July 25, 2010 in Jobs, Resumes by Resume
(to the tune of Aaron Neville's classic hit "Don't Know Much.")
I don't know much,
but I know I could work for you,
and that may be, all you need to knoooooow.
***
I'm not gonna sit here and lie about my experience or exaggerate my job description. Sure I could tell you I was an Office Operations Specialist...but in reality, I was an Office Assistant. Is there anything wrong with being "just" an Office Assistant? I don't think so. I worked hard for my money...so hard for my money. :) But no, working in an office taught me how to be more organized, how to be efficient, effective, while being courteous to others. I also worked as a Video Team Leader for a retail chain. I could tell you my job was a Manger of Department Operations, but what's wrong with being a Video Team Leader? I learned the ins and outs of customer service, I learned marketing and sales techniques, and most importantly I learned how to be an effective leader.
I received a degree in English/Writing as well as a minor in Mass Comm. I've been told English isn't the most marketable degree. I've also been told that Office Assistants and retail jobs aren't very marketable either. Why not? Each one involves hard work? I worked hard to obtain my degree and I even graduated Magna Cum Laude. I worked hard as an Office Assistant and helped the company I worked for secure some very large accounts. I worked hard in retail and even earned a 100% rating from the district manager.
So tell me, what makes me unmarketable? My lack of experience? Experience you can obtain in a few months. Ambition, dedication, determination...you can't.
I guess what my point is that employers shouldn't look past people just because their titles aren't impressive or their degree isn't "marketable." Give people a chance, invite them in for an interview, give them a phone interview at the very least. Judge them by that and not by what they look like on paper. I bet Snooki from Jersey Shore can look good on paper, but do you want her working as your Customer Service Supervisor? I don't think so!
In conclusion, there are people who will say that I don't know much. That I'm inexperienced and have a useless degree. Well, there are also a handful of people who will tell you I'm an ambitious hard-working individual who is determined to make something of his life. Those first people, well they don't know me at all. They’re most likely HR people who are too busy to even read an entire resume. The latter people however, well those would be past employers and current friends and family. It’s up to you who you will listen to. I sure hope you choose the latter.
Thanks for reading!
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