November 15, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Welcome back, workers! We're excited to give you another resume tip this month from Brooke County Libraries. 

Resume Tip #25 - Consider listing your job duties by order of importance.

When describing your previous job positions, it can be hard to know where to start! Typically, we advise our resume warriors to think about their day start to finish and walk their potential employer through those tasks and responsibilities. However, if you have a lot of work experience to describe, you should consider using order of importance.

For example, any management, supervisory, or team leading duties are a great place to start your description! That's the type of responsibility potential employers are looking for every day, and odds are, it was one of your most vital daily tasks. So, start that little paragraph out with notes like "oversaw team projects" or "consulted other staff members on their daily challenges".

Maybe you weren't a team leader, and that's okay! Were you a problem-solver or maybe worked solely on a designated duty? That's another good place to start. Consider listing items like this first - "Completed weekly spreadsheet of high dollar accounts" or "daily maintenance checks on heavily used equipment".

That's our tip for this month, folks! Check back in next month for more helpful hints regarding your resume or CV. And remember that your local library is a great place to look for help with your job search!

 

October 18, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Thanks for checking in with us at Brooke County Libraries for our latest resume tip!

 Resume Tip #24 - Always use chronological order (reverse)

Your work experience, education, and volunteer and training history should all work backwards, starting from the most recent. This gives your potential employer the chance to get to know you quickly. Plus, it keeps things simple at a glance.

Sad but true, most prospective employers are busy, and they do not have time to sort through your information. You should give them the best glimpse of your qualifications by showing what you've been doing lately and then work backward. This is true regardless of whether your most recent job position is the most relevant to the new position. You will always be able to clarify your best experience, highest achievement levels, and other details during your interview. 

Also, don't pick and chose previous job positions to include. Make sure you stick to your last five to ten years of employment.

Please let us know if you have questions! We'd love to hear from you in person, in the comments, or on our social media pages. And don't forget your local library is always a great place for help with your job search.

September 15, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

We're sharing another resume tip this September from Brooke County Libraries! Thanks for checking in with us.

 Resume Tip #23 - Consider using a summary.

A summary can be a helpful addition to your one-page resume for potential employers. The summary should be no more than 3-5 lines or one small paragraph. This could be located at the top or bottom of the document, preferrably the top, but ensure that it does not cause your resume to go over one page.

This is an easy and brief glimpse into your experience, education, and even personality. This would be the only appropriate place to quickly mention or personal life or gaps in work history.

For example:

With ten years plus of customer service experience, I am a mother of two toddlers seeking part-time employment with a trusted company.

Or...

After a hiatus from work due to injury, I am seeking to rejoin the industrial workforce in a position where I can use my five plus years experience with heavy equipment and my applicable certifications.

Again, this should not be an introduction or a way to fill too much space on the one-page. But a quick read to give the employer an insight into your potential that may not fit into the standard resume format boxes. 

That's all for this month, folks! Please check in again in October and see if we can help you jazz up your resume or CV. And remember you can always check with local library for plenty of job hunt tips and resources.

August 17, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Welcome back, job hunters!

This August's resume tip may seem obvious, but it's a valid one.

Resume Tip #22 - Avoid Gaps

Gaps in your resume are almost unavoidable. Perhaps, you took time off to raise children, take care of an elderly relative, or were completing a volunteer program. You should have an explanation ready for your interview in this case. 

The only way you should include the explanation or clarification on your one-page resume is if it's in a different section from your work history. The gaps in your job history should only be explained in your summary or a volunteer or education section. 

For example, a brief summary at the top of your resume might state "Hard-working and enthusiastic teacher with five years hands-on experience seeking full time hours. I am rejoining the work force after completing my Masters program and raising three children to school age."

Otherwise, you should not create gaps in your work history to reflect certain job duties or locations. If experience at a certain job position suits the job where you are applying best, find a way to work it into your consecutive job history. Don't skip places that you worked based on relevance. It is more important to show consistent job positions.

Keep in mind as well that most employers do not consider work history over 10-15 years relevant. The experience is important to include if you can fit it into your one-page document, but most places will overlook older job positions anyway. The technology and procedures for the oldest job positions in your history have probably changed.

