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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I hate to have to ask this because, well, a lot of you are nuts. There are a handful of you that are successful people or are married to 'em or have 'em as parents. If you are 19 and your entire resume consist of being a camp counsiler where you hit on 14 year olds move on, thank you.
I, like many people, am looking for a straight job. My resume seems not to be hitting and I finally challenged a recruiter about it today when she told me that my resume didn't match what they were looking for when in actuallity it was dead on what they wanted, she had never actually read it. I have a standard two page resume, not uncommon for those with well over 20 years experience in a field. What I am asking is what works today to get the attention of recruiters? Every job open gets resumes from around the country including thousands from idiots who have auto response set up to send their resume to every opening regardless of job or where it is. I had one person tell me they had ten thousand resumes on file and this was before the economy went down hill. Any advice from you that understand such things or from your friends and family who might have a clue would be helpful. I've basically slid down the rope and at present dangling from the end. Thank you. |
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Josh the Superfluous Inner circle The man of 1881 Posts |
Well believe it or not, I am a manager. And I have a lot of experience in hiring staff. The problem with you experienced folk is the economy is so bad, I hate to insult you with such a low fee.
I look for simplicity, and continuity. A resume should outline a basic progression. When you overshoot my minimal requirements I worry that you'll get bored or the work will be beneath you. I'm not saying dumb it down, just make sure it builds to the job at hand. The advantage that you have is a mature/old fashioned sense of responsibility. The low priced whiz kids, feel the world owes them something. Emphasize your reliability. Kiss ass professionally. Show that you know how to be respectful, and will represent the company that way. Follow up. Even with the jobs you haven't heard from. Send emails, make phone calls, don't let them off the hook. The last freelance position I offered I had 40 qualified applicants. After I filled the position, the guy had some time he was planning to go out of town. A very nice lady who kept after me (professionally), is filling in his slot. I'm now considering her for the job. Don't pad it. Summarize your strengths. If possible email it. I didn't unfold most of my paper applicants. It was easier to correspond with and organize my email responses. Paper is dead. Try to sound younger than you are. The last 3 people I hired sounded like responsible youths. They were all older than I thought. If you land an interview, remember it's what you can do for me. How can you make me look good?
What do you want in a site? "Honesty, integrity and decency." -Mike Doogan
"I hate it, I hate my ironic lovechild. I didn't even have anything to do with it" Josh #2 |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Thank you, very sound advice. I will have to 'dumb it down', for lack of a better term, than I have already. My resume can be rather intimidating because I was very accomplished at my last job.
The making myself seem younger is the tough part because people can do the math. They see school, military, 23 years at the same company, doesn't add up to young. I will do the follow up more now I think. One big companies HR manager likes me and she said I'm the only person they have on file because there is a hiring freeze. I actually had gone through two of the four interviews when the freeze hit, dang them! I always tell the interviewing manager that my goal is to make them look good and when they move up hopefully they'll take me with them, which the managers seem to like. Thank you again I really appreciate it. Any other comments? |
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Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
I saw an article earlier today that talked about interviews and things people have done to help them stand out. One interviewee brought a broom and dustpan to the interview, saying he was going to clean up the waste and corruption in the company, whether that would be applicable for you though...who knows. I'll see if I can find the article.
As far as age goes, it is illegal for an employer to discriminate on the basis of age. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder to prove than race or gender. Edit: Here it is http://tinyurl.com/cyas5c |
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spatlind Special user still moving 863 Posts |
I've also hired a lot of folk in my time. I know it's obvious, but do a little research on the company before you go in, show some interest. Don't be a yes man, but at the same time, don't be confrontational. Do the talking. If an interviewer finds themselves talking more than you are it's all over. Questions about the job description are good, but questions about holidays, sick pay, benefits are IMHO better left until a later time in the process. And, for heaven's sake, don't depend on a recruitment agency to find something for you.
Scott
Actions lie louder than words - Carolyn Wells
I believe in God, only I spell it Nature - Frank Lloyd Wright. |
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Rotten Special user 829 Posts |
I always say that in order to get the job the squeeky hinge gets the oil, after you get the job the squeeky hinge can be replaced.
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kregg Inner circle 1950 Posts |
What type of job are you pursuing? You have to fill a void, be specific. As we age it gets harder to impress staffers. "You only have one chance to make a first impression." And in times like these competition is fierce. I could care less what's on an applicants resume, I always hired people after I got to know more about who they were. Do they have stamina? Are they healthy? Are they reliable? What does my gut tell me?
By the way, HR is a position on the chopping block. Best Wishes, CW
POOF!
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Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Quote:
I could care less what's on an applicants resume, I always hired people after I got to know more about who they were. Do they have stamina? Are they healthy? Are they reliable? What does my gut tell me? I wonder if there is anyone left anywhere who believes what they read on resumes? Kreggs formular is a much better indicator of a persons fitness for a job. When I was hiring people I did occasionally read resumes - when I needed a laugh. Destiny |
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Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
I really have no idea why such a Gem as yourself is having a hard time finding work?
Hmmmm?! |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Justin, I'm limited comment to people who have actually had jobs.
