Career Quest No Personal Informaiton on Resume

Avoid Including Personal Information

The topic of a photo on the resume brings about the question of including other personal data on the resume. I strongly discourage this practice. An interviewer is not supposed to ask any question regarding anything personal. You should not be considered for a position based on race, sex, health or marital status. Business is business and personal is personal, keep the two separate.

If the job requires extensive travel,

Instead of stating on your resume:

"I am single with no family obligations which would prevent me from traveling."

State:

"I am willing to travel."

Don't Fold Your Resume

Always, always, mail your resume flat. Never fold a resume and send in a standard envelope. It is it more difficult to handle and doesn't fit well into a file. It also reduces the scanability of the document.

Since you are going to mail your resume flat, you might consider sending it in one of the many types of resume folders available on the market today. I would not put it into a bound folder that would make it difficult to remove. This always frustrates me because it is time consuming and I need the resume loose to be able to deal with it in the accepted manner. I don't mind the resume folders. They protect the resume during mailing and are easy to remove the resume from.

Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire


DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest No Graphics on Resumes

Stay Away From Photos or Other Large Graphics

Graphics, photos and other pictures are not usually a good idea to put on a resume. Again remember the scanability of the document. The computer will try to interpret the graphic images and turn them into type. Even if the resume is not scanned, it may be copied many times to distribute within the company or even faxed. Graphics, pictures and photos do not copy and fax well.

However if you are an artist or graphic designer you may want to display your creative abilities in your resume. If you are applying for a job where creative page layout and graphic design would be skills considered for employment, then by all means, be creative. Be tasteful, professional, but creative.

Another reason for not putting a photo on a resume, besides the fact that they don't scan or fax well, is the simple fact that an employer should not consider a candidate for employment from just seeing a head shot on a resume. This is unethical, so eliminate the temptation for them and don't put your photo on the resume.

As in most cases there are exceptions to every rule. One specific exception to this rule is that foreign companies requesting a curriculum vita require a photograph. You may also want to include your photo if you are an actress or model and are applying for that type of position.

Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire

DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest Keep it Simple

Keep It Simple

If a resume is too busy or wordy you take a chance of it not even being read. Most employers get hundreds of resumes for an open position and usually take only seconds to do the initial scan. If the flow of the resume is complicated or unclear they may get easily frustrated and set it aside.

Paper and color choices are very important in compiling a resume. Many people are compelled to choose odd patterns and vibrant colors in order to be noticed. It has been my experience that those things only detract from the actual validity of the resume. My all time preference is just plain old bright white. It is clean, easy to read and scans beautifully.

In this current age of technology many resumes are scanned into computers and databases and then and OCR (optical character recognition) program is ran on them to convert the graphic image into a text file. Papers that have a high fiber content or that are colored are more difficult to scan acceptably. Always use pure black ink as well.

You may also use off-white or light gray if you just can't bring yourself to use white, but stay away from colored ink. It looks unprofessional and remember, this is your first impression to this employer.


Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire


DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest Preparing a Resume

Preparing Resume

A resume is the very first contact with a potential employer. Its purpose is to get your foot in the door and hopefully get you an interview. It is a marketing tool, and it may only have a brief moment to make an impact. The first impression before it is even read must be that it is clean, neat and highly professional.

When we call ourselves 'Christians' we are saying that we are a representation of Christ. If that statement is true and we are a representation of Christ, don't you believe that we have an obligation to represent him in the highest light available? Would it be a true representation for a Christian to send a half done, sloppy resume to a potential employer?

God is calling us to a standard of excellence. He has called us to be the best we can be in all areas of our lives, without reserve. Our model is Jesus. In everything he did, he was excellent. We will not be excellent in all areas of our lives instantly, but we can strive to be the best that we can be and do the best that we possibly can do.

God is interested in the details of our lives, right down to the image we represent in our careers and personal lives. Presenting a professional resume may seem like a small detail, but details are important. It is the details that make up the whole picture. Strive to be the best that you can possibly be in the details and the resulting overall picture will be beautiful.

Philippians 3:12-14 NCV I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. (13) Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, (14) I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.

Forget the past and its shortcomings. You can do this. Press ahead and set a goal for excellence. If you follow the plan ahead for creating your resume, a step at a time, it won't seem so overwhelming. Follow these guidelines and let God lead you to design your own unique resume.

Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire


DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest Type of Job You Would Enjoy

Determine Type of Job You Would Enjoy Most

Now on the worksheet provided, write down your fantasy job. What would that job be if there were no boundaries such as education, age or location? List at least three in the order of greatest desire. Do not be afraid of being ridiculous. These fantasy jobs will be a great determining factor in what type of job you really enjoy, and who knows, maybe someday it might not be a fantasy any more.

Maybe right now you just need a job to pay the bills, but will this job bring ultimate career fulfillment? And how will the job meet your financial goals for the future? Will you be able to send your children to college on this type of job? Will it provide you a retirement income?

How long has it been since you thought about a passion that burns within you? What was the dream you left behind with your youth? What was it that you always knew you were born to do, until life took you on another course? Dare to dream again. It is OK. God has called us to be dreamers. The bigger your dreams, the more you are likely to accomplish.

Psalm 37:4 KJ Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Mark 11:24 KJ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

There is no reason to think that you cannot do the job you really want to do. Maybe not today, but it can be a goal that you can work toward. Maybe your dream job is being a doctor. Analyze if it truly is a realistic goal, one that you can achieve with God's help. Sure it takes a lot of education, but you can go to school. It will take you a long time, but if you are willing and you really want to do it, you can get there.

Phillipians 4:13 KJ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Maybe being a doctor is your dream job, but it just isn't realistic for you, or isn't your calling. What is it about being a doctor that causes you to feel that it is a dream job? Is it the income, helping people, or working in the scientific/medical field? If one of those things are what make this a dream job, there are other avenues where you can pursue those things.

There are a lot of careers that have very lucrative incomes, even more so than being a doctor. Also there are many careers out there that are involved in helping people. The same is true with careers in the medical field. Put some thought into your dream job. Put it down on the worksheet provided and then think about why it really is your dream job.

My Ultimate Job/Career

Make a list below of all the jobs/careers you feel you would like to do, even if you do not currently posses the necessary skills or education to do them. On the blank on the left, list the skills or education that you would need to be able to do this job. On the blank on the far right list the skills that you currently posses which you feel would cause you to be really good at a job like this.


The Ultimate Job


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Skills and education you Skills and education you would need to do this job already posses to do this job.


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The Ultimate Job


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Skills and education you Skills and education you would need to do this job already posses to do this job.


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The Ultimate Job


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Skills and education you Skills and education you would need to do this job already posses to do this job.


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Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire

DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest Story of Talents

Story of Talents in a Different Light

Matthew 25:14-30 KJ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them five other talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord. (24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou are an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.



You have just read the parable of the talents. There are many many lessons to be learned within this parable. Of course in the parable the word talent is a form of money used in biblical times. How fitting it is that this word is interchangeable with the word which Webster's describes as, 'personal ability'.


Each servant was given a measure of talents. The measure was based on his ability, or skills. From there the three servants were left to their own devices to do with the talents as they chose.


The first servant used the five talents to multiply them into ten talents. The second servant did the same and doubled his talents. It was apparent to these two that these talents were given to them to use. They did so without fear and with confidence.


They knew, just as the third servant did, that the master was harsh and they could have suffered severally had they lost or reduced the talents given to them. They had a lack of 'fear of failure' and a strong confidence that they could increase the talents given to them.


Many years ago when I was in my early twenties, my mother-in-law taught me how to decorate cakes. She also held classes for others to come and learn how to decorate cakes and she didn't charge anyone anything. She would just say, "God has given me this talent and I want to share it and help others learn. He has freely given it to me, so I will freely give to others."


She wasn't decorating cakes and giving them away for free, but she was helping people develop a skill and possibly uncover a talent to decorate cakes, thus multiply her talent. She taught so many people to decorate cakes that it would be impossible to try and determine just how many times that talent was increased or doubled.


From that time on, everything I learned to do, I was more than willing to share with others. I have given of my services freely as well as train others. Through the years I have been continually uncovering new talents I never knew I had. By applying the principle of the talents to my life, my own talents have increased phenomenally.


People are constantly asking me, "How did you learn to do so many things?" The answer is that I have freely given what God has given to me, multiplying my talents and skill in others. Because of this, God has been faithful, just as the master in the parable and he has given me much more.


Seeing this principle acting in my life through the years has helped me to gain tremendous confidence. I honestly believe that I can tackle anything. If I need or want to do something and haven't had the training or the talent previously, I believe that I can learn and God will develop within me a talent to do it.


