Resume writing 10001

July 16th, 2010

It’s estimated there are 6 job seekers for every job opening in the market today.  That’s not very good odds.  However, any one can cut those odds in half instantly, simply write a decent resume!

I realize that I have a resume writing 101 entry on our site already, but in my mind I can’t tell people enough how important it is to write a clean, interesting and job worthy resume!

There is a bit of competition out there right now; people are unemployed, or looking to change jobs finally as the economy becomes more stable.  Think of this when writing your resume.  Those that have the most readable resume will rise above the rest.

The following are just a few things I’ve noticed about resumes over the last little while that I am finding over and over again. In a more competitive job environment, these ‘blunders’ are not helping anyone while searching for a new opportunity. Take a read:

  1. Spell check, spell check, spell check!!  I (obviously) can’t stress this enough. Grammar is another huge one too!  If you don’t understand how to use there, their or they’re in a sentence – I really encourage you to ASK SOMEONE!  Don’t assume you know – it’s okay! Assuming just makes a donkey out of you….and well, yep, just YOU!
  2. Unless you don’t have any work experience – your ‘job/volunteer’ experience as a team sport coach, or a day camp counselor for the summer of  ’93, ’94 and ’95 isn’t relevant anymore!  Keep it current!
  3. Act professional, be professional, but your resume isn’t professional looking?  Big problem!  Be aware of your tabs, bullets and overall formatting of your resume, your coverletter and even the EMAIL that you send to prospective employers.  This can make or break a good resume!  FIRST IMPRESSIONS PEOPLE!  Getting a resume with different font styles, sizes, alignment, margins etc is just sloppy and won’t get you further than the ‘G’ file……(for garbage in case you didn’t get it….).
  4. I understand, you want to portray yourself as a well rounded individual, but it is really NOT NECESSARY to write your hobbies down.  From airplane models, to synchronized swimming – we don’t need to know!
  5. Picture Perfect?  Maybe not!  This is another no-no in my mind.  An individual picture of you belongs on a passport – NOT YOUR RESUME!
  6. If this is one of your first jobs – I’d like to give some advice to the young job seekers out there too – be mindful of your job titles.  Even though, yes your real job title was “Shooter Girl”, how about either leave that experience off, or if you feel you need to keep it, replace it with; Waitress, Hostess, Server, bar assistant…. I’m sure any of those mentioned will do just fine!
  7. I know, we are all lazy creatures at heart – but come on!  Using a template that has worked for you in the past is fine (I guess), but make sure to change the contact name on it!  Surely nothing looks worse than addressing to the wrong person.  Surely you can see my point and oh, DON’T CALL ME SHIRLEY either!
  8. Again with the laziness.  I know, it’s easy and quick to write things in TEXT TALK – C U soon, or signing the end of your letter with TTYL – just to name a few, but again NOT PROFESSIONAL! Save it with your buds – not your potential employer!
  9. You know how ‘they’ say, “don’t sweat the small stuff”? Well, SWEAT IT when it comes to your resume, your cover letter and even the email you send! Be conscious of all the little details!  It’s the extra details, or lack of them that will make or break your resume.
  10. Finally some less critical advice!  Social media can play a part in your career search.  Why not create a LinkedIn account to check out potential employers?  It would really impress employers, if you had some recommendations from past employers, co workers, or clients on Linked In- they actually hold weight if it’s from the right person.

I know you’ve got a lot to offer. You’ve got some great experience – so don’t ruin a great opportunity with a bad resume – that’s all I’m saying.

Follow me on Twitter – @andrea_duggan

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Can Working Out Make You a Better Employee?

July 9th, 2010

Given the technological advances of the past few decades we are now feeling the impact socially and physically on our day to day lives. We find that people are relying more on emails to communicate in the workplace instead of walking over to their colleague’s desk to ask a question – even if they are in the next cubicle. Children are glued to their computers or are spending their free time in front of the TV playing videos games instead of outdoors playing catch. Not only is human interaction suffering, our health is slowly deteriorating. As concerns about an inactive population run rampant, it is more obvious then ever that the positive consequences of physical activity go beyond what you see in the mirror. Not only does it effect your personal life, it can impact your professional life as well.  Physical activity can make the difference between a mediocre employee and an exceptional employee. The choice is yours.

