In today's world, there are several options for the format in which you write your resume. This week's article will cover the basics about the chronological resume format and future articles will cover other formats. All resumes begin with your name and contact information as the Heading. How much contact information you include is dependent somewhat on how the resume will be delivered. Generally a printed resume will include your full name, address, and a phone number where you can be contacted; although some individuals prefer not to include their home address on the resume. Make sure that the phone number you list will be answered by an adult or with a message that sounds professional. You should not include any personal information on your resume, such as age, number of children, marital status, etc.
The traditional chronological resume often includes a Career Objective. If you choose to include an Objective, make sure it is not so specific that it eliminates you from being considered for related positions, but not so broad that it reads like you will take any job. The Objective should be adjusted for each kind of position you pursue. It is a good idea to include phrases about some of the skills you want to use in your Objective. For some occupations, you may use a job title as part of your objective, but generally, a title is not included unless you are responding to a specific ad. The Objective should give an indication of the level of the position you are seeking; that is, entry, mid- or upper level, etc. It should also include the kind of industry or business in which you would like to work; that is, hospitality, finance, sales, human services, etc. Your Objective should also include a statement about one of two of your major strengths related to your career objective.
Following your Objective, you should list your work experiences, and your job titles should be listed in reverse chronological order, so that your current or most recent job title is listed first. For each job you list, include the job title/position you held, the name and city of employer, and the dates of employment. You don't have to include the month you began working there, but at least the year you started and year you ended in that position, and your major accomplishments. Include any duties or responsibilities that relate to your current work objective.
Your Educational Background should also be included. If you just recently completed your education or training, that may need to be listed before your Work Experiences. If you have received a degree, you will want to list the level of the degree, followed by the major and the year it was completed. On the next line, you should list the name of the institution you attended and the city and state where it was located. Some people choose to list the institution they attended before listing the major and degree received. That may be helpful if the institution may be more impressive to a potential employer than the degree you received. You may only need to list your most recent degree, but if an earlier degree is more directly related to your objective, you may wish to include that too. You may wish to include other sections, such as additional skills or training, volunteer activities, professional recognitions, etc. You should evaluate each section in your resume to determine that it is appropriate for your goal and that including it would add to your overall qualifications.
Putting a resume together can feel like a big task. The important thing is to get started. It is usually easier to edit something than to stare at a blank screen or sheet of paper. Once you have written a draft of your resume then you can begin to edit it or obtain some assistance in making your resume as clear and concise as you can.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Writing a Resume - Basics
If you do not have a resume, you need to have one - even if you are not currently planning a job search. If your last resume was created several years ago and hasn't been updated, you need to do so. Start by determining the information to be included in your heading. Do not include your work phone number unless it is OK to receive calls there. If the resume will be posted on the Internet, it is suggested that you do not include your home address. Personal information (date of birth, social security number, race, age, number of children, marital status, etc.) should not be included in your resume.
Then write down the information you would need to include in your resume. List each job title you have had and the name of each employer and their address (at least the city) where you worked. If you remember the names, write down the name of each supervisor you had with each job. Also write the tasks you performed and your accomplishments. Then write information about volunteer or community activities in which you have been involved. Again, list the name and address of the organization and the name of your supervisor and their job title. Write out the tasks you performed and any accomplishments - from whenever they occurred in your work history. On the first draft, don't worry so much about wording, just get the information written down.
Write out the details of your educational background and/or training, including the name of the institution/organization, dates, degree or certificate received. You would also include licenses or special certifications you have received, as well as memberships in professional organizations. If you have attended college, but you didn't complete a degree, make a list of the courses you completed that relate to your current career goal or current work. Include work-related seminars or conferences you have attended. If appropriate, you should also make a list of presentations you have made, articles you have written, or other professional-related accomplishments.
Although the additional sections on your resume are not required, you may want to write down information about work-related recognitions or honors you have received and community or volunteer organizations in which you are/or have been involved. You may also need a section for special skills. Generally your hobbies or personal interests would not be included on your resume unless you know that information would be to your advantage.
My next blog will go into more details about preparing your resume for a job search.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Then write down the information you would need to include in your resume. List each job title you have had and the name of each employer and their address (at least the city) where you worked. If you remember the names, write down the name of each supervisor you had with each job. Also write the tasks you performed and your accomplishments. Then write information about volunteer or community activities in which you have been involved. Again, list the name and address of the organization and the name of your supervisor and their job title. Write out the tasks you performed and any accomplishments - from whenever they occurred in your work history. On the first draft, don't worry so much about wording, just get the information written down.
