In a previous blog entry, I addressed the five most important elements that belong on your resume. Today, I would like to address the taboo items – those things that should not be listed. When it comes to resumes, there really are no hard and fast rules. However, there are items that can negatively effect how you are perceived by potential employers. Here are a few.
Salary
The question of salary should not be addressed on the resume. Ultimately, the only time you want to discuss salary is when they are making you a job offer. However, if the employer requests a salary history, list this on a separate sheet of paper – not on the resume itself.
Personal Information
Consider that you have very limited, very valuable real estate on a resume. Filling this space with irrelevant and inappropriate information such as your hobbies, personal interests, health, height and weight, age, race, marital status, or number of children is a waste of space. Most of this information is illegal for an employer to ask you in an interview, so why provide it on your resume? This list also includes your photograph, which is almost never acceptable to include.
Of course, there are exceptions to listing hobbies or volunteer experience. An example would be when this information is relevant to the job or demonstrates an affinity for the industry – such as sports or a specific charity – for which you are applying.
Supervisor Names and References
References and supervisor names, unless requested along with your resume, should not be submitted until the interview. Most employers will not take the time to check references until they have had a chance to speak with you in person. Also, avoid the line “references available upon request” at the bottom of the resume. It is a given assumption you will provide them as requested. Once again, this is nothing more than a waste of valuable space.
High School Education
Very seldom do we list high school education on a resume. If you have any college degrees or courses toward a college degree, you can leave the high school education off the resume. However, there are a few exceptions. If the job posting specifically requires a high school education, then you should list you diploma and the school you attended. Don’t list the date of education, as you don’t want to make your age an issue in the screening process.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
What Belongs on your Resume?
There are essentially five questions that your resume should answer for your potential employer. These questions make up the aspects of what you need to include on the resume. Check back later in the week for a list of what does not belong on the resume. Here are the key areas that your resume should highlight.
What are you seeking?
This question typically used to be answered using the objective. However, the use of an objective is often done poorly. Using a vague objective such as “seeking a challenging position that offers growth opportunity” is ineffective. If using an objective, ensure it is focused and targeted to a specific position or company. The most effective way to convey your objective is to use a clearly stated and focused summary of skills or profile section at the beginning of the resume.
What can you do?
Your resume must convey what skills and abilities you possess. Utilize past accomplishments to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Instead of offering a “laundry list” of your skills, use a fact-based and example-driven method of proving you have the skills to succeed.
What experience do you have?
It is critical to offer a chronological work history that includes dates. Avoid functional resumes that focus on skills and do not include dates. When communicating your past work experience, it is important to discuss only relevant skills. If you have limited experience, or no formal work experience, you can list volunteer work, extracurricular activities, clubs, memberships, or any offices held.
What have you accomplished?
Each position you have listed on your resume should contain at least two to three accomplishments. Focus on measurable accomplishments whenever possible that highlight dollars, percentage, or hours. Use a three step formula when writing accomplishments that defines the problem faced or task accomplished, details the actions taken, and states the end result of your actions.
What education or training have you received?
List degrees completed, degrees in progress, and even courses towards degrees when citing your education. Evaluate training courses you have taken and identify the training that is most relevant to the job or career you are seeking.
What are you seeking?
This question typically used to be answered using the objective. However, the use of an objective is often done poorly. Using a vague objective such as “seeking a challenging position that offers growth opportunity” is ineffective. If using an objective, ensure it is focused and targeted to a specific position or company. The most effective way to convey your objective is to use a clearly stated and focused summary of skills or profile section at the beginning of the resume.
What can you do?
Your resume must convey what skills and abilities you possess. Utilize past accomplishments to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Instead of offering a “laundry list” of your skills, use a fact-based and example-driven method of proving you have the skills to succeed.
What experience do you have?
It is critical to offer a chronological work history that includes dates. Avoid functional resumes that focus on skills and do not include dates. When communicating your past work experience, it is important to discuss only relevant skills. If you have limited experience, or no formal work experience, you can list volunteer work, extracurricular activities, clubs, memberships, or any offices held.
What have you accomplished?
Each position you have listed on your resume should contain at least two to three accomplishments. Focus on measurable accomplishments whenever possible that highlight dollars, percentage, or hours. Use a three step formula when writing accomplishments that defines the problem faced or task accomplished, details the actions taken, and states the end result of your actions.
What education or training have you received?
List degrees completed, degrees in progress, and even courses towards degrees when citing your education. Evaluate training courses you have taken and identify the training that is most relevant to the job or career you are seeking.
