Could using a target job title help your résumé get noticed?

Could using a target job title on your résumé (instead of an objective statement) help your résumé get noticed? Should you use a target job title, or is it best to stick with using an objective statement?

Watch the following video and get answers to these and other questions:

1. What is a target job title?
2. What are the three components of a target job title?
3. Why should I consider using a target job title?
4. What can I do with the other components of my résumé to make it more targeted to the open position?

- Résumé- Using A Targeted Job Title -

If I can give you one primary take away message from this video it would be this: A résumé must be targeted to the job. Generic résumés are less likely to get noticed and could be prolonging your job search.

My advice: Think “customization” every time you submit your résumé and cover letter.

~ Blessings to you!

Michelle Walker-Wade
Workplace Literacy
Career & Business Strategy
Expert

How To Choose The Next Idea or Opportunity to Pursue

CLF bulb in grass Provided by iStockphoto

I get so many ideas and opportunities that I’m constantly mentally weeding through them to determine which to do and when. Kenneth Manesse shared this video clip in our Christian Micro-Entrepreneur’s FaceBook group, and I enjoyed it so much I wanted to share it here as well.

One of the points Dr Shannon Reece makes in the video suggest the first step in determining whether to pursue a particular idea is to first ask: “Does this align with my (five) highest priorities?”  With this thought, I have taken time to identify my top five priorities I can use as my first line filter for weeding out opportunities and ideas to pursue.

These top five, in no particular order are:

• Time – Will it completely take over my life?  Do I have time to commit to this? Is it worthwhile enough to eliminate something else from my schedule so I can pursue this one?

• Christ-centered ethics and beliefs – Is there anything about this idea or opportunity that will conflict with my personal ethics and belief system?

• Money – Will this idea generate money?  Will it pay for it’s self?  Will it make a profit?

• Passion & Pathway – Does this idea or opportunity align with the institutions, industries, populations, and concepts I am most passionate about? Does this idea or opportunity help create and/or maintain the pathway I am currently journeying on?  Will it help me reach my goals? Does it keep me mobilized according to my purpose and God’s plan for my life?

• Family & loved-ones – Will this idea and opportunity be something that is not only fulfilling for me, but also makes my family and loved ones happy to see prospering in my life?

These are my top five priorities, and I encourage you to create a list for yourself.  Having these points pre-determined will help keep you headed in the right direction when you need to make a quick decision.

So, what are your top five priorities? Don’t stop at only thinking about what these might be; document them, post them, and use them.

Workplace Literacy Opportunity – Deli Clerk Needs Help

I went to Safeway’s deli to order a sandwich the other day. I approached the countertop as the deli clerk said, “May I help you?” She was Hispanic, appeared to be about 30 years old, and had a strong accent. Since I work primarily with adult learners who are non-native English speakers, my deli clerk’s accent was not a challenge for me at all.  I proceeded to order my custom-order sandwich only to find out that the deli clerk did not know the names of meats, cheeses, produce and the variety of breads in English. She was able to carry on a general conversation with me, using language skills she could have learned in a general English as a Second (ESL) language class where the topical lessons are around Life Skills. She, however, lacked the language skills to communicate verbally on something like wheat bread, soft roll, focaccia bread, cheddar cheese, or havarti cheese.  She did not understand statements like “light mayo” or “extra pickles please”.

I felt for her and wished I could stay there long enough to do some workplace literacy vocabulary-building lessons, specially designed to prepare her to do well as a deli clerk. I know there is a real need to provide these types of literacy classes in my community. I can’t help but wonder how long this particular lady will be able to keep her job.  I do know that Workplace Literacy classes can help her succeed.

Work in Collaborative Teams?

From Microsoft Clip Art Gallery

Are you one who insists on working in isolation? True, there are some tasks that just work out better when a single person does it; but even with those, receiving input from others will usually result in a better end product. So, here are a few things you can expect from working collaboratively. By knowing these up-front you can get mentally prepared to cope with the stress of working in a team.

When participating in a collaborative work team…

• you will probably feel like your work is being challenged.
• you may have to defend your point of view.
• you may feel confused at times.
• you may watch or be involved in something that looks and feels like an argument.
• you will learn just how differently people interpret a data, something that is said, and information that is read.
• you may find yourself “shutting down” (but don’t do it).
• you may have to take a deep breath and hang in there until the final outcome is reached.

So, why put yourself through all of this?

Collaborative teams produce the most innovative, holistically solid solutions to problems that occur in the course of business.  Additionally, collaboration is the best way to address and resolve any systemic problems that may keep a business from being as profitable as it could be.

