Constructing Billy Skywalker's Resume:What Jobs to Include

Billy Skywalker returned with a bowl of chips and pretzels.

"I hope YOU washed YOUR hands before touching those chips and pretzels!" joked Bobby Solo.

"I did," said Skywalker. "I can't vouch for whoever had this bowl before us though! Just helps build the immunity right."

"I've highlighted all the things that you don't need. Unless the ad asks for a certain number of years of experience, just go back roughly 2-10 years as a guide. Only include relevant jobs related to the job you are applying to. Lets look at this first job..."

STORMTROOPERJOBS.COM-CORSUCANT 11/1/2001-PRESENT
Market Manager
•develop recruitment marketing plans for local imperial agencies
•develop new accounts from cold call leads
•write & voice recruitment scripts for present & future accounts
•train new salespeople in product knowledge and marketing techniques
"The bullet points above don't tell an employer what you really did or what the results were. Who did you call on? How many cold calls did you make each day? How much money did you bring in? These are all things an employer is going to want to know. What behaviors and duties did you do each day to contribute to the company success."

Stormtrooperjobs.com provided alternative recruitment advertising methods for local and national Imperial recruiting stations. My responsibility was identifying the client''s recruitment niche, and develop recruitment marketing campaigns using a weekly TV show, website, direct mail print piece, IVR phone system, and on-line job fairs.
I was responsible for tripling company revenues in 1998 ($200K),
doubling them to $404K in 1999, and doubling them again to $820K in 2000.
"You have a description of the company after your bullet points. Get rid of it. You're not selling the company, you are selling yourself. If it is relevant to the job you can incorporate facts about the company or what the company did in your bullet points. You also have important information buried in this paragraph. Doubling revenue is important and your new employer will want to know what you've achieved. Do you have proof that you doubled billing?"

"Yes. I have all the billing records," said Skywalker.

"Good," confirmed Solo. "Never put something on the resume you can't back up. Lets look at this second job. I'd say the same as the first job. Not enough relevant information about what you did. We can include this job in the new resume because it is similar to what you will be doing for the Rebellion."

DROID JOB CONNECTION-YAVIN 10/97-10/2001
Market Manager
•develop recruitment marketing plans for local businesses
•develop new accounts from cold call leads
•write & voice recruitment scripts for present & future accounts
•train new salespeople in product knowledge and marketing techniques

Droid Job Connection provided alternative recruitment advertising methods for local and national companies. My responsibility was identifying the client''s recruitment niche, and develop recruitment marketing campaigns using a weekly TV show, website, direct mail print piece, IVR phone system, and on-line job fairs.
I was responsible for tripling company revenues in 1998 ($200K),
doubling them to $404K in 1999, and doubling them again to $820K in 2000.
"Get rid of the company description above. The job below we could keep because it ads more relevant experience, however we can also delete it since is more than 15 years old. If we keep it I wouldn't go into too much detail. Just talk about the billing."
BESPIN BROADCASTING (102.9 FM)-BESPIN 6/95-12/98
Marketing Consultant
•develop retail sales marketing plans for local and agency businesses
•create new promotional programs for present & future accounts
•write & voice commercial scripts for present & future accounts
"...Again lets lose the description below..." mumbled Solo as he started deleting items off Skywalker's resume willy nilly.

102.9 is Cloud City's leading station for adult audiences 18-54. My responsibility was developing advertising and promotional campaigns for local companies. These campaigns contained creative commercial scripts, on-site remote broadcasts, DJ appearances, interviews, point-of-sales events, lifestyle events, and other
“creative ideas” to achieve client''s goals. Starting with no accounts, I was responsible for billing $300K in new local business.
"Broadcasting experience can go too," continued Solo.

SWAMP RADIO (103.7 FM)-DAGOBAH 5/92-6/95
Promotions Assistant
•acting Promotions Director 6/1-10/92, 8/20-9/15/92
Air Personality
•organization, set-up, operation of SWAMP Radio's Maritime Days Promotion, handling $65,000 dollars in station investment & revenue
•organization, set-up, operation of SWAMP Radio's client remote broadcasts
•weekend/weekday evenings and overnights
•sub for full-time announcers
•remote production/appearances
•network spot production
•morning drive news production/board operator

SWAMP Radio was Dagobah's leading station for female audiences 35-54. My responsibility was to develop promotion campaigns for local and national companies looking to target this audience for retail, marketing, or promotional purposes. These campaigns contained on-site remote broadcasts, point-of-sales events, lifestyle events, and other
“more creative ideas” to achieve the client''s goals.

