Laser Hair Removal: Take Two

This post has been in the editing box for a long time.  It's the second part of my experiences and research with laser hair removal in Korea.  Click here for Part 1.

I almost can't believe I've subjected myself to such extremes, but after not getting the results I'd hoped for at S Deul, I started going to a different place called NOVA Clinic in Gangnam before I had to head back to the States.  Read ahead for all the details!

6 More Things to NOT Include On Your Résumé

Résumé Killers

Here's Part 2 of a list of things I've found to be big résumés turn-offs.  (Click here for Part 1.)  Have any extras to add or have you had experiences with these?  Comment below, because I'd love to hear!

#1 A boring heading

It's important to have your name and contact information at the top where the reader can see it.  It's best to use a different font or style or size (or all three) to help it catch the eye.  Here's one area where you might consider a little color to help your name pop.  Remember, hiring managers and recruiters look at hundreds of résumés a day.  Make sure yours is memorable.

#2 Your picture

That's what LinkedIn is for.

#3 .txt format

 Save your résumé in a .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.  I know some websites require .txt files, but Every Other Time, use a different format that will allow you to get creative with style and to show your professionalism.

#4 Your reason for leaving a position

This is information that's discussed in the interview.  These things may need more explanation than what you would fit on a résumé.  Don't shoot yourself in the foot by giving a poorly dictated reason for leaving for possible employers to consider before they even meet you.  Also, you have just a few seconds to grab your reader's attention and get them to call you up for an interview.  Don't waste time with information they can ask you later.

#5 References or even "References available upon request"

It's just not necessary.  Obviously, you would provide references if they were requested.  This is another thing talked about in the interview.  On the résumé, they just take up valuable space.

#5 Salary information

This is another thing employers don't need to know right now.  In fact, it might not be important at all until you begin to negotiate salary.  The purpose of a résumé is to secure an interview, not to work out the details of employment.

6 Things to NOT Include On Your Résumé

 I've recently become an administrative assistant for a recruiting firm, and I get to look at a lot of résumés each day.  Literally hundreds.  Before working here, I used to hear stories about how your résumé can't have a single error, that it had to be perfect, and that you have 7 seconds to catch the hiring manager's eye before you're deleted.

I'm  the first filter before résumés move onto the recruiters' desks.  Because I have so many to look at, I try to spend as little time on a résumé as possible.  If I can determine within 2 seconds whether to pass it on or not, I'm happy.

I can't get anyone a job (don't contact me about that), but I would like to share some résumé tips to help where I can.  I've got another post in the works already, but here is the first set of DO NOT's to keep in mind when you're drafting up your résumé.  Good luck!

(Click here for Part 2, by the way.)

Résumé Killers

#1 A generic objective

 Seriously, they're almost always the same.  Most objectives are just saying "I want a job" in fluffy, wordy language.  Sometimes I'll be looking at a résumé that says the person is looking for a medical job when they've actually applied for an administrative job.  That's another obvious faux pas.

#2 Poor or inconsistent formatting

PLEASE don't think that using fonts like papyrus will make you look creative.  If you're bolding the companies where you worked, make sure you bold all of the companies where you worked.  Make sure you have all of your bullet points and edges lined up to the same measurement.  Even all of the dashes between your work dates (2010 - 2012) should be the exact same.

#3 Your interests or hobbies

 Unless you're applying for a small family business that loves to go hiking, I can't imagine why a recruiter would want to know those things.  Sorry.  When I see hobbies listed on résumés, I immediately think that they aren't taking the application seriously.

#4 Every single thing you did at your previous jobs

 You're allowed to summarize, and if you mention everything, your résumé will span more than one page very quickly.  No one wants to read a huge wall of text, especially not a busy recruiter.  Just pull out the most pertinent things from your experience to highlight.

#5 An address far from the position's location

If you're applying for a job in Atlanta, and your address is listed as New York, you have a much higher chance of getting looked over.  Consider putting a "Current address/Permanent address" bit somewhere at the top to let your audience know you're going to be in the area.

#6 The color green

For some reason, it just never looks good coming from a résumé on screen.  It is so hard to find a good shade of green; please just stay away from it.  Trust me.  There are other colors to use.  But, um, not pink, either.

Extras to be aware of:

Gaps in your employment history can look suspicious.

Working at Wal-Mart can look unprofessional.

Many short periods of work in a row can look inconsistent.

If you were hiring for X company or X position, what do you think you'd like to see?  What do you think you'd not like to see?

A Quick Update

I love my job, guys, and that makes me so happy!

