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#JobSearch : Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search Efforts? Common Lies People Tell Themselves & How to Avoid Them.

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Unless you are independently wealthy, you’ll be on the job hunt at some point in your life. If you’re lucky, you won’t find yourself looking for a job very often. With that said, when you are seeking a job, you might be out of practice. It’s also possible that you may be inadvertently doing things to sabotage yourself while job hunting.

 

Take a look at some of the common lies people tell themselves about their job search, and how you can avoid them.

1- I can wait a few weeks to look for a job. I have money saved up.
This is a very dangerous job-hunting mistake, mostly because it’s a slippery slope. It starts off as a few days of rest, and then a week. One week of sitting at home turns into two, and before you know it, you find that you’ve lost the motivation to look for a good job. Maybe you’ve gotten accustomed to sleeping in, or perhaps you’ve moved in with a relative who is allowing you to mooch without demanding payment.

Whatever the reason, this can quickly lead to depression, and worse, the longer the amount of time that lapses from one job to another, the more potential employers want to know why you weren’t working. Do yourself a favor, and start looking immediately.

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

Article continued …

My Resume is just fine – I don’t need to re-do it.

If you’ve sent in your resume to multiple places, and you haven’t gotten a response, it’s probably time to tweak it. Add new experiences, play with the format, or have a professional resume written for you. Ideally, you really should be tweaking your resume every single time you send it out. It should always reflect the job you’re applying for, and it should also use the keywords that were in the job posting.

I don’t need to look for a job every day.
Yes, you do! You should be treating your job hunt as a 9-5 job. There are several reasons for this. First, by waking up early every day, networking, visiting businesses, dropping off and printing resumes, and scanning the job listings, you’re setting up a good schedule and work ethic so that you never get out of the habit of working hard. It’s also important, because if a month later you still haven’t found something, you know it won’t be because you aren’t trying. That can help stave off joblessness depression.

I can do all my job hunting online.
While the internet is a huge resource for finding a job, it’s certainly not the only one. If fact, the best way to find a job is to get a face-to-face meeting with someone. Dress in your best every day, and while you’re not scanning online job listings, you should be on the road. Visit every company you think you’d like to work in, and have a chat with whoever is at the front desk. Explain that you’re a skilled person at doing whatever it is you do, and ask politely to see the HR manager or hiring director. If you’re not allowed to meet with them, leave your resume, along with a handwritten note saying that you dropped by, and you’d love to have a chat with them about filling any needs the company has.

Finding a job is a full-time job. If you aren’t putting forth the effort to find one, don’t be surprised when you don’t.

 

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 | October 2, 2020

 

#JobSearch : How To Update Your Resume And Cover Letter During Covid-19. To Stand Out you Need to Make a Few Updates.

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To stand out in a job search during Covid-19, you need to make a few updates to your resume and cover letter. Most companies hiring right now are working remotely for the foreseeable future, so it’s important that your resume showcases your ability to work in a remote environment even if you haven’t done so before.

Here are five ways to make both your resume and cover letter stand out and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

Highlight how your past experience translates to remote work.

Chances are, you were already using some of the technology used in remote work like Slack, Zoom, and shared drives before the pandemic started. Highlight how you’ve used them in the past to showcase your comfort with the tech that makes virtual work possible. Think about the ways you managed, worked with a team, or worked independently and what skills made you successful, then tie them into the remote position you’re applying for, like working with colleagues in a different time zone or office location. Of course, if you’ve already held a position remotely, be sure make note of that on your resume by adding ‘remote’ as the location.

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

Article continued …

Show that you’re a team player.

Working as part of a remote team can be more challenging than working together in person, so being a team player is even more important now than ever. To showcase your teamwork skills, be sure to describe times that you worked as part of a team in your resume. When describing a result, write ‘worked as part of a 5-person team to achieve a sales increase of 20% over four months’ rather than just listing the sales increase. You can further elaborate on how your worked together with the team during your interview, so leave it short and sweet on the resume itself.

Update your skills section.

The skills section on a resume is often neglected, but when used correctly it can be quite beneficial. Rather than just listing skills, take it one step further and describe how you used them. If you’re proficient in coding languages, describe how you created a project using that language. You want to highlight skills that are relevant to the position and set you apart from other candidates. Don’t list things like Zoom, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or anything that practically everyone is proficient in – listing those skills makes you look like a commodity, not a stand out candidate.

