THE TICKET TO HIRE E-NEWSLETTER

Vol. 2, No. 6      June 2003

A monthly update from the TICKET TO HIRE PROGRAM, a service sponsored by the Social Security Administration's Office of Employment Support Programs, with additional support provided by the Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Federal Employment Opportunity Notes
As readers will remember from our last newsletter, the Federal government operates the "Schedule A" program as a special hiring authority for people with disabilities. This program allows an individual with a mental or physical disability to apply for Federal employment on a noncompetitive basis. For additional information on Federal Employment of People with Disabilities see: http://www.opm.gov/disability/hrpro_3-02.aspe

We have just learned that this policy applies to jobs with the same or similar annotation, "open to all," posted by the Social Security Administration. When applying through Schedule A, job seekers must furnish a certification of disability letter from their State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency counselor or a counselor with the Employment Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs. See the information on "Certification of Disability" Web site at: http://www.opm.gov/disability/hrpro_3-07-B.asp

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Recently, ACS Federal Healthcare, which operates the TICKET TO HIRE Program for the Department of Labor, held an open house in Alexandria, Virginia for Federal agencies. This successful event has led to a new influx of employer enrollments with TTH. Look to receive an increase in Federal agency job postings in the near future.

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If you have received a three-question electronic survey from TICKET TO HIRE, please fill it out and return it at your earliest convenience. The Social Security Administration says the survey is a very important part of a study to track hiring information on SSA beneficiaries who are participating in the Ticket to Work Program.

Editor's note: The following article is intended as a tool for you to share with your customers and clients.

Marketing Your Resume in the Age of Technology
by Karen Morgret

Ms. Morgret has assisted individuals with disabilities in their job search at such organizations as Mainstream, Inc.

Scannable Resumes:

Traditional resumes target people, using action verbs and a clean, organized format. Scannable resumes target computers, using keywords (typically nouns), and very little formatting, to grab the computer's attention.

The goal of the scannable resume is to be so full of keywords and information that various searches will call you up as a possible match.

How it works

· A hard copy of your resume is fed into a scanner.

· Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, the scanner "reads"
your resume, recording important information like your name, address, and
skills.

· This information is then filed into a database.

· When a position becomes available, the hiring manager is able to execute a search of the database by identifying certain keywords, and receive a list of possible candidates.

Advantages

· Since a computer is unbiased, each resume will be treated objectively.

· Because you are sending your resume for general employment, you can market your resume to potentially thousands of employers.

· You only need to send in your resume one time and will continue to get exposure without additional effort on your part for months to come.

Disadvantages

· A computer will only look for resumes according to the criteria supplied by the recruiter. This tends to put recent college graduates or those switching careers at a disadvantage, since these job seekers are less likely to have as many keywords included in their resumes. Borderline candidates may be passed over by a computer search because they only have six out of ten desired keywords included in their resumes. These same candidates may have been brought in for interviews if a recruiter had noticed some special accomplishment or trait that was not considered previously.

· Technology is another factor to consider. Even with new advances in computer scanners and optical character recognition software, there are still limitations. A small fold or stain caused after you mailed your resume could eliminate important keywords or make your entire resume unreadable. An unrecognized symbol or unfamiliar abbreviation could be read as nonsensical text. The best advice is to be as cautious as possible and, if costs are not a factor, consider resubmitting your resume after a month or so. Of course, if you are able to send in your resume to the employer via email, you won't have this problem.

Formatting a scannable resume

· The key is to keep it simple - The same formatting that makes your resume look sharp to the human eye can make it impossible for a computer to understand. Below are some basic thoughts to keep in mind when formatting a scannable resume:

· Length - One page is still ideal. You can use more than one page if necessary but make sure your name appears at the top of each pace. Always use a separate sheet for each page of your resume.

· Paper & Ink - Use standard, 20-pound, 8 1/2" x 11" paper. To make your resume sharp and legible as possible, your best bet is to use black ink on white paper. When attaching your cover letter use a paper clip. Staples and folds can cause a resume to be misread.

