Anne PELCZAR       ...PR and Marketing
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Top 10 Resume Busters

8/11/2012

7 Comments

 
I've been reading a lot lately on what not to do when going through the resume-sending process. So I decided to assemble a TOP 10 List of what not to do when trying to stand out with your resume. You're trying hard and you're trying to be smart about it, but you might be making these common mistakes, because it's very easy to make them. This post will be followed by a TOP 10 List of what not to do when interviewing - and follow the same principle. 

So here is the most effective way to get yourself NO interview (So do NOT do these :) )

Seriously guys, it's truly easy to do this stuff and I even admit to being guilty of some of these myself. So read and follow!

Resume Buster #1
Applying to jobs@blackholeofdeath.com
The most common problem is having to send blind applications. You saw a posting that looks good, you're applying for it. And if you are currently desperate: You saw a posting that didn't even look so good, but was a posting anyway, and you're applying for it. Where do most blind resumes go? To jobs or resumes or recruiter@blackholeofdeath.com. When you do this, your application might be perfect, and it will still never be seen because hundreds of applications come to that one email address.

How to fix this
Find someone who works at this company. Search your network. Search your social media. Ask your professors. Find SOMEone, ANYone, who works at this company. Ask that person to forward your resume. Also, or secondly, find recruiters that target the industry you want to be in. Recruiters have relationships with HR people and if they want your resume to be on top, they can make that happen.


Resume Buster #2
Not following precise instructions

You think you have it all figured out. Your resume looks awesome, your cover letter fits its purpose, your supporting materials support your resume and match the objective and overall, your package is just perfect. And you still didn't get a call. Why? It might be as simple as not following a tiny part of their instructions. They wanted the resume in a .doc format and you sent a .docx. And you're out. There is an option for attachments, but the ad did not ask for any. Should you send supporting materials? Probably not. Yes, it'll make you look better in theory; but practically, you didn't follow instructions. WHAT? Yes! You are going up for an internship or an entry level position - you MUST be able to follow instructions precisely. This might be a way for them to weed out candidates from the very start.

How to fix this
See, this fix is very easy. Just follow the instructions! To the dot on the i and the cross of the t. Even if your version is better/looks better/represents you better... that doesn't matter if your resume is not even looked at, does it?

Resume Buster #3
Bad spelling

I know I've said this plenty of times, and I will say it again: You can absolutely not afford to have typos on your resume and cover letter. Spelling mistakes are inexcusable. Period. Apparently, bad grammar gets a bit more leeway because they know they're dealing with entry-level or before-entry-level candidates and you're not quite expected to be perfect. But bad spelling is an absolute no-no. (And if I was you, I'd rather be perfect on the grammar as well. Being on the safe side and going the extra mile usually pays off, especially if you happen to look for a job in the communications field.)

How to fix this
Have a friend read over it (make sure that friend is VERY good at writing and proof-reading). Better yet: Have a professor read over it. Even better: Have your career center look over it. Even better than better: Have a career coach or HR professional (that your know) read over it. Do not send it off, no matter how time-sensitive, unless you are absolutely sure that there are no more mistakes on your documents.

Resume Buster #4
Impersonal applications
Don't you think it's a lot of work to write a personalized application? (If your answer is no - then, trust me, you're not doing it right.) Here is how my story goes: I find a posting that sounds interesting and I start researching the company. I make sure it is what I thought it was, it is within my field and expertise, it does what I want it to do, it has a reputation. I do basic research for at least two to three hours before even getting started on the cover letter. I research until I have a good hook for that cover letter and I can give them a real reason for why I want to work there.

And then I start from scratch and it probably takes me another good two hours to write the letter. Yes, I have a general outline. My first paragraph, my second paragraph, my third, forth and fifth paragraph always follow the same mantra; but they are always personalized to that company in that industry and written in their tone. And it is extremely important you learn how to do this.

Then I start editing it and revising it and cutting it - because surely enough, I had so much to say (come on, I pitch for a living) that it goes beyond that one page. So I spend another two hours editing. Then I have my boyfriend read over it. If it is especially critical and I REALLY want the job, I send it off to my mentors and have them read over it as well. Only when I am absolutely sure it's perfect, will I submit it.