I do research the companies and follow all the concepts about bringing value etc, my problem is getting the resume, which they pull their interviews from, through the mess of other resumes. I actually have had good interviews with the couple companies I did get called into, one that hired me wanted me to file false information with customs and I refused and was let go, the other went into a hiring freeze. The biggest problems are 1) too experienced 2) Made too much money at my last company 3) Was at my last company so long they don't think I can accept change. The too experienced is true but I'll happily take $25k less a year for the same field in management, money doesn't motivate me. As for change I really don't have much choice now do I? Kregg, my background is in logistics/supply chain. I developed the distribution system popularly used in high tech components and am an expert at international shipping and customs. I spent a decade heavily involved with quality programs such as ISO, TQM, and am belted in Six Sigma. I am looking for work in distribution, which is popular in the area I'm in. Manufacturing here relative to Silicon Valley is hack stuff and hard to deal with coming from a world class manufacturing background. I dumbed down my resume as much as possible. Note dumb down means, to me, removing everything except the most basic information. |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Well, I'm not a manager or HR, but I was a lead with hiring responsibilities at my last job, and my wife used to work for a job placement company, and helped me with my last job search. Some advice-
Always include a cover letter. Keep your resume down to a single page. You only need to list your last three jobs or so. If they're curious about anything prior, they'll ask you later. If you spent a lot of time at a single company, list the various positions and responsibilities you had at that company. Customize your resume for every position you apply to. Don't lie, of course, but highlight the experience and skills that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. When I was searching for a job, I had a "base resume" which comprehensively included all my experience and qualifications. Every time I sent it off, I'd excise irrelevant experience, and add a section customized to the specific position I was applying for. For example, for clerical work, I'd emphasize my experience with MS Office, Excel, and Oracle; for Quality Assurance work, I'd emphasize my experience working with bug databases, my position as a global lead tester, etc. For every position, it would be a single page, and extremely relevant to the job applied for. Sure, it takes longer to customize your resume, but by focusing, you get a higher "hit" rate- better chance of being called back. Employers get tons of applications. They ignore the majority, sorting nearly at random- a misspelled word or poor formatting will get you ignored. Staples or paperclips may get you ignored. Using the wrong font may get you ignored. It's random. Make sure your resume and cover letter look professional, and keep trying. -Erik
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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NicholasD Inner circle 1458 Posts |
I've retired now, however, I've both job hunted and hired people. Erik pretty much hit all of the high spots. When you get that interview, be sure you look professional. Be confident and ask for the job! Many people interview fairly well, then just shake hand and leave.
Good luck! |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Thanks for all the tips, I'm in there with most of them.
About the dress, I was shocked in this area that wearing a shirt was considered proper attire, first time I ever dressed better than average! |
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EsnRedshirt Special user Newark, CA 895 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-02-03 21:52, NicholasD wrote: Speaking of handshake- be sure you have a firm, solid grip (but not crushing.) There's nothing that puts off an interviewer more than a wimpy handshake.
Self-proclaimed Jack-of-all-trades and google expert*.
* = Take any advice from this person with a grain of salt. |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I have a killer hand shake, firm yet not hard, manly yet not intimidating, very sexy over all. I agree, a wimpy hand shake is not a good thing.
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Rotten Special user 829 Posts |
How about when you grab their hand and it is a dish rag that you just wrang out? I hate that. Or when they close their hand too soon and end up shaking your fingers like your a lady. OH, and a sweaty hand shake, ewe.
I would hate to have a real job and this thread proves it. Why don't you start your own business? Sounds like you know several fields. Just stay away from customer service. |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Note to HR people: the handshake correlates very poorly with intelligence, ability or trustworthiness. Time to question some of your intuitions.
Note to those looking for work: HR people are full of normal human prejudices. Shake hands as though it indicated your character. Note to those with arthritis or similar problems affecting your handshake: you have an unfair disadvantage in this crazy world of ours. John
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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Rotten Special user 829 Posts |
I agree John. I really don't like it when a guy crushes my hand. They are my tools and I already have stress pains in them with out being stuck in a vice.
I wonder why you think handshakes don't correlate character? I know you didn't use that word but if you add up the three words you used,in my opinion, that is what I hear. Just curious |
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Big Jeff Loyal user 300 Posts |
I sold my business in August and got a sales job in Oct. The new job is commission only(no floor) the commission is 35% for new orders and about 28% on reorders, with NO LIMIT on how much I can make. I am an independant comtractor so all the taxes are my responsiblity.
This job is available for anyone out there who wants it, the company is nation wide, been around since 1970. If you're interested please PM me and I will tell you the name and you can check it out yourself. |
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Douglas Lippert Inner circle E Pluribus Unum 2343 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-02-04 11:48, Big Jeff wrote: So...basically you sell knives/meat/magazines door to door? Quote:
On 2009-02-03 01:11, MagicSanta wrote: I am finishing up school in the fall and your comment has me skeptical on job interviews. Were you applying for an executive position? Doug L.
Douglas Lippert
Former I.B.M. Ring #8 Secretary |
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