A physically active person typically enjoys:

  • Increased awareness, more alert
  • Reduced stress
  • Improved sleep patterns
  • More stamina and increased energy
  • Positive attitude
  • Improved health and wellness, including reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments
  • Enhanced quality of life

 Are these benefits alone enough to get you started on a workout regime?

Studies have shown that organizations where employees are active typically experience the following benefits:  

  • Lower stress levels and job related tension
  • Improved productivity and overall confidence
  • Lower turnover rate
  • Decrease in absenteeism, or sick leave time
  • Reduced health insurance costs

Companies are looking for ways to control soaring health insurance costs while maintaining the same coverage their employees have come to expect. Some organizations have gone as far as to create and implement health and wellness programs for their employees to encourage physical activity. This includes on-site fitness facilities, reduced gym membership fees, and the creation of corporate sports teams, to name a few.  Has your organization taken up this cause?

We all know that keeping the body moving has positive consequences in all faucets of our lives. So the next time you decide to sit yourself in front of the television after a long day of work, think of how much better you would feel if you just stepped out for a 20 minute stroll around your neighborhood. A little effort for a life long investment both personally and professionally.

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How to lie on your resume, get away with it and have a great career!

June 23rd, 2010

You may have clicked here out of curiosity, or because you just couldn’t believe someone would write an article that would actually give you the tools to ‘get away with it!’, or perhaps you really are interested in my advice.  Well I hate to disappoint you!

Honesty is (ALWAYS) the best policy  when searching for a job.

I know you’re nervous, anxious, maybe excited, about searching for a new job.  You’ve spent a lot of time thinking and writing the best possible resume you can!  Innocently enough, you add extra words, implied stronger skills, embellished here and there to make your resume ‘shine’ above the rest.

You’ve applied to great positions, gone on some great interviews, and during those meetings you’ve been challenged with some difficult questions about the level of your skills, your experiences, and your overall knowledge.  You find once again, you were not the one chosen for the position.

Statistics say that 30% of people ‘embellish’ their resumes and experiences.  During recessionary periods, like the one we’ve just experienced, that number jumps to 44%. We all do it.  We all want to impress and showcase our talents. Be careful of exaggeration however, it’s all too easy to self justify a few extra words to pump things up a bit.

Today’s recruitment methods are very detailed.  There are far more skills assessments – hard and soft, personal checks (credit, education, criminal, even basic referencing, etc.) and personality reviews than there were even 5 years ago. Plus, most people forget about the internet.  Yes, Google has made it possible for all employers to get a glimpse of what you’ve been up to, the good, the bad and the down right ugly!  So, is all of that ‘dishonesty’ or embellishment of your resume and overall skills and knowledge worth it?  Likely not.

Here are a few examples of areas to watch for when job searching:

I’m the Expert – trust me

Lack of knowledge is the first step down that slippery slope.  It’s easy to imply expertise. You have the internet, you’ll simply look it up, cruise through some web sites, learn some keywords and BAMM you’re an expert….besides once you get the job you soon will be an expert…given a little time of course, you can do it.  You can do anything.  It doesn’t work that way folks, not even a little bit.

I’ve observed, therefore I can

The second step down that slippery slope is experience through observation.  You never actually had the experience but you’ve worked with a team member and learned everything they know.  It’s kind of like playing a doctor on TV, you may know all the right words and catch phrases, you may even look like the real thing, but given a scalpel, look out!  If you haven’t done the work yourself don’t put it on your resume, it won’t make you anymore “job worthy” and don’t be fooled into thinking you can fake it until you make it. You can’t!

Oh that software, I’ve used that before!

List current software skills only!  One of the most obvious embellishments is to profess proficiency in every imaginable software application.  Just because you’ve touched it, looked at it, used it over 10 years ago at a job you did for 3 days, does not make you skilled enough with that particular software to warrant putting it on your resume.  Put down the software you are capable of using today and today only. Unsure of your abilities with a particular piece of software?  There are many refresher courses out there, and even the staffing firm you are using may have the option for you to use their tutorial systems to hone up those rusty skills.

