A Senior's Thoughts: e-personality

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Last week, I shared my attempt to reduce my spending. That is something I’ve been continually working on, although coming back to Auburn to an apartment with no food and new warm weather didn’t make it easy. This week, however, I’ll be focusing on monitoring my e-personality. Have you ever thought about this? We’ve all heard that you only get one first impression, but have you ever thought that your first impression could be on Facebook or Twitter? Think about it. If you tweet something that is retweeted, chances are someone you do not know now knows your name and associates your name with something you said using 140 characters or less.

I began the monitoring process by Googling my name: Paige Robinson. On the first page of websites, the only two things that showed up were my LinkedIn profile and the website I created for a class. While, I’d like to appear more upon that Google search, two isn’t bad. When I Googled: Paige Robinson Auburn, I got much more interesting results. Everything on the first page was me. It was videos I did for a class, articles and my resume. Various articles, websites and videos kept occurring even up to the third page. These were all good things because they market my skills: video production, editing, feature and news writing and social media.

Next I analyzed my social media accounts. I’ve done this before and regularly update them, but I still took the time to check them out. I had no profanity or bad pictures on my sites. I did have some high school yearbook invitations on my home page on Facebook, but I promptly deleted them.

The scary thing now is Facebook’s timeline. If you’re like me and didn’t start college off on the best foot, you have to go back to 2008 and clean everything up. This is one thing I did learn from this experience. Everything you post on a social media site is present. Luckily, you can delete photos from your site, but you have to take the time to really go through it. That is one thing I am doing now and plan to continue. It’s embarrassing to see what I posted as a high school senior, and I definitely don’t want a future employer to see that!

If you have never monitored your e-personality here are my recommendations:

1. Google yourself. Make needed changes based on those results.
2. Review your tweets. Do they have profanity? Do they allude to inappropriate topics? If so, delete them.
3. Look at your Facebook pictures. Do they have alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, drugs or profanity in them? If so, delete them.
4. Look at posts on your Facebook wall, groups you’re involved in and your recent activity. Are they alluding to crude subjects? If so, delete them.
5. Complete your LinkedIn profile. Why have a profile if it doesn’t adequately show your skills? Make sure each division is filled out to the fullest.

*Maybe you’re wondering what to do with pictures or posts regarding alcoholic beverages if you are 21 or older. My advice is just delete them. Better safe than sorry. What if your boss is extremely conservative? Is that something you would want him or her to see? Remember this could be your first impression; just take them down.

Paige Robinson '12
Career Center Intern

A Senior's Perspective: Going Beyond the Textbooks

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This week’s topic couldn’t exactly be done in a week. Going beyond the textbooks by finding quality experience is something that needs to be done continually throughout our college careers. However, I will take this time to reflect on some things I’ve done and ways you can too!

In order to find quality experience in your field, you must first know your field. If you don’t, please go to www.auburn.edu/career and click on the Career Assessments tab. Take an assessment or two, and then come see a career counselor to discuss your results. You may not leave your career counseling session with a major, but it gets you a step closer by knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

If you are the lucky college student who actually knows what you want to do with your life, then get on it! In the Career Rookie article “6 Tips for Success All College Seniors/ New Grads Should Know,” Heather Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended, said, “A degree isn’t going to be your golden ticket to gainful employment, worthwhile experience is.”

Here are some things you can do:

1.    Join a major-related club or organization. Many majors at Auburn University offer specialized clubs for each major. For instance, COSAM has Alpha Epsilon Delta, Medical D and a Pre-Pharmacy Club. In my major, public relations, we have PRSSA, which is a precursor for PRSA, the club for public relations professionals. Any of these clubs show that you care about the latest trends in your field and that you care about furthering your knowledge and abilities in your field.

2.    Gain volunteer experience. Volunteering, no matter the cause or organization, is a valuable thing to do. It puts you in contact with a diverse group of people and forces you to work toward the same end goal. It also shows that you care about your community and the people in it. Even better, get involved in a volunteering organization like Project Uplift or IMPACT that allows you to volunteer weekly. Another great thing about volunteering is that is doesn’t usually require previous experience or involvement. Even if you have never done anything else, you can still volunteer!

3.    Obtain and internship in your field. It seems that these days obtaining a job without an internship is nearly impossible. Employers like to hire people who have actually put their book knowledge to use. Luckily, many Auburn University majors require an internship. If yours doesn’t, consider a summer internship or come to the Career Center for more information on our job shadowing program. This program puts you in contact with professionals in the Auburn/Opelika area that you can observe for a day.

4.    Leadership, leadership, leadership. What is better than being involved? Leading the involvement. Once you find your niche, take on more responsibility. Whether it is your volunteer organization, social sorority or fraternity or professional organization, gaining leadership experience is crucial. No, you don’t have to be president of everything. If you can be and want to be, go for it! However, you can also become team captain or the manager of a club project.

Paige Robinson '12
Career Center Intern

A Senior's Thoughts: Honesty & Integrity

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Our next topic should be rather obvious. It is entitled “Be honest, have integrity.” Sadly, many new employees overlook the importance of good morals in the workplace. Not only does your conduct represent yourself, your family, your university and your hometown, but you also now reflect your company. No company wants a cut-throat, sneaky employee, no matter how great of a sale representative, doctor, lawyer, teacher or nurse you may be.