Something you can keep in mind is this: collaboration always happens between people, so good communication is vital to the success of the team.  Good communication is the only way to clear up misconceptions and will make the difference between a successful project and an unprofitable use of time.

So, hang in there with this one. You can do this.

~ Keep your head up! Michelle Walker-Wade

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“Occupy Student Debt”? I Understand… But I Must Pay Up

I attended Oral Roberts University for ONE year studying Christian Education & Psychology. After seeing the amount of debt accumulated for that year, my parents said: “Come home…” I cried and cried… prayed asked God for a miracle so I could stay at ORU. But, to no avail.

I went home, started working as an accounting clerk and went to school part-time studying accounting. I continued working in the field of accounting for several years while preparing to do more meaningful work.  I eventually got there.

Years later I do not regret it one bit. I’m degree’d in Liberal Studies and Business Communications, and have hard-core skills and work experience that allow me to fund into ministry work. Having graduated from a Holy Names University, a private, Catholic institution, I took out even more student loans.  I am still paying for my education, but in my situation I believe I glorify God by paying my loans.  However, (just as an FYI) I neither agree nor disagree with the Occupy Study Loan initiative – but I certainly understand.

Related Articles:

• Occupy Wall Street Moves Into New Phase With Student Debt Refusal Campaign
• America’s Financial Institutions and Student Lenders — Attention: OWS “Occupy Student Debt” Committee Has Something to Say
• Occupy Student Loans???
• Marketplace Ministry – Christian Young Adults Get in Position

Occupy Student Loans???

Occupy Student Loans??? Really???

Careful with this one protesters! Your latest plan to stop making your student loan payments, forcing them to default could come back to bite you in your golden years.  Sallie and Fannie don’t mind waiting for their money.

I have paid (and am still paying) my share of student loans and I consider myself blessed because I am able to actually use the education I’m paying for. Contrary to some of the ideas of the Occupy Student Loans initiative, I do not believe higher education should be free. I do think people should REALLY consider the reality of the higher ed price tag before signing up. As one who is in education management, I wish I could convince our western society of how beneficial it is to get a hard-core, money-making skill and some work experience before pursuing the career of their passion – you know, the one that may or may not produce financial stability.

Here’s an informative video produced by InflationUS called “College Is A Scam”.  It’s about 1 hour in length, very interesting and informative.  While I DO NOT agree with everything said, I must say it is quite enlightening.  I recommend you watch it with an open mind…

While I neither agree nor disagree with the Occupy Study Loan initiative, I do hope these young people understand the dicey risk they’re taking.

~ Michelle Walker-Wade

Things That may Cause Your Résumé to Get Ignored

Tons of people are on the hunt for a job. Some are hunting more fervently than others, putting out résumés for every job in sight, yet getting no bites.  So what are some reasons that may cause your résumé to get ignored?  I’m sure you’ve heard that your résumé should be error free with no typos. While I agree with this as a goal, I must tell you that I have in fact called in an individual for an interview who had a less than perfect résumé.  So, let’s consider a few other résumé faux pas I believe can hurt you:

• Your résumé does not have the correct vocabulary or keywords for the job or industry for which you are applying.

 

• You have included the job or industry keywords, but you have not used them in the correct context of the job; it looks like you’ve found the right words to use, but have no idea how to use them.

 

• When comparing the body of your résumé to the job posting there is no connection between the two. The way I see it, if you did not take time to show me how you qualify for this open position, I cannot take the time to figure it out either.

 

• You either have not included accomplishment statements or the accomplishment statements you have included seem too unrealistic; this makes me wonder about your integrity.

 

• You have an unprofessional email address listed in your contact information. Email addresses are free, so why not get one appropriate for business?

 

Lastly – and this is a true story – I once received a résumé from someone who had logo images next to each of the company names for which he had worked.  The images, obviously obtained from the company’s websites, were smudgy and pixilated.  This person’s intention was to get my attention – to make his résumé stand out in the crowd. I personally did not care for this approach, and I would not personally use this strategy; but it did make me vividly remember his résumé.  I interviewed him because other than the company logos, his résumé looked good, and he could have been the right person for the job. Although I ultimately did not hire him, more than 2 years later, I still have his résumé in my files… Not sure why though.

Your résumé is your marketing advertisement for yourself. I believe you would be better off putting additional time and intentional effort into improving the quality of each résumé instead of going at full-speed sending out the same old one.

~ Go do it! – Michelle Walker-Wade

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Have You Practiced your ‘Elevator Speech’ Lately?

