OPINION: Job-ready via school of life

It’s ironic that COVID-19 has meant so many people have had to adjust to working from home whereas for me, it has always been my only option, if I was to have any sort of a career.

I wasn’t aware until earlier in the year there were actually people called virtual assistants, whose role was to work remotely for various companies and businesses across the country.

I’ve signed up to a course to learn how to become a VA as it would be great to expand the opportunities to work from home.

After all, I have to find a way to continue to fund my world travels when this is all over.

Certainly, relying on interest rates to increase my income isn’t going to cut it.

However, I am assuming if I’m to have any hope of getting work in the VA area, I’ll probably need to have a resume.

Now it’s confession time.

I have never had a resume in my life. So, where do I start? The basics should be easy enough — name, age (ouch!), address (should I explain “station” means cattle, not train?), current job title (Jill of all trades?) and period of current employment (from wedding day to current day).

I believe a resume should sell a prospective employer your skills and convince them why they require those skills.

To do that, I would need to convert my “skills” language to “resume” language.

For example, convincing children they must get into the schoolroom: high-powered negotiating skills.

Working out how many meals one may have cooked over 37 years of marriage: capability to work with large numbers.

Answering a phone, while rescuing biscuits from the oven and kicking oven door shut: ability to multitask.

Talking to a friend on the phone for one hour minimum: excellent customer service skills.

Removing dog poo from lawn: ability to keep workplace clean and tidy.

Answering letters five minutes before mail truck is due: working under extreme pressure.

Sorting a never-ending stream of laundry: keeping files in order.

Searching Google for the answer to anything: using initiative to problem-solve.

I was really stressed at the thought of having to create a resume, but I feel I have it nailed now.

By the time I add in my crossing of the Arctic Circle three times (willing to take on challenges), how could they not hire me?