Résumés For People With "Nothing To Offer"

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

20 Oct 2006 08:16 AM

First of all, there is no such thing as a person "with nothing to offer." Recent college graduates and homemakers or anyone else with little work experience often feel that way, but it is an illusion, a negative, self-defeating illusion. Know you are not alone in the misery of preparing your work history, for even seasoned executives have trouble prioritizing their experiences, accomplishments and skills. Chances are, you have skills you don't even know your have, and the trick is to capture their essence on a tricky little piece of paper known as a résumé.

How does one do this, you may ask. Good question. Remember, that if you have no work experience, you are not competing in the fierce job market with high-powered executives. Therefore, it doesn't matter if you haven't supervised 600 people or are considered the top CEO in a company. (If you were, one of your underlings would probably write your résumé for you anyway.)

The best way to approach the task at hand without being overwhelmed is to consider yourself a survivor. You need sincerely feel that you have done okay, considering where you have come from. This is not just fluff as, if you really think about it, all of us are the sum total of our experiences and we need to be proud of them. They have made us what we are. We also need to strive to grow, change and do better.

List all the work you have ever done in your life, including volunteer work and any organizations you have belonged to. This will help to pinpoint the field you might like to enter. While you have the pen out, list your most important personality traits. Are you detail-oriented? Can people count on you? Are you able to motivate others? Do you follow through on everything you tackle?

So as you can see, you have some work to do. No one on this earth is cursed with having "nothing to offer."

Good luck!

Related Reading:

"Resume Format: Is There a Right Way?"

"What Are Hard and Soft Skills?"

http://forums.families.com/jobs,f122

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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