Resume Advice for Millennials

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An increasing number of Millennials are entering and moving up in the workforce, bringing about a shift in expectations along with the change in demographics. If you are an individual seeking new employment, you’ve come to the right place—read on for crucial resume advice.

Triple-check your work. It goes without say that editing is necessary—particularly when a single leaf of paper is so high-stakes—but it’s easy for mistakes to slip past an editorial eye. Read your work over once, take a break, read it aloud, and read it again.

Likewise, read over the content surrounding your resume. Whether you send an email detailing your interest or a cover letter typed into Indeed.com, make sure that you have the correct address of the company you are writing to, have saved your resume under an appropriate file name (“LastName-First Name-Resume.doc”), and have placed the email address and phone number on every page.

If a company has instructions on what to send, including file type (.doc /.docx /.pdf) or format, be sure to follow that. Note, many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) only read .doc files (seems strange in today’s world but many companies do not update their systems) and most ATS do not read .pdf files correctly. If a company does not specify a file type, it is best to send a Word file.

Tailor your resume to the position. List relevant coursework, focus on relevant skills, and address your experience in meeting the responsibilities of the position you are applying for.

Give it time. Employers receive many resumes on a daily basis and may take weeks to respond to an application. If a job posting requests that no individuals inquire about the status of their application, honor it. If not, response times vary based on the location of a job, the size of the hiring team, and the number of applications received, but it is generally acceptable to politely inquire after a month has passed with no communication.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we understand that breaking into the job market is no easy task, and requires understanding many details. Contact us today to ensure that your resume exceeds present-day standards.

Questions about Senior Level Resumes

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Q. I’m applying for my first senior level (director) position. I want my resume to show that I’m ready for the challenge. How do I do that?

A. Good for you for recognizing that your resume must match expectations for a senior level position. When you are listing your skills, make sure that you feature leadership, financial (profit and loss), strategy, and talent development skills. At this level, no one is interested in your skill with Excel or Salesforce but in your ability to understand and meet a company’s goals and inspire others. Include technical strengths in your achievements if they affect the company’s bottom line (“Led conversion of multiple legacy systems to unified CRM system.”) Devote the most space in your resume to your most recent and relevant jobs. If you need two or more pages to summarize your career to date, that’s fine.

Q. I want more responsibility in my next position but my entire career has been in engineering. How do I transition from engineering to a senior leadership role?

A. As a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a long career as a chemical engineer and project manager, I understand that you have approached your entire career one way: what do companies expect of an engineer? But now it is time to look at your career another way: what do companies expect of a senior leader? First, they expect the ability to solve problems; as an engineer, you’ve solved problems throughout your career. Second, they expect the ability to work with and lead a team. As an engineer, you have undoubtedly worked with many diverse teams and have probably taken the lead on at least a few projects. Third, your career may have sent you to other countries or involved communications with off-shore peers or clients. Global experience is an important plus for a senior leader. When you take a fresh look at your career—and I can help with that—you will find the experience that prepares you for a senior leadership role.

At Robin’s Resumes®, we help individuals reach their goal of a senior level position with resumes that are specific, targeted, and focused on results. Contact us today.

Resume Advice for College Students

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Q. I am going to be graduating soon with a degree in economics but I really want to work in the fashion industry. How can I apply for jobs when all my education is pointing in the wrong direction?

A. Many of us find that our careers take off in directions that have little if anything to do with our degree. I’m a professional resume writer but my degree from MIT is in Chemical Engineering. That does not mean my degree is worthless, as it uniquely qualifies me to write technical resumes.

You should take a look at your courses from the point of view of a potential employer who is interested in employees who understand business finances, who work efficiently and creatively, and who follow through successfully on a project. You have probably accomplished all that and more during your college years, whatever your degree. You might also look for part-time or volunteer opportunities (for example, a fashion show fundraiser in your case) related to your desired profession.

Q. Is it worthwhile to mention my work history when it has nothing to do with my degree or the career I want to pursue?

A. The answer here is closely related to the previous answer. Every job, no matter what the industry, involves skills that companies are interested in: reliability, communication, teamwork, leadership, and a strong work ethic. The fact that you have worked while earning a degree is impressive, regardless of the type of job. When writing your resume, do not focus on the day-to-day tasks you handled but on the contribution you made as an employee.

Q. Is it a good idea to ask my professors for letters of recommendation?

A. You should ask if your professors would be willing to serve as references, allow you to post their recommendations online on professional sites like LinkedIn, or include a brief version of their recommendations in your resume. Do not list “references available on request” on your resume and do not pester your professors for repeated letters. The company you are applying to will let you know if they want references. At that point, alert potential references that a company is likely to contact them, whether by phone or email, and make sure they are still willing to recommend you.

At Robin’s Resumes® we help many college students with their critical first resume. Contact us today.

Job Seekers: Five Reasons for Good Cheer

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At this holiday season, I would like to spread some cheer about job searches and resumes.

First, if you are currently working while you job search, you have information at your fingertips that will make your resume better than ever. Whether you note the number of papers you file every day or the number of strategic initiatives you lead, you are in a perfect place to gather information about your achievements at work and how they affect your company.

Second, you do not need to do everything yourself. During your job search, the help of a professional resume writer will ensure that your resume shows off your hard and soft skills, education, achievements and potential value to a new employer. A professional resume writer with career coaching credentials will guide you to decisions that make sense for your career, industry and goals.

