Share helpful books, websites, and other information in this thread.

I have been spending agonizing hours working on my application materials-AUGHHHHH. I found a book specifically for my occupational area-Teaching and Education!!!!!! It was created by career counselors and professional writers and to-date, is is the best I have found.

(http://www.amazon.com/Expert-Resumes-Teachers-Educators/dp/1593571267/ref=sr_1_16/105-4411497-5558854?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189023304&sr=1-16)Expert Resumes for Teachers and Educators (http://www.amazon.com/Expert-Resumes-Teachers-Educators/dp/1593571267/ref=sr_1_3/105-4411497-5558854?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189022795&sr=8-3)by Enelow and Kursmark.

It covers careers from Child Care to University administors, freelance music teachers, and educational-non-teaching specialists. I am broadening my search to the areas of College career services, Prison education, Adult education-basic, GED, etc, or some other position related to my education and experience. There are many examples in the book and the advice is absolutely on target. Also includes ASCII, electronic, and scanable resumes-a real plus. A huge burden is lifted off me now-and I can get the stuff sent in for a Internship Coordinator postion at a small liberal arts college.

Cool thing, this is one of a series of books by these authors. These are some of the editions:


computer and web jobs
Manufacturing, engineering and management
Healthcare professionals
Managers and executives, operations, production, etc
baby boomers
military to civilian
career changers
returning to work
and many others by author, Kursmark
Go to Amazon-here are links to Expert Resume series (http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-4411497-5558854?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=expert+resumes&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go) and books by Kursmark, (http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-4411497-5558854?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kursmark&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go) I do hope this helps all the other job seekers out there!!! Lets continue this discussion.

If you would like to volunteer to exchange resumes for proofreading and suggestions, pm me or others who express and interest, Thanks!

VI-Unemployed but hopeful.....

How do you know a resume and cover letter are effective???

When you get an interview!!!

I have a phone interview for a wonderful position-thought I was out of the running, but University search committees are cumbersome and it takes a long time to complete the hiring process. So making the first list of potential hires is a victory for me and a great encouragement. My resume is effective, now I polish it! And that cover letter I was so worried about-no worries anymore mate!!!

Next step-for me or anyone else....


Look at the documents and further refine-what do you think made your qualifications stand out from the pile of other applicants?
Use the energy of this success-even if you do not get the job to power your search.

Hiring is a complex issue-not getting the job is not a failure (say it 100 times out loud), it is subjective and they are looking for a good "fit" with the institution or (shhhh, don't say I said this) there are politics or good ol girl/boy issues involved

Keep on searching, you are on the right track!!!

Thank you for sharing this, VisualImagery. I think not having an up to date resume is a typical ADD issue. It's not always that obvious as to how it should be done, and sometimes I doubt there's really a generalized answer anyway, beyond being able to judge what is appropriate for each individual situation.

HF, thanks!

I am going to do an online professional site with resume, and papers, presentations, and so on available for employers to access. Using Media Fire for storing and linking my documents.

I am going to keep this dialogue going-

STEP 1 Suggestion-Sit and make a lists:


of all your job duties
of all your accomplishments (don't be shy)
When you lists are done-categorize them by job function or other way that makes sense for your occupational area.

HINT: If you don't keep up to date easily, just create a bank folder-the kind with the string that goes around the flat circles and put all certificates, records, contracts etc in it, then it will at least be in one place when you need it.

I have a portfolio that I just add things to as I go-but have to get one with metal hinges, all the plastic ones split in days. Page protectors and photo copies of transcripts-black out soc sec and other ID theft cautions. It sure impresses the heck out of my interviewers and keeps me encouraged when I look through it!

Best to you all.

Gee, I turned into a sticky! Thanks Mods!!!!!

Well, update on the WRITE THE DREADED RESUME SAGA.......
Yea, I can do em, but who likes this ritual? Just hire me someone!!!!! :)


I am finally getting the system down for non-teaching jobs. Switching career focus-mine is still in education-makes for a major difference in writing up effective resumes and covers.

MY TIPS:

print out several job descriptions of similar positions
highlight the Action Verbs with a highlighter
then.....underline the key job duties in another color highlighter or pen-note: the key words are with rare exception, in each duty or responsibility listed.
NEXT-group the responsibilities by category-ie, technology, instruction, public relations, record keeping, and so on for example
NOW-you know what you need to make absolutely sure you list accomplishments and experiences that relate to the position on your resume and include as many of the key words and job specific terms as possible-this will get you noticed by auto-scanners and show employers you know the field/job area.
Stay tuned for more...


My plans and methods-is there madness in it? Only time will tell.....: :eyebrow:

I am creating 4 different focused resumes:


University/College student Retention services
Coordinating career services such as internships etc
Teaching at-risk adult populations such as prison inmates and parolees job skills and basic education and career advisement
Last-Workforce training or adult education
I will have 4 basic cover letters, one for each job area and just personalize the template for each application.

In the Seattle area, give a call to Catherine Schatzel. I have been working with her to develop a new resume that shows off my skills and knowlege much better that I was able without her help. Her background is as a Human Resources Manager for the Federal Government, where she got to see many resumes and knows which impressed her, and which did not.

Working with her feels like cheating. Its like building a resume with the one who will review it.

Catherine Schatzel
Compassionate Resolutions
Mediation, Training, and Career Services
(206) 369-1239