Showcase your written communication skills.

Use both your resume and cover letter to highlight communication skills. With communication happening via email, chat, text, and video now, the ability to communicate well via writing is a highly sought after skill. A clean, easy to read resume showcases your ability to convey information clearly and concisely. A well-written cover letter further showcases your writing ability and gives a bit of insight into your communication style. Documents free of typos and grammatical errors show that you pay attention to detail.

Be honest if you were laid off or furloughed due to Covid-19.

You don’t want to have a gap in employment on your resume without an explanation. While in the past being laid off would not be something that you’d readily share, it’s no longer nearly as problematic. Now it serves as an explanation as to why you’ve been out of work for a period of time. On your resume, include when and why you were laid off in one of the bullet points under the job description. Don’t mention being laid off on your cover letter, as it’s not relevant there.

 

Forbes.com | September 25, 2020 | Ashira Prossack

#BestofFSCBlog : How To Write A Killer Cover Letter: 6 Fresh Strategies For The New Normal. A MUst REAd!

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@With 28 million Americans receiving some form of unemployment compensation right now, job seekers are facing a difficult economic climate. It appears the $1200 stimulus check isn’t going to materialize in the immediate future, and only three states have agreed to $400 in extra unemployment benefits. So, if. you are out of work in Montana, Kentucky or West Virginia: Congratulations. You’re getting some good news that most Americans won’t receive. Meanwhile, the need to find meaningful work has never been greater.

That’s why it’s crucial to concentrate on a killer cover letter. Some may say that a cover letter is a thing of the past – because your resumé speaks for itself. But the fact is, your resumé can’t talk, or write, and your LinkedIn profile is never the whole story. That’s why it’s a good idea for you to get going on the number one tool you need in the new normal: a killer cover letter.

1- Cut the Cake – my writing coach turned me on to the work of Jack Grapes. His book, Method Writing, talks about how you have to cut out the “birthday cake” if you want your message to be clear. In Grapes’ world of words, “birthday cake” is the extra stuff you don’t need in any sentence or phrase. Are you ready to skip dessert?

Look at all the adjectives and extras you’ve got in your cover letter: “As a dedicated self-starter, I know I can handle multitasking while staying professional.” What happens if you cut out the birthday cake at the front and the back? It’s counter-intuitive, but sometimes what you leave out actually makes your writing stronger, not weaker. Because the simplest message is the strongest: “I know I can handle multi-tasking. And here’s why….”

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

Article continued …

2- But Don’t Stop with Why – does your cover letter contain the word “because”? This critical word can transform a sentence from the commonplace into the compelling. Example: “As a manager, it was my job to know everything about the restaurant, from health code violations to the ingredients of all the dishes.” Add a dash of because – does it get a little tastier? “Because I had to handle everything from health code violations to the ingredients of all the dishes, I understand the importance of delivering on the details.

Because of my work with 30 or more employees on any given night, I learned how to communicate across generations. It’s because of this experience that I know I can help you in the following ways…” Don’t stop with why – it’s not enough. Not only is “because” the classic answer to any “why” question. That single word can transform your story from a first-person history lesson into a powerful way to create service, value and impact.

3- Two for the Show – can you find an opportunity in your cover letter to include the words, “so that…”? These two words, like the word “because”, will help you to see the most valuable aspect of your cover letter (and the aspect that most amateurs dismiss): it ain’t all about you.

Your experience enables you to be of service, so that you can create impact for your future employer. Ask yourself, is your cover letter about the past, or about your potential? Two small words – so that – can point you in the direction of powerful service, possibility and opportunity. “I’ve studied finance so that I can create market analysis at a deeper level…” “I became a counselor so that I could help troubled teens get back into school…” I wrote those examples so that you would see what I’m saying…did it work?

4- Be That Thing – there are skills that your employer desires. Skills that perhaps you have developed in the restaurant industry. Or in retail. Travel. Tourism. Or some other market that has been punished in the coronavirus economy. Look beyond your title and see your skills. What is that thing – that one thing – that you can deliver? What’s that one thing that your employer wants and needs?

