Resume : Tactics and Advice for Getting a new job

[miata13B]

Ok, After reading Mile's thread stating he is a Wus, I got to thinking. . . What are some ways to get a new job. I know there are boatloads of resources that one can use such as a newspaper with job ads, Internet sites which 90% of the jobs are scams or crap, there is walking place to place, etc. . .

I agree with Mile in being envious of those that reach for better and better places. For the past few months I have realized where I am currently is a stepping stone for rebuilding a burnt career after a really bad layoff. . . I find myself kicking my own butt everyday over the fact that I work where my skill and interest have even touched a level where I could be content. There is a lot more my ability will be able to do, but I am held down by this job.

So this is my intention with this thread, and it by no means is something for just me. I figured everyone has their own philosphy on matters and this would be a good commonground for all of us to pull together and brainstorm ways of better each and everyone of our careers, especially those that feel our potential has not even been touched. . .

My .02 yens (thanks ///M) for this thread currently is this. . . I send out 10 to 25 resumes on a weekly basis. In it I call each and everyone of the businesses I apply for and just inquire that they have recieved my resume.

 

[emad]

do u include cover letters, give resume to the people responsible for the resumes, etc? You're in Tech Support - try digging around at monster or dice.com . You may get lucky there? Or do you want something completely outside tech support?

Also, it's close to summer. Most high school/university kids will have taken most of the less demanding jobs out of the market...

 

[XzifT]

It sounds dumb, but put it in a brighter coloured folder. They wanna see what you're up too.. I did it.. Worked.

 

[emad]

Originally posted by XzifT
It sounds dumb, but put it in a brighter coloured folder. They wanna see what you're up too.. I did it.. Worked.

I find that ultra-white stock works better. It's more professional looking anyways. If not the ultra-white, then an off-white textured stock

 

[Ev0]

I'm going to be applying for a summer job soon. Anyone know where a good website on writing resumes is?

 

[emad]

Originally posted by Ev0
I'm going to be applying for a summer job soon. Anyone know where a good website on writing resumes is?

keep it simple - nothing more than 2-3 years old. Use very few words and lots of point form. Most people in the HR department won't spend more than 30 seconds looking at a resume. 60-90 if it's good. Never more than 2 pages (unless it's a tech thing or whatever where you need to provide extra details). Nothing smaller than size 12 font. For basic formatting, MSWord came with some excellent templates. I took them and modified them for my own use and it's worked great for me. Monster.com also has some good tips

 

[milefile]

I sent out two resumes today. I am trying to change fields and I have no "official" experience in the field to include on my resume so I include a "relevant experience" section at the top where I highlight my personal experience and ability. I also keep the work history part pretty minimal since I want to de-emphasize it. I also include a cover letter that says everything the "relevant experience" section says, and goes a little deeper into why I want to change fields. I have no idea if this is an effective strategy or if my resume is any good or not. I suppose to a certain extent it is a numbers game. The more you send the better your chances of getting an interview.

 

[emad]

hmm...i've found the "generic" one I use when I'm sending off to tech companies. I call it generic because I modify it with the company's name/address/info, etc. I also add the manager's name if it's there.


This one obviously isn't complete and needs some rearranging for this particular job application, but you get the picture. Feel free to critique it and hell, why not everyone post their stuff. We can toss ideas back and forth this way for what makes a good cover letter...hell, why not even do resumes?

My address

date

Royal Bank Plaza
P.O. Box 32
Toronto, Ontario

Dear Miss XXXX


I have been given the opportunity to apply at BDO Dunwoody as a Network Administrator. I feel this will be an excellent opportunity for me to advance my computer skills and learn more about the field.

I am very skilled with computers and have had some experience with networking. I have worked for 3 years at Minuteman Press as a computer/network technician as well along with being a graphic artist for the company. My responsibilities there include managing the local network, fixing computer problems and talking with clients to find out what their media/graphic requirements are. I have also, in one case, worked with a client for a period of a month to design a flyer to be printed for mass distribution in the Brampton area. In my most recent experiences, I have worked as a network technician at Champlain Trail. and as a web developer at the Peel School Board.

Again, let me express my enthusiasm for working at BDO Dunwoody as Network Administrator. I look forward to a response soon

Sincerely yours,




Emad G.

 

[TurboSmoke]

no offence emad, but i would stop using that cover letter if i were you...its awful..

if i were a potential employer i wouldnt hire you (going purely by the letter) if my life depended on it.

I have also, in one case, worked with a client for a period of a month to design a flyer to be printed for mass distribution in the Brampton area.

this is the worst part.... you took a whole month to design a flyer?...what a slow worker...any human resource officer worth thier salt are trained to look right through this kind of thing...

