Pongo Resume

Here's one question I always had when I was job hunting:

Why does it take so long to hear back from an employer after an interview?

How about you? If you could ask a hiring manager one question, what would it be?

Here are a couple examples to get your brain wheels turning:

• How many candidates am I up against for a typical job?
• Is there anything I can do to really stand out from the crowd?

Ask your question in a comment below and we'll reply with helpful answers!

Why so many job postings and usually nothing in return, not even: thank you for .... we shall get back to you Is it because jobs have been filled before the posting but legally etc .... Very frustrating.

What is the best way to handle a long gap in employment history on a resume? This gap is a result of a plant closing combined with a bad job market.

I agree with Michelle .. it seems as though applications and resumes disappear into the data abyss. I also feel that positions are listed because of an obligation to do so. I know it would require some resources but some feedback would be nice.

Hello,

I have been in IT for 14 years and recently left a job with Microsoft to relocate to Arizona. I am now looking for a new job in IT but I am not sure what credentials people are looking for.

I have a Bachelor's degree and an old NT 4.0 MCSE but I know I will probably need to add more to my list.

I am not sure what to target. I have all the soft skills from working over 14 years with Fortune 500 companies. I just don't know what my learning focus should be. PMP, ITIL Certs, Six Sigma, MCSE etc. I realize that it is really based on the opportunity you are looking at. However, is there one certification that is broad enough to catch immediate attention?

Thanks J.

What are your thoughts on how HR/a company reacts when someone applies for more than one job? For instance, if I were to see two jobs that each sound appealing, is there any negative reaction to applying to both positions? It seems disingenuous to say "I'd really love to do x" two different times.

Thanks

I am a pharmacist. My entire working career has been in retail. My accomplishments are minimal, though I do play up the positive things I have done on a given job like training people, inventory control, administrative functions and one or two other job related duties. Any resume advice site that I have visited (one site actually helped me write my resume) suggests that I use the statement: Review presciriptions for accuracy, ascertain needed ingredients, enter information into the computer. This is what a pharmacist does! Why list it 3 times (in my case, where I am listing 3 jobs as my work experience)? Should I keep using it, and if so, would it be acceptable to use this as the last line of the 3 jobs I list as work experience? I would rather mention functions I performed that were unique to that particular store first, hopefully to be more eye-catching.

Here's one... What do you think of this interview tip I've seen on a number of blogs/websites, that you should "ask for the job" at the end of the interview. It seems a little bit aggressive to me, but maybe it would impresses the interviewer, although it sounds to me like you are putting them in an awkward position to say something like, "well, we still have to interview other candidates..." Thoughts? Thanks!

Hi John,

You're right. Figuring out what credentials employers want really lies in the job descriptions of the positions you're interested in. If you're looking for one all-encompassing certification that every employer is looking for, check out Dice.com. Browse through the job listings there (even if you're not interested or they're not in your area) to see if you find a pattern in the requirements section.

Best of luck! -Brianna

Hey Doug: Everything you'll need to know about addressing employment gaps is in this blog post: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/125/-so-about-this-gap-in-your-resume-.cfm.

If you don't get your answer from the post, read through the comments to find even more case-by-case questions and answers that might be similar to your situation.

Hope it helps! -Brianna

Hey Dan: In general, it's better to take the time, do the research, and specifically target your resume and cover letter to the one job you’re most qualified for. If you truly have dual expertise, and would be equally happy in either Job A or Job B, then you'd better have a good story that convinces the employer you're not just fishing for whatever job you can get. Explain how your background applies to Job A, and how it specifically applies to Job B, and don't try to hide the fact that you're applying for both. As a rule of thumb, the "shotgun" approach (sending your resume for multiple jobs in one company) is a good way to wind up in the shredder.

Good luck! -Brianna

Hank,

"Review prescriptions for accuracy, ascertain needed ingredients, enter information into the computer" seems like a canned line, especially since (like you said) that's exactly what a pharmacist does. So you can automatically assume that employers know you can do all of that stuff. But if you want to stand out, you have to be unique. So you are correct - you can do without that line and should highlight your unique skills and functions for each store.

Good luck! -Brianna

How do you make your resume get noticed in this job market when there are literally thousands applying for the same job? Is there anything I can do to really stand out from the crow?

To give some background history first: I have 10 years experience in the IT field. The bulk of my experience is from 1993 - 2002. After losing my job in 2002 because the company downsized, I tried another career for the next couple of years, but was not satisfied. I tried for a while to get back into the computer field, but was told my skills were outdated. I decided to go to college and get my bachelor's degree. I graduated in May 2009 with a 3.5 GPA and started job hunting again only to get the same responses. So, I took it upon myself to get some certifications. I now have my MCSA, working towards my MCSE. I am still geting the same responses. I've tried lowering my job expectations and started allpying for lower level positions. The response I get then is that I am over-qualified. So, I thought maybe it was my resume. O hired a professional resume writing company that specifically targets the IT field. So, to recap: 10 years experience, bachelor's degree, MCSA, professional resume/cover letter (and yes, I target the specific job I am applying for in the cover letter) and I still am getting the same responses. I only apply for jobs that I know I have all the qualification the companies are looking for, as per the job description/qualifications they post. My question is: How do I overcome the fact that I can't get hired at a lower level position because I am "over-qualified", but also can't get hired at the level my experience is at because my experience is "outdated"? I am getting very frustrated because I have been looking unsuccessfully for over a year now to get back into the IT field.

if you are seeking a job that requires sometimes delivering parts and you just got your DL reinstated for something that happened 9 yrs ago will their insurance company hire you if your driving record is completely clean now/

I am a Licensed Practical Nurse. I am searching for a job but have two OWIs on my background check. does anyone have any ideas how to explain this in the interview or can any one help me write up something to go along with my resume?