IMPERIAL RADIO NETWORK (91.7 FM)-DEATH STAR 1/90-12/93
Program Director
•creating successful music rotations for Classical, Alternative, and Heavy Metal formats
Assistant Engineer
•experience with Powerplay, Music Scan, Selector, and Ultimate Digital Studio software
Air Personality
•set up and operation of TM Century/Sony CD on-air studio
•production of station legal ID, positioning liners, promotional spots
•maintain station budget
•hire, train, supervise, critique & develop air talent and station personnel
•organize/execute station promotions
•maintain contacts with ASCAP, BMI, trade magazines, record companies
•repair and maintain station transmitter and equipment
•maintain station EBS and transmitter logs
•creator/producer of the heavy metal show “The Razor''s Edge”
•provide smooth vocal transitions between musical selections of various formats

ICE RADIO (920 AM)-HOTH 5/90-8/90
Copy Writer
•create scripts for spots, promo cards, giveaway liners
•organize/maintain script file
•general education about major market radio

WAMPA TELEVISION-HOTH 9/93-12/93
Reporter
•cover hard news events, sports, concerts, interviews,
•videotaping and editing news packages
"The job ad said nothing about print experience so lets get rid of this section..."
PRINT MEDIA EXPERIENCE:

MOS EISLEY NEWSPAPERS INCORPORATED 3/94-6/02
Photojournalist
•cover community news/sports for 23 suburban Milwaukee weekly newspapers
•process film/develop prints in a professionally equipped darkroom

THE ROYAL GUARD-WHITEWATER 1/93-12/93
Photo Editor
•supervise staff photographers and organize photo assignments Photojournalist
•process film/develop prints in a professionally equipped darkroom
Reporter
•cover hard news events, sports, concerts, interviews, and a variety of other news items for the Emperor Guards
•experience with Adobe Photoshop 6.0, Quark, Adobe Premier
NON-RELATED OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
• Assistant Station Manager Cantina Music-Mos Eisley
•Cast member of Play TV" improv comedy show
•DJ-Lightsaber Magic Music Co.
•DJ-A Solid Grip Sound
•Assistant Mgr.-Death Star Theater Group
•Junior Assistant Scoutmaster-Boy Scouts of Bespin

"Non related experience? Why would you highlight non related experience?" asked an incredulous Solo to his friend.

"I had all these other things I wanted to put on my resume and didn't know where to put them."

"I see we've got a lot of work to do yet," sighed Solo.

This is a nine part series on how to write a good resume.
Here are links to the other parts:

Pt. 2 Career Objective

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_19.html

Pt. 3 Education

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_24.html

Pt. 4 Length

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_2397.html

Pt. 5 What Jobs to Includehttp://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers.html

Pt. 6 Detailed Bullet Points

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_10.html

Pt. 7 Age

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume.html

Pt. 8

No Experience

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume-no.html

Pt. 9

Final Resume

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_16.html

January Jokes

Here are the jokes for January.
Enjoy!
Ev


How do you get down from an elephant?
-You don't. You get down from a goose!

How do you keep cool at a football game?
-Stand next to a fan!

Where can you buy railroad bubble gum?
-On a chew chew train!

What must you know to be an auctioneer?
-Lots!

What is the biggest ant?
-An Elephant!

Have you seen two feet of snow?

Constructing Billy Skywalker's Resume: Length

Editor note:
Normally the dialog between Billy Skywalker and Bobby Solo has not been in bold type. This has been changed so it is easier for you to read the comments about the resume.

Bobby Solo returned and slopped a frosty mug of ale in front of his friend.

"I hope you washed your hands before touching the handle on my glass," joked Billy Skywalker.

"No. I make a point to never wash my hands after using the bathroom, retorted his friend. Helps build up my immunity."

"That's just sick."

"Not as sick as the body of your resume," said Solo.
"Look at it. You've got tons of experience listed, but none of it tells an employer anything. It's generic fluff and most isn't relevant to the job you are applying for."

"What do you mean generic fluff. If I got this resume I would hire me because my resume proves that I am the greatest salesperson! Read it..."

Solo took a deep breath. "I tried to read it. It is way too long! Try to keep your resume to one page for any entry or junior level positions. Positions that have more application requirements might call for a two page resume. Remember the purpose is to get yourself noticed by the recruiter. Give them a reason to keep reading your resume. A short resume full of relevant experience is better than a long resume listing everything you've ever done. This is a work history. Not an autobiography!"
STORMTROOPERJOBS.COM-CORSUCANT 11/1/2001-PRESENT
Market Manager
•develop recruitment marketing plans for local imperial agencies
•develop new accounts from cold call leads
•write & voice recruitment scripts for present & future accounts
•train new salespeople in product knowledge and marketing techniques
StormtrooperJobs.com provided alternative recruitment advertising methods for local and national Imperial recruiting stations. My responsibility was identifying the client's recruitment niche, and develop recruitment marketing campaigns using a weekly TV show, website, direct mail print piece, IVR phone system, and on-line job fairs.
(EDITORS NOTE: TO SEE WHY STORMTROOPERJOBS.COM EXISTS, CLICK HERE:
http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/stormtroopers-for-hire.html)

