THINGS MAY BE IMPROVING ON THE EMPLOYMENT FRONT

It may be that the employment market is easing as we get to the end of 2009.

I am seeing that there are more and more companies saying that they are planning to hire people in the management ranks in 2010, even a number anticipating some level of hiring during the first quarter.

I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal (http://www.wbjournal.com/news45308.html) on line that said that job cuts are falling, down to the lowest level since the end of 2007!

This is a cause for optimism, and optimism is essential to the success of your job search or career change effort. Remember, the job market is still difficult, and there are still plenty of companies who are not actively looking to hiring new managers.  But there are also a number of companies that are and so there is no doubt that you will get a job eventually. 

Your reward of a new job will be in direct proportion to the amount of effort you put in to your search...and it will also come more easily if you maintain your belief in yourself that tells you that even if it takes several months, you will find a job.

SHOULD YOU USE A FUNCTIONAL OR CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME?

It is always difficult, when you are looking for a new job, seeking new employment opportunities or a career change to decide what kind of resume to write.

Do I use a functional format or a chronological format?  What do I include in each one?

THE CHORONOLOGICAL RESUME    

The Chronological Resume is best if you are looking for a new job and do not want to make a significant career change or switch to a new industry.    

This format works well since it details who you worked for and what you did at each employer, and what kinds of positions you have held. In a Chronological Resume, you detail your accomplishments at each employer during your career to date.    

Include only 4 or 5 bullet points, and use as many statistical references as you can.  Numbers always impress, and they catch the eye of the hiring manager or HR professional reviewing your resume.

A website that might be helpful is  Askresume.com: 

http://askresume.com/exfunctional.html

THE FUNCTIONAL RESUME

The Functional Resume is best if you are looking to change careers or trying to find employment in a new industry.  This format is effective because it focuses the prospective employer, recruiter or human relations manager on the kinds of experience you have had during your career.

In a Functional Resume, you detail the kinds of positions and responsibilities you have had.  The list of employers you have worked for goes at the end, and is therefore minimized.
 

What does your resume REALLY say about you?

I look at dozens of resumes every day.  I have seen almost every kind of resume and every format imaginable.  And everytime I read a resume, I ask 2 questions:

1)  Who is this candidate?

2)  What is his experience?

3)  And how does it relate to my client's business (is he/ she qualified?)

I, and prospective employers too, can only take a moment to get an initial impression of a candidate from his resume. If it is wordy and looks like War and Peace, if it is more than 2-3 pages, it will likely go into the "not interested" pile.

There is one thing that I do not often see on resumes that I think are important:  A brief description of each company you worked for and the business they are in or products they make.

Also, you should not put your salary history on your resume, or write the reasons you left a company on your resume.  These are two topics for discussion, not inclusion in your resume.

I hope this is helpful.  More to come in the next few days.