Kim asks: Can you recommend CV/Resume tactics for someone with a varied career background? Over the years I've had several positions varying in responsibility and skill levels - I've always been more about finding the right fit for a company than being concerned about the job title. In every position I've held, I've always accepted more responsibility, worked very hard, etc. Over the past year I've discovered (yet another) career path which I'm doing very well in and would like to continue in. I've already achieved a good industry certification in my field (and passed with flying colours, which will be noted on the resume) and am looking to continue in my field. Part of the reason that I've done so well is because of my past experience. My difficulty is in finding someone to help me put together a resume which accents my skills and accomplishments without appearing to be "flighty". Any advice is appreciated - Thanks!
In answer:
In all honesty Kim, I don't see that much "flighty-ness" in your career history....
- June 2007 – Present (1 year 3 months) - Asst. Property Manager, Lutheran Social Ministries
- September 2006 – June 2007 ( 10 months): Best Buy Consumer Assistant, selling computers
- January 2003 – May 2006 (3 years 5 months): Same-Differences (Privately Held) Owner of a scrapbooking product manufacturing company
- 1999 – 2000 (1 year): Chief Operating Officer, Saba Software
- June 1996 – September 1998 (2 years 4 months): COO, Regional Internet Company
So that's - three years of ISP/Software; three years in self employment; one year after that companies (sale or collapse?) back in the IT industry; and now one year in property management. Assuming your next job is in property management, honestly there is no problem! And if the scrapbooking company did fail, don't worry about that either - you now have a new and at least semi-qualified career path
Recruiting and HR managers will look at the gaps between positions as much as the achievements in a position. Its the "why" of drive/goal and change that matters in their view of career management and (hence) why you are applying for their post, as much as the skills that you can apply when in post.
If you are looking for a CV/Resume writer, look for one with a professional qualification such as the Council of Professional Resume Writers or the National Resume Writers Association - and stop worrying about your flighty career, when it honestly is not!
Good Luck!
Showing posts with label bristol cv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bristol cv. Show all posts
Friday, 15 August 2008
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Citing numbers in CV/Resume
Margaret asks: When citing the revenue of a company that you previously worked for on your CV/Resume, is it best to list current numbers or those relative to your tenure (assuming your role had nothing to do with making that number specifically)?
In answer:
If you had nothing to do with the number, why state it? Its irrelevant to you!
If you were responsible for a numbers delivery, always use those relevant during your tenure, not present or historical just to make you look better. Use words that make it clear it was "then an XMillion TO company in ABC sectors," and by the time the person left a "then YMillion." They are then the relevant numbers in the relevant context, as they relate to you. The relevant "when you were there" status should be applied to all things in a CV/Resume, from finances to staff and sectors, etc - other wise you are over or understating it for gain/impact.
If you still want to include the revenue figure as part of a company description, then use of numbers tends to suggest the company is small and not easily known, and present day data inclusion in the companies description could be argued easier to make it found for reference checking.
In answer:
If you had nothing to do with the number, why state it? Its irrelevant to you!
If you were responsible for a numbers delivery, always use those relevant during your tenure, not present or historical just to make you look better. Use words that make it clear it was "then an XMillion TO company in ABC sectors," and by the time the person left a "then YMillion." They are then the relevant numbers in the relevant context, as they relate to you. The relevant "when you were there" status should be applied to all things in a CV/Resume, from finances to staff and sectors, etc - other wise you are over or understating it for gain/impact.
If you still want to include the revenue figure as part of a company description, then use of numbers tends to suggest the company is small and not easily known, and present day data inclusion in the companies description could be argued easier to make it found for reference checking.
Friday, 8 August 2008
Coach potato to job applicant! The skills based format choice
Jacob asks: How to write my resume? I've tried to sound as "unimpressive" as possible, so I can assess the worst situation. Am currently 20 years old if that matter]
-First year of college, spent it running a business.....typical first real business, invested a little money, grew a bit, then died away. Did not attend many classes so failed out...[ I have started money making ventures in high school, but I won't call them real businesses]
-I then completed an online degree....in less than half the supposed time frame. [unproductively used time]
-Instead of return to college, decided to start another company*. Yet, I'd like a job to cover my living expenses at first (eh...might as well work on someone else's dollar, sorry).
