ThatGirl's Job Search-Resume Questions /Help Thread

[Neighborhood Creep]

Teach me how to land a real job with no college education except 8 months of welding school.

[ThatGirl]

Teach me how to land a real job with no college education except 8 months of welding school.

How much more school do you need to do in order to have an official welding certification and/or red seal type title?

[JClemy]

You aren't late to the party at all! Companies are only just starting to embrace what social networking can mean and how critical it can be to success. Mayor Naheed Nenshi's campaign was centered around social networking and it worked famously. It's a strong example for companies to follow, particularly when the purchasing demographic are the prime social networking user base.

That campaign was amazing. I was really involved with the #yycvote and it definitely made more more involved in local politics than I've ever been. Looks like I'll be marketing myself as a social media guru.

[marooko]

So I may be getting called in for a formal interview. I've never been to one. Any tips, from attire to any prep, would be greatly appreciated.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

Just try not to spit for 5 minutes and don't wear something that reveals your scrotum.

[Sleepingrock]

Teach me how to land a real job with no college education except 8 months of welding school.

Work on the rigs?

[marooko]

Just try not to spit for 5 minutes and don't wear something that reveals your scrotum.

I was hoping for a little more, but this is probably a good start.

[PlayaDelWes]

So I may be getting called in for a formal interview. I've never been to one. Any tips, from attire to any prep, would be greatly appreciated.

• Do your research. Ask questions in the context of your research.
• Talk yourself up, even for things you may not immediately think may be relevant. Be proud of everything you've done.
• Refrain from using "We" in the context of what your team or your former employer did. Focus specifically on your role
• Don't stop statements about "what you've done", but instead complete the thought with "...which resulted in..." or "...which was key because..."
• Smile.
• Rinse out your spittoon before hand.
• When in doubt, keep talking, even about small talk. Look around the office or conference room to find something to keep in your hip pocket if the conversation reaches a breaking point.
• People love to hear their names, so address the other person / people by their name a couple times.

[marooko]

• Do your research. Ask questions in the context of your research.

More on this please. Thank you.

[PlayaDelWes]

More on this please. Thank you.

Google, vault, twitter, facebook, wiki, press releases, their website, SEC.gov, etc... Stalk them like you are obsessed.

[ThatGirl]

I agree with most of this stuff but I have some notes on Wes' comments.


Do your research. Ask questions in the context of your research. - What Wes meant was that you should ask questions about the company based on what you learn while researching it, to demonstrate you have done your homework. ie) "I read on your website your company merged with ABC co. recently. How has that transition been going?" [*]Talk yourself up, even for things you may not immediately think may be relevant. Be proud of everything you've done.[*]Refrain from using "We" in the context of what your team or your former employer did. Focus specifically on your role - THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT. When I hear "we did this" it makes me wonder if you could have done it alone. [*]Don't stop statements about "what you've done", but instead complete the thought with "...which resulted in..." or "...which was key because..." - Yes this is similar to how you'd respond to a behavioral question. Thorough, tells the story. [*]Smile.[*]Rinse out your spittoon before hand.[*]When in doubt, keep talking, even about small talk. Look around the office or conference room to find something to keep in your hip pocket if the conversation reaches a breaking point. - Now this I wouldn't recommend. I don't like ramblers that go on about nothing. Speak with purpose. If you have nothing to say, or have finished answering a question - but it feels like there is an awkward silence, simply ask, "have I answered this question appropriately, or would you like more detail?" Give them a chance to keep control of the interview and guide how it goes. [*]People love to hear their names, so address the other person / people by their name a couple times.

Remember the three key ingredients to successful interviewing are confidence, clarity and enthusiasm. And you can ask in advance what is considered appropriate to wear. Different offices have different standards and you want to appear as though you can fit it. If you show up in a 3 piece suit and everyone is in a golf shirt it can be awkward. Best of luck and I hope it goes amazingly well!!

[ThatGirl]

Work on the rigs?

I have a friend that just started doing this up north, and while it pays well it's taking a toll on his body. He's already been injured once. That said he joined a different company and it's been going smoother.

[Shaxspear]

What kind of advice do you have for STAR interviews?

[DruggyFestivalGuy]

Should I just link potential employers to my message board profile page in lieu of sending a resume?

[ThatGirl]

What kind of advice do you have for STAR interviews?