Take off the label (the job title) and you’ll see the thing that really matters. Write down a list of your skills – your talents. Write out a list of characteristics that your employer wants. See any synergies? These high-level skills transcend your role or your previous company. Can you tell a story around that thing – that high-level skill that everyone wants and needs? If you can, you’re on track to transition into a new role (and maybe even a new industry). For more ideas, you might want to discover how to tell a one-word story.

5- Seek to Serve – so many cover letters are written in the first person: I, me, my. Or, by extension, first person plural: we, us, our. A first person history isn’t compelling, it’s commonplace. “I did this, I did that, I bragged and I noticed you just fell asleep.” Top cover letters contain some verbal jujitsu that changes the conversation. What happens if you make the second person first? Second person, of course, is you. I’m not talking about you, dear reader. I mean the you that’s right in front of you: your potential hiring manager.

How does your cover letter focus on their needs? Here’s a quick example that combines several of the elements I’ve shared so far: “It’s because of my experience in one of Manhattan’s busiest restaurants that I understand the importance of follow-through. In managing a team of 30 and serving over 900 plates a night, I understand service, commitment and persistence. It’s because of my experience I can bring that kind of clarity to the contact tracing team, and to your organization – no matter how many deadlines I have to face.” Do you see the shift to second person?

6 From Conviction to Connection – does your cover letter reveal your passion, values and convictions? I’m not talking about declaring your religious beliefs or explaining how much you love your family. I’m talking about the professional skills that matter most to you. Skills like perseverance, creativity, innovation and communication. Knowing who you are is useful, but connecting your convictions to your career is priceless. That’s the place where work doesn’t feel like work anymore.

When conviction connects, your career is merely an extension of your values. Your identity. Your unique talents and abilities. When what you care about most becomes what you do on a daily basis, you’ve discovered a role that isn’t really work. It’s an opportunity for you to express who you are – and serve at the highest possible level. Does that sound impossible right now? Read on, MacDuff.

Today, we’re faced with the toughest job market in anyone’s lifetime. It’s easy to get discouraged, falling into the mindset that your convictions can’t be a career. That choices don’t exist for you. But, I ask you: Is that true? I don’t mean, true like ‘do you believe it’? I mean true, as in the law of gravity or the fact that water boils at 100 degrees centigrade?

What’s true is that opportunities are all around us, even in a punishing economy. Those opportunities belong to those who can pivot and reinvent in the new normal. There’s never just one job that you can do, no matter who you are. You have capabilities and skills that are untapped.

Because that’s how we are wired as human beings: resilience and reinvention are built into the system, like five fingers on a hand. We all have the ability to change, even though we may not always want to. Why not start small – with transforming your cover letter, and getting clear about the solutions you can provide?

Author:  Chris WestfallContributor  Careers

 

Forbes.com | August 22, 2020

 

#BestofFSCBlog : Six(6) Things To Remove From Your Résumé. Note: Manager Spends Less than 10 Seconds Looking at your Resume.

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A résumé serves as the first impression you make on a hiring manager, so it needs to be laser focused to include only what’s most relevant and most likely to help you get the job.

With the average amount of time a hiring manager spends looking at a résumé clocking in at less than 10 seconds, it’s important that in those few seconds they see information that makes them want to put your résumé in the interview pile. To improve your chances of that happening, remove these six things from your résumé.

Dates other than listing your work history.

Unfortunately age discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, happens more often than it should. The only dates that belong on your résumé are the dates of your work history. Graduation year and dates from any other certifications or qualifications should also be left off. Your degree and any other qualifications are what matter, not when you got them.

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

Article continued …

Details that give away your age.

There are some subtle and not so subtle details that can give insight into your age.

Including your GPA, using your school email address, and embellished job descriptions for entry level positions (ie, managed customer expectations while expertly crafting espresso beverages as a description for a barista position) are indicators of a younger candidate. On the other hand, using a font like Times New Roman, having an AOL or Hotmail email address, and even something as subtle as double spacing after a period are indicators of an older candidate.

Large blocks of text.

You want to optimize your résumé to be both easily skimmed and read. Large blocks of text require more effort to read and are more likely to be skipped on a first glance. Use bullet points for easier readability and to ensure that the information you want to highlight actually gets read. The easier a résumé is to skim, the more likely it is that the hiring manager will take a thorough look.

A photo.

