Have you ever been head over Monolo heels for someone? You make every effort to get their attention, you want them to notice when you aren’t around, and you problem solve endlessly about how you can secure a place in their heart. It likely will not work to approach your love interest--who unbeknownst to you is a vegetarian, likes jazz and theatre, and romance novels--and say “hi, I like hunting, skydiving, death metal, and science fiction novels!" Where is the connection? After doing some research on this individual, you need to ask yourself, “Would we make each other smile?” As I mentioned in one of my last blog posts title This is the Year to Meet Your Soul…..Job?, you have to do your research on the person, or company, before the approach. But even before researching people or companies, you must know yourself (what you value, what you want, and your interests) to know if there could even be a match.
I maintain an active and healthy lifestyle and like learning about health, diet, and exercise. Thus, about 10 years ago I was certain I wanted to become a dietitian. I told everybody my plan and was enthralled with my decision. I did my research on what courses I needed to take and upgrade just to enter into the degree program: they included math and chemistry. With some trepidation I registered for math and chemistry, neither being my strong subjects. In hindsight, I was setting myself up for disappointment and failure which was exactly what I encountered. I thought dietetics was my soul profession! Had I known myself a little better before spending countless hours proclaiming my love for the career and struggling and failing with the education, I could have saved myself a lot of time and energy. Where would I be today in my career if I had known myself better and met my match 10 years ago?! How would my life be different?
I was heartbroken! “But I was head over Monolos” I kept telling myself. Time to reassess. I deeply explored my intrinsic personality, values, beliefs, skills, weaknesses, and interests; I found…me. With every assessment completed I received a list of careers that might be a good fit. I began to see an overlap in the top five and with overwhelming clarity I knew I needed to explore these avenues. I conducted labour market research, I performed informational interviews, and I spoke with educational advisors to find wholeheartedly the best match for me. I found career development and felt the butterflies, and I knew I was head over Monolos again. This time, however, I knew the industry matched my values, skills, personality, and interests; I have found contentment and longevity in this profession--a feat I was discouraged with not too long ago. Although I still like learning about health, diet, and exercise, I realize now I didn’t want to make a career out of it; just as you may find an individual that you are head over Monolos for, who may not be your soul mate. Thus, as Shakespeare once said “To thine own self be true.”
Happy job shopping!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Hybrid Resume is like Dating "The One"
The hybrid resume is like dating “The One.” Do you believe in love at first sight? Remember the first time you met “The One?” In the first 10-15 seconds, you may have had a physiological reaction and seen your future flash before you. You start sentences, he finishes them; you stare just a little too long; you both like jazz; and he takes you on romantic excursions: stargazing, dancing in the street, on a carriage ride in New York City, and to an aquarium after hours where tropical fish serenade you. He is everything you are seeking; he was made for you!
An employer is going to take no more than 10-15 seconds to browse your resume to identify whether or not you may be “The One” for the position; therefore, you have 10-15 seconds to serenade the attention of your employer of choice. The hybrid resume is tailored to the employer; it is made specifically for one company; it is to be a match made in heaven. In your documentation you are going to tell the employer everything they ever dreamed in finding an ideal applicant including your relevant skills, achievements, and dates of your history. The nice thing about a hybrid resume is that it harmonizes relevant skills, achievements, and history, just like “The One” blends friendship with fervor.
Just about anyone can use a hybrid resume in their job search: older workers, career changers, individuals with a solid work history, students, and entry-level job seekers. Here is the disadvantage however: If you are a job-hopper or have gaps in your employment history, the hybrid resume will highlight these unfavourable circumstances and you may want to consider a functional resume instead. The key to identifying whether or not to employ a hybrid resume in your job search is to ask yourself, Do I have at least 80% of the qualifications required for the job and company I am targeting? and Do I have dates to incorporate in my documentation? If you answered yes to both of these questions, I encourage you to utilize a hybrid resume in your job search. If done correctly, the employer will quickly determine that you may be “The One.”
Happy Job Shopping!
An employer is going to take no more than 10-15 seconds to browse your resume to identify whether or not you may be “The One” for the position; therefore, you have 10-15 seconds to serenade the attention of your employer of choice. The hybrid resume is tailored to the employer; it is made specifically for one company; it is to be a match made in heaven. In your documentation you are going to tell the employer everything they ever dreamed in finding an ideal applicant including your relevant skills, achievements, and dates of your history. The nice thing about a hybrid resume is that it harmonizes relevant skills, achievements, and history, just like “The One” blends friendship with fervor.
