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Recent Articles by Virginia Backaitis

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Can't Find a Job? Retrain on Uncle Sam's Dime

Tuesday Oct 13, 2009

If the job you lost wasn't in the field of your dreams, then right now is a great time to retrain or to return to school (and the government may just be willing to foot the bill.)

Luxurious Mini Vacations at an Affordable Price

Tuesday Sep 22, 2009

Want to get away with your honey without breaking the bank? How about a mini vacation at a top-rated hotel? I know a place you can luxuriate at a great price. ll tell you about the hot deals I find, if you tell me about the hot deals you find. Deal?

Ask the Job Lady: Networking 101

Tuesday Sep 8, 2009

Have you maxed-out your existing personal, professional and social networks on your job search? Maybe it's time to hook-up with some new flesh.

Freelance vs. Corporate: How Should You Work?

Friday Aug 21, 2009

If you are currently working or looking to re-enter the fray, should you consider a corporate or freelance gig?

Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?

Tuesday Aug 4, 2009

If you think that hiring a resume writer will solve your job search problem, think again.

Twitter to a Job

Monday Jun 1, 2009

Warren Sukernek scored ten interviews within 12 hours of being laid off. Here's how he did it.

Don’t Stand So Close To Me

Friday May 1, 2009

What companies are doing to protect their employees from the swine flu

Can't Get a Raise, How About a Spot Bonus

Monday Apr 27, 2009

At a time when companies are asking workers to accept pay-cuts, raises are scarce; but companies are handing out spot bonuses. Here's the skinny.

Job-Seekers: Four Reasons You Shouldn't Pay a Job Board

Tuesday Mar 24, 2009

Should you spend money to promote your resume on job boards or to find out who's checking you out?

How Much Transparency Is Too Much: Your Compensation Package

Thursday Mar 19, 2009

Congress is demanding the skinny on AIG exec pay. The State of New York has ruled that the compensation of Merrill executives was not a trade secret and can therefore be revealed. What about your pay?

Recent Comments

Commented on: Twitter to a Job
Hank
FiLife Contributor
Hank said
about a month ago

Using Twitter is like a cheaper version of people renting a billboard on the side of the interstate. You would probably get more eye balls looking on Twitter too for that matter.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Networking 101
zaibas
Newcomer
zaibas said
2 months ago

Fantastic article! I agree that joining a group for the sole purpose of trying to connect for a job is a seedy thing to do, and people will find you out, but take the time to learn about those people, what they do, and how and if you could benefit their organization. The sad thing is that you can't do this overnight, so in your "spare" time, you'll still need to bring in some money to pay those bills. Don't forget that you never know who you may meet at your bill paying between jobs-job - perhaps a spouse of someone whose organization you would fit in well with, a client of theirs, etc. - that could get back onto your career path. The important thing is to do the smallest job with the utmost integrity and professionalism. People will recognize you and help you along the way.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Networking 101
leighmill
Newcomer
leighmill said
2 months ago

Suggestion on how to get attention to your resume is always good if you know someone inside that can help you to get on top of the list. However, that is a much more difficult task. First of all, there must be a need in the company for such a person. If there is no need, your recommendation would be a waste of time. Second, one must be absolutely certain that the recommended person is really one of the best in the field and fully meets the needs of the employing company. Otherwise, you may be ruining your own reputation. Still, volunteering work in a social or professional organization, paying forward, is a good way of getting to know a broad spectrum of people who just might know someone that has a need for your talent.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
Virginia Backaitis
FiLife Contributor
Virginia Backaitis said
3 months ago

Hi Nissim, I think your point is well taken- it is OK to have a less than perfect resume, especially because the definition of "perfection" ,in terms of resumes, varies so much. I've sat by side with hiring managers and human resource managers who have opposite opinions on the exact same word choices and phrases; so, in a sense, there's no sense in sweating the minutia. At the end of the day, they ask themselves a few questions: "Can they do the job?" "Are they committed to their career? " "Would the fit into the position/ company?" If they can answer those questions with a "yes", they invite you in for an interview, and that's a whole new ball game.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
Nissim Ziv
Newcomer
Nissim Ziv said
3 months ago

I tend to agree with V.B. I find that the best approach is straight forward - a resume that is written by you. Let the employer know who you are. Take some tips from the net and be sure they know some basic resume rules. I would say, it is Ok to write an non-perfect resume as long as your job goals are clear and are written.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
Jackson
Bronze
Jackson said
3 months ago

I'd also suggest Craigslist where you'd post a paragraph about yourself, and then see who bites. That way, anyone who responds would be more receptive to your resume -- and only your resume -- because it would be directly requested. N.B. it worked for me.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
Jackson
Bronze
Jackson said
3 months ago

When I was in the original poster's situation, I, too, considered a professional resume service. Yet I also realized nobody knew my qualifications better than me. Resumes are a two-edged sword. One needs one these days, but there are so many opinions on what makes a good one and what doesn't. I've heard managers who receive resumes admit they don't read those things. If a few key words don't leap off the page in a second or two's glance, the resume (and sadly the person behind it) is discarded. So I'd say stick to your guns and write your own resume. Without a job, the gamble of several hundred dollars could be a waste, not an investment

Commented on: Freelance vs. Corporate: How Should You Work?
Julian Block
FiLife Contributor
Julian Block said
3 months ago

Insightful comparison of the pros and cons.

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
suze
Newcomer
suze said
3 months ago

I think my resume is pretty good,but it's not winning me any interviews. In fact, I'm not sure anyone (other than people that I personally know) is even reading it. Aside from sites like Linkedin, do you have any idea as to what I can do to connect with people and get noticed?

Commented on: Ask the Job Lady: Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
sezme
Newcomer
sezme said
3 months ago

Well said.... As a hiring manager I can spot a resume thats been done by a "resume mill" a mile away. They usually go to the bottom of the pile....

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