DROID JOB CONNECTION-YAVIN 10/97-10/2001
Market Manager
•develop recruitment marketing plans for local businesses
•develop new accounts from cold call leads
•write & voice recruitment scripts for present & future accounts
•train new salespeople in product knowledge and marketing techniques

Droid Job Connection provided alternative recruitment advertising methods for local and national companies. My responsibility was identifying the client's recruitment niche, and develop recruitment marketing campaigns using a weekly TV show, website, direct mail print piece, IVR phone system, and on-line job fairs.
I was responsible for tripling company revenues in 1998 ($200K),
doubling them to $404K in 1999, and doubling them again to $820K in 2000.
BESPIN BROADCASTING RADIO (102.9FM)-BESPIN 6/95-12/98
Marketing Consultant
•develop retail sales marketing plans for local and agency businesses
•create new promotional programs for present & future accounts
•write & voice commercial scripts for present & future accounts
102.9 is Cloud City's leading station for adult audiences 18-54. My responsibility was developing advertising and promotional campaigns for local companies. These campaigns contained creative commercial scripts, on-site remote broadcasts, DJ appearances, interviews, point-of-sales events, lifestyle events, and other
“creative ideas” to achieve client''s goals. Starting with no accounts, I was responsible for billing $300K in new local business.
SWAMP RADIO (103.7 FM)-DAGOBAH 5/92-6/95
Promotions Assistant
•acting Promotions Director 6/1-10/92, 8/20-9/15/92
Air Personality
•organization, set-up, operation of SWAMP Radio's Maritime Days Promotion, handling $65,000 dollars in station revenue
•organization, set-up, operation of SWAMP Radio's client remote broadcasts
•weekend/weekday evenings and overnights
•sub for full-time announcers
•remote production/appearances
•network spot production
•morning drive news production/board operator

SWAMP Radio was Dagobah's leading station for female audiences 35-54. My responsibility was to develop promotion campaigns for local and national companies looking to target this audience for retail, marketing, or promotional purposes. These campaigns contained on-site remote broadcasts, point-of-sales events, lifestyle events, and other
“more creative ideas” to achieve the client''s goals.

IMPERIAL RADIO NETWORK (91.7 FM)-DEATH STAR 1/90-12/93
Program Director
•creating successful music rotations for Classical, Alternative, and Heavy Metal formats
Assistant Engineer
•experience with Powerplay, Music Scan, Selector, and Ultimate Digital Studio software
Air Personality
•set up and operation of TM Century/Sony CD on-air studio
•production of station legal ID, positioning liners, promotional spots
•maintain station budget
•hire, train, supervise, critique & develop air talent and station personnel
•organize/execute station promotions
•maintain contacts with ASCAP, BMI, trade magazines, record companies
•repair and maintain station transmitter and equipment
•maintain station EBS and transmitter logs
•creator/producer of the heavy metal show “The Razor''s Edge”
•provide smooth vocal transitions between musical selections of various formats

ICE RADIO (920 AM)-HOTH 5/90-8/90
Copy Writer
•create scripts for spots, promo cards, giveaway liners
•organize/maintain script file
•general education about major market radio

WAMPA TELEVISION-HOTH 9/93-12/93
Reporter
•cover hard news events, sports, concerts, interviews,
•videotaping and editing news packages
PRINT MEDIA EXPERIENCE:

MOS EISLEY NEWSPAPERS INCORPORATED 3/94-6/02
Photojournalist
•cover community news/sports for 23 suburban Mos Eisley weekly newspapers
•process film/develop prints in a professionally equipped darkroom

THE ROYAL GUARD-CORSUCANT 1/93-12/93
Photo Editor
•supervise staff photographers and organize photo assignments Photojournalist
•process film/develop prints in a professionally equipped darkroom
Reporter
•cover hard news events, sports, concerts, interviews, and a variety of other news items for the Emperor Guards
•experience with Adobe Photoshop 6.0, Quark, Adobe Premier
NON-RELATED OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
• Assistant Station Manager Cantina Music-Mos Eisley
•Cast member of Play TV" improv comedy show
•DJ-Lightsaber Magic Music Co.
•DJ-A Solid Grip Sound
•Assistant Mgr.-Death Star Theater Group
•Junior Assistant Scoutmaster-Boy Scouts of Bespin

"Lets get to work cutting this down to one page," said Solo.

"You do that," said Skywalker. "Now I've got to break the seal. I'll be right back."

The story continues ...

This is a nine part series on how to write a good resume.
Here are links to the other parts:

Pt. 2 Career Objective

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_19.html

Pt. 3 Education

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_24.html

Pt. 4 Length

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_2397.html

Pt. 5 What Jobs to Includehttp://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers.html

Pt. 6 Detailed Bullet Points

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_10.html

Pt. 7 Age

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume.html

Pt. 8

No Experience

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume-no.html

Pt. 9

Final Resume

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_16.html

Constructing Billy Skywalker's Resume: Education

Two fresh mugs of ale arrived at the table as Solo started again.