So, in summary, keep your resume concise and consistent to really impress perspective employers. And be weary of any gaps in your work history. These are okay, but you will need to have a ready explanation.

Remember your local library is a great place for job search help!

 

July 13, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Hello again, job seekers!

This July's resume tip is short and simple.

Resume Tip #21 - Include certifications.

Many people do not think that certifications do not belong in the education section of a resume. But that's not true! That's exactly where they should be listed as long as they are relevant to the position you are applying for and/or are still valid.

Any programs you complete to better yourself as a worker are worth including. They show your ability to put in a little extra effort and perform at a standard. Maybe you just completed an equipment-related class at your last job position or are expanding your knowledge with technical training. 

As long as the certification is not expiring, you should include it. You may not think it's relevant, but you have page space to fill, it could be worth it.

We told ya this would be short and sweet. Remember your library is a great place to get help with you job search!

June 15, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Thanks for popping in to check out our resume tip for this month! For June 2022, Brooke County Libraries are ready to share another piece of advise.

Resume Tip #20

Don't overload the reader.

It's easy to get caught up in descriptions and examples on your one-page resume. Keep in mind, your resume should always be a simple and at-a-glance one page documentation. You do not want to have text boxes and sections all over the page. Stick to a traditional and simple format, and we assure you that you'll see results. 

The same way you don't want to babble non-stop in a job interview, you don't want to exhaust your potential employer with extra information on your resume. You want to stick to the basics. And please remember, your resume is not the place to say your favorite things about previous jobs or your reason for leaving previous positions.

The most difficult section to keep clear and concise is the work experience/job history portion. You absolutely want to give a true description of your past job responsibilities. But there's no need to give a full recounting of each day on the job. And it's easy to ramble (Oh! Then, I did this too...). Stick to the most relevant tasks to the jobs you are applying for. No one at an office will care if you took out the trash if you already have a paragraph of job duties. Unless you're applying for a position on the cleaning crew of course.

Future employers will get to know you more in your job interview. You just want to catch their eye with your resume. So, don't feel like you have to include sections such as skills, volunteer history, or extensive education details unless you are looking to fill your page or include certain details. Don't put in information just for the sake of adding information.

That's it for this month! We'll see you again in July for another tip. In the meantime, don't forget to check in with your local library during your job search. They can be an excellent resource.

 

May 13, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Welcome back, resume warriors! Thanks for checking in for the May 2022 resume tip from Brooke County Libraries.

Resume Tip #19:

Don't leave out your personality!

So, this one is a little vague. Let's explain a bit better. While your resume should absolutely not read like your dating profile, it should reflect you. (No mentions of enjoying long walks and fresh flowers here, please.) In small ways, you can show a little of your personality in your resume profile.

Including sections such as skills, volunteer history, and objectives/goals can show a lot about you as a person while still being relevant to your job experiences. Showcasing your skills such as computer programs, craftsmanship, and certifications will show not just your levels of dedication but hints at your personal interests. 

Again, don't say you enjoy playing video games in your spare time. But if you've got experience with programs designing them, it may be an asset depending on the job position that you are applying for on that particular day. You should tailor your one-page resume to the job you're applying for on the daily as much as possible. Maybe you have experience with woodworking because you took a hobby class and you build furniture in your spare time. That could be a great way to set yourself apart from other construction job candidates.

Another small way to show yourself off is in the format of your resume. There are many templates available now that allow you pick fonts and colors that tip your prospective employer off to your personality. Remember the scene in Legally Blonde where she wrote her paper in pink scented pen? That's a bit much. But it did make Elle Woods memorable to her professor. 

So, while making your font pink curly swiggles will not get you a job position, feel free to select some professional but unique trim, borders, or fonts on your resume to give a hint to a potential boss of your personal style. You might bring a real flair to your next team!

That's all for now, folks! Remember to check your local library during your job search. They can be an excellent resource for job seekers.

April 13, 2022 - BCPL Resume Tips

Here we are again for BCPL's March 2022 Resume Tip! Check out this month's little piece of advice.

