Good resume makes good job contender

No matter what level of job we’re looking for, at some point many of us will seek out the assistance of a more experienced resume writer.

Writing a resume demands perfect spelling, perfect grammar, consistent formatting. It should have a condensed but expressive listing of accomplishments, job responsibilities and skills. It should tell enough to leave them wanting more, but not so much as to irritate or bore the reader. Above all, tell the truth.

A resume should do two things. Give employers an idea of what you can offer and remind yourself of what you can do. The latter gains in importance when you’ve been out of work for months or years, been rejected over and over again and see no opening in sight. You might need reminding of how great you are, no matter what the rejection notices have to say.

Group presentations in resume writing do not do their clients a service when they force-feed examples that don’t fit.

Most examples are designed with IT software specialists or marketers in mind. Resumes with columns of high paying skills, long and deep, consistent job histories, the kind you can only dream about, only remind some job seekers of what they don’t have.

Many of our unemployed are teachers, construction workers, landscapers, drywallers, restaurant and fast food workers. Some have criminal backgrounds. Compounding the problem, it’s harder than ever finding work, and getting worse. The Yuma County unemployment rate is over 29 percent.

Still, there is work to be had if you prepare yourself properly and come at it with a positive attitude. A resume that doesn’t cut you short, or oversell, is one of the keys to being a contender in a difficult market.

Some resume class approaches remind me of someone taking a beginning pilot to an airport and starting them off in a Boeing 767 instead of a Cessna. Or, teaching someone introductory bridge design and starting with the Golden Gate Bridge instead of the 4th Avenue Bridge. You cannot start at the top.

A laid off teacher who has never done a resume outside of education or a construction worker who has never needed one should not take cues from a format better suited for “The Ladders.”

Ladders is a site for $100,000 a year jobs. It aims for human resources directors, chief financial officers, marketing directors, accounting managers. That’s not most of our unemployed. If you’ve had a small or erratic work history, or been out of work for a while, you’ll need a resume that gets to the point, avoids obvious puffery, and does not promise more than you can deliver.

I’ve met people with certain claims on their resume and asked, “tell me how you did that,” and gotten a blank stare. Why? Because some maestro put words in their mouth rather than drawing on their real-life experience. At some point you can’t fake it. You’ve got to keep it real.

If a resume presentation gives you a pie-in-the-sky impression, don’t take a piece. Walk away from the table.

Resumes should be tailored carefully to the individual and reflect their direct experiences and resonate with their personal needs. No matter how voluminous or skimpy the work background, a good resume will bring the best forward.

Job seekers should trust their best instincts, which have been honed by adversity. Ask yourself is this a good picture of me? Can I defend it under questioning during an interview? Does it fill me with confidence? Is the spelling and grammar perfect? Can I deliver what it promises?

If you can answer yes to these questions, you have a great resume. You’ll have a better chance of being a strong contender in these troubled times.

Source: YumaSun.com

How do I prepare for interview questions that come out of left field?

Q: I know there are job interview questions that are commonly asked (“Where do you see yourself in five years?”, “What’s your greatest weakness?” and so forth). But how do I ready myself for queries that come way out of left field? I want to be able to score with every answer I give.

A: In general, “scoring” during an interview depends on more than simply having an answer ready for every question. Interviewers are interested in your attitude and maturity, your work ethic, your professionalism and how well you communicate. Regardless of the job, they’re also evaluating you as a problem solver, a team player and someone who wants to learn and grow.

When you get an unexpected question, the most important thing to do is take a moment to ponder, “What can I say that is authentic and professional?”

In the end, honesty is best. This might include saying that you don’t have an exact answer or even admitting that it’s a challenging question. What doesn’t work is posturing, sugarcoating or pretending you know something you don’t. Gaining the interviewer’s respect will always be more important than having a “perfect” answer.
In general, “scoring” during an interview depends on more than simply having an answer ready for every question. Interviewers are interested in your attitude and maturity, your work ethic, your professionalism and how well you communicate. Regardless of the job, they’re also evaluating you as a problem solver, a team player and someone who wants to learn and grow.

When you get an unexpected question, the most important thing to do is take a moment to ponder, “What can I say that is authentic and professional?”

In the end, honesty is best. This might include saying that you don’t have an exact answer or even admitting that it’s a challenging question. What doesn’t work is posturing, sugarcoating or pretending you know something you don’t. Gaining the interviewer’s respect will always be more important than having a “perfect” answer.

Source: KIVITV.com