"Lets see what we have here so far..."



Billy Skywalker2320 Starry Lane
Sandy, Dune 51000
(000) 867-5309
Billy@Jabbahasbadbreath.com
www.intergalacticlinkedin.com/in/thisisafakeperson

Career Goal: To eradicate tyranny and treachery from the galaxy by developing and growing a book of business that exceeds company goals and enables me to earn a six figure income based on the revenue and strong results I produce for the Rebel Alliance.

Education:B.S. Degree in Droid Mechanics
Mos Eisley Area Technical College
Minor in Land Speeder Repair


"...good start. I see that you have your education listed next. Why?"

"All the ads I've ever seen ask for a degree. So I put that in first, Skywalker replied."

Solo said: "Put your education at the bottom.
There are some jobs that a degree is really necessary like in engineering or IT, but what an employer REALLY wants to see is your experience. Remember most people don't go to school beyond Tatooine High School.
An employer may be asking for a degree because they want to know if you know the basics of a job. You don't NEED a degree to have a good IT career for example, however it does tell an employer that you can accomplish something and have a basic understanding of the IT field."

Skywalker interrupted.
"My degree isn't really relevant to the job. Should I leave it on my resume?"

"Absolutely," Solo continued. "Having a degree sets you apart from candidates that don't have one. It shows you can stick with something and complete it. In the Terran system, only 24% of people in a country called America have a degree of any kind. (http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-24.pdf) As I said some professions in today's society need a specific degree. Having a broadcasting degree doesn't mean you are automatically qualified for an engineering job. However if you have a ton of engineering work experience, can prove to an employer in an interview and on the resume that you know how to do the work, then having a broadcasting degree might not be a handicap. Employers also use a degree requirement to help screen out candidates so they don't have as many resumes to wade through even if a degree isn't needed for the job."

Skywalker got a worried look on his face.
"My degree is only from Mos Eisley Area Technical College. I didn't go to Yavin or Corsucant U or even MEIT (Mos Eisley Institute of Technology for us Earthlings). If I'm up against one of those schools I'm sunk!"

"Calm down my friend," chuckled Solo. "English 101 and Beer Drinking 200 is the same at every school. For the most part an employer doesn't care where a degree is from, as long as you have one from an accredited school. Yes it helps if they heard of the school. It may also help if they went to the SAME school as you. Yes there will be some people who will think that going to Alderan University is better than going to Bespin U, where I went. There will also be an equal number of employers who think that it was a waste of money to go to Alderan to get the same education available at Bespin U. Are you proud of where you went to school?"

"Absolutely!"

"Then never think less of the school or let it obstruct you applying for a job. Experience and good people who will stay in the job are what employers want. If you have good experience it doesn't matter where your degree is from, you will be in the running for the job," said Solo.

"What if education is all I have, " asked Skywalker.

"Let me get back to that," said Solo. "I hate to do this but I have to break the seal..."

"Break open your wallet too and get two more pints on your way back!" Skywalker chortled.

This is a nine part series on how to write a good resume.
Here are links to the other parts:

Pt. 2 Career Objective

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_19.html

Pt. 3 Education

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_24.html

Pt. 4 Length

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_2397.html

Pt. 5 What Jobs to Includehttp://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers.html

Pt. 6 Detailed Bullet Points

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_10.html

Pt. 7 Age

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume.html

Pt. 8

No Experience

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume-no.html

Pt. 9

Final Resume

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_16.html

Recruiter Network January Meeting-Handling Conflict in the Workplace

There is always going to be tension or some kind of conflict in any work environment. Sometimes it will be little. Easily handled with a quick, calm, discussion. Other conflicts will require hours of HR time and a lengthy process. How should these be handled?

To get information on how to handle conflict in the workplace, attend the Recruiter Network Meeting this Thursday, January 27th, from 8am-10am.

Handling Conflict in the Workplace
Presentation by:
Teresa Weeks
Express Employment Professionals

Thursday, January 27th.
8am-10am
6300 W. Layton Avenue
Greenfield 53220
The building is “L” shaped.
PLEASE USE THE EAST ENTRANCE CLOSEST to SPEEDWAY
Admission is free

Refreshments provided by:
Kerry Minic of US Bank

Constructing Billy Skywalker's Resume: Career Objective

The two friends move off to a corner table in the musty bar.

Billy Skywalker pulled up his resume on his view pad.

Billy Skywalker
2320 Starry Lane
Sandy, Dune 51000
(212) 867-5309

CAREER GOAL: To obtain an entry level sales position in my field.

