You will see so much written on resume length you have to ask if anyone knows what they are on about.
The only rules I have on length are these:
Think about the audience and what you'll need to say on your resume to have any credibility. Think about why someone will read it. Think about the time they'll have to spend.
Keep in mind that the purpose of a resume is simply to secure you an interview. See my article on who’s reading your resume for ideas.
Short and sweet blog this week, and book plug time. For only $9.95 you can read what 25 top employers say on this topic.
www.whatdotheyreallywant.com.au
For a professional resume go here: www.interviewiq.com.au
Karalyn Brown
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Finding Your First Job - How hard can it be, really?
Karalyn here,
Firstly, let's get the self promotion bit out of the way.
Had a funny chat with abc radio 702, Angela Catterns and Wendy Harmer on Friday about finding your first job. I made the statement that anyone who just looks for a job online, is looking the lazy way. I'm now thinking that's a bit harsh. I should have probably said misguided. (Can I say in my defence that I was under the spotlight and a little bit nervous?)
Anyway, what I meant was, that by far the best way to find your first job, is to door knock (shops, factories, small offices with a shop front, hairdressers - in fact go to mine, she always hires that way).
So, why should you door knock? Here are 4 reasons that you may not even think of:
1. You look human!
We make so many judgements about people based on the way that people look. It sounds obvious to say this, but if you look like you fit in, you probably will. A resume on the other hand, looks like a piece of paper with big set of claims.
I'm not talking about stereotyping here or that employers want to hire people who look like the rest of the people in their teams. I'm saying that people judge you by the way they can relate to you, the energy you give off and how comfortable they feel talking to you. They'll even relate to the nerves you'll naturally have if you walk in off the street.
2. You are demonstrating what you can only claim on your resume
Again obvious, but almost the only thing you have when you start off, is your attitude and communication skills. You're showing that you have initiative/attitude (good)/communication skills, when you present yourself directly to an employer.
3. You will find a job
I say this as I know it works.
I have helped a few refugees with no local experience, few workplace skills, and very poor English, find work. With one person, we walked around the local gyms and factories in my area. With another we dropped in at a nursing home to ask for kitchen-hand work. I found my first job in a factory by doing the same thing. I found a second job waiting tables by walking into a pub in a quiet time and asking if they needed anyone. (I since discovered I have no waitressing skills, but that's a whole other story)
4. There are some delightful people out there who'll give you a go for trying
Funny story. One of the callers on the radio said he accidentally hired a gardener and kept him. The gardener came to reception with very poor English and the receptionist thought he said "I'm here to start work" instead of "I'm here to look for work." She said "what to do"? He said gardening, so she got him started. The boss then felt so sorry for him, he kept him on.
Having said this, you are in a vulnerable position with your first job. So if someone starts talking "extended free trial", then perhaps it's time to keep walking.
Karalyn Brown
See my website at www.interviewiq.com.au I promise not to use a lecture list in my next post.
Firstly, let's get the self promotion bit out of the way.
Had a funny chat with abc radio 702, Angela Catterns and Wendy Harmer on Friday about finding your first job. I made the statement that anyone who just looks for a job online, is looking the lazy way. I'm now thinking that's a bit harsh. I should have probably said misguided. (Can I say in my defence that I was under the spotlight and a little bit nervous?)
Anyway, what I meant was, that by far the best way to find your first job, is to door knock (shops, factories, small offices with a shop front, hairdressers - in fact go to mine, she always hires that way).
So, why should you door knock? Here are 4 reasons that you may not even think of:
1. You look human!
We make so many judgements about people based on the way that people look. It sounds obvious to say this, but if you look like you fit in, you probably will. A resume on the other hand, looks like a piece of paper with big set of claims.
I'm not talking about stereotyping here or that employers want to hire people who look like the rest of the people in their teams. I'm saying that people judge you by the way they can relate to you, the energy you give off and how comfortable they feel talking to you. They'll even relate to the nerves you'll naturally have if you walk in off the street.
