How to make a good resume from a bad one

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD RESUME OUT OF A BAD ONE

The three biggest mistakes that most people make when preparing their resume for a job search are (1) lack of good organization, (2) excessive wordiness, and (3) poor presentation. This brief overview will show you how to analyze your current resume and make the necessary corrections that will allow you to outshine the competition.

ORGANIZATION

A prospective employer shouldn’t have to peruse your bio with a thick magnifying glass in order to learn crucial information about whether your education and skill level would be a solid match for his or her company. Each category should stand out and allow for a quick read-through. Accordingly, you want a summary of your background and qualifications that can be neatly confined to one page.

At the top of the page and centered should be your name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have a website with content that is pertinent to the position for which you are applying, go ahead and list that as well. For instance, perhaps you are a photographer or artist and have an online portfolio of your work. Or perhaps you are applying for a job as a writer and have excerpts posted from different publications. Interestingly, this is the one section of a resume that prospective employees invariably forget to proofread. Why? Because they’re so used to the repetition of supplying this information that they assume they could do it in their sleep. I can’t tell you, though, how many resumes I’ve received wherein the person misspelled his or her own name or transposed numbers in the address or phone!

The next item in your resume, entered at the left-hand margin, should be your area of expertise. This can either be shown as “Specialization: Graphic Arts” or as a mini-summation of your talents which will encourage the reader to drop down to the next section in order to learn how you acquired these skills and/or expert knowledge.

The third section is devoted to your actual work experience. This can be categorized in one of two ways. The most common is a chronological listing, starting with your current or most recent position. If you’ve been in the job market for a long time, those experiences which were in the distant past (i.e. your first job after high school or college) can gradually be dropped off with the passage of years. If you’re a newcomer and your resume is a bit light, don’t forget that volunteer activities can count as experience, especially if they allowed you to demonstrate leadership, coordination, mentoring or participation in fundraising. The second format, especially if you have diversified experiences, is to separate them by headers such as “Writing, Publishing, Teaching” and list the specifics under each one. This is also an effective approach if you are applying for a variety of different positions because it enables you to move these elements around and put the one that is most relevant to a particular job in the top slot.

The next section of your resume is your educational information; specifically, your degree, major, and name of school. This is also where you will list any professional, fraternal or scholastic organizations you belong to.

BREVITY

Never mistake a resume as a forum to be chatty and conversational. You’re not writing a letter here. You’re advancing a written profile of who you are. Hopefully this door-opener will be of sufficient interest that you will be invited to come in and show them who you are in person.

What an interviewer is going to look for in your background experience is a brief summation of job duties as well as demonstrated results. You wouldn’t write, for instance, “My next job was at Black & Green which is a construction company that builds single family homes and apartments and where I was put in charge of the typing pool and did other office manager type things like deal with all the vendors and purchase orders and sometimes when it was really busy I was also asked….” Following the title of “Office Manager, Black & Green Construction,” you would identify your duties as: “Supervised pool of 15 typists, initiated and monitored vendor contracts, etc.” If you can show results or innovations, even better! For instance, “Implemented employee incentive program which cut absenteeism by 20% in first 6 months.”

The assumption will be made by most employers that each time you left a job it was to go to a job that offered more money, more responsibility or better benefits. Thus, it’s not necessary to delineate these reasons in your resume. It’s also taboo to cite reasons that either cast aspersions on your former employer(s) (i.e., “My boss was a real jerk”) or on you, (i.e., “I got bored out of my mind.”)

PRESENTATION

Remember back in high school when you figured out that a neatly typed term paper was sure to get a better grade than a handwritten one on binder paper with the holes ripped out? The reason it garnered a better grade was twofold: (1) it looked as if the student put more work into the paper and (2) it was easier for the teacher to read. The same holds true with resumes. This is, after all, the very first impression that you are going to make on someone. Would you show up at a first meeting wearing a stained T-shirt and old jeans? Of course not! So why should you send your resume off to represent you in anything less than its best look?

Your resume should be typed in an easy to read font. The most popular are Courier, Times New Roman, Bookman or Palatino. Yes, yes, I know there are lots of wonderfully creative fonts like Mistral, Sydnie, Rage Italic and Braggadocio that you’ve been dying to use but this isn’t the time to do it. Nor is it the time to pick out an exotic font color like Tangerine or Lime Green and add lots of eye-popping graphics to pep things up a bit. Basic black, please. Your font size should also be 12 point. Anything less than that will make the reviewer start squinting. The more they squint, the less they will like you and probably not call you for an interview.

It’s also recommended that you (1) not include a photograph unless one has been specifically asked for and (2) not include supplemental materials unless they have been requested as part of the application package.

The type of paper you use also says a lot about you. Invest in a nice batch of high quality paper in cream, ivory, pale blue or pale grey, along with matching envelopes.

