This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Dan writes:
I am an architect in my late 50s who is finding it exceedingly difficult even with an exceptional work history to get any response to resumes sent to executive-search firms. This even when (1) it would seem my background would match perfectly with senior management position requirements advertised, (2) I state my salary is negotiable, and (3) when asked, I respond that I am open to relocating if necessary. In a youth-oriented profession such as architecture, is there a certain approach that should be following in submitting in seeking a position or in the job-hunting process in general?
As baby boomers continue to get older, I think we will see many changes in how older job-seekers are viewed — and we’re already seeing some of those changes — but perceptions are slow to change (and vary by industry and profession).
Are you focusing all your energies on executive recruiters? And if so, why? Recruiters can be one source of job leads — but should only be one source. Remember that headhunters work for the employers — and not job-seekers — so you need to be just as aggressive in following-up with these recruiters as you would employers.
Have you been networking? I know long-time readers of my blog are probably tired of me constantly beating the networking drum, but all studies point to the importance and power of networking when job-hunting. And many professional organizations also often have career and job postings on their Websites and at conferences. Investigate all the possibilities.
One of the other things I’ve discovered about older job-seekers, especially those who have been out of job-hunting for many years, is that they are often weak on job-search techniques and tools. What does your resume look like? Have you taken dates off your degrees and limited your list of experience to no more than 20 years of work? Is your resume centered around accomplishments and achievements?
Finally, what about the resources of your alma mater? Contact the college where you received your architecture degree and see how the career services and alumni offices can help you with your job search.
Get more help with your resume by reading numerous articles and reviewing samples in the Resume Resources section of Quintessential Careers.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Janet writes:
When should you use a chronological resume? When should you use a functional resume?
You’re not going to like this answer: It depends. The resume format most in favor these days is the standard chronological resume, which is organized around a straightforward employment history. Job-seekers with a solid employment history who are looking for advancement within their career field typically use a chronological resume. Employers and headhunters prefer the chronological resume because it’s easy to assess issues such as employment history, qualifications, and career advancement by a simple glance at the resume. Functional resumes (and I advise not a purely functional resume but a chrono-functional resume) downplay employment history in favor of functional skills clusters, and are most used by new college grads, career changers, and job-seekers with employment gaps.
The answer I am giving to all my clients and students is this: In today’s job market, it is critical to have resumes for all job-search situations. Thus, I recommend developing both a chrono-functional and chronological resume for job-seekers in situations where a functional is typically the preferred. I also recommend having a least one electronic version of a resume as more and more of job searching moves to computer-based resume databases. The traditional print resume is not dead, but it is losing ground daily to its electronic counterparts.
Remember that a resume is a statement of facts designed to sell your unique mix of education, experience, accomplishments, and skills to a prospective employer. On the other hand, remember that a resume is a marketing document, so do not be modest; be clear about successes and accomplishments — and quantify whenever possible.
So, what are the most important things to remember about resumes?
- The function of a resume is to get you a job interview, not the job.
- A resume is a statement of facts, so do not fudge dates, titles, accomplishments.
- Focus is critical; each resume should be tailored to a specific job, a specific employer.
- With employment history, focus on (quantifiable) accomplishments rather than duties and responsibilities.
- Appearances matter, so make sure your printed resume uses conventional (for your profession) fonts, colors, margin widths, etc.
- Avoid mistakes. Typos and misspellings will end the chances of even the most qualified job-seekers.
- Provide detailed contact information. Include your home phone, cell phone, and email.
Read more in my article, published on Quintessential Careers: What Resume Format is Best For You?
You should also consider reading this article about e-resumes written by my partner, Katharine Hansen: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know about E-Resumes and Posting Your Resume Online.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Galen writes: I have been searching for a job for about 2 and 1/2 months. Every one I show my resume to, or e-mail/fax/snail mail to says that they really like my resume, or WOW, or this is a really strong resume.
Problem is no interviews, no follow-up calls from headhunters on-line or otherwise for jobs which I submitted my resume. Many of these jobs I am definitely qualified for, some over qualified, some under. Most, 80% fall into the definitely qualified for.
