+- Sonic Aftermath (http://www.saftermath.com/forum)
+-- Forum: Player Manual (/forumdisplay.php?fid=46)
+--- Forum: Introductions and Absenses (/forumdisplay.php?fid=50)
+---- Forum: Absenses (/forumdisplay.php?fid=67)
+---- Thread: Gotta call a raincheck (/showthread.php?tid=1187)
Gotta call a raincheck - Shazbot - 12-09-2013 10:22 AM
The internet in my apartment is down at the moment, and I'm not sure when it'll get turned back on. I am also doing a lot of job hunting, so whenever I CAN get online I need to be focusing on that, until I finally find someone who is willing to pay me to wear a stupid hat.
So yeah, once internet is working again I'll have enough free time to put in an appearance or two. Until then, peace.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Nail Strafer - 12-09-2013 10:29 AM
That's all right. Take all the time you need. I was in your shoes back in early 2011 so I know how it feels. Keep sending out those applications as fast as you can. I can give you some job search advice that's worked for me if you want.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Shazbot - 12-09-2013 10:49 AM
Sure, I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Nail Strafer - 12-09-2013 11:12 AM
My advice specifically concerns resumes, and how to get your resume noticed. I don't know how important that would be for you (it sounds like you're after entry-level positions), but for me it was extremely important to get my foot in the door for a professional programming position.
First of all, when you send a resume, it usually has to get past a couple stages before you get a phone call back:
1) These days, when you first send a resume off, usually a computer scans your resume for key words instead of a human looking at it.
2) If your resume has the right key words, then a human in the HR department will look at the resume.
3) If you get past HR, they'll submit your resume along with a couple dozen other candidates to the hiring manager.
4) The hiring manager will choose a few resumes out of HR's pile for interviews.
5) This is where you get the phone call, if you managed to get past all of these screenings.
Thus, to even get noticed, it is VERY important your resume has the right keywords in it. I'm going to tell you how to find those keywords. It's actually pretty easy to do and even a little bit fun.
Do you know what a word cloud is? Basically, a word cloud is a collection of words bunched together in a cloud-like formation. That much is obvious, but typically the more important the word, the bigger it will be compared to the other words. There are lots of websites out there that can generate word clouds automatically for you, if you give them text to work with. Just type in "Word Could" in google and watch all the word cloud websites pop up. http://www.wordle.net is an example.
What you want to do is take the job description from online and run it through a word cloud generator. Then when you get your word cloud, all of the important words will be exposed immediately as the largest words. Make sure that your application/resume mentions all of those important words at one point or another. Those words are what the screening software and HR will be looking for. As soon as I started using this method, I got a lot more calls back. I had one day when I had THREE interviews scheduled, and one of them led to the great job I've got now.
Naturally, the important words will be different from job description to job description, so you need to reword your application/resume for each position. Make sure you make a custom application for every position you apply for. It's also about quality, not just quantity.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Stormer Aurion - 12-09-2013 12:19 PM
Sorry to hear about that, Shaz. Best of luck, man! And thanks for telling me about this place!
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Shazbot - 12-12-2013 04:42 AM
Well, internet is still down, no word on when that's gonna get fixed. I found volunteer work at a local animal shelter, as well as possibly working as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school. None of it is paid, of course, but at least I have something I'm doing, I'm not just sitting around the house all day.
Even though I can't post here yet, I have been banging away at two more character sheets in preparation. Yeah, you heard right, two. One is for Rimgar, the other for a mystery character who is yet to be revealed. I will make an account for the former once he's ready, the latter I will have to send via PM for approval before I post it.
It'll be awesome. I guarantee it.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Sonic - 12-12-2013 04:45 AM
Nice, Shaz! The Stormer sheet needs heavy reworking, so I'm doing Sonic as well!
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Rimgar - 12-14-2013 08:23 AM
Okay, internet is back. Expect me to make some attempt at participation this weekend.
...oh, this is Shaz by the way. I don't feel like switching accounts, so yeah.
RE: Gotta call a raincheck - Sonic - 12-14-2013 08:57 AM
Glad to see you back!