Lather, rinse, repeat with the resume. Did I use all the right terms? Is it customized enough? Do my titles and my experience reflect what they're actually looking for? And another two to three hours go over to adjust my resume. And yes, you should adjust your resume with every single application you send. So now I just spend an entire day on ONE application. And this is why you need to choose wisely where you apply to and make those applications really count by doing it right.

How to fix this
HR people know when you're genuinely excited about a job and a company - or if you sent an application where you merely filled in a few blanks. Please do not think you can fool them or get by because your history seems so perfect for what they're looking for. They are doing this for a living, and they get hundreds of applications with perfect histories. It's an important sales strategy to learn that will benefit you for the rest of your life: Think like your audience. Put yourself in their shoes: If you were to read this application from a complete stranger - would you be interested in finding out more about this person? So you fix this blunder by thinking like your audience - by making this application as personal and targeted and appealing as you can possibly make it. You simply have to invest the time.

Resume Buster #5
Wrong Price Tag

Not every job ad will ask for salary requirements, but some do. I've been in interviews where the first question was what my salary requirements were. There are several trains of thought about this one.

The first: Ballpark them high. It shows that you know you're worth it.
The second: Ballpark them low so you're more likely to be hired because you will cost them less.
The third: Keep it "open" so the ball is in their courts.
The fourth: Give them a range, so the ball is kind of in their court, but you have your hand in it.

Ok, everyone, quick! Get out your scantron and your number 2 pencil - this is a multiple choice test! Seriously, here are my thoughts on this one: They ask for a salary requirement because yes, they want to know if you know what you're worth. BUT they want to know if you know this within the industry standard. If you ask for too much (the first train of thought), they'll think you're crazy and maybe just a bit too full of yourself (you're applying for entry level here, not a senior vice president position). If you ask for too little (the second train of thought), they'll think you don't know what you're doing and are hoping to get hired by keeping their costs low. Keeping it open works for college jobs where their salary is the same for all employees, no matter what (your typical minimum-wage jobs) - not for a professional position. They want to know - and I think this is key - that you have done your research and you know what the current pay rate for this job in this economy in this industry in this city is. It is really an easy way to show diligence. A source I like to use for this  is www.glassdoor.com/salaries.

How to fix this
Do your research. Know what you're applying for and have a general idea what this position should pay you. As a general rule of thumb, I would use the range approach, but use a reasonable range. For an internship in the communications field, for example, I expect an $8-12 per hour rate - and if I get $10, I'm happy. For an entry level position, I expect $16-20 per hour, and if I get $18, I'm happy. Now, if you apply for a programmer position at Google, you should ask for $6000 a month as an intern. I do not know what professional programmers do earn or should earn and honestly, I don't want to look it up because I'll just be jealous. But the point is: Know these things! It's an easy way to show you're diligent and passionate to know everything you can about your industry of choice.

Resume Buster #6
Too long, didn't read

Some industries do want you to have a loooong resume. If you're applying to be an educator, please have a 6-page resume. If you are 10 years into your job within your industry, please feel free to have a two-pager. If you're applying to be an intern or an entry- level pretty much anywhere, please keep it to a page. Give them supporting materials if they ask, but keep your resume to one page. Keep especially your cover letter to a page. Once again: Think like your audience. Is it really necessary to put on this last job where you had the same position you already had for those last three jobs mentioned? Your audience will get bored looking at it. Is your cover letter really worth two pages? Are you THAT special? You think the one to two people that work in HR really want to read a 2-page cover letter from 300 applicants? They will probably barely read yours if it's one page. They might read the first two paragraphs. So please do use the pyramid format and make those first paragraphs count!

How to fix this
Know proper application etiquette and follow it. Your resume and your cover letter are one page long. The general theme always is: Cut, condense, leave out. If it is not absolutely vital to mention it - cut it or leave it out. If you're saying the same thing twice, or you're saying two similar things twice: Cut or condense. Be very precise. You do want to say applicable and smart things - but you want to say them quickly. You can elaborate when you get your interview.

