Job Skills and Moms

The focus of my book, Job Search for Moms, is assisting moms return to the workforce. While the tips and techniques within the 102 page handbook are meant for any job seeker, many women find it helpful for its brief, to the point worksheets and resources.

The media coverage of the Ann Romney/Hilary Rosen debate and the ensuing outrage over the definition of moms and work continues with the “experts” from around the country defining the skills and competencies that mothers use on a daily basis. These skills, as I mention in the book are sharpened and used on a day to day basis and are critical for success in the workplace. What are these skills? Here are just a few.

Oral and Written Communication Time Management
Problem Solving
Creativity
Negotiation
Interpersonal Skills
Collaboration
Networking
Organizational Skills
Leadership

Now let's add volunteering to the mom mix. Research from the 2010 – 2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that women “continued to volunteer at a higher rate than men did across all age groups, educational levels, and other major demographic characteristics.” The volunteer rate for parents with children continued to surpass those without children. These volunteer activities expand your skill set (multi-tasking, compromise, project management, time management, prioritization) while adding valuable networking opportunities.

Whatever your station in life, create a chart like the one above but add an extra column to write down specific examples of your use of the skills. You will be amazed at all that you do.

Resume and Interviewing Don'ts

In my past life as an HR representative I was given the opportunity to review hundreds of resumes. I was also able to interview many candidates whose resumes showed that they had the right stuff. In my current position as job search trainer, resume writer and coach, I've again been given the wonderful opportunity to work with many people who have varying job search needs.

Today, I was thinking about all the resumes I've seen, the questions I've heard and the people I've interviewed. I've put together this list of Resume and Interviewing Don'ts with hopes that I can help you. Some are written tongue in cheek but these are some of the things I have seen and heard. If you have any to share, please add them.

1. Don't wear shorts and flip flops to your interview. While you're at it, don't chew gum either.
2. Don't tell me that you have no accomplishments in your 20 year career. You do - you just have to go somewhere quiet and think about them.
3. Don't have a cute email address. Get another one for your business purposes and use that one instead of butterflylady@whatever.com or barfly@whatever.com. Your name or first initial and last name is always a good choice.
4. Don't be lethargic during your interview. Save the nap for when you get home and after you write your thank you notes.
5. Don't get caught up in the minutia of picky wording in your resume. It will drive you crazy. Stop typing and walk away for a while. While you're at it, don't include things that aren't relevant to the position for which you are applying.
6. Don't make your resume writer beg you for detail - be prepared or at least have an idea of your skill set, strengths and accomplishments.
7. Don't let your pre-interview nerves eat at you. If you review the job listing, company profile and have practiced answering questions on how well your past behavior and accomplishments have worked; you're nervousness will turn into adrenaline and you'll feel more confident.
8. Don't post anything that you wouldn't want your mother to see on any social media outlets.
9. Don't shy away from social media. It is your job search friend (resource).
10. When the interviewer asks, “Any questions?” don’t say “No, I think you covered it.” Have at least two or three questions at the ready. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the interview.

Using Twitter For Your Job Search

Today I'm going to write about something that I admit, I’m not very good at using – Twitter. I’m pretty savvy with my website (thank you Christine.biz) and blog (thank you me) but Twitter makes me feel amateurish.  I do know that Twitter is already a great learning tool (see Grey's Anatomy Episode 13  about Tweeting in the operating room) and it is a wonderful way to help with your job search.

I have had a Twitter account for about a year.  At first it just sat there and I didn’t have the time to figure out how to follow people or have them follow me.  Slowly, I discovered that Twitter is just one of the many tools that can be used to offer job search advice and help my business; I learned to use it a bit more.  I’m still stumped at some of the lingo and functions, but with time and research, I’ll figure them out.

Since this is a blog on the job search, I thought I’d share with you a couple of ways that you can learn AND look for a job on Twitter.  You first need to sign up for a Twitter account and then connect with people and organizations.  You then need to Tweet, or add content. The Twitter basics in the Help section can walk you through these as well as explain some of the lingo such as # and RT and @.  There are two pieces of advice that I’d like to share to get you started; job search help and looking for jobs (these sound like the same thing but they’re different).

