How to sell yourself after unemployed for such a long period of time? If you or anyone has advice, I' m willing to work on this weakness of mine. Thanks!
Tammy Connallyof GA11:32AM October 21, 2010
I have hired (professionals and support) and been hired. Chronological formats emphasize longevity and progression within an organization. Functional resumes put skills, experiences and accomplishments up front. When hiring, I have favored functional resumes. I want to know above all what the candidate can do for my organization. Though "past record does not always indicate future performance," there is a strong general correlation, enough to make a functional resume a useful, easy to grasp display of the candidate's areas of expertise and potential. I've assessed candidate/organization fit in the live interview. A blended resume, including first a brief "employers section" listing time in place with each, followed by experience/accomplishments is to me the clearest and fastest way to show value to an organization.
Neilof FL10:52AM October 21, 2010
Seems like an absurd question ...giving the employer a reason NOT to hire you...the exact opposite of what you are there for...who decided that this is a fair question to ask..to me it borders insanity...and there is no win win in answering it...just lose lose.
johnnyof CA9:59AM October 21, 2010
For 20 years I've been told "leave off the months" and "it's too much detail" and frankly, it is. If the interviewer is exasperated because of that lack of detail, then that's the person in the wrong job. The only exception to that rule should be the short term job history of a year or less where that job experience is relevant to the position being applied for. Fortunately, I have no gaps longer than 3 months in my work history going back to age 17, and that was my choice of a break before starting college and working part and full time during it. I don't even list my entire work history anymore; who cares what I did that far back? No one who has interviewed me in the past 10 years, that's for sure. Otherwise, the article has some very good points and I'm willing to tell someone about a concern I have regarding my ability for a position or a tendency that requires my attention if that is what they want to know. I have turned down jobs during the interview because I learned they were not a good fit for me. However, I admit this would be much more difficult if I had been out of work and had dependents like I do now.
Fredof NC7:00AM August 20, 2010
How do you answer that question. Please send some sample answers.
Denise Coxof FL3:53PM August 19, 2010
It is bad enough Americans are competing against cheaper labor, now we're being told to give the ammunition needed to shoot themselves with?
Tell me about your weakness = give me a good reason so I can take your resume and toss it.
We must be perfect to get the job, otherwise 500 other people will take the job.
Who cares if we hate the job. Unemployment is worse.
Who cares if we will struggle. Unemployment is worse.
We must survive.
BKof IL2:44PM July 27, 2010
The interview protocol and questioners is becoming obsolete! The fact you can buy books to memories the typical questions like going to a test. If you have a good photographic memory, you will do better but when hired pray that you can live up to the job requirements. HR needs to do a total recall and change the interview process and protocol. Every ten years a new generation hit the market and they do not care about HR old and obsolete interview protocol because they do not understand it and not up-to-date. Unfortunately, corporate America believes anyone of the street can do your job whether you are a doctor or a technician, the company will train you to do the job! Therefore, we will always have fears while we are working from everyone you deal with. DO your best to get the job and proof yourself later!!!
PAof OH8:01AM June 23, 2010
If you tell the hiring manager your "real" weaknesses, you're just shooting yourself in the foot. Who still asks that stupid question anymore, anyway? Oh, that's right--HR people without a clue.
Tajof NY4:07PM June 21, 2010
I have been thrust into the job market after a break of a decade plus due to a sudden divorce after a long marriage. I'm also 54. So...how does one turn this into a plus? I think I need all the creativity in my resume I can get.
Ruthof GA2:44PM June 21, 2010
Regarding whether or not to tell your potential employer about your real weaknesses: what if your weakness is a deal-breaker all the time? For example, what if your transcripts are particularly bad (as a teacher, my potential employers do look at and care about how well I've done in school) because you had personal management issues? You can't tell that to a principal and superintendent because they'll think you can't manage a classroom and won't hire you. There are other "deal breakers" like this that you obviously can't tell your potential employer, or they'll automatically put you at the bottom of the list. The problem here is this: these kinds of things turn off EVERY employer, not just the ones you might not want to work for. This is especially true for teachers, particularly because teaching jobs are difficult to find. What would you do in this case?
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Tammy Connally of GA 11:32AM October 21, 2010
Neil of FL 10:52AM October 21, 2010
johnny of CA 9:59AM October 21, 2010
Fred of NC 7:00AM August 20, 2010
Denise Cox of FL 3:53PM August 19, 2010
BK of IL 2:44PM July 27, 2010
PA of OH 8:01AM June 23, 2010
Taj of NY 4:07PM June 21, 2010
Ruth of GA 2:44PM June 21, 2010
Ian of IN 9:06PM May 11, 2009