Write out the details of your educational background and/or training, including the name of the institution/organization, dates, degree or certificate received. You would also include licenses or special certifications you have received, as well as memberships in professional organizations. If you have attended college, but you didn't complete a degree, make a list of the courses you completed that relate to your current career goal or current work. Include work-related seminars or conferences you have attended. If appropriate, you should also make a list of presentations you have made, articles you have written, or other professional-related accomplishments.
Although the additional sections on your resume are not required, you may want to write down information about work-related recognitions or honors you have received and community or volunteer organizations in which you are/or have been involved. You may also need a section for special skills. Generally your hobbies or personal interests would not be included on your resume unless you know that information would be to your advantage.
My next blog will go into more details about preparing your resume for a job search.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Why Do You Need a Resume?
A resume is one of the important tools for a job search and other self-marketing campaigns. It can also serve as a reminder of your skills and accomplishments. Even if you are not looking for different work, a resume is requested for some volunteer activities, honors for which you are being considered, applications to graduate school, and some small business opportunities. If you are planning to make a career or job change, a well-written up-to-date resume is a necessity.
Your resume should give a potential employer a brief synopsis of your work history and related work experiences. It should also include the training or education you have completed and skills you possess. Your resume should provide information about the kind of work or position you are seeking, in addition to what you have to offer a potential employer. Although your resume does not have to include everything you have done in life, all the information included should be accurate.
Ideally, your resume will be written in a clear and concise way so that prospective employers get an accurate picture of your background. It should also be clear about the direction you are currently pursuing. Your resume should include a number of action verbs (key words) describing your accomplishments and activities.
If you have never written a resume, it is a good idea to write on for historical purposes. In that case, you would include all the jobs you have held, all volunteer or unpaid work experiences, and training and education you have received. Having that information in one document can save time later if you decide to change career directions.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of your job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty next, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
TO contact Ms. Davis, please call (513Z) 665-4444 x3 and leaved a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Your resume should give a potential employer a brief synopsis of your work history and related work experiences. It should also include the training or education you have completed and skills you possess. Your resume should provide information about the kind of work or position you are seeking, in addition to what you have to offer a potential employer. Although your resume does not have to include everything you have done in life, all the information included should be accurate.
Ideally, your resume will be written in a clear and concise way so that prospective employers get an accurate picture of your background. It should also be clear about the direction you are currently pursuing. Your resume should include a number of action verbs (key words) describing your accomplishments and activities.
If you have never written a resume, it is a good idea to write on for historical purposes. In that case, you would include all the jobs you have held, all volunteer or unpaid work experiences, and training and education you have received. Having that information in one document can save time later if you decide to change career directions.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of your job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty next, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
TO contact Ms. Davis, please call (513Z) 665-4444 x3 and leaved a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
A Reminder for High School Students and Their Parents
Just a reminder - it is not generally wise to wait until senior year to start thinking about college. Many colleges open admissions to new students early in the calendar year, although some very selective programs begin reviewing applications earlier than that. Certainly it is possible to get admitted to many colleges later in the year, but not all. Generally the most competitive programs admit a limited number of new students for the coming academic year.
Most colleges also require test scores from the ACT and/or SAT to consider a student for admission. So that testing should be done in a timely manner in order to have scores available. High school counselors should have information about college preparatory/admissions tests, so even if information is not offered, students should ask for it. Both programs have preparatory or practice tests that can be taken prior to taking the actual test.
Additionally, students applying for financial aid should do so as soon after the beginning of the calendar year as possible. Generally, the student applying for financial aid needs to include information about their and their parents' income taxes from the previous calendar year. So, if you are applying for aid for this coming autumn, the tax returns filed recently would be needed and for the 2009-2010 academic year (not the coming school year), you will need information from the 2008 income tax returns. In addition to federal and/or state aid that may be available, the student may want to check for other sources of financial assistance. There are a number of organizations and groups that offer scholarships, grants, etc. to students who meet their criteria. In general, you have to reapply for most forms of financial aid every year.
All of that requires some advance planning and preparation. One last word of caution - if you need to take out a student loan, I encourage you not to borrow more than is actually needed to cover tuition, etc. You can reduce some of the stress associated with a college education by planning ahead and taking some action on a timely basis.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Most colleges also require test scores from the ACT and/or SAT to consider a student for admission. So that testing should be done in a timely manner in order to have scores available. High school counselors should have information about college preparatory/admissions tests, so even if information is not offered, students should ask for it. Both programs have preparatory or practice tests that can be taken prior to taking the actual test.
