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10:18

Boston.com producer - Good morning chatters, and welcome to our weekly Job Doc chat. HR expert Elaine Varelas will be joining us today at noon, but you can submit any questions you have starting now.

11:58

Elaine Varelas - Hello chatters! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend and are ready to move forward with your job search activities! Send me your questions, thoughts about the job search process, or job issues, and I'll offer advice to support your success.

12:01

[Comment From Paula Cushman]
Hi Elaine, thanks for being here. I am currently employed full-time but am putting my feelers out just in case. The issue I am running into is that is seems the current salary range is a lot lower than it used to be!

12:01

Elaine Varelas - Staying aware of what is out there is a good move.

12:02

Elaine Varelas - Companies are still nervous about hiring, and are trying to keep their headcount and headcount cost low.

12:02

Elaine Varelas - You'll need to be very clear about the value you bring to the new job or new organization that ultimately will make them money, save them money or make them more productive.

12:03

Elaine Varelas - You can longer look at fulfilling resposnibilities alone in a job. It is all about what impact you have that supports the bottom line.

12:03

Elaine Varelas - Any job you are in should be evaluated this way. That is how you will get a salary increase in an old or new job.

12:03

[Comment From Tammo A. Goudsmit]
I am currently unemployed and I have suggested part time work as a way for a company to see what I have to offer. Is this a good strategy as a way to set yourself apart from all the talented people that are searching for a career?

12:04

Elaine Varelas - Suggesting you workpart time for an organization might help if they tell you they can't support a full time role. You might find that addressing the project they have or outcome they need is better than measuring by time.

12:05

Elaine Varelas - Flexibility matters, and often a temp role can give you the same opportunity.

12:05

[Comment From db2]
What is the first thing an employer looks at on a resume? Are there any areas that should always stand out? And for work history, is reverse chronological preferred? thanks.

12:06

Elaine Varelas - Evaluating resumes starts with the overall look - a quick scan on current job, school, how many jobs on page one seems to be the approach.

12:07

Elaine Varelas - The best way to stand out is by having someone the reader knows hand or email the resume to the potential hiring manager.

12:07

Elaine Varelas - That probably isn't what you wanted to hear, but it makes such a HUGE differnece, I have to encourage you.

12:09

Elaine Varelas - Reverse chronological order is the preferred method to list jobs, and the reason for that is your goal is to make it easy for the reader. They are looking for people from the competitors - that gets their attention - or a title that has been hard to hire for, or a company where they know many people.

12:10

Elaine Varelas - The Department of Labor just published information about the job market stating that there were 6 people in line for every one open job.

12:11

Elaine Varelas - The competitiveness of the current market shows you need to make your mark.

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