Before you put it in that envelope, though, solicit a second or even third pair of eyes to proofread for you. This will ensure that the resume that is going out the door will guarantee that you will subsequently be invited in the door and offered the job of your dreams.

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Choosing a career that's right for you

Choosing a career and discerning what employment field or industry you want to be in for the rest of your life can be an incredibly hard task. In today’s society many career fields require you have qualifications or experience that may take years to work towards, so discerning what path you wish to follow takes a lot of consideration.

When considering a career path, try to think of the things that you enjoy doing. To be happy in a career field you have to enjoy the work that you are doing. For instance, if you do not like animals then being a vet is definitely not an option for you. Also try to consider the things you know you are good at. Maybe you are a people person so working with people would suit you well. Perhaps you have skills in music or making things and these skills can be worked and molded into you career prospects.

The people who find themselves unsatisfied with their career choices are the ones who have gone into that career path for the wrong reasons. Perhaps they were trying to please someone other than themselves, or maybe money was a motivation, but the outcome has meant that they have regrets and are unfulfilled in their jobs. Money and family values may be a consideration when you are choosing your career and that is all right, but do not choose a career path based on these reasons alone.

When you choose a career path to follow, you should be excited by the prospects and genuinely interested in the field, especially if you intend to spend many years studying to get qualifications or gain the right experience. Of course many people go into a career field that is not of their choice for different circumstantial reasons. Perhaps they did not have the qualifications or were unable for whatever reasons, to get into the field they may have desired to. These people however may find that satisfaction or have reasons to then stay within that career field.

Gaining work experience is a great way to help you discern what does and does not interest you as a future career. You may discover that the job you always thought you wanted is not what you would like to do after all. Work Experience is also often a good asset when it comes to applying for employment and it can often help you to get a start in the field you want to. Through work experience you may gain vital contacts that will help you get into the industry you desire, or at the least you will gain experience and that will be well received by future prospective employers.

If you are unsure of what career to work towards, try to keep your options open. Try new things and do not be afraid to admit that something may not be right for you. Gain experience in different fields or choose a course of study that leaves your options open to many different career choices. Do not put limits on yourself or your options because the career paths and industries out there are endless, and the choice is up to you.

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Getting good job references

Keeping good personal references is not the first thing on the list in this busy world, yet it should be for the future of ourselves and our prosperity. So, how does a person identify and ultimately, personally acknowledge that reference--whether it be a co-worker, friend or supervisor? Who are the hidden candidates that could be called upon and labeled as a “Good Reference”?

Not too many people go around discussing these things. It’s just something we all have to know how to do, by “osmosis” I suppose. Agree? In the search for a definitive sign of a good reference there are a few things to consider and a few different types of people who will fit into at least three or four reference categories.

The reference categories are as follows: personal reference (not a family member), business reference (supervisor or overseer), or work reference (a co-worker who was familiar with you and your work style/work). The fourth category is a rare one, but it does exist on job applications: someone who is not related to you and has not worked with you. This may include friends/acquintences who are fond of you. Typically, all of these people would have to have known you for at least one year on a standard job application.

Now, back to identifying these individuals in your life. The most common question that comes to mind for many people probably is: How do I go up and ask someone if they would be a reference for me? Believe me, this is not the easiest task; in fact, sometimes people may find that they get rejected. It seems most people become rather shy and apprehensive when asked to give a work reference. Why? The reason is unclear; responsibility is possible. If anything, they should be flattered that they were asked to be used as a reference and trusted, too. But, people will be people.

The best people to stick to and recall when in need of references are: co-workers who worked close with an individual, co-workers in other departments who are fond of an individuals work and who the individual has done good work for in the past and has been appreciated by these people, supervisors who have helped an individual learn and grow, or someone (not work related) who has know the individual for an extended period of time (whether it be someone they have done community or volunteer service with or has helped out in some honorable way).

On the other hand, it is not advisable to use supervisors or bosses who did not give good reviews or who were overly critical of the individual. It is also not wise to use co-workers who were friendly, but did not know the individual long enough to give a complete reference on them (they could have forgotten all about the individual--as people come and go). Do not give personal references such as mother, father, cousin, sister or aunt. This looks silly and is not professional. If this were the case and we could all use these types of references, then we would all look “absolutely wonderful” in the eyes of these people, right?

Solution: Common sense works well when it comes to references. An individual should remember to ask politely and know the person long enough before asking for the reference. Make sure good contact is kept between the two people, as people move and phone numbers change. A nice suggestion is to take the “reference” out for coffee and bring it up or just approach it in a positive and flattering way. Usually, people are receptive. If the person is not receptive, it’s not a good idea to push. Just drop the idea and find another reference that is more upbeat and positive about it. It has to feel right. Keep in close contact with the “reference” and reward them in small ways (cards, meet for coffee, call and say hello, etc.). Keeping good references also keeps good friends.

