#JobSearch :What Your Resume Needs to Grab an Employer’s Attention! Today’s Online World has Created a New Terrain that Can Make it Difficult to get Hired.

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Whether you’re looking for your first job after college or you are ready for a career change, writing an executive resume can be an intimidating process. Do you know what employers are really looking for in resumes that get you hired? Many professionals don’t know the answer to this important question. The top resume writing service can help you ensure these elements can be found in your resume.

Relevant Keywords

Keywords aren’t just something you implement into your website or any other content you post online. An executive resume should include keywords relevant to the job you are applying for. An employer wants to know a candidate is qualified without spending a lot of time reading through the contents. If you aren’t using the right keywords, your resume will likely be passed over without a second glance. And with today’s applicant tracking system, your resume won’t get to the eyes of a human without the right keywords.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Skill Exaggeration

In order to qualify for a job, you need to convince a future employer you have the right skills and experience and can fit into the company culture. Writing an executive resume is about portraying this information succinctly and accurately. However, it can be tempting to slightly exaggerate some of your skills to help secure the job. Unfortunately, many employers are ready for this tactic and will be looking for inconsistencies and other flags that may indicate you aren’t being completely honest.

Career Progression

How you progress through your career plays a role in whether you are a suitable candidate for a particular job. It’s important to make sure your resume tells a story about who you are and what jobs you have performed in the past. Be sure to address key responsibilities in your past positions that relate to the prospective job. You may have had a great achievement in your past position, but if it really isn’t relevant to the position you are applying for, consider carefully whether to include it. You should also let a future employer know how these responsibilities have shaped who you are as an employee.

Personal Branding

Hiring decisions are no longer solely about what employers find in your resume and what they learn during your interview. Many employers also look at your online presence before deciding whether you are a good fit for the company’s culture. It can be a useful asset to include links to your online portfolio to assist potential employers with learning more about you and what you can contribute to their company.

Resumes that get you hired have changed over the years. Today’s online world has created a new terrain that can make it difficult to get hired. It may be time to consider hiring a professional to help you make the right decisions when writing an executive resume, giving you the competitive edge and helping you land the job of your dreams.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – April 13, 2021

#YourCareer : Build Your Authority on LinkedIn. Ya Think LinkedIn is Just for Your Job Search?? Think Again!

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I’ve noticed that many of the job seekers I talk to don’t utilize LinkedIn for reasons other than job search.  It’s also a great platform to help you build authority as a thought leader! 💡💡 

What are some ways you can do this?

Complete your profile. Fill in all the areas. Top to bottom. Leaving sections blank leaves questions unanswered. Be as thorough as possible.
Add a profile photo AND a background cover photo…get rid of that blue LI background! You will get more views, and it adds personality and helps to brand you by having a photo of your industry or product you represent.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Start writing. Show your expertise, experiences, and things of interest to you. with articles or posts–either share or write them. Your objective is to build credibility and achieve increased visibility. They both remain on your profile for others to view. When commenting, think about influencing and helping/supporting others. Activity on LI raised your ranking in the search algorithms.

Join discussions. Read something that pertains to your field? Talk about it. Add your .02 and expertise or experience. Share something that will keep the discussion going. Make sure the comment is 5 words or more to be considered a thoughtful comment by LI algorithms…otherwise it is ignored. Try LI groups for this as well.

Connect. Connect with people in (and out of) your industry. The more you engage and reach out to people, the more apt they will be to help you. Connections to consider are vendors, partners, colleagues, decision-makers in your target companies. Etc. Comment on their posts and build a stronger, supportive relationship.

Improve. Take a course or certification? Add it. Take a skills test on LI.

Commit. Make a plan to use LI three times a week, ten minutes a day. The more you use LinkedIn, the more it will work for you! Now that your profile is fully optimized, use it! It is a living organism.

In today’s professional (and unpredictable) world, being on LinkedIn is crucial. Making your presence strong and credible is even more important. Build your profile and connections, and then network and engage on a daily basis, or as often as you can to show who you are, what you have achieved, and the credibility and value you offer in your field. You won’t be sorry and may even snag the career opportunity of your dreams!

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – April 12, 2021

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch – How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview. Want to Stand Out? A MUst REad!