Just about anyone can use a hybrid resume in their job search: older workers, career changers, individuals with a solid work history, students, and entry-level job seekers. Here is the disadvantage however: If you are a job-hopper or have gaps in your employment history, the hybrid resume will highlight these unfavourable circumstances and you may want to consider a functional resume instead. The key to identifying whether or not to employ a hybrid resume in your job search is to ask yourself, Do I have at least 80% of the qualifications required for the job and company I am targeting? and Do I have dates to incorporate in my documentation? If you answered yes to both of these questions, I encourage you to utilize a hybrid resume in your job search. If done correctly, the employer will quickly determine that you may be “The One.”
Happy Job Shopping!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The Chronological Resume is like a Date with an Old Friend
The chronological resume is like going on a date with a long-time friend who is traditional by nature. This is the guy who pulls out the chair for you and lays his jacket over puddles so your Monolos won’t get wet; whose history and secrets you know well; he is familiar to you and comfortable to be around. You’ve participated in his life journey and watched his progression. He is transparent and most of your questions have already been answered.
The chronological resume is traditional and familiar to hiring manager; most prefer this format. It is the chronological format most job seekers employ and the format most hiring managers are conditioned to read. The chronological resume typically includes concrete content such as dates of employment, education, achievements, and professional development listed in reverse chronological order (meaning latest to earliest).
The chronological resume is employed if the job seeker has a steady, consistent, and progressive work history as it demonstrates growth in an industry. If you have had a variety of jobs in a short period of time, perhaps a functional or hybrid resume ought to be considered due to an anticipated employer’s perception of disloyalty or boredom.
A chronological resume is typically safe just like continuing with the relationship of your long-time friend. If you are seeking a relationship, ahem, resume that is even more comprehensive and offers everything desired, check out my next blog post on “The One.”
The chronological resume is traditional and familiar to hiring manager; most prefer this format. It is the chronological format most job seekers employ and the format most hiring managers are conditioned to read. The chronological resume typically includes concrete content such as dates of employment, education, achievements, and professional development listed in reverse chronological order (meaning latest to earliest).
The chronological resume is employed if the job seeker has a steady, consistent, and progressive work history as it demonstrates growth in an industry. If you have had a variety of jobs in a short period of time, perhaps a functional or hybrid resume ought to be considered due to an anticipated employer’s perception of disloyalty or boredom.
A chronological resume is typically safe just like continuing with the relationship of your long-time friend. If you are seeking a relationship, ahem, resume that is even more comprehensive and offers everything desired, check out my next blog post on “The One.”
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Functional Resume is like a Mysterious Date
The next three blog posts are a series about different resume styles and their pros and cons. The different resume styles that I will discuss include the following: functional, chronological, and hybrid. To wet your whistle, the functional resume is like going on a date with a mysterious guy, the chronological resume is like going on a date with an old friend, and the hybrid resume is like going on a date with The One! Today, I will begin with the functional.
I made the analogy that the functional resume is like going on a mysterious date because it is intriguing and tempting (and may even look scintillating) but leaves room for significant questions. The functional resume highlights your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments and how they relate to the job for which you are applying. When an employer first sees a functional resume, however, they are often suspicious that the candidate is trying to hide something as typically dates are left off this resume style. On the contrary, the most positive aspect of employing a functional resume in your job search is that you are able to create a key word rich document; a key word rich resume is often times your ticket to the next step: The interview.
If you have a sporadic work history, have worked in a variety of industries, are a new graduate (high school or university), or are over qualified for the position, you may want to employ a functional resume in your job search. Thus, minimizing the fact that work experience, consistency, or progression may be lacking. Therefore, you can leave the explanations and elaborations for the second date…I mean, interview.
A great example of a functional resume can be found in this link: http://bit.ly/oTadzy
Happy job shopping!
I made the analogy that the functional resume is like going on a mysterious date because it is intriguing and tempting (and may even look scintillating) but leaves room for significant questions. The functional resume highlights your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments and how they relate to the job for which you are applying. When an employer first sees a functional resume, however, they are often suspicious that the candidate is trying to hide something as typically dates are left off this resume style. On the contrary, the most positive aspect of employing a functional resume in your job search is that you are able to create a key word rich document; a key word rich resume is often times your ticket to the next step: The interview.