2. You are demonstrating what you can only claim on your resume
Again obvious, but almost the only thing you have when you start off, is your attitude and communication skills. You're showing that you have initiative/attitude (good)/communication skills, when you present yourself directly to an employer.
3. You will find a job
I say this as I know it works.
I have helped a few refugees with no local experience, few workplace skills, and very poor English, find work. With one person, we walked around the local gyms and factories in my area. With another we dropped in at a nursing home to ask for kitchen-hand work. I found my first job in a factory by doing the same thing. I found a second job waiting tables by walking into a pub in a quiet time and asking if they needed anyone. (I since discovered I have no waitressing skills, but that's a whole other story)
4. There are some delightful people out there who'll give you a go for trying
Funny story. One of the callers on the radio said he accidentally hired a gardener and kept him. The gardener came to reception with very poor English and the receptionist thought he said "I'm here to start work" instead of "I'm here to look for work." She said "what to do"? He said gardening, so she got him started. The boss then felt so sorry for him, he kept him on.
Having said this, you are in a vulnerable position with your first job. So if someone starts talking "extended free trial", then perhaps it's time to keep walking.
Karalyn Brown
See my website at www.interviewiq.com.au I promise not to use a lecture list in my next post.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Seven things you may not know I know from reading your resume….
Karalyn here...
The content of this blog has now been moved to interviewIQ
Karalyn Brown co-runs outplacement consultancy www.myenvoy.com.au and provides personalized resume writing and interview coaching services at www.interviewiq.com.au. She apologises in advance for any typos, wrong or redundant words, plus her poor expression in this blog post
The content of this blog has now been moved to interviewIQ
Karalyn Brown co-runs outplacement consultancy www.myenvoy.com.au and provides personalized resume writing and interview coaching services at www.interviewiq.com.au. She apologises in advance for any typos, wrong or redundant words, plus her poor expression in this blog post
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
What a blessing it is!
Karalyn & I the other day had the privilege to meet and talk with a dozen or so wonderful people currently doing a course offered by the Australian Migrant Education Service (AMES). The students were in the 20's and 30's, highly educated, motivated and engaging and were recent migrants coming from a mix of countries -China, South Korea, Ukraine and Venezuela just to name a few.
After the presentation we gave, Karalyn & I met for coffee and chatted about the AMES class. Here was a group of people that travelled a long way from their homeland to seek life in a place where they didn't speak the language or understand the culture and in many cases had little if no local support network like family & friends. To that add the necessity to find work or start a business so they can afford to live. What amazing determination!
My life has been a bed of roses in comparison. I was born and raised in Sydney in a loving and supportive family. I went on to university right after high school (pre HECS!), got a great job upon graduating, got married and had children, started a successful business and so on.
If I migrated to South Korea, Ukraine or Venezuela would I have had the same life? I don't think so. I would need to learn the language and customs, understand the culture, find work, make friends etc... How hard would that be?!
What a blessing it is to be able to live and work in a country which has so much opportunity. To my shame I sometimes forget this. Spending a little bit of time with the AMES students reminded me just how good we have it here in Australia.
Signing off for now,
James
After the presentation we gave, Karalyn & I met for coffee and chatted about the AMES class. Here was a group of people that travelled a long way from their homeland to seek life in a place where they didn't speak the language or understand the culture and in many cases had little if no local support network like family & friends. To that add the necessity to find work or start a business so they can afford to live. What amazing determination!
My life has been a bed of roses in comparison. I was born and raised in Sydney in a loving and supportive family. I went on to university right after high school (pre HECS!), got a great job upon graduating, got married and had children, started a successful business and so on.
If I migrated to South Korea, Ukraine or Venezuela would I have had the same life? I don't think so. I would need to learn the language and customs, understand the culture, find work, make friends etc... How hard would that be?!
What a blessing it is to be able to live and work in a country which has so much opportunity. To my shame I sometimes forget this. Spending a little bit of time with the AMES students reminded me just how good we have it here in Australia.
Signing off for now,
James
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Why are job advertisements so confusing?
