Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
As you enter the job market for what may be the very first time, there are some key points to remember as to what employment opportunities you can expect, and how to maximize your chances within this field.
1. Employment prospects for recent high school graduates:
Generally speaking, high school graduates will be hired for entry-level vocational work (if appropriately skilled) such as auto repair and service-related positions whether that’s in administrative and clerical or as a food service worker at a local fast-food chain. Other opportunities lie in physically demanding work such as a warehouse loader.
2. Maximizing skills to get that first full-time position:
Clearly state on your resume any vocational skills learned during high school that are valued by employers. These would include:
A. Clerical or administrative skills
1. Typing (be certain to include wpm)
2. Data entry
3. 10-key by touch
4. Proficiency in computer software (list specific programs)
B. Trades
1. Auto Mechanics
2. Cooking
3. Sewing (and tailoring)
3. Minimizing Youth & Professional Inexperience:
Even before being called in for an interview, the best way to prove you have a mature attitude (despite your youth) and a professional demeanor is to submit a flawless, meticulously crafted resume.
Nothing shouts inexperience more than using personal pronouns in a resume (eg: “I” “my” “our” “we”). The same goes for putting an objective within the document (eg: “I’m looking for a position where I can earn good money and advance quickly.”). Seasoned professionals know that the hiring manager is always more interested in what the applicant can do for the company, rather than what the company can do to make the applicant happy.
By crafting an outstanding resume that is to-the-point and clearly states your employment skills as related to your goal, you’ll be telling the hiring manager that you are ready for that first full-time position.
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
Generally speaking, hiring managers expect resumes to be focused towards business-related activities that can indicate to them your potential on the job. However, hobbies and interests that show leadership, technical skills, commitment to community, or team-playing capabilities may also enhance your candidacy. These might include:
1. Volunteer work for such organizations as Junior Achievement, the “Y”, Girl or Boy Scouts, being a Big Brother or a Big Sister, etc.
2. Clubs that enhance skills and test proficiency, which can be useful on the job. These would include Computer Clubs, Language Clubs, Toastmasters, International (public speaking), etc.
3. Participating in events to help a good cause (eg: 10-K run for cancer research)
A Word About Hobbies and Interests that Should Not be Included in Resumes
Avoid mentioning those with:
1. Political overtones (eg: The Young Republican Club, volunteering for an individual seeking public office)
2. Danger (eg: skydiving, racing cars, mountain climbing, motorcycling)
3. Expense beyond your means (eg: coin collecting, European travel, buying antiques)
4. Unusual (eg: collecting Elvis paraphernalia, attending Star Trek conventions)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
· I’m a female company vice president whose only hobby is knitting. Won’t that make me seem old or too female?
Unless the hobby enhances your candidacy, it probably shouldn’t be included on your resume. However, if you’ve donated articles you knitted (to a local woman’s center or perhaps for preemies at the hospital), mentioning this indicates to a hiring manager that you are a well-rounded individual capable of running a business, while also attending to ‘people’ issues.
· I really don’t have any hobbies other than watching television at night. Should I just make something up?
Hobbies and interests are not required on a resume, therefore it’s advisable to exclude your television viewing habits. It’s always best to remain truthful so that you’re not surprised by any questions during the interview process.
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
Many entry-level candidates either graduated in a field that is considered “industry-soft” (eg: History, English, Liberal Arts, etc.) or in such a crowded field (eg: Information Technology, Marketing, Education) that when it comes time to find a job, they must seek something outside their field of interest.
This creates the challenge of proving to a hiring manager that despite a non-related degree, the candidate is a good match for the opening. To overcome employer objections, adhere to the following guidelines when creating your resume:
1. Fully research the job opening: Look at several openings in the same field you’ve targeted to get a sense of what an employer is looking for in terms of qualifications. Make a list of all the qualifications required that you meet.