If you are like me, you feel pretty good about your integrity. I’m not stealing money from my organization or committing tax fraud. I’m a good person. However, let’s think about the following:

1. Do you sneak off from work 10-15 minutes early? If being paid an hourly wage, leaving early means you are taking money that you actually did not work for. This is also referred to as stealing. 
2. Do you take home office supplies for personal use? This is also called stealing. Your organization bought these supplies for office use. By taking them, you are forcing your organization to buy more supplies sooner than they should, thus they spend more money. 
3. Did you say you were proficient in a skill or application that you really aren’t? We see this a lot. Many people say they are proficient in Adobe Creative Suite or all of Microsoft Office when really they only have working knowledge of them. If you say you can do something on your resume, you will be expected to perform at your job. Tell the truth on your resume!
4. Did you say you were fluent in another language, when really you can only hold an elementary conversation? This is another example of lying on your resume. In many instances employers will hold you accountable and begin speaking Spanish or French to you in the interview. If you know you wouldn’t be able to converse, then don’t say you are fluent. 
5. Do you participate in workplace gossip? Talking about other employees or your boss in a negative way is an incredibly painful thing to do. You may think you’re not gossiping because you aren’t saying anything, but listening to others gossip makes you just as guilty. Gossiping can tarnish your reputation, cause co-workers to lose respect for you and seriously hurt the person you’re gossiping about. Even if you are frustrated, do not vent to your co-workers. Remember, if people gossip with you, then many times they will gossip about you! Stay out of any and all drama! In the words of Thumper the Rabbit, “If you can’t say nothing nice, then don’t say nothing at all.”

In conclusion, we are all held accountable to our actions and words. We’ve all heard the common saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” If you have ever been the one that is lied to or talked about, then you know this is completely false. Employers do not want to constantly wonder whether their employees are telling the truth, can actually complete the assignment or are talking badly about them. Take some stress off of your superior and be a dependable, honest, morally-sound employee. I guarantee it will pay off!

Paige Robinson '12
Career Center Intern

A Senior's Perspective: Emotional Intelligence

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For the last four years, I’ve been drilled with exams, quizzes and writing assignments all of which are necessary for my learning. However, now that I’m on my way out and into the working world, I’m being told my emotional intelligence is more important. Emotional intelligence refers not to your IQ or book knowledge, but to the ability to manage emotions.

The one thing that really stuck out to me when evaluating my emotional intelligence is how I handle stress. You don’t have to have a full-time job to occasionally fall under the curse of being stressed out. With finals coming up, I’m imagining roughly 90 percent of us will feel quite overwhelmed. While I’m no expert at managing stress, I have been conscious of my reactions to stress for quite a while. Last semester was the hardest academic semester I’ve had at Auburn, and I also was shoulder deep in planning a wedding. This semester my course load is much easier, but I am now ear deep in wedding planning. Through this year, I’ve learned several things about managing my stress and reacting well to stress.

1. Writing things down helps keep me from getting overwhelmed. When I write things down, I know that I won’t forget it. Keeping a planner up-to-date is one of the best things I’ve done throughout my college career. It keeps me from double booking and wasting time.
2. Exercise can be used to prevent stress and relieve stress. I haven’t always been great about exercising. A lot of times when I am stressed I feel like exercise is a complete waste of time. However, this semester I’ve been very disciplined to exercise more, even if it’s only a 30-minute walk. What I’ve found is that the physical activity works out my anxious jitters and usually gears me to productivity. This is great because on the days that I’m not very busy, I get things finished thus leaving my next day a little less busy. It keeps things from piling high and keeps me feeling better. It also helps when I’m in the middle of a stress out phase. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of school and work to move my body leaves me feeling more relaxed. 
3. Concentrated breathing sounds silly, but helps a lot when feeling stressed. As previously stated my academic schedule is not very strenuous this semester. I am fortunate enough to be able to take a stress reduction course in the physical education department. One of the best things I have learned is the use of meditation and breathing. I don’t always have the time for a 30-minute guided breathing exercise, and I’m sure most of you don’t either. However, in those times of gut-wrenching stress or anxiety, close your eyes and take 10 slow, deep breaths. It sounds silly, but taking that time to concentrate on your breathing slows your heartbeat and relaxes your body. Chances are you were tensing either your jaw or shoulders. By taking the time to breath slowly, you can relax those muscles.

These are just a few of the things that I found help me relax. Everyone is different, so maybe there are some other good activities you can do to unwind from your day. Whatever it is, realize that how to react to situations, stressful or not, plays a key role in how you are viewed as an employee.

BONUS: The Auburn University Career Center and DEI are co-sponsoring a Stress Relief Panel (WITH free food) on Thursday, August 26. Check it out here.

A Senior's Perspective: Be a Helper

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One of the things that I have learned through this internship at the Auburn University Career Center is the value of hard work. Every week may not be packed full of tasks, and there may be times when I feel like I have nothing to do. There are, of course, other times when I'm begging for no more tasks.

The lesson learned from this realization is this: A great employee is the one who takes advantage of the down times. It’s not wise to take on additional tasks or volunteer to help when things are already piling high on your desk. However, those days that aren’t quite as frantic are the perfect times to ask around for who needs help or take initiative on a project. This not only takes the load off another coworker or your boss, but it also can have some intrinsic value. Doesn’t it feel good when you help out? So, why not help out!?

Michelle Tillis Lederman, author of "The 11 Laws of Likability" and founder of Executive Essentials, a corporate training and coaching company based in New York, NY, said, “Pursue the relationships that feel authentic to you to expand your resources, knowledge base and support network, and offer your help. If you don't have anything to do, find something. Build your brand as someone who pitches in."

Another thing to highlight while we’re “pitching in,” is to maintain a positive attitude. The importance of a good attitude cannot be stressed enough. It really can be the difference maker in whether or not you get a job offer.

One of my friends completed her internship in accounting this spring and received a job offer from a Big Four accounting firm in the city of her choice. When the bosses called her in to offer her the job they told her that the thing they loved about her was that she remained positive and uplifting through her entire internship. She later confided in me that she had actually made some mistakes and at times wasn’t 100 percent positive she was doing the right thing. She is incredibly smart, but this was her first time to do real, outside of the classroom accounting work. She didn’t feel extremely confident in all of her decisions and actions because she wasn’t positive that they were correct. However, she also told me that she realized that the only thing she could control was her attitude and outlook. Her knowledge base is only so deep right now, but she could smile, be nice and have a good attitude. For those very things she got a job offer.

For this reason, I stress to you to make the most of your time at your work or internship. Your helping out, smiling or maintaining a positive attitude could be the difference between being unemployed and employed.

