Bridge the Unemployment Gap In a Resume

As they say, stuff happens. Life happens. So do layoffs, new babies, sick relatives and a host of other occurrences that can result in a gap in your employment. Whatever the case a gap in your resume will draw the attention of an employer. So, how do you explain this in your resume?

First, let’s discuss the dates. There is no hard set rule that says that you have to list mm/yy in your resume. Include years instead of months (2000-2001).

Second, think about what you did during that period of unemployment. Did you freelance or do consulting or contracting work? Did you volunteer or become a mentor? All of these count as work. But what if you decided to stay at home?

I’ve met many men and women who decided to stay at home to raise their children or take care of an aging parent. How do you cover that period in a resume? Well, I read one that I thought was very unique. After her maternity leave ended she decided to stay at home and raise her new born until he was 10 months old. She wanted to return to work in her field (administration) and realized that because of her 10 month absence an employer may be concerned about her ability to do the job. She updated her resume using the date format I had suggested above. Her responsibilities at home were converted into transferable skills. She created a job title (Household Manager) and listed her skills and experience in this manner:

• Performed daily duties in a high pressure environment
• Used time management skills to meet deadlines
• Thoroughly planned and managed workload
• Continually set priorities
• Analyzed and managed budget
• Maintained records
• Researched information on the Web
• Followed through all projects with a viable plan
• Responded to last minute changes
• Often solved complex issues on the spot without step-by-step guidance>

You get the idea.

In that scenario some suggest that you use a cover letter to explain the time you took off to care for an aged parent or raise a child. Because one cover letter and resume does not cover all jobs (read my article “Resume and Cover Letter Blunders I would recommend experimenting by using both methods – explaining in a cover letter and not mentioning it in a cover letter but list that period in the method I listed above. When addressing your gap in a cover letter keep it brief and factual, highlight the positives, and bring the conversation back to your qualifications and interest in the job for which you are interested in.

Next, check the format of your resume. Do not bold your fonts, use italics, or change the font size. Doing so will bring attention. Make sure it is consistent in appearance.

Choose a functional resume instead of a chronological resume (read my article “Resume Format and Overview

Heather Mundell, a co-author of Career Hub, wrote a nice piece on how to explain a resume gap during an interview.

Read more »

Optimize Your Resume with Keywords

Imagine if there was a way to encode your resume with magical words that would virtually ensure that recruiters and employers would be interested in interviewing you. There is a way. It's called Keyword. So, what are Keywords? Think of keywords as the jargon or "buzzwords" used in a profession or industry. It's how insiders describe themselves and others in their profession.

Keywords are the nouns and noun phrases used by recruiters searching through resume databases and Web job sites for resumes meeting the requirements on job descriptions.

You can optimize your resume by including many of these keywords in your resume. But here's the catch. There's a different set of keywords for every job, and you do not know which ones are used.

Think of the education and experience you have had and the job you want, and brainstorm the nouns and noun phrases that would be used in the description of the requirements of that job. Look through the job postings you find for the skills, experience, professional certifications or organizaitons, etc. That will tell you what keywords will be used. Pay attention to certain words will reappear consistently. Those are your "key" words. Some sites that host the job posting list keywords pertaining to the position. You should also get a copy of the job description for the job you want, and pick out the noun and noun phrases used. As appropriate add those words and phrases to your resume when you apply for that job. Older job seekers should list "computer" or "IT" skills on their resumes if they have these skills, because some employers may make an assumption that older applicants are not as tech savvy as their younger counterparts.

Although many keywords are industry specific certain phrases are important to almost all companies. They include "communication skills," "problem-solving," "team work," "leadership," "resource optimization," "image and reputation management", "trouble shooting", "problem solving".

As important as keywords are for getting noticed, littering your resume with buzzwords that don't accurately reflect your experience may work against you. Don't go overboard!

For a list of action verbs and keywords click here. Be sure to check out Monster's comprehensive list called "The Top Keywords Recruiters Use to Find You".

Read more »

Use the Holidays to Step Up Your Job Search

That’s right. This holiday season is a good time to step up your job search activities. While companies use the holiday season to relax recruiters continue to search for candidates at all times of the year. It’s the needs of the business such as growing markets, competitive pressure, and business initiatives that drive these recruiting efforts. These areas do not take a break.

Some people give up their job search between Thanksgiving and New Years. Granted that hiring during the holidays can be complicated sometimes because key decision makers may not be available the need to hire still remains. Companies have already developed their budget and business plans and have allocated funding for new hires for 2009. I started recruiting at the beginning of December for openings in my market that must be filled the first week of January. For those who continue to plug away during the holidays will be the ones who will reap the benefits.

If you are attending a holiday social event, it is definitely appropriate to mention that you are job searching. Accept all the invitations you receive, both personal and professional. You never know who may be able to help. Friends and family, as well as business acquaintances are typically more than happy to assist.

