Erin, speaking from an HR perspective, it would be really good for your resume if you could stick it out one more year. Seeing a lot of short jobs an a resume is a HUGE red flag. Some screeners won't even look beyond that. If you could deal with one more hell year, you will put yourself in a position to get a MUCH better job down the line.

Yup, I am certainly thinking that. I am having back-up plans for back-up plans.

If they offer me a job, I will accept, prep this summer and kiss ass (ugh) but am sending out resumes right now in case (a) I don't get renewed, and (b) to see if I can get a different position.

I get renewed and am offered another position, I will consider pros and cons carefully, look at our budget, see what administrative changes (if any) happen this spring/summer, and go from there.

They also have a rep for offering renewals on contracts and then pulling offers in June or July, so I am going to send out resumes regardless, and just not ask for references from this job. It's a balancing act, but I know that if you are looking for a teaching position, you have to start NOW. Not June or July.

And I can always (truthfully) say that I was not sure if my contract would be renewed, so I am putting out feelers in the community.

Scrappy (or anyone, really)- can you offer any suggestions as to how we can make Joe stand out as someone to at least call in for an interview? He's been out of work for two years, but has been in school the whole time (graduates in May). But between 2005 and 2008 (when he lost the job he'd had for 5 years), he had 3 jobs. One he left because we moved to Michigan, one he was laid off from when everything went to shit, and he was let go from AIG because they suck.

The market is really competitive here because of the high unemployment so is there anything we can do to make him seem more -- desireable? We've been working with a really kick ass coverletter that someone here wrote for us (I am blanking on who), but so far, we aren't getting any calls.

I'm trying not to panic because as of June 10th, we officially have no income. If I need to work this summer I will, naturally, but Joe just really needs to get a job. He's been trying really hard and is starting to get a bit desperate.

Aims, one thing we've liked to see is a Summary of Qualifications at the very beginning that covers all the basic stats like years of experience and relevant certifications as well as the obligatory flowery adjectives (although flowery adjectives are less effective than a list of concrete skills and contributions). It's nice to see all that right up front, as it puts the rest of the CV into perspective.

Bacchanal is working its magic. I am in a FABULOUS mood.

Thanks, PC. Maybe I'll redo with it that in mind.

Go you, smonster!

My last resume revamp was supervised by the number 3 guy at that enormous foundation headed by that uber rich geek. Not that that makes him any smarter/more valuable as a commentator, but he sees more resumes than anyone can imagine.

His first comment was that I should have a list of core competencies right up front. THEN the academic stuff (which was a surprise to me) and then work experience with subheads that coordinate to the core competencies.

I actually love the way it came out and feel more confident with this document than any other paper representation of my experience.

For me, the competencies ended up looking like this:

CORE COMPETENCIES

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING

Fostering organizational success through understanding of interpersonal communication and motivation

• Board relations

• Executive coaching

• Group facilitation

• Personnel assets assessment

• Staff counseling

COMMUNICATIONS

Representing organizational interests in all media

• Chief spokesperson

• Message planning and implementation

• Training and event design and management

• Image building and media relations

MANAGEMENT, STRATEGIC PLANNING & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Capitalizing on existing strengths and visioning for optimal individual and organizational performance

• Action planning

• Program implementation

• Hiring

• Visioning and consensus building

• Process redesign and course correction

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT & PROBLEM SOLVING

Leveraging strengths and implementing creative solutions

• Individual and group problem solving

• Mediation

• Staff development and motivation

• Real and sustainable resolution development

CAPACITY BUILDING

Strategic and operational guidance for human factors in the face of shifting resources and changing environments.

• Program development

• Project management

• Budget oversight

• Staff integration and team building,

• Technology, facilities and systems integration

With the core stuff right up front, then the reviewer can skip to the experience that is relevant to the position (and is more likely to so do, rather than slogging through a load of text) and can frame questions about desired skills without having to go to deep into the doc.

My adviser also suggested that anyone over 30 should have a full CV, rejecting the notion of a one, or even two page resume.

That was another surprise.

ETA: Another thing that makes total common sense, but no one had ever said to me before...do not, under any circumstances, include experiences/skills that you do not want to be asked to do.

one he was laid off from when everything went to shit, and he was let go from AIG because they suck.

Aims, how does the timing on these line up with Joe going back to school? I can't remember. If school can cover those periods, it might be worth thinking about whether to include them at all, particularly the last.

I totally agree. If there is a way to truthfully dis-include those 'opportunities', it might help.

The timing was he was laid off when everything went to shit in Feb '09. Went back to school in May of '09.

His first comment was that I should have a list of core competencies right up front

Huh. Guess I need to totally redo my resume. I do have a summary and objective up top.

Bacchanal ran out of cheese. That is astounding.

Being around B is tough. I'm unable to keep away from him, which may not be wise long term but is in some ways less stressful and more satisfying short term.