CAREERS NOW 06-02-10

Being Board Director is Resume Gold

DEAR JOYCE: A friend has asked me to join the board of her new start- up company. I want to assist my friend but I don't have a lot of extra time. What do you think? - L.O.S.

Becoming a board member adds luster to anyone's resume who is aiming for a management career. Caveat: Be sure the friend's company carries liability insurance to protect board members from any kind of legal action.

DEAR JOYCE: I never know what to say when asked the old "What's your greatest weakness" question. A friend says her favorite answer is "chocolate." Is that too flip? -S.G.

Flipness is in the ear of the listener. That wheeze has been around for decades but virgin ears still find it amusing. And remember, people hire people they like.

DEAR JOYCE: I've made a target list of employers, putting my favorites at the top and least favorites at the bottom. I haven't interviewed in a dozen years and wonder if I should start at the bottom to get back into the swing of interviewing? - P.P.

Not a bad plan. In fact, it's good thinking to limber up with marginal prospects before tackling top prospects.
If you should be so lucky that one of your back benchers offers you a job, offer profuse appreciation, say you'd like to sleep on it overnight to be dead certain that you and the job are right for each other, and the next morning call and either accept the job or explain that upon reflection, you feel that the job is not, after all, a good fit for you. Then write a thank-you note for the interview and consideration.

DEAR JOYCE: I work for a small city and just filled a rare job opening that attracted a large number of applicants. I hired on merit, but my choice wasn't the son of a retired coworker who had mentored me when I was a new employee. That relationship is ruptured, to say the least. What else could I have done? - A.B.C.

You did the right thing. Your obligation is to make choices that best meet your city's workplace objectives. Because of the background, you can call the son, set up a meeting off site, offer constructive suggestions and use your personal network to help the young man to find a job for which he qualifies.

DEAR JOYCE: An old job hunting book I got from my library advises not using resumes to get interviews to get jobs. Agree? - K.J.

Resumes and social media profiles fuel the employment process. If you're hot, use the resumes to gain interviews. If you're not, other methods of obtaining interviews - such as third-party referrals - will probably serve you better.

The no-resume advisers of days gone by argued that alternative ways of obtaining interviews not only prevent being screened out because your document causes you to appear unqualified for the job, but that you can sell yourself face-to-face even when your qualifications and the job are a clumsy fit. The stand-up approach can work if you are personable and have strong verbal skills, but most of us need the backup of a persuasive resume to stand out.

I'm a strong believer in preparing strong resumes, even when you employ more personal methods to line up interviews.

DEAR JOYCE: I have lost faith in the ethics of my business and intend to get out as soon as I can. If I became a landscape contractor, what income could I expect? - A.M.

Well-established landscape contractors with a stream of steady non-residential business can earn good money, but most scrape by. Under-the-sun work is sweaty and I hope you'll try it out on a part-time basis before buying a year's worth of sunscreen.

In your research roundup, Web browse for landscape architects, grounds maintenance workers, SBA (Small Business Administration) and green careers. Chat up plant nursery managers for an overview of business in your locale.

Email Joyce
Sorry, the volume of mail makes personal replies impossible.