Many
people would love to get a better job. And most of
these
same people have the proper training and skills to achieve
this
goal. Unfortunately, so many job hunters have very poor
communication
skills. They are unable to clearly tell potential
employers
about their job qualifications. In short, they do not
have
good job seeking skills. In many cases, this prevents them
from
getting a high paying job that they could easily do. Often,
the
job will go to someone who is less skilled but who has
written
a eye-catching resume.
Often,
job seekers have a few mistaken opinions about
potential
employers. They believe that employers are able to
easily
separate the qualified job applicants from the less
qualified
applicants. But this is likely not true. Sometimes
there
are from 30 to 300 resumes for the same job. So the
interviewer
first does a fast screening of all the resumes to
eliminate
as many as possible. The "good" resumes usually make it
through
the screening process. Many times the best job candidate
is
screened out due to a poor resume.
In
today's business world there is often many qualified
applicants
applying for the same job. What if, out of all of
those
who apply, one job seeker turns in a skilful resume? Who
do
you think stands the best chance of getting the job? It's the
one
with the "best" resume, of course. This is so often true even
through
some of the other applicants may be better qualified for
the
job.
In
order to get a good job you must communicate to the
employer
that you are ready, willing, and able to do the job. So
if
you are capable of producing a top notch job resume, you
definitely
increase your chances of getting a better job.
Virtually
every potential employer will want to see a resume
from
you. The resume will determine who gets a job interview.
Your
resume is a mini-statement about yourself. After reading
your
resume the employer should have a better "feel" for you as a
person
and as a potential employer. It serves to get acquainted
with
the employer so that they can decide if they want to know
more
about you.
The
resume is the first step, your introduction to an
employer.
First impressions really do count. If you make a poor
first
impression, you'll never get to step two -- the job
interview.
To
the purpose of your resume is to make a good first impression.
In
effect, your resume should tell the employer that you have
good
abilities and are truly interested in working. This report
will
help you make that good first impression. And it could very
well
help you to get the better job you're looking for.
RESUME BASICS
All
good resumes follow the same general basic guidelines. While
there
is some flexibility in these guidelines, you don't want to
stray
too far from them. You want a resume that is bold,
exciting,
and enticing. But not too much so. You also want a
resume
that is somewhat conservative. In other words, it must be
bold.
Not flashy. You must show that you have confidence in your
abilities,
but not sound like a braggart. You must sound eager to
do
the job, but not desperate. So there is a fine line that you
must
walk in order to produce the best possible resume.
You
want to use intelligent language. However, you don't
want
to try and impress the employer with long, flowery, or
uncommon
words or phrases. Use everyday language whenever
possible.
Of course, if you are applying for a highly technical
position,
it's acceptable to use some of the special terms used
in
that particular profession. But as a rule you should keep it
simple
and straight to the point.
The
word resume comes from the French word "resumer" which
means
to summarize. So the exact purpose of a resume is to
summarize
your experience, knowledge, and accomplishments.
Therefore,
you must avoid being too wordy. Say exactly what you
mean
in the least number of words possible.
The
length of your resume is important. Resumes should be
from
1 to 3 pages long. Don't be tempted to make your resume
longer
than 3 pages, even if you have a lot to tell. Remember, a
resume
is supposed to be a summary. A resume that is too long
simply
will bore the reader. There will be so much material that
nothing
will stand out and be remembered.
RESUME
APPEARANCE
The
overall appearance of your resume is also important. A
sloppy
looking resume will greatly lessen your chance of getting
a
job interview. The first thing that an employer, or personnel
manager,
evaluating your resume will notice is it's appearance.
There
are several different things that can be easily done to
increase
the overall appearance of your resume.
The
first of these appearance factors is the paper that your
resume
is printed on. There are many different kinds of paper
other
than regular typing paper. You could make an improvement by
using
a colored paper. I suggest a subdued color like brown, off-
white,
or grey.
Next,
you could use a better grade of paper. Go to a local
office
supply store and examine the different types of writing
paper.
You'll notice some big differences. Pick out a nice
looking,
more expensive grade of paper for your resume.
The
next thing to consider is the quality of the material
that
is typed onto the resume. Never use a low quality typewriter
to
type your resume. If necessary, rent a good quality
typewriter.
Then make certain that it has a fresh ribbon in it.
It's
very important that you make sure the writing on your resume
looks
good. This means clean, crisp, and sharp looking letters.