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Some experts say the thank-you email after an interview is as important as your cover letter, so don’t waste this important opportunity to finalize your pitch—especially now that you know so much about the company, the role and your interviewer. “A properly prepared thank-you email, it just sets you apart,” says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at recruitment agency Robert Half. “It shows that you care and it restates your interest in the position.” Most HR managers say they consider thank-you messages when deciding who to hire, but they only receive notes from nearly a quarter of applicants, according to a survey by Robert Half. So don’t miss out on this chance to stand out, in a good way.

Question: How do you stand out?

Send your thank-you email as soon as possible.

Aim to send your thank-you note as soon as you can after the interview. This gives you an opportunity to seal the interviewer’s good impression of you immediately after your initial meeting, while their memory of you is still fresh, recruiters say. If you interviewed with more than one person, you should email each one separately.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Reiterate why you are interested in the role and why you would be a great fit.

Now that you have had a chance to meet the interviewer and you have asked all the right questions, you know more about the role and can make a stronger case for yourself. While you were preparing for the interview, you probably didn’t have access to as many details about the job and employer as you may have now that you have met the hiring manager.

                     Reiterate why you are interested in the role and why you would be a great fit.

In your thank-you email you can:

  • Briefly address any pertinent new facts you gleaned about the role during the interview and bring the point back to how your experience or skill set aligns with it.
  • Include examples that demonstrate how you would be an asset to the company.
  • Include relevant samples of your work, particularly if you discussed any during the interview.
  • Provide a suggested solution to a challenge your employer faces that may have come up during your interview.
  • Bring up any insights or examples that highlight your suitability for the role that you might have forgotten to mention in the interview.

 

Reference something personal you discussed during the interview.

 

Three examples of highlighting qualifications in a thank-you email: 

  • “With my experience focusing on the intersection of retail, customer experience and technology, I am in a strong position to help the company with its e-commerce launch.”
  • “Since you mentioned that the company is currently struggling to establish a business model that embraces technology, I wanted to offer a few ideas that I think might help.”
  • “You’ll find a link to a recent UX design study I conducted at the bottom of this email.”
Try adding something personal discussed during the interview to your thank-you letter.

If there was an anecdote or a shared interest that both you and the interviewer seemed to connect over, you may briefly nod to that in your email, but only if it feels natural and appropriate. This makes for a more personal letter that feels organic and authentic to you and to the relationship you began to forge. If you interviewed with multiple people at the company, adding a personal detail allows each email to feel unique. This also helps your thank-you email stand out.

Three examples of framing a personal detail in your thank-you email: 

  • “On a personal note, it was lovely speaking to you about your recent experience on safari. It inspired me to look into taking a trip like that someday.”
  • “I took up your suggestion to try that oatmeal-cookie recipe, and it was a hit with the kids. Thanks so much for the tip.”
  • “I very much enjoyed talking to you about your home-renovation project. If you have a link to that blog you mentioned, I’d love to take a look. I’m eager to try something similar in my home soon.”
Offer to answer any questions and bring it back to your application.

Bring it back to the hiring process at the end of your email. Gently raising the prospect of the next steps in the process makes it clear you are keen to progress and reminds the interviewer that they should come back to you without being too pushy. Offer to answer questions to give the employer an opportunity to clear up any possible doubts they may have about hiring you. Such an offer also promotes interaction between you.

 

Bring it back to the application process and offer to answer any other questions the interviewer may have.

 

Here is an example of how to end your thank-you email:

  • “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, and to explain the company’s needs. I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the application process, and welcome any questions you may have about my fit for the role.”
Resources
  • Grammarly If writing isn’t one of your strengths, this AI-powered tool helps you compose clear, mistake-free emails.
  • Readable This tool analyzes the readability of your content, and suggests how and where to make improvements.
What to read next

WSJ.com | April 9, 2021 | Deborah Acosta

#JobSearch : What to do if Suddenly Unemployed. Here are Some Things you Can do Right Way.

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When I was laid off from my sales job in my early 20’s, I was shattered.  It was a blessing but back then, I was terrified. I was living alone, paycheck to paycheck, and didn’t know anything about unemployment as I had been working since I was 15. I didn’t have savings, because I didn’t make much money and, you know, 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘴.

