Pongo Blog RSS - Pongo Resume

Be a Good Storyteller at the Job Interview

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST

When someone suggests that you tell stories in your job interviews, they re not talking about a tale from a book or a this guy walks into a bar story that makes you the life of the party. The stories you must be ready to tell are about things that took place in previous jobs, things that back up the skills and qualifications you wrote about in your resume.

Dirty-Sounding Jobs Quiz: Guess the Industries

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:28:00 EST

You won t see too many job ads for Bosom Pressers or Blind Hookers, but those are real job titles. And despite the smutty images your mind may have conjured up, those and the rest of the dirty-sounding jobs listed in this post are legitimate occupations pulled directly from the U.S. Department of Labor s Dictionary of Occupational Titles (1991 Edition). Just for fun, take our quiz, and see if you can guess which industry they re from!

Wanna Get Noticed? Don't Just Rely on Job Boards

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

No, I m not suggesting that you stop using job boards to find a job (how silly would that be?). I m simply suggesting there might be a better way to apply to the jobs you find on those big job boards. With this alternate method, you ll improve your chances of getting your resume and cover letter into the employer s hands in a way that gets you noticed.

Make the Cover Letter Your Secret Weapon

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:15:00 EST

How do I stand out among all those other candidates for the job? It s a question I hear a lot lately. With an average of six candidates for every job opening in the United States, it s hard to know how to get employers to notice you. Everyone is looking for that special trick or magic codeword.

Stupidity and Humor in the Job Search

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

If human beings were perfect, we wouldn t have so many opportunities to learn from our personal gaffes and goofs, as well as those of others. The job search offers more than enough examples, from the resume typo to the visible coffee stain on a crisp, white shirt that a job seeker unknowingly puts on display at an interview.

50 Action Words for Your Resume

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

One of the biggest complaints HR reps have about resumes is not enough action words! Every resume needs punch-packing, meaningful action words to impress readers. If yours is missing that punch, read this post and update your resume!

What My Layoff Taught Me

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Being unemployed for four months definitely made this a stressful year, but the experience reminded me of a few things and taught me about myself and job hunting in the 21st century.

Older Workers: Rejuvenate Your Geezer Resumes

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:30:00 EST

Some older job candidates blame their lack of job search success on age discrimination, when really it s their bad attitudes and/or bad resumes that keep them from getting hired. Well, this week I heard a story from a hiring manager who s looking to hire someone with top-notch technical skills to head up a department. One of the applicants was over 60, but his resume made it clear he s kept up with the latest technologies. This story seemed like a perfect illustration of how a job candidate can

3 Ways to Get the Hiring Manager to Like You

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

In a survey of more than 1,400 chief financial officers by Accountemps, nearly a third said personality or people skills would be the most valuable factor in deciding between two equally qualified candidates for an accounting or finance position, even more important than job knowledge, industry experience, or software skills. Findings such as this highlight the importance of likability as a key in landing the job offer.

Build a Long Master Resume, Then Cut, Cut, Cut

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

You have years of work experience; many years, in fact. You ve racked up plenty of accomplishments with several employers, and even won a few awards. But when you put all of that into a resume, you re left with a document that s well over the strongly suggested 1-to-2 page length. Should you keep it all or cut some? The answer (surprise!): Keep it all, but don t use it all.