Resume Buster #7
Too general

I am not talking about using templates here. I am talking about a resume that focuses on general tasks while it is filled with empty words. You had a position where you answered phones, you directed email, you organized files and you arranged travel plans. Yes, please do put that on. Especially when applying for entry level jobs and internships, those are important things to know and I do believe you should share that you know how to do these things. Be as specific as you can be, though, with these skills. What gives you a further edge is when you can connect them to an accomplishment. This one is tricky. You really have to search your brain for this one. But it'll be worth it. Now, some specialists say you should ONLY put your accomplishments on - no duties at all. I do not agree with that. Especially when applying for an entry-level job, you really need to show that you can do the job. You have to show them that you're detail-oriented and organized and you show that by telling them that you've done it all. Now: If you can connect those job duties to an accomplishment - THAT would be ideal and then I agree with it.

How to fix this
First of all: You personalize your resume, you always always do. Use the words they use. Leave off what they're not asking. If it's not related, then no one cares. It might be a great wonderful job you had and you learned so much - but it's not applicable... and now you just lost them. "Then she should go work there" is what they will probably think.
Second: You make your resume very specific. Don't say that you performed general office duties. Actually say what they were (unless your job was not really an office job and the "general office duties" were merely a tag-on to your actual job duties). Connect your duties to your title. Do the duties match the title and do they make sense for the position?
Third: Talking about the position: Be specific with your title. You were an intern somewhere. That's great. Specify what intern you were, so they'll get a better idea of who you are and what you're capable of just by giving the resume a glance (remember the 3-second rule).

Resume Buster #8
Too specific

Yes, after I am telling you that you can be too general, I am now telling you that you can also be too specific. And this really is a fine line to walk and you might want to get help with this. You know you're supposed to use the words they use in the job description of the ad. That's great! You're supposed to do that. Especially when sending an application online, an automatic resume robot will weed out applications that don't use those words. But if your resume is too full with them, you might just look unbelievable. If there is nothing on your resume but their words, you might just look too good to be true.

How to fix this
Do keep your personality to the resume. Try to determine what the most important skills are they are looking for. If you know your industry, you generally know what's expected. Put those skills on your resume and use their words for those.
Here is an example: Do they ask for media or press relations? It's the same thing, but use the word they're using for it. Do keep related skills on there that they didn't ask for but that are applicable to the job in general, just to make your resume look "normal." To stay with the example: If they ask for press relations with this and this and this and that and the other outlet or department, you might just want to say "press relations with various mainstream media outlets" instead of copying and pasting verbatim. Be smart about it. This is a skill that can be trained and that can be learned. And it does involve some trial and error. Keep your resume looking normal, like you actually wrote it. Do use their buzz words, but use the right ones, and don't ONLY use them.

Resume Buster #9
Not current language

Many recruiters say that resumes are often full of stilted, old-fashioned phrases that have lost their meaning. For example, one recruiter says that she hates the phrase "proven ability to..." What proves this ability? And what makes it better than the unproven ones? Another one she hates is "utilized my skills doing..." Of course you utilized your skills. Who else's would you use? How else would you do it? Just say what you did. "Results-oriented" and "hard worker" are a few more phrases that are out. It is assumed that you work toward results and that you will invest your all into it.

How to fix this
If you want to mention these phrases, do it in the cover letter, not your resume, and connect them with a specific example of how you did go beyond expectations to make a point. Everyone can say they're a hard worker. Prove it. Everyone can say they have a proven ability. Rather, tell them about how you applied your abilities and use the Situation-Action-Results model. You won't have to say you're results-oriented. Showing how and that you reached your goal says it so much better. Think critically about the words you use and try to see if you can make it more precise. Just say it as it is. We're in the 21st century, people have no time. Make every word count.