 Resume Tip #18 - Spell Check Carefully

It's a common idea that spell check will catch all your spelling errors. But it's easy to use the wrong spelling of a similar word and make a noticeable mistake. Or your may have just made a typo or added an additional word or two you didn't need.

If there's one thing a prospective employer for any company appreciates, it's attention to detail. Make sure to proofread in addition to running a general word program spell check. Maybe ask someone you know or someone nearby to take a quick look before you hit submit or send. It can never hurt to have a second pair of eyes on your resume.

Thanks for stopping in and remember your local library is always there to help with your job search!

March 16, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Welcome back, resume warriors! We've got fresh ideas to share for March 2022.

Resume Tip #17 - Adding a Volunteer Section

A volunteer work or community outreach section is an excellent way for a young person or new worker to beef up their one-pager. And sometimes for a more experienced hiree, it can set you apart from other candidates. This portion of your resume can really give your prospective an employer an idea of you as a person and what you're like outside of work.

What sort of volunteer experience is worth noting? You'd be surprised! Did you participate in events with your church? Maybe you coached a peewee sport team or helped the local theater put on a play. Did you serve food or assist patrons at a soup kitchen? Or perhaps you helped shelve materials and clean at the library one summer.

Some may say that a volunteer history section is a bad idea because it implies you might be willing to work for less or for free. That's not true! It can really illustrate your levels of dedication and caring.

The best way to format your volunteer history is the same way we would for work experience or job positions in general. Include the name of the facility or the organization. Your responsibilities, activities, and duties. Location may or may not be relevant depending on the amount of space left on the one page. Try not to go over one page, that's another tip. Did you assist a higher up? Did you organize supplies? Maybe you coordinated or events?

Now, keep in mind, a volunteering section is definitely not a requirement. If your experience with certain groups is more than 5-10 years in the past, it's probably not worth including. It's also okay if you don't have any volunteer work to include. Plenty of people are busy enough with their time taken up by family and friends as well. But it's nice to fill space or gaps and to give potential employers a look at your interests. 

Until next month, job seekers! Remember to ask your local library for help with your job search or resume updates. They can be an excellent resource!

November 17, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

 Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #13

Not sure what to do about the education section of your resume? We have a few suggestions.

The education section seems to be one everyone is uncertain how to format. Whether you have many certifications and degress or only a high school GED, it can be confusing how to set the information on display.

Here's our recommended format for the Education section. You want to go in chronological order. We do not recommend including the addresses of these institutions unless you are looking to fill up space. Most employers will be able to verify by the use of a simple internet look up tool. They can also always reach out to you if they are interested in more, and that gives you a chance to connect with your future employer.

Education & Certifications

Duquesne University - Masters of Business Administration - 2020

West Virginia University - BA in Accounting - 2018

St. Mary's High School - Graduated with Honors - 2013

WVNCC Community College - Business Essential Certification Program - 2019

or

Education & Certifications

WVNCC Community College - Business Essential Certification Program - 2019

WV GED - Program Completed 2011

We also recommend listing your education and certifications after your job history and before your references.

Until next month job seekers! Remember your local library, wherever you are, will have resources to help you in your job search. They will be happy to help.

October 14, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

 Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #12

Include Computer/Technical Programs & Skills

Are you looking to fill some space in your resume? Maybe you know the exact job you're applying for and want to highlight your experience. Don't be afraid to be specific!

Many skilled labor positions involve use of certain tools and technology. By including specific machinery you are trained to handle in your job duties and description, you could really impress your next manager. 

This similarly true of certain office job positions as well. For example, if your career is in medical billing and coding, don't be afraid to list a few of the programs you've mastered. Maybe you worked with Medisoft or Allscripts for over ten years and that's the very computer program your next place of employment will use. That is the kind of small detail that could set you apart from other job seekers.

The most basic example would be an administrative assistant including typing skills of word-per-minute, a still relevant asset to anyone seeking an administrative or data entry position.

Of course, these are details that will no doubt be discussed or available in your job interview. So if your resume is already packed with job history and detail, don't fill like these are a must! But it's an idea to keep in mind for anyone looking to fill gaps in that one-page resume.

