Can you please advise on what is the best approach to this kind of work history when trying to construct a resume?  I’m leaning toward positions that are not necessarily in the mortgage industry for obvious reasons known in today’s market.  I’m afraid employers will view my brief work history as a  negative and therefore not be considered - I want to avoid this.

Help!
Maria

Yes, I can see where this seems like a difficult challenge.  Here are my suggestions…

If the 12 years / 13 jobs were before the longer term jobs, I would put them into the Early Work Summary.  But I suspect that that is not the case here. The mortgage industry has been very turbulent over the last few years and I think most people understand that.  Since you are looking to transition into another industry, the specific companies are probably less important and it’s more about the skills you learned there (and what you accomplished with those skills) that can be applied to the needs of the hirining manager in the new job you want. So for that span of time, instead of listing the experience as a company, I would do something more generic.  Something like
“Mortgage Industry Application Processor” and then discuss those jobs as a group.

Despite this unnatural dislike of decimals, I do get it.  The point is there is a sea change in the way you should be looking for a job.  And it’s not through job boards, resume blasters or the internet (although these can help if you know how to use it correctly).

To me, job search 2.0 means approaching the job search process like an independent contractor or consultant approaches new clients. 

It’s about proving you understand your profession and showing you can do the work.  Its doing sufficient and the right kind of research into the organizations you are interested in.  It’s showing that you’ve thought about the problems they face and it’s offering real solutions within the context of your profession or expertise.

The dad of one of my kid’s friends provides executive coaching for C-level executives.  He described to me one of the ways he gets new clients.  He videotapes John Executive, President/CEO giving a speech. Then shows that tape to John and asks, “Would you walk through a wall for that guy?  I can show you how you can get your audience to walk through walls for you.”  Wow!  Eric Schor, EMS Communications doesn’t talk about how great he is or what he has accomplished over his career.  He shows what he can do for you.

That’s what Job Search 2.0 means. 

And if you are an executive that needs to get your audience walking through walls for you, check out http://www.presentationtrainers.com/.

Amazingly applicants are not taking the time to think about their appearance. Following a few simple rules of dress can put you ahead of the employment pack.

It might not be fair but you are judged on your appearance. When you go to an interview or networking event looking crumpled, inappropriately dressed or too casual you will not be taken seriously. Seems obvious but job seekers often forget that what they look like matters.

David Rubin of Suited To You (www.suited-to-you.com) advises you prepare for your interview by getting a feel for the dress culture of the company. Talk to the receptionist, anonymously, and find out the dress code for the day you are interviewing and ask how often, if ever, the person you are interviewing with wears a suit.

Well before the day of the meeting, go through your closet to evaluate what works and doesn’t. It’s not a bad idea to enlist professional help with this.

Choose the suit, shirts, ties that are in the best condition. Try everything on. Make sure shoes are polished, socks match, and you are cleaned and pressed.

Every couple of months the news is filled with another story of a C-level executive who claimed to have graduated from some prestigious university, or of a politician who slept, smoked or spoke with someone or something they shouldn’t have. Like a zit on the end of your nose on the day of your big presentation, truth always breaks out when you least want it to.

Lie, embellish, fudge, deceive, or bend the truth. No matter what you call it, don’t do it on a resume. An employer that is serious about you will do a background check. And catching a lie on a resume, even a small one will tarnish your image and ruin your chances of doing the work you want to do and very possibly your reputation.

People are most tempted to lie about their educational background. If you don’t have the requisite advanced degrees, highlight your exceptional work world experience instead or feature related certifications. And if you really need that degree to prove you can do the work. Go get it.If you’re smart enough to run a multi-million dollar company you’re probably smart enough to get a graduate degree.

And remember, your life story is just a few clicks away to every potential employer. So be aware MySpace friends. Everything you post to the Internet — those pictures of you doing Jell-O shots in college or a rant about a previous employer on your Blog will haunt you for years to come.

I know it’s hard.  But it will get easier.  You know you need to get out in front of people.  Find out who is doing what and where you can leverage your expertise.  A quick google search gives you access to everything from AARP to the YNPN (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network).  Whatever your line of work or geographic location you’ll find networking opportunities.

For a complete listing of networking events in the Chicago land area along with lots of great networking advice, go to www.thepronetworker.com.