Having a photo opens you up to potential discrimination. Whether that discrimination is intentional or unintentional, it’s still detrimental to your chances of being hired. Your appearance has no bearing on your ability to do the job, so therefore your photo has no place on your résumé.

Links to social media that aren’t relevant.

Your LinkedIn profile should always be included on your résumé, but choosing which other social media channels you list needs to be intentional. Remember, everything on your résumé needs to serve a purpose, so any social links you share need to showcase your professional abilities.

The social links you include will be highly dependent on the industry and specific job you’re applying for. Think of it this way – will sharing your social media do anything to improve your chances of getting hired? Does it serve as example of your work? If you answer yes to one or both of these questions, include it. If not, leave it off.

Your address.

Listing your address gives the hiring manager another factor to consider that you don’t want them to – your location. Especially now with remote work being the norm, where you live is practically irrelevant. For example, if you live in California and apply for a position in New York, the hiring manager might not consider your application even though the position is remote due to the time difference. You’re fine working in a different time zone, but the hiring manager has no way of knowing that. To prevent this issue, leave your address off of your résumé.

 

Forbes.com | August  20, 2020 | Ashira Prossack

#JobSearch : Using the C.A.R. Method on your Resume . Challenge-Action-Results.

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Have you heard me talk about the C.A.R method? If you are a client of mine, you have. It’s a method I use in every single resume. It is, to me, the single most important factor when writing about your accomplishments. OK, so what does C.A.R. stand for and what does it mean for you?  C.A.R. stands for:   Challenge   Action   Results

When consulting with clients and proceeding with the data mining process, I always ask them about their C.A.R. stories. What were the stories behind their accomplishments? What was going on in the company before they took on the issue? Give the reader some background, not a novel, just a hint of what the environment was like.

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

Article continued …

So, ask yourself, what was the Challenge I faced when either

  1. a) I joined the company or
  2. b) I took on the new situation or
  3. c) I was promoted?

Briefly discuss the Challenge. Again, it doesn’t have to be super lengthy. You  just want to get your message across.

For the Action portion, this is where you can talk about what you did to resolve or change the situation. What action or steps did you take? For some jobs, it might be quite detailed, but I wouldn’t advise talking about every single thing. Summarize as best as you can. Remember, HR people have lots of resumes to review and not a lot of time.

For the Results portion of C.A.R., talk about the results. What was the percentage of production increase? How much did you increase sales or people productivity? Use numbers and percentages whenever possible.

These are the things that stand out and make you more employable as employers want PROOF of what you are capable of doing… it shows them what you can also do for them as well.

C.A.R. is the easiest way to pull out your accomplishments if you are having a hard time thinking of what you did/do.

 

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.

#JobSearch : 5 Questions to Ask a Resume Writer. Great Read!

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In today’s competitive market, it is vital that you have a resume that will stand out and catch the attention of the reader.  Creating a resume from a Microsoft Word template won’t do. Neither will copying off your coworkers resume. You need a branded, unique resume that defines who you are, your accomplishments, your credentials, and what you can do for them.

A certified professional resume writer will do this for you. They know what it takes to get you noticed. So, the question is… who do you choose? There are new resume companies popping up all over the place, so you need to get picky and have questions ready to ask the resume writer.

Here are some questions you should always ask:

1.Are you a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)?

Does being certified really matter? YES, YES, YES! Before 1990, there wasn’t a standard to which a resume writer could be judged. Now, all CPRW candidates must go through a comprehensive set of tests before achieving certification. Testing consists of 4 modules that cover several areas, including industry knowledge, resume knowledge, grammar/punctuation/spelling and proofreading, strategic thinking, content use, focus, ethics, and more. NOT EVERYONE PASSES. If you are not sure, you can check: parw.com or careerdirectors.com and check to see if the writer is certified. Advanced resume certifications are also available (CERW, MRW, CARW) and offer similar types of training followed by rigorous testing. Do your homework. Think of it this way: would you want a Dentist to replace your crown or someone who “knows a lot about teeth”?