Lose Your Keys, Find a Job
At the beginning of April, I did what I thought to be the unthinkable: I lost my car keys. Some of you may read that with disbelief since losing (and eventually finding) your car keys is normal pattern of everyday life. For me, though, it was absolutely terrifying for two reasons. First, I only have one set of car keys; if I lose them, I’m screwed. Second, and this may be hard to believe, I have never lost my car keys before…ever. I was an absolute wreck, the stress and anxiety overwhelming me. You can imagine my relief when my wife found them in her car (they slipped out of my pocket the night before), but what was more remarkable to me were the lessons I learned that could be applied to the job search process.
One-key vigilance: I was freaking out after losing my car keys because, up until this point, I had always known where they were at…for almost eight years! The fact that I only had one set-and the pain that I knew would occur should I lose them-kept me hyper-vigilant as to their whereabouts. Now, if I had multiple sets of keys, I probably would not have been so upset to lose a set…but my vigilance would have been affected by the “safe” feeling created by having a back-up pair. The lesson: if you feel stuck in a job right now and can’t seem to “break through” to find a new one, perhaps the current job you are in is making you feel safe. I challenge you to “shake up” your system, imagining how you would proceed differently in your search if you didn’t have your current job, or even quitting your current job to be put in the “sink or swim” circumstance that will force you to approach your search with vigor.
Understand that you have options: When I lost my keys, I felt the only option was to find them again. However, I had another: I could have gone to the dealership and paid $100+ for a copy to be made. I bristled at the idea of paying for another set, and luckily I didn’t have to. But it was still an option, one that I could have exercised. The lesson: explore the options that you have in your job search by asking yourself this question: “what am I not willing to do?” It’s a powerful question, one that-when answered honestly-will point you in the direction of how your choices are negatively impacting your search.
Proceed with patience and intelligence: I tore up my house trying to find my keys, searching in the same place three, four, sometimes five times. Imagine all of the energy I wasted, searching the same location multiple times, expecting a different outcome! The lesson: despite the stress you might feel in your job search, proceed with patience and intelligence. Be intentional about the jobs for which you decide to apply and carefully prepare your application materials. Acting erratically by applying for any job to get you out of your current situation or preparing sloppy application materials will not get you where you want to go; in fact, you will be hindered by your choices.
I’m happy to have my keys back and even more thankful for the lessons that I learned from that messy situation. Now, I wonder where I put my iPod…
One-key vigilance: I was freaking out after losing my car keys because, up until this point, I had always known where they were at…for almost eight years! The fact that I only had one set-and the pain that I knew would occur should I lose them-kept me hyper-vigilant as to their whereabouts. Now, if I had multiple sets of keys, I probably would not have been so upset to lose a set…but my vigilance would have been affected by the “safe” feeling created by having a back-up pair. The lesson: if you feel stuck in a job right now and can’t seem to “break through” to find a new one, perhaps the current job you are in is making you feel safe. I challenge you to “shake up” your system, imagining how you would proceed differently in your search if you didn’t have your current job, or even quitting your current job to be put in the “sink or swim” circumstance that will force you to approach your search with vigor.
Understand that you have options: When I lost my keys, I felt the only option was to find them again. However, I had another: I could have gone to the dealership and paid $100+ for a copy to be made. I bristled at the idea of paying for another set, and luckily I didn’t have to. But it was still an option, one that I could have exercised. The lesson: explore the options that you have in your job search by asking yourself this question: “what am I not willing to do?” It’s a powerful question, one that-when answered honestly-will point you in the direction of how your choices are negatively impacting your search.
Proceed with patience and intelligence: I tore up my house trying to find my keys, searching in the same place three, four, sometimes five times. Imagine all of the energy I wasted, searching the same location multiple times, expecting a different outcome! The lesson: despite the stress you might feel in your job search, proceed with patience and intelligence. Be intentional about the jobs for which you decide to apply and carefully prepare your application materials. Acting erratically by applying for any job to get you out of your current situation or preparing sloppy application materials will not get you where you want to go; in fact, you will be hindered by your choices.
I’m happy to have my keys back and even more thankful for the lessons that I learned from that messy situation. Now, I wonder where I put my iPod…
Friday, April 29, 2011
Recovering After a Bad Interview
Interviewing is not a comfortable process for most; almost everyone can recount at least one bad interview experience. An interview can fall short for many reasons: Maybe you didn’t provide the right information or enough information, or perhaps you tripped over your words or weren’t convincing enough. Regardless of the reason—even one that was out of your control—your best response is to use what you’ve learned and move forward.
