Make the Right Choices to Get Noticed

Dear Sam: I need help handling an unusual dilemma. I returned to college to finish a HR degree in an attempt to position myself for a career change. In the interim, I accepted a "stepping stone" position as an HR Assistant. I have been hired, completed paperwork, and had an informal orientation, but I still have to attend a formal orientation before I officially start. The HR Manager left the company the day before my orientation was scheduled. Since then, I have been scheduled and rescheduled to complete this orientation. I feel I should send out résumés again as I am yet to be impressed with my new employer. Can I put this company on my résumé and list the job duties I was hired to perform? I have essentially done all of these job functions during my career, but I didn't hold the HR title. I'm considering not even starting this job with all the chaos I have witnessed so far. - Fran

Dear Fran: It sounds like you are the victim in this situation. It is possible the company has every intention to follow through on their commitment, but is possibly struggling to regroup after the HR Manager's sudden departure. They may also feel bringing on an assistant, when they have no one for you to assist, might be putting the cart before the horse. I wouldn't count them out just yet; who knows, you could receive a rapid promotion to the manager position. I think it would be prudent to start sending out résumés again, as in the event your new position doesn't come to fruition you won't have wasted valuable time. I would absolutely not list this position on your résumé before you have officially started; doing so would be seen as misleading. You should instead orient your résumé so it highlights your HR experiences first, followed by your professional experience section, minimizing your non-HR titles.

Dear Sam: I desperately need some guidance. My husband worked for a telecommunications company for 25+ years. Since his company closed, he has been working part-time in a college communications department. He would like to stay in his field, but that seems to be difficult since that industry took such a hit. Money is very negotiable; he just wants to work! Is there anything we can do to make him more "appealing" on his résumé? I did not know where else to go, thank you for any advice you can give. - Cindy

Dear Cindy: I like how your husband's résumé begins with a summary section, but I'd like to see less focus on the amount of experience he has and more attention paid to what value he can offer an employer. It could be by starting with "27 years' experience…" he is immediately being seen as overqualified and too expensive. Instead, translate what value his experience can offer an employer. For example, he would have a proven record working with all types and sizes of clients, has had to remain flexible to industry changes, and has clearly performed well or he wouldn't have been employed with the same company for 20 years. Additionally, he has 71 words describing 20 years of experience! How could that possibly summarize all the value he provided in that 20 years? Also, where are his accomplishments? I only see bullet points that reiterate his job description; there is nothing about when/where he went above and beyond. If he held the same title during his position listed as 1979-1999 then you can't really hide that, but if he was promoted let's say in the 1980's, then I'd just list the title(s) he has held since then. This would prevent unnecessarily aging his candidacy; with the current résumé the dates in the 1970's immediately age him. Moreover as there is no date on his degree, some will assume this was received even further back than the beginning of what is shown on his résumé, so be sure it has been omitted for a reason.

Dear Sam: I'm not exactly sure what I want to do in my career and I'm having a difficult time figuring out what to include on my résumé. I have a background in sales, customer service, and management, but I'm now open to many opportunities. How do I handle this on my résumé? - Jo

Dear Jo: A common mistake many job seekers make is trying to create a one-size-fits-all résumé. While in today's highly competitive market job seekers have to keep their options open, it is imperative to present a targeted résumé to each hiring manager. This doesn't mean you have to write a completely different résumé for each job you apply to, but it does mean you need to tailor your résumé to be sure it presents your most related skills for each type of opportunity you are pursuing. Trying to develop a résumé that suits every opportunity when you have diverse goals is a very ineffective strategy. Doing so will only present diluted content to any given hiring manager, and when competing with other skilled candidates, will likely not secure interviews. Instead, assess your goals, identify your related skills, and tailor your résumé to suit the requirements of each type of position. Only then will your résumé produce the results you want.

Dear Sam: During my career I have made it a point to volunteer for several advocacy groups in order to give back to my community. Should this information be included on my résumé? - Ken

Dear Ken: If your volunteer work supports or enhances your candidacy then by all means include it on your résumé. If not however, then in order to maintain the professional tone and focus of the document, this information should be strategically omitted. If you have a career within the nonprofit arena, then your commitment to community activism would reinforce your passion for what you do, thereby enhancing your candidacy. The key is to evaluate each opportunity and decide whether your volunteer work enhances your professional candidacy.

Dear Sam: I am applying for jobs in cities other than Oklahoma City. What is the best way to approach the address line? In the cities I would like to relocate to, I have friends who are willing to lend their address to me. Should I use the local address, or include both? In my cover letter should I state why I am looking to relocate? What sort of information should include? I do not necessarily need them to foot the relocation expense, is this something I should include? Thanks! - RC

Dear RC: First let me say that you should never mislead a hiring manager. Doing so will only lead to your candidacy being devalued, and the hiring manager feeling like they have been misled. In order to avoid either of these things occurring, I always tell clients to use both a local and "upcoming" address when at all possible. This prevents you from looking like a long distance recruit and also avoids a misconception that you may be sending résumés to every city in the country saying you are relocating to each! I often place the address to the end of the résumé when this is the case, just to make sure focus is paid to your candidacy instead of your geographic location. If you are not seeking relocation expenses then you should definitely mention this in your cover letter. The problem most long distance recruits find is that their job searches are difficult because hiring managers fear they are going to expensive and timely to recruit. If you can avoid any of these thoughts by stating you are going to be in the city during a certain time period, have a firm relocation date, and/or are not seeking any funds for the move, this will improve your candidacy and competitiveness against local candidates.