· Font & Size - Decorative fonts are difficult for a computer to read. Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Keep the font size between 10 and 14 point (10 point for Times New Roman is a bit too small).

· Style - Boldface is okay for section headers, but not for your name and address. Using all caps can also distinguish certain text, but do not let any characters touch each other. Do not use italics.

· Graphics, Lines and Shading - Do not underline or use vertical lines. The computer will try to read marks on your resume as text. Anything that is not text can be hazardous to your resume's transfer.

· White Space - Keep things spaced out. If characters or words run into each other, the information will not be readable.

· Printing - Ideally, you should print your resume at a copy shop or on a high- quality laser printer. Do not photocopy or fax your resume.

Content of a scannable resume

· The information you include in your scannable resume does not differ much from a traditional resume. The manner in which you present this information is different. Remember: Keyword searches of a scannable resume focus on nouns such as a degree held or a software program you are familiar with; not verbs as in a traditional resume. Personal traits are rarely used in keyword searches by employers. The following is a list of the basic information you should include in your resume.

*Name - Your name should appear at the top of your resume, with your
address on the line immediately below.

*Abbreviations - Most resume scanning systems will recognize common
abbreviations such as BA, BS, MBA and state names. Widely used acronyms for industry terms such as A/R and A/P on an accounting resume are acceptable. It is good practice to try and include both forms so that none of your skills are overlooked (try using the abbreviation in the keyword summary, then spell it out in your experience).

*Keywords - Using the right keywords and key phrases are critical
elements in developing your scannable resume. For example, an employer
searches an employment database for a salesperson with the following
keyword criteria:

· Sales Representative
· BA
· Exceeded Quota
· Cold calls
· High energy
· Willing to travel

Even if you have the right qualifications, without these keywords the computer will pass you over. Furthermore, different employers search on different keywords. Figure out the buzz words that are common to your industry or job that describe your education, skills, and experience. Be careful to place the most important words first on the list since the computer may be limited in the number of words it will read.

· How do you determine keywords?
   o One way is to read help-wanted advertisements for job openings in your field; figure out the terms employers most commonly use and see what you can apply to your resume.

   o A second source would be executive recruiters who specialize in your field they are good source for this kind of information

· Keyword Summary - This is an inventory of your qualifications, usually written in a series of phrases that immediately follow your name and address

· Career Objective - Just as with the traditional resume, this is optional. If you choose to include an objective, keep it general so you do not limit your opportunities. Remember to include keywords in your objective as well. The more keywords your resume can hit, the more likely it is that you will get a call.

· Experience & Achievements -- Your professional experience should immediately follow the keyword summary, beginning with your most recent or current position. If you are a recent college graduate you should list education before experience. Be sure your job title, employer, business address, and dates of employment are all clearly displayed.

· Education - This section immediately follows the experience section. Unless a recent college graduate (see above), list your degrees, licenses, permits, certifications, relevant course work, and academic awards or honors. Be sure to clearly display the names of the school locations, and years of graduation. You should also list any memberships in professional organizations and associations.

· Interests - It is best to leave this information out.

· References - Don't waste space with statements like "References available upon request" or by listing the names and contact information of your reference. If and when an employer would like to contact your references, he or she will ask.

The Cover Letter

· A cover letter will not help you in the initial selection process; it will help distinguish you from the competition in the final rounds of elimination. If you've taken the time to craft a letter that summarizes your strongest qualifications, you will have an edge over other contenders who skip this important step

· Your cover letter should reflect your strongest qualifications. If you are responding to a classified ad, try to use as many of the same keywords that the ad mentions.

· If you are sending your resume to a new networking contact, be sure to mention who referred you.

· One of the surest ways to eliminate yourself from a job opportunity is to send in a cover letter or resume with spelling or grammatical mistakes. Before sending out any piece of information, be sure you double and triple proof it. Get someone you trust to do the same.

· Make sure your cover letter expresses your interest in the specific job and company, and clearly outlines your qualifications.