If you experienced an interview that went wrong, try some of the action steps below to prepare and improve for your next interview.
Identify Opportunities for Improvement
Immediately following your interview, make a list of things you felt didn’t go well in the interview. Next, carefully consider and note viable solutions to issues you’ve identified. For example, if rapport with the interviewer was an issue, develop a few ice breaker questions to use next time. If you didn’t close the interview well, rehearse a fine-tuned closing pitch. Were some of your answers incomplete? If so, develop accurate and strong responses for next time. Practice your responses out loud or, even better, ask someone you trust to practice interviewing you and give you candid feedback.
Review and Refine Your List
Just prior to your next interview, review your list of challenges and solutions to make sure you’re adequately prepared. As you acquire more interview experience, add to your list. Note solutions that are working and modify solutions that aren’t.
Make a Lasting Professional Impression
It’s natural to feel disappointment when you are not invited to the next interview step, but you should still focus on leaving a lasting, professional impression. Remember to send the interviewer(s) a thank you note. Emphasize your continued interest in the company, and ask to be kept in mind for future opportunities. Regularly check the company’s website or job boards for new postings that may be a good fit.
The wisest interview strategy is to be your professional best in every interview situation. And remember, every interview should be viewed as a learning experience.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
5 Sure-fire Indicators of Job Posting Scams
The economy is at low and layoffs are high. The increased numbers of job searchers has also increased the number of job search scams. Some scammers are looking to steal personal information and money. Others are just looking to waste your time and make money on your online activities. Here are some ways you can identify whether or not a job posting is legitimate.
Requests for Personal Information
These types of postings are most likely phishing scams that are looking for information they can use for identify theft. Never submit your social security number, date of birth, driver’s license, or bank account information to anyone without verifying their authenticity. Very few legitimate companies will require your bank account information in the hiring process.
Unrealistic Promises
Many scammers offer outrageous promises to lure people into submitting their information. Work from home, earn up to $10,000 per week, set your own hours, no experience necessary, and start today are all promises that should prompt you to do research. If it sounds too good to be true, it just may be.
Request for Registration on another Site or Web Conferencing Service
This strategy is a way for scammers to make money from your actions. When a scammer sends you to a site that asks you for a membership or to sign up for a conference service, they are setting up a system to earn affiliate money from web traffic. There is not necessarily a danger to your identity or personal information with this scam. However, it is a huge time-waster and uses you to earn money for someone who is not being honest with their intentions.
Obvious Spelling or Grammar Errors in the Posting
Scams that are generated from foreign countries are often evident due to the fact that their grammar is not quite right. Everyone makes mistakes and even top companies may misspell a word or have a typo in their posting. However, you should take precautions when the entire posting is full of errors.
Overseas Contact Information for Local Job Postings
If you have submitted your resume to a local position and the response you receive comes from an overseas email account you should beware. Also avoid inquiries from employers in a foreign country looking to hire people in the United States to handle accounts payable or receivables. They often ask you to open a bank account and collect checks (that will bounce) and make payments to vendors. When the account becomes overdrawn, you are liable for the money because you opened the account.
Use common sense, take precautions, and always do your research before moving forward with a company. Use the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/) and the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/) to conduct research.
Requests for Personal Information
These types of postings are most likely phishing scams that are looking for information they can use for identify theft. Never submit your social security number, date of birth, driver’s license, or bank account information to anyone without verifying their authenticity. Very few legitimate companies will require your bank account information in the hiring process.
Unrealistic Promises
Many scammers offer outrageous promises to lure people into submitting their information. Work from home, earn up to $10,000 per week, set your own hours, no experience necessary, and start today are all promises that should prompt you to do research. If it sounds too good to be true, it just may be.
Request for Registration on another Site or Web Conferencing Service
This strategy is a way for scammers to make money from your actions. When a scammer sends you to a site that asks you for a membership or to sign up for a conference service, they are setting up a system to earn affiliate money from web traffic. There is not necessarily a danger to your identity or personal information with this scam. However, it is a huge time-waster and uses you to earn money for someone who is not being honest with their intentions.
Obvious Spelling or Grammar Errors in the Posting
Scams that are generated from foreign countries are often evident due to the fact that their grammar is not quite right. Everyone makes mistakes and even top companies may misspell a word or have a typo in their posting. However, you should take precautions when the entire posting is full of errors.
