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Sunday, January 17, 2010
Monday, March 9, 2009
Do You Want Your Resume to Get You Noticed?
We all know what the economy is like right now and how fierce the competition is for finding new jobs. Having a well-written resume will get you noticed but isn’t always enough. Having a well-targeted resume will get you notice and get you an interview! Remember to keep in mind that a resume is as an advertisement, commercial, or flyer with one goal in mind - to gets results and get you an interview. So use it the way it is meant to be used by having one focus and making it powerful and attention-grabbing.
Most job seekers want to use a generic resume as a bit of a one-size-fits-all resume and try and squeeze in 20 or 30 years of experience into 2 pages. Job seekers also think they can use one resume for 2 or 3 jobs searches and that by putting in every important thing they’ve ever done in their career is the best way to get notice. Usually they couldn’t be further from the truth. A resume that works and does its’ job, is one that is well written and focused on one specific job or position. Hopefully this article will help you realize the importance of having a well-targeted resume and its benefits.
Resumes that have a specific target in mind make it easier for recruiters and/or hiring managers to identify its purpose. For instance, a recruiter while at a career fair collects 80-100 or more resumes for say 4 or 5 available positions. He will go back to his office and review them over the next several days; his memory will begin to fade making decisions harder. He will have to review each one just to find out which job each resume is for.
A headline or title for the resume that is specific to the job at hand will make sure your resume gets in the right pile and right hands. The headline can be the title from a job description that you are applying for or it can be the position you currently have. By using a label that is easy to see you will save the reader a lot of time by not having to scan your resume just to find out what you are trying to apply for.
Along with easy recognition, a resume is more focused if it concentrated on one specific position. This is very important when a job seeker has an extensive background that offers several possible career paths. Sticking with one objective per resume gives the job seeker more room to focus on just one position and use specific industry or position jargon, experience and achievements for the greatest impact.
A person that has 25 years in sales, management and training, for example would benefit from having 3 resumes. The information and achievements used can be the same for all 3 resume but used differently in each. Instead of focusing on the sales figures in the training resume you can focus on the training programs developed and implemented to improve sales. Or, the leadership and management skills in a management resume utilized to propel the sales team to unprecedented revenues.
It is all on how you position the information. You can to grab the reader’s attention by including what the reader is looking for, make the resume powerful and effective. Often I use the job description as a guide on what to include in the resume. If the job description requires strong communication, presentation and new business development skills I will use examples from my client’s experience that fit the job description requirements and emphasize their achievements in these areas for the biggest impact.
A resume that packs the most punch is a resume that is well-targeted to a specific position. Don’t try and put your whole career into one document if you want to look into different positions opportunities. The resume will be easier to identify, and it will allow room for more relevant information by keeping the focus simple. The results will be a more effective resume that will get you noticed, gain more interview offers, and hopefully lead to a new job.
Most job seekers want to use a generic resume as a bit of a one-size-fits-all resume and try and squeeze in 20 or 30 years of experience into 2 pages. Job seekers also think they can use one resume for 2 or 3 jobs searches and that by putting in every important thing they’ve ever done in their career is the best way to get notice. Usually they couldn’t be further from the truth. A resume that works and does its’ job, is one that is well written and focused on one specific job or position. Hopefully this article will help you realize the importance of having a well-targeted resume and its benefits.
Resumes that have a specific target in mind make it easier for recruiters and/or hiring managers to identify its purpose. For instance, a recruiter while at a career fair collects 80-100 or more resumes for say 4 or 5 available positions. He will go back to his office and review them over the next several days; his memory will begin to fade making decisions harder. He will have to review each one just to find out which job each resume is for.
A headline or title for the resume that is specific to the job at hand will make sure your resume gets in the right pile and right hands. The headline can be the title from a job description that you are applying for or it can be the position you currently have. By using a label that is easy to see you will save the reader a lot of time by not having to scan your resume just to find out what you are trying to apply for.
Along with easy recognition, a resume is more focused if it concentrated on one specific position. This is very important when a job seeker has an extensive background that offers several possible career paths. Sticking with one objective per resume gives the job seeker more room to focus on just one position and use specific industry or position jargon, experience and achievements for the greatest impact.
A person that has 25 years in sales, management and training, for example would benefit from having 3 resumes. The information and achievements used can be the same for all 3 resume but used differently in each. Instead of focusing on the sales figures in the training resume you can focus on the training programs developed and implemented to improve sales. Or, the leadership and management skills in a management resume utilized to propel the sales team to unprecedented revenues.
It is all on how you position the information. You can to grab the reader’s attention by including what the reader is looking for, make the resume powerful and effective. Often I use the job description as a guide on what to include in the resume. If the job description requires strong communication, presentation and new business development skills I will use examples from my client’s experience that fit the job description requirements and emphasize their achievements in these areas for the biggest impact.
