Resume' help

[dwnloom]

Hi guys, I previously mentioned that I was told I'm being layed off. Well, I am trying to be prepared for this to happen. My question is....does anyone know where you can go to get resume help? I have been working in one field for 16 yrs, but have previously worked in admistrative type roles. My current field - there are very few opening, but lots of opening in admin. How would you word your resume to show previous experience - so that you can apply for that type of position...does this make sense? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawn

[3tomboys]

Go to the library. They have a lot of books on resume and cover letter writing. You might also check with your unemployment office to see if they offer a class or know who does on writing a resume. You can also get software for your computer. Not the most frugal way, but could be cheaper then hiring someone to write one for you. That is also an option. Good Luck and I hope this helps.

[Libby]

You should create two resumes - one that highlights your work experience for each field: current filed and the other admin. This way the potential employer won't have to hunt through it for your related experience. Some employers won't even look at your resume in great detail unless you have what they're looking for right at the top.

Sounds kind of weird but check the online job sites. They usually have a section in which they kinda lay it all out for you, sometimes a resume builder. You can google 'resume format' and start clicking away at all the results.

Also, once you've done up your resume, go sign up at a local employment agency (it shouldnt cost anything and if it does, dont do it!) and ask them to look over your resume and suggest any potential changes. Sometimes they're helpful and sometimes not.

HTH

[MTS04]

Go to about.com and type in resume. They have a great guideline to the different resumes that you can build.
Found the link : Resumes Sounds like you're looking for a functional resume.

Good luck!

[Minner77]

I've posted on this before... sure wish I could find my words of wisdom ( smiling). One thing you really want to highlight is your accomplishments vs. merely stating your responsibilities/job title. Think carefully about how the job was done better by you -- how you were uniquely suited to the position. State how you bettered the situation at hand: you increased production by 20%, discovered a new inventory control process, decreased customer complaints by 30%, wrote a procedures manual for your position when you found none existed -- what have you.

Think about the skills that were required to do your job: patience, communication, coordination, leadership, operational knowledge, computer savvy, consumer interaction, planning, attention to detail, etc. Show how you put those skills into play.

A Fortune 300 CEO who hired me once told me that CEOs look for the following abilities: managing money, smoothing troubled waters, communication skills, and the guts to make decisions. Think how you're able to do these things.

Don't forget you can include volunteer and community work. Double and triple check for typos and spelling errors. It's okay to tailor your resume for various job opportunities -- keep a couple of variations if necessary.

As others said, the libraries have excellent resources. Check 'em out. There's great stuff online, too.

Best of luck.

~Mary

[JenMarie]

All great ideas! Once you get that resume done, look online for articles on interviewing. There are lots of great articles about interview questions and the 'right' way to answer them. Good Luck!!

[JoesMoney]

Go to about.com and type in resume. They have a great guideline to the different resumes that you can build.
Found the link : Sounds like you're looking for a functional resume.

Good luck!

I agree, a functional resume will probably work best for your situation.