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Where Does Your Resume Go? Sptember 26, 1997 Quite often, straight into a computer database. Employees are a vanishing commodity. Many companies are desperate to find you--well, at least they're desperate to know who you are and what you can do. To achieve this, once they get your resume, they'll often scan it into a database. Later, as a job opens, they'll query the database and look for keywords (check back tomorrow for a piece on keywords). If the terms the computer looks for are in your resume, you'll be queued into the "check it out" pile. If not, you'll go back to storage until the next time. Given that scanners are not the most sophisticated machines around, it's important that your resume be created so that it will scan cleanly and neatly. To do this, use white paper. Use a standard font--preferably sans serif-- in 10 or 12 point. Forget the borders and the graphics, because the computer database doesn't take those into account. Sure, they'll be scanned, but they no longer serve to make your resume stand out in the crowd. The two more common resume tracking software packages, used by more than 400 companies, are Resumix and Restrac. Resumix even offers tips on how to create a scannable resume. And, although Restrac offers information about its product, there is little of use at their site for the job hunter.
Does the US Government Need You? September 25, 1997 A new website appeared a few weeks ago. At first glance, the Government Executive, which published The Top 200 Federal Contractors , appears to have little do with job hunting. However, take another look. In it they rank, in a variety of categories, the top 200 contractors whom have been awarded contracts. Even if you're not a contractor, this site can be used in a number of ways. First, it gives you an idea of where your US tax dollars go. Second, it gives you a hint as to which companies might be looking for additional employees. Third, there's the Reinvention Center which brings you up to date on significant changes in the US federal government--changes which may affect you as a worker. Perhaps best of all, for those who are seeking employment, there's a Career Center with loads of information. The provide information about federal pay and benefits legislation, general schedule pay levels within the government sector, and extraordinarily informative links to help with your job search. There are links to places where you can find out about about companies you're interested in. There are also links to opportunities in the Federal government, including the Department of Defense. There's even a link to The Resume Place, which has advice for people wanting to get in or out of government service. And, what would a career site be without links to places on the Web where you can post resumes and look around? That's included, too. So, although you might not care about which company was awarded which contract, the related information on the site is quite a relevant starting point.
In Transition September 24, 1997 You've heard it here and just about every place else. Chances are you'll change careers, not just jobs, several times in your life. We thought we'd put together a list of sources that could help make those career transitions a bit smoother. Unfortunately, after several searches, we came up pretty empty. Oh, sure. There are plenty of "career counselors" who advertise their expertise. Just as there are loads of college course descriptions that deal with the subject. But each of these categories offered nothing more than web-based brochures. That's right. No information. No substance. Just a list of services. How does any of this help? Well, for one, it shows a need. Apparently, we need help figuring out how to transition smoothly. After all, look at the many career counselors advertising their services on the Web. They're earning a living helping us figure out what to do. So clearly, there's an informational void that needs filling. But, if you look into that void, you'll see a hint of a trend to come. CNBC offers a self-assessment quiz to see if you're ready for a change. It's short and sweet-- a fill-in the radio buttons type of thing. Once you fill it out and send it into cyberspace, you get instant feedback. Depending on the answers you submit, the quiz designers immediately push to your screen their suggestion as to whether you are ready to make a switch. If you're curious, you can then see an analysis of each of your answers. It doesn't help you understand how to set a career transition into motion, but it might give you some insight as to what you want. There's also a quiz to determine which resume type is right for you. The best thing about the site is that it offers a way to understand what you want and need. Yes, it lacks a step-by-step how-to of career transitioning. So does every other site. At least this has something. There are three essential ingredients for success in the workplace today.
If you have these, you'll succeed in a transition. When you do, could you put up a site explaining how to do it?
Organize Your Life September 23, 1997 Ascend97 offers organizational help to Win95 users who are on the hunt for a job. A similar program Job Hunt Manager is available for MAC users. Both are sorts of Personal Information Managers or, for those of you who like acronyms, PIMs. They're like calendars, but considerably more complicated. So, if you're looking for a job, why would you need a PIM? Well, just how serious are you about this hunt, anyway? With all the online newspapers and job boards, you're probably contacting several companies a day. It helps to keep track of whom you've contacted, how, and when. PIMs can help. PIMs can track expenses, store addresses, alert you of meetings (and conflicts with other meetings), remind you of appointments, birthdays, and vacations. They can keep track of faxes sent and received and email that was filed. You can also create a card file, keep track of calls to make, and see what time it is in various parts of the world. In general, PIMs can make you quite compulsive about organizing every aspect of your daily life. Aside from that though, you do need to keep track of what you do in the job hunt. Knowing what you've already done and have yet to do will help you conduct the follow-ups you'll need to do. Imagine missing an interview because you'd scheduled too many. Or sending a follow-up to someone you'd never contacted in the first place. Obviously, these are not brilliant business moves. There are loads of PIMs available as part of large office suite software packages. There are also plenty of stand alone ones. Browse around a bit. Try out some demos. See which one might just make you're life a bit easier.
Build (and Mail) a Resume September 22, 1997 Resumail helps build, format, and send your resume over the 'net. But, it only sends to companies who are part of the Resumail Network. It guides you step-by-step through the forms for education, work history, and miscellaneous items. It even lets you spell check (always a good idea) when you're done. You're then supposed to save the work and connect to the Resumail site to look for a job. If you know what you want to say, this is a terrific formatting help and useful mailing program. There are 10 formatting options to choose from. All but two put your technical experience first. Choose the forms carefully so that your most significant skills appear first. Win 3.1 users can find a version of the program at ZDnet. MAC users are out of luck on this one. They can though, find three programs to help build resumes at ZDnet. But, if you already have a resume you like, or you want more control over what you say and what the resume ends up looking like, create your own. More Resources
Many of the items are also included in the Tools Area. The Web's largest collection of Employment related resources is also included in the Tools Area.
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