Dear Jean:

I am a college graduate and I’m desperate to find a job, but I can’t seem to write a decent resume.  What should I do?

Reply:

You are absolutely right to be concerned.  A good resume may be instrumental in determining the rest of your career.  You have three choices.  You can go to the library or a bookstore and get a book; have a resume professionally prepared; or go online to get information.  (I have a new download available at www.getajobkeepajob.com.)

There are many different resume styles.  When you are picking a style, remember one thing:  a resume is not intended to be a sheet of facts about you.  It is intended to be a marketing tool, a brochure, and an opportunity to tell the world how good you are.

Writing your resume is tricky though.  Write it in the third person and omit the pronouns.  For example:  “supervised four data entry clerks,” or “introduced a new purchasing program which saved the company 25 percent.”  This will keep your resume from sounding like:  “I did this.  I did that.  Look at me.  I’m so great.”

If you choose to have your resume professionally designed, picking out a good resume service is almost as important as picking out a good dentist – a wrong decision in either area could result in discomfort.  Some resume services are not creative.  They won’t dig into your past experience or education to help you find things to highlight in your career.  The goal here is to make you look as good as possible while still telling the truth.  If a resume service suggests that you lie about your background, shop around.  A good service will be able to do a good and creative job without lying.

Your Goal:

You want the employer to literally be captured and swept away by your talents.  The response you want to elicit is, “WOW, I want to interview this person”!

Dear Jean:

I recently applied for a job.  I filled out the application, turned it in, and was told they would contact me in a few days for an interview.  After almost a week had past and I hadn’t heard anything, I called to inquire about an interview.  Their response to me was, “Haven’t you checked your email?  You had an interview yesterday at 5:00.”  I explained to her that I had been away and didn’t have access to email, and that I was really expecting a phone call.  Her response was, “Sorry.  I don’t have anymore interview times available.”  I am shocked that email for an interview was their form of communication, when I wasn’t told that.  What do you think?

Reply:

I am as shocked as you are.  I personally would have made a phone call to set up an interview.  Even as the employer, speaking to a candidate over the phone gives an impression on how they handle themselves on the phone.  There are so many ways of communication these days, and speaking to someone directly or over the phone almost seems to be going by the wayside, not to mention how impersonal it is.  There are situations where emails or even texts are appropriate, but setting up a job interview is not one of them.  If this lady can only use email for communicating and can’t find time for you, then this probably isn’t the best place to work.  Consider yourself lucky.

Dear Jean:

On my last performance appraisal, my boss told me I need to give recognition to my staff.  I’m not exactly sure what he meant.  I explained that my staff members know perfectly well when they are not up to par.  I don’t have the need or desire to get all mushy and give people standing ovations for doing their jobs correctly. That’s what they get paid to do.

My boss thinks differently, and I can tell you right now that frothy emotional displays are not for me.  How can I do what my boss wants and not compromise my values?

Reply:

If this is really important to your boss, my best advice is to explore a way that fits your values.  In the old yet classic, popular book, The One Minute Manager, we learn to “catch” people doing things right and praise them for it.

I’ll adapt this concept to fit your particular style:

Catch one of your employees doing something above and beyond the call of duty.  Describe the performance or behavior you are recognizing and be clear on why you are recognizing it.  Express your appreciation and then say thank you.  That’s all there is to it.

This will be hard for you at first.  Most likely you and your boss have a different idea about what constitutes “above and beyond the call of duty.”  Be sure to discuss this with him so both of you are in agreement as to which kinds of behaviors you want to recognize.

Remember – the performance that you praise is the performance that will be repeated.

Dear Jean –

A co-worker of mine has started texting me.  I don’t mind texting, but the problem is that it starts about 11:00 at night.  The other annoying part is that it’s about nothing important – just nonsense or conversations that can wait until the next day.  I haven’t been at this job a long time and I like this person.  She could be a good friend, so I don’t want to cause any problems.  What should I do?

Reply:

I agree it’s not good manners to text late into the night. A rule of thumb is, “Don’t text if you wouldn’t make a phone call at that same time.”  Well, as I see it, you have two options.  The first is to turn your phone off.  I can understand that you may not want to do this if you have kids or other family members who may need to reach you at odd hours.  Your second option is to have a friendly conversation about it, face-to-face.  Make it light-hearted, maybe even funny. Tell them you go to bed early so you can start your day when the chickens do – to exercise or have your quiet time.  I have a friend who has to go to bed earlier than her husband so his snoring doesn’t bother her. Many early birds go to bed at 10:00 and before.  I think if you make your point direct but light-hearted, your problem will be solved.

An ornery option would be to reply in gobbledygook like this: nominee ekes 58nf die 38db chq, every time you get a text after 10:00.  And tell her the next day that you were sleepy and replied the best you could.  And then say: “What was it you were wanting to know”?

Dear Jean:

In my job-hunting research, I keep seeing that I need to “network.”  I know what this means, but I have no clue how to do it.  Where do I start?

Reply:

Networking for a job is making it easy for the people you know to help you find job leads.  To network, all you need to do is make everyone you know aware that you are searching for a particular job. They, in turn, can keep their ear to the ground for a job that might match your needs.

Have some inexpensive business cards made up with your recent contact information so you can give your cards to people you meet.  If you are within three feet of them give them a card. On the card, you can even include your area of expertise. “Supply Chain Management,” “Legal,” “Administration,” or whatever your specialty is.