I've made a few career mistakes and am aware of them, namely:
-Buying an online degree was a waste of a good year. Now it looks like I spent a year doing absolutely nothing. How can I make it so that it doesn't look (as much) like I spent the last year doing absolutely nothing? I was taking like 14 courses a term...so didn't have much spare time. I really regret it...but oh well, might as well figure out how to solve the problem instead of lamenting the past,
Please feel free to request more information and I'll answer in real time either publicly or privately.
*Please spare trying to persuade me to return to college, I'd rather not waste your breath.
Many thanks!
In answer:
Don't use a chronological format - as you can see, it doesn't suit you or portray you as much more in the past year than a couch potato!
Use a skills based format, which lists your education and then in another section your skills/experience on a skill by skill format, as opposed to a date from/to format of the chronological type
You will also need one great cover letter. Focus that on what you want to do now to advance your career and why that company/job does it for you, over anything else.
Good Luck!
-First year of college, spent it running a business.....typical first real business, invested a little money, grew a bit, then died away. Did not attend many classes so failed out...[ I have started money making ventures in high school, but I won't call them real businesses]
-I then completed an online degree....in less than half the supposed time frame. [unproductively used time]
-Instead of return to college, decided to start another company*. Yet, I'd like a job to cover my living expenses at first (eh...might as well work on someone else's dollar, sorry).
I've made a few career mistakes and am aware of them, namely:
-Buying an online degree was a waste of a good year. Now it looks like I spent a year doing absolutely nothing. How can I make it so that it doesn't look (as much) like I spent the last year doing absolutely nothing? I was taking like 14 courses a term...so didn't have much spare time. I really regret it...but oh well, might as well figure out how to solve the problem instead of lamenting the past,
Please feel free to request more information and I'll answer in real time either publicly or privately.
*Please spare trying to persuade me to return to college, I'd rather not waste your breath.
Many thanks!
In answer:
Don't use a chronological format - as you can see, it doesn't suit you or portray you as much more in the past year than a couch potato!
Use a skills based format, which lists your education and then in another section your skills/experience on a skill by skill format, as opposed to a date from/to format of the chronological type
You will also need one great cover letter. Focus that on what you want to do now to advance your career and why that company/job does it for you, over anything else.
Good Luck!
What is the best way to describe periods of independent consulting/contracting?
Tom asks: What is the best way to describe periods of independent consulting/contracting on a resume? I'm looking for advice on any best practices in terms of representing independent contracting relationships on a resume where other periods of time are with full-time employment situations. How would you go about enhancing the perceived legitimacy/value of this experience while balancing the need for brevity in terms of clients served, diversity of work, etc...? For recruiters and other hiring professionals: Do you get a certain feeling in your gut when you get a resume that has a mix of independent work alongside other full-time gigs?
In answer:
The positioning of any period of employment in a CV/Resume wholly depends on the durations of time in each post - be those permanent employment or temporary contract.
I'll answer your second question first. Recruiters and HR people pay most attention to your last two/five years of employment record - its the track record there that show's what you are most capable of with least risk to them. Hence if that period is unmanaged and with high turnover - be it permanent or contract - then yes, many will get a bad gut feel.
However, there are ways of smoothing out those changes - but as a base rule, always tell the truth: it will always out in interview, and leaves you under far less stress. Hence there is no need to lie to "enhance the perceived legitimacy/value of this experience" - its just presentation
As a general rule, if you spent less than six months in post, then describe the project you were engaged on to deliver; if you spent more than six months doing multiple contracts with multiple employers all on contract, then define it as one solid period of contracting work, with a brief summary and associated list of project achievements. In the later case, this would mean that six pieces of project work each last six/eight weeks would end up as one six/eight month period of employment. In example:
Virtual Assistant, 2/2005 to Present <---- (the entire time you have been doing contract work instead of listing each project by date)
Independent contractor for several, long-term clients including Fortune 500 companies such as ABC Company Name and XYZ Corp. Additionally serviced small business owners with occasional, seasonal, and one-time projects. Expertise in human resources and recruitment as well as general, remote office management.
