You don't really want to work, do you?

I remember a few years ago, I got a call from Computer Sciences Corporation. I talked to the recruiter, we did a mini-interview, I answered technical questions for a screening process. We went a step further, and then she stopped.  I asked about setting up the first phone interview, and she froze. She apologized and said she'd made a mistake. And I asked her what was wrong.  Turns out that CSC, had at that time, a minimum 80% buzz word screening.  I was at a 72%. She wasn't supposed to call me until after they had run through all the other candidates. I had somehow filtered to the top.  It was then that I learned that when a job is posted at a large corporation, it's probably an excellent idea to tailor your resume, specific to their job requirements.  Had I done my research and added my experience in a different way, I would have hit that job requirement at 99%. But because of the way I had my resume formatted at that time, I was a lowly 72% on buzz words. I was dismayed, at first, but learned a valuable lesson.  Take time, read the requirements, and if you want the positions, tailor your resume, it works.

Now about what doesn't work: I'm thinking that B. really didn't want to work.  I received, as I often do an unsolicited resume from a well meaning person. I always take the time to respond, even if briefly, and let them know that I do have over 1Million new jobs across the US and the Middle East.  I always review their resume and generally send them a link with a list of jobs that they are qualified for in their region or city.

And for about the third time recently, I've kindly responded, let them know hey, here's a site; or sometimes I see that they may be looking for specific employment in Iraq or Afghanistan or the Middle East in general. And if I think that they could use additional exposure, I often ask  them if they want me to list their resume as an example on my site.

The email I sent out said, hey take a look at this site: http://www.govtcontractorjobs.com  I see you are in the Cleveland Area, and I found 214 jobs specific in your career field.  I got a reply back, "Thanks, but if you know of someone personally hiring, please forward my resume to them, or just let me know."  I replied back and said, ok I will, but already I can tell this person has no initiative on his part.  I then e-mail and suggest that I could put his resume on my site, for exposure.  He replies, well, ok, but I'd want all identifity material removed.  I agree and tell him I can do that.

He then e-mails me back and says, well, I'd prefer if you  make it a jpg or a tiff image so no one can plagiarize my resume.

Now, I laughed out loud. He sent, to me, his resume, unsolicited. And so I just wrote him back, and said, 'hey no problem, I won't bother putting your resume up there.'

However, I still am under the impression that people in our instant-society have forgotten, or perhaps never learned the key to actual job searching. Perhaps they are ignorant of the interview processes, and the need, these days to painstakingly input all data into a prospective employers database-all before you even get to find out if someone wants to even talk to you for a first interview.

The Steps to the Dance of Finding Employment

How do you look for employment if you haven't had to in years, have no idea what to expect, don't really know and aren't really sure how to begin?

First things first.  You have to measure your level of comfortability with your current position.  Are you irreplaceable? Do you add value to your corporation? Are you a team player?  On the other hand; have you committed years of your life to this corporation only to find out, loyalty doesn't always work both ways?

No need to fret. It can be done. And if you haven't done this in a while, it's not painful, but it does take focus; a concerted effort, and follow up.  

Let's start with the basics:  When is the last time you updated your resume?  

If you aren't updating your resume quarterly you may be  doing yourself a great disservice. It could be updated monthly for that matter.  If you were asked to give your job description, right now, in writing, would it reflect what you do? What you were hired to do? Or has your job evolved since you were hired?  Honestly keeping monthly updates is not out of the question, nor would it be out of the question to keep a journal.  Why? When it's time for your annual review. It is a lot easier to summarize your accomplishments when you have them handy.  


The next thing you might want to do is begin your search: Does the company you work for offer upward mobility? Does it have a possible lateral move that has more responsibility?  In time those with greater responsibility are always paid for than those without responsibilities.  If current employer is out of the question; where to look next?
Competitors. Do your market research. Who does your company compete with? Does it manufacture widgets? Look at other manufacturers? Are you in Accounts Receivable or Accounts Payable? Chances are 99/100 that most every company has that.  Do you work in sales?  That field alone is the life blood of every business.  Information Technology. Depending on the size of the company it's either in house, or outsourced.  Can you transfer your skill set to your companies natural competitors?  If not competitors, what about different type of company all together?  In manufacturing? Why not Insurance?  In Insurance? Why not back-end outsourced IT support?  Boiling this down, it's find the type of company you want to work for and come up with the reasons why. I want to work at ACME Widget company for the following reasons: 1. Straight 40 2. Benefits 3. Possible Overtime 4. Lifestyle 5. The are in the top 100 employers for the state. You get the picture: Find your perceived perfect employer and execute the necessary steps to obtain employment with them.


In the interim, practice interview questions. Get a book at your library. Ask a local SCORE office to interview you. These are all retired executives, they'd probably be happy to help. Just make an appointment, and ask.