Overseas Contact Information for Local Job Postings
If you have submitted your resume to a local position and the response you receive comes from an overseas email account you should beware. Also avoid inquiries from employers in a foreign country looking to hire people in the United States to handle accounts payable or receivables. They often ask you to open a bank account and collect checks (that will bounce) and make payments to vendors. When the account becomes overdrawn, you are liable for the money because you opened the account.
Use common sense, take precautions, and always do your research before moving forward with a company. Use the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/) and the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/) to conduct research.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Pros and Cons of being a Post Grad Freelancer
One of my career dreams was to be a freelance writer when I graduated, but I thought it would be just that, merely a dream. Yet, here I am, a recent post grad working the freelance gig with several "mini-jobs". If freelancing is your dream also, here are some pros and cons you'll need to know before diving in.
Pros:
1. You set your own schedule. Working from home doing freelance work on your computer is a giant pro. I do a lot of my work when I first get up in my pajamas. I can take breaks to get lunch with a friend or run some errands. You can work in a cafe or Starbucks. If you plan to move somewhere, you won't have to quit your job...you take it with you!
2. You'll never get bored. I like the notion of having a plethora of small jobs instead of a 9-to-5 I go to every day. It makes the work day different and always changing.
3. You can actually make a lot of money. Freelancers can get paid a good amount per hour or per project and if you line up enough, you'll be rolling in the dough!
4. If you're motivated to keep finding jobs, the possibilities are endless. You can take on as many projects as you feel you can handle - you don't have to take projects your boss gives you that you hate. You are able to pick and choose which types of jobs and projects you'd like to focus on.
Cons:
1. The all-important money issue. When you freelance, you're basically self-employed. Which means you have to pay your own taxes and figure out money issues without the help of a company. There's no one to chip in for taxes like a business you work for would, so you end up paying more. While I haven't had to deal with self-employed tax time yet, I know I will need extra guidance to get things right. And say goodbye to tax returns, you'll always pay since you haven't been all year.
2. Another money issue is the sporadic pay. I'm lucky enough to have a few gigs that pay every week and every other week, but most freelance gigs don't allow you to get your money when you really need it. You'll also need several good paying freelance jobs to make any real cash.
3. Unlike starting at a new company as a post grad, working freelance jobs at home leaves no room for new co-workers or new friends. It can be a lonely job if you're looking to meet new people or simply like the company of others while you work.
4. You have to be very organized and good with time management, otherwise you'll fall behind, especially if you have many different projects you're working on. College is actually a good practice for this. Think of each job or project as a class you have to pass and know you have to organize your time to finish each one on deadline.
Before you dive in, get all the facts. If this is something you're really passionate about or crave a freeing schedule, then go for it! If you end up getting a regular full-time job after all, you didn't fail: you tried. If you try your hand at freelance and realize that it isn't the gig you want as a post grad, that is the beauty of being a newbie in the career world. You choose for yourself and shouldn't feel stuck in the one position if you feel it isn't for you. Keep going!
Pros:
1. You set your own schedule. Working from home doing freelance work on your computer is a giant pro. I do a lot of my work when I first get up in my pajamas. I can take breaks to get lunch with a friend or run some errands. You can work in a cafe or Starbucks. If you plan to move somewhere, you won't have to quit your job...you take it with you!
2. You'll never get bored. I like the notion of having a plethora of small jobs instead of a 9-to-5 I go to every day. It makes the work day different and always changing.
3. You can actually make a lot of money. Freelancers can get paid a good amount per hour or per project and if you line up enough, you'll be rolling in the dough!
4. If you're motivated to keep finding jobs, the possibilities are endless. You can take on as many projects as you feel you can handle - you don't have to take projects your boss gives you that you hate. You are able to pick and choose which types of jobs and projects you'd like to focus on.
Cons:
1. The all-important money issue. When you freelance, you're basically self-employed. Which means you have to pay your own taxes and figure out money issues without the help of a company. There's no one to chip in for taxes like a business you work for would, so you end up paying more. While I haven't had to deal with self-employed tax time yet, I know I will need extra guidance to get things right. And say goodbye to tax returns, you'll always pay since you haven't been all year.
2. Another money issue is the sporadic pay. I'm lucky enough to have a few gigs that pay every week and every other week, but most freelance gigs don't allow you to get your money when you really need it. You'll also need several good paying freelance jobs to make any real cash.
3. Unlike starting at a new company as a post grad, working freelance jobs at home leaves no room for new co-workers or new friends. It can be a lonely job if you're looking to meet new people or simply like the company of others while you work.