 

[emad]

Originally posted by TurboSmoke
no offence emad, but i would stop using that cover letter if i were you...its awful..

if i were a potential employer i wouldnt hire you (going purely by the letter) if my life depended on it.



this is the worst part.... you took a whole month to design a flyer?...what a slow worker...any human resource officer worth thier salt are trained to look right through this kind of thing...

i guess you're right there. the dude was from out of town so he only dropped by once a week. Add in that he couldn't make up his mind and asked me to redesign about 5 times...

either way, I should get to modifying this one. I haven't used it yet. It's the one I made as a final assignment for the in-class portion of Co-Op last year

 

[///M-Spec]

Having been behind both sides of the table, here's a couple of suggestions.

-Most potential employers are interested in what you've done, not where you've worked. That in mind, focus strongly on key items of responsiblity and any leadership roles. In my own resume, I keep a section near the top that summarizes major accomplishments and roles I've filled.

-Don't pile on the fluff. Apply evenly and space it out with items of real substance. Trumping up accomplishments is okay, even desirable, but don't go overboard.

-If you work in tech, don't EVER, EVER try to b.s. someone. Building a simple Access database with some tables and queries does NOT make you a developer. Having a 4 port hub with ICS at home does NOT make you a LAN admin. You'll be sniffed out right away.

-Interview well. Practice if you have to. Personality counts. Most managers are looking for a personality fit as well as solid work experience. In most cases they are already thinking about how you're going to get along with the other people there (if applicable). Smile and ask questions lot and be positive ... even if you're not.

-Having big tits really, really help. Haha, just kidding


M

 

[emad]

Having big tits really, really help. Haha, just kidding

I read the just kidding part AFTER I scheduled the appointment. Thanks a lot

 

[///M-Spec]

Originally posted by emad
I read the just kidding part AFTER I scheduled the appointment. Thanks a lot

Don't worry, you can still get a great job at PePe's Shemale Cabaret and Revue.


M

 

[emad]

Originally posted by ///M-Spec
Don't worry, you can still get a great job at PePe's Shemale Cabaret and Revue.


M

wanna be my first customer?

 

[///M-Spec]

Originally posted by emad
wanna be my first customer?

No... that's okay.


M

 

[Danoff]

If you land the interview, expect to talk about any and all items on your resume... that's why its important not to b.s.

Before your interview, go over your resume and figure out what you'd say about each item. Try to think of questions that your interviewer might ask. "Tell me about... ", "What was the best part about doing...", or worse, "What was the part about... you liked least."


Also, try to figure out how you'll answer questions like

"What did you like least about your previous manager?"
"What is the worst part of your current job?"
"Why don't you make more money at your age?"
"What do you consider your biggest flaw?"
"Why did you leave your last job?"
"Tell me about yourself."
"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
"Tell me about a challenge you have overcome."
"Tell me about a time when you've failed at something."

and remember that the worst interviewer is the one who doesn't ask you any questions (read: doesn't give you a chance to talk about yourself). Your goal is to look good, not to not look bad. Make sure you highlight your strong points. Don't be too pushy, but if need be, interject comments in between your interviewer's rambling that try to draw a parallel between your skills and the ones the job requires.


Ask questions like "What kind of skills would you say are most important for this job."

Then follow up with "I demonstrated that skill when I did... (point to your resume)."

 

[Pupik]

Cover letter! You've got have one of these. I kept a standard form, and tweaked it here and there depending on the job. Highlight your skills, sign your name at the bottom, and be cordial. Don't stuff it up with useless phrases and double-speak, unless you're getting a job in public relations, or working for McLaren International.

Your resume should stand out a little. No, don't use pink paper with yellow ink, but neither should you use the "Resume Template" in MS Word. Show them you can use a few tricks and tweaks in Word, and you'll have no trouble with a tech job, I say. Use no more than two fonts, keep the sizes readable, and try your best to fit it all on one page. You don't have to tell them about your job at the grocery store, unless it was a job with real importance, or that's all you've ever done. Use years, not months, and fill all the gaps, if possible. So if you were out of work for a month, then not showing that gap is a benefit to you.

HR gets lots of applications, and it's a case of they're looking for someone who can walk on water, or the first (lucky?) sap who wlks in the door. In any case, it's rare that they hire anyone who fits all the skills they are looking for, let them know that you can adapt to any situation.

Follow up on the resume, whether you send it by email (follow up with a call), or mail it, or show up in person (my favorite method of corresondence). Let them know there's a person behind the paper. Act as if you don't need the job, though (which is a lot easier when you're already doning something else at the time).

Wear your best to the interview. Forget all the crap about dressing-down and casual Fridays...wear a white long-sleeve shirt and a conservative tie, a belt that matches the shoes, and black, blue, or khaki pants. Don't bother with a blazer/jacket unless it's what everyone else wears at work.

Have confidence in your interview. Appear attentive, unless you don't want the job. Lean forward, not backward. Take notes, so bring pen and paper. Listen closely, and ask a few questions that aren't related to salary. Ask when you can start, what they like about their jobs, and opportunities for growth and advancement...just don't ask too many questions.