Resume Buster #10
Bad Objective

From the start, I am not a fan of objectives. I think they're a waste of space. You apply for a job - your objective is to get the job. Or A job, any job. They know that. Now, apart from being a waste of space, an objective can actually be your downfall. Especially when you're not perfectly familiar with your industry yet because you haven't worked in it for 10 years, you might think a job is about something specific. But when you start working, you'll discover that it's really quite different than you thought it would be. Now imagine you put what you THINK it will be in your objective when that's really not at all what the job is about... you just disqualified yourself because you told them you're really looking for a different job.

How to fix this
Leave off your objective. I know that some professor or some book told you at some point to have an objective on your resume and then you just rolled with it, not thinking about why this objective is actually on there. Use some common sense! Jump into the 21st century! An objective might be necessary when you're applying to a company without an open position (and I advise against that for a reason to be discussed at another time). But even then they know: You're sending a resume because you want a job. They see what you're experienced with, so they'll know where to place you. Seriously: Why do you need an objective? Do you think they're too stupid to determine where you should be?


The time you spend on your job search is valuable, so be sure to use it wisely. Invest additional time and effort on applications for jobs that you feel are a great fit, and go above and beyond to be sure your submission gets attention. Getting a job today is not easy and you should use every resource at your disposal. And if you need help, you can always ask me.


7 Comments

What's the right kind of enthusiasm for a successful cover letter?

6/6/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
Oh my goodness, it's graduation season! And according to the US Census Bureau, 3.4 million students just threw their caps in the air, went home and started writing job applications. Oh my! Now, I couldn't find a number for how many jobs are actually available... but I'm going to take a pretty good guess and venture to say that it's not 3.4 million. So the question is: What makes you stand out to get one of those coveted available interviews?

Is there a simple answer? Oh no. I've tried all kinds of approaches writing my I-don't-even-know-how-many applications. But here's a thought that ran through my mind - a pattern I noticed in my own application adventure.


First of all: Always write a cover letter. Always. Even when they don't ask for it. Even when it's optional. That's how they weed out folks (who actually goes the extra mile and puts in the effort).

Next: Make the cover letter count. Don't just repeat your resume. Make your work stand out. Give them quantifiable numbers of the work you've done and the impact it had. That's impressive. If you don't have those numbers, get them!

Third: Use the words they use in their job description, especially when applying through a website. They have machines that look for these words. If they're not there, you won't be selected.

Fourth: Make the cover letter personal. Not as in unprofessional-talking-to-your-friend personal. But customize your cover letters. Yes, it's a lot of work because it actually requires you to do some research before you can write an intelligent cover letter. BUT then good news are:
    1) If you get an interview, you have to do the research anyway and you'll already be half-way done.
    2) When you do your research, you can see what the company is about and figure out if you really would be happy working there     or if you're really qualified to work there. (As in: Are you just wasting time sending this application because your experience really     doesn't match this field at all?)
    3) You will realize if you're really excited about working there.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: BE GENUINELY EXCITED!
This last point (#3) really is THE KEY. I've taken several approaches to writing cover letters and I got most answers to applications where I could be genuinely excited in my cover letter. Not just SOUND excited, actually BE excited. They can tell if you're bullshitting them. If you're trying to find a reason for why you want to work there just so you have something good to say about the company and how it connects to your professional aspirations - they will be able to tell. I've done it just to say something... and I knew it wasn't good. And I never heard from them. If you're honestly excited about this job and the company - they will be able to tell!

GET AN A FOR EXCELLENCE, NOT FOR EFFORT!
The best cover letters are like the essays you wrote and you just knew you'd get an A because you just knew you nailed it! Why? Because you actually wanted to write it, you were on a roll and you actually knew what the heck you were talking about. The essays were you somehow had to scramble to fill your required pages didn't earn you As, did they?

SO START OUT TALKING ABOUT THE COMPANY. Don't just say: "I would love to be a part of your team because you are a leader in the industry and I want to work for the best." It's not really bull, but it's whatever. Who doesn't? You need to be able to tell them that you love what they're doing, and here is exactly how I understand what it is that you're doing and I would just be so excited to be part of you team, and here is how my experience directly parallels your job requirements. And maybe here is some trivia I dug up on you and here is how it fits in why I am excited about your product. Not only did you show that you are excited about them, you showed them that you understand what they are about and what they want from you. You showed them, moreover, that you understand how you can get the job done, because you've done it before.

