How to treat lack of education on a resume?

Arg, co-worker got laid off today. Joblessness seem to be everywhere and this company will be down to a few people soon (if they don't just let it die already).

ummmm - i'm getting a wee bit confused, with the coupla slightly related threads - do you have a draft/partial/usable resume on hand, craven?



... and my sincere sympathies on life in a very rocky boat. it's hard to figure out when you're close enough to shore.

Damn!

Yep, more or less. I have to do some edits based on all the feedback I've been getting.



Yeah, the boat's a'rockin' alright. Everyone close to me has lost their jobs. It gets scarey.

So keep your resume moving, Craven. Be prepared to apply for something quickly, just in case!

My own business is week to week, as in we almost bailed with the gallery ten days ago. But on landscape architecture, we just got about two months' immediate reprieve, and a new five year project, na' sure re survival as that won't start right away. Plus a one year senior housing project, but that doesn't start right away either and rent and electrical come around. Understand your situation though the context is different.

So many of us know how sharp you are. I can't quite see how that could help, but you have it if you need it re rec's from many of us.

Almost bailed? Eek.

And eek with the vanishing co-workers, too.

Is the porn thing an actual offer or just a possibility? Are the non-porn aspects good? (Pay, hours, whatsit.)

The name sounds promising, you can say you worked there and all the stuff you did right on your resume, and chances that it'll actually be checked and the porn angle sussed out early on sounds low, from what you say about the name.

Porn sites are e-commerce aren't they? 1/3 of Internet traffic is porn, so obviously they know what they are doing and you'll probably learn a whole lot. The company is likely not called 'debbie does the internet'. Put down the facts as they are on paper. What languages, programs ect did you use. Re-read it. I'll bet it won't look as bad on paper as you think. There are many euphemisms you can use and still tell the truth. So go ahead, take the job. It's not forever, it'll pay the bills then maybe you can go to school.

Craven, if I've learned anything while I job hunted it was this. Most people will give you the time to answer questions if you've shown you have spent the time researching. Talk to reception and ask if the company wants cover letters, what HR responds to.
People who applied to Apple for example were chosen because they stood out. Other companies toss resumes indiscriminately for certain deficiencies. The reality is, unless you ask, you'll never know.

To piggy-back on Ceili's suggestion, do some homework on the company that you are called in for an interview. Learn the names of the top officers, and about the products and/or services they market.

Scary? ****. Craven - you are a smegging genius. You will get a job. Look what you have already done. I so don't wanna sound like Polly-smegging-anna - but you are soooooo superior to the IT people I am working with. You are a treasure.

Osso - hugs....

Resumes and Cover Letters...
CDK,

I'm sure that you're probably aware of everything that I'm going to write here - 'cause you're one exceptionally talented guy and there are a lot of really smart people in here helping you. But I'm going to write it anyway because if I can help you out in any way, I want to. You've done such an incredible job with this site and I've learned so much through A2K that it's the least I can do. Now that I'm done with the hero-worshipping...


A couple of comments about previous posts:

1. If you're concerned about your education/lack thereof - don't include it. With the skills you have no one would even think about whether or not you have a h/s education - it's a given. You can always explain your situation to someone once you get the interview.

2. Close with Sincerely - you can't go wrong.


A few job search tips:

1. Use your network - most job opps come from having a foot in the door in one way or another. And you've got about the biggest network of anyone I know.

2. Edit your resume and cover letter to match the job description you're applying for, every time. Generally the person reading the cover letters/resumes is going to be looking to make sure you've got what they're asking for - make their job easy.

3. Write a cover letter. In my opinion the cover letter is the most important piece of the puzzle. It shows how well you write, how organized you are, how persuasive you can be, and it allows you to ask for the interview. That's what you really want - 15 minutes for them to get to know you.

4. Talk to recruiting agencies - I'd be willing to bet there are thousands of companies who'd be dying to have an employee like you - they just need to know you're out there.


Jobs to look for:

I would recommend that you look for work within smaller companies for two reasons:

A) Your skill set will benefit a smaller company much more than it would benefit a larger company.
B) In smaller companies people read your cover letter/resume, in larger ones they are scanned for keywords. (That's where incorporating the job description into your cover letter and resume is priceless.)


First things to do before you put pen to paper for a job app:

1. Research anything and everything about the company. Find out who's who and then search those names too - you can never know too much. Research competitors, industry trends...

2. If the job opp is through an employment agency or newspaper and they don't name the company, do a reverse-lookup on the fax number - most of the time that will lead you to the company name.

3. Figure out the areas they need help in - and tell them what you bring to the table and how it will benefit them. Standard features, advantages, benefits (FAB) formula:

-I bring 10 years of web development experience, so I don't have to research hundreds of options every time something needs to be done, which means that I will increase your productivity and reduce headaches. -that's a little weak, but it's late and I wanted some kind of example.


Putting pen to paper (fingers to keys):

1. Write the letter. Just write it.

2. Read it over and think about what you're trying to say, in every sentence and paragraph. I recommend a format something like this:


Dear So & So:

1st-paragraph
Talk about how you heard about the job or who you heard about it from and clearly state the job you are applying for. Now's the time to name-drop if applicable.

2nd-paragraph
In the attached resume you will find that I possess the skills and experience...(point them to your resume so they can see the details)

3,4,5-paragraphs
Give a few concrete examples of past accomplishments that relate to the position you're applying for. Show them a little bit about you.

Closing
I'm looking forward to the opportunity of meeting with you to discuss my qualifications, your expectations for this position, and how I can exceed them...or something like that. Make it clear that you want an interview - don't worry about asking for the job now - make it clear that you are asking for an interview.

Sincerely,


At the end of the day - Highlight what makes you different from the other applicants and the benefits that accompany those differences.

I've got a number of resume/cover letter samples [that worked] that I'd be happy to share - just PM me.

Good luck in the search.

-Jer-

Thanks all.

Lots of you have more confidence in what epmloyers will see in me than I do.

I know what I can do but do not think that it's as easy to communicate that without diplomas and such.

o.k. - so here's the deal. you need help with the specifics of your resume - you've had a number of offers to help through a couple of threads. you've got some basic stuff to work with. you're busy with all kinds of things - here and IRL. when you're ready (or absolutely freakin' have to) - pm a copy of your resume to a couple of people you feel comfortable with (remove your identifying stuff, obviously) and let them help.

ok?
ok.


and i know you hate askin' for help. most of us do. but you're worse. and we'll still help.



<swelling chorus of that hideous song they played at grade 8 graduation - something about no man is an island>



(edited out the us, cuz i don't wanna presume)

I have no problem asking for help with my resumé (I have a problem with asking for help with other stuff, like how to get a testicle unstuck from a zipper). Heck if anyone wants to have a look I'll send it.

so send it already!

(i'm working on a couple for people right now, so i'm sorta in the groove)



yer on yer own with that zipper thing.

Will do, it's on a puter at home so I'll have to wait until then.

Please don't send me a testicle in the mail. I'll take the resume, though. :-D

And put me down for a recommendation.

[size=7]put me down for a side of onion rings[/size]

Me too!