May 31, 2004

Help Wanted

I have been at my same job for 13.5 years now. At this company I've done a variety of things, and generally speaking, I like what I do, but the time comes when enough is enough.

The job I had prior to this one, I got pretty much right out of college and was at that company for eight years.

So in short, I don't really change jobs much.

But the time has come for me to start exploring my options. So, to that end, I need to put together a resume. I got a copy of my previous resume out of my HR file. The last time it was updated was 1989.

Don't start with me, I know that you should keep your resume updated. But hey, you should floss every day too and how many of you do?

Oy vey.

Not only is my resume from the last millenium, but in the 80's? I will guarantee I had big Aqua Netted hair as I sat down to a DOS-based operating system on a rudimentary version of Word Perfect to put that puppy together.

The internet wasn't a household word. And that's just the tip of the iceburg of what is now that wasn't back then.

So I sat down at my trusty computer this afternoon to start putting a resume together. I need to do it by the middle of next week. Because instead of using the want ads, I'm trying something new and madcap--networking. And I promised one of my contacts I have something to him by the middle of the week.

I know what I'm supposed to put in a resume. It's just a matter of putting it together. It's not like I can't string two thoughts together. I can. Just not coherent ones for a resume.

So if there is some brilliant person out there who writes a mean resume and wants to do mine, I will gladly phone you and we can chat and you can do the work. And for this service you will have my undieing devotion. Just e-mail me. Please

Because I'm here to tell you, this is much harder to do than I remember it being.

Posted by beth at May 31, 2004 04:55 PM
Comments

Resume writing is a bitch, particularly when it's one's own, but if you've been working for two companies in the past 21.5 years, you clearly don't have to worry about recalling dates. Emphasize skills, achievements, and contributions. Include any volunteer work you do because that's viewed as a sign of character. List the names and chronological order of work in the two companies last. Keep the whole thing to one or two pages. To start, make a list of all of your skills (leaving nothing out) on a blank page and whittle it down from there to the most relevant skills. Also you could have an objective stated at the top of your resume (optional). If you're applying at a specific company and want to demonstrate you've researched them a little, reserve any comments pertaining to that for the cover letter.

Posted by: Lesley at May 31, 2004 09:16 PM

Thank you very much. And you phone number so I can all you with all these pertinent details and you can do my homework for me? I'll glady ply you with sweets: bake you cookies; home made rocking bread pudding; rr even home made ice cream.

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeze

Posted by: beth at May 31, 2004 10:14 PM

I...I...I...I'm on a diet! :) seriously, if you want to email it to me, I'll have a look at it though. Just remove the caps part in the email addy.

Posted by: Lesley at June 1, 2004 09:55 PM