Another
good way to produce a top looking resume is by
having
it typeset. If your resume was produced using a computer
and
saved on a disk, you can hire a commercial typesetter who can
use
this file. Or, you can locate another computer user who owns
a
laser printer. Laser printers can produce a good grade of
typeset
documents. The other alternative is to find a local word
processing
service that can typeset your resume for you.
You
can use the typeset master copy of your resume to make
more
copies. But be certain that you use a top notch copying
machine.
Otherwise, you'll still end up with poor looking
resumes.
Another alternative is to have the typesetter produce as
many
original copies as you need to ensure that they all look
good.
A
third aspect of your resume's appearance is more
subjective.
It takes into account such things as the letter
spacing,
how each section is arranged, and it's overall
appearance.
Some resumes simply look better because of the way
they
have been designed. At the end of this report, you'll see an
example
of a properly prepared resume.
Never
overcrowd the resume. Leave some "white space" so that
important
points can appear to pop out. Never submit a resume
with
handwritten corrections. You can highlight sections of a
resume
by using a different typeface or size or by using
"bullets." If possible, use larger letters for the
headings used
in
the separate sections of the resume.
Never
try to be too fancy by using wild colors, cute
graphics,
and so forth. Don't be overly creative. A simple,
straightforward,
factual resume will do nicely. Make it stand
out,
but stay conservative.
Another
phase of your resume's appearance is it's accuracy.
Make
sure there are no misspelled words! Mistakes will create the
wrong
image.
Make
sure that the punctuation is correct. And make sure
that
all of your columns line up. See that all of your facts are
correct.
Don't say you attended 3 years of college, but only show
two
years worth of grades. Potential employers will note all
inaccuracies
and wonder why they appear in your resume.
OPTIONAL DATA
There
is a variety of personal data that may be somewhat
controversial
if included in your resume. In the past it was
acceptable
to include all kinds of personal data, but times and
laws
have changed. Affirmative Action laws have made it illegal
to
discriminate based on such things as age, sex, marital status,
race,
religion, and so forth. Therefore, most experts recommend
against
placing this kind of personal data into your resume.
Your
salary requirements should not be listed in the resume,
if
you can avoid it. The reason is that if you put too low of a
salary,
you might be paid less than the real value of the job. If
you
put down a figure that's too high, you may not get considered
for
the job. If an employer likes you, it may be possible to
negotiate
a higher salary during the interview stage.
Another
thing that your resume doesn't need is your
photograph.
Potential employers can decide if they are interested
in
you after reading your resume. They can see what you look like
during
the interview.
RESUME STYLES
There
are several styles of resumes along with numerous
variations.
Your experience and the kind of job you are applying
for
will help to determine the style of resume you use. The two
basic
styles are: Chronological Resumes and Functional Skills
Resumes.
Some of the variations include the main themes of
business,
academic, general, student, standard, professional, or
engineering.
A
Chronological Resume lists work experience in reverse
chronological
order (the most recent experience first). It
includes
some descriptive text about each position, usually
described
in about one paragraph.
This
type of resume offers several advantages: it is widely
accepted,
they are easy to read, and they show a clear pattern of
your
development. The disadvantages include: it does not
highlight
your major accomplishment(s), nor do they effectively
show
your other skills.
Functional
Skills Resumes highlight your skills and
accomplishments
rather than providing a chronological record of
your
job history. Your accomplishments and skills are listed at
the
beginning. Your job history is listed at the end of the
resume.
This
type of resume allows you to call attention to your
achievements.
The major disadvantage is that employers may find
it
difficult to follow your work experience.
Many
people discover that a combination of these two kinds
of
resumes is the best way to go. You may want to try several
different
types of combinations before settling upon a final
design.
WRITING YOUR
RESUME
Some
specific topics that your resume should cover are:
(1)
Job Objective -- lets the employer know that you are
interested
in a specific type of work. This can be done in 2 or 3
sentences.
Example:
work in an analytical chemistry laboratory that
focuses
on environmental samples. Oversee and coordinate the
activities
of other lab technicians.
(2)
Summary of Qualifications -- is a short paragraph that
summarizes
your experience and skills. Example: I have 8 years
experience
working on all p samples for metals C. Used CLIP and
SW846
methods hases of analytical chemistry.
Including
work with a wide variety of instruments and computers.
Was
second-in-command of a lab with 8 technicians.
(3)
Professional Skills -- is the section where you give
specific
details about your qualifications. Example:
INSTRUMENTS OPERATED
A. Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
B. Microwave Digestion System
C. Polarograph
D. Laser Fluorimeter
E. IBM Computers
ADMINISTRATION
A. Supervised 8 technicians when the
Department head
was absent.