• Create a professional identity.
  Job-seekers must be able to tell their audience what type of position they're targeting. Sometimes people confuse professional identity with the job title that is listed on a job description. These titles can be misleading and do not always fully describe the nature of the person's responsibilities. By using such titles in place of a professional identity, you run the risk of compromising your self-marketing campaign. For example, in the world of finance, many back office administrators are simply called clerks. Such a title can place severe limitations on your marketing capsule. A more targeted and effective professional identity might be Financial Custody Administrator or Securities Administrator.
• Showcase three strengths.
  Highlight three areas of competency that show your value and differentiate you from the competition. Chose traits that can easily be coupled with examples of how you have helped previous employers make money, save money, save time, maintain the business, or grow the business. For example, being proficient in Microsoft Project can position a project manager as a candidate that gets the job done expeditiously and in turn saves time, money, and resources.
• Use accomplishment-focused, metrics-driven examples to support your strengths.
  Just like a resume, the marketing capsule must include proof that you've successfully completed job-relevant tasks. A good strategy is to marry a strength with a specific example to prove that you are accomplished at what you do. Quantify accomplishments using numbers, percentages, and dollars whenever possible.
• Discuss your background as it relates to the target function or industry.
  Draw on your past experiences from several positions to solidify the scope of your skill set, show career progression, and build the business case for your candidacy. Also include relevant education such as job-related or advanced degrees, industry certifications, advanced technologies, or leadership roles within a professional organization to showcase the diversity of your experiences while positioning yourself as a unique contributor.
• Make a match between your experience and the skills needed for a particular job function or industry.
  Bring the conversation full circle by relating your traits back to the needs of the employer or the needs of a particular industry. By doing so you prove relevancy and demonstrate why your skills are a good fit for a certain type of position.

Kinetic Resume has entered into a partnership with the Barrington Career Center (BCC) to launch a new pilot program aimed at complementing the services of BCC's career counselors with the capabilities of Kinetic Resume as part of a new hybrid approach to creating focused job searches and more effective resumes.  

Program kickoff is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM, October 11 at the BCC in Barrington, IL.  Current job seekers interested in participating in the program are invited to register by sending an email to careers@barringtoncareercenter.com. Space is limited and advance registration is required. There is no charge for the program, however, preference will be given to BCC members.  More information about membership can be found at www.barringtoncareercenter.com/ClientServices.html.

Recognized as an award-winning volunteer organization in 2006, the Barrington Career Center is a volunteer driven, non-profit agency dedicated to helping people help themselves as they develop search strategies, skills, and conduct an effective job search brought on by unemployment, career transition, re-entry to the workforce, or first-time employment. Serving nearly 1,000 individuals each year from over 100 communities in the Chicago metropolitan area,  BCC services are available to anyone in need of job search training. More information can be found at www.barringtoncareercenter.com.

Below are 10 tips to get the most out of your phone interviews.

1. Schedule the meeting during a time when you won’t be distracted.
   A phone interview should be scheduled like any other interview. At the designated appointment time, be sure the dog is in the backyard and someone else is watching the kids. Don’t add additional hassle to an already stressful situation. If a recruiter or hiring manager calls you without advance notice and wants to interview you on the spot, use caution. If the interview "conditions" are not optimal at the time of the call, it’s best to tell the interviewer that you are very interested in the position, but need to schedule another time to have a conversation. That time can be as soon as ten minutes later if that works for you — just make sure that you can take the call without being distracted.

2. Conduct interviews from a landline.
   Cell phones are a boon to modern communication, but the quality is still not the same as that from a land line. The last thing you want to do is frustrate the recruiter or hiring manager with a bad connection. Using a cell phone means you have a greater chance of getting distracted by multi-tasking when your attention should be completely focused on the interview. A landline forces you to stay in a relatively stationary locale. Plan your interview from a reliable phone line.

3. Create an office space.
   Dedicate an area as your office. This area could be as simple as a card table with a phone and your documents. Conduct your interviews from your "office". Being seated at a desk or table allows you to create an environment similar to an in-person interview.

4. Put a mirror in front of you.
   This helps you focus, and it anchors your conversation to the visual representation of a person. Monitoring your facial expressions helps you see if you are communicating your enthusiasm to the recruiter.

5. Have a glass of water nearby.
   If your throat is dry or you get a tickle you can take care of it before it turns into a cough and disrupts the flow of the interview.

6. Have your notes in front of you.
   A phone interview is like an open book test. You can have your research about the company and answers to potential interview questions right in front of you. Try organizing your key information on colored index cards by category so you’re not fumbling through papers in the middle of the interview.

7. Vary your voice.
   Since the other person can't see you, it’s critical that you vary the tone and cadence of your voice to communicate interest and develop rapport.

8. Use pauses effectively.
   Pauses in an interview situation are always difficult, and they can be especially awkward during a phone interview since you can’t judge what the interviewer is thinking by their body language. Rather than wondering what the person on the other end of the line is doing (or even if they’re still there!) use the silence to ask a question. For example, if the interviewer has just asked you about your strengths and your response is met with silence, make that an opportunity to ask a question like "What are the key strengths of your ideal candidate?" This tactic both takes care of the silence and allows you to learn more about the position.

9. Don't multi-task.
   We have grown so accustomed to multi-tasking; however, as mentioned in tip #2, it can be counterproductive during a phone interview. Don’t check your email or stick a casserole in the oven while you are engaged in a phone interview. Act the same way you would for an in-office interview, and maintain your focus.

10. Practice.
    Record some of your answers to prospective interview questions. Play them back and critique yourself. Are you easy to understand? Are you talking too fast? Is your presentation riddled with long pauses and "ums?" Do you communicate interest and enthusiasm? If necessary, rework your answers and your overall presentation.

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