Paige Robinson '12
Career Center Intern

Chemical Engineer Salary

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                                                                                                                              The salary for a chemical engineer varies depending on which field you choose in this vast industry of chemical engineering. Engineering is a big field with lots of mathematics, calculations, machines, chemicals etc. One has to put a lot of hard work and mental patience for it. Though the field is tough, the pay scales are attractive. In the vast field of engineering, chemical engineering is an ethical profession. The chemical industry has to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products, deal with designs and operation of plants and equipment to perform such a work. Thus, the salary of a chemical engineer pays for the hard work these engineers put in. Before considering the salary structure of a chemical engineer, let us peep into the job responsibilities first and then we shall move on to your favorite, salary scales. Usually, a chemical engineer is the person who applies the skills of engineering in practical applications with respect to designing, manufacturing and operation of plant and machinery in industrial procedures.      But nowadays we see chemical engineers are more prone to new technologies coming up in this field like fuel cells, hydrogen power and nanotechnology and working in fields like polymer engineering and biomedical engineering. Numerous historical or renowned personalities can be found in the list of chemical engineers. This field is now coming up with a lot of career opportunities, and has been in demand due to its salary scales and job style. In the engineering sector, a salary for chemical engineer is considered one of the most descent and highest of all. Now coming to the main point of salary, an average chemical engineer salary ranges around $87,000 to $1 22,345. Some companies might offer some low packages at first, around $63,000 to $88,000. For R & D department (research and development), the range differs somewhat around $63,000 to $98,000. This profession is spreading its branches all over the world, steadily making it an important profession. Though the chemical engineering industry is huge and thus, there are a lot of job opportunities in the following sector, especially:       ·         Fertilizer technology·         Petroleum refining·         Recycling metals·         Glass and plastics industry·         Paints and dyes·         Processing of food and agricultural products·         Cosmetics industry·         Prevention and control of environmental hazards·         Mineral based industry
The initial salary for entry level engineers may not be high but gradually as the experience starts getting built, you will definitely get paid well. A general outlook is given regarding the different salary ranges for different people in chemical engineering sector:
·        Chemical Manufacturing - $68,000 to $85,000·        Engineering Consultant – $65,000 to $80,000·        Oil and Gas Industry - $70,000 to $88,000·        Pharmaceuticals - $70,000 to $88,000·        Petroleum Refining - $76,000 to $95,000·        Government/ federal Agencies - $50,000 to $100,000It will be very typical to say that the salary depends on your work experience and qualifications etc. But it is also true that the salary range of the chemical engineer depends on what kind of job you will get, and the type of company. Choose the industry that you are best interested in, and get started now.

Dentist Salary

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Dentist is trained and educated to deal with dental problem. Examines and treats diseases and injuries of teeth. Performs preventative and maintenance dentistry and educates the patient in proper tooth and gum care. Good training and experience count in high dentist salary. The average dentist salary in the United States is $131,000. It requires a degree in dentistry and is licensed to practice.

Marketing Salary

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Marketing job is challenging job. It deals with attracting people towards product. Marketing is a product or service selling related overall activities. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments. It is an integrated process through which companies build strong customer relationships and create value for their customers and for themselves. The average marketing salary
in the United States is $116,000. Salaries for marketing jobs largely depend on experience and number of successful campaigns.

Mayor Salary

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A mayor is responsible for a good functioning of a city. Thus the average salary for a mayor falls around $35,000 to $83,000.Like an organization is run by a number of people and depending on the expertise, the hierarchy is decided. A respective position is given to a particular person to look after that specific part of organization. Similarly, our country is also like an organization in which the President is considered the first person. Thus, considering a city, a Mayor is in charge of its smooth running, with the help of other authorities. The main duty of a mayor is to cross check, and he is responsible for the smooth functioning of the city. Hence, the normal average salary for a mayor ranges from $35,000 to $83,000. The mayoral salaries differ as per the policies decided by a city or a town.  There are so many duties that are carried out by a mayor. These may include managing the financial system, getting businesses and employment for people, ensuring people’s safety, and responding to all domestic as well as official complaints. The wide range of the a mayor salary is because of the location. The size of a country, state and city affects the salary package of a mayor. As being a government employee, a mayor also enjoys perks like bonuses which range around $4,000 to $10,000. To give you a more clear distinction, here is a small brief on a mayor in big and small cities: ·         Mayor in big cities: The largest cities of US are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix and Philadelphia has got higher salaries designed for the mayor of these cities. As per the New York guides, the salary for a mayor in New York is $195,000 per annum whereas the salary for LA mayor is exactly $205,000.    ·         Mayor in small cities: As we saw that the mayor in metros gets a six numbered salary package. On the other hand, the salary for a mayor in small cities may be less than even $1,000 per month. As per one article published in Whidbey News- Times, the mayor of South Bend, Washington gets a monthly payment of $800. It also says that the mayor of La Conner, Washington gets a monthly payment of $870. Thus the location plays an important role in deciding the salary of a mayor.    

Bus Driver Resume Objective and Their Salary

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 When you are preparing a resume for any particular position, it is important to draft an attractive job objective. Many people find it difficult to construct a job relevant objective statement. Employers generally go through the objective and then only move towards the further details. If the start of the resume is not good, it can make a bad impact on the prospective employer. Although it is difficult to write the objective, your resume is incomplete without it. It will reflect your professional graph and give an impression of your skills. In the abstract below, we discuss the importance of the driver resume objective and the details of the salary drawn by a driver to help you get more information.Resume is necessary for all jobs, no matter whether it is a job in the field of engineering or a cab driver’s job. When applying for the driver position in any travel company or elsewhere, you need a resume describing your driving skills and other related skills. Job objective is the most important and first section in the resume. It is necessary to take additional efforts in drafting this section as it can make a lasting impression on the employer. Significance of Objective StatementYour career objective in the resume will tell the employer about your job related skills and convince him to call you for the job interview. It will:

• Highlight your major qualifications so that employer can easily go through them
• It will help the employer to know your near future career goals
• Clearly states the position you are seeking in the company