Have you practiced your ‘elevator speech’ lately?  What did you say?… You don’t have one?… You didn’t know you needed one?… What is an elevator speech?

I must help you quickly!

Whether you’re a job-seeker, an entrepreneur, sales associate, or a program coordinator of an organization, you need a strategic speech embedded in your memory bank so, at any moment an opportunity arises, you can pique the interest of a listener in 30 seconds or less.

Any time you’re out and about you could potentially run in to your next employer, sales opportunity, and partner organization.  You MUST be ready to convince them that your product or service is worth their consideration.  Are you trying to make a sale during your elevator speech? No, not yet.  What you are trying to do is gain an OPPORTUNITY to make a sale.

So, what’s an elevator speech, and how can you create one? Or, how can you improve the one you already have?  I would take time to explain all that to you, but there are several others who have provided some good advise on the subject.  I’ve selected a few online resources I believe will definitely get you moving on this.

Check out the items below; then, leave us a comment letting us know how these resources helped you.  ~ Enjoy!

“What is your “Elevator Pitch” – by ilostmyjob.com

“How to Perfect the Elevator Pitch” – by howcast.com

How to craft your 30 second elevator pitch or networking introduction – by Kathy McAfee (this one is my personal favorite)

Lastly, here are a few good articles:

• The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide: The Elevator Speech
• Close Encounters: Elevator Speech Tips for Job Seekers
• Entry Level Jobs Advice – Elevator Speech and Cover Letters

Thanks for reading!  And please give your feedback on this blog.

~

Skills Needed by School Clerical Support Staff

We surveyed clerical support workers at several K-12 school-sites to find out what skills current school clerical support workers needed most to do there jobs more efficiently (click to see results). We also surveyed local residents to find out what barriers kept them from taking the courses needed to improve their work and career outlook. The number one response was: time. If time is limited but you want to gain more skills, online classes may be a good alternative to traditional classes.
School clerical support staff; consider these online classes as an option to learn ways to work more efficiently and effectively.
 

Communications

•  Grammar Refresher- Gain confidence in your ability to produce clean, grammatically correct documents and speeches.  (click here: http://alturl.com/t2mso)

• Effective Business Writing – Improve your career prospects by learning how to develop powerful written documents that draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue to the end. (click here http://alturl.com/pt7f8)

Administrative Support

• Administrative Assistant Fundamentals – Prepare to take advantage of the many new job opportunities in health care, legal services, and other industries. (click here: http://alturl.com/54mhm)

• Introduction to Nonprofit Management – Develop the skills and strategies you need to become an integral part of one of America’s fastest growing service sectors. (click here: http://alturl.com/hevub)

Computer & Technology Skills

• Intermediate Microsoft Word 2007 – Learn more advanced features of Microsoft Word 2007, which enable you to create an index, a list of figures, and a table of contents, do desktop publishing, perform a mail merge, and use timesaving macros. (NOTE: If you do not feel ready for Intermediate Microsoft Word, take Introduction for Microsoft Word 2007 first). (Click here: http://alturl.com/rn8b4)

• Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2007 – Do you work with numbers? You need to know Excel. Learn the secrets of this powerful application. (click here: http://alturl.com/cnk8y)

• Photographing People with Your Digital Camera – Learn to take beautiful pictures of adults, children, and babies. (click here: http://alturl.com/a3amu)

Other Recommended Courses

• Handling Medical Emergencies – Every second counts during a medical emergency. Learn how to respond if someone needs your help. (Click here: http://alturl.com/p2par)

• Designing Effective Websites – Learn powerful graphic design techniques and build Web sites that are both attractive and wickedly effective. (click here: http://alturl.com/jxyyf)

• Introduction to Adobe Acrobat 9 – Create PDF documents and more with Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, and learn to use many of the software’s time- and cost-saving features. (click here: http://alturl.com/igq56)

If you want to become the Office Manager, consider these courses as well:

• Fundamentals of Supervision and Management – Learn the people skills required to motivate and delegate, and learn tools for solving problems and resolving conflicts. (http://alturl.com/wrnoh)

• Accounting Fundamentals – Gain a marketable new skill by learning the basics of double-entry bookkeeping, financial reporting, and more. (http://alturl.com/jznd8)

• Accounting Fundamentals II – Give yourself skills that are in high demand by exploring corporate accounting with a veteran instructor. (http://alturl.com/k3vjj)

• Introduction to QuickBooks 2009 or 2010 – Learn how to quickly and efficiently gain control over the financial aspects of your business. (Click here: http://alturl.com/8i7s6)

Check it out and share your feedback.  Thanks!

- Michelle Walker-Wade