A resume that packs the most punch is a resume that is well-targeted to a specific position. Don’t try and put your whole career into one document if you want to look into different positions opportunities. The resume will be easier to identify, and it will allow room for more relevant information by keeping the focus simple. The results will be a more effective resume that will get you noticed, gain more interview offers, and hopefully lead to a new job.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
What Are Your Goals for the Coming Year
Again we were blessed with another memorable Christmas shared with family and friends, our health, and the ability to give to others. New Year’s has just past and I’ve already started to put a list together of goals I’d like to set for next year. The list has been drifting and developing for the past few months, now is the time to get serious about what I want to accomplish.
Goals are a great way to move forward in your career. They offer direction, accountability and keep you on track with your larger life-sized goals. Most executives and c-level managers set goals and agree that the goal setting and achieving processes are what put them where they are today. So, how can you get the most from your goals? First you have to know what they are. Everyone can say, “I’d like to make more money next year” or “I’d love to get my degree some day”, both are nice thoughts but neither are focused.
A real set of goals is a list of specific achievements that you would like to successfully implement. Each goal should be specific to you, what you want, when you want to accomplish it and how you intend to accomplish the task. By adding the details and a deadline you are making it concrete and real for you.
Goals can be what ever you want them to be. You can establish private goals or you can make an impact by making them known to colleagues, friends, or family. Goals can be of professional and personal natures – and should be about anything you want them to be. The important thing to do is take the time to think about what would make these dreams become realities and write down the individual plans to make them happen. Most of the time it only takes the articulating and believing in a goal to make it happen. Whether consciously or unconsciously we tend to put actions into motion to make us succeed in achieving our goals.
Once you have ten or twelve…or more goals in mind and written in detail and with specific accomplishment dates, you need to put the list in one or several places where it can be seen regularly. The key is consciously acknowledging your wishes and turn them into action driven goals. By reviewing the goal list frequently you will keep the goals in the forefront of your mind which will keep them a priority.
We’ve all said we’d join a gym, start some new health regimen, go back to school, take up golf or implement professional actions, one only to have the goals fade into extinction after a few weeks or months. By keeping your goals close to you and in a place where you can frequently review and even speak them out loud is a great way to reinforce them.
I am excited about 2009! I’ve got some big goals which make me nervous and excited about achieving but I know I will succeed once I begin to see them as destinations and start working towards completing them. Your goals can take you anyplace you want to go. Everything on Earth started with a thought. Make you thoughts become reality by putting action on your “dreams” and turning them into goals which are fluid and forward moving and achieving.
Happy New Year and Shine On!
Goals are a great way to move forward in your career. They offer direction, accountability and keep you on track with your larger life-sized goals. Most executives and c-level managers set goals and agree that the goal setting and achieving processes are what put them where they are today. So, how can you get the most from your goals? First you have to know what they are. Everyone can say, “I’d like to make more money next year” or “I’d love to get my degree some day”, both are nice thoughts but neither are focused.
A real set of goals is a list of specific achievements that you would like to successfully implement. Each goal should be specific to you, what you want, when you want to accomplish it and how you intend to accomplish the task. By adding the details and a deadline you are making it concrete and real for you.
Goals can be what ever you want them to be. You can establish private goals or you can make an impact by making them known to colleagues, friends, or family. Goals can be of professional and personal natures – and should be about anything you want them to be. The important thing to do is take the time to think about what would make these dreams become realities and write down the individual plans to make them happen. Most of the time it only takes the articulating and believing in a goal to make it happen. Whether consciously or unconsciously we tend to put actions into motion to make us succeed in achieving our goals.
Once you have ten or twelve…or more goals in mind and written in detail and with specific accomplishment dates, you need to put the list in one or several places where it can be seen regularly. The key is consciously acknowledging your wishes and turn them into action driven goals. By reviewing the goal list frequently you will keep the goals in the forefront of your mind which will keep them a priority.
We’ve all said we’d join a gym, start some new health regimen, go back to school, take up golf or implement professional actions, one only to have the goals fade into extinction after a few weeks or months. By keeping your goals close to you and in a place where you can frequently review and even speak them out loud is a great way to reinforce them.
I am excited about 2009! I’ve got some big goals which make me nervous and excited about achieving but I know I will succeed once I begin to see them as destinations and start working towards completing them. Your goals can take you anyplace you want to go. Everything on Earth started with a thought. Make you thoughts become reality by putting action on your “dreams” and turning them into goals which are fluid and forward moving and achieving.
