(Although it feels odd to welcome someone to the unemployed masses...) WELCOME to the community. Thanks for the link suggestions (might I recommend you add a 'links' tag to the entry?)
I can't really say that what I did shook the foundation of any organization
For entry level positions, it definitely is hard to describe yourself as a 'change agent' for a company. And you're right, a lot of companies are looking for those people who built a cornerstone/foundation where they were last at, the proactive people, if you will.
A few different ways to look at this, that might help with this aspect.
#1) Don't look globally, look at the smaller picture. Sure, you may not have done anything to shake the foundation of the company as a whole, but what did you do for your department that may have made you stand out? Example: I'm an admin asst - while I've been fortunate to have experience in things that did affect change outside my department, I also focus on small things, reporting methods that I may have reviewed to make reports more efficient. A report I may have found that wasn't previously used, but helped us be more efficient when it was being consistently monitored, etc. Look for these small changes and moments of proactivity that you may have contributed even so far as with your colleagues or boss.
#2) If you don't have any focus on what you did in the past, research the job really well to explain what you feel you could bring to the job in terms of productivity. What can you offer here that no other employee can't?
They're really hard things to answer sometimes. Especially with so much competition for the jobs. :-/
It's great that your former boss is helping you! It definitely helps when they hold a high opinion of you. Also a recommendation is to find out how they would describe you to other people, what they see as your strengths (and weakenesses, for your own info/feedback). Knowing this can help you better present yourself at interviews. I always have trouble speaking to my accomplishments because I feel like I'm bragging. I found it much easier to speak to how others have spoken of me.
Thanks so much for your suggestions, along with the welcome! I really like your entry-level perspective. There are a few things here and there I did that did help the company in the small ways, so I will try to emphasize these more in my revamp.
And yes, having an old boss on your side really is quite an advantage - I am so grateful for his support. He looked over my resume for me and said that while it very plainly lists what I did in each position, it doesn't really represent me as a person. It was a great confidence booster, and I have taken so many tips of his to heart. From now on, I think one major piece of advice I will give to fellow job searchers is to ask someone they've worked with and respect to do a resume critique. As much as I love my friends and family, they weren't giving me the feedback I needed since they have never worked with me before.
Small changes...small picture. I will certainly keep this in mind :)
I can't really say that what I did shook the foundation of any organization
For entry level positions, it definitely is hard to describe yourself as a 'change agent' for a company. And you're right, a lot of companies are looking for those people who built a cornerstone/foundation where they were last at, the proactive people, if you will.
A few different ways to look at this, that might help with this aspect.
#1) Don't look globally, look at the smaller picture. Sure, you may not have done anything to shake the foundation of the company as a whole, but what did you do for your department that may have made you stand out? Example: I'm an admin asst - while I've been fortunate to have experience in things that did affect change outside my department, I also focus on small things, reporting methods that I may have reviewed to make reports more efficient. A report I may have found that wasn't previously used, but helped us be more efficient when it was being consistently monitored, etc. Look for these small changes and moments of proactivity that you may have contributed even so far as with your colleagues or boss.
#2) If you don't have any focus on what you did in the past, research the job really well to explain what you feel you could bring to the job in terms of productivity. What can you offer here that no other employee can't?
They're really hard things to answer sometimes. Especially with so much competition for the jobs. :-/
It's great that your former boss is helping you! It definitely helps when they hold a high opinion of you. Also a recommendation is to find out how they would describe you to other people, what they see as your strengths (and weakenesses, for your own info/feedback). Knowing this can help you better present yourself at interviews. I always have trouble speaking to my accomplishments because I feel like I'm bragging. I found it much easier to speak to how others have spoken of me.
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And yes, having an old boss on your side really is quite an advantage - I am so grateful for his support. He looked over my resume for me and said that while it very plainly lists what I did in each position, it doesn't really represent me as a person. It was a great confidence booster, and I have taken so many tips of his to heart. From now on, I think one major piece of advice I will give to fellow job searchers is to ask someone they've worked with and respect to do a resume critique. As much as I love my friends and family, they weren't giving me the feedback I needed since they have never worked with me before.
Small changes...small picture. I will certainly keep this in mind :)
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