1.       Job Search Help: There are numerous Tweets from companies, individuals or sites on Twitter that offer job search advice.  You can learn how to create a resume, interview, network, look for a job as a new graduate, senior, new mom…. The list goes on.  By simply typing Job Search in the Search box, you’ll be connected with many links and Tweets about the process.  It can be overwhelming though and you’ll need a bit of time to pick through the Tweets.  I found this great list of job search Twitter addresses from Career Rocketeer™.  I’ve bookmarked it and refer to it often.

2.       Looking for a Job: Once you get established and walk through the basic how tos, go to the Search box and type in your job title.  Recently I entered my title, “Learning & Development” and a scrolling list of learning and development jobs appeared.  They were global and domestic listings and many included salaries, companies and recruiting firms.  Most had a URL link or shortened URL link to save character space) that I could click to find out more information including the application process.

Twitter is a good place to connect and network too as many of the Tweets are from people in your field.  You can “Follow” these tweets and you can also post a tweet about your job search.  Since you are allowed 140 characters to type, you can ask something like, “Anyone know of an IT engineering position in NJ?”

These are just two simple ways to use Twitter to help your job search and I am sure there must be hundreds more.  I’m still trying to figure them out.  Please add your suggestions – we could all use the advice!

Transferable Job Skills

This morning I had to do some work for a huge event at my son's high school.  In April the school is hosting its annual Fashion Show and Basket Auction.  This event draws over 700 guests and makes a lot of money for the technology program within the school.  Back when my son was a freshman (he’s now a senior), I volunteered to work on the Mother's Auction Committee.  The goal of this group is to collect donations and using these, create stunning gift baskets for auction.  Other than the fashion show, featuring the high school seniors, these baskets are the biggest draw of the day. So today I am entering all the donations that we have received to date into an Excel spreadsheet.  This information is used for the event program and it also ensures that the donors receive a proper thank you.

I never used Excel prior to getting involved with the committee and I'm certainly not an expert.  Still, I now consider it part of my skill set.  Some of the other skills that I have polished as a result of the Fashion Show are:
1. Leadership.  We have over 20 volunteers looking for direction on asking for donations and then creating the baskets.
2. Delegation: Dividing up the tasks and giving each volunteer the creative freedom he or she needs is part of the process.
3. Problem Solving: Handling last minute donations, working with other committees, broken donations... the list continues.  The skill needed to decide what needs to be done and communicate it properly is used frequently.
4. Communication: Creating programs, working with other committees, working as a team are many of the components of this fund raiser.
5. Time Management: Ensuring the donations are requested and received on time, creating baskets within a limited time frame, displaying the baskets prior to the event.
6. Process Modeling: Designing a process model for future Program Chairs to follow.

These are just some of the skills needed for one outside or volunteer activity.  These skills can be captured on a resume or discussed in an interview.  Think about what you do as a volunteer.  What skills do you use? What are the results of using these skills?  Come up with measurable STAR (Specific, Task, Actions, Results) examples for each of the skills. 
What can you come up with? What transferable skills do you have?

The Blizzard and the Job Search

The Northeast got slammed the other day with a huge snowstorm. It started on Sunday and before it was finished on Monday morning, we had over 30 inches in some parts of NY/NJ.  Today, Tuesday, many of my friends in parts of NJ are still not plowed and people can't get to work or the store or to pick up their medicine.  There's an angry mob out there and who can blame them? The weather forecasters were on the fence with this storm but regardless, it showed a lesson in preparedness (or lack of).

What if you applied for a position or networked with someone who forwarded your resume on to a potential employer and you got a call for an on the spot interview?  Would you be prepared?  Would you be stuck in the storm without a shovel?

Here are a couple of quick tips:

1.     Have all your job search material in one place.  Separate labeled folders containing your resume, short list of specific accomplishments, references, and the possible job descriptions will allow you to speak freely and confidently.  You should also have an example of a job specific weakness and a description of how you overcame it.

2.     Be prepared for specific behavioral or STAR questions.  An employer wants to know what you DID rather than what you WOULD do. STAR stands for Specific, Task, Actions taken and Results.

3. Have your Elevator Speech ready to go.

That's it - all you need to prepare for an unexpected call.  The more you review and prepare though, the more confident you will sound (and feel). Don't be left in the cold! 

If You Are Displaced, Make Use of What is Offered...