2. Dovetail what an employer wants with what you can do: Taking that list of qualifications you’ve just made, write a brief sentence on how you fulfilled that qualification in the past (eg: “Bachelor’s Degree needed” — Received Bachelor of Arts in History in 2004). This will build your summary of qualifications which will open your resume.
3. Showcase previous work history that’s related to the new opening: Even if you only worked summers and part-time at night during school, list any professional activity that’s related to the new job. For example: If you worked in customer service and received stellar reviews because of your interaction with customers, this can be used in a resume in which you’ve targeted a sales position, which is certainly people-oriented.
4. Emphasize general coursework if what you learned will help in the new job: Every college student has to take math, English, and a host of other general academics in order to graduate. If you are considering an entry-level job in which math is important, showcase the math you took during college, while also including any academic awards you received.
5. List general skills that are sought by all employers: This would include typing speed (if over 40 wpm), ability to do 10-key, experience in answering multi-lined telephone systems, and computer proficiency (be certain to include names of applications as hiring managers always prefer specifics).
6. Also include specialized skills: Languages in which you are fluent, licensing if it can be used by the employer (eg: notary public, medical billing), and anything else that will enhance your candidacy.
7. Volunteer work or community activities: If you’ve met goals in fund-raising or helped a candidate get elected to office, these are invaluable people skills that could be parlayed into a sales position.
The idea is to take what you have and show how it relates to the current job opening.
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME
In many professions such as Accounting, Medicine, Nursing, and Law, professionals are required to maintain skills through continuing education and seminars. By providing this information to a hiring manager, you’ll be stating unequivocally that you are prepared for the demands of the current industry, and that you meet all legal and licensing requirements.
A Word About Courses and Seminars for Candidates Who Lack College Degrees
In this education-focused world, candidates without college degrees are often in a panic about what to put in the Education section of their resumes. High school diplomas don’t seem like enough (and usually aren’t). To overcome this, specialized training, in the form of courses and seminars, can go a long way to enhancing candidacy. This is especially true if the field is in the trades (i.e. construction, auto repair, etc.), but it is also relevant to white collar positions, such as administrative assistants or office managers. In those jobs, computer skills learned during evening/community college courses or at seminars are acceptable to hiring managers.
Positioning your Training for Maximum Impact
If your industry requires continuing education to maintain licensing, then mentioning your adherence to this should be included in the Qualifications Section of your resume. For example:
“Currently enrolled in accounting coursework to maintain CPA certification through June 2005.”
Or
If you are transitioning from one career to another, then training can be an acceptable substitute for lack of professional experience. In this case, industry-specific training should be added to the Qualifications Summary or immediately after it in a special section.
Or
Never combine Education and Training if they are not related. Never place Training at the end of your resume or in the Education section of your resume if it’s directly related to your current job search and can enhance your candidacy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much detail should I provide in listing my training?
Training should always include the date, sponsoring agency, location, name of course or seminar, and whether certification or licensure was granted. Training that is especially important to your job search may include a brief description of the coursework to give the hiring manager a better indication of what was actually learned or accomplished.
How far back should I go in my training and coursework as an IT professional?
No more than 10 years as the Information Technology field is constantly evolving. Any training that led to certification through companies such as Microsoft or Oracle should be showcased if the data is germane to your current job search.
Should I include my online coursework, or will hiring managers dismiss this kind of non-traditional training?
It would depend upon the scope of the training and the sponsoring agency. If you’re taking online coursework sponsored by Microsoft or Oracle, hiring managers would easily accept this as valid. If your training is sponsored by a company with little to no name recognition, then it’s wise to include details, including course hours, level of expertise (beginner, advanced, expert), and any other information that will give the hiring manager a clear idea of what you’ve learned.
I received a lot of my training overseas, should I include it in a U.S. Resume?
If it’s relevant to your current job search. However, make certain to indicate what the U.S. equivalent of your foreign coursework would be to provide an accurate picture of your training to hiring managers.
