Your education at high school or university is probably over now and the dreaded wait now begins for final results. Holidays are about to commence (if they haven’t already) and they are well deserved. So what is next for you? Some are lucky and know exactly where they are going and what they intend to do. Perhaps apprenticeships have been arranged and applications to university forwarded. But not everyone has those choices. If looking for a job is one of your options (and clearly it will be whether it be now or later) then there are number of things you need to have in place and be aware of.
The most important thing you must have before commencing your job search is a resume. A prospective employer will decide from this document whether to meet with you or not. So there are a some do’s and dont’s to remember when developing your resume.
Your name and contact details (mobile phone number and email address) must be clearly shown at the top of the resume. I am aware that some recruitment companies ask you to leave your contact details out. How can they (recruitment companies) or an employer contact you if they don’t know how? I suspect this is to avoid a potential employer contacting you direct if you are going through an agency – thereby the employer tries to avoid paying a search fee to the agency.
Your email address should be a professional address such as your name and the service provider eg billwilson@yahoo.com.au. Don’t forget this document is selling you! First impressions are important. Its not just about how we look and behave when we meed someone. With the advent of technology our manners, values and education all come through the way we word a resume.
Keep the layout simple and avoid going into great detail about each of your roles. If you have not worked before and this is your first resume, concentrate on your sporting and/or scholastic achievements.
For those of us who have been in the workforce for a while, start off with an overview of your career. A list of your competencies, plus your strengths and the benefits you can bring to a future employer must be stated in a short paragraph. Be factual in what you say. Using words that sound “fluffy” will possibly mean your resume may not be considered. For example to state “I am a hard worker and know that I will do my best for the organisation” doesn’t actually say anything about what you will and can do for the organisation. Clearly state what it is you can do and include your education levels – list them out, where you went and the level/s achieved plus any professional memberships eg CPA, JP.
Your employment history must be accurate. Some organisations now utilise full time search companies to confirm your work history and qualifications. Show the name of the company, with a brief description of the organisation. Describe your positions within each organisation – stating the time you were there, the position you held and a list of key responsibilities. Don’t make this long winded - point form is much easier to read and will give your prospective employer a good idea of your capabilities. At the end of each role, list your achievements, ie awards for outstanding customer service, sales person of the year, etc.
Do not put the names and contact details of your referees at the bottom of your resume. Due to the privacy legislation, potential employers and/or recruitment agents must obtain your permission to speak to your referees, however by having their details at the bottom of your resume does give the person reading your resume the opportunity to contact them. State on your resume “Referees will be advised upon request”.
Remember – keep it precise and short. Employers to not have a lot of time to read pages upon pages of a resume – 2 to 3 pages is ideal.
Forward your resume with a brief letter referencing the role you are applying for, why you believe you would be suitable for the position and outline your ability to meet with them and potential start dates. Don’t forget first impressions. Have the letter and resume typed – make it look professional.
Statistically people change career direction at least 3 times in their life. Think about what it is you want right now, where it is going to take you and always look at a role where you can continue to grow from an educational level as well as personally. Our working environment has changed dramatically. Unemployment is at its lowest and companies are always looking for people with the right attitude – remember if possible and work for a company that continues to offer training and internal growth opportunities, a company that offers employees opportunities. There are a lot of them around, and it is now possible to select the right role for you, not just any role that is offered. Good luck with your job search. Christine Watson
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
New Year: New Career
That time of year is fast approaching – once we celebrate Melbourne Cup – the wind down to the end of the year happens quite quickly. Christmas parties, end of year functions, and of course what often occurs within that time frame is our recollection of our past year.
How many of us look at the end of the year as a time to reflect on what we have done, both personally and at work and think perhaps we could have done better, perhaps we feel undervalued or perhaps we believe we did a fantastic job? Are there any areas we would like to change?
The pending new year tends to make us look at a number of personal issues. We’ve all been guilty of making new year resolutions - to lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with the kids, and we usually do all of these – usually for no more than three weeks then our life returns to our old ways of behaviour.
