OMG I just want to cry!!!

Many places are using word search engines in order to screen applicants. In other words, they are looking for words that are in the job description in your resume and application. For this reason, you want to read over the job description and tailor your resume to that job description.

Example for a Benefits Representative (this is a portion of the actual job description):


About the Position

Under the general supervision of the Director-Employee Benefits, provides customer service and performs a variety of functions related to the administration of the employee benefits program. Administers, facilitates and explains benefit programs to System employees. Responsible for the COBRA/HIPAA programs, including timely notifications, legal compliance, COBRA/HIPAA software, retirement plan participant administration and employee communications efforts.

The qualified candidate will be responsible for carrying out the following duties:

•Provides customer service to employees regarding benefits issues and general Human Resources procedural information.
•Explains benefit plans, costs and procedures to employees in group and individual discussions.
•Processes benefits enrollment, change and termination actions and assists employees with same. Ensures that payroll deductions are correctly entered into the computer.
•Monitors and audits costs, claims and participation in benefits plans and insurance. Compares costs and benefits of alternate insurance providers or new systems as assigned.
•Administers the COBRA and HIPPA program including correspondence relating to the eligibility, enrollment and termination of benefits, billing and collection of premiums and record keeping. Keeps current on legal requirements and recommends changes and updates as required.


Okay, what would you want to put in your resume?

You definitely want to mention that you have CUSTOMER SERVICE experience. Also, that you have experience doing a VARIETY OF FUNCTIONS in customer service. Mentioning that you have assisted with ADMINISTERING a BENEFITS PROGRAM would get a hit from the computer.

See what I am saying? You need to tailor each resume for the job you are applying for. Keep a list of jobs that you have held, dates, why you left, etc. for filling in those pesky applications.

vote for Obama if you want to spend the next 4 years looking for a job

Vote for Romney if you want to have women;s health go down the drain.

Vote for Gary Johnson (LIbertarian candidate) if you're tired of the constant bickering between the two overbearing parties that get nothing accomplished. :smokin:

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Hey, reality check: You've done this for a day and a half? My husband has been at it for A YEAR AND A HALF.

Toughen up.

You have to work at least as hard at getting a job as you will keeping that job. Especially in this economy.

Oh I am sure some people do have really hard times! I am envious of my fiance! He can travel all over and there is a high demand for his job and it is killer pay... I need something like that! I just have not had to work the last 3 years but now after moving back home I decided to work and go back to school.... ughhhhhhhh

You'd be damned lucky getting a job after a day and a half. The last time I had to look for a job while unemployed was 8 months. If you really want a job that badly, apply, and go into that store at LEAST once a week to check up on a job. And don't expect a job to come your way quickly. Your not the only one searching for a job.

I know it is really tough out there and I know it takes a lot of work to find a job but as someone in the legal field who has to review resumes my suggestion would be don't have just one type of resume - i.e. paralegal, legal secretary or assistant ad - tweek your resume for the position you are applying for - if you are applying for a paralegal position you are not going to get into how you can answer a 20-line phone system whereas if you are applying for a legal secretary position you don't want to get into how you controlled the litigation file and attended depositions from opening the file until it went to court or settled. Trust me overqualified people don't get the position and very rarely do underqualified people. Also, follow-up but don't make a pest of yourself:noway: Emailing the person who reviews the resumes 5 times to confirm receipt of the resume is never a good idea - just saying:grumble:

vote for Obama if you want to spend the next 4 years looking for a job

Vote for Romney if you want to have women;s health go down the drain.

Vote for Gary Johnson (LIbertarian candidate) if you're tired of the constant bickering between the two overbearing parties that get nothing accomplished. :smokin:

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Gary Johnson it is. I seriously don't know who to vote for. Obama I know I don't want, and I keep hearing all this awful stuff from Romney I figure our country is screwed either way.

You really need to decide for yourself, I honestly think voting for someone other than Obama is kind of a waste of a vote, they're dark horses when they're not part of the two major parties.

/threadhijack

Oh Yes job searching today is vastly different! So few paper applications and face-to-face meetings until you get through the screening process. I had 3 friends refer me for a job at their company and I got rejected by the computer after spending 2 hours doing the application, math skills, and hypothetical scenarios... Crap ya don't even know why - too much of a team player? Not enough of a team player? One particular answer out of 100 multiple choice answers equates me to a sociopath???

I was looking for several months already and then got fired at the end of July. Having to fight for unemployment. Calling all my creditors. All I seem to get from posting my resume on-line to the job boards is a mega-influx of spam and scams.

You (and I) have to keep at it! I am visiting everyone I know in this town, asking for recommendations and referrals, and following up on the leads, in addition to the on-line stuff. I appreciate all the input others have made on this topic - great ideas and I will be using them!

Here's the 411. You won't get a response to those online ad's. That's not meant as a bad thing but job hunting these days has morphed into a "who you know, not what you know" deal. You need to network (ask family and friends about job vacancies, get them to put your name out there, create a profile on LinkedIn or Monster.com) and make yourself known. Companies want to hire the best, most dedicated employees and word-of-mouth is pretty much how it works. I would also suggest getting in with employment agencies who have direct line's with companies.

This is not an overnight deal. You could be at this for months so deal with it. Job hunting is not one dimensional. Go drop your resume off in person.

One site:

Indeed.com

+1000
this is such a great job search site. I noticed when I was searching for work Indeed.com would have the job postings 2-3 days before they would show up on Monster.