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#JobSearch : 5 Errors to Avoid on Your Executive Resume. Great Checklist !

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Writing the perfect resume may seem difficult to accomplish with all of the tips and tricks you have heard about. The top resume writing services can point out mistakes on your resume that you may not even believe is an issue.

For example, we’ve all heard about the value of using bullet points in a resume, but did you know using too many bullet points is a sign of desperation in the eyes of an employer? Identifying mistakes like this can be tough, so here are five of the biggest errors the top resume writing services can help you discover and prevent. 

Not Including Your LinkedIn Profile

Nowadays employers are going to look for social proof rather than simply relying on your resume to tell them what they need to know. Not including your LinkedIn profile link at the top or bottom of your resume may indicate you’re hiding something or you don’t want them to search for you online. Employers will try to find your LinkedIn profile anyway, so make it easier on them by providing the link.

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

Article continued …

Too Many Bullet Points

While it’s tempting to list out every achievement, skill and accomplishment you’ve earned over the years, try not to put them in the form of too many bullet points. Having more than about five bullet points may indicate you’re trying too hard to appear qualified for the job. It’s best to narrow down your most relevant attributes to the job you’re applying for and only include those. 

Not Enough White Space

You never want your resume to be more than two pages, but you also shouldn’t stuff as much text as possible into those two pages. The best executive resume format will leave a good amount of white space around the perimeter of the document and between each section of the resume. This makes the entire document look cleaner and it’s much easier for the hiring manager to read. 

Listing Political Affiliations

You may feel strongly about your political affiliation, but your resume is not the place to list it. One of the only times the top resume writing services will recommend listing your political affiliation is if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. Otherwise, it’s generally a big risk to include it. 

Inconsistencies or Typographical Errors

Proofreading your resume thoroughly for typographical errors or inconsistencies is essential. Don’t rely on spell check offered by your software program, since it doesn’t always catch everything. Once you believe you have everything in order, allow a friend or a resume expert to proofread and critique it as well so you don’t miss anything.

After putting forth time and energy creating your resume, don’t make these easy to correct mistakes and have your resume end up in the recycling bin.

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 9, 2020

 

#JobSearch : Resume Quiz To See If Employers Will Respond To Your Resume. A MUst REad!

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Writing a persuasive resume is challenging for most people. Yet, a top-quality resume that effectively sells your skills and accomplishments to an employer is essential to your success. Is yours good enough to grab a recruiter’s attention? As a result of the COVID-19 recession, many employers are being flooded with resumes that will likely never get through the Applicant Tracking System so no HR person or recruiter will ever physically see it.

I have created this quiz, based on dozens of hiring surveys, hundreds of employer interviews, and nearly 30 years of resume writing experience. It doesn’t matter what generation you are from, I’ve worked with Baby Boomers, Gen Z every age in between to create eye-catching resumes that landed jobs.

Take out your resume as we put it under a “hiring microscope.” Looking over your current resume, take the following quiz to see if your resume would be selected from today’s competition.

Place a check mark by each question that you answered correctly.

1.   __How long is your resume?

ANSWER: Two pages is the current maximum that employers want to see or are willing to read. Whether you are a 60-year old executive or a professional who recently graduated, being brief and concise works best. Employers glance at your resume giving it a 15-20 second glance. Be a skillful editor, deleting the portions which are not relevant or are least helpful to supporting the particular job title you currently seek. Emphasize your more recent experience in the last 7-10 years.

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

Article continued …

2.    ___Do you list a career objective?

ANSWER: A generalized resume won’t resonate with employers. They are hiring a specialist. Emphasize what your specific skill set is geared towards and the targeted job you’re looking for. Therefore, list the appropriate job title you are seeking even if it’s the next level, i.e., Project Manager or VP Sales or Marketing Manager. If you have varying and different job titles that you can do, i.e., Trainer versus Program Administrator, create two resumes, one for each of these positions. Be specific and target each resume to the different job title.

3.    ___Did you use keywords?

ANSWER: CNBC reported that over 75% of resumes never get seen by human eyes. An uploaded resume goes through scanning software called the applicant tracking system or ATS. To be found by a human recruiter or hiring manager, you need to add appropriate keywords. This does not mean copying every word from the job opening and putting them into your resume. Most employers are seeking your hard skills as determined by the work tasks you have done in the past. Try making a list of your job functions. If you review several job openings, you will see a pattern that the employers all want certain skills. For example, a software engineer needs to list the technical programming languages they use but also the other similar skills that employers desire.  If words such as project management or process improvements show up as responsibilities in the ads, you’ll want to include those in your resume.

