About: 12 resume writers accepted the challenge of rewriting my resume. Who will win? Leave a comment with your thoughts and try to sway our panel of Jobacle judges. Read more about the inaugural Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge here. Contender #2: Teena Rose is a certified 9-year resume-writing veteran who owns Resume to Referral. Her favorite clients to work with are those who control their careers through education, by embracing new techniques and those who strive to outperform, outdo, and outwit. The Process: Teena proved to be a real trooper, dealing with delays caused by Hurricane Ike and then a nasty case of the flu.I received eight questions from Teena after she reviewed my original resume. These included clarifications on my ideal positions and industries, a request for more details on my current company and a request for me to expand on my skills.A second e-mail included an additional 11 questions pertaining to my current job.A third e-mail asked eight … [Read more...] about Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge – 2 of 7
Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge – 1 of 7
About: 12 resume writers accepted the challenge of rewriting my resume. Who will win? Leave a comment with your thoughts and try to sway our panel of Jobacle judges. Read more about the inaugural Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge. Contender #1: Michelle Penn is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and experienced job search consultant who founded Resume Results in 2007. The company services clients ranging from recent grads to top-level executives. The Process: Michelle was very sensitive to the fact that I was dealing with so many resume writers at once, a clear indicator that she understands the time that goes into the process. She floated the idea of a phone consultation or to handle things via e-mail; I opted for the latter.I had to fill out a 12-page 'Resume Results Questionnaire' comprised of multiple choice and text box questions. (I've been asked not to post it here, as it contains proprietary information). Some of the requested info … [Read more...] about Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge – 1 of 7
The State of Jobacle
I am back at work after five solid days away. I'd like to tell you that my feet were kicked up and I was sipping gin and tonics on some remote island. The reality is, I just spend hour upon hour cleaning up other people's filth and unpacking an endless sea of cardboard boxes. So far, all the home-owner cliches are coming true. I can't say I wasn't warned.As fate would have it, every time I have less time for Jobacle, traffic trends upwards. Go figure. I expect to settle back into a normal routine over the coming weeks, and that means a minimum of one new post every weekday. For now, here's an update on what's up in Jobacle Land... The inaugural Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge is over. Our crack staff are currently mulling over the final products and we will share that information sometime next week. Am I the only one who finds the adjustment of returning to work after several consecutive days off difficult? So much so, that I … [Read more...] about The State of Jobacle
Financial Fiasco: 6 Career Safeguards
"The market plummeted yesterday, the Dow is down at the opening today, and the blah blah company is merging with the ump-de-ump bank. Major layoffs are expected...". Corporate greed or media screed? Too bad for us, but we've got an unhealthy dose of both. Headlines and talking points that I'm sure we're all equally sick of hearing and reading about. And, as the media vigorously stirs this pot with a vengeance, greatly contributing to the climate of uncertainty, they-no surprise-end up as the real winners. 'Cause the more they hype and exploit every situation, the more their listenership expands and their readership increases. You don't need a CPA to tell you that the media reaps a financial windfall, and a power bonanza, each and every time they scare us.So we all begin to worry, to wonder if our jobs are really as secure as we thought they were, just a few short weeks ago. More to the point, however, is the confidence level of the companies that we work for. Sure, we all expect … [Read more...] about Financial Fiasco: 6 Career Safeguards
Need Extra Cash? Join the Part-Timers Club
Part-time work has become increasingly popular for a multitude of reasons: using it for additional income during school, stay-at-home moms and dads have started to corner this market for a work-life balance, and now it is being used as supplemental income. Yup, 40 hours a week is no longer cutting it. The paychecks are stagnant, the stocks (and subsequently our retirement accounts) are falling, and many in the workforce are taking decisive action. There are legitimate part-time opportunities available, but there are just as many part-time work-from-home scams. Tread lightly if you are looking to get into part-time work and be wary of companies that ask you to invest money to begin. Here are some examples of genuine part-time work opportunities: Newspaper delivery Freelance work (writing, photography, website design, etc.) Retail or other seasonal work Online teaching Do any of you do part-time work either as your career or to supplement your career? If so, what do you do/suggest? … [Read more...] about Need Extra Cash? Join the Part-Timers Club
What Your Office Walls REALLY Reveal About You
Thanks very much to Lauren for her very interesting perspective on comparing/contrasting where the POTUS labors in the Oval Office, to the rather humble work abodes that the rest of us get to inhabit for some eight hours a day. That's about 225 days a year, or, if you prefer, 7,875 hours, but hey-who's counting?When we think about going from the very apex of office couture to the more utilitarian stuff that we're all used to, the way we decorate our spaces does say a helluva lot about us. And, while our wall space does indeed send a message, this, of course, isn't necessarily good, either for our images or for our future career.It's like the very short, typically Napoleonic boss who insists on having office furniture that's either too small (to make him appear taller), or very large (so that we're impressed with the 'grandeur' of the setting). More interesting, I think, is the way in which each of us chooses to decorate our workspace.It's ironic, if you think about it, how easily … [Read more...] about What Your Office Walls REALLY Reveal About You
Ergonomically Correct Chair of the Future?