"The first thing you have to do is move your contact information from flush on the left margin to the center of the page," Bobby Solo told his friend.
"It makes it easier for employers to find and read.
Put your name in bold too. It also helps your name stand out because it is front and center on the page. Put it like this:"
Billy Skywalker2320 Starry Lane
Sandy, Dune 51000
(000) 867-5309

Billy@Jabbahasbadbreath.com

www.intergalacticlinkedin.com/in/thisisafakeperson

"Make sure you add in your email and LinkedIn address too. Don't put Facebook or any other social media site. Just use LinkedIn because it has a professional reputation.

You also want to make sure you have a professional email," said Solo.

"Why? I'm applying to the Rebel Alliance," expressed Skywalker. "They are opposite of what the Hutt stand for. They'd probably get a kick out of it and my resume will get noticed!"

"You might think that," countered Solo. "There are many Hutt's and they have friends. What if a Hutt or one of their friends is working with the alliance and they see your resume? You'll get noticed all right! They'll put a price on your head, or at least trash your resume!"

"Your career goal is too generic," Solo Continued. "Everyone says they want an entry level or senior level job to use their education and experience to help grow the company, blah blah blah!" Solo said waving his hands in the smokey air. "An employer will look at that sentence and say "Duh! Of course they want a job here, why else would they apply? Using the words 'Entry Level' does that mean you only want entry level? So if they want to give you a higher position than entry level you aren't going to take it? Let the employer be the judge of what level of position you are qualified for rather than pigeon hole yourself into just an entry level position. Instead use your Career Objective space to tell the employer something that makes them want to read the rest of your resume. Put something in about your experience, your passion, your real life goals, something that lets them know what makes you tick. Also put something in there that lets them know how hiring you will benefit them. Try this:

Career Goal: To eradicate tyranny and treachery from the galaxy by developing and growing a book of business that exceeds company goals and enables me to earn a six figure income based on the revenue and strong results I produce for the Rebel Alliance."


"Wow! That impresses me," Skywalker exclaimed. "But what if I want to use this resume for other jobs? Why put the Rebel Alliance in the objective and not leave it generic?"


"By adding the company name it shows you are thinking of your resume for just this job and not sending them some boilerplate resume," Solo said. "That shows attention to detail and a concern for them. Yes it means you have to change your resume for every employer, however you should be doing that any way to make sure your qualifications are right for the job you are applying for."


"I always thought the Career Objective was supposed to be one short sentence," said Skywalker.


"When you have a lot of experience you can get away with one sentence. If you have no experience you have to sell yourself more. People hire entry level workers a lot of the time based on the person and not just their qualifications. The more you can sell yourself and show how passionate and excited you are for the opportunity, the more the employer will want to talk to you. Give the employer something about you that they can grasp, comment on, ask questions about, something that will make you stand out from the rest of the resumes with generic objectives."


"You're hired!" Skywalker said to his friend.

They became distracted by a bar maid hanging a plaque with a orange draped hairy arm mounted on it. Below the arm was an inscription that read:
'This arm cut off Walrus Man by Obi Wan Kenobi. Famous Jedi Knight."

This is a nine part series on how to write a good resume.
Here are links to the other parts:

Pt. 2 Career Objective

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_19.html

Pt. 3 Education

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_24.html

Pt. 4 Length

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_2397.html

Pt. 5 What Jobs to Includehttp://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers.html

Pt. 6 Detailed Bullet Points

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_10.html

Pt. 7 Age

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume.html

Pt. 8

No Experience

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume-no.html

Pt. 9

Final Resume

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_16.html

Constructing Billy Skywalker's Resume: The Set Up

Enjoy this series.
It was fun writing it.
Ev
"A Heck of A Nice Guy"
The smoke from the saliva soaked cigar rose from between the aged fingers of his right hand and blended with the plumes of smoke and stale perfume already in the air.
A tug on the back of the shirt of the grizzled bartender brought him another mug of dunkel ale so thick one would easily mistake it for mud.

"That no good smart alec," he thought sipping his drink.
Somewhere in the cantina the band started playing what sounded like a star trek theme.
"Lucky punk. Never knows how good he has it here. Always wants to go fly away with his friends and pick up power converters and pretend he some hot shot imperial pilot. Mom marries that Lars guy and my half brother gets to go and live with him on that moisture farm. I stay in town and help dad run the engine repair shop. He never concentrates on where he is and what he is doing. He should get a real job like I did after dad died. Sales. Now that is a skill you can take anywhere in the galaxy and use. Not fixing droids."

