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Welcome to
Dear Mafe." This month, I will be discussing how to make an effective
resume that will make a good impression when you look for a job. Also I
will give you some tips about the do's and don'ts during a job interview.
I hope this month's topic will help you in a way.. until next month, God
bless you!!! ~Mafe~
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Guide
to Succeeding On the Job Search Resume Writing
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Putting
together a resume is very serious business. Often it is the first
impression you will make on a prospective employer. Hopefully, after
looking over your resume, the employer will grant you the opportunity to
make a second impression.
If we look at the job search as a marketing campaign, we can then look at
the resume as a print advertisement or a marketing brochure. If you take a
look through a magazine you will see many ads. Try to find one that tells
you to buy a product because the company needs to increase its profits.
You will be hard pressed to find such a beast. The ads you see tell you
what the manufacturer's product can do for you -- make your smile bright,
your hair shiny, or simply make your life better. When putting together
your resume, evaluate the needs of the employer and then determine how you
can fill those needs. If you have access to a computer and a quality
printer, you can design a targeted resume for every job for which you
apply. If you have to mass produce your resume, you will have to do a
little guesswork to come up with one that will impress everyone.
Next you
must determine what type of resume format to use. There are three basic
types: Chronological, Functional, and a Combination of the two. The
following sections will explain what each of these types are and when to
choose one type over another.
The
chronological resume is probably the one with which most people are
familiar. On it, work experience is listed in reverse chronological
order (most recent job first). The period of time during which you were
employed is listed first, followed by the name of the employer and then
the employer's location. A description for each job is also included.
Following work history is a section on education. If you are trying to
show career growth, a chronological resume may be the way to go. If your
most recent job is store manager, while the one before that is
department manager, and the one before that is sales clerk, you can show
a history of promotion. However, if your work history has been spotty or
if it has been stagnant you shouldn't use a chronological resume. If you
are changing careers a chronological resume is not for you either.
A functional
resume categorizes skills by function, emphasizing your abilities. This
is useful if you are changing careers and want to show how you can
transfer your skills. As stated previously, it is important to show
prospective employers what you can offer them. A functional resume does
just that. A functional job objective is given first, followed by
several paragraphs, each discussing a different job function. Examples
of functions are: Supervision and Management, Accounting, and Writing
and Editing. Begin with the one you want to emphasize most. If you are
customizing your resume for different employers, you can change your
functional job objective as well as the order in which you list the
functions. However, if you don't list your previous jobs, the person
reviewing your resume may be suspicious.
A
combination resume is exactly what it sounds like -- it combines a
functional resume with a chronological one. An objective is listed at
the top, after your name and address, of course. Following that are
paragraphs describing job functions. A section titled "Employment
Experience" comes next. That is where the chronological part of the
resume comes in. List employers and dates in this section. Do not offer
further descriptions here as you have already described your abilities
in the functional part of this resume. This is a useful format if you
are changing careers but have a solid employment history. I also find it
useful if your job duties on a single job were very diverse and you want
to stress your various abilities. If you spent a long time at one job
but moved up through the company, you might want to use a combination
resume.
-
Where
should educational background go?
If your
education includes a college degree it is not necessary to include
information about high school. If you have completed your education
recently (less than five years ago) and your degree is relevant to the
position for which you are applying, you should place your educational
background near the top of your resume. Otherwise, you may place it at
the bottom. If you completed your education more than five years ago and
worked outside the field in which you were educated, but are now seeking
to enter that field, you should also place your educational information
at the top of your resume.
A rule of
thumb is to stick to a one page resume. Employers need only see a
snapshot of your background -- something that will make them want to
learn more about you. However, if there is something you must include,
for example, special awards and achievements, publications, or a grant
you procured, you can run onto a second page. This rule differs for a
curriculum vitae (CV) which is used by academics. In general a CV is
several pages long as it includes a list of publications.
-
What
about personal information?
Do not,
under any circumstances, include personal information such as height,
weight, age, marital status, or religious background.
-
Where do
I put salary history?
