Yes, that is indeed sad.
However, just to clarify, so I don't sound like a cold hearted beeyotch.
My candidates had listed these people as "deceased" on their reference list. Um, why would anyone list a known dead person as a reference?
Workplace Resume Tips and Thoughts
- Thread starter Tuesdays Child
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Yes, that is indeed sad.
However, just to clarify, so I don't sound like a cold hearted beeyotch.
My candidates had listed these people as "deceased" on their reference list. Um, why would anyone list a known dead person as a reference?
^^^ you got me.
If someone died like Lori's situation, I would not find it odd nor would I think she's trying to pull a fast one. If someone is your reference, many times you wouldn't be keeping up with their lives.
Guess if I interviewed a person & liked them & all their references are deceased, I ask for someone whose not. It is strange, but maybe they have their reason? If you find out why, please let us know. lol
If someone died like Lori's situation, I would not find it odd nor would I think she's trying to pull a fast one. If someone is your reference, many times you wouldn't be keeping up with their lives.
Guess if I interviewed a person & liked them & all their references are deceased, I ask for someone whose not. It is strange, but maybe they have their reason? If you find out why, please let us know. lol
Oh, that would actually make sense! But I agree that the "(Reference) (Deceased)" thing does look mighty weird at first glance. A note should probably be included to clarify things if there's a legitimate reason for including a deceased person as a reference.
By the by, I'm not sure of people missed the question that I asked previously; I hope I can get some advice, if possible. I'll post it again, for reference.
Thanks!
By the by, I'm not sure of people missed the question that I asked previously; I hope I can get some advice, if possible. I'll post it again, for reference.
Thanks!
Hmmm... I'm going to let someone else answer that more specifically because I don't write general cover letters that are formulaic like that. I know in some industries, there are certain formulas for the cover letter. For others though, it's just an introduction to your resume. And for others, it is a chance for you to shine because the company is looking more at your cover letter than your resume. This is true particularly if you're a generalist (rather than applying for a very specific job with a very specific set of skills). For others still, it's a chance to elaborate what's on your resume to show how it fits with the position for which you are applying.
If you're entry level, then I would suggest showing a knowledge and enthusiasm for the company. i.e.: your potential for growing in the company... how you look forward to learning more about specific aspects of their industry. So you clearly need to research the company first. But I would keep the cover letter short, since, as you say, you are applying for entry level positions. But again, it matters what type of jobs/industry you are applying to.
Maybe others who have more experience with this type of formulaic cover letter writing can offer more input? Because like I said, I don't write these kinds of cover letters and I haven't applied to anything entry level in years.
I would focus on willingness more than anything and let them know that your work ethic is one that will help them reach their goals whatever that may be. I can help you with the actual letter but not until late next week. Feel free to email it to me. Pm for my email address if you are interested.
Really good examples. Since your resume is your first impression to your potential employer, I think any advice to perfect it is worth considering. I have an example where sometimes less is more on a resume.
I helped one of my friends review his resume for an engineering research position. He is highly qualified, has a masters and a PhD in his field, has given many talks at conferences, and is the author of several journal articles. In all, he has all the qualifications he needs to interest an employer. All of his impressive achievements are listed in his resume reverse chronologically and at the very end of this list is reference to a summer job he had as a Subway sandwich maker.
I thought he would be better served by not mentioning that. Why dilute his top-notch qualification with something that happened so long ago (more than a decade ago) in a field that is totally unrelated to what he is in now. If he wants to bring up his experience in team work and customer service at the interview, that's fine, but I thought anyone reading it who did not know him would find it distracting and quite off topic.
Sometimes less is more.
I helped one of my friends review his resume for an engineering research position. He is highly qualified, has a masters and a PhD in his field, has given many talks at conferences, and is the author of several journal articles. In all, he has all the qualifications he needs to interest an employer. All of his impressive achievements are listed in his resume reverse chronologically and at the very end of this list is reference to a summer job he had as a Subway sandwich maker.
I thought he would be better served by not mentioning that. Why dilute his top-notch qualification with something that happened so long ago (more than a decade ago) in a field that is totally unrelated to what he is in now. If he wants to bring up his experience in team work and customer service at the interview, that's fine, but I thought anyone reading it who did not know him would find it distracting and quite off topic.
Sometimes less is more.
If you have a measurable accomplishment/achievement, I'd highlight that rather than have an objective. For instance, if you, say, seamlessly upgraded the technology for a major company/institution/client in record time and under budget, I would separate that out and highlight it. But however you do it, it should fit in with the overall logic of your resume.
