Comments on: Job seekers-what message are you sending?

By: Elizabeth Johnston

Elizabeth Johnston — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:03:52 +0000

Resumes only became customary after World War II, as a means for employers to eliminate unqualified candidates among scores of GIs looking for new jobs. Not much has changed. Nowadays, nearly every individual, starting a job search, begins by developing a resume, but decision makers only spend and average of ten seconds scanning them. A resume cannot do the heavy lifting in a job search. Its purpose is strictly to function, in conjunction with a follow-up call, as a marketing tool to initiate a conversation with the decision maker. Your goal should be to present your background and accomplishments in a visually appealing, reverse chronological order, with dates, succinctly and honestly. Stay away from functional resumes, extensive formatting and leaving dates off to hide age. A resume is like Coco Chanel once said, Ã¢â‚¬Å“When a woman is badly dressed, you notice the clothes. When a woman is well dressed, you notice the woman.Ã¢â‚¬Â You canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t build chemistry on deception.

By: Miriam Salpeter

Miriam Salpeter — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:01:56 +0000

In reply to Joe Lavelle. Joe - I agree! There is so much that job seekers (and everyone) can do to improve their chances of career success. I think that once people get started and see the benefits of networking, it will be easier to convince careerists to do it all of the time! Thanks for your comment!

By: Joe Lavelle

Joe Lavelle — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:56:47 +0000

Hi Miriam - I love the PUBLIC SALE symbolism. As an avid user of and promoter of LinkedIn, I continue to be amazed at those that put PUBLIC SALE on their "less than stellar" profiles after they get laid off despite so many of us evangelizing about how important it is to really working tools like LinkedIn to build and maintain a great network while they still have a job. My opinion is that people see right through the PUBLIC SALE sign and are less willing to help those that only network when they need something (like a job). Best Wishes! .-= Joe Lavelle´s last blog ..Take Time to Laugh Over Labor Day =-.

By: Miriam Salpeter

Miriam Salpeter — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:58:12 +0000

In reply to Brad Remillard. Brad - I can't talk about targeting resumes enough! Thanks for your support.

By: Brad Remillard

Brad Remillard — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:53:27 +0000

Great comment on resumes. Most candidates think a resume is about them. In fact it is about "getting the interview." That means it is about why your background is right for the position. One size fits all resumes don't work. Target your resume for results. This is a marketing document nothing more. .-= Brad Remillard´s last blog ..IMPACT Hiring Solutions Home Page =-.