Comments on: How to Handle Annoying Red Flags in Your Resume http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/ A little career advice. Some job stories. A place to learn about career education. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:54:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-17308 Ronnie Ann Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:59:44 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-17308 Hi Anna! Sorry for the delay. Just getting over the flu. ;-) This post might offer some ideas - especially check out my comments below the post. <strong><a href="http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2008/05/30/how-do-i-get-my-first-information-technology-job/" rel="nofollow">How Do I Get My First Information Technology Job?</a></strong> I have worked many years in IT, and sometimes just being there gets you other opportunities. So whether you have to take a volunteer job or talk someone into letting you work as a free-lancer or even if you you start at an entry level position such as the help desk, get your foot in a door. Go to company websites and look for names to send an inquiry to directly. Remember universities, government organizations and non-profits. Ask everyone you know for anyone they may know. Network network network. Don't give up until you get that first chance. It WILL happen for you if you stay positive and determined! Good luck, Anna! Please let us know what happens. ~ Ronnie Ann Hi Anna!

Sorry for the delay. Just getting over the flu. ;-)

This post might offer some ideas – especially check out my comments below the post.

How Do I Get My First Information Technology Job?

I have worked many years in IT, and sometimes just being there gets you other opportunities. So whether you have to take a volunteer job or talk someone into letting you work as a free-lancer or even if you you start at an entry level position such as the help desk, get your foot in a door.

Go to company websites and look for names to send an inquiry to directly. Remember universities, government organizations and non-profits. Ask everyone you know for anyone they may know. Network network network. Don’t give up until you get that first chance. It WILL happen for you if you stay positive and determined!

Good luck, Anna! Please let us know what happens.

~ Ronnie Ann

]]> By: Anna http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-16892 Anna Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:04:38 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-16892 I was reading your blog and found it very helpful. Though, while reading it, I envied people who have experience and have problem of how to show it on their CV. I wish I was in their place! My problem is that I haven't got any experience. I am looking for IT job and I have HND in Business Information Systems since August last year. Before studying for HND I have some other IT qualifications. I am trying to find opportunity to get experience but there are lots of people like me and we all have ideas which are quite similar and therefore it is hard to get experience even if I apply for volunteer job as there are masses of people who apply as well. While I was studying I worked as a nunny and housekeeper. That didn't proove to help so far. I am applying for entry level IT job where customer care seems to be more important than technical skills (while they still are). I would apprecate any suggestions. I was reading your blog and found it very helpful. Though, while reading it, I envied people who have experience and have problem of how to show it on their CV. I wish I was in their place!
My problem is that I haven’t got any experience. I am looking for IT job and I have HND in Business Information Systems since August last year. Before studying for HND I have some other IT qualifications. I am trying to find opportunity to get experience but there are lots of people like me and we all have ideas which are quite similar and therefore it is hard to get experience even if I apply for volunteer job as there are masses of people who apply as well. While I was studying I worked as a nunny and housekeeper. That didn’t proove to help so far. I am applying for entry level IT job where customer care seems to be more important than technical skills (while they still are).
I would apprecate any suggestions.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-12075 Ronnie Ann Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:15:06 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-12075 Great question Jamillah! You're smart to realize this could be a problem. In fact, I just mentioned it in my latest post: <strong><a href="http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/16/7-resume-landmines-that-can-blow-up-after-an-interview/" rel="nofollow">7 Resume Landmines That Can Blow Up AFTER an Interview</a></strong> While I don't want to make it seem too simple, what would help a lot is to really look at the job you're applying for and identify key skills. Then look though your prior experience, and identify related (transferable) skills from those jobs whether they're on your current resume or not - if you think about it, they're there. You need to make sure you highlight those when you talk about prior jobs on the resume - quantifying any accomplishments where possible. If there is a huge disconnect, make the first section of your resume (after name, etc. of course) a list of key skills &/or accomplishments that quickly show them your strengths and that your prior experience does transfer nicely. Depending on the job, you might have to be pretty creative, but at least you can help re-focus how you present things to give yourself the best chance. ;-) And don't forget to include a great cover letter with bullets that show skills that apply to the new job! Also...if you don't need to show all your prior experience. the last 10-15 years or so would be more than enough if that helps your case. You can either leave the rest off or add a small section toward the end that just summarizes. Hope that helps. Good luck, Jamillah! - Ronnie Ann Great question Jamillah! You’re smart to realize this could be a problem. In fact, I just mentioned it in my latest post:

7 Resume Landmines That Can Blow Up AFTER an Interview

While I don’t want to make it seem too simple, what would help a lot is to really look at the job you’re applying for and identify key skills. Then look though your prior experience, and identify related (transferable) skills from those jobs whether they’re on your current resume or not – if you think about it, they’re there. You need to make sure you highlight those when you talk about prior jobs on the resume – quantifying any accomplishments where possible.

If there is a huge disconnect, make the first section of your resume (after name, etc. of course) a list of key skills &/or accomplishments that quickly show them your strengths and that your prior experience does transfer nicely. Depending on the job, you might have to be pretty creative, but at least you can help re-focus how you present things to give yourself the best chance. ;-) And don’t forget to include a great cover letter with bullets that show skills that apply to the new job!

Also…if you don’t need to show all your prior experience. the last 10-15 years or so would be more than enough if that helps your case. You can either leave the rest off or add a small section toward the end that just summarizes.

