Have you reached your limit in your job search? Have you just been laid off and the specter of long-term joblessness looms large and threatening? Are flocks of loud & crazy fears, what I call the “Screaming Mee-Mees,” right by your ear? You definitely […]
Is your job search stalled? Have you hit a dry patch in your job search campaign? Need some fresh perspective? Not enough people know about a critical job search tool – Information Interviews. Do you? In today’s economy, you could use any […]
1. Manage Your Expectations: This is the best piece of advice that I could ever give to my clients – plus it is good advice for life in general. Many clients, consciously or unconsciously, fall into the trap of setting arbitrary expectations about the […]
Spring rolled out fast from a hard Winter and Summer is almost here. Traditionally, Spring represents new growth, new opportunities, turning a new leaf for people in transition. Spring cleaning is a yearly habit for some to clear out the dust and detritus […]
Every resume writer who has been plying his craft for a good long time knows the type of questions that clients can ask before, during or after the resume makeover process is completed. Good resume writers want to help their clients to the full extent of their abilities, […]
Everyone knows how much life can be a risky business with so many things outside your control. Lots of things can throw us into a fit of jammering fear, like bad health, family issues and lots of other things big and small. However, it is essential for you to face down the kind of fears […]
Starting a new year can be both exciting and cringe-making at the same time, especially if you are in a job search. Life is full of successes, challenges and failures, and you want to maximize the first, moderate the second and quickly learn from the third. […]
After thinking about the Thanksgiving season, I have been reflecting on some key similarities between Christmas, work in general and the job search. As is generally accepted, this is a hard time to be in transition and looking for a new position – budgets are tight, self-confidence is probably low and there can be a distinct lull in focus and motivation. Now is the time to take stock about the positives and readjust your perspective in a way that allows you to keep moving forward, despite external circumstances. 1. Giving: This season has come to mean giving of yourself, of your time, talent and treasure, to someone you know and love, or to those less fortunate. People who are givers and not takers overall are a more attractive asset to any company’s growth, and they are generally more fun to be around anyway. Who in their right mind doesn’t appreciate the person who is ready to pitch in and not complain, to do what is necessary to promote the common good? Rather, it is the politic-players who may win in the short-run, but who can’t, because they focus on the wrong things, really play a large part in bringing success to everyone. 2. Community: A poet once observed that we are not islands, doomed to always be alone in life and cut off from society. Rather, we are all connected to those who have come to make up the vast matrix of our lives - family, friends, colleagues, direct reports, customers, bosses and others. You have something, indeed, a lot of things to contribute to the general good and growth of your present or potential company. You have proved it before, as your resume should [...]
When trying to understand something that is very important, such as the importance of a clear resume, it is useful to compare it with something else that is familiar. I want to apply the English grammar concept of verb tenses to your resume, assuming we remember those composition classes we all took when we were in elementary school. You must recall the 3 verb tenses: Past, Present and Future. I want to use them to illustrate a way that may help you get a fresh perspective on your career narrative as it is portrayed in your resume. It can help you learn how you can package and position yourself more efficiently for the interviewer and potential employer. 1. Past: At least half, if not most, of the resume is taken up in what should be a concise, yet high-impact manner – all within 2 pages, 3 pages in some exceptions, but almost always more than 1 page. It is also crucial to lay out your career narrative for the reader – how you got to where you are now – university, professional training, all jobs except the most recent one. What you chose to use as quantifiables and achievements will influence the careful reader in the direction you want them to think and how they should interpret your Chronological milestones. Avoid the temptation to over-write or under-write when you decide how to package your past – it is hard to reach a happy balance. Don’t hesitate to get direct and honest feedback from a resume-writing professional. 2. Present: Your most recent position can be the most important simply because it is the first one a reader reads on the 1st page. It may be years [...]
Now that we are past Thanksgiving and Christmas is only a short time away – and then we are in the rush of a New Year. What is the status of your job transition? Is it humming down the road - active, or is it still in the garage - passive? Take a second to reflect, and consider my points below - 1. Get Started Now: As the saying go – no time like the present – even if it is December! If you are currently employed – great! Most often, it is the best time to start looking. Many companies and recruiters will hire people who are “fresh” over someone with comparable skills and background, but who is currently unemployed. Fortunately, in today’s down-market, this is a brutal truth is not the stigma it once was. Whatever your situation, if you are making a change, now more than ever is the time to --- 2. Gather Your Resources: The “mission clock” is started! It is only a matter of time before you get the position you want. But you have to identify and pull together your assets are in terms of packaging professional skills, job achievements and industry knowledge. Triangulate with friends, colleagues and others who know you well in both personal and professional arenas. As another old saying goes – “Know Yourself.” While this self-awareness may take focus, effort and a bit of time, it is well worth it. You will be able to present and sell yourself in those interviews, when details count. So the next big step is to --- 3. Build a Job Search Campaign: As you can see from my website, there are 5 components to a successful job [...]