Karalyn here on the weasel word soap box part 1!....(unfortunately)
One of my clients recently applied for a job in the public sector. The position description said...."Building effective communication strategies with a variety of stakeholders and colleagues to ensure information exchanges are timely, accuarate and useful."
It's almost impossible to write a good application responding to language like this. It says a lot but means nothing. The only way around dealing with such cloudy descriptions is to actually try to speak with someone who knows about the job. In the public sector that may not be the person who is handing out the application packs. So ask for the convener or the person the role reports to.
Ten points and a big jam doughnut to anyone who could guess that this actually meant: "providing advice over the phone, in writing and via email on research applications to staff and students."
Karalyn Brown
www.interviewiq.com.au
One of my clients recently applied for a job in the public sector. The position description said...."Building effective communication strategies with a variety of stakeholders and colleagues to ensure information exchanges are timely, accuarate and useful."
It's almost impossible to write a good application responding to language like this. It says a lot but means nothing. The only way around dealing with such cloudy descriptions is to actually try to speak with someone who knows about the job. In the public sector that may not be the person who is handing out the application packs. So ask for the convener or the person the role reports to.
Ten points and a big jam doughnut to anyone who could guess that this actually meant: "providing advice over the phone, in writing and via email on research applications to staff and students."
Karalyn Brown
www.interviewiq.com.au
Monday, November 23, 2009
Career Q&A
Jeff writes:
Dear Karalyn & James,
Can you please offer any advice to those of us from a traditionally technical/engineering background wanting to transition to more business oriented pre-sales, sales or consulting roles?
Hi Jeff, Karalyn here.
Engineers are not traditionally known as communicators. In fact sometimes they need to be kept in a dark room and fed by sliding food under the door! So, if you haven't already, I would sharpen up your skills by doing some communications courses. I say this because if you're technical, and can de-complicate complex ideas (that send others eyes rolling), you may be picked out from the rest of the pack when it comes to being considered for a more business related role....if you're in a large organisation, that is.
Otherwise, think about your move as a transition, rather than a leap. Perhaps target technical advice or support roles as your way away from engineering. You'll have more chance of persuading people of your sincerity if you do it this way. Plus you'll seem like less of a risk than if you launch straight into applying for business development roles.
Have a read of last Saturday's myCareer. Dr Jim Bright has an article about how much luck plays a part in a career. It seems like a lot. But, he says, you can generate lucky breaks by being out there and amongst people who can help. So put on your friendliest face and go along to an expo in engineering products and the like. It will be full of sales people and you can hit them up for useful advice you can use later on in your applications. They'll be happy to talk, that's what they do best and you never know, you may find a job lead or two in amongst all the yadda.
Hope this makes sense and best of luck with it all....
Karalyn
Dear Karalyn & James,
Can you please offer any advice to those of us from a traditionally technical/engineering background wanting to transition to more business oriented pre-sales, sales or consulting roles?
Hi Jeff, Karalyn here.
Engineers are not traditionally known as communicators. In fact sometimes they need to be kept in a dark room and fed by sliding food under the door! So, if you haven't already, I would sharpen up your skills by doing some communications courses. I say this because if you're technical, and can de-complicate complex ideas (that send others eyes rolling), you may be picked out from the rest of the pack when it comes to being considered for a more business related role....if you're in a large organisation, that is.
Otherwise, think about your move as a transition, rather than a leap. Perhaps target technical advice or support roles as your way away from engineering. You'll have more chance of persuading people of your sincerity if you do it this way. Plus you'll seem like less of a risk than if you launch straight into applying for business development roles.
Have a read of last Saturday's myCareer. Dr Jim Bright has an article about how much luck plays a part in a career. It seems like a lot. But, he says, you can generate lucky breaks by being out there and amongst people who can help. So put on your friendliest face and go along to an expo in engineering products and the like. It will be full of sales people and you can hit them up for useful advice you can use later on in your applications. They'll be happy to talk, that's what they do best and you never know, you may find a job lead or two in amongst all the yadda.
Hope this makes sense and best of luck with it all....
Karalyn
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