We will always look back On this time of our lives With a smile on our lips Remembering friends Remembering when....

The reaction was mixed. Some replied, others said nothing. The original manager who had opened store at first called and spoke with me. He had figured it would happen, but was surprised when it came so soon. He had appreciated poem. Another girl who had worked in past was shocked when she had received a mass mailing notice sent to our past customer base that we were closing. She came in with her husband one evening to ask if it was true. Most others have made no response. I am only one left who had been there when doors had opened for first time. I was there at birth of hope and opportunity, and now I would be there when they pulled plug of life support and see it die. As we sat and talked and joked and fell silent, we knew we would never see each other again. We shook hands, hugged, and party dispersed. Without realizing it, I ended up alone to close store that night. I didn’t know I was scheduled alone on my last night in before store closed for last time. I locked doors, as I had done so many times. I counted register, consciously, for last time. The cash was right on. It was perfect to penny. I made out deposit and printed up daily reports. “Funny”, I mused. I printed up reports for a day when no one had cared to keep track of hourly sales. It was first time we had not kept track. I bagged up garbage and set it by back door. I turned off lights and just stood there for a moment. I would never see this or feel this again. I carefully punched in my own security code and set alarms...for last time. I picked up garbage bag to toss in trash bin outside and opened door to leave. I smiled. It had been fun. I closed door behind me, for last time, and quietly walked away.

6. Communicate three main concepts in your cover letter. The prospective employer wants to know anything that might help her make money; cut a cost; attract a new customer; retain an existing customer; or solve a problem. Make your self-promotion do that and you'll be on DO CALL list.

7. Flaunt it, baby! If you're a whiz with computer skills, don't be shy about saying so. Whether you learned a skill on job or went to school for four years to learn it, you do have skill. It doesn't matter how you acquired such valuable skills--just mention that you have them.

Resumes: 8. Write a single resume that is suitable for multiple employers.

9. Make your resume one page. Start by writing everything you want to say; then edit and cut. A two page resume can work too. Just remember, prospective employers are reading a lot of cover letters and resumes. Concise is better.

10. Put juicy stuff on page one of a multi-page resume.

11. Break resume into sections: education, training, computer skills and so forth. Your 'experience' section is prime real estate and should be half or more of a one page resume.

12. Write in chronological order. Start with most recent information.

13. Go back in your employment history as far as beneficial to you. Ten years is good. Experience beyond that can go in a summary under 'highlight of other experience' section, hitting just highlights without dates. This is where you can mention you've also worked in CPA and law firms, giving employer an indirect reminder that you're versatile.

14. Write a broad objective statement. Make it all purpose enough so that somebody reading it won't immediately say 'we're not what she's looking for.' Accentuate your personal qualities and some of your skills in statement.

15. Don't highlight that you've primarily worked in one industry or write that you're seeking an entry-level position. You may be looking for an administrative assistant job in aerospace industry but would you consider office manager in company's automotive industry sister company if offered to you?

16. Write your accomplishments. Your resume should mostly describe what you actually accomplished on job. Don't be boring! Say 'trained approximately 30 employees in word processing department in operation of Microsoft Word...' not 'responsibilities included switchboard, computer operations and customer service.' That first sentence says you trained people, communicated, presented in front of a group, worked one-on-one providing individual assistance and have lots of computer experience. The second phrasing just says you're boring. Yawn!

A scheduled interview means your resume is a success. Pop bubbly (but not right before your interview)!

© 2005 Karen Fritscher-Porter