Resumes?

[Ashley Tyler]

Okay... I suck at making resumes for the real world... never really been a strong point of mine lol.

So umm...I guess im asking if anyone knows any good sites for helping make them or if anyone has any ideas for a good layout. Im looking for call center work so what would be a good 'objective' be?

I dont really know what im asking lol.. I just want to know if anyone has any advice for making a good resume?

 

[Papi Chulo]

Microsoft Word has templates for resumes

 

[MuffinMuncher]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

 

[Serpent]

The objective for a call center type of job would be something like "Seek to represent the company in a visible, high demand customer interfacing position".

 

[xarir]

Quite honestly, resume format doesn't matter at large corporations. At most corporations, you're supposed to copy & paste your resume in text format for web submission. There are several reasons for this - it makes it easier for the software to store and reference keywords and it also makes every resume look exactly the same.

When I get resumes at work, they are all printed in Courier font with essentially no formatting (no bold, centre, underline etc). In a way I always feel sorry for people because I know a lot of them put enormous effort into making their resume look good on the printed page, but I never see any of that formatting.

Anyhow, if you really want to put an "objective" portion at the top of your resume, I would suggest you look a little beyond call centre. I mean, do you really want to answer phones? Instead you should say something to the effect of you want to learn more about a particular industry or company and are willing to start by helping the company's clients. So try something like this:

I am a dynamic and enthuastic worker who wants to further my career in [industry]. I enjoy being on the front line representing [the company] by dealing with customers first-hand.

Good luck!

 

[canucklehead]

Use a functional resume rather then a time line based resume. This highlights all your transferable skill sets and how they apply to the position you are applying for. This also helps with unexplainable periods of employment you do not wish to expose.
PM me i can send you an example.

 

[Ashley Tyler]

Hi Amara! Hope all is well. I agree with xarir. Why not try for "customer service", or something along that line, at least to start? I know a few people who have tried call centre work and they all quit in a short time; apparently it's very tedious, seemed to be the basic common denominator. You have good people skills so why not apply it in the "real world"? Don't limit your talents to just phone work. Just a thought.

Well i've managed a 200 horse facility, ran a riding school, managed a small clothing store, was an asst manager and sales person at a large clothing store, a supervisor cashier at a grocery store and worked a few other smaller jobs... I have experience in the real world... Im thinking call center work wouldnt be too bad to just get started again...

 

[Aardvark154]

Why not try for "customer service", or something along that line, at least to start? I know a few people who have tried call centre work and they all quit in a short time

Amara, this is good advice. Call center work at least at the entry level is tough. You will be that person we all hate who calls in the middle of meals and other inconvenient times. You will get a lot of hang ups, people saying NO!, swearing etc. . . The customer service suggestion is a good one, if you can why not work in a more pleasant environment than a call center. Best wishes in your endeavours.

 

[Ashley Tyler]

LoL I wouldnt work outbound... before i started dancing I did outbound.. well for a day.. I quit after my first call because it felt wrong having a manager standing over my shoulder telling me I MUST sell this credit card to this 90 year old man... bleh..

 

[2SOON JR]

Well if Amara can talk then call centre is the place for her to be...telemarketing or inbound may not be everybody's cup of tea, but i know a few that can sell themselves have become VPs in different departments of my company...
...good luck Amara...

i'll prolly pm u with some perspectives....

Edit: also call centre/customer service has sales objectives too

 

[jbar]

I feel compelled to offer my two cents here. Since you have a very broad level of business experience, you will want to construct what is called a chronological resume. Here is a sample to get you started:

http://www.resumetoolbox.com/chronological-resume.html


I myself have been looking for a new employeer during the past little while. I'm in the accounting/finance field and am pursuing a CMA designation, and have had great success in generating interest because of the fact that I've had quite sometime to refine my own resume. What I'm saying is; regardless of anyone's walk of life, employeers place a heavy focus on resume format.

If you would like anymore of my input, then please let me know, and I'll PM you my format/template. For free of course.

Cheers

 

[Ashley Tyler]

Maybe I should try one of those employment centers? Are there any good ones in the west end to try? They can help me put together a resume and figure out what would be a good feild for me to work..

 

[Ashley Tyler]

Also to add...

Thanks for all the help and input guys... your all being a great help

 

[Serpent]

Well if Amara can talk then call centre is the place for her to be...telemarketing or inbound may not be everybody's cup of tea, but i know a few that can sell themselves have become VPs in different departments of my company...
...good luck Amara...

Agreed.

I know people who started at the call center level - went onto become senior business analysts, customer service managers and more....like every job, it's what one makes of it and takes the opportunities as they come along.

 

[Ben Hogan]

All experience is valuable. Transferable skills and demonstrated ability (i.e. responsibility) are good traits to show on your resume. If you don't wish to buy one, your library should have some good books with examples. An recommended book is Resumes That Knock 'Em Dead by Martin Yate.

Good luck!

 

[Serpent]

I might add - number portability is going to get into effect in Canada as of March 14th - I think the communication providers (BCE, Rogers, Telus) are going to need quite a few people in the immediate short term to staff the lines and deal with all the confusion created by this new system.

It might just work out for you Ash!

 

[The Bandit]

Hope this helps....

http://www.e-bestresumes.com/resume_samples.htm

 

[fuji]

I think you should go for "member services" you can honestly say you've been servicing lots of members.

 

[C Dick]

Wasn't a Terb member (MinnieApple?) recruiting for call centre employees, it was some kind of multilevel marketing? It seems like a waste for someone that attractive to be doing a job that does not get enhanced by ones appearance, but who knows what reasons one could have.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Don't listen to people who tell you the appearance of your resume doesn't matter. While some companies are only interested in a simplified text version, the vast majority of companies still expect to see a formal resume. And if you send them some piece of shit-looking resume, it'll get tossed straight to the shredder.

Some tips:
- keep it to 1-2 pages, max.
- put your most valuable/relevant asset first; education if you have post-high school, experience if you have it, or some particular skill relevant to the job.
- SPELLCHECK!!! If you can't be bothered, neither can the person looking to hire you.
- lots of white space; shrinking the margins and font to cram more in is a bad idea; recruiters are looking for a summary of your skills, not an exhaustive listing.
- have it proof-read by at least two other people.
- tailor your resume and cover letter (yes, you should always have a cover letter) to the particular job you're going for; recruiters can spot a form-resume a mile away.
- tack on, "References available upon request."
- if you're sending a hard copy, have it printed on heavier stock paper in a neutral tone of colour (no flowers or pink paper); trust me, this is really effective when your resume is in a pile of others on regular paper.
- make sure to include your contact information.
- don't lie; you can accentuate certain elements of things you've done, but never lie b/c it may come back to haunt you.
- Did I mention, SPELLCHECK!?! I could tell you stories of how many resumes I've seen weeded out b/c of sloppy spelling/grammer.

I too would recommend you go to one of the employment centres. I know it can make you feel like some unemployed loser who can't find a job, but that's just stigma and it would be well worth your time to spend a couple hours there to have your resume looked over. The people working there are devoted to helping people find jobs; they have a wealth of knowledge that the average joe does not. They can probably tell you which jobs to avoid and potential pitfalls/recommendations.

When I was in university I used to go to the resume clinics. Each time I'd go, they'd look it over and make suggestions. Over time, the suggestions became fewer and fewer to the point that I started making suggestions to them! Resume-crafting really is a skill that you get better at with work. You should always have an updated resume (I keep an electronic one with me at all times) because there have been several occasions in my life when I've been asked to provide a resume and it looks quite impressive when you can provide one within the hour.

Good luck!