I just wrapped up a month long series of resume preparation, interviewing and networking classes for a company in my home state that is eliminating the positions of 140 employees. They contacted me in September and we began training in October. The classes were scheduled for twice a week and each session was four hours long.  We had a total of ten classes. Out of 140 displaced employees, guess how many made use of the job search training? Ten. Wow.

I've had discussions with the directors of various company outplacement centers about why displaced employees don't make use of these free job search resources.  I think we can narrow it down to a couple of things; anger about being let go, apathy about the situation and embarrassment.

The economy is terrible and since I have been offering job search training for almost two years now, I have seen a tremendous increase in the number of participants attending classes in just the past 10 months or so.  No matter what the media tells us, it is not getting better and if you are not prepared with the tricks, tips, and techniques to help you stand apart from the rest of the thousands of applicants for that one job, then you'll fall into a rut. An added benefit is the networking and support that you will receive from your classmates.

If you lose your position with your company, bite the bullet and take advantage of everything they offer you.  Attend classes, use any free resume preparation services if provided, and graciously take the books they offer you.  It is uncomfortable (I know firsthand) but it will make you a winner in the end.

Updating Your Resume

I just read a blog about poorly written resumes.  The author spoke about the errors but didn't give any updating suggestions.  The comments underneath the blog begged for help.  I responded with the following tips.  I hope they can help anyone who needs a place to start.

"I teach job search techniques in the state of NJ and I too have seen some very outdated resumes.  Many of the people who attend the resume preparation classes have never had the time or need to update their resume and still subscribe to the format they learned years ago (objective, references available upon request, etc).
Researching the newer ways to update a resume is as simple as using Google or reading many of the posts from groups in LinkedIn. In a nutshell, I suggest the following:

1. Have an impact statement to replace the objective. This statement should be your selling point and describe why you are so fantastic. Are you a leader? Do you have a proven track record in something? Are you a subject matter expert in something?

2. Align your skills to the skills and competencies listed in the job description/posting. It is fine to have a template resume but it has to be updated for EVERY job that you pursue.

3. I personally like to see a set of about 6 bullets listing your skill set. This way they stand out and catch the eye of the reader.

4. Don't have your resume read like a job description. Make sure you support your statements with specific, quantifiable results. I always say in training, "Sure that is what you did, but what did it result in? More sales? Better customer service? Increased savings?" Next, make those words even more specific by stating percentages, amounts and any other powerful details that will make you stand out.

5. If you have any old performance appraisals, read these to remember what you did and the results. Dig up some of those letters from customers, clients, etc. thanking you for something. What did you do that was so great?

6. Don't forget your transferable job skills - those that can transfer from one job to another or from a volunteer activity to a job. Again, be specific with measurements.

These are just some ideas - do some research. Go to any of the many sites and study the resumes that are displayed to get an idea of how to frame yours. "

Good luck!

Saving your Resume in a Different Format

Today I want to focus on saving your resume. Many people don’t realize that when they complete an on line application that they need to change its format. If they don’t, the resume will look like junk. The bullets will be all over the place, the spacing will be off and the person on the other end will wonder what’s wrong with you. They’ll most likely toss your resume.

Now, most anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not the most technically savvy person. But I do know how to format a document.

Many on-line open positions require you to format your resume into Plain Text. To do this:
1. Click the Office Icon at the top left of your tool bar.
2. Click the “Save As” feature
3. Click the “Other Formats” selection
4. Your directory of saved documents will show up. The box will say, “File Name” and “Save as Type”. Obviously, you will name your document. I suggest you name your document as your name, resume and the words plain text. (Nancy Anderson Resume Plain Text)
“Save as Type” is where you change the format of your document. When you click the arrow in this category, you will see the variety of format options. Look around and will see the “Plain Text” option.
5. Click “Save” and you’re finished.

You may want to save your document in any of the other formats. If you do, just make sure that you remind yourself of the format (Nancy Anderson Resume PDF.) Needless to say you should keep a copy of your resume in your regular Word (the file extensions that end in doc. or dox.).

Now your resume is ready to post into a job applicaton or open position. By the way, you can do the same thing for your cover letter.

I’m sure there will be people reading this and saying that these are obvious steps and they’ll be right. This is for everyone else.