Pennsville, NJ

Resume Writing and Interview Skills Wrapup

This post is the third and final in a series based on a workshop, The Perfect Resume facilitated by Bob Marino, recently held at The Pennsville Public Library. Resume tips were covered quite extensively.

Here's a quick checklist to recap those tips:

1) Keep it short - one page if possible.

2) Create a powerful profile/summary.

3) Write as if YOU were going to read it.

4) State your value.

5) Shy away from restricting words - full time, in NJ, day work, work-at-home, etc.

6) Always incorporate words from the ad.

7) Pick your format - chronological, functional, combined or targeted.

8) Short, sweet and to the point cover letters.

9) Get business cards NOW.

As far as the interview goes, be prepared to answer these common questions:

1) Did you have trouble finding us? (avoid 'yes' or 'no' answers)

2) Do you know much about our company? (google ahead of time and be prepared!)

3) Tell me a little about yourself. (your answer can be the first paragraph on your resume)

4) What interests you the most about this position? This company?

5) What have you heard about our company that you don't like? (Do NOT answer with a negative - turn it into a positive!)

6) How do you generally handle conflict?

7) What are you looking for in your next job?

8) What aspect of the job I've described appeals to you the least? (once again, do NOT answer in the negative -- turn it into a positive!)

9) What aspect of the job I've described appeals to you the most?

10) How would your co-workers describe you?

There you have it! Advice on preparing your resume.....guidance on how to conduct yourself during an interview.......and even some new job postings in Salem County.

I wish you lots and lots of luck. Here's to a bright, shiny new you!

With so many people looking for employment, many of them older displaced workers, brushing up on resume writing and interview skills is a necessity. Bob Marino, an adjunct professor with Temple and Salem Community College, facilitated a workshop at The Pennsville Public Library on January 26th, 2012. Here are his top 'Tips On Resume Writing'.

1) Use good quality 8 1/2 x 11 paper

2) Your resume should be consistent. If you place dates at the end of information, do the same throughout the resume. (You don't need dates, although they are fine.)

3) Highlight marketable assets with bold or italics.

4) Most common types of resumes - chronological and experience resumes.

5) Make it easy to read. Format resume to your best advantage. (Two pages are ok if you have lots of experience to showcase.)

6) Make it neat and professional looking.

7) Be specific about duties and responsibilities - number of people supervised, amount of budget handled, what you were responsible for, how many customers did you serve daily, sales volume, etc.

8) Avoid colored paper. (Although, if you are applying for a hair dressers position, for instance, colored paper may be appropriate.)

9) Education, work experience should be listed in REVERSE chronological order. (Information should be strategically placed. Sell your "big guns" up front: sales, education, experience, etc.)

10) Proof read for errors - have a friend proofread for errors, too.

11) Highlight and expand upon experiences or education related to your career objectives. (Give them what they want, not necessarily what you've got.)

12) If you are sending resumes to a variety of business environments, it might be necessary to have more than one resume with each geared specifically toward the position desired.

13) Use a high quality printer and check for smudges and copy marks.

When searching for a new position, don't ignore your marketable skills. For instance, if you can type 60+ words per minute, you might be able to have a job tomorrow! Over 90+ words per minute? You can definitely have a job tomorrow!

Including an 'objective' at the top of your resume is no longer a good practice. It tells the employer that you are out of work and looking for work. Better to come from a position of strength.

Stay tuned -- the next post will provide interview tips and some of the most common questions posed by employers on job interviews.

Best wishes to all of you who are actively looking for work.

May the force be with you.

Professor Bob Marino
robertfmarino@yahoo.com

"Welcome To The Perfect Resume" - Tonight's Workshop at The Pennsville Public Library

Bob Marino, past adjunct professor at Temple University in Philadelphia and currently on staff at Salem Community College is clearly in favor of 'giving back to his community'.

This evening, Bob facilitated an extremely valuable and much-needed class on how to properly prepare a resume in order to attract attention by today's employers. What is most impressive is that Bob conducted this workshop at no charge. (Thanks, Bob!)

