CAREERS NOW 02-04-09

World's Best Resume Writer

DEAR JOYCE: I'm having trouble getting hired at age 33! Could you look at my resume and tell me what's probably wrong? - K.D.D.

Sorry, but reviewing resumes isn't in my job description. But to lend a hand in these extraordinary times, here's a terrific tip: You can compare your resume to one written by the "World's Best Resume Writer," the winner of the first-ever competition to let everyone see what the "best of the best" looks like.

The contest, sponsored by professional association Career Directors International, was open to any English-language resume writer in the world. Examine and learn from the three nominee resumes at this site: careerdirectors.com/awards.htm#WBRW.

A panel of top industry representatives - human resource directors, senior recruiters, occupational development specialists, and several certified resume writers - will select the winners. Additionally, a public choice competition also appears through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to allow the public to pick their choice of the three nominees for the World's Best Resume Writer Public Choice Award.

The first-, second- and third-place winners will be announced March 1. I didn't vote because I think the resumes of all three nominees (resume contestants names were not made public to keep bias from creeping into the selection process) are impressive. No, make that spectacular! No, make that the best I've seen and perfect for these new times.

DEAR JOYCE: Having just been tossed out of a job I've held since I graduated from high school (am now 26), the only job I can find is one at McDonald's. My boyfriend tells me to work hard and maybe I'll get promoted. Not cool. Maybe I should move to a bigger city and keep looking. Yes? No? - S.P.D.

Without knowing your situation, my first choice would be to take the job at McDonald's. What do Jay Leno, Sharon Stone, Jeff Bezos, Carl Lewis and Pink share in common? According to management consultant Paul Facella, all are successes in their fields who have worked at McDonald's.

In his new book, ""Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's (McGraw-Hill, 2008), Facella says three-fourths of mid- to senior-level corporate managers at McDonald's started out as crew members.

The author explains how work that you consider beneath you can tune up your career:

-- Teaches you the ropes. Stay aware and you'll learn more about business than in most MBA classes.

-- Hones your work style. Working hard and never being satisfied will serve you in the future as an executive or entrepreneur.

-- Refines relationship skills. You'll learn to listen more than talk, resolve conflicts and roll with the punches.

-- Creates opportunities. By making wise choices, you can quickly move up the ranks. At McDonald's and companies with similar management philosophies, you may find speedy career progression.

-- Forms networks. Treat your work relationships right - higher- ups, peers and subordinates - and you'll have career champions for a lifetime.

-- Reinforces humility. There is no upside to unemployment. Learn to appreciate the goodness of work itself and what a job can teach you.

Facella's positive observations about the merits of low-end jobs don't mean you should settle for dead-end jobs. He says you can sniff out a dead-end job by asking how many managers at the company began at entry-level. Good advice.

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