It’s not enough that we have to be politically correct at work; we now have to be ergonomically correct as well. Companies have begun taking stock in the fact that HR is requiring us to sign off on forms that our desks are “ergonomically correct”.Too bad we didn’t think of this first, huh?Introducing the Kneelsit chair. This chair is customized to each person’s height and weight so that no adjustments are necessary. Reportedly, this chair takes the pressure off the spine and lower back to alleviate pain and correct posture. All for the low price of...$499? What economic crisis?!As an office manager in a chiropractic and physical therapy clinic, this chair seems like a genius idea for preventive and maintenance care. But let’s return back to earth; what employer is going to pay for this? We need a retailer like Wal-Mart (as much as it pains me to say it) to jump on this train and produce it for an affordable price.Does your company value ergonomics in the workplace? Would any of … [Read more...] about Ergonomically Correct Chair of the Future?
Resume Writing Challenge: Lesson 1
When the idea of holding the first annual Jobacle Resume Writing Challenge popped into my head, it appeared to be a no-lose exercise. I would get to give readers a better understanding of how the resume writing process works, and in the process, get my resume revamped - 12 times over!Over the coming weeks I plan to share what I learned, and along the way, show you the resumes that our participants have produced. I think you'll like what you see. Some writers impressed me, others validated my fears.The first lesson I would like to share...When searching for a resume writer, have an understanding of how involved you want to be in the process and how much time you have to commit.This became abundantly clear to me as I logged hours upon hours of time talking and e-mailing with different resume writers. Does time spent yield a better final product? I'll leave that for you to decide, but it should be a consideration when you begin your search for a … [Read more...] about Resume Writing Challenge: Lesson 1
The Silly Influence of Coworkers
People like to fancy themselves leaders. Reality says otherwise. Even extreme mavericks are subject to the influence of others. Many of the nuances and habits we pick up, we're unaware of. At least until that ballsy coworker calls us out."Eww. You sound like Joe!"The accused immediately goes into defensive mode."Oh, I said that long before Joe."Good, bad or otherwise, we are constantly latching on to other people's words and actions. With the amount of time we all spend at the office, it should come as no surprise that our payroll comrades are responsible for much if this influence.Heck, there are catchphrases I picked up 10 years ago that I still use today.- I end all my phone conversations with 'see ya' thanks to Greg.- I'll occasionally lean against a wall and bring my head to my knees to refresh the blood flow to my brain thanks to Jason.- I never complain about my wife at work, even in a joking way, thanks to Eric.- Most recently, I find myself saying 'super' (as … [Read more...] about The Silly Influence of Coworkers
And You Think YOUR Office Is Cramped?
Remember how George Jetson's spacemobile used to turn into a suitcase with the push of a button? Well, thanks to our friends in Japan, foldable and portable rooms are now a reality, available for around $7,500 a pop.Your company might not be replacing your cubicle yet, but as our workplaces become more crowded, and the prices drop, remember who warned you first... … [Read more...] about And You Think YOUR Office Is Cramped?