Mwwahh!  Got away, just like those other schemers…..

One of the biggest trends now, in light of the past few years of financial meltdowns and ponzi schemes, is to do credit checks, primarily for all accounting people in any industry, and those interested in working in banking, finance, investments or any other finance-accounting related business.  All positions in the finance-related industry, such as customer service, admin support or even mail room can be subjected to a credit check.  If you know your credit is not up to par….don’t put yourself (or the employer) in this situation.  Own-up and get it on the table up front, no one enjoys surprises!

I had a little trouble in the past, but that’s all behind me

This is similar to the credit check as above.  A lot of companies these days are asking for background criminal checks, in every industry, for every position.  Even if you committed a crime, likely a stupid error of judgment caused by age, or more precisely there of, unless pardoned, it will come up and could hinder you in your job search.  No matter how upstanding a citizen you are now, this could haunt you.  Not much can be done about this one, just be prepared to do some splain’in.

Well I did go to University…

If you went to University, got a degree in Art History, with some dabbling in economics, a B.Comm you do not have!  If you went to University but didn’t get a degree, don’t mention that you did.  Education verifications are more commonly used these days to ensure that, the business degree you say you have – you actually have. More and more universities also put information about alumna on their websites so it’s easier and easier to verify.  Don’t worry too much though, experience always trumps education. If you’re still relying on your education 10 years into your career, you’ve got bigger problems.

There’s nothing on the internet about me!

Regardless of these checks, a note of warning to everyone is the dreaded Google search.  If you haven’t done it, I would suggest you Google yourself, just to see what comes up.  Hopefully nothing, but in the rare chance that there may be something unflattering, not to mention down right incriminating, at least you’re aware, and understand how it will possibly affect you in your job search.  Those in your twenties, first step in your job search…remove all drunken party pictures from any and all public web sites.  Oh and never add your prospective boss to your Facebook account, or at least not without the appropriate filters activated!

So you see, it is very difficult to cheat, lie or exaggerate your way into your next position – but why would you want to?  You need to focus on finding the right position with the right company; using the skills and expertise you have and are comfortable with.  Don’t get me wrong, taking on new challenges and stretching to the point of being uncomfortable is important for your career; just make sure it happens in your new job where it counts, not in the interview where it doesn’t!

Hopefully all these little ‘honesty’ tips will help you in landing that next great job!

Follow me @andrea_duggan

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Sun, Fun or Opportunity?

May 31st, 2010

With the sun beaming and air conditioners blasting, you can not deny that summer is just around the corner. And with the change in weather comes vacation season. Summer can be the optimal time to land a role that just may lead to that full time permanent dream job you long for.  It is time to put your vacation on hold and ramp up your job search.

This time of year is traditionally slow when it comes to hiring on a permanent basis as Hiring Managers gear down to go away or find themselves leaving work early to take advantage of the warm and sunny conditions or to simply avoid the cottage country traffic. The hiring process is often lengthened to accommodate the time off taken by individuals who participate in the screening, interviewing as well as those who make the final decision. Some organization use students to fill in over the summer and aim for September to step up their hiring for permanent opportunities.

On the other hand, temporary placements soar as organizations, small and large alike; try to find a solution when their core staff such as Receptionists or Customer Service Representatives are out of the office. These opportunities give candidates a chance to go in and show a potential employer exactly what they are made of. Sometimes you will complete the assignment and that will be the end of it. Other times, you may leave such a great impression that your Manager finds a way to keep you around for the long haul. Either way, you gained some experience and earned some cash while others missed out.

If you find yourself in the market for a job, don’t be quick to discount temporary placements or seasonal roles as it is here that you will find some of the greatest success stories to date. Many associates who choose to say yes to temporary assignments have gone on to exciting permanent opportunities within the same organization, often climbing the corporate ladder to management roles in their area of expertise. Or they use this experience to build their resume ultimately assisting in their journey to land a fabulous role.  And for all those who say “I am just going to take the summer off “when it comes to their job hunt, be prepared to lose out as you may be missing the boat…

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Resume Writing 101

May 11th, 2010

One of the most asked questions I receive before, after and sometimes even during an interview is, what do you think of my resume and what suggestions do you have for making it more effective?

