Maintaining a resume a skill needed today or not?

I have read about the idea that job hunters no longer need a resume. I disagree.

In the past, employers have given top priority to an applicant’s experience, so having a chronological compilation of your work history was a good idea. These days, the focus has shifted to an employee’s performance, which is harder to communicate in the traditional format of a chronological resume. There are many different ways to present your qualifications. As the evolving job market is constantly changing skills requirements may make the written chronological resume simply too static. Function resumes also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience. When I was helping people find jobs I recommended that they used this format which is a more detailed method of presenting what you can do, not when you did it.

An article by business media brand Fast Company states that 87% of employers look first at a potential hire’s LinkedIn profile, and other than that, there are multimedia platforms like Linktree that can keep a more fluid record of your skills and accomplishments accessible online.

It’s still a good idea to have a resume on hand, but writing your job objective at the top of the page and then trying to remember the last five places you worked should become a thing of the past. Use a resume, but be sure to use a functional format to highlight your skills.

Interviews handling difficult questions

Many employment questions are designed to test some quality such as your mental alertness or self-awareness. These are called key questions.

Several key questions are below. If you are asked any key questions, you must be prepared to give logical answers.  To help you start thinking about responses, some questions for discussion are presented. Prepare your own answers to the key questions.

What is the minimum salary you would accept?
1. What is likely to happen if you state too high a sal¬ary? What might happen if you state too low a salary? The employer will know that you have not done your research. The employer will know that you either have a high opinion of yourself or you have too low an opinion of yourself.

2. If the job advertisement does not state a salary, how could you find out what the "going rate" is for the job you are applying for? You could check the local library or you could ask contacts in the industry to find out the going rate. You could talk to local manpower counsellors and ask them the going rate for the position.

3. If your state open, in response to this question, what might the employer think about you? The employer will wonder what you think about yourself or wonder why you have not done your research.

Why are you interested in employment with out company? OR... Why do you want this job?
1. Why would an employer want to know about your interests in the company or job? Employers are looking for long-term employees. They want people who share their interest in the future of the company. They are also looking for someone to meet their needs. This is an opportunity for you to state that position.

2. How could you use this question to your advantage when you are applying for a job? This is a point where you can state or reinforce how your skills will help the employer meet their needs.

Are your prepared to work wherever a position is available? Or... Would you be willing to accept a transfer to another location?
1. This question is often asked by large companies with operations in several areas and by governments. Why do you think this question is asked? Many times an employer may not have an opening at the location you want. There may be openings at other locations. This is a test question, it tests how much you are willing to put the best interest of the company ahead of your personal interests.

2. What might happen if you said that you would be willing to accept a transfer without meaning it? You may be offered a position you do not want, or you may be asked to transfer soon after you are hired. If you do not take the transfer, you may be forced to leave, or you may be fired.

What special skills or abilities do you have that are directly related to the job for which you are applying?
1. This type of question is usually followed by a silence in which you must give a comprehensive answer. What kind of information would the employer be seeking? What is the employer trying to determine if she/he times you while you are answering this question? The employer is checking how well prepared you were for the interview. Many interviewers may use your response to judge how serious you are about wanting the job. 

What position or type of position do you hope to obtain with this company?
1. Why does this question almost always appear? Employers are looking for applicants who are interested in their future, who have done their homework and who are ambitious. Many interviewers believe that your response will tell them how ambitious you are. 

2. What kind of impression would an applicant make by answering, anything? The impression would be a poor one, because the applicant had not done any research either into the company's needs or the applicants strengths. Interviewers would not be impressed by this answer.

Where did you learn about this position?
1. Why do you think the employer wants this information? The employer wants to find out how much effort you put into finding the job. They may also want to talk to the person who referred you, if that person works for the company or is known to the employer.

What kind of employer do you prefer?
1. What type of information is an employer seeking here? The employer is trying to find out if you will fit into their management style and be successful.