Third, if you have run into a roadblock in finding the perfect job, alternatives are available. Speak to me at Robin’s Resumes® to get your job search back on track, through a new resume, a shift in search strategies, a career consultation or all three.

Fourth, my website is just one of the online resources that can give you advice and information vital to your job search. I believe in transparency, in clear writing, and in sharing my expertise. If you want to know whether Robin’s Resumes® is a good match for you, please contact me.

Fifth, if you are feeling overwhelmed, right now is a great time to relax and gather new energy. Sometimes, all you need to revive a job search is to take a break. Give yourself permission to relax with friends and family and appreciate everything you have to be grateful about this holiday season.

I wish you and your loved ones lots of good news and cheer in the coming year!

Serve in the Trump Administration

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Now that the election is over and the American people have chosen President Elect Donald Trump, the transition is on. In the next 72 days, President Elect Trump’s team will choose their political employees. This article outlines some information on how to apply and how to get help in developing your application. Note, you do not apply for a job via this website. FederalResumes.net is NOT associated with the Federal government.

Per the transition websites, www.greatagain.com (President Elect Donald Trump’s website), its Help Wanted: 4,000 Political Employee release (https://www.greatagain.gov/news/help-wanted-4000-presidential-appointees.html), and www.presidentialtransition.org (a website set up by the Partnership for Public Service), they are looking for qualified applicants for four basic types of appointments:

  • Presidential Appointments with Senate Confirmation (PAS): There are 1,212 senior leaders, including the Cabinet secretaries and their deputies, the heads of most independent agencies and ambassadors, who must be confirmed by the Senate. These positions first require a Senate hearing in addition to background checks and other vetting.
  • Presidential Appointments without Senate Confirmation (PA): There are 353 PA positions which make up much of the White House staff, although they are also scattered throughout many of the smaller federal agencies.
  • Non-career Senior Executive Service (NA): Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) work in key positions just below the top presidential appointees, bridging the gap between the political leaders and the civil service throughout the federal government. Most SES members are career officials, but up to 10 percent of the SES can be political appointees. (For more information see the Office of Personnel Management’s website, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.) There are 680 non-career members of the SES.
  • Schedule C Appointments (SC): There are 1,403 Schedule C appointees who serve in a confidential or policy role. They range from schedulers and confidential assistants to policy experts.

In 2012, prior to the last transition, the government issued the Plum Book (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2012/pdf/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2012.pdf) which lists these positions (there may be a new one soon). Note, for the top Senate-confirmed appointments, position descriptions have been published (http://presidentialtransition.org/publications/viewcontentdetails.php?id=1352).

There is a recently published official guide for employees applying for positions and rights on the Office of Personnel Management website (https://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-people-organization/support-functions/executive-secretariat/presidential-transition-guide-2016.pdf).

Applications for these positions is now open (https://www.greatagain.gov/serve-america.html). You will need to fill out an application online (https://apply.ptt.gov/) which requires an essay on why you hope to be part of the President-elect’s administration, a Cover Letter, an essay on any additional qualifications, a text resume (not a fancy resume) no longer than 131,072 characters (which, at an average of 4,000 characters per page, is more than 30 pages).

Based on my experience helping folks transition to President George W. Bush and President Obama’s administrations, a Federal-type resume works best for folks applying for these types of jobs.

Note the following will be required for these types of positions, including extensive background checks. Per the greatagain.gov website:

  • The time commitment is significant and the pace is fast
  • Appointments and jobs of the Trump-Pence Administration are demanding, and the application process is rigorous

For most applicants under serious consideration:

  • A full FBI background check in which an applicant’s history of employment, personal, travel, medical, financial, legal, military and education background will likely take.
  • Consideration is taken for possible conflicts of interest. Financial holdings and sources of income must be disclosed. Any conflicts must be remedied by divestiture, the creation of special trusts, and other actions.
  • Many appointees’ dealings with the Federal government both during and for a period after their service will be significantly restricted to prevent possible conflicts of interest.

All those wishing to apply for positions in the Trump-Pence Transition, Executive Office of the President, or a Federal Department, Agency or Commission should follow the instructions below:

  • Complete the online application and submit it electronically. You will be notified electronically once your information has been received. A record of your application will be maintained while the President is in office, and you will be considered for the position(s) or subject area(s) which you have expressed interest in whenever openings occur.
  • You will be asked fill out a Personal Data Statement if you are considered for a specific position. You will be asked about possible conflicts of interest deriving from your sources of income; all aspects of your personal and professional life, including organization which you belong or once belonged; speeches you may have given and books, articles and editorials you may have written; legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings to which you may have been a party; in short, anything that might embarrass the President or you if he should choose you for a position in his administration.
  • If you are considered for a nomination by the President Elect, you will be asked to complete FBI and financial disclosure forms for review and consideration. The types of forms you may be required to fill out are as follows: for National Security Positions (SF86) and for higher-level positions, the financial disclosure form, (SF278). Most appointees are required to file financial disclosure statements annually during their term of service.
  • If Senate confirmation is required for the position you are nominated for, the Senate committee that reviews those nominations may ask you to provide additional information.

One should assume that all the information provided during this process is ultimately subject to public disclosure, if requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

I have helped numerous folks apply for political jobs during the last 3 elections, and would be pleased to see if I can help you with this transition. Please contact me at www.robinresumes.com today – time is short to apply.

© 2006-2017 ROBINS RESUMES

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