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The art of contract negotiation technique

In the art of negotiation, whether it is business or personal requires planning and execution. Unlike toddlers, who negotiate by crying and rolling around on the floor, adults need to employ a different skill set to get their point across. The following are some tips for successful negotiation.

Before the meeting be well rested and well fed- also visit the restroom before “entering the arena” as you don’t want a nature call to have you leave the room or adjourn the meeting early.

Wear comfortable, yet appropriate clothing- the commercial expression “don’t let them see you sweat” is never more applicable. A tight collar and or tie or a skirt that is being hitched or hiked that will cause you to fidget will detract from your image.

Focus on issues, not personalities- if you have to deal with persons you don’t like (or those you do like) it is tempting to let your thoughts about that person influence your behavior. Focusing on your goal and treating everyone as an equal will help matters become resolved in your favor. By treating all fairly you will avoid simmering about grudges or worrying about feelings, which can be an obstacle in your success.

Speak in supportive statements- Attach credibility to your statements by speaking in facts not feelings. Avoid sentences beginning with “I think” “I feel” or “In my opinion”. When stating facts, be prepared to quote your sources and elaborate or deflect questions meant to deflate your position. Being armed with facts stands up better than trying to justify feelings.

Listen (with more than your ears)- Listen for audible content but also watch the body language. Are your opponents sitting with an “open” body posture or are their arms tightly folded across their chest? Are they scratching their nose often in disbelief? Are they looking down or are they engaging you with their eyes in a game of “blink” to establish who is boss?

Find points of agreement to build on- pick up points that you agree upon and incorporate them into your presentation. An example would be “I agree with you on the importance of XYZ, and this is how the implementation of PDQ can benefit XYZ".

Choose your battles wisely and place some “decoy” items on the table- a trick popular with attorneys is to ask for much more than you want so that you can “sacrifice” superfluous or unreasonable items to gain ground for the important issues. Compromise with care on items important to you. Weigh carefully whether holding out will be in your best interest. Sometimes a speedy resolution isn’t the best.

Take minutes- Have someone tape or take minutes so that all that has been said is recorded. Reiterate that your responsibility will be and that you will execute your part right away. If in a business meeting you can end by saying “I will have this in a memo to distribute this afternoon” or “I will make the necessary phone calls to get this rolling right away”. If contracts are involved, have them ready on the spot or as soon as possible to get a signature to what has been agreed. Although most contracts have a “cooling off” period of three days or so, getting a written commitment to your settlement brings you that much closer to your goal.

End on a positive note - Shake hands and smile. A smile shows friendliness and confidence and that you are a great person to do business with, even if everyone in the room wasn’t altogether pleased with the outcome. Conversely, if you did not get all you wanted, don’t appear a bad sport. Focus on your “wins” and play down the losses. Take honest notes to yourself on your tactics and see how you can improve for next time.

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Midwife education

Perhaps your friend just had a baby and you think it would be great to deliver babies yourself. Or maybe the birth of your own children has spurred you toward a new goal in life. Becoming a midwife will provide with a rich rewarding experience no matter what your reason for pursuing it.

First consideration if you want to become a midwife is what kind of midwife you would like to be. The training required of the various types is pretty diverse and how your own schedule would work with it must be considered.

A direct-entry or lay midwife does homebirths in most cases, though they have been known to work in free-standing birth centers as well. Usually an apprenticeship is the path to take for this kind of training. A local midwife could help you out in many cases. They often need an assistant, and though it probably won't pay any money, it is nearly a free education. You get hands-on experience in the real world.

Along with an apprenticeship is textbook knowledge. Hands-on is crucial but there is also knowledge that needs to be learned, most especially the anatomy and physiology of labor and delivery.

Some programs can offer both hands-on experience and textbook training. They sometimes come in the form of a midwifery school that has on-site training.

Another possibility is having a local midwife help you with the practical part of your education while you gain valuable midwifery knowledge through a distance education format.

If nursing is more your line of work, then pursuing a certified nurse-midwife,CNM, degree will be the best choice for you. This entails becoming a registered nurse first and then gaining practical experience as an R.N. in a hospital. The reason for this is that knowing various medical conditions can also be part of being a midwife and working in a hospital provides this.

After obtaining some experience on the job more formal education will follow. Many states require a degree at a masters level and that takes several years of training beyond a bachelors degree.

Which path you choose might depend on your personal schedule and what interests you the most. A lay midwife has a more natural approach and less medical interventions are brought to birth. A CNM can practice the same way but with more medical options.

If you have very young children you will need to consider child care. Either route will demand you have reliable care so you can leave home at a moment's notice to attend a birth.

Having a supportive spouse helps as well or nearby family who would help you in your venture. The more help the better in this situation.

Cost is another factor to consider. Becoming a lay midwife is significantly cheaper than the nursing route and will also be a quicker path to being a midwife.

No matter which path you take on your journey, becoming a midwife can provide a unique life experience comparable to no other. A love for women and babies is at the heart of it all.

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