· A cover letter should never exceed one page in length.

Applicant Tracking Systems

· Applicants tracking systems, or in-house resume databases, are used by companies to keep track of the hordes of resumes they receive. Tracking systems now allow employers to keep resumes in an active file, in some cases indefinitely.

· A company receives your resume, either unsolicited, through a career fair, or in response to an advertisement. Your resume is then scanned into a computer, dated, coded, and placed into the appropriate file.

· Whenever there is a job opening, hiring managers submit search requests to the database operator, usually someone in human resources or information systems.

· The database operator performs keyword searches in order to find resumes that match the criteria that the hiring manager has provided.

· The resumes of those candidates who meet the criteria are forwarded to the hiring manager, at which point the hiring process continues in the traditional manner.

· One strong advantage for the job seeker is that in the past you had little chance of landing a job with a company if you were passed over initially. Now, with an electronic applicant tracking system, your resume is kept in the database, where the use of keyword searches puts you in contention for every job opening.

Electronic Databases
· Electronic resume database is similar to a traditional employment agency: you submit your resume to a service and the service begins working to find a job for you.

· With an electronic employment "agency," you are considered for every job request that comes into a company, thanks to the use of keyword searches.

The process works as follows:

· Submit your resume. Some charge a fee, usually less than $50. Some also send you a profile sheet to fill out.

· Client companies call the service and give the database service a list of keywords and desired qualifications.

· The service provides the client with a list of possible candidates.

· Client companies sort out the list of possible candidates and contact desirable applicants directly. Some services will call you before forwarding your resume or any information to the client company.

Below are two such electronic services - Be sure to check with each service before sending your resume or any registration fees.

· http://www.cors.com - You can join for a one-time fee of $25.00.
· http://www.hrmc.com

Your Resume Online

· In addition to being read by scanners, resumes also need to be Internet friendly.

· Submitting your resume on line is an inexpensive method of exposing your resume to a large audience that includes thousands of human resources professionals and independent recruiters.

· Emailing your resume directly to a potential employer is generally done in response to a help-wanted advertisement or simply as a method of direct contact.

Preparing your resume

· It is important to make sure the resume will be readable.

· In general, copying and pasting your resume from any word processing program into the main body of an email or on a Website is acceptable.

· However, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your resume as clear as possible:

   o Formatting - Do not use words that are boldface, underlined, or in italics.
Do not use any symbols or lines.
   o Alignment - Make sure the entire resume is flush left.
   o Lines - Keep your lines short. Many email systems and database will only allow 65 characters per line. Any lines that go over, will either get cut off or jumped down to the next line. Either way, it would make any resume look poor.

Emailing your resume directly to a company

· Many employers like emailed resumes because they cut down on paperwork and lower administrative costs.

· Unless a company specifies sending your resume as an attachment, the best way to go about emailing your resume is to paste it within the body of the email message.

· If you are asked to attach the resume, you should attach it in text format.

· After you email your resume, wait a few days so you can be sure someone has read it.

· Call or email the company to confirm that your resume was received intact.

· If you sent your resume to an individual, ask if he or she would like you to elaborate on any sections of your resume.

· If you sent your resume to a general email address, call the human resources department to check on the status of your application.

· Assuming that they have an in-house resume database and applicant tracking system, they should be able to tell you whether or not the email was received.

Why Use an Online Database?

· Exposure! By posting your resume online, you are essentially marketing yourself to countless human resources professionals and hiring managers worldwide who are using the Internet. Online databases allow recruiters and hiring managers to search through large pools of candidates quickly and easily

· Another reason is reach. Online resources have stretched out their arms to the entire world. There are Websites and newsgroups that target every market and job type.

Where to Post Your Resume Online

· Two venues that work well for posting resumes are Newsgroups and Websites.

· Before you post anything online, research the specific site or group to know exactly what you are getting into.

· Make sure you have the skills and experience that match the site's target job seeker.

· Pay attention to the site's privacy policy - For instance, will your current employer be able to access your information?