So you started by "smooching" them. It's a common PR tactic used when pitching to the media. If you want something from them, you first tell them how great they are. Everyone likes to hear that. But don't say something just for the sake of saying it. Say something with substance that directly applies to them, shows them you actually researched them, and really has meaning. NOW they're listening. Now they might read on about what you have to say about yourself. And NOW you might be invited to an interview.

FAIL-SAFE FOR ME: The cover letters I was excited about writing got me a response. The jobs I really cared about have made great cover letters. Naturally. And most of them invited me to an interview. The same day!! The rest were a shot in the dark. Not necessarily a waste of time, because I suppose, sometimes you even hit something in the dark, but certainly nothing to get your hopes up about.

HERE'S A SHOCKER:
Here's a job I applied for:
    - part-time
    - 3-months contract work
    - PR assistant position
    - at  an undisclosed agency
    - didn't even pay a living wage (which is $16/hour)
    - through career builder, no personal reference

The nice thing about career builder: It gives you stats on the posting after you apply.
After the posting was one day old, they had 26 applications in for this position. For this entry-level, part-time, limited engagement gig, most of those 26 applicants had 5-9 years experience. And this wasn't even a "good gig!"

How do true entry-level applicants compete?! Well, my personal answer was "not" - unless those 25-and-counting other applicants were all morons that didn't have applicable work experience. Chances are they're not. Chances are I won't hear back from them. Because if you send a resume to an undisclosed company, there's not much research you can do. And then your work experience better be outstanding, long, and right on to have an edge in the application process. So I sent my application - but this was one I wasn't going to spend much time on, it would be a waste of time. It's a shot, but a long one. Spend your time on jobs you truly care about for companies that inspire you and that you really would stand behind 100%. Those are your best bets.

Get enthusiastic - and right on top of that height of enthusiasm for this great company you just found - that's the time to write the cover letter! And watch yourself getting a response! Good luck y'all - and congratulations on graduating! Now don't be discouraged - it's all good, as long as you're smart about getting that first job!



4 Comments

10 Things To Never Put On Your Resume

12/23/2011

0 Comments

 
I found this article on yahoo finance, written by Vivian Giang, and I couldn't have said it better. So here it is, I'd follow it to a T!

A new batch of December graduates is getting ready to fly the coop in search of a job and we hope they've already heard the bad news: There are a lot of unemployed people out there.
If the market far exceeds demand, how do you make sure you get past the resume screening process into the interviewing round? By making sure your resume is flawless.

"Somewhere between 95 to 99% of resumes have stuff that shouldn't be on there," Eli Amdur, senior coach and adviser from the Amdur Coaching and Advisory Group, told us. "The general rule is if you put anything on there that distracts the reader from your real accomplishments, then don't do it. Resumes need to be concise and clear."

We've compiled some tips from career experts to make sure your resume steers clear of the trash pile.

1. Get rid of the objective.
If you applied, it's already obvious you want the job.

2. Cut out all the irrelevant work experiences.
If you're still listing that prized shift leader position from your high school days, it's time to move on.
Yes, you might've been the "king of making milkshakes," but unless you're planning on redeeming that title, it's time to get rid of all that clutter.

3. Take a pass on the personal stuff: marital status, religious preference and Social Security numbers.
This might've been the standard in the past, but all of this information is now illegal for your employer to ask you so there's no need to include it. It will likely only hurt your chances of getting the position more than it would help you, says Catherine Jewell, author of the book "New Résumé, New Career."

Another piece of personal information you should never include on your resume is your Social Security number, Sara Player, client support specialist for CareerBuilder.com, told us. Player isn't actually sure why people decide to include their social security numbers, but she knows she sees it all too often and it's unnecessary, not to mention, a little risky.

