Quintessential Careers:
Q&A with Tracy L. Williams
Please note: On a somewhat infrequent basis, Quintessential Careers asks noted
career experts five questions related to their expertise and publishes the interview
in the current issue of QuintZine,
our biweekly newsletter. Here is one such interview.
Tracy Laswell Williams is a certified job and career transition coach
as well as an accredited resume writer.
Q:
On your Web site, you have an
article that refers to "the headless resume." Can you briefly explain
to our readers why a headless resume is less than desirable and what
the job-seeker can do to prevent one?
A:
It has been my experience that many people (especially busy,
overworked recruiters and hiring managers) have a hard time
summarizing information on their own. Without a focused and
persuasive summary at the beginning of your resume, you're missing a
great opportunity to sell yourself by leaving it to the reader to
form an overall impression of your qualifications.
Q:
In 1999, you surveyed a number of hiring managers about resume and
cover-letter preferences. The fact that very few said they preferred
functional formats for resumes led you to proclaim that the
functional resume is out. Do you still feel that way? Is a functional
resume an acceptable choice for certain kinds of job-seekers, such as
career-changers and those with employment gaps? Are there ways to
write a functional resume that can help overcome employer negativity
(such as including a chronological listing of jobs and including as
much context as possible)? Do you ever write functional resumes for
your clients?
A:
Most functional resume-writers do themselves a serious disservice
by belaboring key points, being redundant, or making a convoluted
mess of their resumes. Beyond choice of resume style, there are
numerous "tricks of the trade" that professional resume writers use
to overcome likely employer objections. The resumes I prepare combine
elements of the functional and chronological styles as suits the
needs of my clients. For clients whose careers are characterized by
highly repetitive positions lacking in remarkable attributes (for
example, a blackjack dealer who has worked for five Las Vegas casinos
or a dental hygienist who has been employed by seven similar dental
practices), I find that a more functional resume helps us to be brief
yet persuasive.
Q:
We're in a recession. How are you preparing your clients for tougher times?
A:
A smart job search, no matter what the economic climate, always
takes focus, perseverance, a positive outlook, and a lot of hard work.
My advice: Don't let the hype get you down. The media love to report
massive layoffs and dot-com debacles, since these are hard facts and
figures they can report. I've talked to some people who seem to be
preparing for the next Depression! The media, however, don't have the
resources to say how many people are finding great jobs every single
day. Remember that a focused, positive, perseverant approach always
pays off, but stressing out about "how bad it is out there" won't get
you anywhere.
Q:
What's the biggest mistake job-seekers make that your advice could
correct or prevent?
A:
In my mind, there is a quartet of common job-search mistakes:
Not focusing on a targeted career
Not creating an organized job-search plan
Not contacting enough employers>li>
Not following up
To be effective throughout your job search, you have to be focused,
which means you know what you want to do, AND you're crisp, perky,
and articulate about it in all your written and verbal communications.
It takes a lot of contacts to find the right job, which means getting
organized! You need to compile 30-40 leads per week, keeping notes on
all of your contacts with a given company. (Hint: use the telephone
to quickly determine whether or not to write a letter and send a
resume, as well as to gather information that will help you make the
best possible impression). Don't be meek and don't give up. Follow up
with all your contacts until you get an interview or a job offer.
Q:
What's the biggest myth about job-hunting?
A:
The single biggest myth about job hunting is that it is a dreadful
experience, one to be avoided at all costs. I say it can be a
wonderful, even life-changing experience. Here's why:
When in job-search mode, you can take time to determine what's really
important to you, both personally and professionally. You can create
a life that is elegant and comfortable in its simplicity. You can
take great care of yourself so that you look, feel, and sound your
best. You can learn new skills and overcome old hang-ups. You can
meet lots of great new people and find out just how special old
friends can be. You can learn how to create a vision, believe in it,
and have faith. You can find a new job that is personally,
professionally, and financially rewarding.
The economic climate of the information age means you will change
jobs more frequently than ever. It's wise to consider job search
skills and resources as important as the professional skills and
resources you use on the job.
Tracy Laswell Williams is a certified job and career transition coach as
well as an accredited resume writer. She is founder of CareerMagic,
a recruiting and job search firm that has helped 2,000+ individuals in the
search for the perfect job since 1994. Complete descriptions of services and
workshops can be found at CareerMagic.
She is the author of The Essential Job Search Companion - 2nd Edition, which provides upbeat,
big-picture advice for job seekers. Call 888-384-1744 for ordering information.
