Posts Tagged With: jobs

When A Robot Reads Your Resume

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Melissa Hart

Before a person views your resume, it might be scanned by a computer to screen your qualifications.

Career experts suggest preparing your resume for three audiences: a computer screening program, a human resources specialist, and the hiring manager.

To pass the test of automatic resume scanners, consider these suggestions:

  • Be sure to include your contact information, and avoid putting required information in the heading where it might be missed by the scanner.
  • Avoid fancy formats and fonts. Use a professional presentation.  Bullets are suggested for an organized, easy-to-read appearance.
  • Emphasize keywords that reflect your competencies and experiences.
  • Connect to the job description. Use the requirements and responsibilities of an employment position as a guide for presenting your background, skills, and accomplishments. Avoid a generic resume; tailor your resume to the specific position. Especially look for keywords that are repeated in the job description.
  • Use clear job titles. Adapt and simplify previous job titles to fit generally-accepted labels in an industry.
  • Seek guidance. Ask for assistance from career development centers, professional colleagues, friends, and others who can help you prepare a resume appropriate for scanning software.

Of special note, job applicants with military experience should match job description keywords to their military service. They should also emphasize and communicate their background so the resume scanning software will easily recognize their employment competencies.

For additional information on automatic resume scanners, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students create a resume for a specific job description to connect their background to the available position.
  • Have students talk to a few people to obtain suggestions for improving their resumes.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Based on selected job descriptions, name keywords that might be appropriate to use in a resume for those positions.
  2. List various sources that might be used to obtain resume preparation assistance.
Categories: Career, Career_Appendix, Chapter 1, _Appendix B | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

How to Profit from the Ultra-Tight Job Market Right Now

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Melissa Hart

“The war for talent that obsesses tech companies is intensifying and is about to spread economywide.”

This Fortune article is a must read for job seekers in today’s world, Geoff Colvin explains that after nine years of sluggish economic growth, the economy has turned the corner and creating jobs at a record pace.  The hiring boom is not only creating opportunities for unemployed workers, but also currently-employed workers who want to get a better or higher-paying jobs.

In the current job market, employers are seeking talented employees that have a great future.  Traits that include creativity, the willingness to work hard, and love of learning often help employers evaluate potential.  Digital skills are very important, but not restricted to just tech companies.  For example, many retailers are hiring workers who can use digital skills to reach customers in new ways.

Human skills are also more important than in the past.  Companies want workers to feel they’re part of the organization and a valued asset.  These “same people” skills are very important for workers applying for management positions.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Reinforce that employers want workers who have the knowledge and skills that they need, but also are willing to work hard, become part of the organization, and keep learning once they get the job.

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you develop the traits and skills so that employers are willing to pay you a salary?
  2. If you were an employer, how would you choose between job applicants applying for a customer service position at American Airlines? What traits and skills are most important?
Categories: Career, Career Training, Career_Appendix, Chapter 1, _Appendix B | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Ticket to Work Program

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Melissa Hart

What is the Ticket to Work Program?

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work.  The Ticket program is free and voluntary and it helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.

The Ticket program is a good fit for people who want to improve their earning potential and are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workforce.  Ticket to Work offers beneficiaries with disabilities access to meaningful employment with the assistance of Ticket to Work employment service providers called employment networks.  If you are ready to go to work, there are people ready and waiting to help you.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if they know someone who is disabled. Is he/she receiving any benefits from Social Security?  Have they heard of the Ticket to Work program?
  • Earning a living through employment is not something everyone can do. How does one decide whether to seek help from Ticket to Work service providers?

Discussion Questions:

  1. People are more likely to lose their incomes due to disability than death. How does the Social Security Administration define disability to qualify for benefits?
  2. More than 80 percent of working Americans don‘t have disability income insurance or are not covered adequately.  How can Ticket to Work program help these people?
Categories: Chapter 9, Disability Insurance | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

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