4. Don't let your resume exceed one page.
Yes, this might be difficult if you've had a lot of experience and you're proud of all of it. But just because you're proud doesn't mean it's necessarily relevant. Cut it down; employers don't have the time to read two whole pages.

CareerBuilder.com's Sara Player says: "Keep your work history short and to the point. When you describe what you have achieved while in the position, try putting it in bullet form and put what is most important first."

5. Don't list your hobbies.
"Nobody cares — it's not your facebook profile," Player says.
In other words, don't put anything on your resume that's irrelevant to your job. If it's not relevant, then it's a waste of space and a waste of the company's time. ( I really wanted to highlight this one!)

6. Don't give them the chance to guess your age.
Yes, your age is included in personal data, but if you don't want to be discriminated from a position because of your age, it's time to remove your graduation date, says Catherine Jewell.

Doug Hadley of Mansfield, Texas, told MSN that he's begun to leave out the fact that he's a published author: "I don't want to have to omit such things, but I feel as though I don't even get considered if they are on my resume."

Sara Player advises to take out higher education if it's irrelevant to the position you're applying for or if you keep receiving rejection letters stating that you're overqualified.

7. Don't write your resume in the third person.
Charlotte Beckett, head of Digital at The Good Agency, told Linkedin.com that it's fine to write in first person in your opening statement, but the rest of your resume should be in bullet points, such as:

• Developed and delivered marketing strategies for a range of products

You should not write in the third person since the recruiter knows you're the one writing the resume.

8. Don't include references.
If your employers want to speak to your references, they'll ask you. Also, it's better if you have a chance to tell your references ahead of time that a future employer might be calling.
If you say "references upon request" at the bottom of your resume, you're merely wasting a valuable line, says career coach Eli Amdur.

9. Don't include a less-than-professional email account.
Make a new one. It takes minutes and it's free.

10. There's no need to identify your phone number.
Amdur says there's no reason to put the word "phone" in front of the actual number.
"It's pretty silly. They know it's your phone number." The same rule applies to email.

11. Don't include your current business contact info.
Amdur writes at Northjersey.com:
"This is not only dangerous, it's stupid. Do you really want employers calling you at work? How are you going to handle that? Oh, and by the way, your current employer can monitor your e-mails and phone calls. So if you're not in the mood to get fired, or potentially charged with theft of services (really), then leave the business info off."

This article is part of a series related to being Financially Fit

Retrieve this article here: http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113810-11701-4-11-things-you-should-never-put-on-your-resume?ywaad=ad0035&nc
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It's All About The Framing: Are You Still Flipping Burgers Or Are You Getting Promotions?

11/3/2011

0 Comments

 
Based on a comment I received on my last post, I came to realize that I really didn't make myself clear all the way. While I do stand with the statement that your related work does have to be related, you should be able to list your unrelated work if you really have to. It should be labeled "ADDITIONAL Work Experience."

Use additional experience if you don't have enough related items to put on your resume. If there is absolutely nothing else you can put on your resume that shows your expertise, interest, or experience in the field you're trying to get into, put on there that you were a waitress at Applebees. Or a server at McDonalds. And while that will not necessarily help you get the job, at least you're showing a potential employer that you are hard-working, and have hopefully acquired some sort of transferable skill.

From Burger-Flipping To Getting A Promotion
So, if you are going to put a job like that on your resume, make sure that your bullet points underneath show some sort of transferability to your desired position. For example, if you were a burger flipper at In N Out, that does not really help you in... well, any job outside of burger flipping. But you don't have to list "burger flipping" on your duty list. As a matter of fact, you don't have to list any duties at all. And let's face it: Why would you? There's nothing applicable of any of your duties to a professional job. So instead of duties, focus on your accomplishments. If you were a burger flipper at In N Out, that means you were actually promoted. As I hear, burger flipper is the highest "rank" you can get when working there. So instead of saying "flip burgers," focus on your accomplishment, such as "was promoted twice within one year." Or: Instead of "flip burgers", you "serviced 500 clients a day with a 99%satisfaction rate." See the difference?

