I went to a high school that was deemed "academic". What made this school different was mainly how you get your high school diploma. In order to graduate, the student have to complete at least 100 hours of community service, a Senior Exhibition, and a portfolio. Upon trying to complete all these tasks in high school during my senior year, I thought to myself that I should've enrolled to a regular high school that didn't focus so much on these requirements. Fortunately, I went through with it because I do feel like the high school I went to prepared me after graduation.
The Senior Exhibition helped me get over the fear of presenting not just to teachers but to people knowledgable to my presenting topic as well. The portfolio taught me how to create connections between school work and objectives of the community. My economics class prepared me on what possible expenses there would be if I lived on my own by creating a worksheet to calculate and budgeting money. My English class also required all the students to create a resume to introduce us on how to make an effective resume. The community service hours also allowed me to put some kind of experience on my resume and references that were not family or friends related.
Last week in my English 414 class, the professor gave some tips on creating an effective resume. This took me back to my high school years. So here are some tips that were brought up and most of the students didn't find obvious.
Make your resume one page.
Many employers or hiring managers do not have the time to read an essay about your work history; that being said, all you need to have are the work experiences that could help you with the job you are applying for and is filled one page. There is no need for the second page.
Create a Master Resume.
This is a file that has all your work, volunteer, and project history. The professor recommended this idea so then tailoring the actual resume to the employer would only consist of copy and paste efforts. This would also have all the dates worked all in one place and all your references in one place in case your phone died in a freak accident. Remember to frequently update the information. For an example, if your previous manager changed his or her phone number, make sure to change that on the Master Resume.
Use blank space effectively to highlight the tasks performed for work history.
I recommend using bullet points. Bullet points create a layout easier for the reader's eyes and less overwhelming. When the hiring manager or employer is pressed for time, they will try not read your resume first; they might read your resume when they have the time. There is good side to this but must of time, they are looking at resumes and applications due to the need of help. Which ever resume that catches the person's eye to read first, the more of an advantage there is for the applicant.
Let's say that a friend of yours wants you to proofread his paper and you have several midterms to study for, but since this is a good friend you would help him or her out. You find out that the paper was 20 pages long and not 2 pages. Which one would you prefer to take your time to read and edit when you have other things to worry about? I hope the 2 pages unless you are already prepared for your three midterms.
Until next time! Please make sure to comment if there are any tips that are not obvious that I did not mention. Let's help each other out!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Resume Tips
You successfully got your applications and filled out the all the information asked of you completely. The next thing I recommend is to prepare or brush up on your resume. The great thing about turning in a resume with your application is that this gesture gives your potential employer an impression that you are serious and ready for employment. You do not simply do what is required, but also go beyond what is asked. Another reason to turn in your resume is because you look better compared to those that do not have a resume.
Make sure your Contact Information is current and convey professionalism.
A common mistake I've noticed when trying to reach an applicant for my hiring manager is that the phone number is disconnected or no longer in use. Sure you have other contact information that may be current, but some managers do not have the time to go through all your contact possibilities to reach you when there are plenty of other applicants to reach for an interview. This will also link to profread your information on your application as well. Depending on the company, managers will base the contact information on the application instead, but let's just be safe and have the insurance of either possibilities.
Make a new e-mail if your e-mail is inappropriate. My best friend's nickname in high school was CrazyGurl so she created an email that conatined those words in high school. She used that e-mail address on her resume. She came to me asking why she hasn't received any calls for interviews. I asked to see her resume and there it was! She created a more professional e-mail that contained her first initial and last name. She immediately got more interviews after resubmitting her applications and resumes. If you are debating whether you should use your current email that does not include your name or initials, you should brainstorm some possible negative connatations implied in your e-mail. If there are any negatives at all, save yourself the time and create a new one. I was reminded of this tip when I came across this webpage.
Change your voicemail greeting to short, simple and straight to the point.
