(this post was interrupted by a phone call to the tikimama)

[tanaise]

I talked to my dad and ended up actually farther away from bursting into tears than I had been to start with.

We talked about the Friends House thing, and writing the essay (I'll make notes a little further on) and mocked the queries, which all turn out like yes/no questions, not like deep spiritual thought type things. And discussed the fact that while it probably wouldn't hurt for me to go to meetings around here, it's not likely to happen since I need to rely on public transportation. Bah. There aren't many meetings around here anyways, not surprising really, since the witch in The Witch of Blackbird Pond was a quaker. And we talked about my work, and how impressing people is always a good thing. And I'm pretty sure I'm presenting myself badly in my resume. Not necessarily in general, but for sure when I'm pitching myself to creative jobs, I think I'm leaning a little too far towards "well rounded," and not "totally able to do that job." So my dad offered to pay for me to get my resume looked at, if i need to. I may be able to get help at the staffing group, I don't know. I need to look at the list of things they provide that they have in their folder. It's a good 'jill of all trades' resume, and that ultimately is what I like doing, but I think I need to be aiming more specifically, and letting them find out how cool I am after the resume catches their eye. Meh. Job hunting sucks goats.

Things to go in the essay:

Importance of Community in my life, based around my experiences in college, and the shock I had after graduation. Making friends, finding a place to live as a result of the place. Attending meetings regularly. Comparisons to things I loved in DC and in College, explanations of how I think they will be present in the house.


Other stuff I can't remember at the moment.


I called the Tikimama. I was feeling very sad today, and contemplated calling many people, but those I did call mostly weren't home, which created more sadness. but I'd been thinking of how it had been ages since I talked to Mal, who I would call if I knew he was still staying with his dad, but I don't so I'm scared since apparently they have the same name, which caused much confusion the one time i called him, but usually it's planned, so that isn't a problem. But anyways, I couldn't call Mal since I didn't know where he is, so I was like, "oh, I could call Heather and Craig!" So it's sort of like they were second choice, but not really. Cause it's just crazy that I didn't think of it before--I think I was dreaming about Craig's visit to DC recently, come to think of it, and I keep wishing the list they're on was more vocal because I miss hearing from them. But I wasn't actually sure that the numbers I have for them still work, since they're CA numbers, but I was pretty sure Craig's at least would still be good, so I tried Heather's first, and it was lovely, and I miss her much and wish Spaceweasels was more active.

And I have forgotten the rest of what I wanted to say, and it's time for my bed. Oh! Email to SarahP before I go down stairs.

Comments

[andyhat.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you're thinking of your resume as a single static document - which leads to the sorts of problems you're noticing with what to emphasize. What you want instead is a basic resume template with all the essential information (so you don't forget to at least mention everything), which you then customize as you're applying for different positions. So, for example, on your template you may have "Used Word, Excel, and Powerpoint"; then if you're applying for a job that specifically wants Powerpoint skills, you'd pull Powerpoint out of that sentence and add a whole paragraph about the cool stuff you've done with Powerpoint.

Yes, it's more work than sending out the same resume everywhere, but in the current market, you have to do everything you can to make it obvious to the person reading the resume that you're the perfect match for the job they're looking to fill.

The alternative, of course, is to produce a 5-page resume that goes into detail on everything you've ever done, but as someone who often has to read resumes, I can tell you I absolutely hate those.

[teapot-farm.livejournal.com]

It is terrible to find oneself underweaseled.