Today’s job seekers have such a wealth of resources available at their fingertips. Here are some things you can do right away:

FINANCES
✅ Apply for unemployment benefits. The sooner you do this, the sooner you’ll receive a check.
✅ Ask about health insurance. Will the company extend it? Check out healthcare dot gov for coverage.
✅ Look at your savings. Spend slowly, only pay monthly minimums. Ask for a loan, if possible.
✅ Talk to your lenders. Many will give you a two or three-month grace period before having to make a payment again.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued … 

RELATIONSHIPS

✅ 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. Ask for a reference from your boss or co-workers before you leave. Not only will this help you while job searching, you’ll feel better as well.
✅ Reconnect with your network. Before you start sending out resumes, optimize your LinkedIn profile so your connections will know what you are up to when you reach out to them.

 

PLANNING

✅ Create or revise your career plan. Whether this came as a surprise or not, take time to develop your career plan. Ask yourself questions about what you want to do next. Do you want to stay in your current industry or try something new?

✅ Reward yourself when you reach milestones. When you’ve written a couple versions of your resume or cover letter, treat yourself to a nice dinner. When you’ve made the phone calls or reached out to your target companies, take a break and enjoy something you like to do.

 

ATTITUDE

✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. Remember, this is only temporary. You’ll be working again before you know it.

✅ Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Continually talking about it can create a rut that can be difficult to get out of. Take a day to reflect on the situation, then move forward.

 

If you find yourself unemployed, take a breath! Just remember, most people who want jobs have them. You will eventually have a job. So, think through your finances, your network, our plan, and keep a positive attitude. But keep taking steps forward. And if you need professional help with your career documents or coaching, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – April 6, 2021

#JobSearch : How to Navigate Tough Questions During a Job Interview. Great Read!

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Acing a job interview often hinges on preparation for every kind of question—especially awkward or inappropriate ones about your current salary, family responsibilities or other subjects.

Despite some employers’ efforts to boost inclusiveness and combat biases and ageism, such queries can arise during recruitment. At The Wall Street Journal Job Summit in March, executives, career coaches and economists advised job seekers how to navigate thorny questions during in-person or video interviews and avoid potential pitfalls. Here is their advice:

Reframe questions about your current salary

It’s an interview question many candidates dread: “What are you earning at your current job?” In many cities and states it is illegal to ask a candidate what his or her salary is—which doesn’t mean that a hiring manager won’t try.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

If the question does arise, Trier Bryant, co-founder of workplace consultancy Just Work, recommends responding “I don’t feel comfortable answering that.” Then, say what you expect to earn based on your skills and experience.

“Compensation-benchmarking data is out there. Go find out, what are the bands and what’s the market for the type of company that you’re interviewing for?” said Ms. Bryant. “A small startup that’s still private, that’s not public, their compensation structure’s going to be very different than a larger public company.”

Keep in mind that total compensation includes more than base salary, and consider pushing for a signing bonus, a relocation allowance, equity or repayment for transportation or sessions with an executive coach.

While some job seekers may shy away from negotiating, Kim Scott, co-founder of Just Work, warns that there is a cost to skipping the conversation entirely. “Just get the money that you deserve,” she said, “because the tax of realizing that you are underpaid is huge. It prevents you from doing your best work.”

Head off ageism

When Ms. Scott moved to Silicon Valley from New York in the early 2000s, she went from consistently being one of the youngest people in the room at work to typically being the oldest. She suggests a little trick that experienced job seekers can use to win over younger interviewers.

“The most helpful advice I got was to say, ‘I’m really eager to learn,’ ” she said. “That feels like a statement that is not as strong as you want to make. But if you realize that people are worried that you think you already know it all, it’s a great sort of response to that bias.”

 

Discuss your children on your own terms

An interviewer who asks about children may just be making conversation. But there also is the chance he or she is looking to learn about your availability to work outside regular hours or the possibility of child-care interruptions.

“Say, ‘You know what? I would actually like to focus on the skill sets and my experience for this role,’” said LaFawn Davis, group vice president of environmental, social and governance at the job-search site Indeed. “They may be just trying to build rapport with you and have a conversation. But you want to make sure that you’re focused on what you can do for that company in that role and not the other things that may lead to bias in a decision in your hiring.”

If you are concerned about interruptions from children participating in remote school or a babysitter arriving during a video interview, suggest blocks of time that work for you.

