In our eagerness to obtain an interview, we sometimes have a tendency to provide a prospective employer with inappropriate information that would be detrimental to us, resulting in both a loss of interest and an interview. Keep in mind that a prospective employer, who must review 200 to 400 resumes for an advertised position, is busy and has to rule out or disqualify all but a handful of those resumes in an attempt to find only qualified candidates. If he or she can't easily find what they are looking for immediately, it probably will get discarded. In my previous article, I advised our readers as to the important items they needed to include in their resume. Here are some hints that may help avoid having your resume land in the "round file." Avoid nicknames, using your business name and initial. Don't try to impress or insult the employer with fancy words as you may frustrate them and perhaps have your resume rejected. Never include personal information such as age, race, gender, height, weight, religion, national origin, marital status, children, health, physical appearance, or a photograph of yourself. Do not handwrite your resume. Typewriters are fine, but a computer and printer should be used if possible. Be sure to use tabs instead of the space bar when typing. In your objective, never tell an employer what YOU expect out of a job -- only what you can contribute. Keep in mind that it's not up to the employer to motivate you and present challenges -- it's up to YOU. If you mention in your objective that you wish to advance within the organization, this could work against you in that the position for which you are interviewing may be a dead-end job. If using a profile, don't include the same information listed on the resume. When listing your current and past employers, omit street names, zip codes, telephone numbers, and the names of supervisors. You really shouldn't go back any further than 10 to 15 years regarding employment, unless it is directly related to the position for which you are applying. When listing job duties, don't use sentences or paragraphs, as you don't want to be too wordy and bore the reader. Instead, use bullets without punctuation, maintaining consistency throughout. Don't eliminate a previously held job just because it doesn't relate to your career goal. You don't need to elaborate -- just mention it -- as you don't want a gap in employment. Never divulge the reasons why you left each place of employment, nor your availability to begin working for the company -- both of which should be discussed in the interview. Don't place education before employment unless you are a current or soon to be graduate or have received your degree within the last two years, unless your education is related to the position for which you are applying. Don't include your Q.P.A. unless it is at least 3.0 or higher. Salary or wage should never be mentioned until an offer is presented at the interview and only if brought up by the prospective employer. The only exceptions would be if salary history or requirements are mentioned in the ad, in which case you need to follow the directions given. Hobbies and personal interests should be omitted unless they represent your career goal, such as "golfer" for a position at a golf course. Never list your references or the words "references furnished upon request" as this is an insult to the prospective employer's intelligence. Of course you will provide these if he or she requests them -- which wouldn't be until after your interview. So why give them the information they may not need? Don't forget to put your name on the second page, in case it separates from the first page. Don't use cheap paper, carbons or onionskin. Don't use wild or bright colors for your resumes, as you want to remain conservative and business-like. Upon completion of your resume, have your copies professionally reproduced -- not on a copy machine. Don't submit a resume longer than two pages. Never print on two sides of the same paper. Make sure there are no typographical or grammatical errors, erasures, white outs, scratched out or rewritten text, and that your paper isn't dirty, ripped, ink-marked, stained or wrinkled. Check that your verb tense is proper, using past and present tense when appropriate. To keep the professional image, it is suggested that you don't staple your resume. Prior to sending your resume, check to see if you placed adequate postage on your envelope and put a return address on it. Don't forget to include a cover letter with your resume as this is expected in the business world. Keep in mind that you are marketing yourself with your resume. Be creative, honest and assertive. Before you mail your resume, review it one last time. Then ask yourself this question, "If I am a prospective employer, and I just read my resume, would I hire me?
"A resume, usually the first step towards securing an interview with a company, is basically a synopsis of your skills and background which includes..."
BUILDING YOUR FIRST RESUME WITHOUT EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE.
"Creating a resume is hard enough for people with job experience. But what about housewives, students, and others who are entering the job market for the first time? Since most companies expect a resume before an interview is scheduled, I suggest you first do an assessment of your skills and your background. Here are some questions to ask yourself: if you like working with people or alone, with machines, or on paperwork; if you would prefer working indoors or outdoors; if you are seeking full time or part time employment and would you be willing to work days, evenings, weekends, overtime and holidays; if you are willing to travel; and if you would prefer a large or small company."
RESUME CATEGORIES TO ENHANCE YOUR RESUME.
"Are you a person who believes that a resume should have only two typical and boring categories -- Experience and Education? In order to do yourself justice, your resume also should showcase your skills and/or education, which is easily achievable by dividing your resume into organized increments or sections. The following are examples that can be used by many job seekers and can be incorporated into your resume."
THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET.
"One of the most frequently asked questions clients ask me is, Can you tell me where the hidden job market is? The following are some of the answers and suggestions I give them."(I listed 20 employment opportunities.)
THE JOB INTERVIEW.
"Congratulations -- you did it! Your professionally written resume and cover letter have successfully showcased your skills and experience and resulted in attaining your first goal -- an interview! Although you have good reason to be excited and proud, remember that you are probably one of several applicants who have been chosen to be interviewed. The interview represents the second hurdle you must overcome. Now you need to prepare and do your homework for what could hopefully lead to a new job and/or change in your career."
DO YOU HATE YOUR JOB?
"Did you know that the majority of people hate their job? Could you be one of them? Well, it doesn't have to be that way! If you do not look forward to going to work every day, then it may be time to take action! The following are some examples of the contributing factors of why you may hate your job, and some suggested actions you may wish to take." (I list 12 reasons why people hate their jobs.)
ARE YOU A VALUABLE EMPLOYEE?
"Unless you are a self-employed, sole proprietor, everyone has to answer to a boss, superior, foreman, supervisor, manager, partner, etc. Granted, not every boss is perfect -- but as an employee, we need to give them our support and respect for their position, in order for the daily operations to run smoothly in the work place. The following are a few of the ways in which you as an employee can make yourself more valuable to your boss, your department, and your organization."
MANAGERS TAKE HEED: ARE YOU A GOOD BOSS?
"In one of my previous articles, I wrote how one can strive to become a Valuable Employee. Now we need to turn the tables and instruct some managers on how to become a "Good Boss" - if they aren't already!"
OUTSOURCING -- THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE FOR BUSINESS.
"The practice of subcontracting work to other companies -- better known as Outsourcing -- is becoming increasingly common in the business world today. Outsourcing firms could provide various services such as typing, transcription of dictation tapes, bookkeeping, payroll, billing, taxes, office cleaning, copying and mailings -- all at their office. Every business should be open-minded regarding the multitude of advantages obtained from outsourcing. To illustrate a point, let's use the most common form of Outsourcing (secretarial) as our example."
These articles are packed with information (26 pages) that can give you the competitive edge in the marketplace. If you don't need a resume because you have a good job, are home raising children, retired, etc., you can use this information to make money for yourself in your spare time by typing resumes for others. * Your Name mary@tibbensbusinessservices.com
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Sincerely,
Mary A. Tibbens, Owner
Tibbens Business Services
(724) 864-8484
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