Almost everything Boomers have done is very different from preceding generations. And job search for Boomers is no exception. We are now Experienced. But we need 21st Century techniques for job search and career advancement.
Some of us are under-employed or unemployed, so job search is a priority. Others have been in their jobs many years but are looking over their shoulders wondering when the next round of down-sizing will occur. And wondering if this time, they will be part of the over-40 that is cut (in favor of hiring younger and cheaper workers).
So Boomers are in a tough spot no matter where they may be in the career cycle. The unemployed need work. The employed need to constantly ‘pump up’ their resume and credentials (and value) to their employer. How to do it?
Social Media and SEO, Baby!
Ok, don’t cringe:) If you are not familiar with Social Media for career advancement and job search, it’s ok! See the Boomer Bardo Article www.boomerbardo.com/2009/07/18/social-media-personal-branding/.
Social Media and New Media are tools and can be used effectively. And like most tools, familiarity will come at once (who can’t use a hammer?) but the virtuosity of a master may take a few months. That’s ok! No one knows it all.
The most important thing is: Get Started and Don’t Give Up! It’s like that old saying: You can’t fail at this unless you quit. And quitting is not an option!
Resumes: First Things First
10 Old-School Resume Rules That Don’t Apply Today
From The Pongo Blog, to read the entire article www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/284/10-old-school-resume-rules-that-don-t-apply-today.cfm
1. Old School: Never abbreviate anything on a resume or cover letter
New Rule: Abbreviating is fine, as long as it’s understandable
This is the age of texting and Twitter, where everything is abbreviated, condensed, and minimized. It’s fine to write St. instead of Street. However, acronyms should still be spelled out the first time they’re mentioned. Example: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
2. Old School: Keep your resume and cover letters very formal
New Rule: Keep them professional, but not stuffy
Everything is more casual these days, from our work clothing to our career documents. Don’t cross the line into unprofessional, but keep in mind that readability, clarity, brevity, and authenticity are much more important than outdated propriety and formality.
3. Old School: Create one perfect resume and one cover letter that covers all bases
New Rule: Create a master resume and cover letter, but customize them for each job
You don’t need a major rewrite for every employer; just make sure your keywords match the employer’s job description, and maybe adjust the order of your skills listing for emphasis. Make it easy for the reader to see the parallels between your qualifications and their needs.
4. Old School: Start the cover letter with “Dear Sir or Madam, Enclosed please find …”
New Rule: Use the hiring manager’s name, and skip the blah-blah language
If the hiring person’s name’s not listed in the job description, do some research on the Web. Find the name and use it, if at all possible. Then, give your first sentence some meaning and impact. Also avoid these other cover letter screw-ups.
5. Old School: On the resume, list every single thing you’ve ever done for work
New Rule: Leave out any details that aren’t relevant to your desired position
Write your resume and cover letter as a marketing pitch to sell the value you’ll bring to your next employer. Don’t make it a memorial to what you did every day at your old jobs.
6. Old School: List your job responsibilities for each job under a heading such as “Duties Included:”
New Rule: Skip space-eaters like that – they’re already understood
You’ll waste a lot of resume real estate if you write “Duties Included:” on a separate line after every job. Just summarize your main accomplishments and qualifications in bullet points, and start each with an action verb in past tense (e.g., Led, Managed, Streamlined, etc.)
7. Old School: On your resume, indicate your reason for leaving each job
New Rule: Prepare an answer in your mind, but don’t volunteer it
The resume and cover letter are not the place for this, especially if the reason for leaving was involuntary. However, do plan and practice a response for your interviews, and make it a brief, factual statement. (No whining.)
8. Old School: Include your age and your hobbies in your resume or cover letter
New Rule: Stay focused on your qualifications for the job
Ix-nay on the age, and unless your hobbies are directly related to your desired position, leave them out, too. For example, let’s say you play in a co-ed basketball league. It’s relevant if you want to be a high school athletic director, but not if you’re seeking a violinist position in the symphony.
9. Old School: If you’re married, say so on the resume (also, children – how many? how old?)
New Rule: I repeat … stay focused on your qualifications for the job
The more irrelevant personal detail you provide, the more the hiring manager’s personal biases can come into play. For instance, in their minds, they might think Newly married? = Might need time off for family leave soon; Children? = Probably has daycare concerns.
10. Old School: At the end of the resume, say: “References Available Upon Request”
New Rule: Leave it off, they know you’ll provide them if asked
This is another archaic waste of space. When you’re a job seeker, it literally goes without saying that you’ll provide the prospective employer with whatever reasonable materials they request.
RELATED LINKS
Good and Bad Resumes: Want to See the Difference?
Good vs. Bad: Make the Best of Your Cover Letter