Jacquie Latham - President, Ontario School Counsellors' Association:
"This book addresses the need to make your resume stand out in an increasingly competitive market. The creativity and resourcefulness, as well as the job search tips, make Alternative Resumes: Definitely Not Your Parents' Resume Book. This is a valuable resource for anyone working with youth. OSCA recommends the ideas presented in this book as a viable alternative to a traditional resume."
Gillian Watters - Director of Programs, KEYS Employment Services:
"A resume is a job-seeker's calling card and has the power to open a door to an interview. Michael Howard's resume examples have definitely opened those doors for many of our clients already. It is delightful to see the creativity in some of his resume examples, which prove it is possible to highlight skills and content, while still being creative. We will definitely be utilizing Alternative Resumes: Definitely Not Your Parents' Resume Book on a regular basis with our job-seekers."
Sandra Lim, CHRP, CPRW, CECC - Career Management Specialist
A Better Impression Resume & Career Counselling Services:
"Michael Howard's refreshing collection does a superb job of showcasing the achievements of individuals in non-traditional careers that receive little attention from resume books lining bookstore shelves. Readers -- particularly those who may have little formal work experience -- will be inspired by the practical advice, case studies, and samples that demonstrate how to display their assets to best advantage. Alternative Resumes is truly a valuable contribution to the resume writing industry."
Melanie Hardy - Program Manager, Career Zone, YWCA of Vancouver:
"Michael Howard's resume books have been a highly effective resource in the YWCA Vancouver employment resource centres which work with job-seekers 15-30 years of age. It's very difficult to find resume books that have Canadian examples for entry-level jobs specifically designed for young people. This resume book builds on the success of the previous edition with sector-specific resumes that are ideal in working with our clients. In fact, the books are so successful that they keep getting stolen!"
Yvonne Gunn - Employment Counsellor, Alberni Valley Employment Centre:
"If you have not yet had the opportunity to see Michael Howard's resume book, you need to do so; it is inspirational. Most of the resume books out there today are targeted toward middle management and are 'stuffy.' Michael's common sense advice, combined with his appropriate use of graphics and layout designs, takes resumes from ordinary to extraordinary. Thank goodness Michael has provided us with his insight and shown us new ways to help individualize resumes and increase employer interest. Having a resume that truly represents skills and experience yet reflects individual personality is very refreshing and gives clients pride and confidence, helping them with their job search."
Denise Young - Manager, Youth Employability Project:
"Alternative Resumes confirms there really is room for creativity in developing resumes! In user-friendly manner, Alternative Resumes provides samples of highly visual, innovative resumes, providing alternatives to conventional methods. This book is ideal for youth engaged in their quest to land a first job, or youth unsure of how to present their skills and experience. We're excited about this new resource and have already started incorporating it in our service delivery. This book is like a breath of fresh air!"
Colleen R. Hendriksen - Employment Worker
Mental Health Employment Program, OPTIONS Surrey Community Services:
"Out of all the resume books at my office yours is the one I use the most. I like to show the client sample resumes so they can choose what they like and understand what they are striving toward. Your material is simple, practical and just the resource that I needed to help people create fantastic resumes. Thank you so much for putting this together."
Gabrielle Musick - Employment Service Advisor
Community Employment and Resource Centre:
"Original, fresh yet practical tool that grasps the employers' attention and captures the job seeker's unique personality and abilities. Every youth have their own special gifts to bring into the labour market and Michael expresses this skillfully. A treasure for both youths and adults with minimal experience and skills wishing to enter or re-enter the current labour force. I recommend it to employment counsellors who aspire to highlight their clients' resumes with strong, truthful and well-thought anecdotes. Congratulations Michael!"
Tim Greenwood - Employment Counsellor, JVS Toronto Youth Reach Program:
"Michael Howard's Alternative Resumes: Definitely Not Your Parents' Resume Book is like the best writing, art or advertising - it is clear, to the point, purposeful and packed with surprises and mind-opening ideas. I have been helping youth in conflict with the law find work for the past 8 years and Michael's sage advice and examples have been instrumental in helping our clients get a foot up in their job search ever since we discovered his earlier work. Our clients often tell us that the resumes we assisted them in writing have, with minor modifications, been helping them find jobs for years. Amongst the gems Michael includes are his advice on a clear and succinct objective, backing up qualifications with actual examples, including reference quotes or performance review grades on resumes, dumping the 'References available...' at the bottom as redundant, and the consistent demonstration that one page is potent and sufficient. Michael's book has renewed my enthusiasm for my work and shown the best resume writing possible for anyone."
Colleen Richardson - Senior Counsellor, KEYS Employment Services:
"These resumes combine eye catching formats with descriptive text that makes the most of the skills youth bring to the job market. His samples are excellent for young students who want to make the most of personal strengths, volunteering, coop placements and school achievements."
Orville Wallace - Employment Counsellor, JVS Toronto Youth Reach Program:
"Michael, your alternative resumes are unique and give my clients an extra buzz to their resumes that encourage employers to take an extra look at my clients' resumes. I am a Youth Employment Counsellor with JVS Toronto and have been working with youth in conflict with the law for the past 4 years. Many of my clients face many barriers to employment and usually feel they don't have much to offer employers. Your alternative resumes are geared towards focusing clearly on the skills needed for these jobs. Although many of my clients do not have much experience in the workplace, your alternative resumes allow them to fill the page with wonderful marketable skills that an employer is looking for when hiring a youth. As a result over the past 3 years since I have started to use the alternative resumes a lot more for my clients, I have seen many of my clients secure interviews, and regularly get asked by employers and others: who created your resume? I have seen first hand how these resumes gather one's attention, and make my clients stand out from the rest. Hence, I would strongly encourage other Youth Employment Counsellors to use Alternative Resumes for their clients as well."
Marla Chandler-Soanes - Manager of Community Initiatives, Elizabeth Fry:
"I find his Alternative Resumes book to be an excellent tool when working with clients. The client group I work with tends to be very marginalized women who have limited employment experience, and creating a resume can be an overwhelming process for them. Michael's Alternative Resumes provides my clients with fantastic information and ideas presented in a modern, visual, and highly readable way. Clients can see that a simple one-page resume can be enhanced in the 'wow' factor with the addition of some graphics, fonts or titles. It allows my clients to be less fearful of the resume and job search process, and build their confidence in their own resume writing skills. Having worked with both youth and adults, I would not hesitate in recommending Michael's Alternative Resumes to everyone. The book will prove to be an invaluable coaching tool in your own work with clients and will be a resource you turn to time and time again."