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Make your resume appealing

Write a resume that would appeal to you if you were hiring for a job. Would you want to read your resume?  Include areas that you have excelled, your relevant skills, additional skills that you feel are essential to the company, education and volunteer projects you may have participated in.

Tip: Providing as much relevant information in the most concise nature. This will increase the number of interview requests you receive.

Job category title

The title of your career categories is important. It’s the eye catcher part of your resume because it serves as the headline of your skills. It must capture the recruiter’s attention. Your skills title should be compelling, but most importantly, relevant, so that recruiter picks up your resume over others. Choose skills categories that fit you; here are just a few examples: Customer Service Manager, Administrative, and Hospitality.  

Sell your resume opportunity

Give your prospective recruiter a reason to pick you out of all the other job seekers.

Tip: To help you sell your career opportunity, answer these questions: What made you decide to accept the position you’re in now? What attracted you to your position when you first applied?

This morning I was reading okay watching the news and I came across the following article: “Over 50, and zero job offers”.  Okay that’s just silly; yes the job market is tough I give you that however; you need to remember this:  As an older worker have something that other applicant’s lack…..EXPERIENCE.

Your only obstacle is connecting with employers who are ready and willing to hire YOU. Get started today by creating the right resume, connecting on the social media sites that will get your connected and of course visit WiserWorker.com the only site for older workers!

Functional Resume usually starts with summary of qualifications to put emphasis on skills particular areas of focus. Examples might include: customer service, word processing, computers, accounting, data archiving, office, telephone reception and problem solving. Rather than listing specific details, the job seeker lists responsibilities and achievements under the three main highlighted areas. The employment history is simply listed underneath the functional areas followed by education, training and other complimentary sections.

LinkedIn exists to help you make better use of your professional network or create a network.  Their mission is to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. Jump right in and create a account and make sure you select that you are looking for a job. You will be amazed at how many people seek you out because you are qualified.

WiserWorker.com YOU already know the most valuable resource online helping older workers get back in the workforce. WiserWorker.com is dedicated to providing quality employment opportunities and resources to people just like you.  

Good Luck!

Ok, because of your awesome resume and cover letter, you have gone on an interview. I suppose your think that is the end of it, right?  Wrong!  Now you have to write a thank you letter.

Send the thank you letter within 24 hours of the interview, whenever possible.  They should be typed unless you have been corresponding via email the whole time.  Getting a business card will help you remember who you interviewed with and their title.

Be concise.  Use the same paper that your cover letter and resume were printed on. 

Address any unresolved issues that came up during the interview.  If questions came up during the interview or if more information was requested, the thank you letter is the perfect place to include that information.

Include something specific about your interview.  This will help the interviewer remember you and help you stand out from the pack.

Emphasize your strengths one more time.  Let the interviewer know that after meeting with them, you are more confident that your skills are a match for their organization.

Most importantly, thank them for their time.  Everyone’s time is valuable.  A simple acknowledgement will let them know you respect that.

Last, but definitely not least, proofread your document before sending it out.  Do not give the hiring manager an easy reason to eliminate you from consideration.

Now that you know how to write your resume, (Thanks Amy!), it is time to focus on the cover letter.  It is just as important as your resume.  Think of your cover letter as a bridge between your resume and the job you are applying for.

Do your research

Before writing your cover letter, research the company you are applying to.  Find out who the hiring manager is by calling the company.  Also, find out some information to use in your letter. For example, is company XYZ a leader in their particular industry?

Read the job description very carefully.  By doing so, you will be able to figure out the important skill / qualifications of the position.

Write the cover letter

Now that the research is done, it is time to start writing the cover letter.  Your first sentence should stand out and grab the reader’s attention.  The rest of the paragraph is the “why you are applying” paragraph.

The next 1 -2 paragraph(s) are the “what can you do for the company” paragraphs.  Highlight a couple of your skills that strongly match the qualifications in the job description.  Remember to keep the focus on how you can help the company.

The last paragraph is the “summary” paragraph.  Thank the hiring manager for their time.  Let them know you are available for interviews and that your resume is enclosed.  Indicate know you will follow up with them.

Finally, here are a few more tips for writing a good cover letter.

·         Proofread, Proofread, Proofread. Spell check your document and have a friend read it.  There cannot be any mistakes or typos.

·         Be concise. Don’t use two words when one will work. Make every word in your letter work for you.

·         Be upbeat and positive in your letter. Sound excited about the prospect of working for this company, all the way though the letter.

·         Do NOT write a generic cover letter.  It shows a lack of interest on your part.

Do you have other suggestions for writing a resume or cover letter?  If so, we would love to hear about it.