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

Article continued …

  1. How long have you been writing resumes?

There are so many mom-and-pop resume writing companies popping up out there that it is blowing my mind. I’ve heard of many people who got into resume writing recently because they were laid off from their sales job and “was told by friends I can write a good resume”. While that may be true, writing two resumes and writing several hundred, or even thousands are much better. Practice makes perfect. I am the first one to admit that when I first started, my writing was less than perfect. Way less. There is so much more to understand about resume writing than just putting words to paper. It can take me up to 2 days to decide the right strategy for a client–the best way for them to be positioned for optimal results. It takes time to learn this. I’m not saying someone has to be writing for 10 years to be a good writer, but I think they need actual practice before working on your resume.

  1. What association(s) do you belong to?

This is important for the obvious reasons. Belonging to a professional association keeps you up-to-date on so many things, including resume writing strategy, client focus, new trends, industry updates, and much more. In my opinion, I couldn’t imagine NOT being in them. They are a wealth of knowledge! I get to interact with other writers/business owners/career coaches, share information, pose questions, and more. My favorite organizations are CDI (Career Directors International) and PARW (Professional Association of Resume Writers), but there are several others that are good, too: National Association of Resume Writers (NRWA), Career Management Alliance (CMA), and Association of Online Resume & Career Professionals  (AORCP).

  1. What is your process?

Most resume writers have a process i.e. information they need from you, resume strategy, structure, and time line. It’s good to know ahead of time what the writers process is. You might have developed a great rapport with a writer only to realize they won’t have it ready for 2-3 weeks and you need it in 2 days, etc.  Or they may require more from you than just your existing resume, and you don’t have time for that (although I wouldn’t advise that– if you want a great resume, you have to do a little work).

  1. What do you need from me?

Some writers do a lot of listening and not a lot of talking, or vice versa, as do the clients. Ask the writer what information they need from you. It’s important that the process is a collaborative one with mutual information sharing. Your writer has to literally be you in order to create an effective resume that is unique and branded. So, give them as much information as possible, no matter how busy you are.

These 5 tips should get you started in the right direction and hopefully help you find a writer who is the perfect fit for your needs. Good luck!

 

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.

#JobSearch : Why Your Resume Isn’t Working For You — And How To Fix It. Great Read for All!

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I see a lot of resumes in my work with professionals seeking to reimagine their careers, change jobs or bounce back after a layoff. The number one flaw I encounter? Their resume is perfectly tailored to get them exactly the same position they are leaving. This is a real problem for ambitious job seekers who are looking for career advancement or to pivot to a new area or industry. If you are hoping to make a change, you need a resume that is not merely descriptive of your past experience but instead positions you for your next role.

Your resume is your main marketing document. It is a door-opener and a springboard for conversations during interviews. If you aspire to make a change in your career, your resume must build the case for your readiness to take on the next challenge. No recruiter is going to do this for you, because their main objective is to find a clear match to fill a defined role. And hiring managers don’t have time to figure out how your various disparate experiences add up to the whole package. You have to connect the dots and make it easy for them to see how you are a perfect (or at least plausible) fit.

Many job-seekers use the format they probably learned when applying for their first job: start with their most recent experience and work their way backward. For each position, they describe the job. Maybe they even start each with an active verb.

But unfortunately, they fall into two traps: first, because they present what is essentially a job description, they do not convey the impact or value that they contributed; and second, they fail to demonstrate their ability to take their skills and experience to the next level. As a result, the reader will likely see them as the ideal candidate for the same old job but may not see them as qualified for a stretch role.

Here’s how to avoid this pitfall and position yourself for your next role:

Start with a summary describing who you are, your qualification and what value you contribute. This creates the filter through which a reader will view the rest of your resume and helps shape the narrative of natural progression and readiness. It tells them what to pay attention to and how to assemble a coherent picture of your professional capacity. It typically includes a descriptor, like “sales leader” or “seasoned engineer,” a thumbnail of your skills and experience and what you are known or recognized for. Here are some excellent examples.

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

Article continued …

Tailor your resume to the job you are seeking, not to your prior jobs. Review the posted job requirements and make sure that you highlight those elements in your resume. It can be helpful to use key words from the job description, both to help get through the screening algorithm and to highlight those aspects of your experience when you are being interviewed. You want it to be easy for your reader to imagine you in the desired role. Note that, if you are pursuing a variety of roles or industries, you will want to have a basic skeleton resume and then create a few different tailored versions.