Until next month, job searchers!

September 15, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Hello to all our job seekers! It's nice to have you back.

Check out BCPL Resume Tip #11 - Include Your Skills.

The skills section on a resume can be awkward, but it's an excellent way to add length to a short or gapped one-pager. You know by now we love one-pagers.

The skills section is flexible and can be listed at the top or bottom of the page. Again, remember you should be tailoring your resume with the job(s) you are applying for in mind. If the position does not require specific talents and attributes you possess, include skills at the bottom of the page above your references (which should always be last).

Common skills to include:

Customer service

Computer repair and/or programming

Public speaking

Social media publishing

Typing - Words per minute

Team building

Training staff

Industrial specialties

Problem solving

 

August 17, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #10

Bullets Vs Paragraph

With so many resume and CV templates floating around on the internet today, it had be hard to find a format that works for you. One of the biggest differences are bullet points verses paragraphs.

Here's our advice: If your work history is short, use bullet points, but if you have a lengthy job history, use paragraphs.

The difference lies in trying to keep your resume one page. Employers always gravitate to page that looks full but not cluttered. Bullet points for your job duties, responsibilities, certifications, or skills will not do you any favors unless you need to expand to fill your page. 

If you have worked at only one or two places perhaps because you just graduated college or spent several years as a stay-at-home parent, bullet point your job duties to expand your information. If you have twenty plus years of job positions, put your responsibilities in paragraph form so you can fit more employers.

July 15, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #9

Add an Objective/Goal

Employers are actually interested in why you want to be employed by them. Go figure! It's a frequent interview question, which should be answered by "to make money of course". It's a big question when they compare you with other candidates.

An objective can be an excellent introduction to begin your resume. It can be brief and to-the-point. No need to make it personal, just a professional goal or next-step you are looking to achieve. 

Here are a few sample objectives that are easily tailored to your own resume or career path.

Seeking full time position where I can use my creativity and talents to enrich customer or client experiences.

Looking for part time hours to boost not only my income but fill my time with a new challenge.

Seeking employment with a loyal employer where I can become asset with my customer service experience.

To obtain a position with steady hours where I can utilitize my experience in the industrial field.

Looking for a full time job where I can both use my education and expand my knowledge base with hands on tasks and new perspective.

June 16, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #8

Use the reference section space to your advantage. 

The reference section of your resume is one of most flexible, usually located at the bottom of the page. 

Don't overword this portion of your resume. Actually, if you are pressed for space, stick with a simple "References available upon request."

A lot of sample resumes say you should include all contact information for your people. A good rule of thumb is to only give first and last name and a phone number. The exception should be if you are trying to fill a one page resume, such as a young person who has only held one or two job positions.

The reasons for keeping this section small are as follows. You should be tailoring your references to suit the job position you're applying for specifically. Also, there is next to no reason an employer would need the home address or job title of your reference. They can ask when they reach out by phone or email if needed. Finally, your job application will ask for additional information from your references and you don't need it on your resume as well.

Remember! Keep your reference section short and sweet.

May 13, 2021 - BCPL Resume Tips

Brooke County Libraries - Resume Tip #7:

Use uniform punctuation.

One small detail on your resume that can make a huge difference is punctuation. And it's a simple one!

No matter what position you're applying for or how long your resume is, this is an important concept. Your resume will be chock full of periods, commas, capital letters, parenthesis, and more, of course. Just make sure to use the same format for each line and/or section.

Examples

Incorrect

McDonalds. Cashier. 2000-2003. Duties included: customer service, taking orders, and clean up duty. Employee of the month March 2020.

Dairy Queen: Janitor. (1998 to 2000). Duties included - Mopping and waxing floors; plus dusting. Some minor repairs.

Correct:

McDonalds. Cashier. (2000-2003). Duties included: customer service, taking orders, and clean up duty. Employee of the month March 2020.

Dairy Queen. Janitor. (1998-2000). Duties included: Mopping and waxing floors, dusting. Some minor repairs. 

Remember your local library is available for help with job applications and resumes!