Be prepared! Get your Resume, Cover Letter and Skill set sheet in order. What's a Skill set sheet - read on to find out.
Be prepared!
This week in Career Advice we'll explore the first steps in preparation for your new endeavour. One of the first steps in finding a new career or job is to be prepared in knowing your own skill set. Yes, this does mean you MUST have a professional quality resume as well as a cover letter (and yes, most people believe both are the most dreaded business documents to create - as you are putting yourself, your work, your life, your soul - onto a piece of paper). Please note - by professional quality I do NOT mean you should be going to a company to create one for you. If anything I am against having someone else create it for you, unless they are willing to actually sit down with you and find out who you really are. Most Resume-creating companies do a great job of creating a resume - but if it is not in your tone, language, etc - that will quickly come out at any interview and your credibility is shot.
Remember - the Resume and Cover letter is YOUR AD about yourself to the prospective employer - to get you that interview!
So take the time to create your own - and yes, do enlist the help of others (be it friends in the business or a writing service) - just ensure this important document still reflects you and your style.
No, this Topic will not get into specifics of resumes and cover letters - there are many courses (mine included - check out Writing Letters/Resumes or Job Searches
- free at SuiteU) offered not only on the 'Net, but any employment office will offer free courses for you to attend. Most of these government-sponsored courses only require you to sign up ahead of time with your Social Insurance Number (Canadian) or Social Security (US) - you do not have to be unemployed, just willing to learn.
But I do want you to understand these tips and hints:
Always have more than one resume - create one for each type of job you are interested in pursuing. Reason? Your skill set emphasis will change for each type of job. For example - I have a resume for applying to online contracts which is vastly different from my resume to apply for technical writing contracts, which is different from my resume to apply for teaching and training positions. And none of these resumes will mention some of my work within the Psychology industry and/or entertainment industry.
Choose the type of Resume that best illustrates your skill set. Don't be afraid to mix and match - I find the Functional Resume best for most people just starting out (limited experience) or changing careers (a lot of experience). However, some industries demand a specific format (Professional Industries such as Engineering, Teachers and Professors, Entertainment Industry) - and if you don't give them what they want - your resume will just be tossed into the circular filing cabinet.
Now, the hard part - your skill set. Exactly what ARE your skills? This is so important, I ask you to actually create a separate sheet for your Skill Set - and then use parts of it for your resume. This sheet will also be invaluable to help you prepare for the interview.
Basically, the Skill set sheet is just that - ALL your skills, often in a list format or paragraph format - whichever suits you best. ALL Skills means not just your technical skills (can drive a car), but your expanded skills (can maneuver a car through difficult weather at high speeds while maintaining safety for the public) and your soft skills (proven ability to calm down angry motorists).
Yes, this sheet takes time, but is well worth it - and yes, you will add to it as you continue on your career path. So start with a list of your skills - from your jobs, from your home life (managing kids and housework for example), from your social life (ability to make others smile). Get the idea? Then put them into groups, so the hard technical skills are together, etc.
However, only you can take that first step - so what are you waiting for?
Feel free to post your questions and I'll answer each one.
Check out the latest blog on Being Prepared
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Copyright May 22, 2006. Paym Bergson and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use of this material will constitute an infringement of copyright.