Now study the company, if they are publicly traded, get as much information as you can on them.  Google the company in Google News, setup a news filter that will get you information on the company.  Have they produced press releases? Read them in detail.  If the company you have chosen doesn't have that information readily. Find it. Whether it's through an acquaintance, a contact, the receptionist, or someone. Find out all the background on the company you want to work for.


Contact Human Resources, direct letter to the HR director or VP, write an excellent cover letter, introduce yourself. Enclose your resume. Let them know you will follow up in 7 business days.  In seven business days, follow up. With a phone call, with another note.  Fact is there may be a job coming open that hasn't made it to the company career site, nor to the newspapers.  You can pre-empt this by getting your well written cover letter which points out how you can help solve company problems that you may have read about in the local business daily in the hands of HR before the job hits the paper.  Personal notes, follow ups, thank you's they will set you apart from your competitor. If you have samples of your work, if applicable, attach it with the cover letter and resume. Been published? Have a book?  Let them know of your expertise in your letter to them.  Open the dialogue with the company. 


Everyone one needs a backup plan.  If Corporation A isn't the means to and end, pick up to seven, and be relentless, and be flexible.  You should be an expert on the outside of the company before you ever step foot or have a letter sent.  If seven is not enough, pick twenty-five, or whatever number. It is possible that whatever you set your mind to achieve with regards to employment, you can achieve.  It may take time, flexibilty, and relentlessness, but in the words of Prime Minister Churchill, "Never, never, never, never give up."


A quick recap:
1. Get your Resume updated
2. Identify your ideal position, and ideal company
3. Research, research, research.
4. Make contact, with a detailed letter, and a targeted resume written specifically to the job requirements. This takes time but it will set you apart
5. Follow up. Written and electronic.
6. Follow up. Written and electronic. (yes, twice, just in case you need to).
Wash, Rinse, Repeat.


and Never, Never, Never, Never give up!


Find out who is hiring direct right now: www.govtcontratorjobs.com

On Resumé Layout Writing and Format - Success

1. Spell Check

2. Read it outloud.

3. Have a trusted friend read it outloud.

4. Have it proof read by a third person.

Mistakes in grammar, and spelling are probably one of the most glaring mistakes.  Telling nonchalant stories instead of putting down facts relevant to the position you've had.   Has it been over five years since you've updated your resumé?  By the way, wonder how to get the accent mark over the é?  Hold down the Alt button, and type on the keypad, right of the keyboard, 0233

-it will not work on the number keys above the keyboard.   Again that's ALT+0233 (é)

Give it a shot!

Now about resume formats; there are generally four:

1. Chronological

2. Functional

3. Combination

4. Targeted

The chronological is starting with the first job last, and working backward from there.  Some persons will tell you ONLY ONE PAGE...maybe if your twenty two.  Once you are mid-career, it's fine to have two, and possibly 3 pages.

Bullet points are your friend.  Use them to highlight the objectives of the position you held, and to further deliniate your skillset.

Chronological are wanted by a majority of employers; for instance from personal experience. I know one top three federal contractors told me this; I was lucky, their resumé parsing machine only kicks forward resumés  that match 90 percent of the job description buzz words.  And that was just to get a call from their internal recruiter. Ultimately the position wasn't a fit, but the recruiter was nice enough to answer some of my questions I asked.  

1. How did I end up getting picked for a call? -Explanation in the above paragraph.

2. Any suggestions? Yes! Get your resume in a chronological format.                                                  

So there you go....I didn't get in front of the hiring manager that time, nor did I get  a phone interview, generally the first step these days.  But, guess what; I changed my resume to chronological, and have resubmitted for a different position, and I got an interview.  

Why did I have a functional resume before?  Well, I had revamped my resume based on the suggestion of another friend.  I mirrored my resume format from his, and he had his professionally done. -and then I realized we were at different points.  His was based on pursuing an executive level job; mine was for a managerial technical position.  In fact mine was based on obtaining a directorship/managerial level.  But it is a tight market.  So I changed my resume back to chronological, highlighting my technical expertise.  Guess what, I have had five job offers.

Combination: It lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is next.  This is a resumé that highlights the skills that coincide with the position you are applying for.      

Targeted:  Alright, let's talk about this just a second. This is the most intensive type of resume, it's written specifically for the job posting.  Found skills in your resume and skills in the job listing identical?  This would be a great time to revamp your resume to show the skillset you have which meshes precisely with the position you want.

Idea for you. Create one of each.   However if you find yourself un-employed and with time on your hands, do your research, and send in the targeted resume.

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success in uncommon hours." - Henry David Thoreau

Find a job where they are hiring now: www.govtcontractorjobs.com