Additionally, students applying for financial aid should do so as soon after the beginning of the calendar year as possible. Generally, the student applying for financial aid needs to include information about their and their parents' income taxes from the previous calendar year. So, if you are applying for aid for this coming autumn, the tax returns filed recently would be needed and for the 2009-2010 academic year (not the coming school year), you will need information from the 2008 income tax returns. In addition to federal and/or state aid that may be available, the student may want to check for other sources of financial assistance. There are a number of organizations and groups that offer scholarships, grants, etc. to students who meet their criteria. In general, you have to reapply for most forms of financial aid every year.
All of that requires some advance planning and preparation. One last word of caution - if you need to take out a student loan, I encourage you not to borrow more than is actually needed to cover tuition, etc. You can reduce some of the stress associated with a college education by planning ahead and taking some action on a timely basis.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
When the Job Search is Unexpected
Work was going ok, but all of a sudden, Judi was told her job had been eliminated. Terrance was not excited about his recent work assignments, but it was a job - until his boss told him there wasn't enough work to keep him on. Murray had been thinking of making a career change for some time, but was comfortable in his routine. When he received the news that his job was being eliminated, he had to admit that he was rather happy, but very scared about finding work at his age. These stories, and many others, have different details, but the bottom line is the same - these people were thrown into a job search unexpectedly.
Some of the people I have worked with said the news caught them completely by surprise. Other clients said that initially, but after thinking about what might have gone awry, they realized there were little signs of trouble at work, but they had ignored them. Either way, an unexpected job loss can make it difficult to prepare for a new job search. Aside from updating their resume and remembering interviewing and other skills needed for the search, there is the whole issue of preparing your mind to cope with the unexpected circumstances in which you find yourself when you are suddenly out of work.
In a job search, as with so many activities in life, you need the right mindset. It is difficult, if not impossible, to portray self-confidence when you are angry, disappointed, or low on self-esteem. No matter the reason why you are looking for work, it is important to portray confidence in your ability to learn the specific tasks of a new job and to apply the knowledge and skills you possess. If you need a boost to your self-confidence, there are some things you can do. If needed, make or buy a motivational tape and listen to it. Some people create or find inspirational messages and write them on post-its. Those can be placed around the house and inside the notebook you take to interviews and networking meetings. You may also talk to family members and upbeat friends to get a boost. Talking with a counselor can also help you sort through your feelings and regain your confidence.
Many people are able to take advantage of the unexpected change to pursue work that is more in line with their real desires and career goals. Although you may need to take a little time to adjust to the sudden change, you should soon be able to start planning for your new career direction. Keep in mind those things you can offer an employer, including your work-related skills and personal traits that are desirable to an employer and the knowledge and experiences you possess. Undertake your career change with confidence and a well thought-out, detailed plan to achieve your goal.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, continuing education, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Some of the people I have worked with said the news caught them completely by surprise. Other clients said that initially, but after thinking about what might have gone awry, they realized there were little signs of trouble at work, but they had ignored them. Either way, an unexpected job loss can make it difficult to prepare for a new job search. Aside from updating their resume and remembering interviewing and other skills needed for the search, there is the whole issue of preparing your mind to cope with the unexpected circumstances in which you find yourself when you are suddenly out of work.
In a job search, as with so many activities in life, you need the right mindset. It is difficult, if not impossible, to portray self-confidence when you are angry, disappointed, or low on self-esteem. No matter the reason why you are looking for work, it is important to portray confidence in your ability to learn the specific tasks of a new job and to apply the knowledge and skills you possess. If you need a boost to your self-confidence, there are some things you can do. If needed, make or buy a motivational tape and listen to it. Some people create or find inspirational messages and write them on post-its. Those can be placed around the house and inside the notebook you take to interviews and networking meetings. You may also talk to family members and upbeat friends to get a boost. Talking with a counselor can also help you sort through your feelings and regain your confidence.
Many people are able to take advantage of the unexpected change to pursue work that is more in line with their real desires and career goals. Although you may need to take a little time to adjust to the sudden change, you should soon be able to start planning for your new career direction. Keep in mind those things you can offer an employer, including your work-related skills and personal traits that are desirable to an employer and the knowledge and experiences you possess. Undertake your career change with confidence and a well thought-out, detailed plan to achieve your goal.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, continuing education, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Are You Helping a Teenager Prepare for the World of Work?
In today's world, the whole arena of work is different than it used to be a few decades ago; so it requires a different preparation to cope with that world. Young people have their whole lives ahead of them and as exciting as that may seem, it can also be a very scary, uncertain thing. The youth of today will almost assuredly make several job and/or career changes during their lifetime. The better a person is at doing that, the less stressful those transitions become.