There are many different thoughts on this, different styles suggested, and overall different advice on how to write and format the perfect resume.  There are lots of websites or career counseling centres out there that can offer you step by step advice.

Here are a few points I’ve noticed over the years that can help make your resume stand out from the rest of the pack. Most I’m sure are common sense, but a friendly reminder is never a bad thing;

  1. Keep your resume ideally within 2 – 3 pages.  Anything beyond that 3 mark and you’re in dangerous territory of over-selling yourself.
  2. Now that your resume is 2 to 3 pages, this shouldn’t mean that the font is smaller!  Font should be at about size 10 to 12pts, and should be in a clean type – Arial, Times New Roman are usually your best choices.
  3. There is a lot of debate about types of resumes – Functional vs Chronological.  I would have to say that we would prefer most resumes in chronological order, with duties and details beneath each position.
  4. When writing the details of your previous positions, write them from most important skills or tasks (eg. Prepared reports for year end audits) to least important (other clerical duties such as filing, data entry)
  5. If you are writing an executive style resume, detail your job duties, and at the bottom of your duties, give 1 – 2 achievements within that role.
  6. Cover letter?  It’s more impressive to find out the person’s name if you can, rather than writing “Dear Sir or Madam”.
  7. Can’t find out the person’s full name, but have their last name? Don’t assume what gender that person is!  Mr. so-and-so to a woman, and Mrs. So-and-so to a man doesn’t always go over so well! Stick to ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, or their title if that’s all you’ve got.
  8. Don’t forget a section to highlight your key skills, eg. MS Word & Excel, handling multi-line reception board, 10 years overall experience in sales
  9. When listing your education, make sure to include the schools you attended.  You worked hard at that school so show it off.
  10. Check, check and check!  Check spelling and grammar, check format – are all headers highlighted or underlined, does everything look consistent, margins and tabs all aligned? Last check – did I miss anything?

All of these steps will help you create a workable, useable resume, and make a great first impression!

Good luck!

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Keeping Your Personal Life Separate from Your Work Life – Harder than it Sounds if You’re Tiger Woods…

April 14th, 2010

After being the punch line of many jokes, care of late night hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman, sneered at by wives (and girlfriends!) across the globe and shuned by all those who once adored him because of mistakes he made in his personal life, Tiger has returned to the one thing he always excelled in – his career in golf.

After a brief hiatus from golf and a stint in rehab to deal with his “affliction”, Tiger has officially made his return to work. Will all the publicity surrounding his return affect his on the job performance? Well he did choose one of the most reputable venues to return to … the Masters where tight security will ensure there are no surprises from the spectators including impromptu visits from some of the women from his past. 

This kind of pressure would have an effect on anyone’s game; even the greatest golfer of all time. Constant attention from your peers (and in this case his spectators) can cause a disruption to your focus therefore undercutting your productivity at work. It is similar to the average person being micromanaged by an over bearing supervisor who is watching and waiting for his employee to make the slightest mistake so he can pounce on him and catch the employee in the act. Do you call that a productive working environment? Not so much.

Tiger, like many employees, go to work and put their personal lives aside to concentrate on the task at hand whether it is winning the Masters or closing that sale. In this case, thanks to the media attention and his celebrity status, Tiger’s personal life is out in the open. No hiding that! It is common knowledge what Tiger has done (15 was it at last check? I have lost count) while the average person is likely to keep their personal situations to themselves to avoid being judged by others . Will all this negative attention affect Tiger’s success?

In any event, whether he won or lost the masters (he didn’t win incase any of you non-golfers were wondering), his image has been forever tarnished. Few of Tiger’s sponsors decided to stick by him during this ordeal which has reduced the buying power his persona will bring. Although what he did in his personal life did not directly affect his performance on the course at the time, it has affected his image as a clean cut family man.  And image is everything when you are in the public eye.