Selected projects:
* Sourced and screened job candidates at all levels for a major corporation that grosses more than $39B annually.
* Conducted 1,000+ pre-employment and tenant background screenings for Company Name.
* Provided remote customer service for Company Name, an international restaurant chain operating as a subsidiary of XYZ Corp. with over 30,000 locations worldwide.
* Transcribed, edited, and proofread 200+ medical, general, and legal audio files for a local attorney engaged in workers' compensation court actions.
I have clients who have spent two years in a permanent position, and then two or three years contracting in multiple positions, and then back to permanent - these are simply summarised as three periods of work.
Never lie on your CV/Resume, and particularly not on the companies application form - this is a legally binding document, and lying on that form is a sackable offence. But presentation of experience in a managed career - be that permanent or contract - is always possible to enable you to get that job interview.
Good Luck, and if I can help further, please - just ask!
In answer:
The positioning of any period of employment in a CV/Resume wholly depends on the durations of time in each post - be those permanent employment or temporary contract.
I'll answer your second question first. Recruiters and HR people pay most attention to your last two/five years of employment record - its the track record there that show's what you are most capable of with least risk to them. Hence if that period is unmanaged and with high turnover - be it permanent or contract - then yes, many will get a bad gut feel.
However, there are ways of smoothing out those changes - but as a base rule, always tell the truth: it will always out in interview, and leaves you under far less stress. Hence there is no need to lie to "enhance the perceived legitimacy/value of this experience" - its just presentation
As a general rule, if you spent less than six months in post, then describe the project you were engaged on to deliver; if you spent more than six months doing multiple contracts with multiple employers all on contract, then define it as one solid period of contracting work, with a brief summary and associated list of project achievements. In the later case, this would mean that six pieces of project work each last six/eight weeks would end up as one six/eight month period of employment. In example:
Virtual Assistant, 2/2005 to Present <---- (the entire time you have been doing contract work instead of listing each project by date)
Independent contractor for several, long-term clients including Fortune 500 companies such as ABC Company Name and XYZ Corp. Additionally serviced small business owners with occasional, seasonal, and one-time projects. Expertise in human resources and recruitment as well as general, remote office management.
Selected projects:
* Sourced and screened job candidates at all levels for a major corporation that grosses more than $39B annually.
* Conducted 1,000+ pre-employment and tenant background screenings for Company Name.
* Provided remote customer service for Company Name, an international restaurant chain operating as a subsidiary of XYZ Corp. with over 30,000 locations worldwide.
* Transcribed, edited, and proofread 200+ medical, general, and legal audio files for a local attorney engaged in workers' compensation court actions.
I have clients who have spent two years in a permanent position, and then two or three years contracting in multiple positions, and then back to permanent - these are simply summarised as three periods of work.
Never lie on your CV/Resume, and particularly not on the companies application form - this is a legally binding document, and lying on that form is a sackable offence. But presentation of experience in a managed career - be that permanent or contract - is always possible to enable you to get that job interview.
Good Luck, and if I can help further, please - just ask!
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Which is the best format?
Wahab asks: Which is the best format of a CV or Resume?
In Answer:
Depends - on what you are applying for, and how you think your skills are best presented. Chronological lists your posts, Functional lists your skills, hybrids do a bit of both. A great CV/Resume won't make up for skills shortages - it won't make a qualified brain surgeon out of an first aider - but it will get you noticed and an interview
In Answer:
Depends - on what you are applying for, and how you think your skills are best presented. Chronological lists your posts, Functional lists your skills, hybrids do a bit of both. A great CV/Resume won't make up for skills shortages - it won't make a qualified brain surgeon out of an first aider - but it will get you noticed and an interview
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Do functional resumes "cover up something?"