“It’s okay to say to the recruiter, ‘Hey, this is the best time for me and it’s going to be the quietest,’ ” said Laura Fennell, executive vice president and chief people and places officer at financial-software maker Intuit. “Don’t worry about asking for, ‘Look, I want some quiet time and two o’clock to five o’clock would be the best time to schedule this.’ ”

 

Get a sense of the company

Ms. Davis recommends that before interviews, job seekers do some research to learn how inclusive a company is. Peruse the organization’s core values, its social media accounts and any recent statements in support of marginalized groups. Pay attention to the interviewers themselves. Are they diverse or are you likely to be an early diversity hire? If the interviewers seem to be emphasizing “cultural fit,” ask what that means.

“Be active participants in the hiring process,” Ms. Davis said. “You are also interviewing the company. You’re vetting the company. So, is this where you want to be?”

 

WSJ.com Author : Write to Kathryn Dill at Kathryn.Dill@wsj.com

 

WSJ.com – April 5, 2021

 

#JobSearch : Why Was My Resume Rejected? Here’s 7 Reasons to Consider. A MUst REad!

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You have sent your resume out time and time again, but no interview invitations have come. You need to consider that something in your resume may be the problem. Your executive profile can play a major role in whether you get hired for a job. If you aren’t using the best resume writing services to help you in your job search, you may find your resume is constantly rejected.

Instead of giving up on your job search, consider whether one of these reasons applies to your resume.

  1. An Overwhelmed Hiring Manager

Everyone gets overwhelmed in their jobs sometimes, even hiring managers. If there is too much information coming at them, your resume may be overlooked, especially if they feel the content is irrelevant. This is why it’s important to determine the exact information that impacts your ability to do the job and stick to that information alone.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

  1. Missing That “It” Factor

Cover letter writing services can help you determine if you’re missing something critical that could be preventing you from getting the job. While sometimes this “It” factor may be beyond your control; there may be other factors you need to highlight or potentially leave off your resume and cover letter for the best results.

  1. Relocation Issues

If you’re applying for a job that requires you to relocate, one of the biggest issues can be when you are able to make the move. In some situations, your timeline may not line up with the requirements of the job. Therefore, it’s important to make sure you are flexible with your moving plans to eliminate this issue.

  1. Currently Unemployed

As frustrating as this can be, sometimes employers want to hire someone who is already working. While unemployed individuals aren’t always in their situation due to their own fault, it seems like companies view it as a negative. However, this can be one of the most difficult elements to fix. It may be necessary to work for a temp agency or do some freelance work for a while to flesh out your resume.

  1. Staffing Agencies Can Also Hurt

While a staffing agency can be a great way to fill in your employment gap if you’re unemployed, going through one to get the job you want may not be your best option. Some hiring managers purposely ignore these resumes or put them at the bottom of the pile.

  1. Incorrect Job Descriptions

You expect businesses to create accurate job listings, but like anyone else, individuals in charge can make mistakes. Because you use this description to create your executive profile, you may not be as good of a fit as you thought when errors exist.

  1. Social Media Damaged Your Reputation

After you created a stellar resume your online profiles did major damage. Hiring managers are going to look at your social media presence and make judgment calls about you based upon what they read and see. They determine if people will be a good fit for their business. Before you apply, make sure you clean up your social media to eliminate anything that may be offensive or present a negative image.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – March 31, 2021

 

#JobSearch : Mastering the STAR Technique for Your Next Interview. How to Answer, “Describe a time when…” or “Share an example of a situation where…”.

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You walk into your interview and as the interview progresses, you hear the words, “Describe a time when…” or “Share an example of a situation where…”. This is one of the most common practices to use, which is known as the behavioral approach. The hiring manager is wanting to test your competency in dealing with tough situations. They want to learn your behavior, to analyze your ability to problem-solve, determine your analytical skills, teamwork orientation, or creativity.

            Question: How do you stand out?

This is not the time to be smug, flippant, or terse; it’s time to use the S.T.A.R. technique.

 

STAR stands for Situation-Task-Action-Result 

Situation – For most people it’s pretty easy to plug a work experience into the formula. Was there a group project or a conflict with a coworker? This could be a work experience or volunteer project.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

 

Task – You start by explaining the task you had to finish and any particular difficulties or challenges that were present. Challenges can be things such as budget or deadline.

 Action – Then you describe the specific actions that you took to meet the challenge. You want to focus on things such as your leadership, intelligence and skills without stating them directly.