Demonstrate value by quantifying your results where possible. Don’t just describe the “what” — your actions or responsibilities — paint a picture of the “so what?” Highlight results, not just actions. What difference did you make or how did you contribute? Value can be demonstrated in terms of anything that can be counted: profits, revenue, savings, customer retention, satisfaction, efficiency, time, volume, size of team, etc.

Choose your words carefully. The subtleties of language can help you convey your “brand” — the qualities that are associated with your aspirational role. If you want to move from a job that is focused on execution to one that is about vision and strategy, avoid words that make you sound like a worker bee, like “diligent,” “tactical” and “responsive” and emphasize “strategic,” “proactive” and “influence.” You may also need to translate the language of one industry or field to another. Should you refer to “clients,” “customers,” “users,” or “stakeholders”? Adopt the vocabulary of your target role and industry.

Be positive. A job change is an opportunity to stretch and grow, and it requires you to project competence and confidence. Inside you may be a quivering mass of imposter syndrome, but your resume needs to tell the story of why, even if you have not done precisely this job, you are equal to the task. It starts with strong positioning in your summary. In addition, you can convey this by highlighting a track record of learning quickly, advancing, scaling rapidly and adapting. Finally, when you get to the interview, be sure to express excitement about the challenges and opportunities as well as a sincere commitment to adding value.

Author:  Hanna Hart – I am an executive coach with more than ten years experience in business, tech, law, foundations and other organizations. I help leaders to understand themselves better,

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Forbes.com | August 10, 2020

#JobSearch : Talking Yourself Up on your Resume. Your resume is the place to SELL YOURSELF. Think of Yourself as a Product.

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Are you bragging about yourself enough on your resume? I don’t mean bragging in an obnoxious or fictitious sort of way, but in a “look what I can do” sort of way.

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           Question: How do you stand out?

One of the main things I notice with my clients and their existing resumes is that they don’t BRAG enough about their accomplishments. They don’t talk enough about what they’ve done above and beyond their daily responsibilities.

My worksheets are very C.A.R.-oriented. The C.A.R. methodology is this Challenge, Action, Results. What Challenge did you face? What Action did you take to rectify it? And lastly, what were the Results? It is a very accomplishment- focused method and works wonderfully every time I have a client who doesn’t talk enough.

When I send these out to clients, I am amazed at the achievements that come pouring out. Why did it take sending a worksheet to get this VITAL information out of them? I ask each client. The response is generally the same– either, “I didn’t know how to word it” or “I didn’t want to sound too braggy”. Many of us were raised to be humble about our accomplishments, not to be boastful. I know I was. Not that we couldn’t be PROUD, but it was just kept a little on the quiet side.

Here are a few tips about bragging in a non-braggy way on your resume to get yourself noticed:

1) List your daily responsibilities clearly in your narrative under the job title. Even the ones you think aren’t worth being mentioned. If there are too many for more than a 5 or 6 line paragraph, then summarize.

2) Think of each thing you did in that made a difference, something you were praised for, something that saved the company money. Readers LOVE to hear how you saved the company money or drove revenue by 43%, etc. For example:

** Currently implementing a new sales method that will eliminate 6 trucks from the road and save company $45,000/year.

 

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

Article continued …

3) Add the accomplishment, even if it has a negative undertone or you were fighting challenging conditions. For example:

** Despite negative sales growth in Michigan’s harsh economic climate, met the challenge of producing positive topline growth successfully while managing net revenue and contributing to margin gains.

See how this one sounded? Even though my client struggled the last 2 years and saw a -2.2% sales decrease, to her company this was a good thing because of Michigan’s dismal economic climate.

4) Your resume is the place to SELL YOURSELF. Think of yourself as a product. What would you buy? The new ‘OKAY’ car model that has all the basics and does its job but has nothing super special about it? Or would you buy the ‘WOW, THIS CAR IS AWESOME’ car that is fully loaded, has a mini fridge in the dash, and wings to automatically make you airborne if traffic looks too heavy? The ‘WOW’ car may cost you a bit more, but isn’t it worth it? The same goes with your salary… but that is an article for another time. You have to sell yourself and turn yourself into the ‘WOW’ car. You have what it takes, you just need to put it on paper.

I hope this helps you rethink that bland little ‘OK’ statement, “streamlined processes and increased productivity” with something more ‘WOW!’. Let’s face it, we all want the WOW! car.