ANALYSIS
A. Waste oils for metals
B. Water and soil
(4)
Work Experience -- in this section you give a one
paragraph
summary for each of your previous jobs. This should
include
starting and ending date, reason for leaving, job title
and
duties, and any special accomplishments for each of the jobs.
(5)
Education -- gives a summary of all schools attended,
degrees
earned, and special seminars or training courses that you
have
attended.
(6)
Honors and Awards -- it's a good idea to list any
special
awards you have received.
(7)
Personal -- information about your hobbies and
activities
should be included.
(8)
Others -- professional organizations that you belong to,
computer
or programming skills, articles or books published.
(9)
References -- you can state something like, "references
available
upon request," or list at least 3 on your resume.
It's
important to include all of the basic information on
your
resume. But, what is also important, is the way you say it.
Don't
use dull, lifeless statements. Instead use action words.
Here
are some typical action words:
Accelerated,
achieved, advised, approved, assisted, built,
calculated,
completed, conceived, controlled, coordinated,
created,
decreased, defined, designed, developed, directed,
earned,
edited, engineered, evaluated, found, generated,
implemented,
improved, invented, managed, operated, organized,
planned,
proved, revised, scheduled, tested, trained, verified,
wrote.
These
words give the correct impression that you have been
responsible
for do different kinds of jobs tasks. In other words,
you
weren't just a follower. Of course, you should always be
truthful.
Don't try to oversell yourself by claiming you did
things
that you didn't do.
As
you can see, a resume is really a very simple document.
It
is not that difficult to produce a good resume, if you follow
the
simple steps outlined in this report. By dividing it into
sections
it becomes a much easier job. These different sections
also
help you to stay organized. If you have worked on a special
project
or had a lofty responsibility on a previous job, you may
want
to include that in a section all by itself. Example: "I
organized
a training department for AMCO Scientific and was
responsible
for overseeing the production of training lessons."
Another
good way to get familiar with proper resume writing
techniques
is to review a good resume. There's an example
included
in this report. You can use it as a model. Then produce
several
different resumes for yourself until you find the best
possible
combinations for your specific skills. You may also want
to
have a friend to read your resume and point out any problems.
UNCOVERING JOBS
Many
people do not have good job hunting skills. They are
not
experts at locating job openings for which they may be
qualified.
Here are some ideas to help you uncover those jobs.
NEWSPAPER
ADS -- usually draw the greatest number of
applicants,
so you'll end up with a lot of competition. If you
have
no geographic restrictions, you may want to check out of
state
newspapers.
Find
a way to make your resume stand out so that it isn't
lost
among the many applicants. Here are a couple of ideas:
(1)
Send a customized cover letter with your resume.
(2)
Call before you send the resume in. If possible, talk to
the
person who will be doing the interview or who you'll be
working
for. If this isn't possible, talk to the personnel
director
about the job and let them know that your resume is
coming.
This will help them to remember your name and may help
you
get through the resume screening process.
PRIVATE
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES -- these are agencies that try
to
match employees and employers. These agencies vary in the way
they
work. Some can be very helpful. Others are somewhat
unscrupulous.
Your
best chance is to go with an agency that specializes in
your
field. Beware of agencies that continually run the same ad
because,
often, they are just trying to build a list of
candidates.
I recommend that you only use agencies that don't
require
you to pay a fee.
TRADE
JOURNALS AND PERIODICALS -- Are often the best places
to
look. This is one of the primary means of job advertisement
for
some types of professions. Example: The magazine
Environmental
Science continually carries ads for environmental
professionals.
Other
good places to look include: trade shows and
professional
conventions, personnel offices, college placement
offices,
friends you have who are in the same profession as you.
Another
method is to simply go through the yellow pages and
look
for companies which may need a person with your skills. Then
contact
these companies by phone and follow-up by sending in your
resume.
Job
seeking is a skill that requires persistence. You must
not
become discouraged. Keep making plenty of contacts. Sooner or
later,
you'll find the job that's right for you.
THE JOB
INTERVIEW
Most
people are nervous when they go to a job interview.
However,
by preparing beforehand you won't have anything to worry
about.
Believe it or not, occasionally the person conducting the
interview
is nervous, too!
Most
interviewers will make a decision within the first 5 to
10
minutes of the interview. There are a number of steps that you
can
take that will greatly improve your chances of getting the
job.
The
first (and perhaps the most obvious) thing to consider
is
your appearance. No matter what type of job you apply for, you
should
dress appropriately. A nice suit is your best bet. Dark
blue
or a gray pinstripe are the best colors. Don't wear a loud
tie.
