Newsletter
Jun 2210 phrases to ban from your resume
Posted in Job Center at 8:53 am
Whether you’re out of a job as part of the recession’s layoffs, everyone is taking a closer look at their resumes. Does it reflect your accomplishments and show your career progression — or hide the lack thereof? If you’ve been working with an older resume, take a closer look at your language: How many clichés do you have in there?
Here are 10 phrases you should ban from your resume, and new, fresh ways to showcase your skills to put your resume at the top of the applicant pile.
1. “I’m a team player.”
This is one of the most over-used clichés, so try to find a way you can show that you are this team player. Did you collaborate with someone or with a department to meet an objective? Put that on your resume instead of a vague, clichéd expression. Be detailed about your achievement.
2. “I have great communication skills.”
Communication skills can mean so many things, which is why using this term on your resume only makes you lose your recruiter’s interest. What communication skills did you use to contribute to your employer? Did you create a presentation, a press release or lead a conference call? State your specific achievement.
3. “I have a proven track record.”
So prove it! What did you do to give you this track record? Be specific, and try to quantify your impact; “I brought in 10 new customers, adding $50k profit for 2009″ sounds far more impressive than some vague statement, and will help you stand out among the dozens of resumes.
4. “I’m a problem solver.”
Everybody loves a problem solver, which is why so many resumes state this skill with pride. You can do better: Tell your prospective company what problem you solved. Did you optimize a troubling schedule, did you solve an employee dispute or did you iron out a problem with a customer? Again, be specific to be memorable.
5. “I assisted In X task.”
Maybe you weren’t the lead on a particular project, but saying you “assisted” is the kiss of death for your resume. What was it that you did? Did you write a sales report or keep inventory? Write that on your resume with pride, and lose the “assisted” — you’re better than that.
6. “I have a strong work ethic.”
A strong work ethic — that sounds great, right? You’re not the only one using this cliché, so freshen up your resume by stating how you go that extra mile. Did you take a class to improve your skills? Did you meet some really tough deadline? Show the hiring official what makes you this person with a strong work ethic, instead of using another cliché like your fellow applicants.
7. “I’m bottom-line focused.”
Another hollow term that is overused and now means nothing — so show what you did that added to the bottom line of your company. It’s very important to quantify for this skill: List amounts of money, time, or resources you saved or added to the business.
8. “I’m responsible for X.”
We’re all responsible for something when we go to work, whether a janitor or a CEO. Drop this expression and just state what your job title is and what you added to the company’s success. Cutting these clutter words will make your resume stronger and more to-the-point.
9. “I’m self-motivated.”
What you’re really trying to say is that you’re not that slacker who clocks out at three every day, but this cliché is not going to help you get your point across. Find a way to show that you’re self-motivated: Did you overhaul a broken inventory system or find a new way to expand your sales territory? Self-motivated employees find innovative ways to improve on what they’ve been handed — put what you actually did on your resume.
10. “I’m accustomed to a fast-paced environment.”
What does this mean, exactly? Fast-paced work environments are the norm in this recession, where most people do more work for less money. To be specific, look at one of your busiest days in your (former) job. What did you accomplish, and how did you adapt to the obstacles thrown your way? Put that achievement on your resume to prove that you can adapt when challenged — a quality employers look for.
Show, don’t tell
Avoid these clichés, because they’re umbrella terms everyone uses, so your resume gets lost in the shuffle. In this competitive job market, your resume really needs to stand out and be memorable for you to get that interview. Find ways to be detailed about your achievements, and quantify how you’ve added to the company’s bottom line. Show who you are and what you’ve done — these details will make you stand out as the memorable candidate you are.
What are Resume Keywords?
Posted in Job Center at 11:55 am
What’s all this talk about keywords? We’re told they’re essential to a job search — we should use them in our resume and cover letters and use them when searching for job openings. But what are they really, and how do you know you’re using the right ones?
Keywords are specific words or phrases that job seekers use to search for jobs and employers use to find the right candidates. Keywords are used as search criteria in the same way you do research on the Internet. The more keywords you use, the more closely the job will match what you’re really looking for.
For example, if you type the word “retail” into a search engine, you’ll get literally thousands of job descriptions. But if you type the phrase “merchandising manager,” you’re going to get fewer and more useful results.