When you are writing the objective statement, make sure that it is in accordance with the job you are applying for. It should not be more than 2-3 sentences. The major things that you need to talk of in the career section are the position you are seeking in the company, your interest in that position and how the company can get benefited by selecting you. The work profile of a driver and the driver functional resume template will depend on the type of the job for which the person is applying. In your resume you can mention your driving skills, experience, interest in driving and other relevant information that can highlight your driving skills. In the career section, you can inform the employer why you are interested in the particular position in the company. It is necessary to specifically mention the position like truck driver, van, taxi or forklift driver. This will help the employer to know more about your interest in the position. If you describe only about the driver position, it will be applicable to all driver positions and might sound too generic. Hence, be specific in describing the position that you are seeking in the company. Job Description of DriverThe job duties of the driver will depend on the location and type of the job. Being a driver of any vehicle, you would need to operate the vehicle safely and efficiently. You may need to follow the scheduled routes or charter routes on request. You will have to assist the passengers in boarding and alighting the vehicle, loading and unloading the luggage, monitoring the traffic and weather conditions and notify the possible problems that might arise.Below are some sample resume objectives to give you clear idea of writing the driver resume objectives. Example 1:An experienced driver with over 8 years of experience in driving, having a driving license and seeking the position of car driver in your travel agency to provide better service to clientsExample 2:Looking for the position of a forklift truck driver in a reputed company to utilize the earned skills of driving the heavy vehicles and operating lift equipments and put them to good use Example 3:Looking for the position of a commercial truck driver to utilize years of experience in business transportation by putting my skills to good use for providing better service in a reputed transportation firm Salary of DriverThe salary of the drivers in America differs depending on the type of job. However, the bus drivers in America earns annually on an average $26,000. These drivers provide transportation to the passengers within metropolitan areas. They need to possess specific license to operate heavy vehicles. There are also various other benefits provided by the company. You have very little time to make a good impression with your targeted objective statement. Hence it is important to keep your objective to the point and avoid irrelevant and vague details.

Top 5 Resume Myths

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Writing the right resume

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From screening job applications to conducting interviews, hiring practices have undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Despite all the changes, common resume myths continue to plague job search practices at all levels. The article attempts to debunk some of these myths.

Myth 1: It's all about the number of pages

The one-page rule is probably the most common myth about a resume. Candidates, even senior executives, use microscopic fonts, leave off important information, use 0.1 inch margins, and resort to a myriad of unhealthy practices -- all in an attempt to restrict their resume to just one page.

Many well-meaning college counselors advise their students to be concise and limit their resume to one page. That was important when you were a student with little or no experience, but why subscribe to the same wisdom after rising to the ranks of a senior executive?

There is an opposing viewpoint. Some job seekers mistakenly believe that if they can somehow balloon their resumes to four or five pages, they will probably be considered for higher-paying positions. What? Will someone offer me $250,000 simply because my resume is ten pages and redundant to the point of boredom?

Content rules. The quality of experience should influence the length of the resume, not hearsay. If you have held only one job, then don’t try to create a five-page resume, but if your background merits a lengthier resume then don’t use eight point fonts in a desperate attempt to fit everything on one page.

If you are too concerned about the length of your resume, consider creating a one- or two-page resume with additional pages serving as an appendix or addendum. I have done that for many researchers and academicians. The first few pages focused on their background, while their publications and presentations were presented as an appendix.

Myth 2: Make up that degree -- no one will know

Lying on a resume is the worst mistake a candidate can make. Even if you pass the background check (very unlikely considering how sophisticated background checks have become), a savvy employer will discover the deception within days, if not sooner.

Apart from the legal ramifications, we live in a professional world that is influenced by social media. At the touch of a button, HR managers across the country can discuss their experiences. Maintaining a good reputation is more important than ever.

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A New Grad's Journey Into the ‘Real World’

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Post-graduation life explained by a new grad

This post was reprinted with permission from http://newmanpr.com

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As my December college graduation approached, my excitement about what was to come increased, as did my worries of finding employment post-graduation. Reading countless stories on job-hunting nightmares during a recession, not only from recent college graduates but also from seasoned and qualified candidates, was enough to put knots in my stomach.

I spent my last year of college immersed in my course work and tried to gain as much public relations experience from interning as possible, which, lets face it, is not easy. These days most internships consist of doing all the tedious work no one else wants or has the time to do. During my numerous newspaper and coffee runs, I couldn’t help but wonder how prepared I was to go out into the “real world” and compete with overqualified candidates for a position. Sure, I completed three internships during my college years, but does juggling six Starbucks drinks back to the office qualify as a resume-worthy skill?

I did all I could to stand out from the intern pack. I volunteered for every task presented, stayed late to help finish reports and made it a habit to ask my supervisors if they needed help with anything if it was a slow day at the office. Throughout all three internships I made many contacts but quickly realized it was all up to me to secure a post-graduation job.

A couple of months before graduation I began to scroll through job posts on various sites almost daily. I did not want to miss a single opportunity to send out my resume. Public relations in Miami is a rather small community, so genuine and serious job posts were scarce.

Early November, I came across a job post for a bilingual account coordinator position at Newman PR. It sounded like the perfect position for a recent college graduate so I immediately knew competition for it would be big. I stayed up that night to write a cover letter and sent it out with my resume. My hopes diminished after a couple weeks passed and I had not heard back.

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6 Things Not To Say During A Job Interview (And The Right Answers)

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A job interview going boom or bust

Reprinted with permission from FabJob.com .


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1. Why are you looking for a new job?

Bad Answer: My boss is a jerk and the customers are hard to deal with.

Tip: Keep the answer positive, in terms of where you want to go, not what you want to get away from.

Better Answer: I have been promoted as far as I can go with my current employer. I'm looking for a new challenge that will give me the opportunity to use my skills to help my employer's business grow.

2. Why do you want to work for us?

Bad Answer: I'm desperate and no one else will hire me.

Tip: Before the interview, visit the employer's website to learn as much as you can about the company. When answering this question, focus on one or two flattering items to explain why you want to join this particular company.


Better Answer: When I read the mission statement on your website about giving back to the community, I felt really inspired. I was also impressed with the facts about your growth in the past three years three new locations, and a 40% sales increase. That's really something to be proud of. I think it would be rewarding to be a part of a company that is such a leader in their industry and in the community.

