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10:44

Business Producer - Hello chatters, and welcome back to our weekly Job Doc chat here on Boston.com.

10:45

Business Producer - Need tips on improving your job search? Have resume questions? Want to know how to deal with that annoying co-worker? Elaine Varelas will be here at noon to take all of your questions.

10:46

Business Producer - The chat room is now open, so you can get your questions in early.

12:04

Elaine Varelas - Welcome chatters. Glad to be here and reasy to take your questions.

12:04

[Comment From TJ]
I'd like some advice on supporting an out-of-work partner. Talking about the situation makes me feel better, but he doesn't seem inclined to talk about it much, and has occasionally shot me down when I've offered suggestions. How do I balance supporting him without nagging him?

12:05

Elaine Varelas - On bad days of the job search I've often compared the process to a beauty contest. Lots of people looking at you and judging you, with not much positive happeneing.

12:06

Elaine Varelas - If talking about the situation makes you feel better, than you may need to tlak about it with someone else. Find some support for your role in the situation - it may not be able to come from the job seeker.

12:07

Elaine Varelas - You may not be the right person to offer suggestions. I do encourage you to make sure he is getting suggestions from somewhere.someone who is an expert - outplacement, a career counselor, or a job search support group.

12:07

Elaine Varelas - The support you might give doesn't have to come in the way of suggestions, but unconditional support that what he is doing will work, and maybe asking how you can help.

12:08

[Comment From DN]
Here's a vague question: What can I include in my resume to get noticed? I'm an out-of-work [Windows desktop support specialist] and [LAN manager] and haven't had an interview yet. I've been out of work for 5 months.

12:08

Elaine Varelas - Let's assume you mean noticed in a good way.

12:09

Elaine Varelas - There are lots of ways to get attenetion that won't lead to an interview. So the focus is what is it you have to offer that solves problems, saved money, increased revenue, or made your organization more productive. Did something you were involved in do any of the above?

12:10

Elaine Varelas - Can you show how you have skills that can do that in the future? People are always looking for problem solvers - not just a list of resposibilities, and if you can get your resume to read that way, it will stand out.

12:12

Elaine Varelas - Can you give me an example of soemthing you did on the job that you can turn into a new statement based on one of these examples - saving money, increasing producutivity - reducing downtime, increasing efficiency?

12:12

[Comment From Guest]
Elaine - I want to move from Mass to California in the next 6-12 months. I want to stay with my current employer, who has a couple offices in my desired city and generally support employee transfers. I will have been in my position almost 2 years around this time. When should I talk to my boss about this and how should I go about it? My fear – its not possible and will be awkward if it doesn’t happen.

12:13

Elaine Varelas - Having been on the job 2 years makes it a good time for you - what is it that makes it a good time for them?

12:14

Elaine Varelas - You seem to have a good window of time, and I encourage you to have the conversation soon. The more time they have to evaluate what there needs are in CA the better the chances for you to capture that transfer.

12:15

Elaine Varelas - If it isn't possible - it may not be possible at this time - but what if they said yes in 18 months? It may or may not work for you, but you need to have the conversation and ignore any awkwardness.

12:15

Elaine Varelas - Make sure you have a sense of what is needed in CA - there is a balance in this - what you want and what they need. Can you talk to someone who make a successful transfer before and find out what worked.? Good luck!

12:16

[Comment From DN]
Thanks for the advice. I will update my resume again.

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