He continued to scan the digital type pad when an ad caught his eye:

Do you have experience selling what many think are lost causes?
Can you convince presidents, emperors, military officers, and weapons manufactures that your cause is just and will prevail?
The Galactic Rebel Alliance wants you to be a part of our supply procurement team!
Running a rebellion isn't easy.
We need every kind of supply you can think of from toilet paper to the latest space fighter technology that can defeat Imperial TIE-fighters.
Your job will not be easy.
You'll be calling on nefarious characters in seedy domains.
You need to be able to keep their confidence and their identities strictly confidential even under possible Imperial torture if you are caught.
If you have a keen eye for quality equipment manufacturing, and for negotiating equipment sales prices far below what the seller wants, we want to talk to you!
Your budget is in the millions but not unlimited.
Hours are what you set, but can be long if in the middle of a deal.
Frequent travel is required as you will either be looking for new suppliers or running from the Imperials.
Candidates with smuggler connections preferred.
The benefits are:
-a comfortable home at our hidden base
-20% commission on savings to the rebellion per deal
-Helping free the galaxy
If you have what it takes to help equip our cause, send resume and cover letter to:
RA Sales
P.O. Box 3263827
Mos Eisley, Tatoonie
Maybe Luke is right. He thought. Maybe this planet is farthest from the center of the universe. Inspired he stood up from his bar stool, "I'M GOING TO APPLY!" Billy Skywalker shouted as his stool fell backwards from the rapidity of his rise off the seat with the legs catching him behind the knees and knocking him backwards onto the spit and vomit stained rock floor. His drink not far behind.

"Now just wait one parsec," said Bobby Solo as he stuck his hand out to help his friend up. "I know what you were reading and your resume stinks. You'll never get the job with that scrap."

"If I can sell diet drinks to Jabba and the rest of the Hutt clan I can surely raise money for the alliance to buy them ships and weapons," said Skywalker in an embarrassed hush. "Plus I know your brother Han so there is my smuggler connection. A 20% commission! That is unheard of in these parts!"

"There's a chance you could die too if the storm troopers catch you," said Solo.
Skywalker retorted.
"No chance. Those troops are so dumb if you lock your door when they are coming to your house they won't come in and just move on to the next house."

"Okay of you are sure you want to do this," Solo sighed. "I better help you with your resume. My brother is the smuggler but who do you think gets him hired for those jobs? I'm the respectful one. Lets grab a table so these other monsters won't steal my ideas for you."

"Deal. Bartender! Two more ales!"
Skywalker fished through his pockets looking for money.
"Never mind I'll get it," said Solo as he flipped the bartender two coins.
"Sorry about the mess."

This is a nine part series on how to write a good resume.
Here are links to the other parts:

Pt. 2 Career Objective

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_19.html

Pt. 3 Education

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_24.html

Pt. 4 Length

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_2397.html

Pt. 5 What Jobs to Includehttp://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/constructing-billy-skywalkers.html

Pt. 6 Detailed Bullet Points

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_10.html

Pt. 7 Age

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume.html

Pt. 8

No Experience

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume-no.html

Pt. 9

Final Resume

http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/constructing-billy-skywalkers-resume_16.html

January Newsletter

Welcome to 2011!

Below is this month’s newsletter.
I send out the newsletter via email around the 15th of the month and republish here on my blog.
If you receive a copy of this newsletter by email, it is because you at one time have done business with me, or asked to receive a copy. The newsletter is meant to be informative and light hearted. Thank you for reading.

For more articles check out the rest of my recruitment blog. If you don't remember the address Google “Ev’s Recruitment Answers” or "A Heck of A Nice Guy."

This month’s article is a bit of a plug for me and where I work:
If you need a FREE source of QUALIFIED employees contact me. We serve as a FREE staffing source for employers.
If you have a position that is right for students or alumni, send it to me. We screen candidates and send them to you at no cost.
Graduates are a mixture of traditional and non-traditional students. Usually they have 0-5 years of RELATED work experience. Right now many are ex-military for those companies targeting veterans.

Degrees are currently offered in the following areas:

Bachelor degree:
Business Administration
Electronics and Communications Engineering Technology
Information Systems Security
Software Engineering Technology

Associates degree:
Multimedia
Visual Communication
Business Administration
Computer Network Systems
Software Applications and Programming
Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology
Computer Drafting and Design
Criminal Justice

Thanks for reading!

Everet Kamikawa - Career Services
"A Heck of A Nice Guy"

Many companies still have rules against the use of social media in the office place.
If you are not sure how far social media has penetrated our society, watch the following 3 minute video by clicking on the link:
http://everetsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/social-media-usage-in-2010.html


JOKES:
To read the jokes, check out the blog post on the 30th of each month!

Criminal Record & Job Searches

Do you have a criminal record and are no trying to get back into the workforce?
Is there something in your past that you have trouble trying to explain to new employers?
Are you getting interviews but then never hearing from employers and wondering if they found something on your background check?
Don't let your past define who you are now.
Maybe this blog can help:
http://xoffendersuccess.blogspot.com/2010/12/criminal-records-in-state-of-wisconsin.html

It is written by a collegue of mine from Recruiter Network.
I hope you find it useful.
Good luck!

