I read LJ pretty much every day - sometimes multiple times a day - but almost never post. I have yet to do develop that casual just-chatting style while writing, although I enjoy conversations very much.
Today's post is inspired by my deciding to apply for a job. This requires a resume. Which I haven't done one of in almost twenty years.
Now I have a bare first draft done, and it looks terrible to me. But I'm at a loss as to how to progress. I don't know what to change, or which direction to take it. I've even caught myself defending the current wording, much like a doting parent with a snot-nosed child.
And then there's the cover letter. So far, I've gotten to "Dear Ms. Hyde" (the contact name on the posting I'm interested in).
I know, I'll do a load of dishes, and then laundry! No, no, back to staring at the screen. Better yet, cruise LJ again...
Today's post is inspired by my deciding to apply for a job. This requires a resume. Which I haven't done one of in almost twenty years.
Now I have a bare first draft done, and it looks terrible to me. But I'm at a loss as to how to progress. I don't know what to change, or which direction to take it. I've even caught myself defending the current wording, much like a doting parent with a snot-nosed child.
And then there's the cover letter. So far, I've gotten to "Dear Ms. Hyde" (the contact name on the posting I'm interested in).
I know, I'll do a load of dishes, and then laundry! No, no, back to staring at the screen. Better yet, cruise LJ again...
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alicebentley- Alice Bentley
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Um ... you do know that modern resumes don't look at all like the ones we all did 20 years ago, right? Just checking ... ;]
Even when I was hiring at the bookstore, I didn't ask for resumes.
http://www.rockportinstitute.com/resumes.html
The advise worked and I got a phone interview. On the subject of cover letters, I didn't have to write one of those, so I can't help you there.
Of course, I'm STILL not hired...
K.
Nintendo of America has a lot of openings, but nothing really called to me, and the commute to Redmond is offputting.
Wizards of the Coast has only four postings, but the one for Operations Manager sounds both interesting and something I would probably be good at. And the commute to Renton is not too bad.
So I've been noodling around with writing a resume, intending to use their online application system once I have something I like.
Then, Monday at 4 PM, Mike gets the word from work that they are shutting down, and he's now unemployed. Guess I'd better focus on getting this thing done...
The common reaction of panic just isn't there. I have every confidence that he'll find a new job in short order. But it has helped me put some more effort into this.
Your resume is really pretty easy. Mostly, you owned a bookstore. You have all of the skills that go with that. You worked a couple of other places, which also help rather than hinder.
Your cover letter more or less says, "Hi, I'm interested in the job. I think I can do it. Call me." Everything else is making that sound good.
A cover letter should never be more than about three paragraphs long. Tell A) What job you want; B) a one-sentence synopsis of your key qualification; and C) how they can contact you. Be polite and use good grammar and punctuation.
It's not brain surgery. I understand that it can seem daunting. You can do it.