Yes, I am advising to ditch the song recording that you recorded by holding your cell phone up to the radio. We all want everyone to know what our favorite song at the moment is; however, the hiring manager does not have the time to listen through the whole segment of the song to wait for the "beep" at the end of it to leave you message. Yes, I know that if you press the "7" on the number pad that will skip the whole message but not every one will know that. Another reason is that you do not want to accidentally give the wrong impression of who you are because of your song choice.
When recording your new voicemail message, make sure there isn't any background noise so that the person that is trying to reach you can hear your message clearly. State your name and repeat your phone number in case of wrong number dialings. Try to also include a short phrase along the lines that you will call the caller back once you're available. If you do this part, make sure you keep your word.
Customize your Objective to the position and job you are applying for.
The obvious response to this section is to get a job, but employers want to know why would you be interested in the job you are applying for. This part of the resume should be just a couple of sentences. The more specific the objective is tailoring to the company and position, the better chance that you will get the interview. There are some great examples and variety of objectives in the link provided.
Although, there are reasons to eliminate the Objective section in your resume. The three main reasons the website addresses are due to using your resume at a job fair, more than one position open at the company you are applying for and wouldn't mind keeping your options open, and can not be specific about your targeted job.
Be brief but specific about your Work History, Education, & Qualifications.
Look at examples of resumes online if you've never composed of one. The link provided is a great resource I found that is tailored to different industries on Monster. When I first created my resume, I was lost. I just graduated from high school and needed to earn more money so I could buy what I wanted and save for junior college supplies. I was lost: Is it a written paper of myself? How long should it be? What are the guidelines?
After looking at some examples, I found out that it should be short and right to the point where the employer does not have to struggle to find the information he or she wants to know about you. Be honest about your information. Do not falsify anything on your resume. If the employer hires you based on a non-existent work history, he or she will expect you to utilize the experience with little training in that area. If you get interviewed with details and have no idea what you are talking about, the hiring manager could tell.
After you're done composing your resume, PROOFREAD it!
Make sure to correct the spelling of most commonly misspelled words. You could skip this step if you are lucky enough to run into a hiring manager where they can not spell either. Trust me, you wouldn't want a manager like that anyways. I had a manager that replaced another manager and she could not spell. All the employees didn't give her the respect because of her carelessness in writing. This was a manager of an engraving company where spelling could either satisfy or irrate a customer. She wrote the following instructions: Put away these items over their. This is a classic case of homonyms. Here's a list I found online where if you can master these, I believe you are on your way to be one less victim to the Homonym Moster.
You do not want to present yourself as irresponsible or you just don't care. Your resume and application most likely would end up in the trash can or maybe recycle bin to be more environmentally friendly.
Make sure your Contact Information is current and convey professionalism.
A common mistake I've noticed when trying to reach an applicant for my hiring manager is that the phone number is disconnected or no longer in use. Sure you have other contact information that may be current, but some managers do not have the time to go through all your contact possibilities to reach you when there are plenty of other applicants to reach for an interview. This will also link to profread your information on your application as well. Depending on the company, managers will base the contact information on the application instead, but let's just be safe and have the insurance of either possibilities.
Make a new e-mail if your e-mail is inappropriate. My best friend's nickname in high school was CrazyGurl so she created an email that conatined those words in high school. She used that e-mail address on her resume. She came to me asking why she hasn't received any calls for interviews. I asked to see her resume and there it was! She created a more professional e-mail that contained her first initial and last name. She immediately got more interviews after resubmitting her applications and resumes. If you are debating whether you should use your current email that does not include your name or initials, you should brainstorm some possible negative connatations implied in your e-mail. If there are any negatives at all, save yourself the time and create a new one. I was reminded of this tip when I came across this webpage.
Change your voicemail greeting to short, simple and straight to the point.
Yes, I am advising to ditch the song recording that you recorded by holding your cell phone up to the radio. We all want everyone to know what our favorite song at the moment is; however, the hiring manager does not have the time to listen through the whole segment of the song to wait for the "beep" at the end of it to leave you message. Yes, I know that if you press the "7" on the number pad that will skip the whole message but not every one will know that. Another reason is that you do not want to accidentally give the wrong impression of who you are because of your song choice.