Roger asks: Over time I've read a number of responses to questions posted here implying that candidates uses functional resumes to hide gaps in employment, job hopping, and/or age. Responders do not seem to allow for any exceptions, meaning that every one of us who uses a functional resume does so with evil intent (my words).
I also read and hear that most staffing personnel spend only 5-15 seconds reviewing a resume to find a match. Given that statistic, it seems logical that a chronological resume would be much harder to scan for said match.
In my own experience with staffing personnel, they have made it clear that the main objective of a resume should be to list ONLY your qualifications for the position you are seeking and to do so as concisely as possible. Again, a chronological resume does not fit that objective.
Hence my question. The candidates I know create a resume with those things in mind. Including myself, there's NO intent to hide or disguise anything. We simply want to list our qualifications in a manner that allows the recipient to review quickly for a match.
It seems an unfair and broad, sweeping generalization to label functional resumes in the fashion described above, especially since you can always ask for employment history once you've identified a candidate for an interview. And after all, what does it REALLY matter what I did 17 years ago?
In answer:
Originally, functional resumes created a wonderful format for putting on display your abilities. However, due to the general public’s access to so much information, functional resumes no longer were this secret weapon of job seekers. Therefore, it became known to the general public, even those who needed a way to cover up gaps.
As with any stereotype, there is that knee-jerk response; Why is this person focusing so much on their skills, and not their work history? Because functional resumes are a great way to hid gaps in employment (as well as all the other reasons you listed)
Yes, it is unfair for employers to generalize as such. In addition, if it gets to the point there is an interview, the employment history could be addressed. But, put yourself in a position where you screen resumes, and then conduct interviews. Would you want to spend half the interview reviewing their work history dates, (because that info was not provided on the resume) or ask them questions that pertain to the job?
Essentially it all boils down to saving time. If you can present yourself in a cover letter and resume quickly and clearly, you are one step ahead. You also did the HR, or whoever, a favour. You saved them time.
Here's a though: When you see a new movie advertised starring Jack Nicholson do you expect (a) a romance, (b) high adventure, (c) something slightly weird. No prizes, I'm afraid, Roger. Now, you're a staffer and somebody sends you a functional. What's your first thought? In other words, hiring teams feel like they're being duped and perhaps unconsciously become resentful of the candidate.
To address this problem, we have all but eliminated use of functional format, and begun pre-emptively explaining the reasons for the job gaps or lack of experience. In my 10-year career, I've found that there's ALWAYS a good reason and a viable one at that.
Knowing the stigma of functional resumes, should be reason enough to stay away. The best way around them is a great combination of a cover letter that supports your resume. In addition, if you format your resume well, it should make it easy for the reader to find what they need - the same way a functional resume would.
I also read and hear that most staffing personnel spend only 5-15 seconds reviewing a resume to find a match. Given that statistic, it seems logical that a chronological resume would be much harder to scan for said match.
In my own experience with staffing personnel, they have made it clear that the main objective of a resume should be to list ONLY your qualifications for the position you are seeking and to do so as concisely as possible. Again, a chronological resume does not fit that objective.
Hence my question. The candidates I know create a resume with those things in mind. Including myself, there's NO intent to hide or disguise anything. We simply want to list our qualifications in a manner that allows the recipient to review quickly for a match.
It seems an unfair and broad, sweeping generalization to label functional resumes in the fashion described above, especially since you can always ask for employment history once you've identified a candidate for an interview. And after all, what does it REALLY matter what I did 17 years ago?
In answer:
Originally, functional resumes created a wonderful format for putting on display your abilities. However, due to the general public’s access to so much information, functional resumes no longer were this secret weapon of job seekers. Therefore, it became known to the general public, even those who needed a way to cover up gaps.
