Gap In Employment: "Feeling Abused By Management"

Posted by Comment Of The Day Contributor George Abney 

From Article on  "Gap In Employment".How Do You Address It On A Resume?

No.. I was not in a coma for five years.
No.. I was not in prison for two years.
No.. I was not on a job in Columbia.
No.. I was not working a ball and chain under a deputy's gun.

Yes.. I started a landscaping business that failed miserably.
Yes.. I needed time to recover from the damage by physical labor.
Yes.. The painting business just didn't work out. Too may of my workers
turned out to be illegals, or ex-convicts who specialized on milking the timeclock.
Yes...I was a student again at age 45/55/65...
Yes...I discovered my retirement pension fund was looted by management
and I had to return to job hunting where no one over age 45 was selected for
interview.

Yes..I discovered the Americans Disability Act means nothing during HR interviews
when my most frequent answer was "HUH? Would you please repeat that question?"
Yes.. I do have severe dental problems. WHO can afford a dentist anymore?
Yes..I really DO object to the feel of an interviewer's naked foot dragging along the
inside of my leg during an interview.
Yes..I really DO object to the intrusion of a spontaneous neck massage during a job interview.
Yes..I dare to think the job is nothing but the job. I resent being screened as another male hustler by resort management keen to make a guest's stay as 'pleasant' as possible.

Yes. I have had ALL of these experiences...and then some that are unprintable. I resigned immediately when I discovered such abuse was endorsed and encouraged by management.



Have you had similar experiences? Your reaction.

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Older Job Seekers:Top 5 Resume Myths De-Bunked

 It can be very confusing for an older job seeker to prepare a "perfect resume" in today's world. So I ask the thousands of recruiting experts and career coach's what should an older job seeker do? Are they really myths or just misplaced confusion? (Editors note)


From screening job applications to conducting interviews, hiring practices have undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Despite all the changes, common resume myths continue to plague job search practices at all levels. The article attempts to debunk some of these myths.

Myth 1: It's all about the number of pages

The one-page rule is probably the most common myth about a resume. Candidates, even senior executives, use microscopic fonts, leave off important information, use 0.1 inch margins, and resort to a myriad of unhealthy practices -- all in an attempt to restrict their resume to just one page.

Many well-meaning college counselors advise their students to be concise and limit their resume to one page. That was important when you were a student with little or no experience, but why subscribe to the same wisdom after rising to the ranks of a senior executive.

There is an opposing viewpoint. Some job seekers mistakenly believe that if they can somehow balloon their resumes to four or five pages, they will probably be considered for higher-paying positions. What? Will someone offer me $250,000 simply because my resume is ten pages and redundant to the point of boredom?

Content rules. The quality of experience should influence the length of the resume, not hearsay. If you have held only one job, then don’t try to create a five-page resume, but if your background merits a lengthier resume then don’t use eight point fonts in a desperate attempt to fit everything on one page.

If you are too concerned about the length of your resume, consider creating a one- or two-page resume with additional pages serving as an appendix or addendum. I have done that for many researchers and academicians. The first few pages focused on their background, while their publications and presentations were presented as an appendix.

Myth 2: Make up that degree -- no one will know

Lying on a resume is the worst mistake a candidate can make. Even if you pass the background check (very unlikely considering how sophisticated background checks have become), a savvy employer will discover the deception within days, if not sooner.

Apart from the legal ramifications, we live in a professional world that is influenced by social media. At the touch of a button, HR managers across the country can discuss their experiences. Maintaining a good reputation is more important than ever.

Myth 3: Your resume must have an objective

“Seeking a position that will be beneficial and mutually rewarding … and will make use of my experience and education ....” If that is your idea of an objective, don’t bother using one. Every inch of resume space is precious. Don’t waste it on generic information that can be found on almost every other resume. Every word, every character that appears on your resume must position you as the perfect candidate for the job.

Of the 5,000+ resumes I have written, I may have used an objective for maybe a handful of candidates. In place of objectives, I often used what many experts call “branding statements” or “headers”. The concept can be explained with the help of an example.

In the case of a clinical researcher, for example, a generic objective would be as follows:

“Seeking a mutually beneficial position that will make use of my 10+ years’ experience in clinical research.”

An improvement would be:

Harvard-Educated Clinical Researcher with 10+ Years’ Professional Excellence

Worked with top five pharmaceutical companies. Leveraged clinical expertise to manage three blockbuster, multi-billion dollar molecules from Phase I to Market.

