The Essential Blue Collar Resume

By Paul Greenberg, employment writer, Times Picayune.
al.com Career Wise, 1/09

A common misconception among job searchers is that some people need resumes, while others do not. The truth is that a good, substantive resume is often the most effective tool to get your foot in the door, regardless of your line of work. A person who works in warehousing and manufacturing needs a resume as much as one who works as an attorney. The resume is "you on paper." It is a chronicle of what you have done occupationally and how you have been trained or educated for the job.

If you are a "blue collar" worker, the resume can actually be even more important than you might think. Blue collar workers must emphasize specific skills. Your skills are your ticket in. If you can show that the skills you already have are transferable to various industries, or that they are expandable to cover more than one job type, all the better. Further, if you have participated in or developed systems that made things run smoother, faster or more efficiently within your job type, employers are apt to pay attention to your resume.

Employers today need people who have not only some area of skill or expertise, but also the less talked about "soft skills." If you have had occasion to demonstrate strong leadership skills in your past jobs, or if you have been a strong collaborator or team player, potential employers should be informed of these skills. If you have emerged in your past jobs as a good problem solver or trouble shooter, employers will want to know that, as well. While your resume should be concise and highly informational, it is important for you to determine what potential employers would most want to know about you, and what skills or experience you have that are most marketable.

It is important to keep your material focused only on those elements that would directly relate to your hirability. If an employer can see that you have steadily progressed in your career, achieved certain benchmarks and accomplished things that furthered your previous employers' missions, that may go a long way toward landing you a new job. Employers do not, however, need to know your hobbies, your family life or your opinions on issues not related to the job.

The key to finding some (not all) blue collar jobs is not necessarily how much or what type of education you have. Employers will often be more interested in what type of specific training you have, what equipment you can operate, how advanced your skills are with relevant technology, and whether you have taken advantage of ongoing training sessions or courses offered by previous employers. In almost every job type today, there is a need to work with some type of technology. The inventory control worker or shipping clerk who once filled out pages and pages of forms, today often works with sophisticated hand held devices that allow easy, quick data entry. Auto mechanics today use advanced technology to diagnose and repair vehicle problems. Be sure to include a description of your own technology skills in the resume, and reference specific programs or equipment you have mastered.

Always keep in mind you are living in an extremely cost-conscious job market right now. That means that individuals with multiple skills, or those who complete tasks faster than others or combine tasks to increase efficiency will go to the front of the hiring line. In addition, blue collar workers who present a well-written, organized and highly informative resume are more apt to draw the attention of potential employers. If writing is not your strong suit, enlist the assistance of someone who can streamline and perfect your document. Spelling, grammar and presentation are important. Even if you are skilled with language and writing, it is always a good idea to have someone you trust read over the resume before you submit to employers.

Watch the classified ads in the Times-Picayune and the job listings on Nola.com, and be sure to answer ads promptly, following exact instructions on how to apply. Timeliness and accuracy may give you an edge over the competition.