Happy New Year and Shine On!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Stand Out at Your Next Interview
Put the frosting on the cake by not only being mentally and emotionally prepared for your next interview, but by being visually prepared as well prepared too. Well, maybe visually isn’t the right word – collaterally prepared? The important thing is to make sure you bring along a visual display of your professional history. The collateral documents will help you stand out and put you ahead of your competition.
When I participate in job fairs or other career events I bring with me a portfolio of my strengths to share with potential clients, hiring manager and recruiters. In my portfolio, which is just a 3-ring binder with slips holding my documents (to keep them looking fresh); I have lots of information that will be interesting and appealing to many different types of interviewers. Every interviewer has their preferred avenue of learning and a portfolio helps those who prefer visual learning by having something to look and read. It is also effective for who want hands-on learning apparatus. I ply them with an audio overview as well to meet those who prefer to listen and learn – very effective.
My portfolio includes my own resume, work samples including several resumes, cover letters, reference sheets, an executive bio; an addendum of the products and services I offer; recommendations; and copies of my writing and coaching certificates. Your portfolio should include the things your potential employer, hiring managers and recruiters would want to see for your current career goals.
To begin with, your portfolio should have several copies of your resume. Many times during an interview there will be someone who unexpectedly sits in during the interview. It will show your preparation, organization and communication skills by offering a copy of your resume to others participating in the interview. Your cover letter should also be in the portfolio. Make sure it is the one addressed to the company you are at and not a generic version or one addressing a different company.
Copies of your reference sheet and any recommendation letters you’ve received (no more than 4) can be showcased after that. If you’ve recently graduated from college a copy of your transcripts, copies of projects you’ve worked on can be included. Any substantial awards can be copied and included in your portfolio, such as a writing contest or an award for winning the cardboard boat competition in college. The awards show your ambition, competitiveness, many times your teamwork efforts, and well developed work ethics.
If it has been a while since college you should look to career accomplishments to include in the portfolio. Company awards or awards given by suppliers, vendors, or clients for work well done can and should be included. Employment evaluations, if they are very good should be included too, you can even highlight areas on the copy to showcase the areas you want read.
Depending on your career choice you can add addendums that include published articles, papers, or books that you have written, a chronology of large projects completed by you especially if in engineering, or IT or even an addendum that highlights numerous volunteer positions you’ve held that are relevant to your current career objective would be worth including.
Keep your portfolio close by; you never know when it will come in handy. Interviews are the obvious place for it, but the portfolio can also be effective at career fairs, industry conferences, and networking events. Sometimes when you least expect to meet opportunity - it shows up, keep your portfolio close so you can take advantage of those chance opportunities.
When I participate in job fairs or other career events I bring with me a portfolio of my strengths to share with potential clients, hiring manager and recruiters. In my portfolio, which is just a 3-ring binder with slips holding my documents (to keep them looking fresh); I have lots of information that will be interesting and appealing to many different types of interviewers. Every interviewer has their preferred avenue of learning and a portfolio helps those who prefer visual learning by having something to look and read. It is also effective for who want hands-on learning apparatus. I ply them with an audio overview as well to meet those who prefer to listen and learn – very effective.
My portfolio includes my own resume, work samples including several resumes, cover letters, reference sheets, an executive bio; an addendum of the products and services I offer; recommendations; and copies of my writing and coaching certificates. Your portfolio should include the things your potential employer, hiring managers and recruiters would want to see for your current career goals.
To begin with, your portfolio should have several copies of your resume. Many times during an interview there will be someone who unexpectedly sits in during the interview. It will show your preparation, organization and communication skills by offering a copy of your resume to others participating in the interview. Your cover letter should also be in the portfolio. Make sure it is the one addressed to the company you are at and not a generic version or one addressing a different company.
Copies of your reference sheet and any recommendation letters you’ve received (no more than 4) can be showcased after that. If you’ve recently graduated from college a copy of your transcripts, copies of projects you’ve worked on can be included. Any substantial awards can be copied and included in your portfolio, such as a writing contest or an award for winning the cardboard boat competition in college. The awards show your ambition, competitiveness, many times your teamwork efforts, and well developed work ethics.
If it has been a while since college you should look to career accomplishments to include in the portfolio. Company awards or awards given by suppliers, vendors, or clients for work well done can and should be included. Employment evaluations, if they are very good should be included too, you can even highlight areas on the copy to showcase the areas you want read.
Depending on your career choice you can add addendums that include published articles, papers, or books that you have written, a chronology of large projects completed by you especially if in engineering, or IT or even an addendum that highlights numerous volunteer positions you’ve held that are relevant to your current career objective would be worth including.
Keep your portfolio close by; you never know when it will come in handy. Interviews are the obvious place for it, but the portfolio can also be effective at career fairs, industry conferences, and networking events. Sometimes when you least expect to meet opportunity - it shows up, keep your portfolio close so you can take advantage of those chance opportunities.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Job Search Strategies - If You Don’t Realize Your Own Strengths Who Will?
