Age-Proof Your Resume

Written by Virginia Bola, PsyD


Continued from page 1

3. Jargon.

You probably have a resume which listsrepparttar duties and responsibilities of each of your prior positions. Re-read those descriptions, concentrating onrepparttar 107092 actual words you have used, especiallyrepparttar 107093 verbs (actions). Do those descriptions date you? Some obvious phrases arerepparttar 107094 old "variety duties" which is now generally called "multi-tasking," and "assisted with" now translates as "customer service." "Typing speed," so ubiquitous thirty years ago is now invariably "keyboarding skills." There are many other less obvious areas. A way to address them is to go torepparttar 107095 newspaper or internet and review a number of job descriptions in your field. Any words or phrases that are unfamiliar to you need to be researched as they may describe a task you have previously performed under a different description. If you cannot findrepparttar 107096 information you seek, check with a library, an employment agency, or someone inrepparttar 107097 field. Ifrepparttar 107098 new phrase fits you, substitute it in your resume and all future applications. If it is important enough to be included in a job description, it deserves your attention and neglectingrepparttar 107099 required investigation may doom your job search efforts.

Your goal is to have a potential employer read your resume and be familiar withrepparttar 107100 terms you use. It is your responsibility to be adaptive, flexible, and avoid being screened out due to inappropriate vocabulary. Don't expect an employer to takerepparttar 107101 time to figure out whether you really haverepparttar 107102 skills being sought. Remember that resumes are used to screen OUT - to reducerepparttar 107103 "possible interview" pile to a manageable size.

When your resume and written applications have been meticulously age-proofed, practicerepparttar 107104 same terminology verbally, with a friend, to be ready for a thoroughly up-to-date self-presentation when that inevitably soon-to-be-scheduled interview arrives.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.unemploymentblues.com


Unemployment Blues: Take Back Control

Written by Virginia Bola, PsyD


Continued from page 1

4. Job Search.

We have no control over when we receive a call for an interview or get that job offer we want so much. What we can control is where we spend our valuable energy. Submitting resumes for openings advertised inrepparttar classifieds or on line should be a very minor part of our job search. For every position listed, hundreds of resumes may be submitted. Dorepparttar 107091 math and it is revealed as similar to buying a lottery ticket - easy and fun to do but unlikely to change your future. Spend your time more wisely by networking with everyone you know (and everyone they know) and calling on employers in your industry to identify openings which have not yet been publicized. Your sense of control arises out of being proactive: putting yourself inrepparttar 107092 public eye, refusing to passively sit byrepparttar 107093 telephone awaitingrepparttar 107094 call which never comes. You may be exhausted atrepparttar 107095 end ofrepparttar 107096 day, and frustrated ifrepparttar 107097 negative reactions held no hint of possibility, but you do haverepparttar 107098 self-satisfaction of knowing that you have taken your fate into your own hands and will no longer be relegated torepparttar 107099 ranks of those who simply "watch and wait."

5. Community Activities.

You may be relatively inactive in local events or deeply committed to your community. In either case, now isrepparttar 107100 time to intensify your level of activity. Since you can only productively job search for a limited number of hours per week, userepparttar 107101 additional time to become connected. Volunteer for local charities, schools, union halls, hospitals, any communal events you can find. You control where you invest your time and efforts and being productive, even in a small way, can help repair your shattered self-esteem. Interacting with other volunteers is also a whole new opportunity for networking and may indirectly lead to that one golden opportunity you seek.

The world of unemployment, especially if prolonged, can be emotional debilitating. By reasserting control over some aspects of our lives, we can containrepparttar 107102 damage inflicted on our psyche and facerepparttar 107103 future proudly, recognizing that job loss is a regrettable fact of life, not a personal failure.

Virginia Bola operated a rehabilitation company for 20 years, developing innovative job search techniques for disabled workers, while serving as a respected Vocational Expert in Administrative, Civil and Workers' Compensation Courts. Author of an interactive and emotionally supportive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://www.unemploymentblues.com


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