Game Plans for Work & Life

Note from Joyce: Because there are many concerns and questions related to job search, I’ll focus on work related topics for the next several blogs rather than life style issues. If you have individual concerns, don’t wait and “hope” that your topic will be addressed. Send a comment or question; I’ll reply as soon as possible. 

Since the last blog was devoted to cover letters, let’s focus on the “other half of that package,” the resumé.

The resumé is your sales tool. This is your personal ad, information about you that will communicate your strengths for the job and why you’re the ideal candidate. Select carefully what information you choose to include. It shouldn’t be a laundry list of ALL work you’ve ever done; rather, the resumé highlights your accomplishments.

The document includes at least four sections and will be described in more detail below:: 

(1) NAME…(caps/bold), address, zip, phone and/or cell phone, email centered at top 

(2) SCOPE STATEMENT…usually called a Professional Profile and focuses attention on the breadth of your experience and subject matter expertise

(3) FORMAT…Regardless of which format is selected, this section includes proven skills, accomplishments, previous jobs, related experience and expertise. Extra categories such as special talents and value added are included here.

(4) EDUCATION / RELATED EXPERIENCE…list most recent first at the end.

GENERAL GUIDELINES for resumé creation:

•Regardless of the format selected, the document must be well organized and professional, no matter which industry is targeted.

•Omit the use of pronouns like I, me, my, mine.     

•Limit the resumé to one / two pages.

•If you have additional, valuable information, include a separate page at the end and call it Related Information or Sample Accomplishments or Addendum.

•Stay with one font style; don’t mix and match. It’s confusing to the reader. 

•Use resumé quality paper (24-25 lb wt.) with a watermark.

•Select professional color…white, buff, beige, ivory or muted grey. They can be purchased in small quantities at an office supply or stationery store. Have copies printed there or copy them yourself on quality stock paper mentioned above.

•Don’t leave gaps between jobs. If you were in the military or were laid off from a job, say so in the document. Account for your time looking for a new position.

•Never include salary information. Save that discussion for the interview. (to be discussed in an upcoming blog).   

•Utilize the format that will best showcase your abilities and accomplishments (formats included below)..

•

Make sure someone you know proofs the document who has a solid grasp of language, grammar, punctuation and word choice.

•Place a cover letter on top of the document (addressed to a specific person). See previous blog devoted to cover letters entitled ‘Cover Letters: Polish and Proof!’   

Here are guidelines to begin filling in the four sections mentioned above:

NAME AT TOP

•At the top of the resumé, state your name (caps, bold) followed by address, phone number and alternate phone such as cell number and email address.

SCOPE STATEMENT

It’s called a PERSONAL PROFILE, PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT, or PERSONAL OBJECTIVE. Any heading is OK as long as it focuses the reader on skills being highlighted. It should include your strongest competencies and accomplishments, and entice the reader to want to know more about your talents.

FORMAT

Select a format that will showcase your qualifications. Regardless of the format selected, keep your statements short. Start with an action verb, followed by a description of the activity. Always include the result you produced. EX: Supervised four person work team who ensured quality, timely delivery and precise attention to detail.  EX: Acknowledged by customers for fine workmanship and achieving consistent results in a timely manner and within budget.

The two most utilized formats are Chronological and Functional.  

The CHRONOLOGICAL format highlights continuity in a career path. It is useful when you want to continue or expand in the same or similar profession. It shows advancement, and increased responsibility. Most recent jobs are placed first, showing promotion with less attention on previous, entry level positions. If you have several previous jobs that say the same thing, include a section entitled RELATED EXPERIENCE and lump them together in a statement such as From 1995-2005 gained valuable experience and broad knowledge while working as an internal auditor with three midsized Manhattan accounting agencies.

Include information that will “sell” you best. If you have a variety of strong skills, include a section entitled SPECIAL SKILLS or SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS.  Make up your own that will uniquely showcase your talent.  

As stated above, place education last on the Chronological format and sell your value throughout the document.

