So as I sit here day after day deciding what my next step in life is, I figure that the first step is to have a resume. And even if I decide I don’t need it right away, I will definitely need it soon and a 28 year old should have one on hand. So here is what I have so far…
BRIANNA GLENN
And that’s it. Shoot, I don’t even have a permanent address to include at the moment. I need to find a way to include all the wonderful, unique things that I’ve been doing with my life for the past six years and make it sound as if I am the most qualified and experienced person out there. I know there is a way to do it, but I’m just not sure how to go about it. I want to make sure my skill sets sound like they translate to the business world in an applicable way.
So, all you business savvy people, maybe you could help me out just a little. First I need a format that does not include “work experience” etc. so that it allows for my actual experience to shine through and not point out the fact that I’ve never been on a job interview before. Next, I need some help with some creative wording and some tips as to what kinds of things would be essential to include. I am hoping that you could help get me past my name and make sure that I don’t sound like a dumb jock. Although I’m far from dumb so that would never happen.
15 comments:
There are literally tons of free examples of superb resumes/vitas out there on the 'Net. I can almost guarantee you that there's an example of one (or several) for job seekers just like you (professional jocks now hitting the normal workforce, whatever that is). I'm sure Google will render far too much fodder and you'll be working for Adidas (or modeling) in no time. With your contacts and connections this will be a snap.
Or you can always use one of the services out there that will help with every aspect of your search, from evaluating your skill set and matching you with a career, to writing your resume and sussing out that perfect gig.
so basically what you're telling me is...don't ask you? thanks anyways NUPE!
well the first question is what do you want to do--i have alaways customized my resume to what kind of job i wanted to do and what I have done that has been relevant for the position or a business I wanted to develop & create.
I think you have ton's of incredible unique qualities that employers look for. Brianna you have to find what it is that you have done that an employer wants--"self-motivated" "leadership" "strategy development" "marketing" "setting goals" "time management" follow through & execution.
Talk about in short competing in front of 50,000 people in Europe--your experiences overseas in a global business climate is invaluable!!!! Do you fluently speak another language & if not you should do so right away it'll help your cache' can you and have you spoken in front of large groups of people?--spokesperson?--i think you should use dominique Dawes as an example as she turned from being a jock into a savvy business woman--use this blog as a talking point of your creative development!--in short your resume should always be 1 page & 1 page only employers don't have time to read the entire thing a second page will almost never gets looked at. Employers like Champions put down ur NCAA stuff.
Use your school's alumni dept. for alum that own business where you live contact the booster club--ur rather easy to get a job--so having 3 or 4 different resume's should help--use the best paper to print your resume on that you can possibly afford.
Get really nice business card made--stationary matters remember this! What about being a sports talk personality--look at Claudia Jordan as another example of being a former Long jumper and now doing big things on the red carpet at cannes--i think that should get you started sporty mack!
joep. from vegas sometimes in d.c.
Well, basically, I was wondering what you were expecting to get in the comments section of your blog, quite frankly. I couldn't decide whether you expected us to write a dissertation here, a la anonymous from Vegas/D.C.? Did you expect each commenter to ask all the relevant questions here that are required to even begin to scratch the surface on "The Search for Bri's Career Calling" (since you did not include the answers to these obvious questions in your plea)? Were you expecting us to do your research and homework for you and drop in a bunch of links to actual resume/vitas templates and examples, write the thing for you, call potential employers and set up interviews... What?!
Sorry, I guess the "damsel in distress" tact doesn't work too well on some of the males of our species. I've been immune for a long time. (Uh-oh, Nupe, you done started stuff again! Ktizzle, HEEELP!)
My advice would be similar to Joe P's. Figure out what you want to do first and then tailor your resume to fit the needs of that type of work. That will help you come up with a format and what buzz words to put in your res. to display the skill sets you want to highlight.
No Nupe. What I actually wanted is for you to be a smart ass because you seem to think that you've got the lock on sarcastic comments. Chill out.
Do you have anyone in your circle who is good at writing? I wanted to update my resume so I called on a friend. I went online and found a template and typed up a resume with my work history, attributes,etc. I then emailed it to him who looked over it and emailed me back with pointers and advice on how to better word certain bullet points. Once I added to his suggestions and made corrections where needed, he typed it up for me. Wasn't in distress but I worked the damsel :)
Huh?! I tried to answer your request and point you in the right direction. Then you dunned me and started in with with the sarcasm (I can only assume "don't ask you?" and "thanks anyway Nupe!" were sarcasm). So please explain, just for my own aggrandizement, how it is that I got to be the bad guy here this time.
I mean day-um!
Hey Brianna,
Came across your blog while trying to get caught up on my fellow Howard Univ Alums "David Oliver's" European adventures. Thought that I could help point you in the right direction.
I pretty much concur with the suggestions that Vegas, and Dana provided regarding the approach. It is of paramount importance that you build "one or more" resumes around specific career interest that you are trying to pursue. Please don't fall into one of the mistakes that novice resume writers fall into..., that is trying to compose a general resume that is not focused toward a specific positions or area of expertise. Having been on the other side of reviewing resumes, I can assure you that if the "gate keeper" or I do not "easily" see that the potential candidate is a good fit for the position that is being advertised, they are quickly sent to the "circular file".
