Resume Review - Beat the Recruiter's 7 Second Clock

 In 2018 an Eye-Tracking Study by Ladders Inc. revealed that recruiters spent an average of only 7.4 seconds on a resume. Here are the top skills needed to write a resume because content counts, NOT the resume template.

Articulate your skills - Writing needs to be to the point and concise while providing the information a recruiter is quickly seeking in your resume.

Review job ads to identify gaps in your skillset - Every employee should look at career job ads! Knowing if your skills are up to date is essential even if you're happy in your position. If you're looking for a position, it's a vital step before starting a resume.   

Personalize your resume - Personalization is essential, depending on your career. For example, creative positions often require portfolios created as websites. The web address information must be on the resume.

Show results, not just skills - Team leaders, project leaders, managers, and other executives need solid results to reinforce their stated skills. Experience recruiters look for budget, sales, and other metric accomplishments within a resume to "prove" experience.   

Skip the fancy design elements - Minimalistic resumes are best. You have 7 seconds. You don't want a recruiter wasting time looking at your resume's design. Pictures of yourself are not recommended unless you're an actor, model, or in the beauty profession, where looks matter.

Demonstrate a steady work history - Hiding gaps in your resume is not advisable. It's better to let prospective employers know what you achieved or did during your employment gap.

Job searches have gotten more competitive and complicated since 2018. The prospective employee must jump two hurdles in their job searches. The first is based on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), needed to have your resume pulled from the database for a recruiter to see. The second step is to present your information to present the 7-second test.  

Would You Consider Cosmetic Surgery for a Job Search?

 

Covid 19 has changed the world of interviewing. According to a Gartner Survey, 86% of all employers in 2020 conducted their initial interviews remotely. For many, this is not an issue. Their appearance is not an issue when doing a digital meeting, but for older workers, ageism has become even more challenging to overcome.  

This brings us to the issue of cosmetic surgery or treatments to "improve" your appearance. The best way to tell if you need help is to have someone record you while doing interview questions. This will show how your face looks when you are doing intense thinking. 

Do you wrinkle your brow? 

Do you squint or close your eye/eyes? 

Does your neck seem too wrinkled as you look into the camera? 

Is your makeup style dated? 

Have you been wearing the same hairstyle for the last 5 years? 

Do you have grey hair?  

Does your hair color seem washed out? 

Consulting a cosmetic professional if you answered yes to any of these questions is something to consider. Some treatments are worth it. For example, if you wrinkle your brow while thinking, a botox treatment will help you stop that habit. Fillers do marvelous things for shallow wrinkles, and a good skincare specialist can have your skin glowing with youth in no time. 

Doing a few tweaks to your looks does not have to be dramatic or expensive but the benefits when participating in a remote interview can make the difference of being successful or passed on. 

Source: 

Gartner Survey 

https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-04-30-gartner-hr-survey-shows-86--of-organizations-are-cond

2015 Tax Deductions for Job Hunters

Taxes are something we normally do not think about until we have to pay them, but  some pre-planning can give you an edge on tax deductions. Changing careers or losing one’s job is often stressful but an important thing to keep in mind when job hunting is the federal government. It allows you to deduct your job hunting expensed.

It is important to qualify for these deductions and your expenses must be spent on a search for a job in your current field. Deduction rules change so it is vital for you to keep all the receipts related to your job-hunting search.

1. You can deduct employment and placement agency fees. 
2. You may deduct your membership fees for professional organizations 
3. Union dues and expenses are deductible 
4. Any Education expenses incurred while unemployed are now deductible 
5. You can deduct the amounts you spend preparing and mailing copies of your resume. This includes the costs related to have your resume redone by a professional. 
6. You may deduct the cost of business attire used during your job search 
7. You may be able to deduct travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job.  Keep track of your mileage to job interviews and if you are planning a trip try to schedule a job interview while you are there, your portion of the hotel and airfare maybe deductible. 