Send a "Happy Holidays" or a "Happy New Year" greeting card to networking contacts, recruiters, and to employers you have interviewed with is another good way to connect with those who can help with your job search.

Send e-mails or use a professional or social networking sites (like LinkedIn, MySpace, or Facebook) to get in touch. The holiday season is a good excuse to touch base and a good time to reinforce or expand your network.

Get a seasonal job. Retail may — or may not — be your dream job. But getting a seasonal job, many of which are in retail or other service industries, is a great way to earn some extra cash while building up your resume and exposing yourself to new networking opportunities. Most seasonal jobs are part-time, so you would still be able to dedicate full-time energy to your job search as well. I delivered pizzas. I was able to increase my network and discover “hidden jobs”.

You can also volunteer. Spend a few hours every week helping others and gain a little perspective on your own struggles. Plus, many volunteer placements offer leadership and executive experience to help you round out your resume and opportunities to meet people you may one day want to work with or for.

Read more »

How to Work a Job Fair

Job fairs are a great place to network. It's an opportunity for you to showcase your skills and make an impression on an employer. But do not set your expectations high. You may receive an on-the-spot interview but typically, recruiters and managers do not make job offers at these events.

To get the most out of a job fair, you should be prepared to talk confidently about your skills and how they could meet the needs of each employer you talk to. You want to stand out to employers based on the value your skills could offer their company. Here are a few tips.

1. "Plan Your Attack" - What to do the day before. Make a list. Get a list of companies attending and choose 10-15 that are offering positions that you are interested in.  Research each company of interest. Many job-seekers go to fairs to "see the sights" and are not prepared to interview. You can get a huge jump on the competition by doing some research on each of the companies you want to interview with. Hoovers.com offers alot of information -- very little for free and more for a fee. Web100 tracks the largest American and international companies on the Web. Vault.com is well know for it's insider reports on thousands of companies. Talk to current employees to get an idea of the work environment. Ask them what they like and dislike about the company and why they chose to work for the company. Go to your favorite search engine and find the company's websites. Inspect your resume to ensure that it is updated and has accurate information. Make sure you have different versions of your resume (example: admin/clerical, management, payroll, etc.). Prepare a "Wow" statement. This is a 60-second introduction, which should include your name, your skills and why you are interested in this company. Be sure to include some interesting fact that you learned about the company during your research. Practice your approach. Work on your handshake as you hand over your resume, your eye to eye contact, and your introduction. It's part of the impression you will leave with the employer.  Put together your "Job fair kit". A bonded portfolio presents a more professional appearance and can neatly store your resumes, notebook and pen. If you have business cards leave them at home. Your resume is your business card. Pack plenty of copies of your resume(s).

2. "Execute, Execute, Execute" - The Day of the Job Fair.  Arrive early and revisit each booth before leaving. Turn your cell/pager off before entering the event.  Don't forget the eye-to-eye contact and firm handshake. Have your resume out and ready to hand over. Remember to smile. Helps to relax you and shows enthusiasm. Try to eavesdrop when employer speaks with other candidates so you do not ask the same questions. Use follow up questions. Ask intelligent questions - 1) "What are your fields of greatest need and do you anticipate these needs changing over the next few years?"; 2) "What kind of career opportunities are available for people with my degree and skills?”; 3) "What qualities are you looking for in new hires?"; 4) “What are your future hiring plans?”; 5) “Describe the work environment at your organization?”; 6)“What characteristics do you see in successful people at your organization? “Get a business card from each company you are interested in.  Jot down notes about company you visited and conversations you had with the recruiter. You will need the information for your follow up. Do some networking with your fellow job seekers in terms of sharing information about job leads and companies. After you leave the job fair reflect on what you did well and what you can improve on. Write those thoughts down so you can work on them before attending your next job fair.

3. "Life after the Job Fair". As a recruiter I am amazed at how few job seekers actually take the time to follow-up after a job fair, thus when you do it, you will get an edge over the many others who do not.
Send "Thank you" notes or letters as soon as possible. In the letter or note, thank the recruiter for his/her time, restate your interest and qualifications for the position, reiterate your interest in a second interview, and make a promise to follow-up the letter with a phone call. Mention something you learned about the company while you were at the job fair. Refer to those notes you took at the event. Another method is to call the recruiter the evening of the fair and leave a voicemail message thanking the recruiter again for his/her time that day. A more concrete and traditional method is to write a thank you note and mail it the next day to the address on the recruiter's business card. I would recommend including another copy of your resume.

Read more »

Job Hunting in Times of Uncertainty: Five Overlooked Strategies to Help Make Your Job Search More Productive -- and Successful

In times when the economy falters, when financial markets fall, and when companies of all sizes in many industries announce plans to reduce their workforce, job seekers tend to get a bit concerned about the length and success of the job search they may face. It almost goes without saying that job-hunting in a boom economy is quite different (and much easier) than job hunting in a slumping economy.


