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Lessons new grads (and all job seekers) must unlearn

There’s a great article over at bnet.com on damaging misconceptions new college graduates have about job search and employment. Some of these are crucial for every job seeker to understand, including:

They act as though they are meeting with their college advisor, telling prospective employers what the job will do for them instead of what they will bring to the organization.

Employers want to know what you can do for them, not the other way around.

2 Career-Killing Lessons New Grads Need to Unlearn (bnet.com)

 

 

 

Hosted HireFriday chat on Resumes

Yesterday I was guest host of the HireFriday discussion on Twitter (search for #HFChat). Career thought leaders and HR pros gathered to discuss ‘Reinventing the Resume’. The discussion centered around 4 questions:

  1. How do you describe yourself in 160 words or less?
  2. What are advantages of a virtual resume?
  3. What keywords should you consider and which to avoid?
  4. What social media info can be useful on a resume?

A lot of cutting-edge ideas were introduced. I plan to analyze and elaborate on some of the better insights in the days to come. Meanwhile, the transcript is here if you’d like the information in raw form!

 

 

Security Clearance and Military Job Search Links

I put this quick list together for a client with Top Secret security clearance (TS/SCI, or sensitive compartmented information). That’s an asset valued in the low six figures by certain employers, right off the bat, so it’s a good idea to put it to work in your search. Second, it signals that you’ve already been through a rigorous background check. Third, it’s a mark of integrity, accountability, and leadership that you’ve been placed in a position of such trust. Finally, security clearance gives you access to more exclusive job boards and more exclusive opportunities, which tend to be higher quality.

Security Clearance & Military Job Links

clearancejobsblog.com
clearancejobs.com
military.com/clearance
techexpousa.com
orioninternational.com
taonline.com
military.com/careers
corporategray.com
recruitmilitary.com
lucasgroup.com/military/
militaryhire.com

What resources would you add to this list?

McDonald’s Hiring Day and Resume Writing

On April 19th, McDonald’s announced it was hiring 50,000 new employees in one day. I thought I’d share an example of what such experience can become on a resume. I’ve made this anonymous, stripping away some telling details and metrics. This worked very well for a client, and shows that a “McJob” can become a solid entry on your resume.

McDONALD’S

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Instrumental in marketing, business development, and daily operations of high-volume restaurant. Supervised 75 employees, from managers to first-time, entry-level employees. Managed hiring, performance evaluations, personnel actions, scheduling, cost control, ordering, inventory management, and cash handling.

  • Introduced several new community-based marketing initiatives, including lunch programs at local schools, bike safety events hosted by McDonald’s and local police department, and local tie-ins with national promotional campaigns.
  • Created incentive and peer review programs to reduce absenteeism and turnover.
  • Promoted to management from initial hire as counter person/customer service. Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and desire to take on greater responsibilities.

Checklist for Resume Reviewers at Career Events

I’ve been featured as a resume reviewer at events for CareerBuilder, Jobing.com, Women for Hire, the San Diego Union-Tribune, and a few other organizations (and I’m happy to consider additional appearances, so contact me!). I thought I’d share some tips for professional resume writers, career coaches, HR pros, and others gearing up to review resumes at job fairs.

You will be the most popular person in the room. Any given employer at a career fair will attract a subset of candidates, but everyone will want to know if their resume is up to speed.

Keep moving. Don’t get bogged down in petty details. Identify the most significant issues, which will be a tremendously valuable service to candidates. It’s like triage: treat career-killing problems and move on. I use a small hourglass (see equipment list below) to remind myself to come up for air.

Watch out for “one more question…” and those who would monopolize your time. Again, an hourglass is a useful signal.

Drink water, stretch, take breaks if/when you can (though I have taken some pride in setting up before the USMC recruiters, going without a box lunch in favor of helping more people, and leaving after the Marines struck their displays. Oorah!)

Here’s a list of items I bring when I’m appearing as a resume reviewer, not giving a speech or presentation. As an ex-Boy Scout, this list is heavily informed by the Scout Motto: Be Prepared.

  • Cash for parking, just in case. It’s obnoxious when event organizers don’t cover this, but it happens.
  • Business cards. As many as you might think you need, then double that amount just in case.
  • Business card holders. Arrange on display table so people can serve themselves while passing by.
  • Signup sheet for names and email addresses. This enables me to follow up with visitors, add subscribers to my newsletter, and possibly convert them to clients.
  • Drop box for resumes. A long line will form; having a drop box is an excellent way to cut down the line, free people to network at the event, collect resumes to review on your own time, and follow up with them.
  • Signs identifying your company. Bring your own to ensure optimal branding, and to ensure you don’t suffer from an event organizer misspelling your name or omitting your website’s URL.
  • Nametag/business card holder identifying you.
  • Pen.
  • Extra pens. The first one will stop working as crowds begin forming.
  • Highlighters.
  • Wristwatch, egg timer, or hourglass.
  • Handouts with advice, branded.
  • Display posters and stands, branded. Gives people something to look at while they’re in line, and maybe you can address FAQs this way so you don’t have to repeat key ideas fifty times.
  • Booklet of sample resumes. Keep an eye on this so it doesn’t walk off.
  • Books or a printed bibliography. I refer people to these for information beyond the scope I can address in the short time I have. It’s also a good idea to feature books you’re published in.
  • Aspirin.
  • Bottled water (pay attention to your voice, and stay hydrated).
  • Breath mints.
  • Hand sanitizer.
  • Spare dress shirt and slacks/spare business attire (in case of spills/accidents).

Susan Whitcomb adds:

  • it’s helpful to have before-and-after resume samples in those samples you referred to. People are often amazed when they see “average” go to “outstanding.”
  • a port-o-potty (you’ll be so popular, you won’t have time to get to the restroom)!  =)

What would you add?