Task 1 - Get to work!

Why is it all about the resume? With home computers these days, anyone can go into Microsoft Word or Works, pull up a resume template and easily create a resume. But is a resume like that going to get you the job you truly desire? Will it be enough to get an interview? The answer is simple - maybe yes, maybe no, but are you willing to risk it?

Job hunting is tough these days. To get noticed you need to have not just a good resume, but a GREAT resume, an OUTSTANDING resume - one that truly makes you stand out RIGHT NOW! What if your resume was so good that you were the only one selected for an interview? Wouldn't that be great news? That would be a great compliment to YOU. Perhaps someone else created the "vehicle" to get you noticed, but it is your skills and experience that will seal the deal.

Ready to get started? Let's look at what a complete resume package should include:

• The resume itself
• One "kickin" cover letter
• A list of 4 - 6 references complete with contact information

Okay, so the resume is a given so let's move on to the cover letter.

I call it a "kickin" cover letter because you want to use it to knock their socks off. This is a letter that will not only introduce yourself, but will also show them that you've done your homework, and tell them why they should hire you. For more on this, look for my cover letter example.

The reference list is a bonus that I think every job hunter should take advantage of. Why put a blurb on the bottom of your resume that says, "References on Request", when you could have a matching list ready to go with your resume. Ultimately, you will be saving your potential employer time. You will be showing them, once again, that you are on top of this job searching process and that you would probably be that way at work as well.

Watch for more tips on this blog! But for now, get out your yellow pad and get to work!

1. Make a list of all of your employers (and get those dates!)
2. Make a list of all areas that you have worked in (ex: customer service) and write down every single duty you have ever performed. You can dwindle them down later. If you have several areas of experience, make a page for each one and write away! This is not a quick process, but it will prove to be very helpful later.
3. Make a list of your qualifications - are you; prompt, a team player, able to lift 50 pounds? (etc.). This list, again, can be very long as you will dwindle it down later. (for an idea of what I'm talking about, look at Eric's resume under "Highlights")

Ready, set, go! And don't come back until you tackle this task!

Eric's resume

This is Eric's resume. Eric is someone who could easily be considered a customer service specialist. However, Eric has worked for a lot of different employers. For that reason, a potential employer could easily miss some of his great experience by focusing on his vast list of previous jobs. Eric is the perfect example of why a Functional Resume can be better in some situations than a traditional Chronological Resume. This type of resume focuses on experience and for Eric, this format worked perfectly!

* Please note, blog format may appear differently than actual document *


Eric M. Yarbrough
(Contact information goes here)

Objective:
A customer service position in the theme park, retail or restaurant industry.

Highlights:
· Enthusiastic individual with a contagious and cheerful personality.
· Flair for helping children and individuals with special needs.
· Responsible, prompt and energetic employee; eager to learn new things.
· Committed to assisting others by going above and beyond expectations.

Experience:
Customer Service
Greeted customers, assisted them in any way possible to meet their needs, helped them find products in stores I worked at as well as areas of Disneyland, escorted customers to their vehicles as needed to help unload groceries, and always took it upon myself to provide the best possible service I could and did so with a smile.

Theme Park
Was responsible for ensuring guest safety and comfort on nine different rides while making sure they were having fun, photographed guests with Disney characters and made sure that all were having a good time during the process, took extra steps to be sure that families with special needs received the extra time and attention needed to make their visit to Disneyland a great one which encouraged those families to return again to "The Happiest Place on Earth".

Retail/Grocery/Food Industries
Operated several different cash registers, made change, handled money, balanced cash drawers, bagged groceries, provided price checks, retrieved shopping carts, stocked merchandise, helped maintain a clean and inviting environment, cooked food for concession stand, cleaned movie theater equipment, prepared festive table settings for restaurants and did whatever else was needed in those fast paced environments.

Child Care
Was involved in many areas of child care for kids of all ages including transporting children to and from school by foot and by car, assisted with homework and art projects, provided supervision and a safe environment on the playground, at a gym childcare center and on field trips, processed all paperwork required, worked with a variety of different personalities, and always focused on child safety and fun by being patient, smiling, and communicating.

Employment:
6/04 - 12/05 Photographer Kodak at Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
11/03 - 3/04 Courtesy Clerk Ralph's Grocery Store, Corona, CA
4/03 - 1/ 04 Teacher's Aid Anaheim Hills Preschool, Anaheim, CA
10/01 - 3/03 Ride Attendant Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
10/01 - 11/02 Noon Supervisor Canyon Rim Elementary, Anaheim, CA
10/99 - 7/01 Child care/sitter 24 Hour Fitness, Anaheim Hills, CA
3/99 - 10/99 Concessions Edwards Theater, Anaheim Hills, CA
3/98 - 3/99 Cashier/CService Target Stores, Napa, CA
12/96 - 7/97 Host/Busboy Compadres Bar and Grill, Napa, CA

Education:
3/2000 CPR Training Anaheim, California Completed CPR Course
1994 Napa Valley College Napa, California General Education Studies
1994 Napa High School Napa, California High School Graduate