Perhaps you’ve been on the hunt for that new job.
But in order to beat out the rest of the field, your cover letter and resumé need to stand out.
“If you send out the same blanket resumé to every employer for every job, it doesn’t work in this market,” said Anne Hallam, coordinator of WorkSource Whidbey in Oak Harbor.
Hallam’s advice is to make your resumé match the job for which you are applying.
Hallam will help jobseekers this month with the “Job Hunter Series” of free resumé and cover-letter writing workshops at the Freeland Library.
Recently, the librarians at Freeland noticed an increase in the number of individuals who were writing resumés, job-searching and applying for jobs and unemployment benefits online.
“We contacted WorkSource Whidbey to see if we could partner to offer classes at the library,” said librarian Chris HoffmanHill.
WorkSource Whidbey provides job search and job training on Whidbey Island, but doesn’t have a resource center on the South End.
“We are offering this introductory class as a way for South Whidbey job seekers to learn about and take advantage of WorkSource’s resources,” HoffmanHill said.
Hallam said that many people who pass the threshold of WorkSource Whidbey have excellent skills in their field, but creating a good resumé is a mystery to them.
“You may be a highly skilled electrician, but not the best writer,” Hallam said.
“WorkSource can help you know what format to use and how to target specific positions when creating your resumé and applying for jobs.”
The Freeland workshop has been pared down to a 90-minute session that focuses on how to write a good cover letter, how to format a resumé and how to write an accomplishment statement in a bulleted form.
Hallam said an employer who is reviewing resumés makes a decision within 7 to 10 seconds about whether to continue reading an applicant’s resumé. Getting an employer’s attention is partly done by choosing powerful action words in a resumé, and Hallam reviews how to do that at the workshop.
Hallam said the funny thing about WorkSource Whidbey is that when they don’t see people who have used their services it can be a good thing.
“It probably means they got a job and we hope we never see them again,” she said.
WorkSource Whidbey classes can also be used to fill unemployment job search requirements for those who are unemployed.
“But we’d also like people to know that it’s OK to come back to the center if they would like to move on in their careers. We offer services and classes to everyone, even those who are underemployed,” Hallam said. “All the classes are free and, as people progress in their careers, they can use these services again and again to help them on the next step of their journey.”
Pre-registration is required for the resume writing classes at the Freeland Library. Classes will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the library. Laptops are helpful for the class, but are not required.
For information click here, or call managing librarian Betsy Arand at 331-7323, ext. 6220.
For information on WorkSource Whidbey go to click hereor call Anne Hallam at the center at 360-675-5966.
