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A small sampling of job seekers from the engineering
field that I have worked with include Civil Engineers, HVAC Designers,
Project Managers, Drafters, Architects, Lighting Designers and
Design Engineers.
Engineers often get stuck in a rut when creating
chronological resumes because their titles may not present the
best that they have to offer - or the full range of skills they
possess. For example, Ray has over 10 years experience as an
HVAC/Mechanical Designer working in his father's firm. His experience
exceeds that of many licensed engineers but he never completed
college and is therefore not licensed. He found an ad for a Manufacturer
Representative position marketing HVAC equipment to architects
and builders specializing in hospitals, educational institutions
and municipal buildings. The ad stressed outside sales experience
along with extensive ability to work with architects and builders
to market, design and specify HVAC systems.
While Ray had no "outside sales experience"
he had been responsible for marketing the firm's services to
existing clients, negotiating contracts and supervising project
construction activities. Take a moment and compare Ray's before
resume to the after resume that I created while working with
him. Which does a better job of presenting Ray as having skills
that are comparable to the requirement for "outside sales
experience?"
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Before:
HVAC / Mechanical Designer
Designed and drafted HVAC systems. Coordinated with architects,
contractors and building owners.
After:
HVAC Systems Design and
Marketing
Marketed design services to architects and builders specializing
in building of hospitals, educational institutions and municipal
buildings with annual design fees exceeding $2.5 million.
Designed projects specifying the purchase and installation of
$450,000 in HVAC equipment per year. |
$9,000 Salary Increase
The first resume workshop in this site shows how Fran's after
resume resulted in a $9,000 salary increase. Fran wanted a $33,000
Corporate Customer Representative job but her resume created
an image of her being at a $20,000 to 24,000 salary level --
that's $9,000 to $13,000 beneath her goal.
What Level Does Your Resume Market
You At?
If you are curious to see what level your resume is marketing
you at … then be sure to read and use the graphing techniques
in my first workshop. By graphing the job titles used in Fran's
resume it's easy to see why her resume failed … and once
you understand this … you will understand why the majority
of resumes fail. You'll then understand how to analyze your job
titles and see if you are better off using them or replacing
them with skill headings that market you more effectively.
Most People Have Job Titles that
Weaken Their Image
I estimate that at least 85% of all job seekers have job titles
unrelated to their current career goals … and that they
are much better off using skill headings rather than job titles
to land higher salaries and double and triple their interview
rates.
For example, Fran had been
a Directory Operator but in most people's minds that doesn't
sound like she's at the level of a Corporate Customer Representative
making $33,000 … that's because most people don't view directory
operators as providing true customer service. Most people say
that Directory Operator sounds like someone making only $20,000.
However, by using the 12 Questions in my Proven Resumes Series,
Fran wrote a new description of her duties as a Directory Operator
that described her being selected out of 100 Directory Operators
to provide specialized Customer Service to the Governor's Office
and Political Dignitaries in the Washington State Capitol …
now that information begins to change our image of Fran doesn't
it? That makes her sound much more like someone being able to
command $33,000.
Which sounds like a better
match for the $33,000 Corporate Customer Service Representative
goal… her old job title of Directory Operator … or
a skill heading like Customer Service Representative to State
of Washington Account. In Fran's actual resume we used the heading
of Customer Service Representative but you can see how you can
play with skill headings to control and elevate your image …
this is one strategy I explain in detail with examples throughout
my book, Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries,
and one of the strongest things I can offer you as a resume writer
… just in case you don't have the time or patience to write
your own.
Going from 0% to 100% Interview Rate
By using skill headings that matched her goal, Fran went from
a 0% interview rate to a 100% interview rate -- meaning none
of her prior resumes had landed an interview but her new resume
landed an interview for each position she applied for.
Click here to learn other
ways we improved Fran's resume and landed her a job paying $9,000
more click here
to read
my first set of resume workshops! If you've entered my site via this page, be sure
to go to my main website's home page for an overview of more
than 60
Free Resume & Job Search Workshops that include tons of Resume Tips for 45 Career Fields,
Job Search, Electronic Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, Networking
and Confidence Building strategies.
The testimonials throughout
my site describe salary increases ranging from $10,000 to $30,000
and more. Here's one of my most recent ones:
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Regina, the resume you wrote
caught the attention of the world's leading software manufacturer.
Thanks for helping inspire me through your thoughtful questions
and objective interpretation of my work history.
I'm sure it made a big difference
in my ability to be recognized in a competitive environment and
cross the $100,000 threshold. By the way, the offer I accepted
was an increase of $25K annually (21% increase).
Rachel Pizarro, Senior Sales
Account Executive / Operations Manager |
In Summary
When applying for engineering positions,
make a list of the employer's requirements. Then write down all
of your skills in great detail and compare your skills to the
position requirements. Group required skills or areas of experience
and label them with skill headings that are a close match to
the employer's needs.
If you have extensive engineering experience
or are graduating from a 4 year university program, I recommend that you consider purchasing my booklet
series, Proven Resumes: Strategies That Increase Salaries. It
is targeted for job seekers with a salary range of up to $70,000+
and provides over 2,000 skills, skill headings and sample sentences
including lists for engineeering, construction, facilities management,
HR management, general management and supervision. It provides
extensive resume examples and worksheets to help you identify
your skills and market them to match the jobs you want. For a
complete description click on the link below. |
Website Contents, Regina Pontow,
1997-2005