If there are ever changes in plans, one of the places I will announce them is here...so bookmark this page. I will also give you ideas.
We are looking for a location for our August meeting as the library is closing for re-carpeting during our meeting time. Know somewhere? Email me at hra246@gmail.com or howie.appel@pronetcareerresources.org
This month we have a great follow up to our networking session from last month. If you missed Gary Fischer then, you won't want to miss this session on June 25th at the Central Branch Library in Casselberry. Watch your emails for details on the official flyer.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Saturday, June 9, 2012
About Cover Letters
Many people are having a hard time with cover letters, ofttimes sending
it to "to whom it may concern". This practice has become a bit
antiquated with the advent of LinkedIn.
One of the most critical parts of the submittal to a position is the resume. The resume, however, is fairly generic. It gives a short, succinct, look into your professional history. It may or may not tell the employer how your background specifically is a great fit for his/her position. The cover letter serves that exact purpose.
The Cover Letter is meant to be placed in the text of the email (no, not as an attachment). and must address the needs the employer has....and how your skills address those specific needs. It emphasizes some of the information in your resume. It also fortifies your interest in being in the "top cut" of his final selections.
Please remember, the resume is the complete recent history....the cover letter must address their needs and explain, in detail, how your skills addresses those needs. Groveling doesn't work. Pleading doesn't work. Straight forwardness and informing them how YOU can "hit the ground" as a major contributor will (more than likely) separate you from the "pack".
One of the most critical parts of the submittal to a position is the resume. The resume, however, is fairly generic. It gives a short, succinct, look into your professional history. It may or may not tell the employer how your background specifically is a great fit for his/her position. The cover letter serves that exact purpose.
The Cover Letter is meant to be placed in the text of the email (no, not as an attachment). and must address the needs the employer has....and how your skills address those specific needs. It emphasizes some of the information in your resume. It also fortifies your interest in being in the "top cut" of his final selections.
Please remember, the resume is the complete recent history....the cover letter must address their needs and explain, in detail, how your skills addresses those needs. Groveling doesn't work. Pleading doesn't work. Straight forwardness and informing them how YOU can "hit the ground" as a major contributor will (more than likely) separate you from the "pack".
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
LinkedIn Seminars
LinkedIn Seminars are now twice a month. The next one is the 7th of June at Christian HELP and then after that on the 21st at College Park Baptist Church. They start at 10am with 1/2 hour of resume critiquest before the session. Hope you can join us.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Horror of the Resume - What Now!!
The three major horror stories I hear are:
1. 12 people have helped me with my resume and I'm STILL not getting interviews...what now?
2. I spent over a $1000 on my resume last month and no interviews came as a result of my meeting with a "professional".
3. I wrote my resume because I know my self!! I had mom, dad, brother, and sister along with Uncle Joe review it and they said it was fine....how come no interviews?
People approach me all the time with these questions and I felt that it's "high time" to give you my thoughts as to why these events are not leading to a new position.
Number one relates to both biases and opinions. These 12 people...what are their backgrounds? Have they done recruiting? Have they reviewed and revamped resumes for a long time? Have they "read up" on the latest trends in resume construction? I have read article after article on peoples' attitudes toward resumes. In all honesty, the only ones that make sense are those who have engaged in the actual work of recruiting. If all of these people have been in this field, then chances are, most of their suggestions should be similar.
Number 2 relates to those, again, who claim to be "close" to Human Resource recruiters. They may, indeed, have their credentials and feel that the time they spent and the monies they spent to get their certifications enables them to justifiably charge this type of money. That's a hard "pill to swallow" in this economy. Many resume writers are coming down in their prices. Some even do it for free. Bear in mind the old saying, "you get what you pay for". I'll cover that in the next paragraph.
Number 3, finally, relates to having a resume reviewed and revamped for free. It's not costing you anything, so why not? Again, the concept is simple, if the person with whom you're dealing is knowledgeable in the current practices and what should and should not be on a resume and they opt to rewrite yours for free....then good luck....my guess is that they will help you by ensuring there are no typos or other "red flags". They have no "stake" in your future, they are just trying to help.....and that is completely understandable. Many come to me and say, after much frustration, my spouse looked at this and said it was fine. I went line by line, only to find various "red flags" which were pointed out.
Bottom line....this is your resume. It needs to portray you. One typographical error could separate you from your peer who opted to spend some money and have a professional review it. What does it take? It takes the formulation of phrases, it takes a first and second draft. It also takes open-mindedness on your part. It takes accepting the fact that some terms are old and should not be used. One should never give a resume to a writer and say"do your stuff and then get back to me". Collaboration is the key here. If you do not have MAJOR input into the making and building of your personal portfolio, then it is not yours but that of the writer.
In the interview, you will be tested on every word on the resume. If you felt comfortable that the writer knows what they're talking about, then good....but is he/she coming to the interview with you? Horrible things can happen if you leave out vital information that could lead to your being a "notch" higher than your competition.