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Craft the Smartest Resumes

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Just another resume website! If that was your response too, then think again. This one is a resume making website with a difference. If you want to build the most powerfully vibrant and enticing resumes you need look no further. We will equip you with all the tips and know-how required to create them.We live in a fast paced world where competition has reached such dizzying heights that even a split second, a quarter of a mark, half a notch can mean the difference between winning and losing. Whether in the academic arena or in the quest for a good job, the race is closely run and it’s always a tight finish. The winners possess something that gives them a decisive edge over the rest and this decisive edge is not always merit and talent.There are a great many people out there who are capable and highly talented but haven’t yet found the success they deserve. The main reason for that could be that they are not projecting themselves as they should. That’s where the resume plays an important role. An ordinary, run of the mill resume does nothing to flatter your skills and expertise and set you apart. Such resumes will probably not attract a second look and would be promptly relegated into oblivion taking with them your hopes and dreams.


What you need is a resume that befits your qualifications, calibre and potential. What are those special ingredients that would make your resume exceptional and hard to ignore? How do you create one that meets the employer’s expectations and projects you as the right person for the job? How can you design one that succeeds in its ultimate aim of earning you a place amongst the shortlisted candidates?


Our website will actually help answer your questions and provide you with valuable insights and pointers that will give your resume the decisive edge you are looking for. From explaining the importance of resumes to discussing about how to make them unique and eye-catching, from elaborating on the types of resumes to busting the most popular resume myths...we have them all. And to further simplify your task, we have even provided you with resume templates and sample resumes that you just need to customize with your details in order to have an attractive readymade  resume in no time at all.


So read on to build the most amazing resume that is sure to bring you a step closer to that dream job. It’s one smart step that will make all the difference...just like our website!8RJSR74MWEPK

Let’s Talk About the Latest Trend – Resume Websites

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We are well into the twenty first century where technology has advanced at such a phenomenal pace that it seems to have blended with the realm of magic. The world has become smaller, Alaska is just a click away and the distinction between virtual and real is blurring. Is it any wonder then that paper resumes are becoming increasingly redundant and a thing of the past?
Keeping pace with the times has become the new mantra for success. Many employers today tend to ignore paper resumes even though they may be outstanding. They prefer the sleek look of resume websites that project the candidate as a technologically savvy person with a bright mind, ready to march confidently into the future.
What is so great about resume websites?

• Creativity and innovation: Unlike paper resumes, having a resume website of your own allows you greater creativity and flexibility. You can design it in a way that it represents you better, gives insights into your personality, aptitudes and potential. There are no constraints of space and context and you could even include a video clip or other important files that showcase your potential.  
• Instant updates: A resume website puts you in complete control of the content and you can include the latest achievement the moment it happens. Once submitted, paper resumes cannot be updated or modified but in this case, you have the advantage of constantly adding to your website to make it smarter and more impressive.
• Easier to market: Almost all reputed businesses and industries are connected to social networking sites. Having a website that flaunts your skills and expertise and posting its link to enable maximum accessibility is the best way to make yourself known and to attract the most lucrative offers.

While most job seekers are convinced about the significant edge that resume websites gain over other conventional paper resumes, they are also wary and hesitant to go all ahead and design one for themselves. This probably stems from a general technology phobia which makes everything seem more complicated than it actually is.
But now you need worry no longer. We have for you a step by step guide to design your very own resume website with all the advice and suggestions that would enable you to put your best foot forward and create that all important positive first impression.

What Makes a Resume Tick?

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Imagine a situation where you have only thirty seconds to speak about yourself, to advertise your potential and market your skills. Thankfully, it is seldom that we are faced with such a possibility. But our resumes are put to this test every time, with every recruiter.  Most employers can afford no more than a cursory thirty second glance at every resume and only the most dynamic, unique and visually appealing resumes attract a second look.

So how do you ensure that your resume makes the cut among the shortlisted ones? Are there any fixed rules or conventions that you could apply to ensure that your resume puts you in top contention for the job? Unfortunately there is no magic formula that can conjure up the perfect resume. However there are a few time tested guidelines that could help you in your task.
Golden rules to frame an impressive resume

• Focus on employer's expectations: Contrary to what many people believe, resumes should not put the spotlight only on the candidate: Your recruiters are more interested in how you can contribute to the organization, how you can bring in greater profitability and success. Therefore flaunt your skills and successes in such a way that they show quantifiable proof of your achievements. Word your resume keeping in mind the employer’s expectations
• Never compromise on ethics and honesty: In your enthusiasm to outdo the others, you may be a little tempted to exaggerate or embellish facts and stray away from the complete truth. Such tactics always meet with an embarrassing end and put an outright question mark on your credibility, shutting all the doors of opportunity. The best bet is to be completely honest even about any shortcomings or lapses as employers value honesty over everything else
• Research about the organization:  This is one aspect that candidates totally overlook and it becomes most obvious when the same resume is sent to multiple organizations. It is worth going that extra step to read about the goals, vision and the values that the organization stands for and reflect those in your resume. Every company works on an ethos, a set of principles, which if you identify and incorporate in your resume, would be sure to strike a positive chord with the employers and convey that you would fit in well with the ideology of the company
• Give your resume a powerful start: Begin your resume with an objective that is confident and compelling enough to capture the attention of the employers and force them to read on ahead. A smart objective is one that successfully matches your expertise with the vision of the organization, projecting you as the best person for the post.
• Spruce it up: The overall layout, the look of the resume and the content all add up to make an impact. Make sure that it looks simple yet elegant, subtle yet assertive. Sprinkle it with the right action words like ‘lead’, ‘developed’, ‘implemented’, ‘achieved’ as these words emphasize your professional competence

Writing a resume is certainly no less than an art as it requires tact, style and expression. Use the unique guidelines given here to design a resume that will give wings to your aspirations and fuel your dreams towards a bright future.

