The Dork Group presents Useful Résumé Tools for the Unemployed
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Greeting kids, welcome back to another issue of The Dork Group.
In this issue - I will be discussing a topic that has recently played a big role in my life. Unemployment and the importance of the Résumé.
As someone who thought that they were invulnerable to the ever-changing job market - the last couple years of my life has dramatically changed my perspective of this. I assumed my field was pretty bullet-proof with many avenues into other workforce's. In reality - it still really is - but it has required a lot more work than what I first imagined.
Hopefully, you'll be able to use some of the tools I will be mentioning here and avoid some of the painful mistakes I have made along the way.
RÉSUMÉS - You're Doing It Wrong! (Or Are You?)
My first mistake - was underestimating the power of the résumé. This is truly the first impression to employers of who are. Do not undervalue the power of your résumé.
* My mistake:
I have been in the same career field for almost a decade, and the last two positions I held came by word of mouth, or from my network of colleagues. So, when it came to writing my résumé and sending it out to recruiters outside of my network - I didn't put too much thought into it. Needless to say, I lost a lot of good prospects due to not making a great first impression.
* Corrections made for this mistake:
Re-educating myself, and doing a lot of research into what makes a successful résumé was very helpful. What is great about the internet is - that there is an abundant amount of information regarding just about any subject that you are looking into. The downside of this however is - that there is an abundant amount of information regarding just about any subject that you are looking into.
* A great method I have found while re-writing my résumé was - searching Google for the top résumés in my particular field. You get a great look into how the top résumés describe their field, and their career background. Useful - if your not the most powerful writer in describing yourself, or your career background.
With all this being said - remember you have about ten (10) seconds of your Human Resources Recruiter's attention. Make it quick, and make it count.
USEFUL & FUN RESOURCES I HAVE FOUND
So, don't feel bad if you think you dropped a bomb or two yourself. It could be worse. Some of these are great!
Trudy Steinfeld covers strategies, employment trends & insights for job seekers.
I thought her article was great read. It helped me understand what goes into a well-rounded résumé.
themuse was a great resource for me. It showed and gave me some great ideas for using eye-catching visual styles for my résumé.
* Keep in mind:
Most résumé submission websites allow only small file sizes, or text only submissions. So, don't go over the top, or out your way to create some grand masterpiece that won't be even looked at. The graphic résumé is almost catered to the graphic designers, and artists out there. So, make sure your text game is strong, and have a great *.txt, or *.doc résumé ready for those sites that don't allow graphic submissions.
I found Gwen's submission to lifehacker about the long-term unemployed very insightful. It gave some good ideas for those that have been unemployed for a period of time. I myself have used a couple of these ideas myself.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In closing, I am going to switch gears and discuss a topic that goes hand-in-hand with unemployment and résumés. Fear.
I am going to share NPR's Invisibilia podcast to look at why we fear things, how we deal with it, and in the end offers up a formula to keep in mind the next time you're afraid of doing something.
Lulu Miller is an NPR Science Desk Reporter where she covers human (and occasionally insect) behavior - and is co-host of the NPR program Invisibilia.
Alix Spiegel has worked on NPR's Science Desk for ten years covering psychology and human behavior, and has reported on everything from what it's like to kill another person, to the psychology behind our use of function words like "and", "I", and "so."
NPR Podcast
"What would happen if you could make fear disappear? We'll hear about the striking case of a woman with no fear. The second half of the show explores how the rest of us might "turn off" fear"
I have always appreciated NPR and it's programming. This is a great episode and I hope some of you find it as insightful and useful as I have.
Dune (3/9) Movie CLIP - Fear Is the Mind Killer (1984) HD
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Frank Herbert, Dune
Don't be afraid of the word "No". Don't be afraid of rejection. Some of the worlds greatest achievers were constantly rejected for their ideas. It's okay to vent and be frustrated with your current situation. Use it, don't dwell in it. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to try new things. Don't give up. Create a support group of family and friends. Have them pass around your résumé and spreading the word. Build your network. Grow. It does get better.
I thank you as always - and I wish you all the best at everything you do.
See you all soon.
All Rights Reserved
David Gumm / The Dork Group © 2015
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