Is it safe to provide your Social Security & Birth Date on a job application?

Your Social Security Number and Birth Date will be used solely for the purposes of background investigation and/or employment qualification, will be maintained as confidential and will not be shared with the hiring manager.

Riddled by bullets

Is there a better way to get information across other than bullet points if a resume is only getting an average of 6 seconds in the hands of a recruiter? Specifically for lower level management or non-management positions. If using introductory paragraphs for each position, how long can it be and still get read?

• Bullet points are the best method precisely because of the limited viewing time spent on resumes. I'm speaking specifically of bullets in the Experience section. Done the right way, a bullet is brief (no longer than one line), begins with a verb that communicates strongly the activities in which you engaged, an is highly descriptive of your accomplishments and tasks. Positions should have no more than 4-5 bullets typically. This format allows a hiring manager to quickly glance the first few words of each bullet and get a strong idea of who you are. Paragraphs are a disaster in limited time because they're not easily browsed; you have to actually read...which can mean lost opportunity in the hands of a busy person who doesn't have time to read.

SCS Reader Says-I would love to make a career change and go into HR. What tips do you have for me to make this transition happen?

Answer:

Finding your passion in life is indeed a blessing! Paying it forward and helping others to blossom is as good as it can ever get. We are all energetically connected and whenever we support another in reaching and achieving their true potential/highest good, we help ourself! Being in service to others is a magnificent feeling, and I believe the secret to raising planetary consciousness!

Transitioning to an HR Career from Another Field

If you have a different academic background from that described, or you have been employed in another profession, a readily transferable, related academic background and related professional experience will help. Experience in general management and an understanding of business processes are vitally important. You may, therefore, wish to consider pursuing either an MBA or an MS graduate degree with a concentration in human resources in order to break into the field of HR.

When there are not sufficient numbers of qualified HR professionals with the preferred experience, employers occasionally hire other professionals who have related experience and who are willing to undertake additional education or training.

Those interested in HR as a profession can take college courses, attend seminars or take self-study courses as a beginning. In such circumstances, professional counselors might find opportunities in employer-sponsored employee assistance programs; teachers may be hired by training departments; or accounting, math and statistics majors could find employment in compensation and employee benefits. Law school graduates or attorneys may be hired to handle legal compliance or employee relations activities. Above-average communications skills are always essential for HR professionals. Since HR professionals handle confidential information, and must be comfortable interacting with employees at all levels, companies often seek people who are mature and experienced professionals—especially for higher-level positions in HR.

"Tell me about yourself..."

While assisting a client with a career change, I came across a question that really made me think hard about what others face while interviewing. At one time or another, we all have been in the situation where a hiring manager or recruiter says... “Tell me about yourself…” It can be at a networking seminar, job interview or just simply having a lunch meeting..... I would like to know, If faced with this question... How would you answer it......but here is the twist.... you can only use....Three words.

My three words would probably be:
Strategic - Results Oriented - Determined

What are your three words?