Traits of a Cleverly Crafted Resume

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A cleverly crafted resume projects you as the perfect candidate, an indispensable employee for the post in question. The skill lies in being able to express your strengths and potential using the fewest words and the smartest language. But before we explore the traits of a successful resume, let us first understand what exactly is the aim and purpose of a resume.  
The aim and purpose of a resumeThe goal of the resume is not really to land you the job you aspire for. Your performance in the interview round is the sole criterion that would determine your chances of getting hired. But whether or not you reach the interview round depends almost completely upon how skilfully crafted your resume is. Therefore we can conclude that the aim of your resume is to earn you a place in the interview round.The purpose of your resume is to make clear your intentions and aspirations for the post in question. It should clearly indicate the designation you seek and state what makes your candidature suitable for the job. It also serves the purpose of keeping track of all your professional experience and achievements till date along with giving a glimpse of your educational qualifications. The most important aspect of a resume is that it conveys your goals and aspirations for the future. This gives the employers an idea of your how you rate yourself and where you envision yourself in future and how you plan to achieve your ambition, making this one of the most crucial points of the resume. This is usually encapsulated in a smart and precise objective at the very beginning of the resume.
What are the distinguishing traits of a clever resume?

• A business like summary: An objective is followed by a summary which is a brief summing up of your knowledge, experience and accomplishments. This should be written in as elegant a language as possible with a very professional tone
• Interesting and tasteful: Refrain from making your resume appear as a dull account of your academic and employment history till date. It should instead be a dynamic testimony of your expertise, knowledge and potential for the future
• Authentic evidence: Support your claims with figures that act as evidence of your performance. Translate achievements into measurable successes that clearly reflect your talent. Giving proof of your accomplishments makes the employers believe in your potential
• The correct Keywords: Since the process of scanning resumes is done by automated computer programs that search for certain keywords and pick resumes that have them, discarding the rest, you need to ensure that you place these all important words in your resume. You can find then in job advertisements in newspapers or on the web.

Follow the traits given above to get the most competitive resume that can match up to the intensely competitive world that we live in and fetch you a host of bright opportunities.

"You Shouldn't Call Here", Or, How To Lose A Customer

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Just had another experience that reminded me of the importance of putting ourselves in our patron's shoes and making life as easy as possible, even if your university or library policies are a bit convoluted.

I called a medical specialist's office to see why I still did not have an appointment, five weeks after my doctor faxed my records and called to make the appointment. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hi! I'm just calling to follow up and see what I can do to expedite getting an appointment. I know you likely don't have anything open for months, I just want to get on your calendar. My doctor's office faxed my information and called five weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything back."
Receptionist: "Your doc office has to call and set it up."
Me: "They did. You said you were swamped and would get back to them. Your office hasn't."
Receptionist: "No, we always make the appointment when they call."
Me: "They've called your office weekly for 5 weeks to no avail. My nurse calls me to give me a report."
Receptionist: "That's not true, because it's not our policy."
Me: "Okay, I'm not sure where things went wrong. You have my file. My doc's office has called. Can you just give me a time slot?"
Receptionist: "No, your doc office has to call, and we give it to them, and they give it to you. You shouldn't call here; we can't help you."

She never even took my name.

I hung up frustrated and annoyed that my care has been delayed because of someone's failure to play ring-around-the-rosie phone tag. So, my doctor's office has to call you, and then they have to call me, even though you already have my file, know I'm a valid patient, and I'm already on the phone with you.

Frustration. Right now, I see this in academic library terms as "Well, you see, the copiers in the library aren't really the Library's; they belong to the Copy Office. And the Copy Office is actually located across campus. And you have to deliver them a paper form to get a $.10 refund for the copy that the machine mangled. And then you will be able to print the one page memo that is due in fifteen minutes. Here, let me get you a map so you know where to go, because we can't help you."

This is not good customer service. It is an explanation, and perhaps a helpful one in case this occurs again. But in the moment that the student needs one single copy/printout/whatever, does it really hurt us so much to make the damned copy ourselves? It costs us a piece of paper, a little ink, some extra flexing of decision-making muscle, and earns our user's gratitude and goodwill in return.

Telling me not to call the specialist's office, and that they can't help me...well, I'll tell you this: if you can't help me with what should be the easy part of just getting on the calendar, how the hell am I going to trust you with my medical care and records? Could you imagine if "You shouldn't call here; we can't help you" was standard customer service fare?

Had the receptionist sympathized with me, but noted the call-circle requirements were somehow medically necessary, I would have been *ecstatic* had she taken the initiative to call my doc's office, straighten whatever it is out and get me on the calendar. Instead, I was left with the feeling that the office was unhelpful at best, and rude at worst. Given that I run what is essentially a customer service department, I was affronted. I'll guiltily admit had a typical patron-who-had-a-bad-experience response: I wrote negative reviews of my experience and posted them wherever Google was collecting and publishing reviews of local doctor's offices. Turns out I'm not the only one who had this experience.

I called the only other specialist in the field in town, and had an extremely pleasant encounter with a receptionist that gave me a step-by-step explanation of how to get my doctor's office to get me in as quickly as possible. She took my name and said when the call came in, she would put me on the cancellation list immediately to get me in sooner. She invited me to call again if I had any other questions. I get the feeling this office will be a much better fit for me. I hope the doctor is as helpful as his office staff. I hope he appreciates the letter I've drafted commending him for hiring such warm, friendly, and helpful staff.

The Dissertation Problem and ProQuest's "Legitimacy" Lie

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I located a great dissertation that I'll have to cite in my literature review for my own dissertation-in-the-making. While finding it thrilled me, it also completely crapped on my parade. The dissertation is not interlibrary-loanable, since the degree-granting institution has the only paper copy. And to get a pdf copy of the work from ProQuest? Will cost me $37.00.

I am now looking at this in light of comments my advisor, who is teaching one of my doctoral classes this summer, made. He said to a group of us who were talking about the dissertation in a discussion board that the dissertation is essentially a dead end research exercise - nobody reads them when you're through with writing the damned thing, it just provides a platform for your future research agenda.

Well, HARRUMPH, doc.