 Result – You finish the narrative by discussing the results of the project. You can talk about what you learned, as well.

You want to be brief when answering this question. Anything over 3 minutes isn’t an answer; it’s bloviating.

It’s also good to close with a declarative statement such as “the project was difficult, but we worked together, and it was worth it.” Keep it short and simple. You also want to try and keep it to the types of traits that the hiring manager is looking for, such as the ability to work together, dedication, and ambition.

The STAR technique can help you ace a difficult part of the interview process with grace and show the interviewer that you are the perfect candidate for the job.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – March 26, 2021

#Resumes : Resume Clichés that are Cringeworthy (embarrassing). Get it Right, you are, in Essence, Selling Yourself to a Potential Employer.

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Writing a professional resume is often more difficult than you could imagine. It’s different than writing any other type of document. This is why many people turn to a professional resume writing service. Writing a resume is actually writing a marketing piece about yourself. You are, in essence, selling yourself to a potential employer. You are communicating your brand and value to them, and showcasing why you are the best candidate above anyone else they have looked at, or will look at. For that reason, your language needs to be unique and how you articulate yourself in your resume will determine whether an interview invitation comes your way.

We review hundreds of resumes every year, and these are some of the resume clichés that are cringeworthy to steer clear of if you are attempting to write your own resume.

“I’m Very Enthusiastic, or Positive, or Energetic, or …”

It might seem like a good thing to be excited about a new job, and it is; however, this statement can actually make you sound desperate. You may really want the job, but saying so isn’t going to make it a reality. It’s up to you to show your prospective employer why you are the right choice, not why you are excited about the prospect of working there.

“I’m an Excellent Team Player and Can Work Independently”

These are buzz words the best resume writing services know are best left off of your resume. These are the phrases many candidates think employers want to hear. When they see it on a resume, though, they will be paying close attention to what the candidate does and says to back it up. They may want to see you are capable of working well with others, as well as on your own, but you shouldn’t have to spell it out. Your other words and actions should portray the message.

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

“I Have Extensive Experience In…”

Experience is important to land any job, but you need to be careful how you use this phrase. Using it to describe every work experience you’ve ever had, including part time employment or internships, weakens the phrase and causes it to lose meaning. While you’ll need some experience, you don’t need to overcompensate and exaggerate to land the job you’re looking for.

 

“I’m Passionate About…”

Passion can be an incredible thing in the working world, but it’s important to be honest about it. You may choose to use this phrase to describe an early interest in the field, when in reality, it was just an interest. For instance, you may claim you have been passionate about the environment since the age of 12 when applying for an environmental job. However, if you really consider it, you may have just started developing an interest in exploring the area further. It’s best to leave your passions out of your resume, at least until you have an interview.

Writing a professional resume takes attention to detail and careful consideration to ensure it has the right impact on a hiring manager. Avoiding these, and other common resume clichés, will ensure you are portraying your experience and value appropriately, all while capturing the attention of your prospective employer. Talking to a professional resume writing service about how to word similar phrases can help you make the best impression, giving you a better chance at obtaining the right job.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog – March 23, 2021

 

#JobSearch : How to Work With Headhunters. Important: Headhunters Work for the Company that Hired them, Not for You. MUst REAd!

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What is a headhunter?

There is a distinction between headhunters and recruiters. Headhunters tend to be more singularly focused on filling a particular role and actively seek out the perfect person for the job, whereas recruiters tend to work on multiple jobs at once and rely more on candidates finding them. “You’re going out to find people. You’re not waiting for them to come to you,” says Matt Clarke, managing director at recruitment firm Blackwood Associates LLC. “There are some people who are more proactive and there are others that are reactive. It’s more about the proactive approach.”

A headhunter usually tries to convince a high-performing worker to leave a job for a competitor, according to Mr. Clarke. “You’re recruiting someone out of their current seat based on a referral or knowing that they’re good in their current space.” This can be more challenging than trying to find a role for someone who is looking for a new job. “They’re happy and you’re motivating them to make a move.”

Do headhunters focus on candidates who are mid-level or higher?

Not necessarily. While some headhunting firms specialize in filling C-suite jobs, others fill jobs that require less experience. “It spans where you are in your career. It’s really more about your company’s focus,” says Mr. Clarke.

Headhunters don’t work for you, they work for an employer to fill a position.

