Washington County Weekend Post

4 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 GMTODAY.COM CAREERS .COM Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds CAREERS Place your ad 24/7 @ www.gmtoday.com/classifieds .COM Southeast Wisconsin For assistance call 262.306.5000 or conleyclass@conleynet.com FIND YOUR PASSION It's commonly understood in hiring circles that managers spend an incredi- bly short amount of time initially reviewing candi- date résumés. The agreed- upon figure is actually just six seconds. Does your résumé pass that test? Obviously, some key points matter more than others on such an abbrevi- ated timeline. Here's a look at how to impress in a matter of seconds. Inside their evaluation Hiring managers and recruiters know just what they're looking for, and often have extensive training in how to quickly spot key words and required qualifications. That comes in handy when an avalanche of applications arrives after a job is posted. In some cases, an open position might draw dozens, or even hundreds, of candidates. They do a brief scan, paying close attention to what these potential hires have done and what their goals are, then create a stack of the résumés they'd like to return to for a deeper look. Unfortunately, some qualified candidates may get passed over along the way, but this kind of swift culling is necessary in order to get a handle on what can be an unwieldy number of initial candidates. What to focus on With such a limited amount of time to grab a manager's attention, poten- tial employees have to make sure the most important professional elements are highlighted. So, make sure your name and contact information is prominently displayed, as well as any relevant degrees, profes- sional designations or certifications, and your job title. Those are important indicators for experience. Previous job titles, start and end dates, and educa- tion details round out the principle areas of focus for your six-second evaluation. This completes a first impression of you in the areas of reliability and level of training. After your time is up Employers value someone who is responsible and conscientious, and you can portray those values early in the process by following up via email or phone call after you've applied. Explain your recent appli- cation, and describe again the skills and other qualifi- cations that make you a good candidate for the open position. End things with an advance communication of your thanks for being considered. They'll know you are the kind of person who'll follow through, and your message could convince the hiring manag- er to give your résumé another look. The longer view Depending on the job, a hiring manager or recruiter might possess the time and inclination to spend far longer while initially looking over your résumé. The six-second test isn't grounded in any hard-and-fast rule. Still, the idea that you need to make an immediate impres- sion remains. These first reads aren't typically going to be in depth; instead, potential employers will skim the details in order to remove applicants they feel are unlikely to get the job, then return for a more complete examination of promising résumés later. Sometimes, these very general first impressions are what derails a job candidacy, so focus on the details which matter the most. That's how you go from one pile to the other, and then from prospect to perfect fit. © ADOBE STOCK How to impress in six seconds Whether you're signing up for college classes or dreaming of entering a field that involves nature, numerous positions make you an advocate for protect- ing the environment. In addition to providing yourself with a sense of accomplishment, eco- friendly occupations can also set you up for a life of financial reward. Check out a few of the most in-demand positions in the industry, their expected growth and aver- age salary, as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Environmental Scientists and Specialists If solving problems that the Earth faces piques your interest, becoming an environmental scientist may be your calling. Experts are tasked with finding solutions to issues involving our ecosystem, monitoring pollution and studying wildlife to encourage positive out- comes. In most cases, the position requires a bachelor's degree and is available in state and local governments and private sectors. When pursuing a degree in the field, you should be prepared to explore biology, geography, physics, and a firm grasp of scientific literature. Conservation Scientists The primary responsibili- ties of conservation scien- tists include managing the overall land quality of forests, parks, range- lands and other natural resources. Specific tasks often include negotiating terms for land-use contracts, monitoring forest-cleared lands, evaluating soil data, and assessing trees' damage. Professionals are typically required to gain a bachelor's degree before working on federal, state or local land. Environmental Engineers Specialists in this occupa- tion are often involved in improving recycling, waste disposal, impacting public health and managing pollution trends. Experts must know about analyzing scientific data, performing quality checks and strate- gizing campaigns that positively affect the envi- ronment. Other areas of responsibility often include understanding global warming, automotive emis- sions and ozone depletion. Before becoming an environmental engineer, one must obtain a bache- lor's degree. The BLS states the employers also value practical experience, so consider gaining knowl- edge through apprentice- ships, volunteering or optional courses. Geoscientist Are you passionate about learning the origins of the Earth? A geoscientist career means studying the physical aspects of the planet, like its composition, structure, and processes. The industry encourages experts to learn more about its past, present and future. The geoscientist field is broad and requires numer- ous professionals in vary- ing roles who operate together. Here are some examples of specialists within the industry, as reported by the BLS. ■ Geologists study the materials, processes and history of the Earth. ■ Geochemists uncover the composition of ele- ments found in groundwa- ter by using physical and organic chemistry. ■ Paleontologists ana- lyze fossils found in geologi- cal formations to learn more about the evolution of plant and animal life. ■ Seismologists study earthquakes and related occurrences like tsunamis to understand natural phenomena. ■ Geophysicists use the principles of physics to discover information regarding the Earth's surface and interior. Work to save the environment

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