*I* read them. The useful-to-me ones, anyway. That is, if I can get access to them. The problem - as it always is - is access. How on earth is a dissertation supposed to be cited by others when access to it is so heavily restricted? It makes me wonder how much research is lacking because of the prohibitive cost of getting access to the research. It also makes me gnash my teeth that institutions awarding doctorates aren't fighting for the right to keep their students' work freely available in their own catalogs in digital format...even though digital format is how more and more graduate schools are accepting their theses and dissertations from students.

What really got me hot, though, was the phrasing on ProQuest's page for authors on why they should choose to publish their thesis or dissertation with ProQuest. (If it's even a choice - many graduate schools actually require this of their students.) On ProQuest's "Why Publish With Us" page for authors, they state:
"Publishing your dissertation or thesis with UMI provides you with a legitimate citation for your curriculum vitae and for other scholars who refer to your work. ProQuest's dissertation research tools have been the primary sources used to cite published dissertations and theses for decades."

Actually, having the school accept my dissertation as acceptable for the awarding of the degree provides me with a legitimate citation. Per Purdue Owl, in APA you would cite it as: Lastname, F. N. (Year). Title of dissertation. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Name of Institution, Location. ProQuest doesn't legitimize anything. If I find it in a database, I have to note the database and accession number, but there's no more - or less - legitimacy granted than if I had a paper copy in hand, or found it through the University's repository as a .pdf file.

I wonder how many students finishing their theses and dissertations are actually taken in by the legitimacy argument, and how many are just snowed under by the giant small-print forms they have to sign granting UMI? ProQuest the right to their hard work. Ah, well. I suppose that'll just be practice for when they sign away all of the rights to to their other research once they want it published in a journal, right?

/stabbity

Library Managers as Triathletes of the Mind? Meaghen's Wisdom for Librarians

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Meaghen Ann Harris, award-winning athlete

I'm putting the finishing touches on my slides for ALA, where I'll be presenting the LLAMA preconference "The Tough Stuff: Leadership, Change, & Performance Management for Library Managers" with the incredibly wise Jenica Rogers. This past weekend I was trying to find a theme to run through my portion of the talk on managing change. In a fit of pique and laziness, I polled Facebook, and my sister Meaghen noted that triathlons were a pretty good metaphor. She noted that triathletes have to swim to T1 (transition #1), tear off their wet suits, put on bike shoes and helmet, and cycle to T2 (transition #2), where they "drop off bike, tear off helmet, throw on some kicks and run...to the FINISH. Manage the change, Colleen. Manage the change."

My little sister is wise. (And a kickass athlete to boot, regularly taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd in her age group, while I cheer her on from under my covers and half a country away.) But Meaghen is right - triathletes manage not just their training, but issues of endurance and skill and training and awkward transitions. That sounds pretty much like library management to me. The next message she sent me via Facebook struck me right between the eyes:

“You always spend the most time on your bike. So it's a very important part of training. Swimming is the shortest part of the race (time and distance wise) but it takes skill and technique--- like- I can bust my ass to be a better runner/biker, but it doesnt work that way with swimming- if you try to swim faster by working harder you just end up thrashing through the water and looking stupid. It takes time to become a better swimmer (my current dilemma- because I want to be good NOW). Some people are JUST good swimmers- I like them- because I end up passing them on the bike and the run.”

Hmmm. Matching this up to library management issues, I see a lot of parallels. Where we spend the most of our time is an important part of our work (though perhaps we're not as well trained in it as we should be), managing the day to day aspects of our part of the library, the regular small changes that we absorb and move through with regularity. What is the shortest part of our management race/life? Maybe dealing with what I would call "catastrophic change" - things that happen rarely but are paradigm-changing. Like Meaghen mentions about swimming, I don't know that it is something we can do by working harder -- mostly, the folks I see who deal well with this are the library managers who work smarter, and who have gone through a few of these experiences and streamlined their responses. But if the only skill set a library manager has honed is the one necessary to deal with the huge, catastrophic changes, and they're not prepared to handle the more quotidian long-haul issues, they're not really prepared to hit any sort of finish line or goal with their organization.

Jenica notes in a recent blog post that the interest in learning how to manage - and how to manage better - is alive and well within librarians. My sister joined a team with a coach, and they support each other. I've found what Jenica might term my tribe of management peers largely through the luck of having great mentors, latching onto folks I want to talk to at conferences, and deciding to craft my speaking proposals around something I feel strongly about. I keep coming back to "[I]f you try to swim faster by working harder you just end up thrashing through the water and looking stupid."

Where are we working harder when we should be honing skill and technique instead? How (if at all) are MLS programs useful as a "training program" for library mangers? Should we instead be focusing on things like the TRLN Management Academy? I've asked before and I'll ask again, given the success of ACRL's Immersion for instruction librarians, why is there no Immersion for library managers until they get to the director level and can attend the ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute? Why do we think we can develop library managers - mental athletes - by simply hoping they'll show up at the starting blocks, fully trained and ready to go?

These are the thoughts bouncing around in my head as I make my final preparations before heading to New Orleans tomorrow. Jenica and I will get to spend the day with forty-nine library managers on Friday who hail from academic, public, and special libraries, and I can't wait to hear what, how, and why they're doing at their own libraries in terms of management and leadership.

Disclaimer (for this blog post and for my slide deck):

I am not a triathlete. But my sister is. Take my advice about managing; take her advice about athleting.

Truck Driver Resume

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Contact Information:

Objective:

Seeking for career growth in transportation business and provide quality service that will reduced lead time and improved productivity.

Spotter/Truck Driver
October 2006 - Present
Move loaded and empty trailers between three warehouses for client.
Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Pay $16.00 per hour.

Truck Driver
Food liner 9200 King St., Franklin Park, IL 60131, September 2006 - October 2006

Transport product, both liquid and dry, as assigned.
Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Variable pay (per load); average $850 per week

Truck Driver
Eagle Express Lines, South Holland IL 60473, September 2005 - September 2006
Local runs between Palatine P&DC and local post offices.
Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Pay $19.70 per hour.

Truck Driver
The TLC Companies, August 2005 - September 2005
Operate tractor-trailer with 48' reefer, and yard spotter. Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Pay $16.00 per hour.

