Blue Collar Tip of the Day

Beat the Blue-Collar Resume Blues
By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert


A resume is a chance for job seekers to make a great first impression, yet many blue-collar workers pay little attention to this important document. Follow these tips to create a resume that gets noticed.

Use the Monster Resume Builder

If you don't have a resume and aren't sure where to start, use the Monster Resume Builder to guide you. The Builder walks you through the process step by step, making it easy to develop your first resume.

Open with a Bang

The first section of your resume should pack the strongest punch. Steven Provenzano, president of Streamwood, Illinois-based Top Secret Resumes and author of Blue Collar Resumes, recommends leading with a resume objective -– also sometimes called a career summary or career profile -- that emphasizes key skills.

"A resume is a marketing piece," he says. "Most resumes strictly list jobs, but you want to go beyond that by writing a summary of the most important skills for your current objective. Employers should want to hire you from the summary alone."

On the Monster Resume Builder, use the Objective section to present your summary. Think about what employers are looking for, and incorporate your matching skills and other credentials. Include these facts:

• Your profession/trade specialty.
  
• Licenses, permits and certifications.
  
• Years of experience in the field.
  
• Important skills and industry keywords.
  
• Equipment or machinery you can operate.
  
• A brief mention of top career accomplishments.

Work Your Work History

The Work Experience section is your chance to prove your level of skill and accomplishment. Instead of writing a boring list of job duties, show how your work performance contributed positively to your employer's operation. "Quantify your accomplishments, and paint a picture of what you achieved," advises Provenzano.

Workers in trades and maintenance jobs often have trouble identifying their achievements, because they feel they are just doing their jobs. Provenzano recommends thinking about responsibilities and achievements you may take for granted to include in your resume. For example, tout your excellent attendance or safety record as an achievement. If you're having a hard time identifying your accomplishments, ask yourself these questions:

• Did you win any awards or receive incentives for your work performance?
  
• Did you earn superior marks on performance evaluations?
  
• Did you train new employees?
  
• Did your work enable the team to complete a project on time or on budget?
  
• Did you earn a perfect safety rating?
  
• Did you complete any special training?
  
• Did you build a reputation for reliability?
  
• Did you complete all jobs with zero defects or errors?
  
• Did you recommend or implement processes that improved efficiency, productivity or workflow?
  
• Did you submit all reports on time?

Mention Related Education

Employers like to see hands-on education and training related to your trade. Use your Education section to list schools attended, vocational training, continuing education, certifications and licenses. If you completed a program, list courses completed so employers understand the scope of your formal training.

Proofread

Provenzano says that grammatical and spelling errors are common on blue-collar resumes. Avoid common resume mistakes that could cost you the job by thoroughly proofreading your resume. Show your resume to at least a couple of people with strong writing skills to make sure the document is error-free. Treat your resume as an advertisement for your services, and the extra attention to detail could lead to better job opportunities.

For more Blue Collar Resume Tips, visit: http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/beat-the-blue-collar-resume-blues/article.aspx

4 TIPS FOR LANDING A BLUE-COLLAR JOB

4 Tips for Landing a Blue-Collar Job

Staff report

Wednesday Dec 14, 2011 12:41:23 EST

Advice from Ron Krannich, author of “The Blue-Collar Resume and Job Hunting Guide”:

Craft a résumé

Blue-collar jobs have gone beyond the interview-and-a-handshake days. Many jobs are advertised online, and you’ll need to submit a résumé that emphasizes your relevant skills and experience.

Do your research

Where will that final moving allowance take you? Identify the top employers in the area. Find out what kinds of workers they need.

Hit the military-friendly job fairs

Employers go to the events looking for a range of workers, not just desk-sitters but also those who toil with their hands.

Take an inventory

Prepare a checklist of your specific accomplishments while in uniform. These will be your talking points in the interview.

FOR MORE TIPS ON LANDING A BLUE COLLAR JOB, VISIT:

http://www.militarytimesedge.com/career/career-choices/edge_tryatrade_tips_110711/

Blue Collar Tip of the Day:

Say What you Mean, Mean What You Say

Ami Williams-Stand-By Personnel, Inc.

Often, during an interview, we want to impress. Sometimes, this leads to "embellishing", which is NEVER a good thing, especially within the Blue Collar industry.  When you're asked about your skills and/or experience, never lie.  It's not like they won't find out because chances are, they'll find out the first day on the job.  When you're asked about skills, don't give an answer that really pertains to what position you want rather than what you're skilled to do. And make sure, whatever you say you're skilled to do, that you're able to follow through.  There's a saying in the sales industry..."under promise, over deliver". This should be true to eveyone in any industry, be it sales, white collar jobs and mostly, blue collar jobs.
Do's and Don'ts:

DON'T 

Employer: So, what kind of job are  you looking for?
Candidate: Oh, I dunno...what do you have? I mean, I've always wanted to maybe do sales or try my hand at welding or some kind of skilled trade.
Employer: Well, uh...hm. What I meant was, what are you qualified to do? What are you skilled at or  what trade do you have experience and how much experience?
Candidate: Oh, well, I don't really have any experience in anything. I've never really worked.
Employer: Okay, well, I think we're done here...I've got your application, I'll give you a call if we have anything that matches your criteria...thank you. (And this is after they thought they were being punk'd, I'm sure of that).

