Question:
Anyone know how to create a resume for this example?I've got several resume's already, but... none that I feel apply to this
job that's come up. There's a job opening at a local ISP, Administrative
Assistant. I've had no official paid experience using computers and I'm
trying to figure out how to get it across that I -can- do the job despite
the fact that the only jobs I've had so far were food service. Does anyone
know of a good, text-only browser friendly, web page on resume writing for
ISP's and such? And maybe a page on how to format an ascii resume. BOC's
to all respondents
Answer:
If you're close to a decent-sized bookstore there are several good
books on writing resumes. Most, at some point in them, address the
problem of completely changing jobs and how you can "translate" your
prior skills to a new situation. For example, if you've worked in fast
food places you certainly have "customer service" experience (will the
new job be dealing with the ISP's customers over the phone and/or in
person?). Stress your reliability, on-timeness, etc. Don't make your
resume an "obit" [read "obituary"]--i.e, a passive listing of your job
duties (which in general may not relate anyway to the new job you
want). Try to think of problems you solved on-the-job (i.e., working
with difficult customers) and clearing up problems. Employers DO NOT
WANT lists of your former job duties. They want something that shows
them what special qualities YOU bring to your work. Qualities that
will differentiate YOU from other job applicants. If you're actively
involved in the 'Net, using the Web, internet, e-mail, etc., that is
certainly relevant to the job, whether or not you've ever been paid
for it!
I wish I lived closer to where you do! I used to be an
employment manager, and have taught resume-writing to individuals and
groups before. It's a whale of a lot easier to do in person than
through e-mail! Most of the books (my personal favorite has been
"Knock 'Em Dead Resumes") are pretty good, give lots of good examples
and exercises to get your creative juices flowing. (By the way, the
companion book to "Knock 'Em Dead Resumes," "Knock 'Em Dead Job
Interviews," is also very good.)
I, for example, am completely self-taught in computer skills, but I
don't say that on my resume. I simply have a section marked "Skills"
and list every program I've ever worked on. They don't know I'm
self-taught, and usually don't even care, as long as I can demonstrate
that I DO HAVE those skills. Think of a resume as a "teaser." The
function of a resume (as I tell all of my students) is NOT to get you
the job. Its sole function is to get you the INTERVIEW. If it gets you
the interview, then it has worked. From that point on, it's up to you
in person to land the job!
Even your basic "life skills" can be made applicable to a "paid" job.
I've had "I'm-just-a-housewife" women tell me they dont' have "skills"
an employer would want. Bullshit. You have to budget your money don't
you? Tell your prospective employer you have budgeting skills--because
you do! You have to manage your own time effectively, don't you? Tell
the prospective employer you have time-management skills--because you
do! These are the kinds of "skills" (paid or not!) that easily
translate from job-to-job that you can populate your resume with.
Show that potential employer actual examples of your problem-solving
skills. E.g., "I converted the previous paper accounting system in the
office to a computerized one....", blah, blah, blah. It indicates
initiative, creative thinking, ability to make and reach goals, etc.
THAT's what employers want to see on resumes.
Don't try and proofread your own resume. I once received a resume from
a man graduating from a major college with an M.B.A. and a good grade
point average who wanted to work at the company I was with. His resume
was absolutely fascinating. Unfortunately, it was fascinating in the
way watching the Titanic sink might have been "fascinating." His
resume was 1-1/2 pages long, his format was OK, but in those short
pages, he had made a combined total of 88--count 'em--88 spelling,
grammatical and punctuation mistakes. (I counted them.)