THE POINT IS TRI-FOLD
-that means it's a pretty important point

First:
If you have no related experience, HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO? How does your employer know that you have any sort of working knowledge at all? If there is no way you can show an employer on your resume that you have at least an idea of what you're going to do, why would that employer hire you?

And this is how it's done: One of my friends wants to work in event planning, but has never had a job in it, and has never had an internship in it. He also hasn't been in an event planning club. BUT he HAS been in a club that's done events. Before joining this club, he considered wisely which club to join, and picked the one that would help him most. Then,  instead of listing this one club in his extracurricular activities, or related experience, he listed all the events he's planned for this one club by name, and then bullet-pointed the tasks he executed for each event. Resume was full, experience was proven, and interest was shown. That's all it takes. He's also a server at a fast food place. No one needs to know that. It is no longer needed.

Secondly: If you HAVE to list unrelated work experience and you have nothing to replace that with, ASK YOURSELF HOW MUCH YOU REALLY WANT THAT JOB. I admit that, sometimes, life gives you certain extenuating  circumstances that don't allow for extracurriculars. I also believe, though, that if there's a will, there's a way. If you REALLY want to make it happen, you will. And honestly, that's the kind of attitude an employer will expect of you. They'll expect you to make the impossible possible. Literally. They will give you an undoable workload, and somehow you have to make it happen. Period. Start practicing.

Thirdly: You can apply all you want with a resume with non-related work experience. And you may even be REALLY smart. But don't forget the most important aspect: REALIZE WHO YOUR COMPETITION IS.When you apply for a job you have simply no experience with, you will be competing against applicants just like you, just that THEY have a resume full of experience. And they'll know what to talk about intelligently. Need I say more?

Glad I clarified it. Hope this helps. Don't take unrelated work off if it has a place, but do adjust your bullet points to the best of your ability. Do think outside the box and see if there's any way to replace it with something- anything- related. Good luck! And tell me about your successes!



0 Comments

"Good Enough" Does Not Exist

10/21/2011

3 Comments

 
In my PR classes and all the books we read for them, they all tell us one thing: THINK like the PUBLISHER. That's because in PR, your goal is usually to get media coverage. If you get media coverage, you've done your job and earned your money. If you didn't get media coverage, you didn't do it right. And then what's the point of having done it at all? It's PUBLIC relations! So they tell us: Think like the publisher. If I know what the publisher wants in his paper, then I know what to give him. Is that different with RESUMES? NO!

I had the not-so-pleasant experience last month to go through a stack of resumes to pick another intern to work at my internship site. "Oh fun!" I thought to myself as I started, "Let's see how those people wrote their resumes, this will be interesting." Wrong I was. It was interesting, alright, but in a painful way.

Just as it goes in PR, when you write your resume, think like the one who WILL or WON'T use your information: The hiring manager. All of us have more or less a stereotypical idea in our head of what our resume should look like: Contact info, education, related work, related coursework, applicable skills. Thank you very much. Most of us, however, then forget the KEY words: RELATED and APPLICABLE. So we throw anything on our resume that we can scratch together and hope that it sticks.


RELATED, people, the keyword is RELATED

What I saw was rather pitiful. How can you apply for a public relations position and somehow think that being a server at a fast food joint is related experience? It's not even unrelated experience. It's barely any experience at all. It's a way to make some extra money. It's NOT a professional experience, leave alone related. If being a server is all you got when applying for a position outside the hospitality industry, you should join a campus organization that does relate to your desired work PRONTO and get involved. Put THAT on your resume. No one cares about McDonalds - not even McDonalds cares about McDonalds. They don't want to hire their servers for their PR department, they're looking for people who know PR. Yes, even the interns.

When a hiring manager looks at your work experience, they want it to say two things: I know what I want to do and I have some sort of experience with it. When you write your resume, take the word "related" quite literally.


                                    THE THREE SECOND RULE APPLIES HERE, TOO
            Even though it goes: I look at you for 3 seconds and then you end on the floor.