Make sure all of your clothes are wrinkle free and that your
shoes
are polished.
Women
should wear a conservative suit dress. Avoid excessive
jewelry,
make-up, perfume and bright nail polish.
Interview
do's and don'ts:
(1)
Arrive early. If you arrive late, you'll be rushed and
the
interviewer may consider you unreliable.
(2)
Walk briskly, with purpose, and stand up straight.
(3)
Don't smoke, chew gum, slouch, read a novel, or other
similar
activities while you are waiting in the lobby. If some of
the
company's literature is available, read that instead.
(4)
Give the interviewer a firm handshake, and don't be
afraid
to look him or her in the eye.
(5)
Be prepared. Carry an extra copy of your resume and
academic
record.
(6)
Don't talk too much ... or too little.
(7)
Above all, try to be natural and relaxed. Be yourself.
Questions
that the interviewer may ask you include: what
are
your career goals? How many sick days have you taken in the
past
two years? What are your strong points? Do you have any
hobbies?
Why do you want this job? Tell me about yourself. What
did
you like most or like least about your last job? Do you have
any
questions? She or he may also ask you some specific
questions
that relate to equipment or procedures you'll need to
use
on the job. This is a way of determining your overall
knowledge
and skills.
Before
and during the interview ...
(1)
Be positive and enthusiastic.
(2)
Try to focus upon your accomplishments and achievements
in
past jobs.
(3)
Find out as much as possible about the job duties and
requirements
of the position you are applying for. This will help
you
to be able to ask further questions.
(4)
Find out as much as possible about the company.
(5)
If you are really interested in the job, let the
interviewer
know about it.
(6)
Questions you need to ask include: when will the job
start?
To whom do I report? What would a typical day be like?
(7)
Don't be too concerned about salary and benefits at
first.
If you are selected, they will make you a salary offer.
Toward
the end of the interview you can ask about benefits.
AFTER THE
INTERVIEW
There
are a number of things that you can do after the
interview
that will make you an even more attractive job
candidate.
Here are a few tips:
(1)
Write a thank you letter. If you really want the job,
say
so in the letter.
(2)
If you have not heard anything within 8 to 10 days, you
may
want to call. Assure them that you are not trying to be
pushy,
but that you are just interested.
If
you aren't hired, you can still send a thank you letter
to
the company and ask them to keep you in mind for any other
similar
job openings. Also, you may want to ask the interviewer
for
a specific reason as to why you weren't hired. This
information
will help you as you search for other jobs.
CONCLUSION
Getting
a good job that you want is not always easy. There
are
many qualified people after every top paying position that is
available.
But if you use the strategies described in this
report,
you'll stand a much better chance of success. Be
persistent
and don't sell yourself short. You could end up with a
much
better job in a very short period of time.
SAMPLE RESUME
Jerry Jobseeker
12345 Main St.
Anytown, U.S.A.
555-5555
SKILLS
Professional
Skills: Experienced in operating a wide variety of
analytical instruments
including, Flame and
Furnace AA, Microwave
digestion, Laser
flourimeter, and more.
Familiar with the full
range of EPA and CLIP
methods and protocols for
inorganic analysis
Expert with IBM-PC
computers and have over
ten years of computer
experience.
BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE
1971
to 1977 Austin Powder Company,
McAuthur, Ohio
Chemistry
Chemist:
Performed a wide range of
chemical analysis
on raw materials, finished
products and
competitor's samples. Used
classical wet
chemistry methods.
1977
to 1982 Mead Paper Company,
Chillicothe, Ohio
Mead Research
Paper Technologist:
Worked to improve paper
formulations, solve
problems, and improve
quality using pilot
plant and mill studies.
Performed a wide
range of paper tests,
wrote reports, and
evaluated results.
1982
to Present Martin Marietta, Piketon,
Ohio
Senior Chemist:
Performed a full range of
analytical methods
for metals on all types of
samples (soil,
water, air, waste
samples). Responsible for
quality control and in
charge of department
supervising 14 technicians
when supervisor
was absent.
EDUCATION
Ohio University, Athens,
Ohio
BS in Chemistry, 1971
Minor: History, Math
GPA: 2.4 Concentrated in
inorganic chemistry
PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETIES
1975
to Present American Chemical Society
PERSONAL
DATA I am very active with a
number of hobbies
including: golf,
gardening, baseball,
computers, and writing. I
have authored a
number of books about
computers and various
chemical related subjects.
REFERENCES Available upon request.
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