My confidence does not rest or reside in my own abilities or myself. It relies on the fact that I have seen God's hand in my life. I have seen him bring to pass what he said he would do. I have confidence in him and his word.


The third servant was so fearful that he buried his talent and did absolutely nothing with it. He could have done the mere minimum and placed the talent in the bank and let it at least draw interest, but he didn't. He was paralyzed by the 'fear of failure'.


As I mentor others and coach them in the steps of success, the number one thing I find is that there are many people who are tremendously paralyzed by the 'fear of failure'. They are so terrified of failing or doing the wrong thing that they do nothing.


This servant was only given one talent to begin with. In the parable it said that the master gave the servants talents based on their abilities or skills. We must assume from this that the servant had few skills or abilities, but he must have had some skills or he wouldn't have gotten any talents.


Had he just done the minimum and put the talent into the bank to draw interest, which we know returns very little and certainly wouldn't have doubled the talent, he would have pleased his master. Are you doing at least the minimum with the talent that God has given you?


If you are convinced that you possess no talents, then maybe you need to gain some skills. If I read the parable correctly the two are linked together. If I had never taken the class from my mother-in-law on cake decorating to gain some skills in that area, I would have never uncovered my talent to decorate cakes.


I promise that when you begin to go to classes and learn skills in areas where you have an interest, you will begin to uncover talents in your life. Use them freely and wisely and God will begin to multiply them.


When filling out the worksheet, do not just list talents and skills that you feel an employer might be looking for. Ask your friends and family to help you determine your talents and skills. They may see something you don't. List all your skills and talents on the worksheet provided.

Skills Worksheet

Use this page to make a list of skills that you feel you possess.

Skills gained from Skills gained from

       work experiences                    personal experiences


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Talents Worksheet

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Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire

DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs

Career Quest Determine Skills

Determine Skills

What skills you posses will be a big determining factor in what job you consider. If you have never been a brick mason it is not reasonable to believe that you can go out and instantly get a position as a master mason. If you wish to be a brick mason, you will need to develop the necessary skills in order to do that; either by working as an apprentice or by attending a vocational school which offers those types of courses.

For now let's consider what skills you already possess. Make a list on the worksheet provided of skills you feel you currently use in your work or in positions you have held in the past. Some of those might be typing, filing, ten-key, etc.

Next, write down skills you use in your everyday life such as organization. You could be surprised to realize just how organized you are to get three children to their various clubs and sports on time each day while also attending to the shopping, cleaning, laundry and meals.

Some of you have developed skills working as a shade-tree mechanic or leisure-time carpenter. Just because you have never received a salary for a task does not mean that you do not have the ability or skill to do the job. The same is true for skills you have acquired through volunteer work.

Let's talk a little about what a skill really is. A skill is a very basic activity that is one-dimensional and very focused. Skills are activities not ideas. A marketable skill is a skill that has a measurable value and can be marketed to an employer.

Skills vary from talents in that skills can be improved and developed and even learned. Talents can only be cultivated. To cultivate a talent you must develop the skills used in that talent. For instance, you may possess a talent to paint. To cultivate that talent you must practice or develop the skills used in painting. Some of those skills would be brush technique, color matching and blending, ability to transfer what is seen to the canvas and so on and so forth.

Someone with a natural talent for painting may not have to work quite as hard to develop their skill for painting as someone who has no discernable talent in that area. Someone without talent can learn the basic skills and can paint, but without a natural talent it may be more difficult.

You need to determine in what areas you feel you have a natural talent that you could cultivate and where you have developed or improved skills. When you begin to list your talents and skills, don't be modest. You need to be realistic and evaluate yourself honestly.

In teaching job search courses I have found that one of the most difficult parts of this process is for people to list their skills and talents. I repeatedly hear, "I don't have any." That's preposterous! Each task you have learned since you were a child is a skill of some kind. Each job you have had, each course you have taken has given you something.

God is the giver of talents. If you feel you don't posses any talents, get with God and ask him to show you where your talents lie. He has placed them there; he knows what they are. They may be undiscovered. You may have just not had the opportunity to uncover them. You might have a talent for music, but have never had the opportunity to play an instrument or take music lessons.

If God has given you a dream or a desire, the probability is high that he has also given you a talent and some skills to set you on the journey to that goal. They may be rough and few, but everyone has skills and talents. God will equip you for the call he has placed on your life.

Nancy Jackson, daydreamer extraordinaire

DAY JOB LINKS...
Dreams Do Come True
Dragonfly In Amber Designs