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 |  August 10, 2020

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#JobSearch : Tips to Craft a Resume Full of Achievements. Great Resume Tips!

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I work with clients every day who have a difficult time writing about themselves. We typically are not very objective when it comes to evaluating our work, looking at what we have accomplished.

If you are starting a resume from scratch, it can be overwhelming, especially if you are writing it yourself. Sometimes, you may think that you don’t even have enough achievements to fill an entire resume. If you have been working for more than a few years now, YOU DO. It’s all in the way you look at tasks you’ve done.

I work with clients every day who assume that the achievements must have numbers or metrics attached to them. Or, they’ll tell me, “Oh, well, that isn’t really a big deal. It’s just something I came up with to make that process easier.” They shrug off what would make a really good accomplishment. This is one reason it can be helpful to have a professional resume writer assist you in helping you in writing your resume. We just aren’t good at evaluating ourselves or promoting what we have done.

However, if you are writing your own resume, here are tips on how to gather valuable experience for crafting your resume.

☑️ Identify Strengths & Weaknesses

You may already know what your strengths and weaknesses are, but if not, talk to close, trusted colleagues or friends. You can also review past performance reviews and read what has been said about what you do well, and what areas you need to improve on. When you have identified them, you know what to highlight on your resume. If your strength is cultivating customer relationships, focus on that. (it may be another candidate’s weakness!).

 

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

Article continued …

☑️ Pay Attention to Daily Tasks

Start by reviewing your job description or making a list of tasks you do each day. These are usually the things that keep your department running smoothly. Just because you do them every day doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Review each of them and look for the strengths that you bring to them. Don’t discount them. What hole would there be if you didn’t do them.

☑️ What is Your Impact

Think back over the past months, even looking at your calendar for meetings you were a part of or conferences you may have attended. What have you contributed to or been a part of? What was the impact or result? Write down the specific results from the decisions made and include it.

☑️ Teams & Connections

We all develop connections at our jobs. Think through each of these relationships and how they may have impacted the company. Have you helped build new relationships? Did this create opportunities? Have you partnered with other teams to help lead an initiative? Your daily collaborations make a big difference.

Your resume is a marketing document, selling yourself to a potential employer. If you don’t write about the value you bring, how will they know.

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 –  August 6, 2020

 

#JobSearch : How to Create an Effective Job Search Plan. The Landscape of Job Searching has Changed Drastically Over the Years.

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Not too many people truly enjoy the time they spend searching for a new job. While working with an executive resume writer can be an enjoyable and pleasant experience, it’s not the first place executives want to be at any given day. Sometimes you can’t control how long it takes an employer to hire a candidate, but you can take some steps to use your time more wisely and shorten the search process.

Here are a few effective time management tips to consider when job searching.

Know Exactly What You Want

Think about your past experience, what value you bring to the table, and what you actually want to do. There may be some aspects that are non-negotiable, so be sure to identify those in your thought process. Just remember to be realistic in this regard so you don’t eliminate yourself from too many potential jobs. Once you know exactly what you want out of a job, you can start writing an effective resume geared toward it.

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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’ ?

Article continued …

Be Realistic When Setting Goals

If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, it’s usually unrealistic to think you can spend eight hours per day on a job search. Burnout is just as real with a job search as it is with jobs themselves, so consider designating a couple of hours each day to work hard at it. This can involve visiting a professional resume writing service, networking, tweaking your social media profiles, and more. Setting realistic goals will help you prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Network

Many job openings are filled through networking rather than through traditional channels. Your time can be spent wisely by attending and actively participating in networking events. You never know whom you might meet at these events, so always be sure to bring your best. And it’s wise to also ask an executive resume writer to take a look at your resume to ensure it’s polished and ready to go.

Get Professional Advice with Your Resume

You don’t want to waste any time sending out resumes with mistakes on them. You could essentially be spinning your wheels with your job search and not even know it. Get ahead of any potential issues by working with a professional resume writing service upfront. They can help identify and fix any problems on your resume and modernize it for today’s job searching landscape to make your time be spent more efficiently.

The landscape of job searching has changed drastically over the years. The days of looking in newspapers or job boards are gone, especially for executive level positions. You need to have a game plan in place and work your plan to achieve your ultimate goal.

 

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 –  July 27, 2020