Need new job help

[newtofl]

Hello,
I have not been on the website in quite some time but could really use your help. I am in a bad situation at work where another employee talks and treats me with disrespect and management will not believe me and do something about it.  I am ready to find a new position where I can use my administrative assistant skills.  Currently I work as a claims assistant and have my adjusters license but really enjoy working in an administrative assistant role. I am in the Orlando area of Florida and was wondering if any locals know of any employment opportunities in this area?  I have applied to lots of jobs on line with no luck - maybe it's my resume or maybe it's my cover letter.  Can anyone help?

[gee4]

Well the first thing is you have decided to move on.

The second is you need to get your CV up to date before you start applying for other jobs - make sure you know what it is you want to move on to.  You will have to ensure you are ready for interviews and do some research/preparation beforehand.  I have in the past and it paid off so perhaps your resume needs revamping.

I can't help you with local employment as I am not in the area but am sure other DD'ers will contribute here.  Registering with some employment agencies might be better than just applying on line - this way you can be recommended for jobs as the agency have already got to know you and what type of job you are looking for.

Best of luck and don't let them beat you.  We all face this from time to time and the best thing is to get out.  Sometimes we realise that not all jobs and companies are right for us.

Good luck.

[kellinm]

Good for you for not putting up with a bad situation!  I've lived all over the country and have always found great jobs through employment agencies (e.g. Kelly Temps).  Look online for reputable agencies, set up a appointments with 2 or 3 and get registered with them.  You'll spend an hour or two filling out paperwork, taking typing tests, etc. but once you're done, they'll do the work for you.  Just give each of them a call 1-2 times per week to check in.  They should NEVER charge you fees for finding a job.  Companies will pay your temp agency which then will pay you every 1-2 weeks.  I've started out in temp to hire positions which has been great because they get to see how I work and I can decide if I want to work with them.  Once you find a good fit, the company will pay the temp agency a finders fee and you'll be all set!  

Something to think about - do you want to work for a large company, small business, etc?  This will help narrow the focus for the agency.  Also, if you can, try to find out pay rates for that part of the country.  Pay ranges vary quite a bit so you want to make sure you're at the higher end starting out.  The agency may not pay well but if you can get hired on with a solid company, their rates may be worth waiting for.  Good Luck!

[queenbean]

When it comes to your resume, I always think you'll have the most success when you tailor it to a specific job you're applying for.  If you have a blanket resume you can send out for any job, it's likely to come across as jack of all trades because you're trying to cover off every eventuality.  Whereas, if you have a specific job to go for, you can reword the resume accordingly, highlighting the things that apply specifically to that role, and playing down others which although may be important and useful, may not be the key skills or experience that the new employer is looking for.

I think you've probably made the right decision to move on.  You're between a rock and a hard place - if you sit there and take it, it makes you miserable, but if you flag it up to management and they actually do take it seriously and speak to the person about it, they'll hate you for it and it'll probably end up worse!  It's sad when the good people are forced out of a company because of a bad atmosphere, but it happens all the time and bearing in mind the huge amount of our life we spend at work, I think it's a mistake to try to put up with things that make you unhappy.

Good luck with finding a better place to work.

QB

[newtofl]

Thanks everyone. I am in the process of updating my resume as I have been sending out resume's that are not perfect - it is on a career website and I thought I had changed the information but obviously my changes did not stick.  It is changed now and hopefully I will get phone calls.  I need to also change my cover letter, does anyone have any suggestions of what to say - should it be long or short?

[Atlanta Z3]

Write a short bio of your skill sets (look at the classified to get idea for specific sets you have that are being sought).  Include items such as computer program knowledge, soft skills, hr knowledge, etc.
I would also look at the monster message boards they have places to post resumes and letters for review.  I would also ask everyone you trust to review your resume before sending it out.  The more eyes on it the better - plus it will help network that you are seeking a new position.
Also I'm sure your local business chronicle has a Book of Lists which lists all the employers in your area in categories.  This is a wonderful guide for sending resumes to particular types of companies - law firms to real estate agencies etc.
You can probably find a copy at your local library.
Also google resumes for sample resumes and terminology - the IAAP websight also (used to anyway) has a web page for good bad better terminology for action verbs on resumes.
You might also consider building a portfolio to take to interviews to showcase your work, accomplishments, certificates or diplomas.  (Again I think the IAAP website has a link for building portfolios)
Last thought you might consider building a power point resume on yourself, not to send out per se, but to use during the interview.  Serves a double purpose - showcases your powerpoint skill set and gives the interviewer a snap shot of you!
Hope this helps and good luck.

[itsme_calista]

I have a portfolio which I used to get this job. It mainly contained my certificates and although I had sent my CV in, I included a more detailed one in my portfolio.  I have my last two positions on separate  sheets of paper, explaining more about what I did, who reported to me, specific projects I was involved in and the outcomes etc.

Your CC or resume, should be an enticer, something that grabs future employers attentions and makes them want to know more.

I used to work in Career Guidance (not as a career advisor but behind the scenes) and the best advice I've heard about cover letters is to make that your personality.    Your resume is practical, your cover letter reveals a bit about your personality, so pick one topic/project/idea and sell yourself on that.  Who you are, what your ambitions are.  I don't mean give someone your life story but what attracted you to their company, how do you think your beliefs match their goals etc.

Good luck

Callie