Ev

Tips for Graphic, Web, and Game Design Candidates

“Employers want job candidates with multiple skill sets,” stated Melissa Eriksen, Account Director, at Aquent when we recently had a chance to sit down and talk about the job market for new graphic design graduates.

“Forget being just a layout person or working only in print. Demand for those positions is down because so many things are switching to web. You need to have web experience too. Employers definitely appreciate web developers to have a good eye for design, and their designers who offer web development experience.”

What types of programming languages should new graduates be familiar with when looking for a job?“HTML, Java, Javascript, C++, PHP, Ruby On Rails, and Joomla are some of the languages our clients are specifically asking about. You should do enough programming to be able to show what you can do and to have an understanding of how different programs can/should be used. 3-D modeling is a niche capability that I’ve been getting requests about lately.”

Besides actual work experience, what else can recent grads do to help their chances of finding a job?“Graduates should have some type of internship that is relevant to their field. They should also look at participating in professional associations like:
Milwaukee Interactive Marketing Association and Business Marketing Association. You can also do meet up groups. Anything to meet other people in your field will help you grow professionally and help in your job search.

Does it help to have a creative resume?“If you are a truly creative person you should have a resume that reflects that creativity. It also helps to have a basic resume available in case you need to email it to someone who can’t receive attachments or a job site that doesn’t allow you to attach a resume. If you are a programmer who happens to be applying for a web developer job, a creative resume probably isn’t needed.”

Any tips for a portfolio?“An updated online portfolio is a must have for any candidate. Try not to simply just rely on class work. Paid freelance projects, projects done for free, or projects just for fun all can help enhance the portfolio of a student or recent graduate. As much as possible, it helps to tailor your portfolio to the company and/or position to which you’re applying. For example if you’re applying for a print production position include some web samples – but make sure the majority of what you show is print-related. Include a variety of samples of techniques and programs.”


Thanks Melissa for taking the time to give some great advice!
To search for jobs through Aquent click on this link:
http://aquent.us/find-work/index.htm?specialty-find=&location-find=mrkt_0881

Ev

Video Games in HR?

Video game design is a hot field for students to go into.
There aren't a ton of jobs or companies out there as of now, however you don't have to design the next "Call of Duty" game to make a good living. Games are now starting to be used in all walks of life. Even HR as proved by the following article by Bart Perkins from Computerworld.com:
Want a job? Bring your game!

Standardized personality tests have long been accepted tools for employee selection. Games, however, must take care to comply with government hiring regulations. In the U.S., candidate selection games must contain job-related content and provide consistent experience for all applicants. Games that include branches and other options are prohibited. Training games have fewer compliance restrictions. Different experiences are allowed, as long as the game is used to improve job performance and is not the basis for promotion or compensation.

However, there are hurdles. Many companies have been hesitant to adopt HR games, believing games are merely frivolous time wasters that are inappropriate in the workplace. And HR policies often specifically prohibit playing games on company time or company-provided computers. Additionally, people over 40 typically have limited gaming skills, particularly those related to spatial relations or joy-stick dexterity. (My daughter humiliates me at Mario Kart!) Older applicants may find games intimidating, since they don't know how to use Wii's A and B buttons or Xbox's X and Y conventions. So qualified individuals with pertinent experience may be overlooked.

Well-designed games promote employee retention by providing candidates with accurate previews of job activities. Improved understanding sets realistic expectations and can cut short-term turnover in half. Games also create the perception that a company is progressive, desirable and a fun place to work, particularly for younger people.

HR games are still in their infancy. A number of companies have begun offering them, with most coming from widely different starting points. Employment Technologies uses its long history in industrial organizational testing to provide skills-based simulations in training and development games. Qube Learning studies the motivators that make people want to play particular games. Previsor, formed from a merger of Qwiz, ePredix and Personnel Decisions Research Institute, provides technology-enabled tools supporting hiring, promotion and development. Beginning as a temporary staffing provider to call centers, FurstPerson has expanded its offering to include candidate testing and management.

Overall, games are good news for overworked and understaffed HR organizations. Games provide a highly effective way to identify the most promising candidates from a large applicant pool. In addition, training games provide hands-on practice for real-world situations, without spilling any milk or dropping any French fries.

Losing A Sale

Everyone loses a sale. "Sales Experts" who say they never lose a sale are lying.
Whether it is not convincing a company to go with your recruitment firm, job classifieds, or not convincing the candidate to take the job with your client, we all face a lost sale at some point. How do you recognize when you are losing a sale?
Jane Porter has some good ideas. Thanks Jane!
Ev
Happy 2012 from
"A Heck of A Nice Guy"


Five Signs You're Losing a Sale -- And How to Save It
BY By Jane Porter

Marla Kaye could not afford to lose this deal. She had watched sales at You Name It Promotions, her Oakland, Calif.-based promotional products company, drop by more than half since the start of the recession--from $3.5 million in 2007 to $1.5 million last year. When a six-figure sale to a new client seemed about to fall through this spring, she had to act fast.

