notice the difference between the types of jobs and will wonder how you got from one point to the next. The answer very well could be college or whatever, but do you want your resume to create questions about your ability to do the job you are applying for or your ability to do the jobs you don't want to apply for.
So create that second or third resume. One for jobs as a Barista and one for the job as the new CEO of Bank of America...who knows maybe the barista resume will do the trick. No offense to the Barista's of the world that provide the gasoline for the human engine that is the American worker.
You should also maintain an electronic copy of your resume because once you write your resume there will be revisions and you don't want to rewrite it everytime you have to add something.
Are you dependable? A team player? punctual? reliable? A hardworker? Dedicated? Do you pay attention to detail? What about supervisory skills. do you have those?
If the answer is YES great and I will hire you as soon as I find out what the difference between you and the 1,000 other people that said the exact same thing is. Those are all good words to use and noble characteristics, but nowadays you have to find ways to prove those things in your resume, that is before you get the interview, in other words employers want results before you even start working for them.
How do you prove that you are all of these great things? By looking at your work. I prove to you that I am a hard worker because I put in 40 hours a week, not to mention another ten hours a week coaching basketball and depending on the time of year I will also spend an evening or two going to class so I can finish my degree. That kills a few birds with one stone because I not only proved that I am a hard worker, but I am dedicated, reliable, and I have supervisory skills. Try coaching a group of teenage girls, I got this down so good that their boyfriends are show the proper respect when I am around.
Think of the things you have done at work to make a difference, maybe you organized some aspect of the office or production that made life easier, made or saved some money, or was simply a better way to do things. That is the kind of information that is going to make you stand out. Not only writing about what you do but proving it.
Results based information is what you want to come across on your resume. Usually the person reviewing your resume is smart enough to gather that you are a dedicated and hardworking team player with supervisory skills without actually putting those words on paper.
You make a much more powerful argument for yourself when you can prove your claims.
Feel free to ask me questions, I will answer what I can.