36
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Questioning my abilities
I was laid off of work almost a year ago. I decided to take some time off for myself and enjoy a little, which I did and loved every second of it. About 5 months ago I knew I needed to start looking for a job and assumed within a month or so I could land a job. I hold a MS and have a successful track record and I am sending out resumes all day everyday; jobs I am qualified for, over qualified for, under qualified for and nothing. I am not sure what else to do. I have simplified my resume and still no hits on it. Any suggestions are welcome!!
Alice JohnsonComputer nerd-ish, travel lover, connector
649
08/28/19 at 8:32PM UTC
I love all the advice above so I will keep this short.
Be kind to yourself. 1 month is not a long time. It took me 3 months, another friend 6 months, and a different person 7 months. Its a very competitive job market, and just because you arent hired yet does not mean you arent qualified. The job you are looking for will find you. :)
Good luck!
Stephanie BrownEntrepreneur / Real Estate Agent
119
08/25/19 at 9:58PM UTC
After 21 years with the same firm, six as upper management, our company was taken over and my position was eliminated. I have been sending out resumes, talking to recruiters daily and nothing. I never thought at 50 I would feel this way but I honestly think I’ll never get hired again. I think it’s my age. I had one interview with a firm that the HR director (we both have the same first name)told me I would have to go by a different first name since she couldn’t have someone else in the office with her name. The hiring manager called me an “older worker” and I was definitely younger than he was. I didn’t get the job...not that I wanted it. It’s so frustrating! I would love to start my own business just so never again will I answer to anyone else and have the threat of being fired.
FluI am Dr. Flutura Hasa, a public health expert.
75
08/26/19 at 6:13AM UTC
Dear Stepha
It is really sad that in the today environment instead of appreciating the experience some companies actually have managers who get intimidated or don't want people like you. Do not discourage and yes i agree ,having your own company is the best on your field. I wish you luck!
Stephanie BrownEntrepreneur / Real Estate Agent
119
08/27/19 at 8:27PM UTC (Edited)
Thanks Dr. Flu!
Anonymous
08/24/19 at 4AM UTC
I certainly know how this feels I was at my previous job for 18 years before my job was eliminated.. my resume looks like an "entry level" resume even though it was written by a professional placement company! I've had a few people tell me to highlight my accomplishments but honestly these are very few considering I had a huge list of responsibilities that were hardly noticed by others unless I was out of the office.. my accomplishments were for projects & other things I did for internal groups I was a part of that didnt relate to my job.
Any suggestions on how to "polish up" my resume that tells a story of my tenure?
Afo Ogbeyalu Kalu
215
08/24/19 at 2:04PM UTC
What so many fail to realize is that their participation in department/company projects is more important on the resume than a "laundry list" of job description bullet points. When revising your resume I suggest you lead with an introductory statement which summarizes your career path. Follow up with your experience in reverse chronological order; identify the top 3 or 4 responsibilities which characterize your contributions to the department. Lead your bullet points with "action words", and qualify the contributions by adding how your actions added value to the company. When identifying your roles on various projects, don't minimize your worth. State plainly how you were instrumental to project success. Indicate that you "took the lead", "executed", "spearheaded", or "initiated" a project/program/proposal, and state how your efforts impacted the department/company/clients/industry. You could even place your most impactful contribution under a separate heading such as, Career Highlight: . . . . I've used that heading for some of my clients, and I find that it draws interviewers' attention, and it acts as a conversation starter. I hope I've been helpful.
GinaPer
16
08/23/19 at 4:48PM UTC
Thank you so much for sharing this! I am currently in a similar situation due to a re-organization that occurred about a year ago. While I knew finding another career might be somewhat challenging I never thought it would be like this. This process has really left me questioning everything about myself and has impacted my confidence. It's nice to know I'm not alone so again, thank you...and we'll get there eventually.
Brandi HProven successful supervisor
36
08/23/19 at 4:59PM UTC
I’m sorry you are going through this as well, but it is nice to know I’m also not alone in this. I thought with 15 years experience and being in a management position I would be in a good spot to find something, wow was I wrong. It is also hard with people saying maybe I’m not trying, because I’m sending out resumes non stop. I wish is both the best of luck and thanks again for sharing. I’m glad someone understands what I’m dealing with. Have a great day!!
GinaPer
16
08/23/19 at 8:47PM UTC (Edited)
I completely understand. Nine years with the same company in a senior operations management / leadership role. I am very sure you are trying and trying hard! Hope you have a great day too & don't give up!!
