In this issue...

• Wages, Inflation, and You

• A Word of Welcome. . .

• Choosing The Best Resume Format

• Resume Tips, Suggestions, and Common Mistakes

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A Word of Welcome. . .

I’d like to welcome you to this issue of the Animal Science Monitor.  As you might already know, we’ve increased the frequency of our publication to twice a month, and we’ve been very pleased with the feedback that we’ve received.  Many of you are no doubt keeping one eye on the economy (or perhaps both), especially if you’re seeking to advance your career.  In this issue, we focus on recent economic reports indicating that despite increased worker productivity, wages continue to fall behind inflation.  And in what you might call a related matter, to emphasize the importance attached to the writing and construction of your resume, we’ve included two articles about that subject, as well.  Thank you for being a loyal reader of the ASM.  We hope that you enjoy this issue, and please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

—Dan

Choosing The Best Resume Format
By Dan Simmons

A person’s resume is one of the most important pieces of their career advancement puzzle.  As a result, it should not only be treated as a “living document” (i.e., updated on a continual basis), it should also be utilized in the correct fashion.  Not all resumes are the same, and not all resume formats are designed to accomplish the same objectives.  The savvy job seeker is able to distinguish between the different formats and to choose the one that fits their job search the best.

There are three basic resume formats: chronological, technical, and transitional.  I’ve presented them in more detail below.

• Chronological—This format shows a job seeker’s work history starting with their most current position.  It’s most commonly used when the applicant has a solid work history and is looking to continue in the same general line of work.  In this format, you should list your objective first, followed by your work history, preferably in one-sentence segments.  (Actually, it could be called a reverse chronological resume, since your last job should always appear first.)  You may be tempted to use the true chronological format and begin in the following fashion: “I grew up in a small town in Ohio,” and then work through your career progression.  Resist that temptation.  It will only confuse the reader.

• Technical—This format should be used if the applicant possesses skills that they deem to be more important than the position they currently hold or the work they’ve done in the past.  This format is also called a functional resume or a summary resume.  In this format, you should list your education first, then your certification and skills, followed by your work history.  This format is also good for entry-level candidates.

• Transitional—This format shows an applicant’s basic qualifications and education.  The objective on the resume should speak to the specific position that the applicant is seeking and downplay work history.  In this format, you need to show where technical, academic, and extra-curricular experience are applicable to the position you’re seeking.

Although the information you provide the reader may essentially be the same, there’s a big difference in the way these resumes are constructed and the type of impact each will have.  For example, my experience has shown that the chronological resume brings the best results, since it represents the most explicit description of the quality and application of your skills within a specific time frame.

The technical resume, on the other hand, works well if you’ve changed jobs or careers often and wish to downplay your work history and highlight your level of expertise.  If a prospective hiring manager is specifically interested in a steady, progressively advancing employment history (as most are), then the technical resume will very likely work against you, since the format will seem confusing and might arouse suspicions as to your potential for longevity.

However, if the employer’s main concern is your technical or problem-solving ability, the technical resume will serve your needs just fine.  Either way, you should always follow the guidelines mentioned in previous issues of the Animal Science Monitor regarding content and appearance.  Don’t underestimate the impact of a well-constructed and well-written resume.  It could be your first step to a better and more rewarding career.

Resume Tips, Suggestions, and Common Mistakes
(By Don Hunter)

As a recruiter, I’ve seen hundreds of thousands of resumes in my time.  As a result, I’ve witnessed just about everything that a person can do wrong with their resume.  I know what works and what doesn’t work.  The purpose of this article is to enlighten ASM readers as to some of the more common mistakes that are made, as well as provide tips and suggestions for ensuring resume success.  The first area I want to address is the resume objective.  Then I’ll move into other suggestions and address common mistakes.

Crafting your resume ‘objective’

Most employers find that a carefully worded statement of purpose will help them quickly evaluate your suitability for a given position.  An objective statement can be particularly useful as a quick-screen device when viewed by the manager responsible for staffing several different types of positions.  (“Let’s see, programmers in this pile, plant managers in that pile. . .”)

While a stated objective gives you the advantage of targeting your employment goals, it can also work against you.  A hiring manager lacking in imagination or who’s hard pressed for time will often overlook a resume with an objective that doesn’t conform to the exact specifications of a position opening.  That means that if your objective reads “Vice President position with a progressive, growth-oriented company,” you may limit your options and not be considered for the job of regional manager for a struggling company in a mature market—a job you may enjoy.

