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Creating Multiple Resumes
Q. I have worked for a Big Three
auto maker since I graduated from college over 11 years ago.
I have an electrical engineering degree, with emphasis on
computer engineering, and an engineering management degree.
I've enjoyed a rewarding and prosperous career and received
several important promotions. My last assignment involves
new product launches, project management, process
development, quality control, and training. Also, I was the
information technology (IT) manager until recently.
Unfortunately, politics and a limited number of positions at
my current location (my wife and I do not want to relocate
to Michigan) have caused me to become unhappy with my
current position. My attitude is affecting how I am
perceived. I am looking for new employment but have two
questions: First, should I emphasize my managerial skills
(project management and team skills) on my
resumes and
minimize my IT role? Second, how long should the job search
take?
A. Create at least two versions of your resume: one
emphasizing the managerial role, and the other tilted
towards information technology. Each requires a specific
emphasis, and trying to homogenize your
resumes isn't the
best route. Most job seekers are faced with the dilemma of
"putting my best foot forward with my
resumes." This writing
exercise will help you to focus on specific strengths in
each area, which, in turn, may help you create a powerful
resume that speaks to the reader (and potential hiring
manager). Remember that a resume is an instrument to attract
attention -- the "door-opener -- and should clearly reflect
your skills.
Having more than one resume anyway allows you to closely
align your background and skills to what is called for in
the position description or posting/advertisement. This
should increase your chances of being called for an
interview or phone screen. Remember, if your resume stands
out above the competition's, you will at least get a shot.
If not, you need to tweak or rewrite your resume or have a
professional create one for you.
As a note, longevity within a particular industry, such as
the automotive industry, has advantages. You may want to
explore other companies, such as tier-1 suppliers, or get
into management consulting. At your age, I would strongly
advise that you look for opportunities where the confluence
of manufacturing processes, supply chain, ERP, and
e-business converge.
How long will the search take? The old rule of thumb was one
month for every $15,000 to $20,000 of annual income.
However, since salaries have increased, and we now use
"Internet-time" as the unit of measure, two weeks per
$15,000 to $20,000 income is a better guideline. Of course,
we've all heard about friends and colleagues being hired in
days in this booming economy. But, in general, the more time
you put into a job search, the less time it will take to
find the right position.
Answering the Hard Questions
Q. I was recently fired from a position that I held for one
month. I initially left on good terms, but that relationship
has soured greatly due to the company’s financial problems.
As a result, I have not listed the company on my resume.
Should I mention this when interviewing? Also, I'm seeking
an administrative position and have been faxing dozens of
resumes for over one month and haven't had any interviews.
Is it possible that employers/recruiters are moving slowly
with hiring because it is still early in the year? I'm both
working with employment agencies and searching on my own. Is
there anything I can do to make myself more attractive as a
candidate?
A. No one likes the experience of getting terminated,
especially after just one month. What happened? Did you
alienate yourself from your manager or colleagues? Was the
job too difficult or over your head? How you answer those
questions will indicate your course of action. Perhaps you
have already tried getting your previous supervisor to write
at least a general reference letter, since most companies
prefer not being on record as firing people. If you can find
someone to vouch for you from your old employer, that will
help. If you're not getting interviews, you need to try
other avenues to get your resume into the hands of more
interested parties or perhaps try another line of work. I'm
assuming that this wasn't your first job as an
administrator, but if it is, you will not have much luck
with recruiting agencies.
I can't recommend that you fail to mention your former firm
on your resume, and you shouldn't lie about being let go,
but don't make this the first sentence out of your mouth.
Talk about the positive aspects of this job and your
previous work experience if possible. Tell potential
employers that your most recent employment assignment was on
a trial basis and didn't work out. If you can provide a
company reference, this is where you use it. If you choose
not to mention this employer, you run the risk of being
found out later on.
You can make yourself more attractive as a viable candidate
by using the Internet and e-mail to send your resume rather
than faxing it. Check the local Internet postings, attend
job fairs, and knock on doors in person. Let your neighbors
know you are looking for a position, network with your
business and social contacts, and review the Sunday paper.