Star interviews are exactly the same as behavioral interviews, which I've noted in previous posts. You are asked a question about a situation you were once in, and need to describe what it was, what task/action you performed to address the situation and what the end result was. (S - situation T -Task A- Action - Result. ) The trouble with this type of interview is there are so many possible questions that can be asked. Here is a link for some examples of typical STAR questions. http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org...-questions.asp

The best way to prepare for these questions is to review the job description for the role you applied to carefully. Look at the skills/requirements and think of examples in your own work where you have applied those skills and performed those tasks. Have a number of examples at top of mind and on the tip of your tongue when you go into your interview. Then when you are asked a question, draw from the real life examples you have thought of to respond to these situational questions. Not only will you be able to answer quickly and easilly, but you'll be citing examples that directly relate to the job you are interviewing for.

[ThatGirl]

Should I just link potential employers to my message board profile page in lieu of sending a resume?

I guess it would depend on the sort of job you are applying for.

[sonofhal]

[ThatGirl]

Wish I could see what you posted Chris.

[bobert]

ThatGirl. I need your help. Tomorrow I am interviewing for a position for which I am extremely under-qualified. While this does take some of the pressure off, I would still like to present myself in as professional a manner as possible. I haven't interviewed for a job in five years and need to dust the cobwebs off my resume. If you could look it over and give me any feedback I would love to buy you a drink at the festival (if you're attending.)

[ThatGirl]

Happy to help. I'll PM you my email address and if you send it to me I can look it over, but if your interview is tomorrow it doesn't give you much time for amendments. I'll do my best though!

[Courtney]

ThatGirl, at one point in one's career does one graduate from a one-page resume to a two-page resume, and at what point from a two-page resume to a three-page resume?

And, as a related question, suppose I have been working in the same career field since I was 18 years old. How do I decide how many jobs back to list? At 29 years old, I am assuming that I should not include internships. What about industry-specific and relevant part-time jobs during college? What about during grad school?

[ThatGirl]

ThatGirl, at one point in one's career does one graduate from a one-page resume to a two-page resume, and at what point from a two-page resume to a three-page resume?

And, as a related question, suppose I have been working in the same career field since I was 18 years old. How do I decide how many jobs back to list? At 29 years old, I am assuming that I should not include internships. What about industry-specific and relevant part-time jobs during college? What about during grad school?

Ok - in reply to your first question - resume length is not as big an issue now because everything is transmitted electronically, and we're not dealing with piles and piles of paper anymore. We only print off what we have to. But less than 5 pages is recommended. If you have been in the same field for 10 years - then 3 or 4 pages is fine, depending on how much detail you need to describe your experience. As for what type of work to include - you should mention whatever is relevant in chronological order by date, and list your most recent experience first, and with the most detail, gradually offering less detail/bullet points as the work history becomes less recent. That way you're focusing more on your most current recently utilized skills. If you had an industry specific job or internship or something that enhances your experience you can mention it - but only if it's really relevant does it make it worthwhile - and keep details to a minimum.

[bobert]

Happy to help. I'll PM you my email address and if you send it to me I can look it over, but if your interview is tomorrow it doesn't give you much time for amendments. I'll do my best though!

Emailed you my resume. Thanks so much for your help.

[ThatGirl]

Emailed you my resume. Thanks so much for your help.

Just sent you a summary of suggestions. Hope they are helpful!

[Courtney]

Ok - in reply to your first question - resume length is not as big an issue now because everything is transmitted electronically, and we're not dealing with piles and piles of paper anymore. We only print off what we have to. But less than 5 pages is recommended. If you have been in the same field for 10 years - then 3 or 4 pages is fine, depending on how much detail you need to describe your experience. As for what type of work to include - you should mention whatever is relevant in chronological order by date, and list your most recent experience first, and with the most detail, gradually offering less detail/bullet points as the work history becomes less recent. That way you're focusing more on your most current recently utilized skills. If you had an industry specific job or internship or something that enhances your experience you can mention it - but only if it's really relevant does it make it worthwhile - and keep details to a minimum.

Thanks! This is very helpful.

[JClemy]

This thread is awesome.

[ThatGirl]

This thread is awesome.

Awww shucks.

[PlayaDelWes]

14 years into my career, I continue to limit myself to two pages. Am I underrepresenting myself?

[ThatGirl]

14 years into my career, I continue to limit myself to two pages. Am I underrepresenting myself?

I guess it depends on how much relevant detail you are excluding from your work history, that could help to demonstrate your abilities. Do you use a chronological or functional resume format?

[PlayaDelWes]

I guess it depends on how much relevant detail you are excluding from your work history, that could help to demonstrate your abilities. Do you use a chronological or functional resume format?

I'm including it all, I just find that as I tack on more recent experience, I'm crispifying the statements about my earlier career from what were once paragraphs down to short statements. I'm torn between sticking to 2 pages, easy to read statements, or detailed job experiences.

My resume is chronological, but I really only have two parts to my career; the most recent tenure at the top and within the most recent tenure, the most recent job titles at the top.