If you’re pretty sure of the exact position you want in the field or industry you’re interested in, then state it in your objective.  Otherwise, broaden your objective or leave it off the resume.

Other Tips and Suggestions

• A resume is like a woman’s skirt.  It should be short enough to attract attention, but long enough to cover your rear.  The trick is finding the right balance.  You can achieve this through a process of trial and error.  It’s unlikely you’ll get it right the first time, so don’t be discouraged.

• Make sure that the resume is proofread.  And not just by you, either.  Get everybody you can to read it over for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage mistakes.  Spell checking is not for nerds, it’s for the gainfully employed.

• Include the proper contact information.  I have seen resumes with a name and address, but no telephone number.  How did the applicant believe the employer was going to contact them to set up an interview?  Through snail mail?  A home telephone number is a must.  An email address alone is not enough.

Common Mistakes

• Don’t put references on your resume.  Instead, have them prepared on a separate sheet of paper.  On the resume, write, “References available upon request.”

• Don’t include your cell phone number.  If you absolutely must put your cell phone number on your resume, make sure that you indicate that it’s your cell number.

• Don’t put your resume online.  The last thing you want is for your current employer to see your resume floating around in cyberspace.  It’s not conducive to a comfortable working atmosphere.  If you’re unemployed, however, that’s another story.  Click away.

If you have any questions about these tips and suggestions, feel free to email me at brg@charterinternet.com.

Wages, Inflation, and You
(By Don Hunter)

It’s only the second month of the new year, but the federal government has already released some interesting statistics about the U.S. economy.  Most of you have probably already reached the conclusion that this latest economic recovery has been a rather unique one.  In other words, it seems to be playing by rules all its own.  At first, a couple of years ago, it was termed a “jobless recovery.”  New jobs were eventually created, and that term was dropped, although job growth since then has been sporadic and spotty at best.  The latest news concerning the job market and the economy is this: worker productivity continues to increase, but wages are growing slower than inflation.

According to a recent article by the Associated Press, wages and benefits paid to workers rose 3.1% in 2005, a drop from the 3.7% increase they received the previous year.  That may sound like moderately good news, but not when you factor inflation into the equation.  When adjusted for inflation, wages and compensation dropped 0.3% overall in 2005, marking the first time since 1996 there has been such a drop. Making this all the more disconcerting is the fact that we should be in a strong recovery period.  Interestingly, the area that experienced the biggest drop was in benefit costs.  Those rose 4.5% last year, as compared to the 6.9% increase in 2004.  That’s a nearly 40% slowdown in growth.

Are you losing money?

So what does this news mean for you?  It means that now just might be the time to position yourself for a move up the career advancement ladder.  That move might entail moving up the ladder at the company at which you’re currently employed, or it might involve seeking employment elsewhere.  Perhaps your current position doesn’t hold any genuine opportunity for advancement.  Even if you were to receive a raise this year, how big would it be?  Would it be large enough to cover the annual inflation rate?  Statistics show that might not be the case, and there’s possibly nothing more disheartening than working diligently and actually losing compensation. It’s almost like receiving a pay cut.

There are a lot of other factors to consider when deciding whether or not to seek new employment—stress, chemistry with co-workers, a coherent company mission statement or focus, and overall job satisfaction, to name just a few.  If most of these other factors are not clear-cut, positive reasons for you to remain at your current company, looking elsewhere is certainly merited.  And when you make that decision, the first step is to ensure your resume is as up to date as possible.  (We’ve included two articles in this issue of the ASM that address resume preparation.)  Another step is to network as extensively as you can, since premium opportunities can be uncovered in this fashion, opportunities that you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

Crack the ‘hidden job market’

Another suggestion is to consult an executive recruiter.  They have extensive knowledge of the current pay scales in the industry.  They can tell you if you’re earning less than what you should be for your skills and level of expertise.  And more importantly, they’re privy to the “hidden job market,” those opportunities that aren’t released through regular media outlets like newspapers and job boards.

The fact of the matter is that there are premium positions available that include attractive compensation packages, quite possibly more attractive than the one you currently receive.  Securing one of these positions could keep you well ahead of the inflation curve and ensure that you’re not losing money and compensation for the hard work that you do in 2005.

If you have any questions about the job market, the economy, or the opportunities that are available in your particular field, please contact me at brg@charterinternet.com.  Commit yourself to making 2005 your best year ever.