Resumes, and Alternatives!
February 1, 2010
When we’re faced with a job search–by our own dissatisfaction or by our employer’s decision to let us go–one of the first concerns is our resume. Know that it’s a piece of the “How do I get a Job?” puzzle, but is often given more credit than it deserves. To save yourself time and money, check out the book, What Color Is Your Parachute? 2010: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. This comprehensive book, revised annually, is written by Richard Bolles.
In Parachute, see Chapter 5, Resumes and Contacts. Here he talks about the limitations and values of a resume, and recommends cover letters and job-portfolios as alternatives. There’s also a great section on how to jog your memory to come up with achievements (for resumes and interviews), and how to network with your contacts for help. More soon about these topics.
For an easier, more effective job search campaign, I highly recommend, especially in light of today’s economy, a current edition of What Color Is Your Parachute? as a reference book throughout the process. I trust and recommend all that Bolles writes; it’s well researched, clear, helpful. Actually, the beginning of my career counseling work, even before I started working on my master’s degree, was reading this book (earlier edition!) years ago, and sharing what I was learning and using myself, with returning adult students looking for new careers.
Networking for Fun and Ideas!
December 12, 2009
Any time we get to know people and genuinely connect with them is great! It’s enjoyable and often good for reciprocal business leads. I want to tell you about an especially wonderful networking experience I had today.
I have these two delightful, ambitious girlfriends; we’ve been friends for years, and were meeting for lunch once a week for the past couple years. In the past two months we got hooked on hiking together on Saturday mornings. We share what we’ve been doing in our lives and in our work, and ask each other for the help we’d like to receive and offer the assistance we’d love to give.
This gets more and more exciting, as the skills and knowledge we have are utilized to assist one another. Recently one offered to assist the other two with powering up our websites to attract more clients, and asked in return for us to tell others about the good results we’re getting. Easy enough to do!! Another asked us to be part of a brainstorming group for a project she’s working on, and we may become a part of this project, a very large and inspiring project. I was asked by one to take a photo of her for her website; we took pictures this morning, she chose one, and the third friend (the techy one) put the photo onto the friend’s site this afternoon.
Think about ways you and your friends can collaborate and assist one another. It’s great fun to receive assistance and to share talents. Enjoy!
Do Resumes Work?
March 18, 2009
Creating or updating your resume is often the first step you think of when you are preparing for a job campaign. Does it work? Is a resume effective? I believe it’s a helpful tool in the job search process, but it can be overrated. It’s one piece of the puzzle, but only one piece. Yes, you want your resume to be max powerful, but don’t count on it as your only tool. First you want to be clear on the job target: what do you love to do? What do you want from your job at this point in your life? Also, look at yourself: your talents, strengths, assets, skills, and ask yourself how these relate to what you love to do. Set out your job objective, your main qualifiers, your achievements, as well, of course, as your education/training and the last 10 to 15 years of your work history. See sample formats in resume books and online.Then look at companies/organizations you’d like to work at. Research their focus and mission so you can effectively approach the ones that are a match for you. Network with friends and former colleagues to learn of other companies, connect with contacts. Whenever possible, introduce yourself to the decision maker — easier to do in smaller organizations. Create a portfolio so you have proof of achievements, experience. And yes, email resumes to job search websites and, whenever you have a name, to decision makers. There are more things you can do, too. Search online for “Job Search Strategies.” Use your resume–if appropriate for the position you want, and also use lots of other tools. I’m wishing you the best!