What did you like and dislike about your past employers? OR.... How did your previous employers treat you?
1. This is a trick question. What is likely to happen if you complain about or criticize a past employer? The employer may think you will criticize them when you leave. They will also not hire you, if you respond in a negative way about your previous employer. A good response would be. My previous employer taught me a lot about how to deal with people. (Use this if your previous employer was mean, tight-fisted and rude to people.) 

2. How could you describe things you did not like about past employers without appearing critical? A good response would be I learned to.... (if your employer was rude say be polite at all times...if your employer was critical of you say accept criticism with patience) 

Describe yourself. OR.... What kind of person you are?
1. What kind of information is an employer trying to get by asked this question? The employer is trying to find out how well you know yourself. 

2. What is likely to happen if you brag about yourself? What might happen if you are too modest? Bragging about yourself can lead to the job if you do it correctly. You should use examples that back up every statement that you think may sound like bragging. Remember, employers are looking for people who are self-confident. If you are too modest, you may not get the position.

Why did you leave your last job?
1. What might happen if you do not tell the truth when you are answering the question? If you are hired and the employer finds out, you will be fired. Always tell the truth when applying for a job.

2. What is likely to happen if you do tell the truth ...that you were fired from your previous job? You may not get the job. Do not say I was fired and leave it at that. You should state the reason and explain what you learned from the experience. You may have a chance at getting hired if you can explain the circumstances and the reasons clearly to your next employer.

Resumes

Resumes We have all done them over our working careers, but sometimes a quick reminder of what they are and what they are used for can be helpful. My advice is to not use a resume unless you have to, rely on contacts and meetings to further your job search. Using a resume means, the employer has information that if misread or misinterpreted can leading to screening you out of the race. Remember that. A resume is a tool that the employer uses to screen prospective Employees. If you have to use a resume, here are some points to help you.

1.      A resume is a tool that you can use to focus on some important facts about yourself.

2.      There are two rules when writing a resume:

3.      Have mercy on yourself!

4.      Have mercy on the person reading your resume!

5.    Don't make these types of mistakes on your resume

a.    Typo's This one seems obvious, but it happens again and again. A 2013 CareerBuilder survey found that 58% of resumes have typos.

b.    Length A good rule of thumb is one page of resume for every 10 years of work experience. 

c.    Formatting Unless you’re applying for a job such as a designer or artist, your focus should be on making your resume clean and legible.

                                                  i.    Use at least 10-point font. At least half-inch margins. White paper, black ink. Consistent spacing between lines, columns aligned, your name and contact information on every page.

d.    Do not give out confidential information at least 5-10% of resumes reveal confidential information. 

e.     Lies Putting a lie on your resume is never, ever, ever, worth it. People lie about how long they were at companies, how big their teams were, and their sales results, always goofing in their favor.

The style of the individual resume may vary according to the personality of the person writing; just remember it should be neat with no spelling or grammar mistakes.

1. There are three standard ways of doing resumes:
1. Chronological order **
2. Narrative/Biographical ***
3. Descriptive/Functional ****

**  If you have had many jobs, you list the jobs in reverse order of holding them.

***  If you have not held any jobs, you list skills you have and how they can help The employer.

**** If you have held a few jobs that lasted a short time each, then describe the duties of the job.

There are THREE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES, which you must keep in mind as you being drafting your own resume:

1. Put your strongest qualifications first! You will have to grab the employer in your first few statements or sentences.
2. Present your important achievements and skills in an honest and direct manner! If you do not let the employer know exactly what you can do, no one else will! Don't cheat the employer by exaggerating your abilities, but don't cheat yourself by underrating them!
3. Include your strengths and exclude your weaknesses! No one is perfect. Like everyone else, you probably have weak and strong areas. The resume, however, is not the place to mention weaknesses or problems. To get that interview - KEEP YOUR RESUME STRONG

Keep these three principles in mind as you work on your resume! Remember that the resume is a sales tool. The employer's first impression will be based on your resume.