In my last blog, we were expecting an informational interview here with a leader in her field. What I have discovered is that leaders are very, very busy people! In the interim, I offer some humor today from the book Resumes from Hell by Jon Reed about how we job-seekers can learn from the mistakes of others. In other words, DON'T do the following:


Written On Actual Resumes:

"I am very detail-oreinted."

"I have a bachelorette degree in computers."

"Graduated in the top 66% of my class."

"I worked as a Corporate Lesion."

"Served as assistant sore manager."

"Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel."

"Objective: To have my skills and ethics challenged on a daily basis."

"Special skills: Thyping."

"Special skills: Experienced with numerous office machines and can make great lattes."

"I can play well with others."

"Special skills: I've got a Ph.D. in human feelings."

"My contributions on product launches were based on dreams that I had."

"I eat computers for lunch."

"Objection: To utilize my skills in sales."

"Experience: Watered, groomed, and fed the family dog for years."

"Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's girlfriend could steal my job."

"Previous experience: Self-employed -- a fiasco."

"I am the king of accounts payable reconciliation."

"Work history: Abandoned belongings and led nomadic lifestyle."

"Reason for leaving last job: Bounty hunting was outlawed in my state."

"My ruthlessness terrorized the competition and can sometimes offend."

"I love dancing and throwing parties."

"Work Experience: Dealing with customers' conflicts that arouse."

"Fortunately because of stress, worked in the cardiac intensive-care ward."

"Typing Speed: 756 wpm."

"Objectives: 10-year goal: Total obliteration of sales and federal income taxes and tax laws."

and my personal favorite for out-there resume writing:

"AT ONE POINT IN TIME, DURING 28 YEARS ON THIS PLANET, I WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT; WHICH PUT A FEW YEARS THERAPY, SOME 'ROLLERCOASTER' EMOTIONAL SOUL JOURNEYS, AND A WICKED JOB RESUME, WHICH MOST EMPLOYERS WOULD FROWN UPON, AROUND MY PRESENT IDENTITY... TEN YEARS 'IN THE RUNNING'. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE PRESENT CASH FLOW, VIA. THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, CONSISTENCY, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, HAVE BEEN REALIZED AND TOUCHED UPON OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. ALL IN ALL, MY RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IS GROWING NEAR END IN RESPONSE TO MY ACCUMULATED WORK HISTORY. HENCE, I SEE URGENCY, CLOSURE, SOME FEAR, STRONG DESIRE, AND MATURITY ALL WOVEN INTO THIS EXPRESSION OF ME, THE EMPLOYEE TO YOU, THE EMPLOYER."

Best wishes (from this planet),

Claire

*Term coined by Richard Bolles, author of "What Color Is Your Parachute?"



Want to learn about a certain field? Why not ask someone who already works in it?

It's called the "informational interview," and according to the statistics, this major job-hunting tool is frequently underused. People are afraid they will be bothering someone at work.

I know my biggest lost interview opportunity was when I sent a letter in 1986 to New York Times' reporter (now columnist) Maureen Dowd, and she sent back a short note telling me to call her at work to conduct the interview.

Day after day, I picked up the phone but was too intimidated by Ms. Dowd and THE NEW YORK TIMES ! to place that call. Too much time went by, and I felt I had lost my chance. Don't let this happen to you. Don't let intimidation get in your way.

I did follow through on an informational interview with Tony Marro, Editor of Long Island Newsday. Tony told me to go back to my hometown and write for the local paper to get started in journalism.

This is exactly what I did - 12 years later - where I now freelance for my hometown newspaper and its magazine inserts.

But you should get out there and explore the informational interview with the subject of your choice. Many, many people are open to helping others get a foothold in their career. It might be your first job or a major career change.

Some people who conduct informational interviews find out that their "dream job" isn't as dreamy as they thought. The interview can help them assess whether they really want to head in that direction or try something else.

An informational interview technically is a brief meeting between a person who wants to investigate a career and a person working in that career. The interviews should be, in fact, brief - lasting 25 to 30 minutes.

The difference between an informational interview and a regular one is that the informational interview's goal is not to get a job but to learn about a job. They provide an inside look into the feld you want to get into while at the same time, they help you polish your interviewing face-to-face skills.

Before selecting someone to interview, you might want to make an appointment with a career counselor who could help you summarize your goals, preferred work settings and any future education you may need.

Still unsure? Look up the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook (available at your library) to browse job descriptions and find a match if you are considering what's a good fit for you. You might also look up career authors like Bolles and his landmark handbook "What Color Is Your Parachute?" for more thoughts on setting up your first informational interview.

In our next blog, we will conduct an informational interview with a leader in disability rights who will spell out some of the requirements, goals, rigors and yes, joys of working in her field.

Best wishes,

Claire

"Write a thank you note to your former boss. Also your co-workers, it's classy."
Karen Bums

Being laid off was just part of the work landscape when I had a job at a seasonal company. Every Christmas, half the workforce of phone sales reps were let go, not needed again until the following fall.

I made use of this time by querying editors about magazine pieces. But the per piece payment was not enough to live on. The only reason I am not out there plugging for a job is the fact that I have debilitating surgery scheduled in two weeks.

This doesn't stop me from scanning the want ads. Or heading off to find books and authors who have ideas on how one should spend their laid off time. Karen Bums, author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl (Running Press, 2009) had some great tips. I also surfed the web and found ideas at time.com for how to handle the sudden influx of free time after a lay-off.