Truck Driver
XYZ Transport, 3440 Sojourn Dr. 100, Carrollton TX 75006, February 2005 - August 2005

Petro-Chemical Transport, Transport and deliver fuel as directed by central dispatch. Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Collection, transportation and delivery of goods, ensure proper health & safety, fixing mechanical faults.
Route Planning
Invoice and Delivery documentation handling
Pay $16.00 per hour.

Truck Driver
ABC Food Services, 2060 Pratt Blvd., Elk Grove IL 60007, July 2004 - February 2005

Haul doubles between Elk Grove IL and Grand Rapids MI on a nightly basis.
Maintain required logs/paperwork.
Collection, transportation and delivery of goods, ensure proper health & safety, fixing mechanical faults.
Variable pay; averaged $950 per week

Truck Driver
ABC Distribution, 550 Albion, Schaumburg IL 60193, March 2004 - July 2004
Operate flatbed trailers.
Deliver freight as requested.
Maintain required logs/paperwork
Pay rate: $17.50 per hour

Education:
Oakton Community College, Des Plaines IL 60016, Major: Law Enforcement GPA: 3.5
Maine South High School, Park Ridge IL 60068, Major: General studies GPA: 3.5, Degree: H.S. Diploma General studies as required by the State of Illinois.
Holding valid four wheeler license

Awards and Honors:

Driver of the Month, The Custom Companies, March 2001
Forklift Competition Winner, Watkins Motor Lines, August 1998

Commercial Truck Driver

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Contact Information:

Career Objective:

Seeking for career growth in transportation business and provide quality service that will reduced lead time and improved productivity.

Experience:

Truck Driver
Mohini Transportation Solution, New Jersey, June 2006 to Present

Pickup and deliver hazardous and non-hazardous freight
Maintain proper paperwork for freight, tractor and trailer in accordance with DOT regulations
Follow all federal, state and county rules and regulations for the use of roadways.
Maintain logbook and inspection reports daily


Truck Driver
Mohini Imaging Corporation San Diego, California, June 2005 to April 2006
Transport PET/CT medical mobile coach to hospitals and medical centers.
Set up coach by connecting phone, fax, internet and power lines to the hospitals.
Open and close slide out walls and make sure the coach is evenly leveled.

Truck Driver
Labor & Logistics Management Delanco, New Jersey, April 2001 to March 2005
Pick up and deliver freight and building materials safely
Equipment used were flat bedroll offs, refrigerated and dry vans
Moved also, oversized loads and double trailers

Truck Driver
KK Transport Paulsboro, New Jersey, November 2000 to April 2001
Load tanker with gasoline at the refinery and deliver to gas stations.
Made sure all paperwork, permits, and placards were current and correct

Education:

Diesel Driving Academy Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Certification March 1997
Extensive classroom and road training on commercial truck driving
Special instructions on Federal DOT regulations
Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"You Shouldn't Call Here", Or, How To Lose A Customer

To contact us Click HERE

Just had another experience that reminded me of the importance of putting ourselves in our patron's shoes and making life as easy as possible, even if your university or library policies are a bit convoluted.

I called a medical specialist's office to see why I still did not have an appointment, five weeks after my doctor faxed my records and called to make the appointment. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Hi! I'm just calling to follow up and see what I can do to expedite getting an appointment. I know you likely don't have anything open for months, I just want to get on your calendar. My doctor's office faxed my information and called five weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything back."
Receptionist: "Your doc office has to call and set it up."
Me: "They did. You said you were swamped and would get back to them. Your office hasn't."
Receptionist: "No, we always make the appointment when they call."
Me: "They've called your office weekly for 5 weeks to no avail. My nurse calls me to give me a report."
Receptionist: "That's not true, because it's not our policy."
Me: "Okay, I'm not sure where things went wrong. You have my file. My doc's office has called. Can you just give me a time slot?"
Receptionist: "No, your doc office has to call, and we give it to them, and they give it to you. You shouldn't call here; we can't help you."

She never even took my name.

I hung up frustrated and annoyed that my care has been delayed because of someone's failure to play ring-around-the-rosie phone tag. So, my doctor's office has to call you, and then they have to call me, even though you already have my file, know I'm a valid patient, and I'm already on the phone with you.

Frustration. Right now, I see this in academic library terms as "Well, you see, the copiers in the library aren't really the Library's; they belong to the Copy Office. And the Copy Office is actually located across campus. And you have to deliver them a paper form to get a $.10 refund for the copy that the machine mangled. And then you will be able to print the one page memo that is due in fifteen minutes. Here, let me get you a map so you know where to go, because we can't help you."

This is not good customer service. It is an explanation, and perhaps a helpful one in case this occurs again. But in the moment that the student needs one single copy/printout/whatever, does it really hurt us so much to make the damned copy ourselves? It costs us a piece of paper, a little ink, some extra flexing of decision-making muscle, and earns our user's gratitude and goodwill in return.

Telling me not to call the specialist's office, and that they can't help me...well, I'll tell you this: if you can't help me with what should be the easy part of just getting on the calendar, how the hell am I going to trust you with my medical care and records? Could you imagine if "You shouldn't call here; we can't help you" was standard customer service fare?

Had the receptionist sympathized with me, but noted the call-circle requirements were somehow medically necessary, I would have been *ecstatic* had she taken the initiative to call my doc's office, straighten whatever it is out and get me on the calendar. Instead, I was left with the feeling that the office was unhelpful at best, and rude at worst. Given that I run what is essentially a customer service department, I was affronted. I'll guiltily admit had a typical patron-who-had-a-bad-experience response: I wrote negative reviews of my experience and posted them wherever Google was collecting and publishing reviews of local doctor's offices. Turns out I'm not the only one who had this experience.

I called the only other specialist in the field in town, and had an extremely pleasant encounter with a receptionist that gave me a step-by-step explanation of how to get my doctor's office to get me in as quickly as possible. She took my name and said when the call came in, she would put me on the cancellation list immediately to get me in sooner. She invited me to call again if I had any other questions. I get the feeling this office will be a much better fit for me. I hope the doctor is as helpful as his office staff. I hope he appreciates the letter I've drafted commending him for hiring such warm, friendly, and helpful staff.