Resumé Time

So it's been a while since I've updated my resumé  In fact 2008 was the last time. I was in Design School and it was part of my Business and Portfolio class. But so much has changed in that time frame. I have added new experiences, changed my focus and the direction on my career of choice in the future. 

So as I sat down to update my resumé  I quickly realized I needed to go back to Resumé 101. Thankfully google provides a myriad of articles, tips, and insights into creating the most professional resumé I can. Here is just a little of what I learned today

1. NO MORE MICROSOFT OFFICE RESUMÉ TEMPLATES

The first rule I have learned today is to ditch Microsoft Word Resumé creator. This might have worked 15 years ago for a great resume, but not any longer. Many Places I read said that if you feel the need to have the simplicity of Microsoft Office, than create your resume in there for the layout and guidance. But then copy the information and move it into a resume that you created from scratch. 

2. TO OBJECTIVE OR NOT TO OBJECTIVE?

So, do you create an objective or not? I have gotten mixed reviews on this one. So I am still researching and deciding. 

Some articles say to start with your objective. This is the place to tell the employers you are applying with, who you are, and how your qualifications and skills meet their needs. Explain how and why you are uniquely qualified for the job. 

But some articles say to just leave the objective out all together and that it dated to provide one.  

Comment below and tell me, do you include an objective or not?

3. ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Make sure your resumé highlights your accomplishments. Not only in your current position, but past roles as well. This is your time to brag.

4. USE BULLET POINTS

Do not use I, we, or our. In fact you are better off just staying away from sentences all together. Use bullets instead. This will also keep your resumé from becoming too long and wordy. 

5. KEYWORDS

It is very common now to have a resumé screened by a machine before an actual person even gets a hold of it. If your resume does not contain the right keywords it is possible that it will get thrown out.

The Keywords you are looking for are often found within the job description and are often nouns. Make sure you do your research on the kind of job you are looking for. Go to the companies websites, twitter accounts, linkedln and more. These keywords will be seen over and over and begin to stick out. Use those!

6. WORK EXPERIENCE

Include relevant work experience for this job. You do not need to include every single job you held if some are not applicable to what you are wanting now. 

7. READ IT, PROOF-READ IT, AND READ IT AGAIN

Do not send out your resumé until you are absolutely sure it is 100% perfect. You do not want your first impression to be riddled with spelling or grammar mistakes. Get someone you trust who has written a resumé or two in their life to read it and look it over for you.

8. FONT AND TYPE SIZE

Stick with an easy to read font. such as Arial, Times New Roman or Helvetica. Or if your font options are more expanded, try bookman, Krane or Fritz. Stick between 10-12 point for your size

So now that I have abundant information on resumé writing, I guess I should get to work on my own. 

Do you want more information on writing your resume? These are some of the pages that I found my information at.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-write-the-perfect-resume-2012-11#tailor-your-resume-to-the-specific-position-youre-applying-for-1

https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-get-you-hired

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/resume-writing-tips/

http://www.pongoresume.com/articles/420/5-rules-for-building-a-great-resume.cfm

Times of Change

So here I sit, 34 years old and again thinking of change in my life. But over the years one thing I am really beginning to grasp is there is no such thing as "too old to make a change." I love my life and I love what I do, but I have reached a point where I feel stagnant and I do not enjoy that feeling. I have come to realize that I love growth, knowledge and always moving forward. So what should I do about it?

Well, the first step I made was to really sit down and think about what is right for me. I am a creative person and I need somewhere to be creative. A desk job filing papers all day would bore me to tears. I like to engage with people and be a part of something.

I realized I needed to go back to school. As much as I loathe that idea, I really need to get moving and get working on a real degree. I have done so many things, but each time It was so specialized that if I stopped working in that field the degree or certificate I had earned became completely useless. While that knowledge can never be taken away, I am still left paying student loans on something that I will more than likely never use again.

I went back and forth over and over on the next direction. I finally decided that I would work towards a Marketing degree. With this degree, even if over the years I change fields I can do so much within the business field. I am no longer limited to something so specialized that it can't transition into something else.

So I began my search. And OMG so many choices. I had no idea going back to school would be such a difficult choice. I knew I wanted to take online classes. So that at least narrowed it down a little. Then I started looking at the programs like University of Pheonix, and other online programs like that. WOW they are expensive. So then my thought was I'll start with the local community college, they have online classes and I can get my general ed classes done and transfer to one of the more pricey online programs after that.

Well I called Cowley County Community College. About 6 years ago I was a student with them pursuing my interior design degree. They kindly informed me I had to go take a 4 hour placement test. SAY WHAT?!? I didn't have to take a placement test the last time I enrolled there and I was a 4.0 student. Why on earth would I have to take one now?

I decided to keep looking. But now where? I found Fort Hays State University out of Hays Kansas. They have an online Marketing program and it is only a little bit more than Cowley. Even better, no placement test required. I promptly filled out my application before I chickened myself out and paid to have my transcripts sent over from my past schools. Now I am just waiting to hear back. I don't know why I am so nervous, but I am. I'm excited too. But wow it is a crazy feeling to know what a big change I am planning.

I have been mostly a stay at home mom since my son was born. I do own and operate my own Mary Kay Skin Care business, but that is able to be done in my own time and worked in and around my families schedule. So going back into the work field is intimidating, but exhilarating at the same time. I will continue with Mary Kay, but more as a hobby and less as a career.

I have really decied that now is the time to make this change. So while scarey, it is exciting. I have begun to increase my twitter exposure, my instagram fowllowing, and my Linkedln profile is up to date. My goal now is to continue to learn all I can about Social Media and to network with as many people as I can. 

For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
-Sreve Jobs