The thank you note is a fabulous suggestion. Your co-workers and even your former boss are still contacts so include your vital information in the note like phone and email.

Another idea I like from Amazing Working Girl Bums is that of surrounding yourself with upbeat, helpful people. The last thing you need now is someone who is depressed and intent on spreading misery. Talk with someone who makes you feel confident and good about yourself.

Another tip (my own) for those who want to change careers is the informational interview. Makes a list of all your possible sources and email (actually calling if you have a close friend or connection might be the best way to go) someone who works in the field you are interested in. Ask for 15 minutes of their time. Tell them you are free to come in at their convenience. This "interview" could even lead to a job prospect. At the very least, you'll learn whether you want to pursue this field.

Also you might want to start your own blog in your area of expertise. Google how to start a blog and read up on how this is done. Want to become a travel writer? Bring along a notebook on your next vacation and post your impressions of Florida or the Bahamas. Or want to go into Human Resources and have worked in that department, blog about your experience.

The authors of methods to cope with lay-offs say the key is to get your name and resume in front of someone everyday. In the meantime, don't feel bad about taking government assistance. It will help you pay your bills and get over the early tough period.

You even might want to email a leader in your field and ask to interview them for your blog. It is important to establish contact at any level. Show off how much you know about them and their company.

Spend some time on your health. This might be the time to give up smoking, drinking and start exercising. Go for long walks in the morning or evening and ponder your next career move.

Finally, consider volunteering. Say you're going to be out of work for six months at the least. What could you do with six months of your time that would look good to a prospective employer? Make sure you come away from it with a project under your belt that emphasizes your skills.

Why not volunteer your time with a charity that could use your help? You will not only feel good about yourself, you’ll gain job experience so you won’t have that yawning gap in your resume.

I'm off for a job-ideas-inspiring walk.

Best wishes,

Claire

"Bloom where you're planted."
Anonymous

A while ago, a friend of mine cross-stitched the above quotation, framed it and gave it to me. I subsequently gave it to my doctor and now it hands on the wall in her office.

I find it especially meaningful for me because trying to achieve my American Dream, I have had to start at my roots, my hometown.

In our last entry, Hannah, a friend and I discussed her hardships of not being able to save money even to buy something as basic as a couch. Of her running out of groceries before the end of the month.

She feels disenfranchised. She is looking for work but in this economy can't find anything yet. I wanted to discuss how Hannah also seeks the American Dream and someday hopes to buy a home of her own. She is striving in the face of great odds.

I have been a little bit luckier. By focusing on my hometown, I found a job as a sales assistant with a seasonal catalogue company. I am laid off after every Christmas, but then I turn to my freelance writing where I have been published in the local newspaper and local magazines. It is part of my Dream, which I am achieving piece by piece, to be paid for what I write.

Some might say my efforts have been minimal. I have written about invasive garden plants, downtown festivals, French cooking classes, the Red Hat Society of my town, book clubs in the area, a pediatric outpatient center and lately a gorgeous peony farm. But I feel like I am making progress with my Dream every time I receive a paycheck in the mail for writing, regardless of how small the amount.

My second half of the Dream is to move out to a one-bedroom apartment, and I am wait-listed for subsidized housing. Right now, I contribute in rent to my mother, to Internet bills, phone bills, and cable tv. But I hope to become independent and am optimistic that this writing I adore can lead to something larger.

The second half of my Dream? I want to write for a statewide publication and then a national outlet: major writing publications like Vanity Fair or Esquire.

Some might say I am shooting for the stars, but I hold fast to my American Dream. I know there will come a day when a slew of rejection letters turns into an acceptance. When I live on my own and support myself. When I don't have to rely upon family members for a place to call home. Because I have found economic independence on my own.

What is the second half of your American Dream and how are you reaching for those stars? If our reach exceeds our grasp, there's only one solution: we must not lower but confidently raise our expectations.

Best wishes,

Claire

"I owe the government my gratitude for providing me with my life. But it's not always easy."
Hannah

We feel so grateful for SSDI benefits that we never think of complaining. This week, however, I had a conversation (which I will repeat here) with a fellow recipient of benefits in which we purposefully tried to think of difficulties we encounter being part of the system.

Claire: How do you feel about not being allowed to save very much by the system's rules?

Hannah: I've been on Disability for over five years. During that time, I've only managed to save a hundred dollars here or there.

Claire: How does that affect your lifestyle?

Hannah: For instance, I wanted to buy a new couch but I wasn't able to save the money.

Claire: What did you do instead?

Hannah: I pushed two chairs together and had to make do. I have to be frugal in my purchases.

Claire: What are some problems you have with your groceries?

Hannah: Sometimes I run out of food. And I have to wait until the beginning of the month to go shopping.

Claire: Have you ever had someone give you a monetary gift? That would bring you over the guidelines?

Hannah: If I report it as a "change," I could surpass the financial Medicaid guidelines and lose benefits until the gift is gone.

Claire: How does this make you feel?

Hannah: I never get the pleasure of having a surplus in my account. I want to join the economic mainstream.

Claire: What are your plans?

Hannah: I want to work, save money, travel, and buy a house someday. I only need support from society to realize my dreams.

Claire: Is this your American Dream?

Hannah: Yes, to live a successful life with my disabilities.

All good wishes along our way,

Claire