Yes, this brings up a good point.. make sure the work experience on your resume is related to the job you're applying to. However, if your resume would look spotty (with gaps in your employment history) without it, then adjust accordingly. In this example, the potential candidate's work and education experience dovetailed with the jobs he was applying to. However, that's not always the case, particularly if you are applying to different types of positions and have various work/education experiences. In those cases, it's a good idea to have the relevant work experience highlighted. In this case, you may have more than one resume and you would choose the one appropriate for the job.
If I was in the market to hire someone out of college, knowing my business & telling me about what's going on in the industry would go a long way. Neither of these are very readily available, shows that you had to do a little digging.
See poppet's post #36.
See poppet's post #36.
^^Agreed. In my example, my friend is more than sufficiently qualified without having to bring up an old and irrelevant summer job. If you're new out of school, those unrelated experiences could indicate that you're not a slacker, you're out there trying to keep yourself employed while you look for your perfect job.
My pet peeve would be people who treat their resumes like a historical document that truthfully records all the jobs they have ever had. As said above^, it's always good to highlight relevant experience. The point is to make yourself look good right? Not to detail every single job you're ever had.
On a funny note, I've once seen a resume with a particularly hard to pronounce name. The applicant had kindly put a pronunciation guide under her name in small font. Pretty unusual move, but I appreciated it. I mean she had a difficult first AND last name. It's not like I could have even escaped a difficult first name by just asking for Ms."Smith".
My pet peeve would be people who treat their resumes like a historical document that truthfully records all the jobs they have ever had. As said above^, it's always good to highlight relevant experience. The point is to make yourself look good right? Not to detail every single job you're ever had.
On a funny note, I've once seen a resume with a particularly hard to pronounce name. The applicant had kindly put a pronunciation guide under her name in small font. Pretty unusual move, but I appreciated it. I mean she had a difficult first AND last name. It's not like I could have even escaped a difficult first name by just asking for Ms."Smith".
Just found this article and thought I'd share. It sums up the basics pretty well, but also has a few things (specifically relating to the design) that were new to me!
http://www.newson6.com/story/14660750/from-the-real-college-guide
http://www.newson6.com/story/14660750/from-the-real-college-guide
Case in point... I am looking for retail help to assist the large Russian Clientele that I have and I have put in an ad in Monster to that very effect. Forget about the fact that I wrote very clearly in TWO PLACES IN THE Listing that I want a Russian Reading and Writing (for blogs etc.) person, and all the email responses mentioned nothing about Russian, I got an email from the following person:
[email protected] (with xxx and abc being fictitious).
I (
) assume that the intent was Therapist. But It can just as easily be read as The Rapist!
I am late to this thread but as an HR person going through countless resumes, I agree with submitting PDF, the email handle needs to be appropriate, always submit a cover letter with all resumes, AND to not follow up unless you made the first round of interviews.
I get constantly annoyed when people call me inquiring about their status. I get constantly annoyed when I check references and the contact info is outdated or the applicant didn't tell this person that they were going to be a reference.
The quickest way for your resume to get discarded is if your phone number is wrong and/or disconnected and I have to go to your secondary number. Or if your voicemail greeting is completely inappropriate, ie too casual, music, background noise, etc.
Due to the economy now, I have more than enough qualified candidates. Your well thought-out coverletter is what is going to set you apart from the rest. It should have character and make me want to reach out to you to set up an interview.
Also, remember the names of EVERYONE that interviews you and mention their names on your follow-up thank you letter.
AND I can't emphasize enough, do your research on the company. Not just their website, but actually google/facebook/etc the company and learn about their recent events/products/etc.
Oh...don't give me personal references as I won't even bother calling them. I want concrete professional references preferably people who directly supervised you.
I get constantly annoyed when people call me inquiring about their status. I get constantly annoyed when I check references and the contact info is outdated or the applicant didn't tell this person that they were going to be a reference.
The quickest way for your resume to get discarded is if your phone number is wrong and/or disconnected and I have to go to your secondary number. Or if your voicemail greeting is completely inappropriate, ie too casual, music, background noise, etc.
Due to the economy now, I have more than enough qualified candidates. Your well thought-out coverletter is what is going to set you apart from the rest. It should have character and make me want to reach out to you to set up an interview.
Also, remember the names of EVERYONE that interviews you and mention their names on your follow-up thank you letter.
AND I can't emphasize enough, do your research on the company. Not just their website, but actually google/facebook/etc the company and learn about their recent events/products/etc.
Oh...don't give me personal references as I won't even bother calling them. I want concrete professional references preferably people who directly supervised you.