4. You have to be very organized and good with time management, otherwise you'll fall behind, especially if you have many different projects you're working on. College is actually a good practice for this. Think of each job or project as a class you have to pass and know you have to organize your time to finish each one on deadline.
Before you dive in, get all the facts. If this is something you're really passionate about or crave a freeing schedule, then go for it! If you end up getting a regular full-time job after all, you didn't fail: you tried. If you try your hand at freelance and realize that it isn't the gig you want as a post grad, that is the beauty of being a newbie in the career world. You choose for yourself and shouldn't feel stuck in the one position if you feel it isn't for you. Keep going!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Basics of Pre-employment Assessment Tests
In order to prepare for a pre-employment test, you must first understand the purpose of the test and the type of test you may be taking. The general purpose of these tests is to assess your potential rather than your acquired skills and knowledge. There are several types of tests you may face and each type of test has a different purpose.
Personality Assessments
Personality assessments are presented as a series of true/false or multiple choice questions. Your responses to the questions enable the employer to infer many things such as how you communicate, how you respond to stress, and even how likely you are to stay with the company if hired.
One approach to this test is to be yourself and answer honestly and spontaneously. This is the response most employers are hoping to receive, but may not be the best approach for you. Many of the questions are open to interpretation. Therefore, before answering each question, think about the motivation behind it. The best approach is to be honest, but think about the reasoning behind each question instead of approaching it as black and white.
When answering the questions of a personality test, it is important to answer the questions consistently. The tests often ask the same basic question multiple times in different ways.
Verbal Assessments
Verbal skills tests measure your ability to understand written instructions and may include spelling and grammar tests, checking data for errors, and assessing your communication skills. These tests may be used for clerical, customer service, or data entry positions.
Numeric Reasoning Assessments
Numeric reasoning tests are a measure of your basic arithmetic, mathematics, and number sequencing abilities. You may have to solve math problems, infer information from graphs and charts, or demonstrate your ability to interpret statistical data. These tests are used for career fields that require the ability to work with numbers such as accounting, bookkeeping, and construction.
Spatial or Mechanical Reasoning Assessments
Spatial or mechanical reasoning and fault diagnosis tests evaluate your knowledge of physical, mechanical, and three-dimensional objects. These are often used for technical types of positions where mechanical aptitude is necessary such as engineers, electricians, and mechanics. Police forces, fire departments, and the military also use these types of test to evaluate problem solving skills.
General Preparation Tips
* Arrive on time for the test and present a professional appearance.
* Dress and behave as though you are in an interview.
* Take practice tests. You can find free online tests as well as word puzzles or
math puzzles in books. Prepare yourself for a timed test scenario.
* Get a good night of sleep the night before and eat a good meal prior to the test.
Personality Assessments
Personality assessments are presented as a series of true/false or multiple choice questions. Your responses to the questions enable the employer to infer many things such as how you communicate, how you respond to stress, and even how likely you are to stay with the company if hired.
One approach to this test is to be yourself and answer honestly and spontaneously. This is the response most employers are hoping to receive, but may not be the best approach for you. Many of the questions are open to interpretation. Therefore, before answering each question, think about the motivation behind it. The best approach is to be honest, but think about the reasoning behind each question instead of approaching it as black and white.
When answering the questions of a personality test, it is important to answer the questions consistently. The tests often ask the same basic question multiple times in different ways.
Verbal Assessments
Verbal skills tests measure your ability to understand written instructions and may include spelling and grammar tests, checking data for errors, and assessing your communication skills. These tests may be used for clerical, customer service, or data entry positions.
Numeric Reasoning Assessments
Numeric reasoning tests are a measure of your basic arithmetic, mathematics, and number sequencing abilities. You may have to solve math problems, infer information from graphs and charts, or demonstrate your ability to interpret statistical data. These tests are used for career fields that require the ability to work with numbers such as accounting, bookkeeping, and construction.
Spatial or Mechanical Reasoning Assessments
Spatial or mechanical reasoning and fault diagnosis tests evaluate your knowledge of physical, mechanical, and three-dimensional objects. These are often used for technical types of positions where mechanical aptitude is necessary such as engineers, electricians, and mechanics. Police forces, fire departments, and the military also use these types of test to evaluate problem solving skills.
General Preparation Tips
* Arrive on time for the test and present a professional appearance.
* Dress and behave as though you are in an interview.
* Take practice tests. You can find free online tests as well as word puzzles or
math puzzles in books. Prepare yourself for a timed test scenario.
* Get a good night of sleep the night before and eat a good meal prior to the test.
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