CAREERS NOW 06/22/05

Free Database to Find Skills, Write Resume

DEAR JOYCE: I need to write a resume mentioning my best skills. I don't want to miss any that are expected for my line of work. Do you know where I can get a checklist? -- R.B.

Skills are what employers mainly look for in deciding whether you can do the job. Today's "skills finder" job tool is not glamorous -- but a very useful one that can save you hours of racking your brain to identify and recall skills you possess.

The federal Labor Department pays for a database of skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities and interests associated with 950 occupations.

The database is called O'Net, which stands for Occupational Information Network. Find it online at: online.onetcenter.org.

O'Net also includes occupational titles, competencies, job requirements, job descriptions and more. Using it becomes easier with each update, which now occurs twice annually.

If you can't find your occupation in O'Net, use a search engine to look for free job descriptions which may be posted by career field, such as human resources or accounting.

To better understand the concept of transferable skills that you can take from one job to another, see "Transferable Job Skills" at quintcareers.com/transferable_skills.html.

Not being able to speak about your marketable skills is like letting air out of your own balloon.

DEAR JOYCE: I work for a small company and haven't had a raise in three years. I asked my boss for a raise of 5 percent and he turned me down. I don't want to leave but do want the money. What do you suggest? -- R.D.

On a good day, say to your boss, "We really need to revisit my compensation discussion. When would be a time that you will have 30 minutes for me?"

Come armed with facts of your accomplishments and their results. Show how your contributions increased profitability. Charts are good visual aids, lending authority to your claims.

Speak of you "deserve," not you "need". Tell your boss: "My performance justifies a 5 percent increase."

If your boss continues to demur, ask "What increase do you think would be fair?"

If your boss's answer is no-way, ask "What would it take for me to get a fair raise? Could we review this issue in three months?"

Leave with the impression that you're content because you now know the direction you need to follow to get what you want.

In a trust-but-verify mode, wisely use the time to prepare for a job change. Three months from now if your deserved raise remains elusive, you'll find it faster to activate a search from a running start.

DEAR JOYCE: A recruiter set up an interview for a good position. I met with the person who would be my immediate boss and it seemed to go well. I have not heard back from the recruiter in almost two weeks. Should I call the manager who interviewed me or the recruiter? -- K.L.

Call the recruiter first. The recruiter may not know the outcome or doesn't want to break the bad news. If you can't get a straight answer, follow up with the hiring manager.

Realistically, both individuals would likely have called you if the news were good.

DEAR JOYCE: Do you believe the flowery mission statements found on company Web sites? I am thinking about material for job interviews. Your opinion? -- B.V.

Sure, play the mission-statement game. But also read every press release on the company's Web site before your interview.

Two unconventional thinkers with impressive business credentials have a different take on what corporations are really about. Russell L. Ackoff is a management professor emeritus at the Wharton School of Business and Sheldon Rovin is a healthcare professor emeritus at Wharton.

They are the authors of "Beating the System: Using Creativity to Outsmart Bureaucracies," Berrett-Koehler Publishers (bkconnection.com), a $15 book that system fighters will adore.

Ackoff and Rovin contend that providing shareholders with a satisfying return on investment is a secondary concern, that most executive decisions are made to maximize the quality of life and standard of living of the decision makers. They have a point.

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