There is a really good book that you may want to make an investment in. The book is written by an author by the name of Yana Parker. She has a couple of good books, one of which I think would get you going in the direction you want to be headed to. It is titled the "Damm Good Resume" Guide or Book. (Check out Amazon)
In order for you to develop a successful resume, you will have to do some serious soul searching and determine which specific, or a small set of specific careers that hold the most interest for you.
If you are relegated to sending a paper resume out for review and consideration, understand that the elements that make you a great candidate for the next phase, "a face to face interview" have to be clear, upfront, and easy to identified by the decider and/or the gate keeper. I have found that I bulleted Qualification Summary works best, by assisting the reviewer to quickly seperate the wheat from the chaff.
More time then not these days, resume are more effectively review and screened online. Under these types of circumstances you need to understand and utilize some of the key buzz words that will be sorted on by the potential employers and make sure they appear in the text or bullet points of your resume.
If you are unsure about what the key buzz words and approaches for the targeted industry are, you may want to consider identifying a number of individual currently working in the field of interest and setting up a series of informational interviews. Through this process you may gain insight to help refine your professional objectives, and you may find a few mentors that may help you in your pursuits.
I hope that this long winded explanation is helpful. Good Luck! I am sure that you will find your path to a successful career. Humble yourself and work smartly on the path that you choose. Find a few good mentors and follow their advise.
Sincerely,
D.O.'s Namesake
Thanks guys! I am reading all of your suggestions and helpful hints and thanks as well for the emails and suggestions of "people to talk to". It is all very helpful. I know there are many different people that read this blog and can offer insight where there expertise exceeds mine (especially on this topic!) so I appreciate it all.
Hey Brianna,
Have you thought about going back to school for another degree? Maybe you should consider going to law school to become an entertainment or sports law attorney. If I remember correctly UCLA and USC's programs are highly ranked in these fields. Or you could become an assistant track coach at a university and have them pay for your graduate education (Masters or Ph.D) and provide a SMALL salary. This would allow you to train, if you would like, get paid, and further your education.
But, if you're not trying to go back to school I would suggest that you start networking by taking hiring managers out to lunch. This has been key to my success moreso than having an A+ resume. Or you could request an informal interview to learn more about a company. this method will save you money as well. Also, these face to face meeting may give you an advantage over someone who may be more quilifed for the position.
I hope my thoughts were helpful.
Wendell
I have briefly thought about going back to school but I don't think that is the right path for me unless I have decided exactly what it is I want to do and know that I would need more education in order to do that. I feel I am past the years of wanting to go to school just because. But you had some good thoughts as well so thank you and I appreciate you recognizing this is not my damsel in distress act.
Ms. Glenn,
His name is Mick Doohan. He originated from Australia and became a 5-Time World 500cc Motorcycle Champion. I’m not going to bore you with details about this sport or his career, but I remembered this quote from him, about life after his sports career. I felt they might offer some relevance for you.
“I obviously miss some of the competition. Some of the preparation, some of the things that you used to think were a pain in the ass-they weren't too bad, as far as the testing and the preparation and all that type of thing. The drive to actually want to better yourself is something that I kind of miss, and it's hard to replicate that in anything yet that I'm doing, anyway," Doohan explains. "All the ways you're striving to fulfill your day, it's not the same sort of challenge, but it's never going to be. That was the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, so unless I'm doing something on that sort of level in some other field I doubt I'll ever find that again."
It was just a thought, a perspective to maybe think about as you go forward. And with expectations.
Daniel
The Nupster got close.
I think you already know but were of a mindset when you posted this blog to play games. Whatever, run it off, get in a sauna, have sex, sweat it off, clear your mind of boredom and get over whatever funk you are obviously in. And stop drinking those latte's, a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.
You want a real answer? You already have your resume! Two words:
"Brianna Glenn"
THATS IT! NOTHING MORE! AND MAKE SURE YOU CENTER IT ON THE PAGE!
That is all you need to say just right now. Anyone who doesn't know those two words are not the employers for you! You have all the contacts right in front of you. If not, make new ones.
I've said it before and I will say it again. You don't have a resume problem, you have an agent problem.
Two Words.
Two Words.
Two Words.
You need to find an agent who can sell those "two words".
If they can't, they are not the agent for you. If you are being presented as anything other than those two words, you are being presented to the wrong customers by the wrong person or agency.
If all else fails, just find a rich guy and call it a day like many other hot girls do. I hear that swimmer dude is single and likes black girls.
Medoblado
ok.
Well Bri,
as its partofmy duties now to review resumes on a daily, I'll say this much because its kinda hard to give advice on formatting and style if you arent sure where you are gonna take it.
Do Not, I repeat, Do not creat one generic resume of any kind. I'd simply keepa listofall activities, both voluntary and paid, that paticipated in or completed ove the last 5 to 10 years. Then, once you've found a job (or career; its two totally different things, trust me), and performed the necessary research and are absolutely sure that you see potential happiniess with "Company A"...compile the resume that caters to the needs of that company.
Hope that helps a bit.
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