Get keyed up.
Most job postings are loaded with industry- and position-specific buzzwords. Take your cues straight from the source and include those same words in your resume. To find more keywords, research industry trends and visit professional association Web sites to uncover current buzzwords — especially those used by the hiring company or industry leaders.
Don’t get lost in translation.
Most companies use applicant tracking software, which scans resumes for keywords relating to skills, training, degrees, job titles and experience. Make sure your resume gets through the gatekeeper — present your qualifications as if the reader is comparing the words on the resume to a list of desired qualifications.
Remember the magic words.
Here are some specific examples of popular keywords. Make sure to also use keywords that are specific to your industry.
*Strategic planning
*Performance and productivity improvement
*Organizational design
*Infrastructure development
*New media
*Internet
*E-commerce
*Change management
*Team-building
*Leadership
*Competitive market
*Product positioning
*Investor and board relations
*Oral and written communications
*Problem-solving and decision-making
*MBA
*Project management
*Customer retention
*Business development
*Corporate vision
*Long-range planning
*Cost reduction
Laid-off workers need to keep skills sharp
Posted in Job Center at 2:59 pm
Losing a job can mean losing more than just a paycheck. Without some planning, an extended layoff can cause job skills to fade and make someone less attractive to potential employers.
And it’s not just the unemployed 8.1 percent of the workforce that has to worry about a personal brain drain. Add in those working part time or who have given up looking for a job, and the Labor Department says 14.8 percent of the U.S. work force is “underutilized.”
Whether they can speak a foreign language or analyze financial spreadsheets as easily as sports statistics, those people need to find ways to keep their skills up.
“Maintaining your skills and advancing your skills is critical to advancing if you’re employed, and getting a new job if you’re unemployed,” said Dean Tracy, a recruiter and career coach in San Ramon, Calif.
But how do you stay on top of your field when you’ve been downsized? Tracy and other career counseling experts identified three potential avenues: continuing education, professional organizations and volunteering.
Continuing education
Even for those who are not out of work, learning new skills or brushing up old ones is always beneficial. Several experts said classes that offer certifications are particularly helpful.
“What it tells the employer is, you’re not sitting around wondering what to do next, you’re taking the initiative,” said Tracy. Those who can’t attend a class should look for online training.
Technology and business models have evolved so rapidly that anyone who got their education 10 or more years ago is no longer current in the market, said Don Straits, president of the Auburn, Calif.-based executive search firm Corporate Warriors: “That MBA from Stanford that you got in 1978 or 1980? That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.”
Underscoring that idea, Straits said it is vital for today’s workers to take advantage of Web-based technologies. “I won’t say they need to be Twittering,” he said, referring to the fast-growing service through which users to send out short messages. “But they do need to be connected or involved in Web 2.0. It’s not just a matter of surfing the Web any more.”
Social networking, he said, is a good place to get acquainted with the expanding possibilities online. It’s an area that is easily self-taught, and one that can have numerous applications once you’re back in the workplace. As a bonus, establishing a network of contacts can also help during a job hunt. Pointing to a 24-year-old staffer at his company who has 4,000 “friends” on MySpace and 300 connections on LinkedIn, Straits said, “He will never have a problem connecting to a position.”
Experts in using resources like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn may be able to help others by teaching a class or leading a workshop for a professional organization. Another possibility is to seek an adjunct faculty position at a local college.
“Having a faculty appointment is never a bad thing,” said Roy Cohen, a master coach for The Five O’Clock Club, a New York-based career coaching network. An added plus: “You have access to other faculty members you can network with.”
Professional organizations
Beyond the potential for teaching fellow members, professional organizations typically offer access to broader workshops and seminars. But Straits said it’s important not only to join, but to be active in professional groups. “One of the best jobs in any association is the membership chairman,” he said, “because you are going to get to know every single company or individual in that organization.”
Professional organizations also often need help with tasks like maintaining their Web sites or organizing their finances, providing more opportunities to put languishing skills to use.
Volunteering
Donating your time can also add some interest to a resume and demonstrate a commitment to community that may impress a potential employer.