As with any stereotype, there is that knee-jerk response; Why is this person focusing so much on their skills, and not their work history? Because functional resumes are a great way to hid gaps in employment (as well as all the other reasons you listed)
Yes, it is unfair for employers to generalize as such. In addition, if it gets to the point there is an interview, the employment history could be addressed. But, put yourself in a position where you screen resumes, and then conduct interviews. Would you want to spend half the interview reviewing their work history dates, (because that info was not provided on the resume) or ask them questions that pertain to the job?
Essentially it all boils down to saving time. If you can present yourself in a cover letter and resume quickly and clearly, you are one step ahead. You also did the HR, or whoever, a favour. You saved them time.
Here's a though: When you see a new movie advertised starring Jack Nicholson do you expect (a) a romance, (b) high adventure, (c) something slightly weird. No prizes, I'm afraid, Roger. Now, you're a staffer and somebody sends you a functional. What's your first thought? In other words, hiring teams feel like they're being duped and perhaps unconsciously become resentful of the candidate.
To address this problem, we have all but eliminated use of functional format, and begun pre-emptively explaining the reasons for the job gaps or lack of experience. In my 10-year career, I've found that there's ALWAYS a good reason and a viable one at that.
Knowing the stigma of functional resumes, should be reason enough to stay away. The best way around them is a great combination of a cover letter that supports your resume. In addition, if you format your resume well, it should make it easy for the reader to find what they need - the same way a functional resume would.
A door opening CV/Resume...
Tom asks: Just about anywhere you go, on the topic of career development, you hear of the importance of maintaining your resume... Sounds like such a simple task but with the many formats available and broad audience that it may get exposed to, what is the right format? I would like to hear, especially from those in hiring positions, what opens doors? What catches your eye when sifting through piles of resumes? How does one determine what to include / exclude?
In Answer:
Two angles.....
1. Personally, I keep a journal and a "full-fat" Curriculum Vitae. It details far too much for a specific job or post application, but it keeps me up to date as to what I can write on to a CV/Resume to apply for a position. It also keeps me on track as to where I am heading - your last five years/two positions will dictate more about where you go next/are seen as credible, so focusing on that keeps me focused on development
2. A door opening CV/Resume is more about ticking all the qualifications and experience boxes in the first half page of your CV/Resume, than anything else. Hence, a great cover letter won't get you rejected, but will get your CV/Resume more likely read by the HR professional looking at a pile of applications
A good recruiting or head hunting company should be able to take a suitable set of skills and turn it into a great CV/Resume for a suitable job they have on their portfolio - hence, for those opportunities keep your CV/Resume fat as opposed to light. For direct approaches to companies, pay more attention to your cover letter and their annual report to be able to successfully open the door and get a meeting.
Good Luck, and if I can help further - please, just ask!
In Answer:
Two angles.....
1. Personally, I keep a journal and a "full-fat" Curriculum Vitae. It details far too much for a specific job or post application, but it keeps me up to date as to what I can write on to a CV/Resume to apply for a position. It also keeps me on track as to where I am heading - your last five years/two positions will dictate more about where you go next/are seen as credible, so focusing on that keeps me focused on development
2. A door opening CV/Resume is more about ticking all the qualifications and experience boxes in the first half page of your CV/Resume, than anything else. Hence, a great cover letter won't get you rejected, but will get your CV/Resume more likely read by the HR professional looking at a pile of applications
A good recruiting or head hunting company should be able to take a suitable set of skills and turn it into a great CV/Resume for a suitable job they have on their portfolio - hence, for those opportunities keep your CV/Resume fat as opposed to light. For direct approaches to companies, pay more attention to your cover letter and their annual report to be able to successfully open the door and get a meeting.
Good Luck, and if I can help further - please, just ask!
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Professional versus self written CV/Resume
Patty asks: I am a mid level marketing/printing professional looking to update my resume. Do you think hiring a professional resume writer is a worthwhile expense?
In Answer:
There is no right or wrong answer - it all depends.
Firstly, on your ability to communicate; secondly on when you last changed employers; and thirdly on the position you are aiming for/the unemployed state you find yourself in.
If you can't communicate in words, changed employers last over 10years ago, and are currently unemployed - Yes, its worth it. If you are a journalist, changed employers less than 18mons ago (because you were head hunted, not sacked), and are going for your dream job - then No.
