This issue, the focus is on resumes. We'd be remiss if we didn't dedicate an issue to a piece of
standard equipment in the job-seeker's toolkit. Many readers have asked for information on resumes,
so this issue looks at some helpful resume topics.
Quintessential Careers is proud to announce
Quintessential
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correspondence at very reasonable prices. We create resumes,
cover letters, curriculum vitae, thank-you and follow-up letters,
and list-formatted documents, such as salary histories and
reference lists. We also can provide critiques and makeovers of
your resume or cover letter. Credit cards accepted. Our store
is currently in beta-testing, as we smooth over some last-minute
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Quintessential Resumes
and Cover Letters
Feature Article: Is a Functional Resume for You?
by Katharine Hansen
We're all familiar with the standard resume in reverse chronological order,
but for many job-seekers, a resume organized around skills
clusters is
a better option.
See whether you're one of the job-seekers who might benefit from a
functional resume by
reading the entire story.
Quintessential Careers Site Award:
The Damn Good Resume
The Damn Good Resume.
One of the most popular resume experts -- and one of our favorites --
is Yana Parker, author of the Damn Good Resume Guide and numerous
other books on resumes.
Yana's Damn Good Resume Web site offers all kinds of helpful
resume goodies -- all served up with Yana's unbeatable
enthusiasm. She offers 25 Tough Resume Problems (some of the
solutions are still to come, but she provides references
to passages in her books that give solutions); 52 Job Search
Questions & Answers; excellent (though noninteractive) self-help
quizzes for identifying skills; 24 Hot Tips on Resume Writing;
and sample resumes.
Nationally certified resume writer and career coach
Deborah Wile-Dib declares that the biggest change in resumes
over the past few years is "the evolution of the
resume from a historical document to a strategic
personal marketing piece. Strictly traditional chronological resumes no longer
meet the needs of employers. Employers want problem-solvers who
can immediately and profitably react to the almost
instantaneous changes in the marketplace.
This issue,a job-seeker says she has found her dream job
but is having a hard time writing the "winning" resume.
Michelle writes: "I had average grades in school, wasn't
in any sports, and I'm not a member of anything other
than a women's club (basically I'm on a list and get
a newsletter, no involvement). I have a fairly steady
work history but all my jobs are Ho-Hum when it comes
to accomplishments. Resume advice always says to Quantify
your successes. Well, I have been a Pharmacy Technician
for 8 years...filling prescriptions and typing data
into a computer -- not too much to say about that.
I was a data-entry person for about 1.5 years and
I don't have a very good review from my boss in that area."
Elsewhere in The Career Doctor:
"Brian" is looking for information on computer science related careers:
See the answer here.
Another reader is upset because she receives few acknowledgements
for the numerous applications she submits online:
See the answer here.
And a reader who is transitioning from a military position as
a jet engine mechanic in the air force wants to know
how his experience can translate into a career in the civilian sector:
See the answer here.
BroadbandCareers.com -- where
telecommunications professionals -- including cable, exchange carrier, wireless, and all others -- can post your
confidential profile or full-contact resume, search employer profiles and respond to job openings. Also
includes a telecom directory and career resources section. Free to job-seekers.
Careers & Colleges -- the
Website of a quarterly publication that deals with the key issues facing teens -- full of college information
and resources for those continuing your education -- and lots of information about jobs and careers for those
thinking about your job prospects. Also includes a chat area where you can talk with other teens.
eWork Exchange -- a place where
independent professionals, project managers, and service companies can meet to discuss projects and work
together to complete projects online. Features include online Web-sumes and project pages,
feedback-reputation checks, collaborative online tools and workspaces, as well as back office support.
MiracleWorkers.com -- a leading
employment site for the healthcare industry. Currently has more than 10,000 job postings (including
physicians, nurses, executive management, allied health, technicians, etc.) from more than 200 employers.
Job-seekers can browse through job listings, post your resume, or establish a personal profile and let a confidential search
agent find matches. Free to job-seekers.
Find even more additions to Quintessential Careers by visiting our
Latest
Additions section.
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Your e-mail addresses is a must on your resume, but what if
the e-mail name you've chosen (especially if you use a free, Web-based
service like Hotmail or Yahoo) doesn't sound too professional -- something
like SexyMama@domainname.com? Most experts agree you should change
your e-mail handle to something more professional for your resume.
Avoid expression like "Responsibilities included," "Duties included,"
and "Responsible for" on your resume. Why? Because describing your job
responsibilities is tantamount to reciting a job description, which in turn
tells the prospective employer that you did the bare minimum in the job.
"Duties" and "responsibilities" comprise job-description language, Instead,
focus on language that spotlights accomplishments and achievements.
How did you take initiative in the job? What did you do on the job
that was different or better than anyone else holding that job? It's
not always easy to describe the value you added for your former employers,
but doing so is a lot more effective than listing responsibilities and
duties.
If you're reading these words online, chances are you've
done some online job-hunting. And that's good because, according
to Logos Research, almost 80 percent of the world's top 500
companies now recruit new staff on their corporate Web sites,
up from 29 percent in 1998 and 60 percent last year.
Corporate Web sites are becoming the focus of Internet-driven
recruitment management systems for most large corporations.
The third annual "Global 500 Web Site Recruiting Survey" from iLogos
Research and recruitsoft.com shows that only 8 percent of major US
companies do not recruit on their Web sites.
About 73 percent of large European companies recruit on their own sites,
and 68 percent of Asia-Pacific companies do the same.
All of the high-tech companies in the Global 500 use their corporate
website to recruit staff in comparison with 89 percent of the retailers
and 73 percent of the financial services companies.
iLogos says that ALL of the Global 500 companies will recruit on their
websites by 2002.
The survey also shows that all of the 500 companies now have corporate
Web sites. In 1999, 9 percent did not have their own Web site and in
1998, 14 percent had no Web site. Read more at: http://www.recruitsoft.com/iLogosSurvey/.
QuintZine: Topics in Upcoming Issues
WATCH FOR feature articles on these topics in upcoming
issues of QuintZine: Pantsuits vs. skirtsuits for interviews
* Internships * Case-based and behavior-based interviews
* A Personal/Career Mission Statement * Online Assessments
* How a SWOT Analysis can help you market yourself
* Should your resume contain an objective? *
Where to find practice interview questions on the Web *
salary negotiation by guest author, well-known expert
Jack Chapman * culturally competent resumes
for global jobhunting * Interviewing: It's more fun
than you think * How to choose a college
* Q&As with well-known career
experts . . . and much, much more!