Tracy says it’s a mistake to rule out listing a volunteer position on your resume: “Just because you got paid or didn’t get paid does not diminish the importance of that being a job that enables you to enhance your skills.”
If you’re searching for a suitable spot, look for organizations that connect volunteers with nonprofits needing expert help. The Taproot Foundation is one national group that provides pro bono help with things like strategic planning, annual report preparation and marketing.
Taproot recruitment manager Melanie Damm said the group has seen a huge influx of volunteers in the past six months. Though at times Taproot had been limited by the number of pro bono consultants it could recruit, now there is a bit of a problem finding projects for all the volunteers in some cities. But, she said, “we still have shortages for very specific sorts of skill sets” like Web site development and graphic design.
Being open to working as an unpaid intern at a for-profit company, or volunteering to help on a specific project, may get you in the door. Cohen, of The Five O’Clock Club, has a client who approached a company offering to be an apprentice that was accepted. “They were very taken with his strategy,” he said.
It’s a tactic that worked for Shawn Graham, the director of MBA career services at the University of Pittsburgh and author of the book, “Courting Your Career.” In 1997, he was downsized by the retail company he worked for and decided to try the career counseling field. He approached three colleges seeking to volunteer in their career offices, and one took him up on the offer. A few months later, he was given a paid spot there, and has since moved up in the field by working at two other universities.
Graham said, “Sometimes just calling up and offering to help on a project can be the toehold to get into the organization.”
Internet tips to help you land a job
Posted in Job Center at 11:50 am
There’s a wealth of career information on the Internet, and these resources are just a mouse-click away for any job seeker.
But as comprehensive as sites like CareerBuilder.com are, there are other resources on the Internet you can use to land a new job. Here are a few tips and tricks to help maximize your job search on the Web.
1. Career assessment tests
Career assessment tests can be engaging and fun, and the results can give you important insight into your working style to help you find the best fit.
For example, CareerPath.com (a subsidiary of CareerBuilder) has a number of helpful career tests, including a color test that gauges your reaction to colors and suggests potential career paths based on the result. Take note of any keywords that appear in your test results and use them as search terms.
2. Network, network, network
Most career experts encourage job seekers to expand their networks. You can connect with other professionals via Web sites like BrightFuse and LinkedIn, and even a personal contact on Facebook can provide an important connection to an opportunity.
Alumni groups with an online presence can also be a great place to network, since the focus of those groups is their eagerness to connect with fellow graduates.
If you’re not sure where to start, sign on to a networking site. Search for current or former co-workers and managers and invite them to join your network. Engage your network by sending messages and giving other users recommendations or kudos for the positive experience you had with them.
3. Research your prospective employer
If you’re competing against other candidates with equally impressive skills, education and experience, you really need to break ahead of the pack. One way to do that is to know your prospective employer.
Start with the company’s Web site; look in the “About Us,” “Media” or “Press Room” sections. To be fully informed, you’ll want to check out other sites with detailed information.
“Use online news sites to understand which companies are doing well or expanding,” suggests Patrick Madsen, the director of professional career services at The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. “Reading through articles and generally knowing where the world is going can open potential new doors and windows.”
Madsen also suggests that job seekers research information sites like Hoover’s, Vault.com or Careerbeam to learn about companies.
4. Person to person
Do an Internet search on yourself. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that one-in-four hiring managers are researching candidates online. If there’s any information out there that could negatively impact your chances of being hired, you need to be aware of it.
Once you’ve landed an interview, you can also research the person you’ll be talking to. Madsen recommends doing a simple Google search on the interviewer’s name, as well as checking Facebook or LinkedIn to see if they’ve got a profile there. They may also be featured on the company’s Web site.
Mark Moran, founder and CEO of Dulcinea Media in New York City, thinks this step is vitally important. “I’ve interviewed perhaps 500 people in the last five years, and I can tell you most of them failed to get the job because they did not use the Internet to research me, the company or our industry.”
5. Brave the cold
It’s ideal to use sites like CareerBuilder.com to reply to job postings from employers actively seeking candidates in your field. But you can also use the Internet to do a “cold” search on companies who are in your field.