4.    ___Does your resume use lengthy job descriptions?

ANSWER: Long paragraphs with wordy job descriptions often are too generic to work. Results and accomplishments are what recruiters and hiring managers want to know about. Employers want proof that you can do the job. Specifics that demonstrate your achievements are crucial. Using bulleted statements are easier to read and more effective. Outline what you have increased or decreased, how you saved money or time, made the organization money, created something new that solved a problem, and contributed to employee productivity and the bottomline whenever possible.

5.   ___Is your resume visually appealing?

ANSWER: The appearance of the resume cannot be overemphasized! Don’t get creative with your resume. Fancy fonts, tables, columns, text boxes, color inked, graphics, charts, headers, and footers are often not able to be read by some of the ATS bots employers use. Instead, you get blanks or garbled, unreadable text. Use a standard format. Make use of italicizing, CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize your essential points. Keep your font readable, size 12 is best and only use common fonts like Arial or Times Roman. PROOFREAD carefully to make your resume a perfect example of you!

6.   ___Does your resume include a Summary of Qualifications section?

ANSWER: This 4-6 sentence section includes your experience and top-selling points to do the job. It has a high impact on employers, but most candidates neglect to include it. This part of the resume has an incredible impact since employers reported that this was one of the very first areas they read. And, if the briefly stated summary demonstrates solid ability to fill the advertised job, it then causes them to slow down and give that candidate more careful consideration. (Read more on this section in the Forbes article Time To Update Your Résumé—Here’s One Secret To Use)

7.   ___ How do you start each sentence under professional experience?

ANSWER: Begin sentences with descriptive action verbs, such as established, analyzed, implemented, designed, or researched. They add power to your sentences by demonstrating actions. Never use the word “I” in your resume. Action verbs help you create powerful statements by listing the step you took and the results the action created.

8.    ___ Have you used acronyms and abbreviations?

ANSWER: Spell out names of schools, cities, work acronyms and abbreviations completely. It is better to give complete information, as employers may not recognize abbreviations or acronyms. They often glance quickly over the resume, and you don’t want them to get tripped up or annoyed when you don’t state the entire phrase.

9.   ___Does your resume get you interviews?

ANSWER: This is the ultimate test to determine if you have written an effective resume. If you are not getting appropriate interviews, you may need some professional intervention to learn why it is not working. Typically, it’s not getting through the ATS, or it may be too generic without specific accomplishments. Then again, you may be applying for jobs you aren’t qualified for. No interviews mean you need to overhaul and edit it to stress your crucial work tasks, your past actions, and the results achieved.

Author: Robin Ryan – I am a career counselor that helps clients land jobs. I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services. I’ve appeared on Oprah, DrPhil

…
Forbes.com | June 9, 2020

#JobSearch : Is LinkedIn going to Replace Resumes? What Do You Think? Welcome your comments.

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What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word LinkedIn? Well for me LinkedIn is all about building a chain of links! which is nothing but “Networking”. The soul purpose of the platform was to help people share their thoughts, ideas , collaborate and work with like-minded people eventually. LinkedIn is considered to be a professional yet social networking platform all over the world. With the changing times, advancement in technology and a global pandemic hitting us all , things have changed quite a bit!

The economy has come to a standstill all over the world, people are getting laid off, the health facilities are collapsing, and people are giving in to depression and anxiety. Many of the people who have been laid off were at good managerial positions and were working for the top MNC’s and organizations in the world.

There are multiple reasons why these people were laid off. Ranging from, some of the employees being incompetent, some were not updated and equipped with the latest technology, companies were no longer able to cater to a huge bandwidth of employees and the list goes on. Amidst this chaos the importance and relevance of LinkedIn has increased just beyond being a place for showcasing your laurels and achievements.

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

Article continued …

Recruiters have extensively been using LinkedIn as a platform to look out for the right talent. Your LinkedIn profile not only contains all aspects covered in a resume, but also showcases your other talents and accomplishments via the posts and content you put out for your network. Recruiters see who are the people engaging with your content?, what kind of people are a part of your network? What kind of volunteering and collaborative work are you doing ? etc. These things help recruiters to know you beyond the surface. Not just restricting them to view your educational history, work experience and achievements.