The FUNCTIONAL Format highlights a broad range of talent and experiences. It is most useful for people who are showcasing their skills for multiple industries or changing careers. The format downplays work experience and focuses on key competencies that may be more useful. Usually two to three functional headings are selected which could include areas like SALES, MARKETING, WRITING, RESEARCH, etc. Then include four to six statements under each function that highlight accomplishments you’ve achieved related to that heading. It doesn’t matter where the skill was acquired. For instance, highlight excellent organizational skills which may have come through volunteer assignments in scouting rather than a prior job.  

Once your resumé is complete, give it to a couple people you trust to review. Select individuals who have a keen eye for formats, presentation and grammar, a willingness to tell you the truth (and not placate), and are informed regarding current workplace needs. Omit your lunch pals who may scan it quickly and tell you you’re the best thing since sliced bread without having read it with “a critical eye.”

Refer to any of the resume guides for tips and examples of a variety of resumé formats.  They are found online in various job websites, at any library, or in job search guidebooks. A couple of my all time favorites include Tom Jackson’s The Perfect Resumé series, and The Quick Resumé and Cover Letter Book by Michael Farr JistWorks.

EDUCATION

Include Education last if you have work experience. Place your most current degree first. (Masters above Bachelors, Bachelors above Associate Degree; If you graduated from High School more than six years ago, say High School Graduate without details. If it’s more recent, include particulars like name of school and type of diploma.

As stated at the beginning, your resumé is your sales tool. Select entries wisely and be proud to share your document with individuals who may be able to help you. Don’t make too many copies of it and keep it in memory on a computer so you can quickly make a few changes to it. Two final tips: if you give your resumé to ten people to review, guaranteed, you’ll get ten different opinions. Listen to what is shared and then follow up on the items where you feel there is merit. You’re the last word on what stays or goes! Finally, carry a couple copies of your resumé with you as you never know when you wish you had one “in the moment!”

A reader asked about cover letters this week and I thought others might be interested in the reply. “How do you get your cover letter to rise above the others? In other words, how do you get noticed?” Here are proven ways to spiral your document above the rest. Too many job seekers put all their time into the resume and hastily prepare a cover letter.  Big mistake!

First, do your homework and find out how the organization prefers to receive information.  Sometimes “gist cards” are used: 5×7 index cards with specific information such as name, address, contact info, list of skills/talents, type of work preferred, geographical preferences, and education background. Other organizations may scan Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.  Find out how information is preferred before contacting them and proceed accordingly.   

Now, let’s focus on the important cover letter. When conducting a job search, the cover letter goes on top of the resume like a tablecloth covers a dining surface. It introduces you as someone who is professional, organized, succinct and well spoken. It establishes connection and rapport with the reader. It shows you are interested, enthusiastic, sets a friendly tone and invites further communication. It mentions that a resume is enclosed and perhaps refers to a pertinent section of the resume. EX:  As you can see in the objective statement of the enclosed resume, I seek a team environment where I can contribute proven skills in X, X, and X.  

Don’t copy verbatim what you see in job search books. Employers have endured their share of cookie cutter letters that sound like they’re straight from the guides. Be yourself and be grammatically correct. Use your own words and style. It’ll be far more interesting and appealing.

Keep it short, a few paragraphs to one page max.

Ensure the paper color is professional (whites, buffs, beiges, ivory, or muted grey) and stick to quality stock.

Nix the fancy fonts and avoid mixing multiple fonts in the same letter.

Err on the side of brevity. Best advice, “When in doubt, leave it out!”  

The cover letter should be addressed to an actual person. Call the hiring company and find out a name if you don’t know it. Check name spelling to ensure accuracy.  

The cover letter purpose is to whet the appetite of the reader and invite him or her to learn more about you and what you offer.  

I’ll walk through the basic 3 cover letter paragraphs and conclude with a cover letter example.