The generic example does almost nothing to position the candidate but the refined version, in addition to serving as an objective, brings out three to four prominent strengths and an overall value proposition.

Whether you decide to use an objective or a positioning statement, refrain from presenting generic arguments.

Myth 4: Your references must be listed on the resume itself

Normally, a separate page is used as a reference sheet. This not only protects the privacy of your references (imagine posting their contact information on every job board), but also makes the screening professional’s job a little easier.

Myth 5: I can use the same resume for multiple job targets

If your current resume focuses on your laboratory background, please don’t send the same resume for marketing positions. It is understandable that you may qualify for multiple positions or be interested in pursuing alternate careers. If so, try to create a customized resume for each job target.

When it comes to a resume, never follow the “one size fits all” approach.

- Nimish Thakkar, Career management coach and CEO of a ResumeCorner.com


Would you like to Create  Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters?

Would you like to Create a Better Resume?

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Interviewing For Over 50 Job Seekers: By AARP

It may of been some time since you have interviewed. Or perhaps your first few interviews have not gone the way you thought they would. What can a older job seeker who is feeling nervous and uncertain  do to prepare for a job interview. Are you afraid of sounding too old. You will learn Interview Tips including: "how to focus on accomplishments not the length of work history". You need to be prepared to answer tough questions including "aren't you over qualified".  Listen, learn and practice. This video will help keep you on task. (Editor's Note)








Job Interview guide: Do you need to improve your interview skills?

Would you like to Create Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters?

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Is Hiring Age Discrimination Ok With John Stossel (ABC Video)?

John does not believe that older workers should be protected from firing based on their age. Companies will usually deny that age was the factor in a employees firing. He infers that younger workers can do many things better than older workers. 
As a side note: "When President Barack Obama altered federal guidelines in April 2010 governing the employment of unpaid interns under the Fair Labor Standards Act,^[37] Stossel criticized the guidelines, appearing in a police uniform during an appearance on the Fox News program America Live, commenting, "I’ve built my career on unpaid interns, and the interns told me it was great—I learned more from you than I did in college." Asked why he did not pay them if they were so valuable, he said he could not afford to." (source:Wikipedia) What do you think is fair? note:30 sec commercial precedes 2:30 video. Patience:). (Editor's Note)


Answer Any Question A Interviewer Could Possibly Throw At You
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Are You Frustrated As You Search for A New Career Or Job? Award Winning Short Film

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In our lives we go through many career and life transitions. But this film will give you pause as to what finding purpose can mean. Even in the Circus! I have never posted a short film before "The Butterfly Circus", but I believe this is well worth a pause in your search for a new career or job. Look forward to your comments.(Editors Notes: )

Would you like help in improving your interviewing skills?
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See Part Two of "The Butterfly Circus" here. Click Here!
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Is Your Career Stuck Or In Reverse? Need A Career Overhaul?

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5 Career Transition Questions You Should Know The Answer To.

1. What is my Purpose?
2. What are my career abilities? ‚
3.  Is my current career dead or killing me? (aka "I am miserable")
4. What skills do I have that are transferable to a new job?
5. Where should I be looking for my new career?

If you are seeking the answers to any of these questions then maybe it is time to try to put a method to the madness. You can take a free  psychometric career test that  is approved by a PhD-qualified social scientist.  It takes only  a few minutes. 


What does your career test reveal?

1. Your top 3 "Fields of Work" selected from the official US Department of Labor careers database on the basis of your individual responses to the questionnaire.

2. Which one of the 16 career personality types you fit into and what types of work you are best suited to.

3. Your 6 dominant career abilities and 3 dominant career intelligences - again this provides clues to your most suitable career.

4. How you rate on the 6 key skills of the "Knowledge Age".

We all know the magic feeling when your abilities, interests and temperament are aligned with your career and your life's purpose.  All a sudden a new found energy and motivation that drives you to new levels of contentment and achievement. Feeling like a 33 year old (newbie) instead of a 63 years old (Has Been). Waking up excited to pursue a new career. You are the only one that can control this.

You can read more about the unique, personalized ebook:  How to Find Your Life's Purpose and Ideal Career when you have completed 7 minute questionnaire. Start Your Free Career Test Here.


Have You Prepared For Your Job Interviews Like Its The Super Bowl? 
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