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Job Search Tools
by Robin Wood, ROP InstructorFirst of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Many of you arrived in class with little or no computer experience and look at you now! Now it's time to apply your newly acquired computer skills and start your job search. The purpose of this page is to provide you with tools to make your job search as pain free as possible.
So where do we begin? How about the resume.
You will find a variety of recommended job search related books at Amazon.comIf you already have a resume, please give it to me for review. If you don't have a resume her are some tips to get you started:
Brainstorm - Write a list of your skills, this list can include skills acquired from work & volunteer activities (school, PTA, girl/boy scouts, household management, etc.).
Write a list of your accomplishments from your past jobs; if possible try to include how you had saved your company money, increased sales, improved process workflow, etc. It's always a good idea to try to include dollar figures or percentages in your accomplishments.
If you're creating a functional resume categorize your lists by skill cluster, i.e., Customer Service, Accounting, Clerical, Graphic Design, Organizational, etc. Include significant achievements throughout your career, i.e., Saved Company $$$$ by cutting production costs. Then write your employment history, include: Company name, years of employment (do not include months), city and state, and a brief description of your duties. This will be the foundation for your new resume.
Ok, I have my list, what next? Functional vs. Chronological
The next step is deciding what type of resume you plan to use. If you're changing careers or you have little work experience I recommend a functional resume that highlights your skills. If you have solid long term experience a chronological format is the appropriate choice. What's becoming very popular is the chronofunctional style resume that blends both styles together. In addition to a functional or chronological resume you should also create a Keyword resume for scanning.
The most popular resume style with employers/recruiters is the chronological. It clearly shows progression in your work experience and where you acquired each of your skills. Which ever style of resume you choose it's a good idea to include an area at the top of your resume that highlights your most important prior accomplishments and skills.
What else should I include on my resume?
- Name, address, telephone number, cell phone number, and e-mail address
- Objective--Target your objective to the job you're applying for. Write your objective before you have written your resume. Avoid being vague when writing your objective. Your objective should clearly state how you can help your future employer to save money, earn money, improve processes, etc. Even if you choose not to include an objective on your resumes the process of writing your objective helps you to clearly identify the industry you want to work in, the corporate culture you enjoy, and the job skills you really want to utilize. If you're applying with a personnel service leave the objective off the resume. If you're having a really difficult time writing an objective consider reading the book Resume Magic.
- Summary or Highlights of Qualifications--This area of your resume should include achievements from "the list", your computer skills, and skills that are related to the position you are applying for. Try to use dollar amounts that you saved or helped to sell or percentages. Use bullets when formatting this section.
- Functional Resume--Skills next. Use the skill cluster from "the list"
- Chronological resume--Job Title, Company Name, Dates of Employment (years only), City and State and a detailed description of your job duties.
- Functional Resume--Employment History. Job Title, Company Name, Dates of Employment (years only), City and State and a brief description of your job duties.
- Education--Major, Educational Institution, Dates, and City and State. Adults with years of industry experience don't need to include high school information.
- Volunteer Activities--Optional.
Do's and Don'ts
- Don't use the Resume Wizard in Word 2000 or XP--Do you want your resume to look like everyone else's?
- Do have at least three classmates read your resume--The hiring manager is not the person to find the typos on your resume.
- A one to two page resume is best--Be concise, remember that your resume is one of many the potential employer has to read. Include the really important information in the top third of the page. An employer may only spend 8-10 seconds reading your resumes.
- Put your outstanding achievements/skills at the top of the page--If you don't grab the employers attention within the first third of the page he/she may not finish reading it.
- Don't include personal information--Hobbies, marital status, etc.
- Don't include References Available Upon Request--It's assumed that you will be able to provide them to the employer if requested.
- Don't overuse bullets--The resume starts looking like a connect the dots game.
- Use an 11+ point font and margins no less than 1/2 inch--If the font is too small the resume is hard to read. Try using a sans serif font (Ariel) for the headings and a serif font (Times New Roman) for the body text. White space is a good thing, it makes the page easier to read and looks more professional. You will find more tips for formatting your resume in the article Using Microsoft Word for Job Search.
- Don't use graphics or splashy fonts--Be conservative, the employer may be.
