Resume problems

[IrishEyes]

Well, I need some advice/help from my pricescope family!! Here''s the situation: I was a psychology student for a long time ( about 4 years now). My career goal was to become a practicing psychologist in the area of emotional/affective disorders. I wanted to help people with illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety disorders, etc. I started college late, compared to most people - at age 21, after I returned from basic training after joining the military. So I started school and was doing quite well in my studies, earning a GPA of 3.82. I loved school, was extremely passionate about psychology and was looking forward to pursuing grad school and my Ph.D.
BAM!!!! Suddenly I got activated in the army and went to Iraq. The deployment was only supposed to be 6-8 months long, but as my frequent bad luck would have it, I was there 17 months!! I came home to a slew of medical problems as well, and had two surgeriers last year alone ( I have had many medical problems in the past 5 years and am frequently in the hospital). So that put off school even further. To make a long story short, I am 25 and have no college degree yet and even if I stayed in school and worked my butt off, it will take me about 6 more years to earn the degrees I need to pursue my psychology dream

. Because my husband and I want to adopt a baby in about 5 years, it simply would not work out for me to be finishing school and started a time-consuming career right when we are starting a family. Not to mention the fact that we just took a very expensive vacation and need money like NOW. I can''t work some crappy job for the next 6 years while I''m in school. I realized I had to give up my dream

Enter Pricescope!! I found this place like a miracle in November. Now, I''ve always had a thing for diamonds and jewelry! My family will tell you that ever since I was a toddler I''ve been attracted to sparkly things! I became addicted to this site, learning everything I can about metals, diamonds, colored stones, etc. I started researching many different subjects related to the jewelry industry. My husband and I realized that I was so lucky to have found something that I was so passionate about that I could actually pursue relatively quickly (not 6 years!!) and he encouraged me to start taking classes through GIA. I finally earned my Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma this month, and I''ll be starting the Graduate Gemologist program this summer. Between the GIA courses and here on pricescope, I''ve learned so much in the past 6 months!! I feel so lucky to have sort of a "second chance" with my career!!
Here''s the problem: now I need to create a kick-a** resume so I can start working in the industry. I would like to start simply as an associate in a nice store. My husband finishes his degree this year and we live in the country right now, so plan on moving back up to chicago sometime within a year or two. We live in the country right now, and there are only a few stores in my area for me to work in. The thing is, I don''t have any experience in the industry. All my work experience is in things like reception work, accounts recievables and cocktail waitressing ( and the military). I don''t know how to do a resume!!

I bought a really good resume book and decided that a functional resume format is the best for me. But I am so overwhelmed!! I need to get my resume out and start interviewing soon!! I just don''t know how to write a resume that shows how I can be a valuable asset to a jewelry store when all I have to put on there is my AJP credential. I keep brainstorming and keep coming up with nothing! Someone help!!
I appreciate any suggestions anyone has! You may PM me as well. I just really need to get a job soon, money is REALLY tight now and I don''t want to work at McDonalds, you know? Thanks guys!

 

[perry]

Irish:

First things first: Thank you for your service in the Military, and I hope that you have recovered adequately.

I do not have any great advice on how to get a job in a jewelry store, or in the industry. However, some of the pro''s may be able to help.

I do have some possible ideas that might work. I''ll PM you.

Perry

 

[Jennifer5973]

I can''t give you advice on entering the jewelry industry, but I used to prepare/write cover letters and resumes for people as a service (as in I got paid to do it--it wasn''t just a "hobby"

). I am a writer by core trade, and I''d be happy to proofread and/or help you craft the wording around your resume and/or letter once you get the basics down--of course, as a favor to a fellow Pscope friend; it would be an honor to help you after you''ve helped protect all our freedoms.

PM me whenever you''d like.

 

[cflutist]

Irish Eyes, thank you for serving our country. Congrats on your A.J.P. too.

I am not in the industry either (IT Professional instead) but here are a few things I can think of.

You could join your local GIA Alumni Association for educational and networking purposes. There is an advertisement
in every The Loupe (GIA World News) mag that you should be getting. There are also two GIA Career Fairs, one in July in NY, the other in Oct at the GIA campus in CA.

The GIA website also has a careers listing which could be found here:
http://www.gia.edu/careers/4078/industry_positions.cfm

The other thing is I try to keep up (Got my Gemologist Diploma in 1989 via Distance Education) by subscribing to JCK and National Jeweler. In every issue there are classifieds in the back for positions available. JCK also publishes an annual salary survey issue. I'ld also hit up the independants as I would prefer to work there (when I retire from the IT biz) than in a mall store.

You could also ask Nicrez for advice since she just got her G.G. and A.J.P.

If any of the industry professionals would like to chime in, I/we would love to know how to get started in the jewelry biz.

 

[Mara]

Sorry I can't help with specifics of your Q on how to get the job you are looking for...but if all else fails and you still need assistance from an expert, I paid to have my resume re-done for me last year...I have always done my own (and many of my friends since I have that marketing flair for wording, hehe) but last year I just realized I needed to have a fresh pair of eyes look at it. The cost was not that much, something like $200 for the whole package and it was done in a week and they did a fab job. They interviewed me on the phone, had my fill out a questionaire etc to figure out what exactly I was looking for. It was just easier this time around to get some help. Greg just had his re-done this year as well by the same people.

We used the one that the WSJ recommends, which is ResumeEdge..www.resumeedge.com.

Good luck!