- What am I doing wrong?
- How do I get the headhunters to respond?
- etc.
No interviews is a bad sign to me. It means that there is something wrong with your job search…and probably not just your lack of follow-up.
I strongly urge you have a career professional — a resume service, a former boss or colleague, or a headhunter — carefully review your resume and cover letter. In fact, you should have him or her evaluate your entire job search plan.
I also strongly suggest you read our article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven’t Found a Job, published on Quintessential Careers. The article discusses some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search — and how to get through them.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Dan writes:
I am an architect in my late 50s who is finding it exceedingly difficult even with an exceptional work history to get any response to resumes sent to executive-search firms. This even when (1) it would seem my background would match perfectly with senior management position requirements advertised, (2) I state my salary is negotiable, and (3) when asked, I respond that I am open to relocating if necessary. In a youth-oriented profession such as architecture, is there a certain approach that should be following in submitting in seeking a position or in the job-hunting process in general?
As baby boomers continue to get older, I think we will see many changes in how older job-seekers are viewed — and we’re already seeing some of those changes — but perceptions are slow to change (and vary by industry and profession).
Are you focusing all your energies on executive recruiters? And if so, why? Recruiters can be one source of job leads — but should only be one source. Remember that headhunters work for the employers — and not job-seekers — so you need to be just as aggressive in following-up with these recruiters as you would employers.
Have you been networking? I know long-time readers of my blog are probably tired of me constantly beating the networking drum, but all studies point to the importance and power of networking when job-hunting. And many professional organizations also often have career and job postings on their Websites and at conferences. Investigate all the possibilities.
One of the other things I’ve discovered about older job-seekers, especially those who have been out of job-hunting for many years, is that they are often weak on job-search techniques and tools. What does your resume look like? Have you taken dates off your degrees and limited your list of experience to no more than 20 years of work? Is your resume centered around accomplishments and achievements?
Finally, what about the resources of your alma mater? Contact the college where you received your architecture degree and see how the career services and alumni offices can help you with your job search.
Get more help with your resume by reading numerous articles and reviewing samples in the Resume Resources section of Quintessential Careers.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
When it comes to cover letters, have you got writer’s block? Do you feel that if you could just start the letter, you’d be OK? Writing help is here with Quintessential Careers’ large collection of job-seeker cover-letter openers for all cover-letter writing situations. That opening paragraph is the most important of your letter, setting the tone and grabbing the reader’s attention to ensure he or she will continue reading (and then review your resume).
With this new Quint Careers tool-set, you’ll find dynamic cover-letter opening paragraphs, including more than 100 customizable openers — with accompanying sample paragraphs showing each opener in action.
The Customizable Cover Letter Opening Paragraphs and Samples include:
Customizable Opening Paragraphs for Cover Letters for …
- Uninvited (Prospecting) Letters
- Invited (Job Ad) Letters
- Letters for College Students and New Grads
- Letters for Students and New Grads of Graduate and Professional Schools
- Letters for Students Seeking Internships
- Letters to Recruiters, Headhunters, Executive Search Firms
- Referral Letters that Spring from Networking
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Janet writes:
When should you use a chronological resume? When should you use a functional resume?
You’re not going to like this answer: It depends. The resume format most in favor these days is the standard chronological resume, which is organized around a straightforward employment history. Job-seekers with a solid employment history who are looking for advancement within their career field typically use a chronological resume. Employers and headhunters prefer the chronological resume because it’s easy to assess issues such as employment history, qualifications, and career advancement by a simple glance at the resume. Functional resumes (and I advise not a purely functional resume but a chrono-functional resume) downplay employment history in favor of functional skills clusters, and are most used by new college grads, career changers, and job-seekers with employment gaps.
The answer I am giving to all my clients and students is this: In today’s job market, it is critical to have resumes for all job-search situations. Thus, I recommend developing both a chrono-functional and chronological resume for job-seekers in situations where a functional is typically the preferred. I also recommend having a least one electronic version of a resume as more and more of job searching moves to computer-based resume databases. The traditional print resume is not dead, but it is losing ground daily to its electronic counterparts.