As one of the many wives internationally who’s perception of the one time sweet and innocent mentor and role model to many has been forever changed I believe that regardless of how well he does going forward, his career (and marriage I am sure) will never completely recover.  Sounds like your personal life can have more of an effect on your career then you think.

Follow Sandra @sandragallacher

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Where do I sign up?

April 7th, 2010

You’ve just lost your job. A position you’ve held for the past 5 years. Now what? You tweak your resume, brush up on your interviewing techniques and start applying to postings you have found on the internet.  Weeks later… still no response. Finding a new job is not an easy feat in any economy especially one that is only just beginning to recover from a global recession.  Why not search for a reputable staffing firm to give you a hand with your job search?

A staffing organization gives you access to a slew of positions ranging from temporary to permanent to contract that are likely not advertised elsewhere. Many organizations turn to their trusted “Recruitment Specialist” when a new opening up because they know that their Recruiter of choice will have candidates in mind that fit their requirements. Why waste time and effort posting on job boards? Having a relationship with a Recruiter as a candidate keeps you top of mind as those exciting opportunities arise.

Meeting with a Recruiter gives you all access to FREE advice and feedback regarding your resume, interview skills and insights on your job search. For example, if you are unsure if you should include positions from your high school days or if your 5 page resume isn’t receiving the attention you think it deserves (could it be too long?), speak to a Recruiter who will guide you in the right direction. After all, they spend their days working with organizations and getting to know what Hiring Managers are looking for. Recruiters can help you prepare for that panel interview with their eyes closed as they tend to build relationships with their client base and know what it is they are expecting from a potential employee.

Ultimately the goal of a Recruitment Specialist is to find an opportunity which matches your skill set. It is all about finding the right fit; for you and for the hiring company.

Did I mention the service is free? In that case…where do I sign up?

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Vacation – does a career good!

April 6th, 2010

We spend our careers doing things to enhance or develop our career path, such as furthering our education, attending before/after hours networking functions, participating in workplace functions, or even just working late to get caught up on all the things you’ve missed by doing the other things mentioned. Phew.  But what about the obvious thing you can do to help improve our career?  What’s that you ask? Well, what about taking time off for a vacation? Remember what that is?  It should also be more than an extra long weekend – that is not really a vacation.  Taking time off, away from work, for at least 5 days or more, that is a vacation!

On average, North American’s take anywhere from 3 – 6 days less than their earned vacation time!  So, for example, if someone in Canada has 15 days earned vacation days, they will typically only take 9 – 12 of those days in a year!

I know, you’re saying – how could I? How could I leave for more than just 3 days? I know how busy everyone is at work.  We are buried under mountains of paper work, have lists of things to accomplish on our ‘to-do’ list, have email after email after email, not to mention voice mails, to respond to… how could I afford the time to take a vacation?  The real question should be how could you afford not to?

Let’s look at the benefits taking time away from the office, in the form of a vacation of course (yes that means no blackberry’s, no checking voicemail or email of any kind, and delegating your work to someone else for that one small week that you are away…I’m sure they can manage) can have on your career;

Improved Creativity:

A little time away from your day to day routine can always clear those cobwebs from your thought process and allow you to daydream and think about things you wouldn’t think about when you are forced with deadlines and projects.  This could be great time to think of that ‘next big thing’ for your company or team and could help you further your career.

Improved productivity:

Time away to do things you like to do, gets you away from your normal routine.  This can help you to be happier and more productive when you do return.  It allows you to step back  from that normal ‘grind’ and when you return, you’ll be more likely to review  what you do day to day, and what tasks you can tweak to change up your routine and become more productive.

Improved Outlook:

We’ve all been there – in crisis mode, under stress, feeling ‘ok’ but not great and sometimes even feeling like everyone else has it all under control.  Time away can improve how you feel about your position and your day to day tasks.  Time off gives you the time you don’t normally have to spend with your family and your loved ones and really enjoy those small moments in life.