When recording your new voicemail message, make sure there isn't any background noise so that the person that is trying to reach you can hear your message clearly. State your name and repeat your phone number in case of wrong number dialings. Try to also include a short phrase along the lines that you will call the caller back once you're available. If you do this part, make sure you keep your word.
Customize your Objective to the position and job you are applying for.
The obvious response to this section is to get a job, but employers want to know why would you be interested in the job you are applying for. This part of the resume should be just a couple of sentences. The more specific the objective is tailoring to the company and position, the better chance that you will get the interview. There are some great examples and variety of objectives in the link provided.
Although, there are reasons to eliminate the Objective section in your resume. The three main reasons the website addresses are due to using your resume at a job fair, more than one position open at the company you are applying for and wouldn't mind keeping your options open, and can not be specific about your targeted job.
Be brief but specific about your Work History, Education, & Qualifications.
Look at examples of resumes online if you've never composed of one. The link provided is a great resource I found that is tailored to different industries on Monster. When I first created my resume, I was lost. I just graduated from high school and needed to earn more money so I could buy what I wanted and save for junior college supplies. I was lost: Is it a written paper of myself? How long should it be? What are the guidelines?
After looking at some examples, I found out that it should be short and right to the point where the employer does not have to struggle to find the information he or she wants to know about you. Be honest about your information. Do not falsify anything on your resume. If the employer hires you based on a non-existent work history, he or she will expect you to utilize the experience with little training in that area. If you get interviewed with details and have no idea what you are talking about, the hiring manager could tell.
After you're done composing your resume, PROOFREAD it!
Make sure to correct the spelling of most commonly misspelled words. You could skip this step if you are lucky enough to run into a hiring manager where they can not spell either. Trust me, you wouldn't want a manager like that anyways. I had a manager that replaced another manager and she could not spell. All the employees didn't give her the respect because of her carelessness in writing. This was a manager of an engraving company where spelling could either satisfy or irrate a customer. She wrote the following instructions: Put away these items over their. This is a classic case of homonyms. Here's a list I found online where if you can master these, I believe you are on your way to be one less victim to the Homonym Moster.
You do not want to present yourself as irresponsible or you just don't care. Your resume and application most likely would end up in the trash can or maybe recycle bin to be more environmentally friendly.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Preparations For Job Applications
As I discussed in my introduction of this blog's purpose is to find out ways to get promoted, but how can one get promoted without getting a job in the first place? I did some research online for some do's and do not's when trying to look for a job and filling out an applications.
Although, many companies changed to online applications; I would also like to address preparations for in-person application advice. As Christmas season is approaching, many retail stores are hiring seasonal help. I highly recommend people that are looking for a job to go out to those malls and retail stores to go get the applications now! I worked for several retail stores and they tend to hire a month ahead of the busy times. This allows time for Human Resources to process all your information and allows the manager to allot time to get all your training done well before the busy times hit.
When job hunting in person, you should dress as if you are ready for an interview on the spot. You might think this is unneccessary, but doing this simple gesture shows the person handing you the application that you are serious and ready to get the position. I did an experiment last year. I dressed with low cut shirt and jeans to ask for applications. The result I had was indeed interesting. The males that handed me the applications were very friendly and weren't serious when asked about the specifics of the position. The females that handed me the applications gave me dirty looks.
The best time to get applications is between 9AM - 5PM. This applies to retail and office jobs. Managers and Hiring Managers are usually working in the morning so they can turn in any paper work or neccessities before the main offices are closed. This way you get the chance to talk to the manager and hopefully present a good first impression. If the manager or assistant manager likes you, he or she will keep you in mind during the selection process. The manager for the company I worked for five years gave me an informal interview right after I asked for the application. We talked about various topics such as current events and hobbies.