Career expert Chris Russell, the founder of the Secrets of the Job Hunt blog, recalls his initial job search. He researched companies in his area (none of who were actively hiring) and compiled a list of 80. From there, he identified a contact at each company. Russell launched his own “direct mail” campaign and soon had seven interviews. One of those companies hired him.
The twist to the story? Russell’s job search was in the pre-Internet days of 1993. “The Internet would have made my campaign a much easier one if I had access to it back then. Today, there is so much information on the World Wide Web it can be daunting,” he admits. “But if you know where to search, you can end your job hunt that much faster.”
6. Back to basics
Some important basic tips to remember when using the Internet to land your new job:
• Make sure your e-mail address is professional; a handle like “partyguy2002″ will give employers a negative perception of you before you’ve even started.
• Don’t rely on spell check alone to capture any errors in e-mails, cover letters and résumés. The difference between the word “shift” and a common curse word is only one letter.
• Be sure to have text-only versions of any documents, so they can be easily sent or submitted to employers.
Finding work after the military
Posted in Job Center at 3:39 pm
Men and women who leave the military might put dangerous missions behind them, but they face a host of other challenges when they return to civilian life.
In addition to adapting to a comparatively calm daily routine and dealing with other effects of service, military leavers have to find work with a new employer.
With 23.7 million veterans in the country and 11.1 million of them under the age of 65 in the work force, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, these men and women comprise a large portion of workers.
“The key to success, as a veteran, in finding your feet when you return to the civilian environment is to understand yourself: who you are, what you value, where you can improve yourself,” says Ken Betterton, a government and military consultant. “There are some simple tests you can take to establish your psychological preferences.”
Your next step is to decide if you want to continue down the career path you began in the military or if you want to make a switch.
“If your current path in the military lights the passion in you and you are experiencing pleasure and growth instead of pain and chaos, stick with it. But if not, don’t be afraid to step outside the box and discover careers in new and different fields,” Betterton advises.
Where the jobs are
As more men and women in the service return from their tours of duty, trends have begun to emerge signaling industries that make for easy transitions to the work force.
Military personnel who have experience driving large vehicles in the service are finding work as truck drivers. Companies like Con-way Truckload are actively working with the Department of Veteran Affairs to recruit active and post-service military personnel to the company.
Police departments are welcoming veterans, too, according to Betterton. In the military, you learn to work as a team, endure physical obstacles and develop strategies — all assets to police work.
Plenty of service experience lays the groundwork for a consulting position. Scott Laliberte, a former information systems security officer for the Coast Guard, is now an expert on data security and managing director for Protiviti, a consulting and internal audit firm. After all, military personnel often have access to some of the world’s most sophisticated technology before anyone else, so they would be the authorities on how to use it.
Other veterans capitalize on the soft skills they learned in the service rather than on their specific duties and become entrepreneurs. The discipline and leadership qualities they developed give them a base to be their own bosses, as long as they have some business know-how, of course.
Pizza chain Little Caesars offers discounts and training to veterans to franchise their own locations. Honorably discharged after five years of service, Steve Yoho decided to leave his work in the auto industry to have his own business.
He’s just one of several following this trend.
Stacie Rine, a retired Navy combat pilot, depended on massage therapy in her most challenging moments, so she started her own Massage Heights franchise. Debi and Rick Lajti, both Air Force veterans, opened a TSS Photography franchise.
How to make the change
Wendy Enelow, author of “Expert Resumes for Military-to-Civilian Transitions,” has some suggestions for veterans entering the work force:
1. If you do want to continue down the career path you’ve already begun, itemize your skills so that you can look for related work.
“Military personnel must clearly understand the skills and knowledge they have and where the opportunities exist in the civilian marketplace for individuals with their particular skill sets,” Enelow says. Once you’ve done this, you can target your job search to the right employers.
2. Translate your experience for employers by using terms and descriptions relevant to their needs. Like any other job seeker, you can’t expect the hiring manager to do the work for you.
Enelow suggests translating military ranks into job titles that make sense to them. “Don’t use the names of specific military technologies which mean nothing outside of that realm; rather, talk about advanced electronics technologies. Don’t make people have to study the resume to understand; spell it out.”
3. Use keywords that appeal to hiring managers to get your resume noticed. “Command and control” won’t help you get hired, but “advanced communications technologies” will, Enelow says.