Improved Health:

What does this have to do with your career? Everything!  If you feel stressed, overworked, overwhelmed, this can lead to other serious set backs for your employer – it can lead to illnesses, leading to loss of work time or unproductive work time, depression, or even stress leave – none of these things will help you further your career!  Vacation time can give you what you need, time to unwind, time to relax, time to catch up on those missed zzzz’s, time to refresh, time to focus on what’s really important – YOU and your health.

The number one reason to take a vacation? It just makes you feel good, and makes you a great employee when you come back still in that feel good mood! So take that time off, and go book that vacation!  You deserve it, you’ve earned it, and it will only benefit your career in the end by making you a better employee!  I’m off to enjoy my vacation!

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Overcoming the First Day Jitters

March 9th, 2010

You made it through the lengthy interviews, detailed assessments, countless references and tough negotiations. Congratulations. Here you are …the first day at your new job.

Although you may have already landed the job, it doesn’t mean it is time to sit back and kick your feet up. First impressions count especially when it comes to the people you are working with. Here are a few key points to remember for your first day to ensure you are off to a good start.

Be Punctual

Arrive a few minutes before your scheduled shift to ensure you are not late on your first day. Keep in mind that you may have traffic to contend with or parking to find; all which may have been easy during the interview process when you were visiting outside of peak business hours.

Smile

A new environment can be scary. New faces, new surroundings, and new job duties. Introduce yourself. Make an effort to smile and say hello to your colleagues. After all you will be spending a better part of your time at work so takes steps to ensure that it is a positive working environment. 

Take Lots of Notes

No one wants to see a new hire who thinks he or she can memorize all the training material without writing a word. Taking notes demonstrates your interest in your role and desire to do the job right.

Ask Questions

If something does not make sense or you are unsure, ask. Without stepping up and make the query you will never know the right answer. Plus, this demonstrates that you take you role seriously and you want to do a good job. Most will be more than happy to help.

Keep an Open Mind

Although the function of the role may be the same, the processes are likely to be completely different. Don’t let this intimidate you. Most organizations have their own procedures to follow. Keep an open mind and go with the flow. With a positive attitude and willingness to change, you will adapt in no time.

Your first day has come to an end and you are finally at ease. You may not be 100% comfortable with your duties but you have overcome the stress and nervousness associated with starting a new job. Continue to build upon this each day by demonstrating your enthusiasm for your job and you will be climbing the corporate ladder in no time. 

 Follow me @sandragallacher

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Employee loyalty = perks and benefits!

February 24th, 2010

By now everyone knows about the fall out at NBC with Conan and Jay, and we all know there are lots of lessons to be learned by corporations on the do’s and don’t’s of proper “HR/employer etiquette”, but there is a flip side to be seen for the employee side of this mess.

I’m not talking about Jay or Conan as the hard-done-by employees and what they can learn from this situation, I’m talking about the employees behind the upper executive employees.  The employees who work for and with Jay and Conan, the ones who support them in their day to day goals to produce a great show, helping solidify new ideas, writing new scripts, researching, editing, revising, etc. etc. The backbone to the success of these leaders of late night!  What about them!?

They learned the value of loyalty.  During the final negotiations with NBC, while winding down his contract, Conan did not forget the people who stood by him day after day, working with him to create a successful show each night.  Conan rewarded this loyalty by making sure that his employees were taken care of even after the show finished.  At the end of his negotiations he ensured that they received severance packages, and the opportunity to work with him again on future projects as they become available, and you know that Conan will work his magic and bring as many of those loyal employees along with him for the next ride.

This is all fine in TVland you say – not so!  This could also be you!  I’ve heard over and over again, about situations where employees have worked with someone who allowed them to learn, provided motivation and encouraged them to be part of the team and in turn, they worked hard to play a part in the development of the goals and success of the company, lead by their bosses’ initiatives.  They supported that person through thick and thin, and when that leader decided to go on to the next big project or company, their support and hard work was rewarded when they were encouraged to move on with their leader to another great company.

As you develop your career, or as you search for that next great company to continue to develop your career, watch out for those great leaders within your organization. The ones that will teach you, motivate you, inspire you and in turn, you work hard for and develop “Loyalty” -  ‘a strong feeling of support or allegiance’. You never know what great opportunities may come of it.

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