In the morning, my commute is over an hour, and work starts at 8:30, but I arrive early just in case, and I give myself an hour before I leave in the morning... so bedtime is 10pm or later.  Haven't had that in a looong time.

My wedding invitations went out this week!  Done!

I printed Korea pictures for a photo album.

Loft and Ann Taylor had killer sales this weekend.  Along with two different Ross locations, I got killer deals on new work clothes.  I want to take pictures for you guys!

Business and business casual are very different.

I made a Christmas list today for my boss.  She likes to buy presents.  It was fun to think of nice things I'd like to have.  I kinda want to show you, just because I like these things.

And now I want to go to sleep!

I'm a Teacher Again!

The first and second times Caleb and I met outside of our first two Bible study run-ins were to attend or to teach a swing dancing event.  And now, nearly 4 years later... We're teaching swing dancing in our area!!

I've found a dance studio that's giving us an amazing deal, and we're charging people $2 at the door to help cover renting the facility.  We had our first lesson two Fridays ago where we taught the basic step, underarm and overarm turns, and the cuddle.

It was a lot of fun to be around dancing again and teaching again.  A few of the students complimented me and said things like "I can tell you were a teacher."  That made me feel very proud and competent.  It was also very rewarding to see everyone dancing better by the end of the evening than they had been at the beginning.  It was super, super fun.

By the way, if you know of anyone who's interested in extremely cheap swing dancing lessons south of Atlanta, we're planning on meeting probably every other Friday in Tyrone, GA starting at 7:30. The next class will be July 19th.  Please email me for further information or look for the Facebook event.

Sharing Accents Around the World

Inspired by Jasmine's and Felicia's videos showcasing their Australian and Canadian accents, I give you a homemade video that turned out way too long but was very fun to make.

Feel free to share your own!  I'd love to hear.  :)

By the way, I realize now that I didn't spend much time holding up the word cards with the extra things written on them.  On the New Orleans card, I told you that my friend Sarah Becker (photographer extraordinaire) lives there.  For Theatre, I went on a bit about the spellings being different and how here I only use "theatre" to refer specifically to the stage.  On Alabama, I had "Roll Tide," "Leprechauns," and "War Eagle."  Tada!
 
Here's the reading material: 

35 Words:
Aunt, roof, route, wash, oil, theater, iron, salmon, caramel, fire, water, sure, data, ruin, crayon, toilet, New Orleans, pecan, both, again, probably, spitting image, Alabama, lawyer, coupon, mayonnaise, syrup, pajamas, caught, orange, coffee, direction, naturally, aluminum, herbs.

Leading questions:
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

Monologue:
Please call Stella. Ask her to bring these things with her from the store: six spoons of fresh snow peas, five thick slabs of blue cheese, and maybe a snack for her brother Bob. We also need a small plastic snake and a big toy for the kids. She can scoop these things into three red bags and we will go meet her Wednesday at the train station.

Follow Up on the Human Moment Friend in the Dekalb Farmers Market

I don't know if you remember when I met this man at the Dekalb Farmer's Market last year, but here's the short story:

I met Comé from Benin in the fish department.  He where I'm from, and I told him, "I'm Lindsay, I'm from here, but I most recently lived as an English teacher in Korea."  Comé was intrigued by my English teaching and asked for my number.  I told him I had a boyfriend, but Comé insisted that he only wanted my number so we can practice English.

We have talked on the phone maybe 7 times since that first meeting, and last week I told him that I would be coming by the market again and that I would be able to see him!

It was so so great to watch Comé's face light up when he saw me.  It made me so happy.  I was also especially pleased to introduce him and Caleb to each other.  Caleb asked Comé questions about himself and Comé told the story of how he and I first met.  They both told each other they the other was very lucky to have found me.  They actually said that a lot.  I told them, "Oh boys, stop," but I was beaming.  I was also glad that what I considered a small act had made such an impression on Comé.

Comé has told me that he has tried to connect with a lot of Americans since moving here last year, but they won't pick up the phone when he calls or they never call him back.  He's told me that I am his only friend in America, and that he is always so happy to remember the day we met.  When we talk on the phone, we share about what life has given us, and he is always very encouraging when I tell him how I'm upset about not having a job yet.  He says to me, very thoughtfully and slowly, "Lindsay.  I know that you will do well.  You will find a job.  And all of your dreams will come true.  I think you are a good person.  You are good to help me and to talk with me, and God will take care to you.  You just need to pray, and everything will be fine."

Yep, he tells me almost those exact lines each time we talk.  It makes me smile.

Comé goes to English classes each week and is applying to be in the Navy.  It's been interesting to see America through his eyes, and I'm really glad I gave him my number that first time.