The technology company Kaye was courting wanted a customized USB drive with its brand name on it to hand out at trade shows. When Kaye, 58, found out the client was planning to go with a cheaper bid from a competitor, she stepped her offering up a few notches--shaping the device like the company's logo and loading it with files about its product. "I said, 'Give me a chance to show you why what we do will stand out,'" she says. "We saved it by doing more work than just answering a bid."

Having a keen eye for when a sale is going sour takes savvy. Here are five red flags and strategies for saving the sale:

No. 1: If a Potential Client Seems Indifferent

A client who is interested in doing business with you should have questions and concerns. If they don't outright reject you but don't have any questions either, be on the alert, warns Victor Cheng, author of the book Extreme Revenue Growth (Innovation Press, 2007).

To resolve this problem, he suggests creating more of an advisory relationship with clients. You can let them know that you'll help either to solve their problem or point them in the direction of another business that might be a better fit. Offering to help people find other vendors might seem counterintuitive, but it can go a long way to earn the trust you may need to win over a client, Cheng says. "People will share more with an advisor than a salesperson. It's more of a dialogue than a broadcast."

No. 2: If There's No Hard Deadline For a Decision

Having urgency around a sale is important, Cheng believes. Early in the process, ask potential clients about their timeframe. You want to prioritize those companies that have a hard deadline.

You can find ways to firm up deadlines, says Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation.com, a Birmingham, Mich.-based business-advice website. He suggests limited-time offers or discounts to create urgency around a sale. "The only way you get someone engaged is to find their buttons," Sloan says. Perhaps point out what the competition is doing, or identify the financial risk involved in not acting quickly on the sale.

No. 3: If You Aren't Dealing With the Decision Maker

You may start out talking with a junior-level employee who is vetting options, but beware if you aren't put in touch with the decision maker after a few conversations. It's probably a sign the company isn't serious about buying, Cheng says.

Getting past that roadblock can be challenging. The bigger the organization you are dealing with, the more layers of management you likely will have to penetrate, Sloan says. He recommends creating a presentation that your initial contact can easily show to upper management. You also might request a quick conference call with the senior-level person involved. "It's a sticky situation because you need to be respectful of the person you are talking to and not undermine them," Sloan says.

No. 4: If Your Price is Too High

People generally object to a price because they believe they can find the same product or service for less or because you're trying to sell more than they need, Cheng says.

If your competitors are offering a lower price, focus on how you can provide added value, as Kaye did with her customized USB. But if you're offering more than a client needs, you may need to scale back the initial proposal, Cheng says. You also could offer creative payment alternatives, Sloan suggests, such as incentives on the first purchase if the customer continues to buy more.

No. 5: If You're Asked For a Proposal Instead of a Conversation

When potential clients ask for a proposal before agreeing to talk with you, it's usually a sign they're simply gathering price quotes from vendors, Cheng says.

Before submitting a proposal, ask what the client is looking for and what criteria will be used to make the decision. Reaching a verbal understanding on those issues increases the likelihood that you'll get the sale. "The problem with a proposal is there is no chance for them to tell you what is wrong with it," Cheng says, "as opposed to working through all the nuances verbally."

Why Read This Blog?

Out of the millions of blogs in cyberspace, why should you read this blog?

In this blog you'll find tips on how to make your recruitment advertising more effective, general observations on the recruitment industry, sales, and the famous jokes that have become part of my trademark over the years (I'm always suprised how many times I get thanked for sending out the jokes-they're always clean enough to tell your mother!).

The goal of this blog is not to be the guru on new technology, provide you with the most cutting edge news, or to make myself world renowned. There are others who are experts at doing that.
This is more of a perspective from someone in the trenches of recruitment and sales each day.

There are four main goals that I will accomplish with this blog:

The first point of this blog is to offer practical advice to recruiters, managers, and job seekers:
-who might not be (or have no need to be) up on the latest and greatest gizmos, social networks, and websites.
-How can they make what they are using better to attract better candidates for their jobs.

The second goal is:
-to serve as a sounding board to those who who have mastered the new technology as part of their recruitment campaigns,
-about how the latest and greatest is playing when it comes to the practical world. In cyberspace it is really easy to get hooked on one new idea and then zoom onto the next and forget that most people are still three stages behind whatever the latest and greatest is. To use a Tour de France comparisson, I consider myself one of those riders in the peloton. I might be in the forward half of the peloton, however I'm definately not wearing the yellow leader jersey.

The third goal is to help stay in touch with you!

The fourth goal is to do the above three with a touch of humor (have I mentioned the jokes?).


I publish something new twice per week, usually on Mondays and Wednesday/Thursdays. Thanks for inviting me in! Enjoy!
Ev"A Heck of A Nice Guy"