The market for most types of workers is booming; you just
have to be in the right place, so keep your chin up and
treat your job search as a 40-hour per week job.
Explaining Dismissal
Q. I was dismissed from a position with a major bank. When
asked why I left, I have told interviewers that there was a
reorganization. Although this really was a factor
surrounding the department in general, the company said it
had to release me because some information was leaked from
the department. When I challenged them, they couldn't
produce the evidence. Anyway, I was the last one dismissed
from the department within seven months. I have been out of
work for five months and would appreciate advice on my
search. I have sent out hundreds of resumes nationwide and
am currently having second interviews with five reputable
companies.
A. For a potential employer to check references from your
previous employer, informally and off the record, would be
relatively easy since it is a large bank -- perhaps this is
why you've not received any offers to date. I believe you
can be honest with a potential employer about your situation
without cutting your own throat. You can at least explain in
general what happened and why it happened, but to gloss over
the situation with the oft-used "I was caught in a
reorganization" apparently isn't working. You can point to
office politics, a power struggle, and the fact you were the
final employee to be released.
I would consider taking another position sooner than later,
even if it were a notch below what you feel you are worth,
just to get back into the market and to start rebuilding
your self-esteem. Five months out of work must have hurt
your finances, unless you received a severance package as
part of your termination. Putting on rust waiting for the
perfect offer is a mistake too many job seekers make.
Leaving a New Job
Q. My position was recently relocated out of my geographic
preference, so I took a similar position with a smaller
company. Although the job pays the bills, I am interested in
pursuing more enticing opportunities from other companies to
which I had applied prior to accepting this position. How
should I handle this situation? I've been in my new position
for only a few weeks, so it is difficult for me to take time
off to interview.
A. Keep interviewing until you find the right position.
Gingerly make a case with potential employers to meet with
you before or after work, during lunch, or on the weekend. A
new trend is for companies to conduct Saturday interviews,
since candidates and hiring managers are so busy during
their normal work schedules. You should try to be as fair to
your current employer as possible, so if you're missing
time, be sure to make it up somehow.
If you line up new work, give your current employer as much
notice as possible. Offer to make the transition with a new
hire as seamless as possible, even if it means you give back
some time on the weekends with new hire. You'll feel better
about yourself.
Unfair Raise
Q. My yearly raise is in January. A co-worker left last
August, and I was asked to take on her responsibilities. I
accepted and was given an increase in pay. When it was time
for my yearly raise, I was told that I had already received
one in August. The only increase I received in August was
the increase for taking on more responsibilities. It's not
fair to me at all. What should I do?
A. You must enjoy your work and current employer since you
did agree to take on more responsibility as well as a raise
in August. Next time, be sure to ask about the raise you
were expecting six months from that point. You shouldn't
expect semi-annual salary reviews unless your offer letter
explicitly states that fact.
You do have a couple of options, though. The most obvious is
to find another employer, especially if you feel slighted
and hurt by the inaction of your manager. If your employer
or manager gets the feeling you are looking to leave, and
they don't want to lose you, they may be prompted to discuss
this touchy situation. Since the economy is booming,
recruiting new employees to replace those who are leaving
has become costly and time-consuming for every employer, and
no one likes to lose employees they want. You may be able to
leverage your employer this way. If your employer takes no
action, you know you are a short-timer there and really do
need to leave. On the good chance you do get an offer, this
process has allowed you to open your eyes to what else is
out there and evaluate your current compensation against the
market.
Article Source / About The Author
Kurt Wilkinson returns this month with more helpful answers
for concerned job seekers. The principal of Wilkinson
SoftSEARCH, Inc., Kurt has placed over 700 information
technology professionals throughout his career. Using
Internet-centric sourcing techniques, along with Domino R/5
and C-PAS back office applications, Wilkinson SoftSEARCH
conducts contingent and retained search assignments focused
on mid- to senior-level professionals.