There is no doubt that a Resume is indeed essential and speaks volumes. Having said that we cannot change the fact that it is only a document or a piece of paper, as opposed to LinkedIn which is a digital platform where you get to create a life-long impact. It adds on to your digital footprint on the internet as well. When you start making meaningful connections on LinkedIn, they eventually lead you to being offered unexpected opportunities and collaborating with people you would have never thought of. You create your own personal brand and people endorse your skills, write you recommendations and even approach you for jobs in their organization once you build that network and trust.

Make sure you are posting relevant and consistent content on LinkedIn. People still have no idea how this could land them a job. Well just doing this won’t but connecting with the right people and  increasing your reach via your work and posts on LinkedIn will. Use LinkedIn insights to know about the trending jobs and the companies that are hiring. You also get insights on the skills they are looking for in a candidate for a particular role. LinkedIn learning provides a plethora of self-paced learning courses in all the fields possible. They add value to your profile and resume as well.

Hence it goes without saying that LinkedIn is surely moving on the path to becoming a dynamic platform. It is an amalgamation of being a networking platform, a digital resume showcasing platform, a platform to share your opinions, views, content and lastly a platform where there are endless opportunities available. Start using LinkedIn effectively to supplement your resume and add more value to your personality and profile.

It cannot be certainly said if LinkedIn will actually go on to replace resumes, but it is surely the trending thing that is coming up and people who will harness it’s features in the right way are surely going to benefit a lot more than the ones who won’t.

 

NEW FSC Career Author: : Ms. Dhairya Gangwani – Dhairya is a  Electronics and Communication engineer who loves Management Consulting. I am an optimist, who loves interacting with people, travelling, learning new languages, content writing and public speaking.  Contact Dhairya @  dhairya3024@gmail.com  or connect with her on LinkedIn @  www.linkedin.com/in/dhairya-gangwani-306634177

 

FSC Career Blog | July 6, 2020

#LinkedIn : Should Your ‘LI About Section’ and ‘Resume Summary’ be the Same?

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Every executive should know their resume and LinkedIn profile should be treated differently. If not, it’s one of the first things executive resume services will point out. But what about the summary section of each? Many people make the mistake of using the same summary for both their resume and their LinkedIn profile, thinking a hiring manager won’t think twice about it.

The truth is, hiring managers look at both and want to see different information to learn as much as they can about you before calling you in for an interview.

Here’s how to differentiate your summaries.

Your LinkedIn About/Summary Should Be Longer

Your resume needs to be condensed as much as possible. If you’re like many people, you tend to be a little too wordy on your resume, so executive resume services can help tighten up your sentences for you. On the other hand, a LinkedIn profile writer will tell you the more detail you can provide, the better off you’ll be. You want to be specific with your strengths, what you bring to the table and offer a brief summary of your career up to this point. Think of your LinkedIn summary as a way to pull back the curtain a bit and give a recruiter or hiring manager a glimpse of who you are outside of just a name on a resume.

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

Article continued …

Formal vs. Informal Tone

Part of your LinkedIn profile development should be writing in an informal tone and showing a bit of your personality. In other words, when a person reads your LinkedIn summary and then hears you speak, they should be able to easily identify you as the same person. Of course, an informal tone can’t be confused with unprofessional, because you still have to present a professional demeanor on your LinkedIn profile. Just tone it down a bit from the formal language used in your resume summary. 

Why It’s Important for These Summaries to Be Different

A hiring manager wants to know as much as they can about you upfront before they even invite you for an interview. So, if you simply copy and paste the text from your resume summary to your LinkedIn summary, it either indicates you aren’t taking your job search seriously, or you may have something to hide. This is why a good LinkedIn profile writer will create their summary separately from their resume summary, while still pointing out all the important facts about them.

Job candidates may not think their resume or LinkedIn summary is important, but the reality is both are looked at closely. If you don’t take the time to write a unique summary section for both, don’t expect a recruiter to take time with you.

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 3, 2020

#JobSearch : How to Effectively Brand Your Resume & Why It Matters.

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When writing an effective resume, demonstrating your personal brand is critical. Most executives have similar skills and achievements, so what can set you apart from the rest is the overall value you bring to the table. While your brand is what it is, you can tailor the message in your resume depending on the company you are targeting. This may mean one of your most important achievements at your current company shouldn’t go on your resume when applying for another company if it’s not relevant.

Companies today want to know what value you have to offer them specifically and here are some tips to help you show this clearly. 

 

1- Utilize Keywords Effectively for SEO Purposes

You’ll have a hard time demonstrating your c-level personal branding if you don’t have a keyword-rich resume. Search Engine Optimizatio n (SEO) is critical in the landscape of job searching today to give your resume, LinkedIn profile, or anything else a chance of being discovered. The good news is an executive resume writer can help you incorporate appropriate keywords while also keeping your brand in mind.