I participated in a career fair a few weeks and was fascinated by the different attitudes conveyed by the candidates. By the end of the day I was really able to see the non-verbal communication attitude they emitted, before they even sat down with me to review their resume.
If I can see your attitude as you approach me, so can hiring managers, recruiters and anyone you need to impress with your experience, expertise and attitude. What I noticed was, those that walked up to me, smiled, shook my hand and were genuinely interested and interesting during the resume review, were the ones that came across confident, knowledgeable and dependable. This is the “something special” that gets you noticed and asked back for a second interview or even have offers made to.
Others that came to see me were timid, apologetic, looked away from me and fumbled with papers, folders or purses. They portrayed an unsure, un-confident job seeker with a look of fear instead of confidence. When they asked for help with some or all parts of their job search they seemed desperate, unsure and sometimes even defensive. Have you ever heard a car, insurance, beer or hair color commercial that isn’t completely confident in their product? Never.
You have to realize your strengths, believe in those strengths and make others believe in them and you, if you want to succeed in getting your ideal job. A resume is a selling tool and even the most concise, achievement packed document will only get you into an interview. If you come to the interview less than what your resume portrays, you will get passed by and be wasting everyone’s time.
Non-verbal communications can even play more of a key role than the content of your resume. If you’ve got great experience but have a poor attitude, no confidence or can’t communicate well during the interview you’ll never find the job of your dreams. Preparation, something I stress over and over, is the most important thing you can do to improve your confidence and succeed in interviews.
You have to play the part of manager, marketer, salesperson and the voice in your campaign. If you don’t feel you’ve got the right attitude start making changes today. If you feel intimidated because you don’t have a degree, sign up for a night class. If you need something that shows you are truly interested in the position, join associations, research the industry and company so you’ll feel confident when discussing current industry events and future expectations. If you don’t have enough achievements in your resume; start asking for harder assignments, doing a better job with current assignments, staying later during the day, or what ever it takes to get noticed with what you are doing today. Your improved work habits will be reflected in your next performance review, will improve what your references can say about you, and it will provide outstanding achievements to add to your resume.
You have to really own your strengths, skills, and value have offer, so you can let others know what you have to contribute. Start today, write a list of your 10 best attributes or strengths and see what you can come up with. If you’re having trouble, ask others you work with for their two cents. If you like what you find out, promote it. If you don’t like what you find out, make changes until you do and then get out there and confidently show everyone what you have to offer.
If I can see your attitude as you approach me, so can hiring managers, recruiters and anyone you need to impress with your experience, expertise and attitude. What I noticed was, those that walked up to me, smiled, shook my hand and were genuinely interested and interesting during the resume review, were the ones that came across confident, knowledgeable and dependable. This is the “something special” that gets you noticed and asked back for a second interview or even have offers made to.
Others that came to see me were timid, apologetic, looked away from me and fumbled with papers, folders or purses. They portrayed an unsure, un-confident job seeker with a look of fear instead of confidence. When they asked for help with some or all parts of their job search they seemed desperate, unsure and sometimes even defensive. Have you ever heard a car, insurance, beer or hair color commercial that isn’t completely confident in their product? Never.
You have to realize your strengths, believe in those strengths and make others believe in them and you, if you want to succeed in getting your ideal job. A resume is a selling tool and even the most concise, achievement packed document will only get you into an interview. If you come to the interview less than what your resume portrays, you will get passed by and be wasting everyone’s time.
Non-verbal communications can even play more of a key role than the content of your resume. If you’ve got great experience but have a poor attitude, no confidence or can’t communicate well during the interview you’ll never find the job of your dreams. Preparation, something I stress over and over, is the most important thing you can do to improve your confidence and succeed in interviews.
You have to play the part of manager, marketer, salesperson and the voice in your campaign. If you don’t feel you’ve got the right attitude start making changes today. If you feel intimidated because you don’t have a degree, sign up for a night class. If you need something that shows you are truly interested in the position, join associations, research the industry and company so you’ll feel confident when discussing current industry events and future expectations. If you don’t have enough achievements in your resume; start asking for harder assignments, doing a better job with current assignments, staying later during the day, or what ever it takes to get noticed with what you are doing today. Your improved work habits will be reflected in your next performance review, will improve what your references can say about you, and it will provide outstanding achievements to add to your resume.
You have to really own your strengths, skills, and value have offer, so you can let others know what you have to contribute. Start today, write a list of your 10 best attributes or strengths and see what you can come up with. If you’re having trouble, ask others you work with for their two cents. If you like what you find out, promote it. If you don’t like what you find out, make changes until you do and then get out there and confidently show everyone what you have to offer.
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