Resume Tips Using Word
I've written an article on Using Microsoft Word for Job Search. This article includes some tips on writing your resume, but it's main focus is on how to use Word to properly format your resume in Word. Avoid repeatedly using the spacebar and tab key to align text and read the article to learn how to use tables, set tabs, and properly format your resume. This is very important because most resumes are sent electronically today and employers can see exactly how you formatted your resume.
Additional Types of Resumes
Sample Web
Designer/Developer Resume for students attending the Web design program.
Web Resume
AASCII Text Resume
As you update your resume, give me a copy to review and please let me know if you need help! I have also pulled together several sample Web designer/developer resumes in a binder that's available for your review.
We also have a career resource library in the classroom. You can use the books during class to work on your resume, learn about networking, and help to find career direction. Ask your instructor to review the resources available to you.
Resume & Job Search Articles:
- Using Microsoft Word for Job Search
- Using RSS and Feed Readers to Help to Effectively Manage Your Job Search
- Accessing Job Search Podcasts
- A variety of interviewing and resume tips
- About.com - Careers
- About.com - Resume Writing - Technical Careers
- Contra Costa ROP's Career Guide for High School Students (handy for adults too)
- Christiana Moline's Job Resource Site
- Resumes
- Writing resumes and cover letters
- All about resumes
- The Riley Guide - Job Search Help
- Internet Resume Information
- Job Hunters Bible
- Resume Information from Job Star
- Build the Resume that Employers Want
Are you unsure about your future career? Consider looking at some of the various assessment tools available on the Internet.
The Myers-Briggs psychological assessment can help you to better understand yourself and others. The information gleaned from this assessment can help you to make practical decisions about your career and future. While it is recommended that you take this assessment through a licensed type professional, there are many sites on the Web that allow you to take similar tests. I thought I would provide you with some of these sites because you may find this information helpful in your career exploration. Before you begin taking some of these assessments, I suggest reading the Seven Rules About Taking Career Tests. Here are a couple of extra resources for Myers-Briggs: Discussion Forum Resources and Resources at Wikipedia. You can also try searching for places to take the Myers-Briggs assessment for free.
The Temperament Sorter II Personality Instrument (also called the The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II) is a 70 question personality assessment. Remember, there are no right are wrong answers for this one and it is not a test! You can also find this assessment in multiple languages.
I personally prefer the Jung Typology test on-line (this is based on Myers-Briggs and it's free). HumanMetrics has a variety of tests that might interest you. After you work out what "type" you are visit Working Out Your Type and read the information about your "type" to see if you feel the assessment is accurate. For additional information on "types" visit TypeLogic. PersonalityPage.com has information on Common Careers for Personality Types (they also have information on your type and personal growth, and relationships).
You might also consider playing the Career Interest Game. The game is designed to help you match your interests and skills with similar careers. Use this worksheet (Word Document format) to determine your RIASEC Code or you can use the Career Key Web site. You can also utilize the Career Zone to find careers based on your RIASEC code.
The Princeton Review also offers a career quiz that matches your interests with possible careers. QuintCareers.com also offers a variety of assessment tools to help you discover your career path.
Additional Resources
You may not be aware that we have a variety of career related books available in class to help you to write your resume, prepare for an interview, or to help you to make decisions about your future career choices.
Below are links to various employment related sites. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard as you click the link to open the site in a new browser window.
| Visit our job forum for additional updated job search resources. |
| Vacuum Kitty Bay Area Job Resources - This site is provides extensive resources to the job seeker. Fantastic! |
| Salary.com - Use this search engine to find salary ranges for various fields and search for jobs. |
| Craig's List - A Bay Area bulletin
board that was originally developed as a resource for artistic fields.