There are a number of questions we need to ask ourselves – is our job giving us the satisfaction we believe we deserve? Do we enjoy going to work every day? Are we working long hours for a reward that possibly does not reflect what we do? Has the role affected our family/work life balance?
This time of reflection can open a number of issues for us and it is not always reflected by the dollars. We need a lifestyle balance that is not driven by the almighty dollar. We certainly need to earn enough to keep food on our table and life, however, we spend so much of our time at work, - it’s important to enjoy it.
Statistics show that 37% percent of us work overtime for no extra pay. Therefore it makes sense to be in a role that we are happy in and enjoy going to work each day. For some, finding the right role can be a challenge and often it takes working for more than one employer to find this balance.
When seeking a new role, do a checklist of what you want and are willing to sacrifice. Promises of what we seek within a role can and made to you, often do not come to fruition. When applying for a new role, ensure it is a two way interview. Make sure the role you are applying for is a role you want, not just a role where the employer wants to hire you.
The days of security in the workforce have long gone. Typically a person stays no longer than 5- 7 years in one company and the days of spending a working lifetime within one company and being rewarded a gold watch at retirement have long gone.
Look at what the role is offering you and more importantly, is the company giving you the recognition you deserve. If it ticks most of the boxes on your checklist, then it is probably the right role. Just remember, this time of year gives us time to reflect on what we have been doing – do you checklist to ensure a change in your role is what you are really seeking. Christine Watson
How many of us look at the end of the year as a time to reflect on what we have done, both personally and at work and think perhaps we could have done better, perhaps we feel undervalued or perhaps we believe we did a fantastic job? Are there any areas we would like to change?
The pending new year tends to make us look at a number of personal issues. We’ve all been guilty of making new year resolutions - to lose weight, exercise more, spend more time with the kids, and we usually do all of these – usually for no more than three weeks then our life returns to our old ways of behaviour.
There are a number of questions we need to ask ourselves – is our job giving us the satisfaction we believe we deserve? Do we enjoy going to work every day? Are we working long hours for a reward that possibly does not reflect what we do? Has the role affected our family/work life balance?
This time of reflection can open a number of issues for us and it is not always reflected by the dollars. We need a lifestyle balance that is not driven by the almighty dollar. We certainly need to earn enough to keep food on our table and life, however, we spend so much of our time at work, - it’s important to enjoy it.
Statistics show that 37% percent of us work overtime for no extra pay. Therefore it makes sense to be in a role that we are happy in and enjoy going to work each day. For some, finding the right role can be a challenge and often it takes working for more than one employer to find this balance.
When seeking a new role, do a checklist of what you want and are willing to sacrifice. Promises of what we seek within a role can and made to you, often do not come to fruition. When applying for a new role, ensure it is a two way interview. Make sure the role you are applying for is a role you want, not just a role where the employer wants to hire you.
The days of security in the workforce have long gone. Typically a person stays no longer than 5- 7 years in one company and the days of spending a working lifetime within one company and being rewarded a gold watch at retirement have long gone.
Look at what the role is offering you and more importantly, is the company giving you the recognition you deserve. If it ticks most of the boxes on your checklist, then it is probably the right role. Just remember, this time of year gives us time to reflect on what we have been doing – do you checklist to ensure a change in your role is what you are really seeking. Christine Watson
hired
hired is Marquette Turner Consulting's online service for those seeking to enhance their career and ENTER a new phase of job satisfaction.
Marquette Turner Consulting offers an advisory and consulting service to individuals and businesses alike, and our personal attention to each client is second to none.
With a a huge array of industries catered for, we look forward to assisting you to enter a new, satisfying and exciting phase of your life.
Marquette Turner Consulting offers an advisory and consulting service to individuals and businesses alike, and our personal attention to each client is second to none.
With a a huge array of industries catered for, we look forward to assisting you to enter a new, satisfying and exciting phase of your life.
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