· Get a good idea of what sort of employers the site typically caters to.

· Do you really want your resume solicited to thousands of independent recruiters? For some this is a blessing, for others a nuisance.

· Usenet newsgroups are the most open forum on the Internet.

   o Before posting your resume onto a newsgroup, spend some time reading through at least a few weeks' worth of postings.
   o Make sure the group accepts resumes
   o Make a note of the fact that Usenet is a completely open forum, where anyone has access to the information you post.

· The World Wide Web offers a tremendous number of outlets for posting resumes. For a large sampling of the many Web sites that specialize in matching resumes with employers go to:

http://www.thinkjobs.com/Think.nsf/UltimateJS?OpenForm

How to Post Your Resume Online

· Most sites have their own specific instructions for entering a resume into their database.

· These instructions should tell you how long resumes remain in the database,
how to update and remove your resume from the database, who has access
to the database, and the fee (if any).

· Some sites require you to fill out personal information online, such as your name, email address, and resume title, but most allow you to attach your own resume, or paste it in a specific area.

· Sites that offer personal profiles often have several fields for job seekers to fill in.

· In general, these fields can all be filled by cutting and pasting information from your resume.

· If emailing your resume to a database, do not forget one very important part of the email: the subject line.

   o The subject line sometimes ends up as your resume title; therefore, it is important that it gives an indication of your field and job title.
   o Many people mistakenly type "resume" or even their name on the subject line.
   o The subject line is typically the first information seen by employers scanning the database, and it is often the only information a recruiter will look at.
   o It is important to be fairly specific on your subject line.
   o Mention your profession, experience and your location. For example, "Financial Analyst-3 Yrs. Exp-CFA-IL." Or if you are willing to relocate you might write something like this: "Financial Analyst-3 Yrs. Exp-CFA-Will Relocate."

· Posting your resume on a Newsgroup is similar to emailing it to a company. Like email, a Newsgroup has a subject line and a main message body.

· Newsgroups also offer the ability to include attachments and links.

· Newsgroups, however, are open for anyone to see. It is not advisable to post on a Newsgroup that you are not familiar with. In fact, many Newsgroups shun the posting of resumes and look down on the practice.

Resources Used for Information in This Article

1. Internet Job Search Almanac 2001-2002, by Michael Paydos (Editor). ISBN: 1-58062-426-X, Adams Media, Holbrook, Massachusetts, 2001.

2. Newsweek and Kaplan, How to Use the Internet to Choose or Change Careers, by Kenneth Auchincloss (Editor), Newsweek, Inc., and Kaplan, Inc., 2000

3. Designing the Perfect Resume, Second Edition, by Pat Criscito, CPRW, ISBN 0-7641-1268-6, Barron's Books ProType, Ltd., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2000.

4. The Complete IDIOT'S Guide to the Perfect Resume, Second Edition, by Susan Ireland, ISBN0-02-863394-6, alpha books, Macmillan USA, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, 2000.

5. Internet Basics, The CompuClub Training Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1999.

6. Internet Intermediate, The CompuClub Training Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1999.

7. Job Search Handbook for People with Disabilities, by Daniel J. Ryan, ISBN: 1-56370-665-2, JIST Works, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana, 2000.

Tip of the Month

Q: Given the article above, have paper resumes become a thing of the past?

Answer: While electronic resumes are becoming more important in the job market, this does not mean that the traditional paper resume has become obsolete. Although many companies may advertise job openings on the Internet, some still may request that resumes be mailed or faxed. As good a resource as the Internet can be in finding job listings, you will still come across job leads through other sources, which may only provide you with a postal mailing address. Also, nothing spells competence more than a job seeker arriving at an interview over prepared. Bringing along a neat copy of your paper resume to an interview is just one part of proper etiquette. Therefore, while you work to create a computer-fri
endly resume, you should continue to update your traditional one, you never know when you'll need it.

We'll talk to you again next month. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us at: 866-TTW HIRE (866-889-4473) (Voice/TTY) or tickettohire@acs-inc.com.