About Thomas J. McAlinden, Professional Consultant Expertise After a highly successful 30+ year career in personnel and human resources, in tandem with a Masters in Human Resources degree, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Sociology and Philosophy, I am rather confident I can answer almost any question related to the Resume Preparation field.
Experience Over the past 50 years, I have had the privilege of working for a number of small and large US and Canadian firms and government agencies as a human resource specialist and vocational psychologist. Although I am currently retired, I now offer my services at reduced rates to various international employment agencies and career conscious individuals find it advantageous to undergo vocational testing prior to having their resume prepared. Those who may be similarly interested are invited to contact me at: tjmcalinden@sympatico.ca. Unfortunately, the days when the job search candidate could "going it alone", depend on old vocational skills assessments, and then just prepare their own employment presentations are over.
Expert: Thomas J. McAlinden, Professional Consultant - 7/20/2002
Question Hi Thomas,
I read your profile ~wow~you have accomplished alot .I would love to be so successful !
I have worked for myself and husband over 10 years. I have an electrolysis business which has slowed down alot now since they have allowed Fla electologists to use laser.My office is out of my house and I don't have the money it takes to add the laser to my business.And I don't know if thats the way to go any way.I have my skincare lisence and I feel I needed more experience before adding that to my electrology business,but every time I have sent out a resume I haven't received any good responses. I have also been working part time with my husband when I don't have appointments myself,which seems to be quite alot lately.
Maybe I should change careers ..go back to school..I don't know ,but I feel like your really smart and have lots of experience and could point me in the right direction !
Thanks for taking the time to read this !
Sincerely,
Linda
Answer Hi Linda!
Thanks for the compliments. As a professional employment consultant, I have found that job search procedures have radically changed. One very noticible area effecting the 21st century job applicant is the employment presentation (resume or CV). The new millennium job candidate must think of themselves as a commodity that requires an effective marketing strategy.
You must sell your individuality, employment skills and experience with a strong, direct to the point, factual marketing (resume/cover letter) presentation. Every resume must be specifically prepared for each targeted position. Gone are the days when a candidate could simply borrow a friend's resume, make a copy, make a few changes, and send that stale format to all job openings.
Another problem the 21st century job applicant must seriously consider is the online resume submission sites. They are simply overwhelmed with the 1000's of submitted resumes they receive daily. Competition is fierce since the beginning of 2002. The Internet job sites have lost their effectiveness.
In today's tough employment market, the prudent job search candidate should seriously consider enlisting the assistance of a trained Employment Consultant (EC). I am sure you will find one in your area. This professional EC will assist you rediscover yourself and new career options. He/she will test such diverse areas as behavior, career perception, anxiety and attitude, leadership, personal & interpersonal skills, personality and self-perception and other mind-set values.
Ultimately, the result will hopefully determine a career direction that best suits your skills and experience.If you feel the time has come to make a career change. Or, take on new responsibilities at your current career. Then you should consider career counseling.
The basic principle of career counseling and guidance is to test, analyze and evaluate a job candidate's unknown or unrealized skills and experience. The result of which will better equip the candidate to make intelligent occupational decisions.The primary objective will be to determine your individual characteristics by examining the necessities for various occupational requirements.
Testing will result in a report, which will prove valuable in the hands of a potential employer's personnel or human resources department. That report will aid the hiring manager better understand your true potential and ability, ultimately revealing your true potential that indicate alternate career avenues within their organizational structure.
The trained EC will help you answer the following questions. Are you ready for a promotion? Is your present job tapping into your true potential? How do you know when you have the right attitudes, skills and behavior to advance your career?
Linda, acting on these findings will of course be up to you. However, you will be equipped to make that career enhancement or change. Perhaps you will consider a move up in your current career (through a promotion or increase of responsibilities). The trained consultant will evaluate whether or not you currently possess the drive, initiative, and ability to take on more responsibility and reaction to challenge.
The primary objective will be to determine if the client has the necessary individual characteristics and various occupational requirements. He/she will be able to match the results to a set of established criteria in order to accomplish a client's goal, which can only be realized with the aid of a skilled counselor.
Fees for these services vary from $190 US to $375 US depending on the EC's experience and background. However, in the long run these fees are worth every penny. Although not requested.
Linda, I now have my own website at www.tjmcareers.com where I feature 25+ pages of current career information, including how the Employment consultant will help you re-discover yourself. My e-mail is tjmcalinden@sympatico.ca.
Remember, we volunteer our time on the AllExperts network. All we ask is that you take a few moments of your time and kindly grade this response, and add a few comments (negative or positive). We can all learn from the feedback.
Thank you and may I extend my very best wishes and good luck on your career quest.
Thomas J. McAlinden
Successfully Serving US and Canadian Clients since 1956