The IRS does have some limitations on how you can deduct your job search expenses. You cannot deduct expenses if there is a “substantial break” between the end of your last job and the time you begin to look for a new one. You also cannot take these deductions if you are looking for a job for the first time. For more IRS information on job search expenses, see IRS Publication 529, called Miscellaneous Deductions.

Will be posting content again soon!

Hello, I just want to thank my readers for saying with me as I finish the last edits on my first Fiction mystery novel called “Murder in the Stacks.” I will return to posting new blogs in the coming weeks. Your suggestions on the topics you are interested in reading are always welcome

Networking for a Job with Relatives

For some people asking a relative for anything is difficult, but when it comes to supporting your family sometimes, you have to swallow your pride and ask, “Do you know of anyone hiring?” Where to find a job is difficult and networking for a job with a family member is different from a business situation because of the very personal relationship you have with them. Often family members know your best qualities and your worst. This can make them somewhat reluctant to giving personal referrals so ask them about their business connections with other companies. As with any job networking effort, you must make a plan of action for the best results.  

First, create a list of the companies with positions of interest to you and plan what you want to say. Remember you are going to contact everyone in your family so organize what you plan to tell them about the type of job you are seeking, the companies where you would like to work, and the locations where you want to work.

Secondly, create a list of ALL your relatives from the ages of 18 to 90. Then review your list of family member to make sure you have not forgotten second, third and even fourth cousins and their spouses.  Set a goal to ask each relative for the names of three people who may know of any potential employment leads. If you have created your company list and wants the process of targeting whom to call first, second and third happens automatically. Make sure you thank everyone you call and do a follow up with them once you have talked to the person they recommended. Job networking within the family can be embarrassing, but it does increase your chances of finding an inside person within the companies where you would like to interview.

Get Fit While Job Hunting

Image is everything when hunting for a job. People think you're organized if you "look" neat and first

Joliet's Run Like a Greek 5K Race

impressions are everything.  For my personal fitness, I enjoy a good run and working out with weights.  It helps me stay energetic and youthful.  Running is the cheapest form of fitness.  You don't need a gym just some running shoes.  Just set a goal and go for it!  Walking is also a good form of exercise.  Just remember to keep a fast pace to get your heart beating. 

Once you have a fitness program in place, consider setting goals to keep you motivated.  Once example is running small 5K races or marathons.  There are many running groups around the country that provide information on local races and new ones are being offered yearly.  This year if you live in the Joliet area All Saints GOC is offering their first 5K called Run like a Greek. Here's their information:

Run Like a Greek!

All Saints Greek Orthodox Church

Presents

“Taste of Greece”

5K Run/walk

Sunday, July 13, 2014  

Starts 8:30 a.m.

St. Sava’s picnic grounds

3457 Black Road, Joliet

(next to the library)

Call 815-722-1727 

For a registration form visit

www.allsaintsjoliet.org

 

Resume Mistakes

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When you apply for a job in today's world, you must realize that the majority of the time your resume will not be seen by a human being until the time it is pulled from the company's resume database.  As a result, many people have recommend using the format below to increase their chances of getting pulled on an initial search. Unfortunately,  they have forgotten that a human being will eventually review their submission.  The resume below is a perfect example of what not to do. I will highlight the mistakes in RED.  The main problem with this resume is the fact it does not contain enough information and a KEY WORD LIST!   Remember in this electronic age the number of resume pages does not matter as long as its CONTENT is relevant.								DO NOT CREATE A LIST OF KEY WORDS!!!!!
	your name here Street Address, City, State, Zip Code Phone number • email address DESIRED JOB TITLE Professional Summary -  You would be better served with a list of your professional awards. Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword • Resume Search Keyword PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Company Name • Company City, Company State Zip Code• Dates of Employment Company Description – Include a brief description of the company here. Position Held Position Description – Provide a description of your duties in this position in paragraph format using your career's  most popular keywords for the description §  List Accomplishments - Use key phrases here §  List Accomplishments §  List Accomplishments EDUCATION - You need to also include any certifications earned during your career and that dates issued. Degree, Specialty, School Name, School City, School State

Reduce stress - give your pet a hug

— Anastasia Zoldak (@anastasiaz007) April 30, 2014