Make it easy on the eyes!
I was essentially looking over about 30 resumes, one worse than the other, and I started feeling really bad for those students. Because this was just ME looking at them, and I don't make hiring decisions. The biggest mistake almost all of them made were the simple things, such as not having your resume organized in an easy-to-read way. I ended up spending literally 3 seconds looking at each resume (it's not a lie, they really do spend 3 seconds tops!). If nothing special popped out right away, and if it wasn't perfectly easy to glance over it and get the gist, I discarded it immediately. And mind you- that was only 30 resumes! Imagine the big companies you really want to work for that get 500 resumes for a job!

C comes after B comes after A. You do know that, right?
Those resumes were all over the place, most of them starting with an objective, which is the most unnecessary thing ever. Your objective is to get the job. Duh.  If you don't have clear headings and only important words highlighted, it's too much work to figure it out and no one will do it. When you opened THIS BLOG POST, did you scroll down to see how long it was? Did you read the bold headings first? Did they tickle your interest? Have you read the whole thing or did you fly over it? It's exactly the same with your resume. Your selling points better be bold (and that's your RELATED positions). Your headlines better stand out and be clear and your content under the headlines better reflect them. If it says related work, it better be so. And if it doesn't say related work, it may just be any work. But then you won't be hired anyway. All the resumes that had "student jobs" on there, I gave a smirk and put aside. Thank you. Next.

It's cut-throat, people, recognize it now. You are competing against hundreds and thousands of other people. If you can't even write your own resume right, how are you going to succeed out there in the jungle? "Good enough" does not exist! Scratch the phrase from your vocabulary entirely. Your resume is either excellent or it's trash. Learn it now, do it right, and be successful! Your resume is all they see of you - put it in a million dollar suit!

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Consider Yourself a Product

9/6/2011

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I am starting this blog because many a professional (and many a student) told me I have the gift of pinpointing exactly what to say to land the job I want. Consider this: I sent out 10 resumes, I got 13 interviews, and I had 5 job offers within two weeks.
I work in PR and know how to pitch things, including myself. That's the angle I take and it's working. I am happy to post my insights, share my advice, and work with you personally on your own job search and interview preparation.

What's the Catch?
Finding the right angle for a resume and cover letter is challenging, especially when you have a large pool of jobs and specialties to share. I've sent out many resumes before, resumes my career center at my university approved and called perfect. This resume listed all my professional jobs, all my extra curricular activities, and all my charitable work. After all, that's what companies want to see right? They want to see how much you can handle and how much you're involved. WRONG! They do not want to see how much you're involved. They could care less about all the jobs you've held and all the charities you support with all your heart. They want to see ONE THING ONLY: What you can do FOR THEM.

Think of it this way: You are not advertising yourself. You are selling yourself as a product.  Sometimes, that means you are selling only a specific feature of you.

Think of Yourself as a Fridge
Think of you as a buyer. Say you're in the market to buy a fridge. You are looking for certain features, right? You want a large refrigerator section, a decent sized freezer, 2 doors, and a water and ice dispenser. You could care less if the fridge also has the ability to bake a pie, call your office, or mop the floor. You already have an oven, a phone, and a swiffer for that. Now, if there's an option of hot and cold water instead of just a cold water dispenser, that's awesome. If there are inside drawers, perfect. If there's an option for a small compartment that's easily accessible through a small outside door (say to hold your lunch, or the most important items inside a fridge) - awesome! You might even pay a little bit more to have those conveniences.

Can You Be a Washer, too?
Start thinking of yourself as this fridge. Once you start marketing yourself as a product, you're on a winning track. You don't want to be a fancy fridge, you don't want to be a fridge that's too complex to figure out. And remember most importantly: You don't want to be an old, or outdated fridge. You want to be top of the line, but you do want to be a fridge. Unless the buyer you're talking to is in the market to buy a washer. Then you'll want to be a washer.

Once you internalize this principle, you have the right start and you're on the way to a thriving career you will love. For all the details on how to do all this right, stay posted and subscribe to my RSS feed! Love to share and hear your opinions!

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     Anne Pelczar specializes in utilizing the new rules of marketing and PR for professional success.
    This is my personal blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer.


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