To get warmed up to networking, start by talking to the people you know:  Your family, friends, neighbors, cleaners, barbershop, beauty shop, mechanic, etc.  Be specific about what you want in a job and what you have to offer an employer.  Ask them to get the word out on you. Most people won’t, but some really will! Make a list of everyone who will take your call:  Former co-workers, former classmates, neighbors, parents of your kids friends, people you volunteer with, people you go to church with, professionals you use – doctor, dentist, attorney, accountant, investment person, etc. – literally anyone you can think of who will take your call.  Write down their name and phone number and call them right away.

Don’t forget to find out about the reputable staffing and search firms in your area. Pick the top five and fill out an application (applications are taken mostly online) and make an appointment to see them once you establish what you do matches the kinds of people they place.

Next, contact any business associates you have who might be willing to keep an eye out for you.  A good way to do this is to write a quick postcard or email asking for their help in finding your specific type of job.  Action is key. The more feelers you put out the more leads you’ll get.  Job fairs are designed for networking. Be sure to take your resume to this type of event.

Social Media Networking business sites are good too. There are many of them and recruiters often ask to be introduced to you if you have the skill set they are looking for. Chose two or three of the most popular and you will have another place to talk about your work history. On LinkedIn there is a place for “summary” and there you will have a chance to summarize your experience and mention what type of position you’re seeking.

Remember who you contacted by keeping a list and check back with them periodically to let them know you are still in the market.  Keeping your network looking for you saves you a lot of legwork and can be very successful in finding openings that are not being advertised; many of the good positions aren’t advertised.

When you find your new job, it is courteous to let your network know, especially those who have given you a lead or given your resume to a friend.

The means of communication is becoming a fast changing media. As a result of our communications becoming more and more advanced, avoiding mistakes becomes more difficult. It is so easy and fast to leave a voice mail or send an email. And with the growing popularity of social media sites, communication pathways are almost endless. Unfortunately, if you make a mistake, you can’t get it back. It’s already there. The recipients have already received it.

As for mistakes, I heard a story about a lady who was sending an email advertisement to thousands of possible customers. She spent a lot of time developing it and finally determined that it was ready. Right after she had sent it directly to all of these people’s email boxes, she noticed a horrible mistake. In huge bold letters at the top of the announcement, instead of saying “Public Auction” it said “Pubic Auction.” She lost her job.

Just remember when it comes to communicating, whether it is a phone call, an email, or social media sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook, watch what you say and how you say it. Just as if you were talking to the person directly, you won’t have a chance to take back what you said. Choose your words wisely.

In the recent past, we wouldn’t have secretly toted a Playboy or Playgirl magazine to work, much less an X-rated video.  There wasn’t a place for it, and no one would even have thought of it, much less actually have done it.  Now all it takes is the click of a button, even an accidental one, and that type of material is displayed in full color on an employee’s computer screen.  What does this mean for those who are concerned about harassment?

Dear Jean,

A person I work with apparently surfs the Internet in his off time.  He thinks it’s funny to load porn onto my computer.  He even puts these pictures so that they show on my screen in the morning.  Now, I’m a normal guy who thinks that if there is a place for this type of activity, that place is not on my computer.

I have told this guy that I don’t want to see these pictures, but he just laughs.  I am afraid that my supervisor will see one before I can take it off and he will think I put it there.  How can I get this guy to stop?

Reply:

This is not a joke or some kind of male bonding technique.  This is inappropriate behavior in any office.  Try one more time to get him to stop.  Don’t tell him this in passing; have a sit-down meeting at his desk.  Be specific about why you don’t want to be part of his game.  Document the conversation and keep it in a safe place in case you need it.  If he keeps it up, go to your boss.

Dear Jean,

I attend many conventions, conferences, and trade shows where name tags are given to attendees.  I’ve noticed these tags being worn by some on their right side and by others on the left.  Is there a best way to do this?

Reply:

There is not a right or wrong answer to your question.  Most people agree, however, that the name tag works best on your right side.  When people are shaking hands with you they can see your name faster. If they can’t remember your name and have to look at your tag, you’re making it easier for them. They will look a little less conspicuous glancing at your right shoulder than at your left.

When preparing your own name tag, write your name very large.  Everything you do to help people remember your name will aid you in your networking efforts.

If it’s important to you that people remember who you are, be sure to get their contact information.  When you return to your office, send them a short e-mail or a handwritten note. It’s a nice touch.

What’s in it for you? You might be the only person they met who followed up. Following up shows that you are on top of your game.

Dear Jean,

I’m the executive director of a small, not-for-profit organization.  It seems like every day I’m in a position where I’m introducing people to each other.  I know there are rules for proper business introductions.  What are they?

Reply:

Business is becoming more casual these days and I’ve noticed that sometimes in informal situations where people aren’t likely to see one another again, introductions are made with first names only.

The formal way to make introductions is to introduce the lower-ranking person to the higher-ranking person.  It will sound something like this:  “Mark, may I introduce you to our vice president, Julie Falone?  Julie, this is Mark Matrol.  He is our newest sales rep.”  Or, “I’d like to introduce our vice president, Julie Fallone.  Julie, this is Mark Matrol, our newest sales rep.”

As for social introductions, here are those guidelines:

1.  A man is introduced to a woman.

2.  A young person is introduced to an elder.

3.  A less important person is introduced to a more important person.

4.  A commoner is introduced to a queen.