If like the majority you are in the middle, then consider the skills a professional CV/Resume writer could bring to your career choice and speed of employability. A good third party could point out skills you didn't realise you had, and which the market needs. Good CV/Resume writers can by default be career advisors, but look for those who undertake it as part of their brief if you decide to employ a professional CV/Resume writer.
At the end of the day, its your career and hence your CV/Resume - who ever writes it for you.
Good Luck!
In Answer:
There is no right or wrong answer - it all depends.
Firstly, on your ability to communicate; secondly on when you last changed employers; and thirdly on the position you are aiming for/the unemployed state you find yourself in.
If you can't communicate in words, changed employers last over 10years ago, and are currently unemployed - Yes, its worth it. If you are a journalist, changed employers less than 18mons ago (because you were head hunted, not sacked), and are going for your dream job - then No.
If like the majority you are in the middle, then consider the skills a professional CV/Resume writer could bring to your career choice and speed of employability. A good third party could point out skills you didn't realise you had, and which the market needs. Good CV/Resume writers can by default be career advisors, but look for those who undertake it as part of their brief if you decide to employ a professional CV/Resume writer.
At the end of the day, its your career and hence your CV/Resume - who ever writes it for you.
Good Luck!
Monday, 23 June 2008
PDF versus WORD format
Matthew asks: It seems that companies are still hung up on insisting that resumes be sent in Word format. Even worse are the proprietary job sites that won't let you do anything but paste it in text format which then corresponds to fields they've chosen - this has the unexpected consequence of coddling prospective employees by forcing them into a 'rubric' that keeps the chronology and skill set, but otherwise strips all context from their profile. While of course the simple facts of a person's job history is important, whether you can format a document properly or present your professional history without omitting important details is important too. I have taken to submitting in PDF by default when there is no clarification one way or the other. I will only send in Word if they explicitly say so, and I'm honestly less inclined to even apply for jobs that only look at the fields that they have set up. What do you think? I understand the need to have a standard set of data fields to sort through lots of candidates, but other than the basics, the resume as a form of presentation is also important. I can't tell you how many times I noticed resumes for prospective new hires that were in Word format but were very badly formatted. The result was often a fairly ugly, cumbersome document that probably looked fine on their home computer - but PDF's eliminate that potential altogether. I know some will argue that PDF's are not always easy to create for free - but that is rapidly changing, and if MS Office has the capability and most online web office suites do, then that's about as mainstream as it can get. Maybe the job sites can build an applet within their site that allows you to convert as you submit? I'm curious to hear what people think, especially HR staff and recruiters.
In Answer:
From a technology and preservation of information view point, PDF has much to offer. But, your resume is about selling you, and if you make it more difficult for the Recruiter or HR person reviewing for the position, then they will reject you.
- Some posts ask for specific information. The fact you were asked to submit that and made it more difficult to include that information by using PDF is a problem
- Your CV/Resume may be perfect, but the Recruiter doesn't want to send it out in their non-house format, with your contact details on so that they miss out on their billable fee
- OCR is not yet perfect technology!
Our inhouse management system has an OCR, but its five times as quick to process a candidates details when the information is in WORD over PDF.
Its your CV/Resume, selling you - so think about the person buying you as well. Good Luck!
In Answer:
From a technology and preservation of information view point, PDF has much to offer. But, your resume is about selling you, and if you make it more difficult for the Recruiter or HR person reviewing for the position, then they will reject you.
- Some posts ask for specific information. The fact you were asked to submit that and made it more difficult to include that information by using PDF is a problem
- Your CV/Resume may be perfect, but the Recruiter doesn't want to send it out in their non-house format, with your contact details on so that they miss out on their billable fee
- OCR is not yet perfect technology!
Our inhouse management system has an OCR, but its five times as quick to process a candidates details when the information is in WORD over PDF.
Its your CV/Resume, selling you - so think about the person buying you as well. Good Luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
