Tuesday
Nov172009
Hi, I'm the resume coach. I can't really help you.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 08:01AM
[Thanks for putting up with my whiny-ness yesterday. I appreciate all the comments and support. I knew I could count on you guys to make me feel liked.]
Today I'm volunteering for the first time as a resume coach at the local Women's Resource Center. And I'm really nervous!
When I first signed up to do this, I was motivated and excited, but it's been almost two months since my training and I feel completely unprepared. The first month I wasn't on the calendar, so they said to wait until October. Then I got sick and couldn't go in the day I was scheduled. Now it's November and I don't remember anything I learned about resume coaching!
Truthfully, I didn't learn a whole lot at the training. They kind of assume we volunteered for the gig because we know something about writing resumes, and they really just gave us tips on how to draw out helpful information from clients. But I don't remember any of the tips! What if a client sits down with me, and I'm all "Um ok. So. What's your work experience?" And they say, "I don't really have any." And I say, "Well, guess you can't make a resume! Thanks for coming in!"
That would be not good. And the way it's set up, there's only one coach available at a time, so there's not even someone else I can turn to if I get stuck. I'm all alone.
Not to mention that my own resume hasn't gotten me some interviews I thought it should have, so maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about. Granted, the women I'll be working with will have very different resumes and intentions than my own, but still! STILL!
I feel like these women will expect me to know what I'm talking about, and I kind of don't. Ok, I kind of do, but not as much as I probably should. They maybe should have had me stuffing envelopes, not interacting with actual human beings.
Today I'm volunteering for the first time as a resume coach at the local Women's Resource Center. And I'm really nervous!
When I first signed up to do this, I was motivated and excited, but it's been almost two months since my training and I feel completely unprepared. The first month I wasn't on the calendar, so they said to wait until October. Then I got sick and couldn't go in the day I was scheduled. Now it's November and I don't remember anything I learned about resume coaching!
Truthfully, I didn't learn a whole lot at the training. They kind of assume we volunteered for the gig because we know something about writing resumes, and they really just gave us tips on how to draw out helpful information from clients. But I don't remember any of the tips! What if a client sits down with me, and I'm all "Um ok. So. What's your work experience?" And they say, "I don't really have any." And I say, "Well, guess you can't make a resume! Thanks for coming in!"
That would be not good. And the way it's set up, there's only one coach available at a time, so there's not even someone else I can turn to if I get stuck. I'm all alone.
Not to mention that my own resume hasn't gotten me some interviews I thought it should have, so maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about. Granted, the women I'll be working with will have very different resumes and intentions than my own, but still! STILL!
I feel like these women will expect me to know what I'm talking about, and I kind of don't. Ok, I kind of do, but not as much as I probably should. They maybe should have had me stuffing envelopes, not interacting with actual human beings.
Reader Comments (6)
Resume coach, eh? I'd LOVE input on my resume....you might have just opened up a can of worms...and I LOVE IT! :)
Uargh, Resume Coach... how did that happen? ;) J/K.
I totally understand your feelings. Not that I've ever attended a training to become a resume coach or anything, but I've read quite a bit on the Internet about how to put a resume together, but whenever I sit down to update my resume I feel completely lost and don't remember a thing.
Good luck! I am sure you can make it up as you go.
Not sure if this will be helpful, but...
I think that finding a job IS a job. You have to put a lot of effort into going out and finding places to apply and applying correctly and following up. In terms of resumes and cover letters, they need to be applicable to the job you're applying for, that means each one might be different. You need to do your homework on where you're applying and put that information into your letter and/or resume. (You probably already know all of this). Otherwise, I think you'll be good at being a resume coach. Read over what they have, and make suggestions. Try to think about what you would tell a friend if they came to you for resume advice. Try to think of what you would want, if you were hiring. An outside perspective can be very helpful. Go get 'em!
I think you'll do just fine. You'll find yourself in a groove and be able to give advice. I doubt someone is going to walk in with absolutely no experience whatsoever. Good luck!
I think its great that you're taking on this task of being a resume coach! I'm sure you're more helpful than you think. A lot of folks that need help with their resumes generally have TERRIBLE resumes.
[...] Resume coaching went fine. Phew! I think it’s mostly because you guys said it would and you’re usually right. So thanks for that. [...]