Afo Ogbeyalu Kalu
215
08/23/19 at 3:52PM UTC
I agree with the advice posted regarding the tracking software, and would like to add that the job posting notices are chock full of the keywords programed into the software. So you may want to start by comparing the words and phrases used in the job posting notices with your resume.
gayle.kinneyActively seeking new job in the legal field.
15
08/23/19 at 1:04PM UTC
I know exactly what you are going through as well. I am in the same boat right now. Though I have received some calls to interview but can't seem to get past the salary discussion to make it to on onsite interview. Best of luck to you!
GirlBossanova710634Operations Manager, Customer Experience Expert
118
08/22/19 at 11:46PM UTC
I know exactly what you are going through. Someone shared a resume template with me that really made a big difference. Once I started using it I began getting interviews within a week or two. I shared it in a post this week, if you are interested. And, just like Sara said, edit your resume each time to include keywords specific to that position from the job description. Good luck!
Deborah ServetnickTune in and turn up the volume on your life.
85
08/25/19 at 3:29AM UTC
Thank you for sharing; I missed it! Could you please share again?
Many thanks!
GirlBossanova710634Operations Manager, Customer Experience Expert
118
08/26/19 at 12:34PM UTC
Here you go...I hope this helps!
RICHARD J. OVERACHIEVER
1598 Madison Drive
Lakeside, Florida 38138
(305) 555-9999
[email protected]
EXPERIENCE
METHODIST HEALTH MANAGEMENT, INC., Ocala, Florida 6/86 to Present
[A non-profit multi-hospital system with revenues of $510M and 20 facilities in six states with 3,500
licensed beds]
Vice President/Operations (1/90 to Present)
Management of 11 hospitals in three states with licensed complement of 1700 beds. Serve on the Board of Directors of four facilities; report to the Regional Vice President.
• Converted six hospitals from county ownership to Methodist Health Management ownership within a 12-month period.
• Established a purchasing program for the entire system, which resulted in $2M in first year savings.
• Reduced accounts receivable in all hospitals; implemented improved credit and collection policies and improved cash flow projections resulting in $10M cash flow improvement in 12 months.
• Developed the management engineering function at the corporate level in preparation for staffing reductions under Prospective Payment System.
• Processed six successful CON's which added four C.T. scanners and two digital subtraction angiography units for all hospitals.
NORTHSIDE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Northside, Florida [365 beds]
Executive Director (6/86 to 1/90)
Administrative management of the facility; supervise six Vice Presidents and report to the Vice President of Operations of the Northern Division.
• Developed first financial budget, first personnel budget, and first capital equipment budget.
• Improved financial results from operating loss in FY 1985 to four years of successive improvements in operating margin. In FY 1989, the margin exceeded 5.5 percent.
• Processed five successful CON's. Prepared CON, including coordination of the financial feasibility for a $37M replacement facility; worked with architects on development of program plan and block drawings.
• Developed and participated in Physician Recruitment Program that added 23 physicians to a medical staff of 90.
• Added a data communication system, which increased revenues by six percent.
ST. ANTHONY'S HOSPITAL, Beaumont, Louisiana 9/82 to 6/86
[Hospital, member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Joseph and the Weeping Mother]
Administrative management of 18 departments and 300 FTE's; report to the Chief Executive Officer; manage the day to day operations of the hospital and maintain physician relationships.
• Established a Management Engineering department that reported cost savings of $600,000 its first year.
• Led planning and construction of a $1.2M expansion of the Nuclear Medicine department.
• Participated in successful campaign against Teamster Union effort to organize Service and Maintenance employees.
• Led planning, construction, and purchasing of one of the first full body CT scanners installed in the country.
MEDICAL CENTER OF FORT WORTH, Fort Worth, Texas 6/78- to 9/82
[350-bed for-profit facility managed by Hospital Facilities Management, with planning and expansion
resulting in 500 beds]
Associate Administrator (6/80 to 9/82)
Administrative management of 12 departments, as well as the utilization review function and malpractice litigation; reported to the Chief Operating Officer.
• Reorganized Outpatient Services to include establishment of a billing system.
• Wrote Utilization Review Plan and Disaster Plan.
• Developed MBO Project with Housekeeping department.
• Developed program for computerization of all purchasing functions.
• Participated in the development of a long-range plan and the development of a $27M expansion.
Assistant Administrator (6/78 to 6/80)
Management of ancillary services and chairman of several committees.