Different, yes. Harder and often more time consuming, yes. Impossible, no. Job hunting is an art that simply takes more time and work to perfect in uncertain times than in good times. You will have to work harder and smarter at finding new opportunities, but they are out there, and if you take advantage of these five strategies you will be much better positioned to land a new job.

Utilizing the Power of Networking. What's the most important tool of job-hunting, especially in times of uncertainty? Not a resume nor interviewing skills…but networking. Why networking? Networking is the most effective tool of job-hunting because if you use your network properly, you will hear of multiple job opportunities, often before they are even listed (if they are ever listed).

Some job seekers shy away from networking because they equate networking with taking advantage of people, but if done correctly, networking can be a rewarding experience for all parties involved. Networking is not asking everyone you know for a job. Networking means developing a broad list of contacts -- family, friends, and people you've met through various social and business functions -- and using them to your advantage when you look for a job. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network.

Now is the time to broaden your network -- even if you are not currently looking for a new job. You never know when you'll need your network, so make every effort to grow it.

Finding Hidden Job Opportunities. In good times job openings are plentiful, but in uncertain times the job openings disappear. Job-seekers are left scrambling for the few “open” jobs. But there are always other job possibilities lurking in the background, and it is up to the persistent job-seeker to find those hidden job opportunities and/or to create new opportunities.

Finding hidden opportunities. Job seekers must take full advantage of their network to uncover as many potential job openings as possible. Hunt down every lead. Consider using cold calling techniques to find other opportunities. Focus more of your time and energy here than trying to respond to every job posting at Monster.com or the other job boards.

Creating new opportunities. As companies downsize and consolidate job functions, many opportunities may arise for a job seeker with the right skills. Determine your most marketable skills, examine the ongoing needs of the employers where you want to work (including your current employer), and develop a proposal showcasing how the employer would benefit from hiring you.

Sharpening the Focus of Your Resume. Decide whether a traditional chronological resume format is better for you or whether you need a functional resume format, or some type of hybrid format.

Consider developing a "qualifications summary" or "key accomplishments" section for your resume. Think of this section as the executive summary of your resume. If the employer reads only this one part of your resume, will it be enough to entice the employer to read the rest of your resume?

Develop multiple resumes, perhaps even customizing each resume you send to the specific job and employer. Also consider multiple resume formats, from the standard formatted paper resume to a scannable text resume and Web-based resume.

Finally, remember that a resume is a living document. You are never "done" with your resume. You should update and edit your resume(s) regularly, adding new accomplishments and skills, sharpening the focus, removing outdated material.

Developing a Dynamic Cover Letter. A cover letter is an integral tool of your job search. Perhaps in the past you have been able to get good jobs with a mediocre cover letter, but in uncertain times, your cover letter becomes the main tool that can determine whether your resume is read and whether you are even considered as a candidate for a position.

How can you improve your cover letter? Let's review the two most important parts of the cover letter: the introductory paragraph and the ending paragraph.

The first paragraph of your cover letter must sell the employer on the benefits/skills/talent you will bring to the job - a mix that no other job seeker has and one that has a clear benefit to the employer. Do not waste this critical opening paragraph.

• Weak opening paragraph: I am writing today to apply for the account manager opening you have posted on your company Website.
• Better opening paragraph: I have increased the size and sales levels of my client base in every position I have held, which in turn has increased the revenues and profits of my employers. I want to bring this same success to the account position you have posted on your Website.

The final paragraph of your cover letter must be proactive. You must ask for the job interview (or a meeting) in this paragraph. You must express your confidence that you are a perfect fit for the job. You must also put the employer on notice that you plan to follow-up within a specified time.

• Weak closing paragraph: I hope you will review my resume, and if you agree with what I have stated here, consider me for the position. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
• Better closing paragraph: I am eager to help advance the success of your company, and I am convinced that we should arrange a time to meet. I will call your office in the next week to schedule an appointment.

Mastering the Art of Follow-Up. In good times, some job seekers may be able to get away with being impolite in not sending thank you letters and being lazy by not following up all leads, but in a tight or uncertain job market, job-seekers must follow-up every job lead, every job application, and every job interview.

Some job seekers may see follow-up as too aggressive, but the cliché about the squeaky wheel getting the grease applies to job seeking. As long as you don't contact the employer too often or act abusive, following up with emails or phone calls is a way to stay at the forefront of the minds of the employers, as well as a way for you to stay on top of the status of the search. Each time you follow-up, your strategy should be to reinforce the perception that you are the ideal candidate for the job; the job seeker with the unique set of skills and experiences required for the job.

Follow-up each cover letter and resume you send with a phone call or email requesting an interview. Follow-up each interview you have with a thank you note or letter to each person who interviewed you. And follow-up your thank you note with a phone call or email to again express your interest and fit with the job and check on the status of the search.

Read more »