Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Say Cheese! Or, should you?



designofsignage.com

Working for an organization where first impressions truly are everything, I understand the pressure some may feel to make it a great one. Your resume happens to be the first impression you make with an organization and let’s be clear; a photo on a resume is more of a distraction.

We’ve all seen those awkward family photos on the Internet (if you haven’t, you can check out www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com  for a nice laugh) and that can be the impression you give. A resume is meant to market your skills, employment history and educational background. Unless you are applying for a job where physical appearances are a requirement, go ahead and leave that cheesy smile for a formal interview!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Hoarding



steveseay.com

Hoarding (n) – (hawr-ding)

1. The act of a person who hoards
2. Things that are hoarded

I know what you are thinking, “why am I reading a blog about hoarding on a hiring tips blog spot?” I have had the pleasure of being considered a “hoarder” by my friends and coworkers; it seems that I am an individual that happens to keep every single piece of paper ever given to them. Recently, I had to move desk and it gave me an opportunity to purge a lot of old, outdated and useless items and it got me thinking, how many of us are hoarding on our resumes? Or during an interview?

If you can answer YES to any of the questions below then you may be a hoarder.
1. Is your resume over 1 page in length?
2. Do you have a college education and are still listing your high school alma mater?
3. Have you been listing classes taken in college?

4. Are you listing your computer proficiency skills?
5. Do you have your glamour shots copy and pasted on your resume?

Are you possibly hoarding during an interview?
1. Did you spend 20 minutes talking about your last 10 jobs?
2. While you are answering a question do you forget the question?
3. Have you ever said, “oh, that happens plenty of time” and then don’t provide a specific answer because you can’t pull one out of your experiences?

Again, if you have answered YES to any of these questions, you may be a hoarder. It’s time to unclutter your resume and practice interviewing. Utilize your friends and family members to proofread and critique your resume before it is submitted. Schedule a time to have a practice interview so you do not over talk during the important one. Research interview questions online and write out specific examples you can use and rehears speaking them out loud. If you have been having a hard time landing your favorite job it’s time to take some ownership and get organized!

Unclutter with Brandee directly at brandee.baker@mattressfirm.com