 The first paragraph shows interest and enthusiasm in the position being offered. Sometimes an attention getting one-liner is appropriate. For example, “I’ve spent the past five years in the state penitentiary (caught your interest, huh?)…cooking as a chef in the statewide corrections system.” After you get the employer’s attention, show you’ve done your homework.  Review their website, know where they’re located and become familiar with their products, sales, future plans.  If you can’t think of a clever or interesting opening line, stay professional and tailor the cover letter to your enclosed resume.

The second paragraph highlights a few of your accomplishments and embedded skills that “fit” with competencies the employer seeks.  An example might look like: 

“Your advertisement states you’re seeking an experienced sales person with proven retail skills, knowledge of the regional retail market, and a strong network in the industry. The appeal for me was instant due to my love of retail, experience as an in store designer, national sales trainer with new store start up and buying experience.”  This paragraph is your chance to communicate value and benefit you bring to the job. Tell the employer that you look forward to doing the same for him or her.

Another way to handle paragraph #2 is to make one strong introductory sentence followed by indenting and listing 2-4 other accomplishments that would intrigue and interest an employer. Here’s how that paragraph might appear: “With 10 years experience in the retail field, I’ve traveled extensively, conducted in-store training, selected merchandise, and taken on key roles in new store startups. Selected accomplishments include:

Indent and add two to three statements of accomplishments you’ve achieved. Make sure the first word is an action verb.  See examples below.

• Trained and supervised ten sales associates to ensure product knowledge, professional customer relations and attention to detail.                                            
• Acknowledged by supervisor for creativity, brand expansion, and investing necessary time to ensure quality results with promotions and sales events. 

The third paragraph communicates your availability for further conversation, perhaps a meeting, or time to talk by phone or electronic means. “Enclosed (or attached) is my résumé for your review. Since I’m in the greater Hartford area, I can meet with you at your convenience.  I’ll contact your office within one week to arrange a convenient time.  If you wish to contact me, I can be reached daily at 555.876.4321 or email abcd@xxx.com.  I look forward to further conversation and the opportunity with meet with you soon. 

Regards,

 Name

Resume enclosed

Here’s a sample cover letter combining all three paragraphs:

Date
Name of Recipient
Company name
Inside Address
City, State Zip Code

 Dear Mr. or Ms. Stonewill, 

I’ve spent the past eight years dressing smartly styled women throughout the region as an in-store designer and image consultant for a major national brand clothier. In reading regional business news, I notice that you’re expanding properties into the northeast which is of great interest to me.

 Your advertisement states that you seek an experienced sales person with proven retail skills, brand knowledge, sales and marketing expertise, and a strong network in the industry. The appeal for me was instant due to my love of retail, experience as an in-store designer, national sales trainer with new store start up and buying experience. Selected accomplishments include:

•  Managed all hiring, merchandise placement and detail associated with five successful retail store start ups.
• Built customer and brand loyalty while expanding retail skills.
• Traveled extensively throughout the region conducting over 35 internal store trainings. Hired or promoted over 20 sales associates.
• Trained and supervised over 50 sales associates ensuring product knowledge, professional customer relations and attention to detail.                                    
• Acknowledged by supervisor for creativity, brand expansion, and guaranteeing quality results with personnel and sales events.

 Since I’m in the greater Hartford area, I can meet you at your convenience. I’ll contact your office within one week to arrange a time to get together. If you wish to contact me, I can be reached daily at 555.876.4321 or 555.987.4332 (cell); email is abcd@xxx.com.

Sincerely,

Name

Resume enclosed (or attached)

Note: There is no margin for error when it comes to misspellings and poor grammar. Be sure to check and double proof your work. When you think it is letter perfect, give it to a couple people who have a solid grasp of language and communication. It’d be great if they happen to be a crackerjack grammarian or won their school spelling bee once upon a time. 

 Above all, don’t write yourself out of the running because of sloppy habits, late night efforts and lack of attention to detail. 

If you’re in a job search, and have questions or situations that are nagging or worrying you, send a question or comment below. I’d be glad to reply on or off line.       -JC