What if you didn't do perfectly in an interview, can you still get the job? Even if you write a thank note.

When called back for a second interview, what are they looking for? They tend to ask every question possible during the phone and first face to face interview. How can I make myself stand out at the second interview?

How do I know when to send an e-mail , or when to back off and let them take the lead.

I was in correspondence with someone a couple of weeks ago--missed her call--she indicated we may have to talk on a weekend--this was 2 weeks ago. Her travel schedule is crazy busy. She e-mailed me 2 weeks ago indicating she'll try to call me during the week. After not hearing from her I sent her an e-mail last Sunday. (1-31) I don't want to seem desperate---so am I on her schedule? Do I continue to wait?

Thanks julie

This is a true insider's point of view: With so many people applying for the same jobs, the best thing you can do is make sure to target your resume and apply to jobs that you know you are qualified for. Don't use the shotgun approach and send a one-size-fits-all resume to every open position you might be remotely interested in. You'd be surprised how many resumes employers get that go straight to the trash can because they have nothing to do with the job description. Here's a helpful worksheet you can use to target your resume to each job you apply for: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/438/super-easy-method-for-writing-a-targeted-resume.cfm

If your driving record is clean now then I see no reason you would have to worry about it keeping you out of a job.

@ Jack -- I can't see how your skills would be outdated (see http://www.rtek2000.com/10hottestCerts.html) with an MCSA and your working toward an MCSE. Obviously, having the former is good but having the latter is better. My suggestion: Aim for smaller companies that might have a need for both certifications rolled into one person. Yes, you may not get paid what you were getting in 2002 (in today's dollars), but many smaller companies like to hire people with experience who can help the company grow.

Hi Doris,

If you think the OWIs will negatively impact your job search, you can address them up front in the interview before the employer gets to discover (and judge) them on their own later on. Here's a blog post to help you address negative information in the interview. It's written for people with a criminal past, but you can use the same 4-step method to address your OWIs.

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/349/job-searching-with-an-imperfect-past-or-criminal-record.cfm

Good luck!

I am a 53 year old man and I am in the process of changing careers. Is there any thing I could do to stand out from the crowd.Also I have been told that even though I don,t have the general physical experience for this profession, that I may have too much experience for a low level entrance type of profession.

I wonder what to say on the resume if I have been volunteering for research program during 2 years (taking medication, been the object of the research). What should I say on my interview? Is is OK to say that I have been taking medication as a volunteer? Is this a gap on my working experience?

How do I answer the salary requirement question without pricing myself out of the job or under valuing myself?

If you haven't heard from the hiring agent after sending a resume and confirming its receipt is it okay to call again and what could you say to either get an interview or get an idea of whether they are even interested?

@ Kathy: This should give you a better idea of what to expect in the second interview: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/169/4-f-words-to-help-you-prepare-for-a-second-interview.cfm

Hi Julie,

Your situation sounds so familiar. It sounds like you've done your part to keep in touch, but now the ball is in her court. Here's a post to show you that you're not alone, and I'd advise you to move on and keep looking for more opportunities.

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/228/when-bad-hr-happens-to-good-job-seekers.cfm

Hey Janice: Do some salary research on sites like salary.com and payscale.com to get an idea of your market value. Also, check out this blog post for tips on how to handle that salary question:

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/114/how-do-you-handle-the-salary-question-.cfm

Do you have any specific ways to be more successful when you're a job seeker over 55? I've only had a few interviews with no offers for a 2nd. Is there something I can do better to sell myself to a prospective employer?

@ Nancy -- We've written about this before, but here are some tips:

(1) Show how current you are on technology. Being proficient with lots of software programs can put you on a par with those in their 30s and 40s. Even having a profile on social network can make a positive impression. (2) Don't give off the impression that you're better because of your length of experience. Many employers are sensitive to how coworkers interact with each other, especially if they work in teams. Giving off an impression that you know more than everyone else can do more harm than good. (3) Be prepared for the possibility that you make have to accept less in salary than you think you're worth. Businesses are under a lot of financial pressure today and they may look at you -- rightly or wrongly -- as someone who might cost them a lot.

Here are two Pongo Blog posts that can help:

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/116/over-50-your-time-may-have-just-begun.cfm

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/442/5-things-job-seekers-and-employers-should-do-in-2010.cfm

Thank you for your suggestions.

In reference to the question about handling gaps in employment, Brianna's response posted a link, http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/125/-so-about-this-gap-in-your-resume-.cfm.

I tried this link several times and it seems to be a bad link. Thanks

Hi Deb:

Here is the link again. Please let me know if it still doesn't work for you.

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/125/-so-about-this-gap-in-your-resume-.cfm