Sometimes a
prospective employer will require a salary history along with a resume
and cover letter. If that is the case, you can include the salary
history as an addendum to your resume.
-
How do I
handle a brief period of employment?
Every so
often a job comes along that just wasn't meant to be. You begin a job
that you soon discover isn't for you. Rather than continue at the job
you decide to cut your losses and quit. If you do decide to place that
job on your resume, a short period of employment might raise a lot of
questions. On the other hand, you should never lie on your resume.
Rather than include specific dates on your resume, include only years.
For example, for each job you list, state the years or year that
encompassed your tenure there. Of course, when you fill out an
employment application, you are going to have to include the actual
dates of employment.
-
How do I
make sense of all the advice?
You will
hear the opinions of many experts, each giving different advice. The
bottom line is that you must produce a resume that makes you proud. Your name is right up there on top, it represents you, and will affect your chance of getting the interview. You get my
point. Read through all the information, listen to what everyone has to
say, and then decide what you want to do.
Here are
some final thoughts. Do not forget to proof read your resume -- over and
over again. Have someone else do it as well. Before you send it out, put
it away for a day. Take it out again and look it over. You will probably
pick up errors you didn't see yesterday. Also, keep your resume up to
date. Even if you are currently employed and have no intention of job
hunting, add any new skills to your resume. If you work on a special
project add that as well. You may not remember some important additions if
you have to write a resume under pressure.
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Body
Language during Interview
"Maybe it was
something I said." That's a comm ent you frequently hear from job seekers who didn't get the
job they wanted.
While strong verbal communication
skills are essential during any employment negotiation, there's also
something else to consider: Maybe it wasn't something you said, it was
something you didn't say.
When applying for a job, you try to
convince the interviewer you're the right person for it, and most people
translate that into relating what they've done or what they can do for the
company. That's important, but you need nonverbal c ommunication to emphasize it. It is estimated that nonverbal
communication like body language, facial expression, tone of voice, rate
of speech etc account for as much as 50 percent of the impact your
communication makes.
A candidate's body language is what
makes an interviewer understands if the candidate is sure or not about
what he says. Body language portrays personality.
An interviewer would expect a
candidate to be confident. Well yes a candidates qualification and
knowledge are the first priorities, but then it is the body language which
makes an interviewer understands if he has all those qualities.
Worried about what
your interviewer will make of your body language? Here are some tips:
- Maintain eye contact. Look
directly at the interviewer.
It shows you're not intimidated and that
you're trustworthy. If you sit with eyes downcast and face turned away
it shows that you are not interested in what he is talking.
- Don't keep your arms and legs
crossed. Crossed arms indicate that the person is in a defensive and
reserved mood. Crossed arms and legs show that the person is very
reserved and suspicious.
- Conversely, open arms and hands
mean an open and receptive frame of mind.
- Keep your body relaxed, and
turned towards the person you are speaking with to show interest.
Keeping your body turned away shows disinterest.
Sitting with your body and feet pointing
towards a door indicates that you want to end the conservation and
leave the room.
- Avoid rubbing or touching your
nose when answering a question it could be taken to mean you are not
telling the complete truth.
- Avoid shaking or jiggling your
legs or body, it could indicate that you are nervous and
uncomfortable.
And what
should you make of the interviewer's body language?![](http://www.geocities.com/BarkadahangPinay/f10_ico5.gif)
- If he is standing before you
with his hands inside the pockets it means he is not sure or is
suspicious.
- If he is standing before you
with his hands on his hips it means he is receptive and ready to help
you out.
- If he rubs the back of his head
or is rubbing or touching the back of his neck it means he is not
really finding the conversation interesting.
- If he is holding or stroking his
chin with the palm of one hand, it means he is in an evaluating
position and possibly being critical
.
- If he leans back in his chair
with both hands clasped behind his head he is in an analytical mood,
but it is also a gesture of superiority.
- If he maintains good eye contact
and he smiles in a relaxed and happy way he is definitely receptive to
you.
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Note: For guidance and
information about career planning, feel free to email me or use the form
below.
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