Resumes must be chronological in that the reviewer wants to know where, when, what , and how. They want to see quantitative information. They want to see action verbs. Finally, they want to test your memory and your knowledge of yourself. Does that sound weird? No, it is just that you must tell the recruiter/hiring manager about yourself using short, succinct and action phrases that will make him want to know more.
How long should your resume be? Obviously, it depends on YOU!! Here are some general rules of "thumb": Recent college graduates need only assemble one page. College graduates with 10 years experience need a 2 page resume. Have a Masters degree? You will probably short circuit yourself with a 2 page resume. Font should always be 12 font....I don't want to take out a magnifying glass and then a microscope to read the resume....I'll just pass and move onto the next one.
So much goes into a resume.....if you need help putting your thoughts together, contact me (at hra246@gmail.com). Be sure to look at my LinkedIn Profile before contacting me. Ask me for references! Ask ANY resume writer for their references. Sorry I "hit below the belt" on some of my comments here, but I want for YOU to get that position. Remember, it's your resume, your history, and finally, it's your new position.
p.s. I read this article at least twice before enabling you to read it. Any typos? Let me know...I, too, am human :)
1. 12 people have helped me with my resume and I'm STILL not getting interviews...what now?
2. I spent over a $1000 on my resume last month and no interviews came as a result of my meeting with a "professional".
3. I wrote my resume because I know my self!! I had mom, dad, brother, and sister along with Uncle Joe review it and they said it was fine....how come no interviews?
People approach me all the time with these questions and I felt that it's "high time" to give you my thoughts as to why these events are not leading to a new position.
Number one relates to both biases and opinions. These 12 people...what are their backgrounds? Have they done recruiting? Have they reviewed and revamped resumes for a long time? Have they "read up" on the latest trends in resume construction? I have read article after article on peoples' attitudes toward resumes. In all honesty, the only ones that make sense are those who have engaged in the actual work of recruiting. If all of these people have been in this field, then chances are, most of their suggestions should be similar.
Number 2 relates to those, again, who claim to be "close" to Human Resource recruiters. They may, indeed, have their credentials and feel that the time they spent and the monies they spent to get their certifications enables them to justifiably charge this type of money. That's a hard "pill to swallow" in this economy. Many resume writers are coming down in their prices. Some even do it for free. Bear in mind the old saying, "you get what you pay for". I'll cover that in the next paragraph.
Number 3, finally, relates to having a resume reviewed and revamped for free. It's not costing you anything, so why not? Again, the concept is simple, if the person with whom you're dealing is knowledgeable in the current practices and what should and should not be on a resume and they opt to rewrite yours for free....then good luck....my guess is that they will help you by ensuring there are no typos or other "red flags". They have no "stake" in your future, they are just trying to help.....and that is completely understandable. Many come to me and say, after much frustration, my spouse looked at this and said it was fine. I went line by line, only to find various "red flags" which were pointed out.
Bottom line....this is your resume. It needs to portray you. One typographical error could separate you from your peer who opted to spend some money and have a professional review it. What does it take? It takes the formulation of phrases, it takes a first and second draft. It also takes open-mindedness on your part. It takes accepting the fact that some terms are old and should not be used. One should never give a resume to a writer and say"do your stuff and then get back to me". Collaboration is the key here. If you do not have MAJOR input into the making and building of your personal portfolio, then it is not yours but that of the writer.
In the interview, you will be tested on every word on the resume. If you felt comfortable that the writer knows what they're talking about, then good....but is he/she coming to the interview with you? Horrible things can happen if you leave out vital information that could lead to your being a "notch" higher than your competition.
Resumes must be chronological in that the reviewer wants to know where, when, what , and how. They want to see quantitative information. They want to see action verbs. Finally, they want to test your memory and your knowledge of yourself. Does that sound weird? No, it is just that you must tell the recruiter/hiring manager about yourself using short, succinct and action phrases that will make him want to know more.
How long should your resume be? Obviously, it depends on YOU!! Here are some general rules of "thumb": Recent college graduates need only assemble one page. College graduates with 10 years experience need a 2 page resume. Have a Masters degree? You will probably short circuit yourself with a 2 page resume. Font should always be 12 font....I don't want to take out a magnifying glass and then a microscope to read the resume....I'll just pass and move onto the next one.
So much goes into a resume.....if you need help putting your thoughts together, contact me (at hra246@gmail.com). Be sure to look at my LinkedIn Profile before contacting me. Ask me for references! Ask ANY resume writer for their references. Sorry I "hit below the belt" on some of my comments here, but I want for YOU to get that position. Remember, it's your resume, your history, and finally, it's your new position.
p.s. I read this article at least twice before enabling you to read it. Any typos? Let me know...I, too, am human :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)