Remember that a resume is a statement of facts designed to sell your unique mix of education, experience, accomplishments, and skills to a prospective employer. On the other hand, remember that a resume is a marketing document, so do not be modest; be clear about successes and accomplishments — and quantify whenever possible.
So, what are the most important things to remember about resumes?
- The function of a resume is to get you a job interview, not the job.
- A resume is a statement of facts, so do not fudge dates, titles, accomplishments.
- Focus is critical; each resume should be tailored to a specific job, a specific employer.
- With employment history, focus on (quantifiable) accomplishments rather than duties and responsibilities.
- Appearances matter, so make sure your printed resume uses conventional (for your profession) fonts, colors, margin widths, etc.
- Avoid mistakes. Typos and misspellings will end the chances of even the most qualified job-seekers.
- Provide detailed contact information. Include your home phone, cell phone, and email.
Read more in my article, published on Quintessential Careers: What Resume Format is Best For You?
You should also consider reading this article about e-resumes written by my partner, Katharine Hansen: The Top 10 Things You Need to Know about E-Resumes and Posting Your Resume Online.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
Jimmy Sweeney, president of CareerJimmy and author of the www.Amazing-Cover-Letters.com calls the “Resume Cover Letter” one of two powerful types of cover letters that few people know about. For the other one, see this entry.
Says Jimmy Sweeney: The resume cover letter is a two-for-one because it combines the best of a cover letter and resume. Here is a tool you’ll want to use again and again because it can catch the interest of headhunters, recruiters, and placement agencies where brevity and speed are essential. It also works well for networking because it is brief and easy to scan. Pull together the most important points from your resume and put them in a bulleted list within the letter itself. Limit yourself to one page. This amazing document will help you make your point, ask for what you want, and produce results — the job you’re looking for.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Galen writes: I have been searching for a job for about 2 and 1/2 months. Every one I show my resume to, or e-mail/fax/snail mail to says that they really like my resume, or WOW, or this is a really strong resume.
Problem is no interviews, no follow-up calls from headhunters on-line or otherwise for jobs which I submitted my resume. Many of these jobs I am definitely qualified for, some over qualified, some under. Most, 80% fall into the definitely qualified for.
- What am I doing wrong?
- How do I get the headhunters to respond?
- etc.
No interviews is a bad sign to me. It means that there is something wrong with your job search…and probably not just your lack of follow-up.
I strongly urge you have a career professional — a resume service, a former boss or colleague, or a headhunter — carefully review your resume and cover letter. In fact, you should have him or her evaluate your entire job search plan.
I also strongly suggest you read our article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven’t Found a Job, published on Quintessential Careers. The article discusses some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search — and how to get through them.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Greg Falasz writes:
I would appreciate getting feedback to the following questions concerning classified ads:
- do you recommend replying to blind box ads;
- do you recommend replying to ads that only list a first name and fax number; and
- do you recommend replying to e-mail addresses that don’t include a company/firm name?
I can appreciate addressing correspondence to a specific person, but in the event no specific person can be discovered, is the following salutation acceptable?
“Dear Madam or Sir,”
The Career Doctor responds: Responding to blind ads of any kind is a personal choice, but I’m sure I would respond if the job seemed right for me. If you choose to respond to these type of “blind” ads though, know that the odds are slim that you will get an interview. In other words, do not make these kind of ads your sole method of job-hunting. Take advantage of other avenues of finding a job, such as networking, headhunters/recruiters, and cold calling.
As for your salutation in your cover letter, you should always avoid sexist greetings — and try to avoid stilted greetings, and I would include “Dear Madam or Sir” as one to avoid. I would recommend that you do one of the following:
- address the cover letter to “Dear Boxholder” — a favorite of mine;
- address the cover letter to “Dear Hiring Manager for “XYZ” Position (where XYZ is replaced with the name of the position);
- address the cover letter to “Dear Friends” — though some find that too informal;
- don’t include a salutation; instead simply put “Re: Job XYZ” (where XYZ is replaced with the job listing code or name).
You can find other cover letter advice at our Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts.
Also refer to the third edition of Dynamic Cover Letters (Ten Speed Press).
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
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