Headhunters primarily work with companies looking to fill a position. If you aren’t getting a call back from a headhunter, you are not alone. A headhunter’s focus in most cases is to devote his or her time to the client, not a job seeker who isn’t an active target. “Most recruiters work for companies that are paying them to find candidates,” says Stacey Staaterman, a leadership and career coach based in New York. “So, what’s most important for people on the job-search side is that they need to be sensitive to the fact that they’re not the first priority.”

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Why would a company work with a headhunter?

Companies hire headhunters for a variety of reasons. “It could be that it’s a messy situation, so they need a recruiter to sell it,” says Roy Cohen, a career coach and author of “The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide: Success Secrets of a Career Coach.” Another reason could be the seniority of the role. Mr. Cohen says that recruiting for a very senior-level position, such as a division president or chief executive, can be a heavy lift and companies may prefer to use a headhunter with the expertise to find the ideal person from a “large universe of potential candidates.

”If you are contacted by a headhunter, it helps to ask tough questions about why the role is open, because some of those reasons might not be positive for a candidate. “Be careful what you wish for when you do work with a recruiter. It could be they’ve been hired because the situation is one that has been problematic,” says Mr. Cohen. “Maybe there’s turnover, maybe the boss is a screamer. There could be all sorts of reasons they’ve hired this recruiter.”

How to find a headhunter to work with.

Since most headhunters are looking at a fairly small pool of people, you may have to get creative to get yourself on their radar. One way is to triangulate the jobs they are trying to fill by speaking to people in your own network in similar roles. “It’s about networking with people who work in the field that you’re looking for a job, because it’s likely that if you’re talking to people who are in visible positions in your field, they will have received calls from recruiters,” says Mr. Cohen. Find out who the headhunters are that are targeting them. There is often a virtuous cycle of people referring headhunters to their contacts when they themselves are not interested in positions.

You may need to tell people you trust in your network that you are open to talking to headhunters. Mr. Cohen says that this strategy is preferable to emailing several recruiters en masse.  It is useful to develop a relationship with a headhunter that might pay off later. If you happen to be contacted by one for a position you have no interest in, think about how you might be able to help him or her with a solid reference to someone else in your own network. “I always tell people if they’re looking, identify a few headhunters that you can establish a bit of a rapport with so that they kind of know you and stay in touch,” says Ms. Staaterman. “Don’t be annoying—be helpful. If you’re not right for a position, give the headhunter a few names. That always creates goodwill.”

What are headhunters looking for and what are their motivations?

Headhunters look for high-quality candidates—who in most cases are already employed—and try to convince them to leave for a better job. Usually, they are trying to meet specific requirements from the company that hired them to fill the job, but sometimes they may look for less obvious candidates who might be an interesting wildcard. “There is a growing interest in having nontraditional candidates on the candidate list,” says Ms. Staaterman. “The term is a ‘cultural add.’ It’s essentially trying to bring something different into the organization,” she says. “Thanks to companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, we have more awareness [that] having a diversity of thought, for many companies, is a good thing.”

How some headhunters can harm you and how to avoid them.

You need to be smart about which headhunters you are willing to work with, says Mr. Clarke. You should make sure they are not trying to hire you for a job that someone else left due to an unresolved problem, such as the work culture or bad management. You also need to avoid working with headhunters who aren’t thoughtful about the jobs they submit you for. “If they’re just sending your résumé around to different firms—let’s use banks, for example—some headhunter gets your résumé, or some recruiter gets your résumé and they’re not professional, [or] good at what they do, and they start sending you around to different companies without telling you where your résumé has been sent in, that can absolutely crush your chances of getting jobs at certain places,” says Mr. Clarke.

What to read next

WSJ.com | March 18, 2021 |  and 

 

#BestofFSCBlog : How to Write a Résumé and Choose the Best Format. Chronological, Functional or Hybrid? Great REad!

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You have just over seven seconds to make an impression with your résumé. That is the average time it took recruiters to make up their minds about candidates based on their résumés, according to a 2018 eye-tracking survey by the career site Ladders. Professional résumé writers say you could try shaking up your résumé format if you are struggling to get callbacks.

If you are unsure how your résumé should look, start with the chronological format.

The most common résumé format is chronological, listing your work experience in order, with the most recent experience at the top. It is straightforward, and many hiring managers prefer it because it is easy to understand.

