NOT WORKING? WORK YOUR BRAIN TO LEARN NEW SKILLS WHILE LOOKING FOR A JOB.
We’ve all been there: you don’t have a job, and your resume is all around the world and getting nowhere because it reads like everybody else’s. You have a high school diploma. Or you almost finished junior college. Or you may have an Associates Degree, a Bachelors, or even a Masters. But nothing is biting, and you’re getting very discouraged. How do you get your resume to stand out, get past a computer screening, be read by an actual Human Resources professional, and get to the all-important interview? You know how to “Dress for Success” when going to a job interview, but your problem is getting your resume noticed so that you can be chosen for that interview. Without scolding you the way your mother or father might (or a grandparent, whose opinion really counts), there is a chance that you just don’t know enough.
Resume readers spend only an average of
30 seconds for a first resume reading, and there are certain things that
they look for: what you did in your last job, your achievements, strengths, and qualifications. If any of that information
catches their eye, they will read your highlights and career objective
(or summary), glance at your earlier employment, and look at your education. If all goes well,
your resume will be put into a “to be considered” pile, the first “short
list.” Your cover letter may not be read until the second “round” of
resume readings.
We have become a Continuing Education Society, and your competitors who are getting to the interview stages and obtaining jobs in this rough - though slowly improving - economy may be much more current in your field than you. They may have taken more initiative to learn more. While you’re doing all you can to network, peruse the newspapers, and search the Web, ask yourself: Am I really doing enough? Would going back to school help? Chances are, the answer would be yes. Learn a new skill or increase your
knowledge about a skill that you already have. If you don’t have a high school diploma, or a
GED, well, “by golly, get one (that’s your grandma speaking)!” If you
left school before you got your college degree, return to college.
There are many local colleges and universities, as well as
correspondence and on-line classes that can round out your resume to
show that you aren’t a boob who sits around playing video games. Check out some of these free online classes on YouTube.
Most colleges and universities, public, private, and for-profit, offer on-line courses and degrees, Take some courses to keep current in your field. If you've not finished your degree, do it, and do it NOW! If you don't have a high school diploma, get your GED NOW! Even if you have an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and even Doctorate, if you've been out of work for awhile, get some additional training or certification. You can even do some volunteer work in your field to show that you are keeping abreast of what is happening.
There are hundreds of courses available on campuses, as well as on line, that you can take to become more knowledgeable, more current in your field, and better equipped to reenter the job market.and in a way that may save your resume from dustbin oblivion.
Returning to school will force you to better master your computer, which is essential.. Most of us
don’t really know all that our computers can do. Become an expert on
your computer. That additional knowledge could be just what you
need to get hired, and eventually, promoted. Computer
classes are available at adult schools and online at the University of
Phoenix, on Kaplan online, and at other locations. If you feel you're
too old to go back to school, most Senior Citizens programs have
computers, often with individual instruction. But you are never too old.
When I returned to my second year of college 23 years after dropping out and
having 6 children, many of my professors were younger than I. So it's
never too late to go back to school and continue your learning. Being
shy is also not an excuse. Online classes rarely require face-to-face
interactions, and are an excellent way to brush up your skills and
learning. Listed below are some websites that might give you a head
start (I searched randomly, and no one has offered me any income or
other remuneration for posting his or her website here):
+ Test your typing skills: http://www.typingtest.com/
+ Test your English (British): http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-test-test-your-level.htm
+ Test your math skills: http://www.hankthecowdog.com/game/math.htm
+ http://www.ehow.com/how_4828839_test-math-skills-reading-comprehension.html
+ Test your wordpower: http://www.askoxford.com/worldofwords/thesauri/test/
Some
sites require payment, but they test you in subjects in which most
employers expect you to have some knowledge, if you’re seeking an office
job (bookkeeping, payroll, etc.) http://www.icb.org.au/Test_your_Skills_now
Get free downloads of software to learn the basics: http://wareseeker.com/free-quicken-trial-offer/
Become accredited to beef up your resume: http://www.quicken.com.au/partners/accreditedTrainers.aspx
Take any number of courses online at www.free-ed.net. http://www.free-ed.net/free%2Ded/FreeEdMain01.asp
Go to an online “school” to learn any number of subjects: http://www.selfmadescholar.com/classes.html
Computer
classes are available at adult schools and online at the University of
Phoenix (one of the institutions at which my daughter has taught), on Kaplan online, and at other locations. If you feel you're
too old to go back to school, most Senior Citizens programs have
computers, often with individual instruction. But you are never too old.
When I returned to my second year of college 23 years dropping out and
having 6 children, many of my professors were younger than I. So you're
never too told to go back to school and continue your learning. Being
shy is also not an excuse. Online classes rarely require face-to-face
interactions, and are an excellent way to brush up your skills and
learning. Listed below are some websites that might give you a head
start (I searched randomly, and no one has offered me any income or
other remuneration for posting his or her website here):
Don't think of any of these types of learning as second rate. I received an external Masters degree from a California state university (there was no internet then, and I had to work and couldn't attend regular classes), and it was accepted at UCLA, where I got my PhD. One of my daughters teaches on-line courses for campuses throughout Southern California, and has done so for many years. Particularly
now, in this “recession” economy, you need everything possible going
for you. Increasing your educational qualifications shows that you are
serious about your career, have the discipline to seek more knowledge,
and are thus likely to be a very good employee. And Affordable-Resumes.com will position that information so that it will be noticed early!
So don't despair! Returning to school may be just the ticket to your new job! Go back to school, volunteer, and get your resume updated to meet today's standards. Affordable-Resumes will be rooting for you all the way, and will make sure that your newly revised resume will knock 'em dead!