I remember the last time I was out of work and had just starting my job search; my ever so helpful mother gave me this advice: “You better get yourself out there and fill out LOTS applications”.   Little did my mother know that over the years the job market has changed and the job seeker needs to have an entirely different set of tools to look for a job in today’s job market.

Today’s job search doesn’t just mean knocking down doors and filling out applications. Don’t get me wrong many companies still use paper applications. Today, however the application is just ONE step in the job search process.  So what tools to you NEED to search for a job?    

1.    Updated Resume

2.    Updated Cover Letter

3.    Computer Access- Gain FREE access from any public library

4.    Know the Best Job Boards……WiserWorker.com

5.    A pad of paper – To take notes

6.    Your Employment History for times when you DO need to fill out a application.  

In some respects searching for a job today is easier because most of it can be done from home, you can cover a lot more territory from in front of a computer. It’s a different world so start with WiserWorker.com when you start your job search it was created for a job seeker just like you!

The most basic need for any job seeker is this you need to have an updated resume.  In this economic climate we should be reaching out and helping each other with the basic skills necessary to obtain a job. Your resume is your professional story it serves as a glimpse of what you can offer a company.  The bottom line is this: YOU can write your own resume, have someone proof read it and provides you any feedback.  

What you need is this a path on how to get started; so I am creating just that a path for you to help yourself….below is an example of what I found when I visited Google and entered “resume help” in the search perimeters.   Look out I found more information than you will probably ever need. Notice all of these options are FREE, they may have a paid service but they will give you free information as well.  Everything I needed was free!  

ResumeHelp.org They provide useful hints and tips for FREE; you can pay a small nominal price for advanced help. Everything I needed however was free and they have lots of examples 

JobStar.org Lots of great information on major cities and examples of resumes and cover letters and almost all the information I found was FREE.

WiserWorker.com check out our resume center

Free Resume Service Ten tips to writing a better resume

AARP.ORG Providing insight on what you need to get a job especially for the older job seeker.

You can use any one to these tools to create a resume that will tell your story and get your message out to perspective employers. If all else fails and you need help contact me direct and I will help you find the perfect resource for you.

Good Luck!

This morning I read an article about the one of the rarest fishes in the world the megamouth shark, researchers report that there are only about 41 reported megamouth sharks left in the entire world. Today there are only 40 left as this particular megamouth shark was accidently captured and eaten in a port city in the Philippines.  This fish is so rare that it has only been sighted a handful of times, and the first one recorded was seen for the first time in 1976 only 33 years ago. 

So how did this rare and almost extinct animal become the blue plate special?   Simple he got caught up in the fisherman’s net and the next logical step was his place on the menu as “today’s catch”.  Mr. Megamouth did nothing to make himself stand out among the crowd of fish so the fisherman didn’t know he was special.

Don’t end up like Mr. Megamouth shark in this tragic story. When you send in your resume make sure you stand out. Your resume is the first step in getting the job and you can’t take the risk that your story is going to get lost in the sea of other resumes.

Make sure your resume has these quality attributes:

·         Include your current salary range in the cover letter.

·         List specific accomplishments in each of your past jobs.

·         Talk about what you want to accomplish in your next job.

·         Tailor your resume to the position you are applying for.

·         Follow up with an e-mail.

·         Be persistent without being pushy.

You’re a rare type of job seeker and deserve to stand out when you apply for a job picture yourself as the best candidate and tailor your resume that way.  Don’t get caught up in the sea of lost resumes.

This is probably one of my favorite quotes and for many different reasons, it compels people to realize that one person and one person alone controls their own destiny.   Over time we have learned it’s easier to assigned blame or doubt then to take ownership for a situation-and CHANGE it.  We have learned to accept the bum rap rather than rise above a particular situation and face it head on.  How many times have you heard the following?   I can’t get a job because there just aren’t any jobs out there; I’m going to give up. Folks there are jobs; you just have to work for them. Chances are when you enter your resume into a race for a particular position you are one of literally hundreds.

Over the weekend a friend of mine shared he applied for a job and he was one of 1200 applicants, only 12 job seekers were called for an interview 1 final candidate was hired. He was that one person that got hired. To him that job was the difference between helping take care of his family or not taking care of his family. To him be needed that job and needed to make sure he not only got to the interview but left an impression on that recruiter. He did just that, he didn’t give up and gave it his all.   When I think of this man I am reminded of that quote by Ghandi, it would probably have been easier to live on unemployment because it’s simply too hard to get a job OR he could be the change he wanted to see and work hard to get what he needed for his family.