Hope that helps. Good luck, Jamillah!

- Ronnie Ann

]]> By: Jamillah http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-12074 Jamillah Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:59:58 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-12074 I enjoyed reading this article. I was wondering what one should do to handle having a resume with too many years of unrelated work experience. I feel this is a red flag that doesn't get me selected for an interview, even though I may have the right number of years of relavant experience that the positions ask for. Any advice would be helpful. I enjoyed reading this article. I was wondering what one should do to handle having a resume with too many years of unrelated work experience. I feel this is a red flag that doesn’t get me selected for an interview, even though I may have the right number of years of relavant experience that the positions ask for. Any advice would be helpful.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-12065 Ronnie Ann Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:11:19 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-12065 I love when great discussions happen without me. Hmmm...think I'll go away more often. ;-) Discussions like this are not only welcome, they add a great deal to the blog since there's no way any one person - yes, even me - can know it all. Keep 'em coming, please! And of course, we all wish you good luck Kathy. I can't wait to get your article telling us all about how you made a new job happen for yourself. ;-) (I'm sure you can't wait either.) Ronnie Ann I love when great discussions happen without me. Hmmm…think I’ll go away more often. ;-)

Discussions like this are not only welcome, they add a great deal to the blog since there’s no way any one person – yes, even me – can know it all. Keep ‘em coming, please!

And of course, we all wish you good luck Kathy. I can’t wait to get your article telling us all about how you made a new job happen for yourself. ;-) (I’m sure you can’t wait either.)

Ronnie Ann

]]> By: Mardy http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-11954 Mardy Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:52:12 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-11954 Hi Kathy, Bravo-- Well done, partner ;) Wish you all the best. Hi Kathy,

Bravo– Well done, partner ;)

Wish you all the best.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-11953 Kathy Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:20:56 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-11953 Hi Mardy - Thanks for the comment - I am volunteering with the Taproot Foundation as a pro bono marketing project manager to assist with a non-profit's branding strategy. I didn't have NPO experience before so I thought this would really compliment my other experience. I'm still plugging away to make my career transition happen! :) Hi Mardy -

Thanks for the comment – I am volunteering with the Taproot Foundation as a pro bono marketing project manager to assist with a non-profit’s branding strategy. I didn’t have NPO experience before so I thought this would really compliment my other experience.

I’m still plugging away to make my career transition happen! :)

]]> By: Mardy http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-11952 Mardy Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:17 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-11952 I like the idea to fill the transition with volunteer service. Kathy should take one step further. She should volunteer for a leadership role. Why? Leaders stand out. So, she should consider adding "unique" skills to her resume-- expected skills are a dime a dozen. "Unique" skills are leadership achievements. Leadership is your "Unique Selling Proposition". The best places to work are looking for "partners". Partners are leaders. During rough times, companies will not let go of their partners. Mediocre companies on the other hand, hire employees and lay-off employees. People must choose to get off this vicious cycle of working for average companies. Why not aim high-- seek only the best places to work. Most major cities have their “Top 100 Places to Work 2009” list. Companies voted best by their people would treat you like a partner not like an employee and keep you around. Partner with the best places to work. I like the idea to fill the transition with volunteer service. Kathy should take one step further. She should volunteer for a leadership role. Why? Leaders stand out. So, she should consider adding “unique” skills to her resume– expected skills are a dime a dozen. “Unique” skills are leadership achievements. Leadership is your “Unique Selling Proposition”. The best places to work are looking for “partners”. Partners are leaders. During rough times, companies will not let go of their partners. Mediocre companies on the other hand, hire employees and lay-off employees.

People must choose to get off this vicious cycle of working for average companies. Why not aim high– seek only the best places to work. Most major cities have their “Top 100 Places to Work 2009” list. Companies voted best by their people would treat you like a partner not like an employee and keep you around. Partner with the best places to work.

]]> By: Ronnie Ann http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-11926 Ronnie Ann Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:12:32 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-11926 Thanks for your comment, Polina! I'm so glad you emphasized this point. Although of course there are still old-line thinkers out there, the majority of hiring folks nowadays know what's really going on. Still, it's up to the candidate to think ahead and help make it as easy for the interviewer to understand - and explain to other folks who are also part of the hiring process. Thanks again for making such an important - and comforting - point! Thanks for your comment, Polina! I’m so glad you emphasized this point. Although of course there are still old-line thinkers out there, the majority of hiring folks nowadays know what’s really going on. Still, it’s up to the candidate to think ahead and help make it as easy for the interviewer to understand – and explain to other folks who are also part of the hiring process.

Thanks again for making such an important – and comforting – point!

]]> By: Polina http://www.workcoachcafe.com/2009/11/09/how-to-handle-annoying-red-flags-in-your-resume/comment-page-1/#comment-11925 Polina Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:01:06 +0000 http://www.workcoachcafe.com/?p=1373#comment-11925 I think it's also important to keep in mind that right now, you're not the only one who has resume gaps and has been laid off. Like Ronnie Ann said, it might not be as big of a red flag as you may think and with an otherwise positive list of work experience, you are not likely to get overlooked due to this. I think it’s also important to keep in mind that right now, you’re not the only one who has resume gaps and has been laid off. Like Ronnie Ann said, it might not be as big of a red flag as you may think and with an otherwise positive list of work experience, you are not likely to get overlooked due to this.

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