Be mindful of where you fill out your application. Use your best judgement. If in a retail environment, make sure you ask yourself this question: "Am I taking up space that was meant for customers?" If the answer is yes, you should fill out the application at home. I had an applicant take up the whole counter while customers were finding space to fill out their workorders. The applicant didn't have the common sense to move for the customers. I highly recommend to fill out all the applications at the comfort of your own home. This way, you can concentrate on the details.
Get your own application and by yourself. I understand that you want to have a support group of friends job hunting together, but don't go into the store together as a group and ask for applications. Managers see this as a red flag. You and your friends will portray themselves as immature and not reliable. Do not have friends get you an application. I witnessed a group of friends trying to find jobs together but had only one come into the store and ask for four applications. My manager asked why she needed this much and she said it was for her friends as well. This person got hired but not the other three. She displayed courage and independence.
Fill out the application completely. This means to follow directions. If you can not follow directions with the job applications how can your employer expect you to follow directions when given when you are hired as an employee? Some common mistakes I found on job applications is not filling out the references section. Instead, the applicant writes: Available Upon Request. Toss this one to the trash! I believe that this section is requesting the applicant to write down their references. Spelling and simple typos will also get your application tossed into the trash. Here's a webpage that gives great advice about filling out the application itself. If you are trying to apply online, you definitely need to focus on this advice and tips the weblink above gives.
Is there anything I missed or you feel that are great tips concerning applications? Please comment below and share! Until next time!
Although, many companies changed to online applications; I would also like to address preparations for in-person application advice. As Christmas season is approaching, many retail stores are hiring seasonal help. I highly recommend people that are looking for a job to go out to those malls and retail stores to go get the applications now! I worked for several retail stores and they tend to hire a month ahead of the busy times. This allows time for Human Resources to process all your information and allows the manager to allot time to get all your training done well before the busy times hit.
When job hunting in person, you should dress as if you are ready for an interview on the spot. You might think this is unneccessary, but doing this simple gesture shows the person handing you the application that you are serious and ready to get the position. I did an experiment last year. I dressed with low cut shirt and jeans to ask for applications. The result I had was indeed interesting. The males that handed me the applications were very friendly and weren't serious when asked about the specifics of the position. The females that handed me the applications gave me dirty looks.
The best time to get applications is between 9AM - 5PM. This applies to retail and office jobs. Managers and Hiring Managers are usually working in the morning so they can turn in any paper work or neccessities before the main offices are closed. This way you get the chance to talk to the manager and hopefully present a good first impression. If the manager or assistant manager likes you, he or she will keep you in mind during the selection process. The manager for the company I worked for five years gave me an informal interview right after I asked for the application. We talked about various topics such as current events and hobbies.
Be mindful of where you fill out your application. Use your best judgement. If in a retail environment, make sure you ask yourself this question: "Am I taking up space that was meant for customers?" If the answer is yes, you should fill out the application at home. I had an applicant take up the whole counter while customers were finding space to fill out their workorders. The applicant didn't have the common sense to move for the customers. I highly recommend to fill out all the applications at the comfort of your own home. This way, you can concentrate on the details.
Get your own application and by yourself. I understand that you want to have a support group of friends job hunting together, but don't go into the store together as a group and ask for applications. Managers see this as a red flag. You and your friends will portray themselves as immature and not reliable. Do not have friends get you an application. I witnessed a group of friends trying to find jobs together but had only one come into the store and ask for four applications. My manager asked why she needed this much and she said it was for her friends as well. This person got hired but not the other three. She displayed courage and independence.
Fill out the application completely. This means to follow directions. If you can not follow directions with the job applications how can your employer expect you to follow directions when given when you are hired as an employee? Some common mistakes I found on job applications is not filling out the references section. Instead, the applicant writes: Available Upon Request. Toss this one to the trash! I believe that this section is requesting the applicant to write down their references. Spelling and simple typos will also get your application tossed into the trash. Here's a webpage that gives great advice about filling out the application itself. If you are trying to apply online, you definitely need to focus on this advice and tips the weblink above gives.
Is there anything I missed or you feel that are great tips concerning applications? Please comment below and share! Until next time!
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