Depending on the student's current grade level, there are things that could be done to begin preparing for the world of work. Students in the 7th or 8th grade could be learning more about occupations that exist. Even if they are not sure that college is in their future, it can help to include some college preparatory work in high school. The middle grades are also a good time to begin exploring the world of work, the kinds of activities they enjoy, and their hobbies.
High school students should consider including a foreign language, if available at their school; additionally, four years of math and English are required for admissions to most baccalaureate programs and many associate degree programs. Students entering high school who have identified their career preferences will want to learn the other courses they should be taking to position themselves for their preferred major. Even if the student decides not to pursue college right after graduation, they will still have that in their background. All indications are that in the workforce in the next 5 to 10 years, a baccalaureate degree or specialized training will be required for workers to have any chance of earning a decent wage; so it is best to do whatever is possible in preparation for that.
Another thing to keep in mind is that interests and priorities do change, so the best plan is to have a flexible plan - ideally one that would allow the student to go more than one direction or into more than one job, or alternative career from the same major.
The basic thing is that students should not wait until their senior year to begin thinking about what the next stage of their lives may include.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Depending on the student's current grade level, there are things that could be done to begin preparing for the world of work. Students in the 7th or 8th grade could be learning more about occupations that exist. Even if they are not sure that college is in their future, it can help to include some college preparatory work in high school. The middle grades are also a good time to begin exploring the world of work, the kinds of activities they enjoy, and their hobbies.
High school students should consider including a foreign language, if available at their school; additionally, four years of math and English are required for admissions to most baccalaureate programs and many associate degree programs. Students entering high school who have identified their career preferences will want to learn the other courses they should be taking to position themselves for their preferred major. Even if the student decides not to pursue college right after graduation, they will still have that in their background. All indications are that in the workforce in the next 5 to 10 years, a baccalaureate degree or specialized training will be required for workers to have any chance of earning a decent wage; so it is best to do whatever is possible in preparation for that.
Another thing to keep in mind is that interests and priorities do change, so the best plan is to have a flexible plan - ideally one that would allow the student to go more than one direction or into more than one job, or alternative career from the same major.
The basic thing is that students should not wait until their senior year to begin thinking about what the next stage of their lives may include.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Selecting People to Serve as References
If you are planning to conduct a job search, you should identify a few people to serve as professional references for you. Generally, you need to have 3 or 4 references and at least two of them should be familiar with your work - directly. If necessary, you can include one personal reference - someone who can speak to your personal characteristics. Your professional references should be able to share insights into your work-related strengths with a potential employer.
People who you have worked for or with are potential references, although you should select those who would be most likely to say positive things about you and sound professional in doing so. You should always check with the potential references to make sure you can list them. While having the discussion, you should also make sure that you have their correct contact information and current job title.
When you create your list of references for a job search, you should list each reference with their title, employer, and contact information. You should also include a statement about how they know your work - or your working relationship with them. You generally don't need more than four references and if you only have three names, that is generally okay too.
Students who are graduating that don't have three work-related references may choose to ask a professor to serve as a reference. Ideally, it would be a professor who teaches in your major field of study, although it could be someone with whom you worked on a class or research project or study.
Once you have identified your references and verified their contact information, you will need to type your list. Use a simple heading - References for _________. You may want to list them in the order of significance or they could be listed in alphabetical order. You should carry a clean copy of your references with you to each job interview.
During the job search, you will want to keep in contact with your references to update them on your search. Obviously, when you do accept a job offer, you will want to send a thank you note to your references and let them know where you will be working, what you will be doing, etc.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at wwww.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
People who you have worked for or with are potential references, although you should select those who would be most likely to say positive things about you and sound professional in doing so. You should always check with the potential references to make sure you can list them. While having the discussion, you should also make sure that you have their correct contact information and current job title.
When you create your list of references for a job search, you should list each reference with their title, employer, and contact information. You should also include a statement about how they know your work - or your working relationship with them. You generally don't need more than four references and if you only have three names, that is generally okay too.
Students who are graduating that don't have three work-related references may choose to ask a professor to serve as a reference. Ideally, it would be a professor who teaches in your major field of study, although it could be someone with whom you worked on a class or research project or study.
Once you have identified your references and verified their contact information, you will need to type your list. Use a simple heading - References for _________. You may want to list them in the order of significance or they could be listed in alphabetical order. You should carry a clean copy of your references with you to each job interview.
During the job search, you will want to keep in contact with your references to update them on your search. Obviously, when you do accept a job offer, you will want to send a thank you note to your references and let them know where you will be working, what you will be doing, etc.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; recognized as a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Check out her web site at wwww.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)