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Washington, D.C. (500-bed public hospital) 1977-1978
Administrative Resident
EDUCATION
MHA - Hospital Administration, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1977
BS - Business Administration, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina (Cum Laude), 1973
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American College of Healthcare Executives, Fellow since 1989; Regent for Florida, 1991
American Hospital Association
Florida Hospital Association, Chairman (1988-1989)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
United Way, 1990 - Present; Chairman, 1989
Rotary International, 1978 - Present; President, 1988
AnnMarie RugallaPassionate about Philanthropy & Operations
79
08/29/19 at 9:08PM UTC
I have 2 questions for you regarding your format. Is it ok to omit a career summary at the top of a resume? Also, I thought that a resume should not list more than 10-15 years of employment. I would love to hear your feedback, because I was with a company for 18 years (progression from Sales to Director of Sales Ops when I was let go last Sept. 2018) & after taking "time off" from work to spend with my young daughter, I am also struggling getting re-hired. Do you think that I should add 2 other full-time jobs that I had within the same industry to show that I had experience outside that "one" organization? Thanks!
See other replies
Brandi HProven successful supervisor
36
08/22/19 at 11:53PM UTC
Thank you!!
Anonymous
08/22/19 at 11:41PM UTC
Have you considered PathForward?
Brandi HProven successful supervisor
36
08/22/19 at 11:52PM UTC
I have not, but I will look into it today. Thank you!!
Sage IntacctOne of The Best Workplaces in the Bay Area.
38
08/27/19 at 7:50PM UTC
Of course! I hope it helped.
SShepTechnical Writer
410
08/22/19 at 9:42PM UTC (Edited)
I've said this elsewhere, but when you apply for a job on a website, most resumes are submitted through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This software scans your resume for matching phrases and keywords and sends those with an 80% "match" to be reviewed by humans.
If you aren't customizing your resume to fit the specific keywords / skills of the job posting, you sadly won't stand much of a chance. It doesn't matter your actual experience - beating ATS software is a game you have to play to get your foot in the door for an interview.
There are free tools you can use to compare your resume to a job posting (I also sometimes create word clouds of the posting vs my own resume to look for gaps). One that gives you a free scan is https://cvsaviour.com.au/free-resume-job-match-check/
I also recommend having your resume reviewed. There are likely a few local places that will do this for you for a fee, as well as many websites who will. Here in Portland, I often see resume review sessions posted on sites like Meetup.com and Linkedin, where you can sit with recruiters and get feedback. That was a game changer for me.
Good luck!
Anonymous
08/23/19 at 3:10PM UTC
I agree with Sara on all points, however I’d caution on the ‘resume review.’ These services are advertised on most job search website, and I’ve purchased and used them. They’re expensive, and do not always give the best results. For example, I paid $350 for a resume review, and the copy generated was fresh. The writer had taken what I provided, and woven in the right tags and phrases to tell a slightly better ‘story’ of my career. But he also added bullets and formatting that was difficult for me to edit later, and the bullets were likely to trigger errors by the ATS system scanning the document. So while I got some value, it definitely WAS NOT worth what I paid.
Victoria ConlyTalent Acquisition Operations
294
08/23/19 at 1:12PM UTC
As an ATS Technical Analyst I can tell you that this is absolutely true. But there may be other things you’re doing that can hurt your chances.
1. Most ATS’ use or integrate with a resume parser that takes the data on your resume and dumps it into data buckets in the system. This is why some fields appear pre-populated with your data after you’ve uploaded your resume. It’s pretty cool. However, some parsers don’t play nicely with fancy pants resume formats. Photographs, tables, and other design graphics can sometimes confuse the system and prevent the data from going to the right place.
To get around this my suggestion is to keep your resume format simple. If you’re applying for a role that warrants some type of graphic representation, upload that document separately from your resume. Some people even have two versions. One for the parser and one for human eyes.
2. Using multiple browser windows or tabs. Some people like to toggle back and forth between the job description and their application. The trouble with this is what’s known as session bleed through. Gross, I know. But what can end up happening is this: In one tab you’re at point A in the workflow and in the other you’re at point F. Clicking save or continue in either window can cause the system to incorrectly evaluate your place in the workflow and what your next steps might be. Why does this matter? A recruiter looking at your profile in the ATS may think that you haven’t fully completed your application and may pass over you in favor of someone whose profile appears complete.
“But I LIKE to toggle!” I get it. So do I. To get around this problem I recommend using different browser types. One window of Chrome, the other in Firefox. This will prevent that nasty bleed over. Ew.
Brandi HProven successful supervisor
36
08/22/19 at 9:51PM UTC
Thank you very much, your response is greatly appreciated. Have a great day!!
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.