No More than a Boxful

Does your cubicle at work look like it would take a U-haul to get everything out of there if you were suddenly terminated? If that’s the case, then it’s time to clean up your workspace. Perhaps you’ll uncover some achievement awards you forgot about, or a letter from a satisfied customer. You’re going to need these items when it’s time to update your resume. Sad but true, many of my clients have left important items behind when they were shown the door. That is THE worse time to have to start boxing up your stuff, or rent a moving van.

In all of my previous jobs I never got too comfortable leaving more than a “boxful” in my workspace. A boxful is pretty much all the time you get or want when the pink slip arrives -- or when you finally get up the nerve to quit. The emotions can run high, especially while you’re piling the last 20 years of your life into cardboard boxes.

And that boxful should contain the least important of your stuff. In other words, if the building where you work burned down, could you live without the items in your cubicle? I’ve heard the horror stories of showing up to work and finding the doors locked. That’s why you don’t leave the most important things in your life at the office. A box of tissues, chapstick, and Excedrin can easily be replaced. Your Emmy Award cannot.

The same goes for lockers, company vehicles, private emails and phone messages on your PDA, office computer, laptop, etc. Once you leave, your employer has complete access. And usually, you get no time to wipe out items on your computer because the company doesn't want you to erase or copy what is rightfully theirs. Usually computer access is the first thing disconnected when you sever ties with your employer

Leaving a job after pouring so much of yourself into it is difficult. And it doesn’t matter whether you leave on your own accord or you’re terminated. Don’t make it any harder than it has to be. Clean out your desk and leave only a boxful of what you really need to do your job.

--Susan Geary, Certified Professional Résumé Writer / 1st Rate Resumes

Think Before Bragging

This morning as I was whizzing past the television, I caught a glimpse of one of Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses conducting an interview on one of the national morning shows. The first thing I thought to myself was "good luck in your future job search." I hope she invests any money she makes off this news event, or plans on self-employment. That's because she might have a really difficult time getting a job. Don't get me wrong, it is possible. But consider this. Recruiters will conduct a background check which also includes an internet search engine. What do you expect to come up? I SLEPT WITH TIGER WOODS AND TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT IT!

In today's digital world, it's easier than ever to track down information on anyone. Keep that in mind before you brag about your transgressions.

--Susan Geary, CPRW / 1st Rate Resumes

Are Cover Letters Becoming Passe?

I peruse the career egroups from several HR associations, Resume Writing Groups, and Recruiters and I'm finding a lot of noise lately about cover letters. Apparently there are a majority of recruiters who don't like them, and won't even read them. That being said, they won't rule you out for sending one, they just won't read them.

While I can't remember where I read this, or if it's even true, statistics are being published that only 50% of hiring authorities want a cover letter these days. That kind of bums me out, because writing cover letters is my favorite part of my job. And I rarely have to go back and re-write them. My clients seem to like them.

Back to the egroups: the consensus among my groups agree that it's still better to send a cover letter and risk having it "not read," then to send a naked resume when a cover letter is desired by the employer. At least you have better odds at getting your resume read.

Good luck in your job search!

--Susan Geary, Certified Resume Writer / 1st Rate Resumes

Holiday Gift Suggestions for the Unhappily Employed

Are you living with someone who hates his or her job, but they're afraid to quit because of the economy? There's an old saying, "People don't quit their jobs, they quit their supervisors." While there's little chance you can change the situation, you can help your partner cope a little better. Here's my short list of holiday gift ideas:

1. Books / $25 or less. Here are my 3 favorites for the job hater, just don't give them to your co-workers or boss this Christmas:

"Working with You Is Killing Me" -- Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work by Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster

"Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers, and Other Office Idiots" -- 201 Smart Ways to Handle the Toughest People by Vicky Oliver.

"Tangling with Tyrants®: Taming the Tyrant. A Toolkit for Reclaiming your Power at Work" -- by Tony Deblauwe.

2. A one hour massage / $75 -- Help your mate chill and destress from it all

3. A bottle of wine / $10-30 -- Nothing takes the edge off like a glass of wine.

4. A professional resume / $250-$750 -- Writing a resume is a drag and induces a lot of stress on its own. Help your spouse get out of a bad job by jump starting her job search with a new and improved resume.

Disclosure: I guess the government wants me to disclose if I got paid for including recommendations in my blog today. I did not. Although, I am a certified professional resume writer.

Happy Holidays. Don't let your job search take a vacation!

--Susan Geary / 1st Rate Resumes

Beware of the JobFox Scam

About a year ago, I outed the Ladders for their practice of ripping apart professional resume writers' work, and now it appears that JobFox.com has stolen a page from the Ladders playbook.

JobFox has a website where you can post a resume. But without even asking, they will go ahead and critique it for you, using a cookie cutter template that looks the same as everyone elses' critique. A few of my colleagues were burned. I haven't received one yet, but I'm sure I probably will. Thus my rant today.

If you're doing your due diligence on JobFox, then make sure you visit this website first: http://www.jobboardreviews.com/Job_Search_Engines/Jobfox.com.html

There you'll find opinions of others who have already wasted their money with JobFox.

Dressing for a Job Interview

I never thought I would need to tackle this topic on my blog, because let's face it, it's been beaten to death a zillion times in newspapers, books, etc. Doesn't everyone know you're supposed to dress "appropriately" to a job interview? Well, apparently not everyone knows what the definition of "appropriate" is, so let me give you two examples.

I was flipping through the TV channel the other day looking for something to watch when I happened to catch Tyra Banks doing a segment on job interviews. She was running an experiment on whether telling the interviewer "you're hot" would help get the job. It doesn't. However, the man who conducted the interview did reveal that he was opposed to open-toed shoes on females. Even the little peek-hole kind. Take note: closed-toe shoes are considered appropriate for a job interview.

Next, an example from many years ago when I worked with a freelance employee at our firm. When I decided to leave the company, she applied for my job. My company flew her to the home office for an interview. Mind you, they had never met her in person before, but were impressed enough by her work to want to consider her for full-time employment.

My boss was shocked at what she was wearing. A leopard mini-skirt, matching blazer, and leopard pumps with black stockings. It was not even Halloween! So, even though this woman had all the experience and work ethic to do my job, it was her sexy attire that cost her the job. Ouch.

Don't let this happen to you. Not only must you dress for the job at an interview, you need to continue to do so after you get the job. Because after all, every day IS your job interview.

--Susan Geary, 1st Rate Resumes

I am not a Miracle Worker

Much as I believe that I help open doors for candidates looking for a job, I need to explain that I am limited by what my clients have produced. Those who are most successful using my services are already successful in their career. They just aren't good at expressing it on paper. That being said, I can only help those with a spotty background so much. As one of my colleagues recently remarked on an egroup, having a nice resume with little content or accomplishments is much like having a shiny new Mercedes without an engine. Sure looks pretty, but it won't get you very far.

What makes it easy for you to get a new job? Keeping track of your accomplishments, for one. Staying with your company at least 3 years is another. OK, I know that may not be easy in this economy, but here's a common problem I see a lot: Job seekers jump on the first job that comes along, continue to look for another, quit the new job after 3 months to take the better job, only to hate the culture, supervisor, or get laid off after 6 months. That's a dent that can't be quickly removed.

If you want the best looking resume possible, you'll need to maintain your own career performance. I can't do that for you. I can only write about what you've accomplished.

--Susan Geary, CERW / Certified Resume Writer