On the Lighter Side: Resumania

Visit "Resumania" -- a web site created by Robert Half International "The Place for Real-Life Examples of How NOT to Write a Resume".

http://www.resumania.com/

You can use these examples in your newsletter, in news releases or in presentations, as long as you credit the original source (Resumania.com).

"Opt-Out" Permission to Republish a Client's Resume

With thanks to Louise Kursmark, here is a sample of a paragraph to include on your "work order" or "authorization to print" forms that will give you permission to fictionalize your clients resume and use it for resume contests and submissions to books. It's an "opt-out" form, because if client's DO NOT wish to give you permission to use their resume, they must take action to do so.

PUBLISHING AUTHORIZATION
I give permission for the content of my resume to be published in articles, columns, books, and industry-related publications or for use in resume writing contests, at the discretion of RESUME WRITER'S NAME, and with the understanding that ALL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (name, address, name of employer, and so forth) WILL BE FICTIONALIZED to protect my confidentiality. If I do NOT give this authorization, I have "x'ed out" this paragraph.

Reactivate Your Clients

Need to drum up some business? Send out a postcard to your mailing list of existing clients … it's always generated me a half-dozen phone calls -- or more, depending on how long it's been since my last newsletter or postcard.

I've created a postcard template you can print and insert your contact information into, or open the PDF and modify it directly (don't ask me how to do this -- if you know, you know; if you don't, just print out the hard copy and paste in your information). Here's the template:
http://www.rwdigest.com/updatepostcard.pdf

Insert your contact information in the box provided (along with a special "reactivation offer" if you'd like) -- don't forget to include your return address on the right hand side of the postcard (see my sample for guidelines).

You can see how I've modified it (including making it a two-color postcard) at:
http://www.rwdigest.com/Bridgetupdatepostcard.pdf

You can also just use the FRONT side of the postcard, if you'd like, and create your own customized back side.

Photocopy it onto brightly-colored cardstock paper and cut to yield an 5-1/2 by 8-1/2 postcard (2 per page). These postcards require $.34 stamps ($.37 after June 30, 2002).

Or take it to your local quick printer and have it printed in color!

You can also use VistaPrint (50% Off All Postcards) to create custom printed postcards very inexpensively!

Interview Questions to Share With Your Clients

I often give my clients a list of interview questions they might be asked (compiled from a survey I did a while back, asking my clients to send me lists of actual questions they were asked). Along with it, I provide a short list of questions they should ask.

These are the questions I recommend my clients ask:
1. How long has this position been open?
2. What are the creative opportunities available in this position? What kind of individual control of projects will I have?
3. What are the company’s priorities, and what specific results would be expected from me in the first 90 days or so?
4. Is this a new position? If so, why was it created? If not, why did the person who held this position leave the position?
5. What kind of opportunities for advancement are available?
6. How many other professionals will I be working with? What is the title of my immediate supervisor?
7. Why did you (the interviewer) join the company? How long ago was that? What is it about the company that keeps you here?
8. Did my resumé raise any questions I can clarify?
9. Where is the job located? Does it require travel? How often?
10. What do you look for in an employee?
11. What type of training is required and how long is it? What type of training is available?
12. What would my first assignment be?
13. What are the skills and attributes most needed to get ahead here?
14. How regularly do performance evaluations occur?
15. Do you have a job description available for this position?
16. Are there any expansion plans for the company?
17. What are the opportunities for on-the-job training and further education?
18. Do you have a tuition assistance or book reimbursement program?

Thanks to Evelyn Salvador for pointing out the following web site, which offers 200 MORE questions they can ask:
http://workforce.com/section/06/article/23/24/30.html#2

These 200 additional questions are ones that applicants may ask recruiters, managers, HR pros and others.

Here are the categories of questions:
* Questions for Headhunters and Recruiters
* Questions for HR
* Questions for Hiring Managers
* High-level Probing Questions
* Questions That Are Defensive
* Questions Designed to Get Feedback
* Questions Designed to Close the Deal
* Questions Stars May Ask

Share these with your clients!!