Now offers job listings in all occupational areas in addition to community,
housing, sales and services listings. |
| 6figurejobs.com - A site for executive job seekers. |
| About.com Job Search Resources - A variety of job search resources and a career planning section |
| Art Jobs - Art jobs, career planning information, numerous art related Web sites, professional organizations, and exhibition information. |
| Art Resources - Job listings, art and design job links, and job hunting advice. |
| Art Links - Bay Area Creative and IT Staffing Company. |
| 680careers.com - Listing of
Bay Area employers, resume posting, housing information. http://www.680careers.com/ a part of http://www.bayareacareers.com/ |
| Abracat - Links users to local classifieds. Search jobs, car
listings, homes, business opportunities, and services by zip code. Resume
posting. http://www.abracat.com/abracat/index.jsp |
| America’s Job Bank - Job
listings, searchable database, and resume posting. One of the largest
job sites on the Web. A part of the US Dept. of Labor. www.ajb.dni.us |
| BayArea.com - Career
Builder for the Bay Area http://careers.bayarea.com/ |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics -
The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program
produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data
for Census regions and divisions, States, counties, metropolitan areas, and
many cities, by place of residence http://www.bls.gov/lau/home.htm |
| California Occupational Guides - The California Occupational Guides are a series of about 300 information sheets covering individual occupations or groups of related occupations. They provide statewide information about job duties, working conditions, employment outlook, wages, benefits, entrance requirements, and training. |
| Career City - Job listings,
searchable database, recommended career books, articles, career planning,
and resume posting. www.careercity.com |
| Career Connections - Job
listings, searchable database, and resume posting. www.career.com |
| Career Magazine - Job
listings, searchable database, job agents, and resume posting. www.careermag.com |
| Career Builder - Job listings, searchable database, salary
wizard, articles, and resume posting. http://www.careerbuilder.com/ |
| CalJobs - California's Internet system for linking employer
job listings and job seeker résumés. http://www.caljobs.ca.gov/ |
| Career Shop - Job listings, searchable database, job search agent, career
advice, and resume posting. www.careershop.com |
| Career Site - Job listings, searchable database, and resume posting.
www.careersite.com |
| Career Web - Job listings, searchable database, Interview Now, and
resume posting. www.cWeb.com |
| Dice - High tech jobs. Job listings, searchable database, jobs via email,
IT surveys, career resources, and resume posting. www.dice.com |
| Employment 911 - Job
listings, searchable database, salary calculator, career tips, and
resume posting. http://www.employment911.com/ |
| Employer Connection/Private Industry
Council - Provides free, comprehensive
employment services to job seekers and employers throughout Contra Costa
County. Offers resume and interviewing seminars, networking meetings,
internet/computer access at their offices, and some students may be eligible
to have their educational expenses paid. The beauty of the One Stop Centers
is that they have counselors available various agencies to provide support
services. The Concord One Stop has representatives from the following
organizations/services: AARP, Stand Against Domestic Violence,
California Department of Rehabilitation, Diablo Valley College, Employment
Development Department. Goodwill Industries, Independent Living Resource,
JFK’s Career Center, Martinez Adult School, Mt. Diablo Adult School, Mt.
Diablo Vocational Services, Phoenix Programs, and ROP. www.eastbayworks.org |
| Job Options - Job listings, searchable database, jobs via email, career articles, salary information, career fair and trade show information, career tools, resume, salary, and interviewing information, and resume posting. |
| Exec-U-Net-Executive Jobs -
Job center for executives. Job listings, articles, career toolkit,
free resume review, knowledge center, and salary information. www.execunet.com |
| Federal Government Jobs -
Various federal government job openings. www.fedjobs.com www.fedworld.gov www.usajobs.opm.gov |
| Flipdog.com - A part of Monster.com. Resume samples and
guidelines, job listings, searchable database, resume posting, interviewing
tips, salary data, industry information, job agents, jobs via email, student
center, and more career tools. The site is translated into over 20
languages. There is also a Monster Learning section with information
on courses, certification, etc. http://flipdog.monster.com/ |
| BrassRing.com - Job listings, searchable database, career advice & tools,
good articles, and resume posting. www.vjf.com/pub/htc/htchome.html |
| Hot Jobs @ Yahoo - Job listings, searchable database,
career advice & tools and good articles. http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ |
| Indeed - Searches multiple job search sites, newspapers and other job
listings. http://www.indeed.com |
| Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers - Electrical,
electronic, computer, and other electrotechnology and information-technology
professionals. Job listings. www.ieee.org/jobs.htm |
| Internet Career Connection -
Career Guidance. http://iccWeb.com |
| Job Bank USA - Job listings, searchable database, resume posting,
occupational outlook handbook, and job agents. www.jobbankusa.com |
| Job Hub - San Francisco Bay
Area High Tech Professionals. Job listings, resume posting, and links
to employment related bulletin boards and job sites. www.jobhub.com |
| Job Hunt - Job listings,
searchable database, tips on successful internet job search, and a listing
of employment super sites. www.job-hunt.org |
| Job Hunter's Bible - This site is designed as a
supplement to the book,
The 2004 edition
of What Color Is Your Parachute? http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ |
| Job Search Engine -
Job-Search-Engine is
not a Job Board, but rather a meta job search engine dedicated to
employment. It searches the most popular American and Canadian job boards in
parallel and in real time. The one click will save you hours of searching
through the job boards and career fairs individually. http://www.job-search-engine.com/ |
| Job Star - Regional job listings, job hotline numbers, job fair
listings, career guides, salary information, hidden jobs, and ask Electra. http://jobstar.org/ |
| Jobster - Searches multiple job search sites, newspapers and other job
listings. http://www.jobster.com |
| JobWeb - On-line career
fair, salary information, job outlook, resume and interview information, and
articles. This site is geared toward the first time applicant (college
graduates). www.jobWeb.com |
| Monster Board - All I can
say is huge. Resume samples and guidelines, job listings, searchable
database, resume posting, interviewing tips, salary data, industry
information, job agents, jobs via email, student center, and more career
tools. The site is translated into over 20 languages. There is
also a Monster Learning section with information on courses, certification,
etc. Did I say huge? www.monster.com |
| NationJob - Job listings, searchable database, resume posting, free
career test, and jobs by email. www.nationjob.com |
| Net-Temps - Contract and
direct hire jobs. Job listings, searchable database, resume posting,
and featured articles. www.net-temps.com |
| Occupational Information Network - O*NET OnLine has a
skills search that allows you to find occupational descriptions based on
your qualifications. Complete a simple form and you will be presented with a
list of possible career matches. http://online.onetcenter.org/ |
| Occupational Outlook Handbook - "The Occupational
Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career
information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making
decisions about their future work lives. Revised every two years, the
Handbook describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the
training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a
wide range of occupations." http://www.bls.gov/oco/ |
| Purdue University - Maintains a list of job boards by field. |
| Recruiters Online - A community of Headhunters, Recruiters, and Staffing Firms.
Job listings, searchable database, and resume posting. http://www.recruitersonline.com/ |
| Recruiting Links - Career
Search Engine. www.recruiting-links.com |
| SanFran.com - San Francisco Bay Area job search engine http://www.sanfranjobs.com/ |
| Salary.com - Salary and benefit
information. Self performance tools. http://www.salary.com/salary/layoutscripts/sall_display.asp |
| Simply Hired - Searches multiple job search sites, newspapers and other
job listings. http://www.simplyhired.com |
| Snag-a-Job - The part-time jobs and hourly employment
resource http://www.snagajob.com/default.asp?ref=gptj |
| Staffing Links - Job Meta Search Engine http://www.staffinglinks.com/crcmjs.htm |
| Telecommuting Jobs - Job
opportunities for people who want to telecommute. Job listings,
freelance opportunities, and resume posting. www.tjobs.com |
| The Gate - The San
Francisco Chronicle www.sfgate.com |
| The Riley Guide - Job
Search Resources www.jobtrak.com/jobguide |
| Yahoo - Job listings,
searchable database, resume posting, salary information, company research,
and articles. www.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Employment |
| State of California - Job
listings, forms, salary information, and everything you need to know about
getting a job with the state. www.spb.ca.gov |
Additional Resources
| Resume Blaster - $$$ www.ResumeBlaster.com |
| Relocation Salary Calculator - Salary
information for individuals planning to relocate. www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html |
| Resumes - Federal and electronic resume
writing for government and DOD civilian jobs. http://www.resume-place.com/ |
| Telephone directories www.switchboard.com http://people.yahoo.com/ www.bigbook.com |
| Salary.com - Salary and benefit information. Self performance tools. |
| Maps - Map Service www.mapquest.com |
©2008 - Contra Costa County Office of Education -
Regional Occupational
Program - Call 925-942-3436 to enroll