People don’t give up, work harder than ever. Take a hard look at your resume, is it as good as it could be?  What story does it tell?  Here’s what your resume should say about you:

1.    What you have done for other companies that can be viewed as a success.

2.    What you would like to do in the future to continue to be a success.

3.    What skills you have to contribute to a future company.

Make sure your resume reads so that a recruiter can understand it…..the key is don’t make it to technical. Remember recruiters recruit for many types of positions.  When you submit your resume make sure it’s the best one that recruiter will ever see. It’s your job to ensure that you paint the best picture of who you are, no one else can do that for you. Be the change you what to see in yourself and don’t give up.  You can find that job and I would bet it’s waiting for you, because after all you’re the best candidate. Grab hold of your destiny and be the change you wish to see in the job market.

Our job fair series is officially underway and coming to a city near you. This is the third installment in a series of blogs aimed at getting you ready for the job fair series.  My hope is that we can help you get ready so you enter the job fair and get you hired!  If you need more information regardless of if you need to know how attend as a job seeker or participate as an employer drop me an email or call me (813) 775-6279.  I would love to hear from you!

Once you have researched the companies that are going to be at the job fair. You are probably prepared to look for a job and know which companies are best suited for you. It’s time to start getting your resume together for the big event. It’s a good idea to keep your resume updated at all times.  Before you give it to prospective employers have someone take a look at it to make sure you didn’t miss anything.  Sometimes writers make the worst editors, so get into the habit of having someone edit your resume.  

Follow these simple steps and you are sure to have a winning resume:

1.    Keep it simple and short give a brief history of you in no more than 2 pages.  (1 is even better)

2.    Include content information a phone number and email address. You can get free email at AOL, Yahoo and Google.  

3.    Use a practical font that is easy to read Times New Roman, Tahoma or Arial.

4.    Make sure you include where you worked, dates of employment, job titles, job responsibilities, and accomplishments for each position.

5.    Summary of Qualifications highlight your 5 strong skills.

Remember this is your one shot at a first impression make sure your resume if the best one received.  If you would like a copy of our Mature Worker Survival Guide a guide that goes into more detail on how to write the best resume and cover letter drop me an email and I will mail you a copy.

Good Luck!

So how long have you had to wait to hear from various and sundry employers regarding jobs that you have applied for?  Two days?  Two weeks? Two months?!

You are not alone.

It definitely is a Hurry-Up-And-Wait game in the job search world.

What the game board looks like:

The employer advertises that there is a job opening in their business. You put your game piece into place and start your moves around the board.  You get the application, fill it in, write a cover letter, and take them back to the business or send them in, submit a resume if requested, contact your references to let them know they may be called by this employer….and wait.  And wait.  And WAIT!

By this time your game piece has already moved six or seven times on the board.  If you are a lucky player, you were able to jump two or three spaces ahead for various reasons.  You may have landed on the

“If you had a resume already prepared, move ahead three spaces.”

Or you may get to move ahead two places and jump five other applicants if

“You personally know the employer or one of your references knows the employer”.

Other extra moves may come if you land on the space that that says,

“Timing is everything. You turned in your application early so move ahead three spaces.”

Your goal is to get around the board as quickly as possible, and not have to go back any spaces because you forgot to sign the application, or you didn’t fill in every box on the application, you wore sweat pants and a T-shirt, or shorts and flip-flops when you took your application back.  There are so many things that one can do to have to move backwards on the Hurry Up and Wait game board.  But the clever, motivated and patient job search players have the advantage, they are always moving forward – not back.

Two moves that can help reduce the anxiety:

1. Ask the employer at the beginning of the process when they expect to make a decision of who gets interviewed
2. Call after a week if you have not heard anything and ask if there has been a decision made on when the employer will be interviewing applicants.

Of course the player/applicant would not ask if they specifically have been chosen to be interviewed - just when.

Patience is very important

Employers are very busy and things do come up that interfere with the interview process.  For every job that is advertised, unless it is a highly technical job, there are 30-60 applicants.  It takes time to review each application, to read each resume, to check references (some employers check references BEFORE they decide to interview which is why you never want to say “references upon request”), to find a time to interview 5-10 people and double check with their current employees to see if they want to move up or across and take the job.  Just remember that for the employer it is also a Hurry Up And Wait process. They are not being rude. It is not personal.  Just do your part and play your game well. Make the smart moves.  And then of course…wait.

This guest post was written by Ginger Campbell. She has worked for the AARP Foundation for 32 years and was a Project Director for the Senior Employment program that helped over 5,500 mature job seekers in Humboldt and Sonoma Counties in. Northern CA. She is now the National Program Coordinator/WorkSearch SCSEP.