How to format a chronological résumé
  • Contact information: This should come first. Include your name, phone number, email address and location (city and state). You could also include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. Make it easy for hiring managers to reach you.
  • Work experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Format each position in the same way so it is easy for the hiring manager to read. Include the employer’s name, location of the role (city, state), your job title, and start and end dates. If you are still in the job you can write, for example, “January 2020 to present.” If you had more than one role with an employer, make it clear as a subheading or another line under the company name. List three to five accomplishments under each job. See more tips here.
  • Education: What you include here depends on your education history. If you didn’t attend college, recently graduated or are still in college, you may include your high school here. Otherwise, it usually isn’t necessary. Include the name and location of the college you attended, your degree and the years you were there. Recent graduates can also bulk up this section with their grade-point averages, although Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC, advises her clients not to include their GPA if it is below 3.5. Extracurricular activities and accomplishments can also go in this section.
  • Additional skills: This section is a great place to put expertise that goes beyond a specific job or internship experience, such as other languages you speak and proficiency with certain software or other technology. You may also mention soft skills, such as the ability to work independently, a particularly useful asset if you will be working remotely.
  • Certifications: If applicable, include professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.

In most cases, résumé-writing experts say the chronological format is the way to go. “Overall, the chronological format is the most used format, and you don’t really see other formats too often nowadays,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer, and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.

If you want to emphasize your skills, build a résumé with a functional format.

If you don’t have much work experience and the chronological format is not working, you could try the functional format. This type of résumé prioritizes skills over direct work experience and can also be useful for those who have been out of the workforce for some time.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of corporate partners in the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment !

 

Article continued …

Think carefully about using this type of résumé. “From a hiring manager’s perspective, I find this to be less effective,” says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. “They want to know what you did on the job even if it wasn’t directly related. Were there some kinds of transferable skills or experience?”

How to format a chronological résumé
  • Contact information: This should come first. Include your name, phone number, email address and location (city and state). You could also include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. Make it easy for hiring managers to reach you.
  • Work experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Format each position in the same way so it is easy for the hiring manager to read. Include the employer’s name, location of the role (city, state), your job title, and start and end dates. If you are still in the job you can write, for example, “January 2020 to present.” If you had more than one role with an employer, make it clear as a subheading or another line under the company name. List three to five accomplishments under each job. See more tips here.
  • Education: What you include here depends on your education history. If you didn’t attend college, recently graduated or are still in college, you may include your high school here. Otherwise, it usually isn’t necessary. Include the name and location of the college you attended, your degree and the years you were there. Recent graduates can also bulk up this section with their grade-point averages, although Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC, advises her clients not to include their GPA if it is below 3.5. Extracurricular activities and accomplishments can also go in this section.
  • Additional skills: This section is a great place to put expertise that goes beyond a specific job or internship experience, such as other languages you speak and proficiency with certain software or other technology. You may also mention soft skills, such as the ability to work independently, a particularly useful asset if you will be working remotely.
  • Certifications: If applicable, include professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.

Functional résumés often work best if you are sending your résumé to a person you have had contact with, as opposed to submitting through a job portal, which often will use an applicant tracking system, says Ms. Watkins. “Functional résumés work for direct contacts because you are there to have a conversation, the feedback is there, and they can put a person to the position,” Ms. Watkins says.

To write a résumé that plays up both your skills and experience, try the hybrid format.

Hybrid résumés combine the best parts of the chronological and functional formats. The hybrid format allows you to emphasize your skills, but also provides more context around your past work experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick, who favors the format and says it tends to give a “better picture of who the candidate is on the whole.”

How to format a hybrid résumé
  • Contact information: Include your name, phone number, email address, location (city, state), and the URL to your LinkedIn profile, if appropriate.
  • Summary: Similarly to the functional résumé, include a strong statement outlining your expertise, the types of employers you have worked with and your accomplishments.
  • Skills: List your relevant expertise in bullet points.
  • Select projects: If relevant to your desired role, you could add a section highlighting projects or campaigns you have worked on and what you achieved.
  • Relevant professional experience: Focus on relevant duties when describing your work history. Elaborate on how you used the skills that you listed.
  • Education: If applicable, include the name and location of your college, your degree and the years attended.
  • Certifications: Just as with the chronological and functional résumés, you can list professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.
Resources
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WSJ.com | March 12. 2021 |