DO

Employer:  So, what kind of job are you looking for?
Candidate: Well, I'm experienced in landscaping, yard work, etc. I've mowed yards since I was a teenager and I've been told I'm very good at it. 
Employer:  Okay,  it sounds like you have a few years under your belt in this type of work...we might have some positions in landscaping or yard work.
Candidate:  Sounds great, I'll take whatever you have for me, if anything, to prove myself.  Also, I'm very sharp so I can learn very quick. If you have a position available where they might allow training, I'm open to that as well.      
Employer: Now you're talking...sounds like you really want to work. I actually do have a position in which we  are willing to train the right person. This could be a great opportunity for a hard working individual, like yourself, to get your foot in the door and possibly grow into what could be a learned skill that will earn you a good living in the near future. Welcome a board!

Whatever you do...always SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY. You won't go wrong.

 

Blue Collar Interview Killers

By Robert Schepens

May 17, 2010

Here is how to make sure you kill any interview, Blue Collar, No Collar, White
Collar:
1) Dress like you don’t care, or are going fishing/hunting. Make sure the
baseball cap you wear is dirty, or has “Bud Light” on it (Patch or smell), or
even worse: “New York Yankees”. Don’t shave, makes you look macho.
2) Pour that new AXE cologne on yourself, freely. If your girlfriend gets
hot over it, it is a given that the tight-ass HR lady will.
3) Make sure your resume is old, has typos on it and looks like it was
done on a typewriter. It’s only an interview after all, not the actual job
itself. If the person wants a copy of your resume, ask them to make one, after
all the company has a copy machine and you don’t. It shows you are conserving
(your own) paper.
4) Make sure to wear an earring or skin or eyebrow ring. It looked good
at the bar, and hell “It’s you Man-boy! Show your stuff!”
5) Don’t shower, or shower 5 minutes before you leave the house and show
up with wet hair and wet collar. Shows you care about hygiene.
6) When asked why you left your last job, be honest. Tell them that the
“stupid ass Plant Manager complained way too much about your work quality after
lunch”.
7) Be late for the interview. Shows you are important. Heck, Stars do
that at Red Carpet events! Show them who the BOSS is Mandrake!
8) Answer all open-ended questions with: “Yea, I’ve done that”. Make sure
you tell them you have experience doing something at a company that isn’t on
your resume. When they ask you about that company, tell them you couldn’t fit
all the companies you worked for on two pages, so you left 5 or 6 out, and also
didn’t include the temp jobs.
9) During the interview, ask the interviewer if you can use the bathroom.
Ask where the reading material is or if you can take a company brochure to read
with you. If nothing is available, ask for your resume back so you can review it
while you “take care of business”.
10) Make sure, before the interview is over, that you completely understand
the “Point System” for attendance, absences, lateness and afternoons off.
Clarify if you can use vacation time this year for “those mornings… when, ya
know”. Ask “What If I…” questions. Then ask about the possibility of getting a
union, just for the great benefits. Don’t forget to ask about the company picnic
and what bar they all meet at after work.
11) Last: Make sure you ask: “How many chances do I get to pass the drug
test?”
Now you might think that this article is anti-blue collar or something like
that. Nah. I love blue collar. Worked at a mill (shoveled slag) and a plastics
company (injection mold ops), pulled beers, served burgers and mowed lawns
myself.
The above killer mistakes are real. Robert Ripley couldn’t do any better.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Schepens
Author:

http://championjobs.com/750/how-to-kill-a-blue-collar-interview/

Robert
Schepens
(ras@championjobs.com)

Blue Collar Tip of the Day: Being a lifelong learner, may save your job!

Citation:

Not Your Father's Blue Collar Job: A Look At Skilled Worker Today

By Beth Braccio Hering

If you are adaptable, chances are you'll be employable. Workers who are open to learning different ways of doing things can progress right alongside advances in their industry. "Many of those laid off in recent years, especially from high-volume assembly manufacturing jobs, do not have the skills needed in today's modern plant," Kunz says. "Like generations before them, they worked 'on the line,' repeating the same action over and over again. But those types of repetitive assembly jobs are disappearing and are not likely to return ... Ongoing training is critical." Kunz notes that in addition to traditional company-sponsored training or courses at a vocational institution, many workers are opting for online instruction. "Access to 24/7 training is appealing. Workers might continue their studies online at home, or they might have time during the third shift, in the middle of the night, to complete their training."

Blue Collar Tip of the Day:

by Stand-By Personnel, Inc.

You hear it all the time...first impressions are EVERYTHING! Whether you agree with it or not, the fact is, that first impressions really are everything. It doesn't matter if you're a skilled blue collar worker or general laboror.

The first time you walk in to inquire about a position, no matter what the position is, always wear clean clothes. Don't just grab anything and think to yourself "oh well, it's just for a warehouse position anyway." Because it matters to the person doing the interview. Buy one pair of jeans and either a new nice polo style or button down shirt, or even a nice t-shirt without any obscenities or graphics on it. Keep one outfit on hand for interviews. It doesn't have to be name-brand or designer. Just clean, stainless, and hole-less clothes. Remember, how you dress says a lot about you. Show you care about getting the job and that you'll be a dependable employee...those are the ones that are more likely to be given opportunities to move up in the company as well. Dress to impress!