If you have a sporadic work history, have worked in a variety of industries, are a new graduate (high school or university), or are over qualified for the position, you may want to employ a functional resume in your job search. Thus, minimizing the fact that work experience, consistency, or progression may be lacking. Therefore, you can leave the explanations and elaborations for the second date…I mean, interview.
A great example of a functional resume can be found in this link: http://bit.ly/oTadzy
Happy job shopping!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Easily, Breezily, Beautifully Being Prepared
There is nothing worse then waking up the day of your interview to have everything go wrong. I woke up one morning, on the day of an interview, and bumped my shin on the side of my bed causing an instant bruise that a) did not match with the outfit I intended to wear and b) displayed its brilliant colours just under the hem of my new pencil skirt, ugh. “If this is any indication of how my day is going to go” I thought, “I am not going to get this job.” Well, my morning did not get much better: The cowlick in my hair made it impossible to have a good hair day; I poured cereal and sliced a banana to learn I did not have my typical almond milk…so I settled for a protein shake; and after choosing a new outfit (due to my early morning melee with my bed causing the bruise), I spilled protein shake on my blouse!
My saving grace was that I afforded myself enough time, in the event of a disaster (or two or three), and I performed a dry-run of my route to the interview; so, I knew how much time to allow myself to eliminate at least one morning stressor. A few days prior, I set my GPS, timed myself, and then tacked on an extra half an hour just in case a train should attempt to derail my morning or heavy traffic should arise. Further, when I arrived at my POI, I walked around familiarizing myself with the area and the building so I knew exactly where I was going on that day; and thank Gucci I did because I arrived early with enough time to relax in the waiting area and review my documentation. Lesson of the day: Afford yourself enough time in the morning, both in getting ready and in the commute, so that you eliminate added stress. The morning of an interview is never easy and why burden yourself with additional anxiety? Remember anxiety shows and you want to be an easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl for your big day.
Happy job shopping!
My saving grace was that I afforded myself enough time, in the event of a disaster (or two or three), and I performed a dry-run of my route to the interview; so, I knew how much time to allow myself to eliminate at least one morning stressor. A few days prior, I set my GPS, timed myself, and then tacked on an extra half an hour just in case a train should attempt to derail my morning or heavy traffic should arise. Further, when I arrived at my POI, I walked around familiarizing myself with the area and the building so I knew exactly where I was going on that day; and thank Gucci I did because I arrived early with enough time to relax in the waiting area and review my documentation. Lesson of the day: Afford yourself enough time in the morning, both in getting ready and in the commute, so that you eliminate added stress. The morning of an interview is never easy and why burden yourself with additional anxiety? Remember anxiety shows and you want to be an easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl for your big day.
Happy job shopping!
Monday, August 15, 2011
To Flare or not to Flare
I am often asked what type of font to use for a cover letter and resume. Here’s my take on it: Picking a font is much like picking an outfit for an event—it must be acceptable. You are likely not going to wear your best purse, heels, and jewels from New York’s runway to your friends BBQ, right? So, pick a font that suits the intention. There are two fonts frequently used by writers: serif and sans serif. I like the word serif as it represents letters with flare; meaning, letters that have semi-structural details at the corners of the letters like Times New Roman font (My opinion? Times New Roman is also more feminine). Sans serif font, sans meaning “without” in French, is very simple, stick-like, and uninteresting like Arial font. When determining which font to use, ask yourself the following questions Will I be faxing my documentation? Will I be emailing my documentation? or Will I be handing out my documentation in person?
Typically, if you are handing out your resumes and cover letters in person, a serif font like Times New Roman is a great choice; the serifs propel the reader to move forward and studies state that a serif font is easier to read in print. On the contrary, if you will be primarily faxing or emailing your resume and cover letter, you may want to choose a sans serif font which may look clean and crisp once received by the employer (most notably when faxing as fax machines tend to smear or blur the content with a serif font).
My choice is clearly a font with flare. Characteristic of my personality? Definitely!
Happy job shopping!
Typically, if you are handing out your resumes and cover letters in person, a serif font like Times New Roman is a great choice; the serifs propel the reader to move forward and studies state that a serif font is easier to read in print. On the contrary, if you will be primarily faxing or emailing your resume and cover letter, you may want to choose a sans serif font which may look clean and crisp once received by the employer (most notably when faxing as fax machines tend to smear or blur the content with a serif font).
My choice is clearly a font with flare. Characteristic of my personality? Definitely!
Happy job shopping!
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