Most of all, send a thank-you note to all the people who interviewed you, and the HR department. The personal touch lasts longer than the interview, and try to hand them in person whenever possible. Don't use more than 2-3 sentences to thank them. And be sure to spell their name right!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Use agencies. They're paid to put you in a job. Therefore it's in their incentive to get you employed. Also, a lot of companies use agencies as a "pre-sort" mechanism to weed all the muppets out of the applications you would get to an advertised post.

If answering tech questions, make it seem like the question was challenging, but ultimately solvable. I've blown at least one interview because I let the interviewer know how obvious the solution to his "difficult problem" was.

In my experience, companies are often looking to hire a skill (especially if it's a tech post). If you have that skill, you're laughing. This does introduce a random aspect to the selection process in that you may not know what the skill is when you walk in to the interview. But if you get a sniff of that skill, go for it.

Professionalism is everything. Be robust and confident. If you don't know the answer to a question, say that you don't know (because it's easier to admit an error than to fudge it later).

Keep your gaze level with the interviewer's eyes, but do not stare at the interviewer's eyes. Only look him/her in the eyes periodically, especially if you're trying to make a major point, or indicate that you're really interested in what you're saying.

Keep covering letters brief. They are fluff.

When designing your CV, keep two copies. One that looks the best, and one that is the most compatible with every system. There's no point in uing all the fancy fonts, or a professional desktop publishing program if you're submitting electronically and your interviewer only has Word v2.x. However, if you're submitting in hard copy, design it to your heart's content. But keep it clean looking. Ensure that all your headings are formatted consistently, and your indents are consistent also.

Be flexible, but stick to your principles. Make sure you don't agree to something that's impossible (yes, I can commute to New York daily. What? Oh, yeah, I live in Edinburgh), but ensure that you're flexible enough. I know a guy who went for a job in a store, but said he couldn't work Saturdays!

There's my take on it. Remember: if it's for you, it won't go past you. But it isn't yours until it's in your hands.

Good luck!

 

[TurboSmoke]

a good cover letter is essential but as pointed out they are just fluff but are intended to be used by the employer to see what your spelling, grammar and general english skills are like.

the actual content is generally accepted as a means to sell yourself but the real content should be in your CV (resume).

the company that i work for asks you to send in your application form with a HAND WRITTEN cover letter and your CV. Your CV can be word processed but they are want o see what your hand writing is like....is a good job we dont hire doctors..

my wife worked in the human resource department here and was always on training courses doing psychology and psychometric testing for use in interviews....sometimes at interviews here they ask such absurd questions like 'what is the first thing you do in the morning?' 'who is your best friend?' 'how would you deliver bad news to a work collegue?'

its all designed to see what type of employee you would be if you already have the skills required in a certain post.

by the way, the answer to what you do first thing in the morning is not scrath yer bollocks or go for a piss...try, check the mail or cook breakfast for the family.

 

[audiracing]

Why get a job when you can participate in studies and get paid for it. Currently I'm signing up for a depression study at Mcgill, and getting two hundred dollars for it.

 

[milefile]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Use agencies. They're paid to put you in a job. Therefore it's in their incentive to get you employed. Also, a lot of companies use agencies as a "pre-sort" mechanism to weed all the muppets out of the applications you would get to an advertised post.

I got my current job trough an agency. Most of the jobs I see on Monster or Hot Jobs are placed by agencies.

 

[miata13B]

Well, it has been a while since I have posted here and want to give an update. I finally think the right combination has come together in my search to beetter my career and make it move foward. I hope others are having the same luck : ). I have been offered a contract to permanent position for Disney and all of its subsididaries which is looking really promising. . . Cross your fingers guys : )

 

[///M-Spec]

That's great! 👍 So the boob-job really worked, huh?


M

 

[miata13B]

Originally posted by ///M-Spec
That's great! 👍 So the boob-job really worked, huh?


M

Yeah, but I'll tell you instead of my arse hurting from anal rapings, my back is hurting from all the pulling people are doing to me now : (

 

[///M-Spec]

^

You going to take it? I hear Disney treats its employees quite well. A girlfriend of my wife's worked there ... in fact, she got married there.


M

 

[miata13B]

Glad to give a laugh : )

They do and they don't. Actually Kristen workjed for them for a bit and they just dropped her show and put her in the sh## can because of it. They will drop "Cast" at a drop of the dime if needed though. . . but with a major software and hardware push, I think I'll have a job for a good amount of time, and if not, Unemployeement from Disney works for me too. : )

 

[///M-Spec]

Originally posted by miata13B
Unemployeement from Disney works for me too. : )

:chuckles: glad to know you have such a positive outlook on it.


M

 

[miata13B]

Originally posted by ///M-Spec
:chuckles: glad to know you have such a positive outlook on it.


M

I do, actually as much of the Rodent I dislike in Orlando, I will say working for one would definately be an improvement compared to where I am at. I will have the notion of being laid off on my mind, but That will not effect my daily life or my short and long term goals one bit. I think that is the most important part. There will always be more oppurtunitiies in life, but I think it is time to take a risk for once and throw it up in the air.