The resume has changed in the last ten years, in case you didn't know. It is most important to tell the potential employer what you can do for them and why they should hold onto your resume......let alone hire you.

(I'll share the resume tips in another post for anyone who may be in need of this important information.)

Bob also spent some time on interview skills. Once your resume is spruced up, it's necessary to be ready for what happens next, so interview skills are very important to ensure your success in obtaining your new job. You must be prepared for the interview just as you must have your resume prepared to get noticed.

I sat in on the workshop because of my position on the Board of Trustees for The Library, but I have to admit I learned a lot. A whole lot!

In fact, Bob shared that there is something that job hunters are utilizing now; a letter of introduction. After hearing the description of how this type of letter is being used in the workplace, it gave me an idea of how to tweak it a bit for my Real Estate business.

I just love to learn new things, don't you?

Many thanks to Bob Marino for facilitating a terrific workshop for the Library. Next month's business workshop is scheduled for February 23rd, 2012 at 6:30 pm. The topic is "Social Media and Blogging".

Hope to see you there!

Bob Marino
robertfmarino@yahoo.com

Today's Real Estate Activities, January 25th, 2011 - Paperwork Can Be A Good Thing!

One of my posts earlier this week featured my listing at 18 King Street in Pennsville. It's a beautiful home, for sure. Well, I'm happy to report that we received a good, solid offer!

The offer created the perfect opportunity for me to train my new assistant on how to prepare the agreement of sale. This is a lesson that I was more than happy to share with Billy.

I learned something new about my little helper. He is near-sighted! (hard to believe, huh?!)

Luckily, our processor's specticals did the trick!

The contracts were done in no time flat!

Delivered, too!

(great job, Billy!)

Seriously, we were all so pleased for our clients. An offer was received back in August on their property that was lower than they had hoped for. It a scary thing to pass on an offer now-a-days. You just don't know what the future holds. In this case, the showings slowed down -- we lowered the price a bit -- but the home sat on the market for nearly six months. Thankfully, this second offer came in much, much higher than the first offer. The sellers will be able to move forward, finally.

It doesn't always work out this way.

Billy is insisting that we feature another listing on our blog this week. He wants to see if lightening will 'strike twice."

(hope so!)

Billy's first day on the job

Business planning with Billy

Billy learns about M-O-L-D

Please Join Me In Thanking 'The Friends of The Pennsville Public Library'!

Twenty years ago, several women noticed that the Pennsville Public Library could use a helping hand. There were always books to buy -- programs in need of sponors -- unexpected repairs to be made -- events to host -- rooms to build -- futures to improve and dreams to nuture.

These energetic women founded a new nonprofit organization who's sole purpose was to work side-by-side with both the Board and the Staff to make things better for our community. The Friends have sponsored trips, replaced broken vaccuum cleaners, painted rooms, purchased new computers, published newsletters, held annual flea markets and book sales, hosted teas, spear-headed raffles, organized art exhibits, sold pillows and coverlets and more. The list goes on and on and on and on........

Now that the Library finds itself in such dire budgetary constraits, The Friends have once again stepped up to the plate to purchase new books and periodicals. They are providing $1,000 per month in order for the patrons to have new titles to choose from when they come in for a visit. Truth-be-told, if it weren't for The Friends, there would be no new books purchased right now. The budget just doesn't support the necessary funds for new purchases.

As you can see, The Friends have been working tirelessly for the past twenty years to be in the position to help in such a generous and visible way.

We cannot thank them enough. We are truly honored and blessed that our Friends have supported us so consistently and so effectively over the past twenty years.

I hope you will join me on Thurs. January 19th at 6:30pm for a reception to honor The Friends of The Pennsville Public Library. We truly would not be here without their hard work and diligence.

It will be our pleasure to host this reception for our Friends. (not by the Friends, as is the standard arrangement.)

They so deserve it!

Pennsville Public Library
190 S Broadway
Pennsville, NJ 08070