 

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

Article continued … 

2-Show Some Personality

A quality aspect of c-level personal branding is showing what you’re most passionate about and what you will bring to the table at your targeted company. You can show some personality in your resume without getting personal. For example, when you write about your leadership style and techniques, the reader can get a good idea of the type of person you are and how you work with others. Without this personality, your resume may look the same as the other hundreds of resumes that come across a recruiter’s desk.

 

3- Include Metrics When You Can

Another key to writing an effective resume is incorporating metrics, statistics, and numbers when they are appropriate and relate to the job you’re applying for. Don’t be shy about talking about these in your resume. Backing up your claims with actual numbers is powerful and can really hit home for a hiring manager when it relates to their company.

 

4- Only Show Relevant Information

The biggest mistake an executive resume writer always sees is when someone includes their past achievements that aren’t relevant to the job they’re applying for. Companies aren’t necessarily as concerned with what you’ve done in the past as they are with what you’ll do for them in the future. Don’t rely on the reader to make connections between the two. Your biggest accomplishment at a previous employer may not be beneficial at all to your future employer, so don’t include it if it’s not relevant.

C-level personal branding is what sets many executives apart from the rest. Executives often believe branding only happens during networking events. While this is true, your brand has to also be evident in your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and anywhere else. Once a hiring manager can clearly see what your overall brand is, you’ll have a better chance of landing the job.

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 |  June 26, 2020

 

#JobSearch : The COVID Effect on the Job Market. A MUst REad for All!

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As I write this blog article, the United States economy just moved past the 80th calendar day since the international pandemic (Corona-Virus 19) in which the quarantine sent everyone scurrying behind locked doors and face masks.  Companies who relied mostly on technology were mostly insulated from business losses during the quarantine.  Other companies moved to ‘curb-side’ service, online meetings (using Zoom, Adobe, and Google meeting cloud platforms).

Some businesses (online shopping, health care, e-commerce) were able to still perform ‘as usual’ – especially if already providing services and products ‘virtually’ (employees moved from offices to homes to work via telecom technology.  Those companies most impacted, e.g., non-essential retail, restaurants, hotels, travel, and entertainment are still struggling and many are facing bankruptcy.

What does this mean for workers or those looking for new jobs and careers?

1- Job seekers will have more competition for the job they would normally have been a ‘shoo-in’ pre-pandemic; in this economy, it’s now an employer’s market for hiring. Expect to be rejected more often as an applicant.  The company may have a hiring freeze or slow-down, but there also may be jobs not advertised.  Keep on posting your resume into the ATS on the recruiting system for the company(ies) you are targeting.

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

Article continued …

 

2- Sharpen or add technology skills on the career resume for the job search. If you have the skill sets that enable to you to work from any location – job site, in the field, or from home, this will showcase your adaptability.  Have you worked from home during the quarantine? Are you able to adjust to a personal work schedule and reliability? Mention that in your resume to showcase capabilities.  Jobs ‘on-site’ in the past may be virtual go forward.

3- Job seekers need to update and ensure their computer has with telecom capabilities – camera, speakers, and access to Internet for online meetings; and it’s important to realize the vital need for updating one’s resume and LinkedIn profile for recruiters to more easily find you online. Test your meeting software and equipment with friends and family member (virtual dinner party, anyone?).

4- Review the field or industry – you may need to move to new careers. Job seekers need to target industries for ‘core business industries’ e.g., advertising, tech, delivery companies [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][packages, food], tax assistance, video communications, instruction and teaching platforms [e.g., universities, colleges, tutoring], essential businesses [pharmacies], healthcare services, and/or cleaning and sanitation [janitorial]. The companies to avoid targeting for job searches are those related to travel – hotels, airlines, sports, and automotive. My husband takes Viagra for a couple of years now. I always wondered if it could help me become better in bed, so I decided to take a pill. Well, I can’t say that I felt anything different, but the sensations during intercourse were definitely better. I suppose it was due to better lubrication, which, I suppose, was the result of my experiment.

5- Refresh your resume on the big boards (e.g., Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed) – the older resumes float to the bottom of the resume pool; even if you add a dot or space, those ATS platforms categorize the resume as a ‘new’ (refreshed) resume.

6- Be prepared for ‘more’ online virtual meetings, interviews, and panel discussions (hiring committees) versus driving to the location for the meeting (this is good – saves gas, and you can wear a nice shirt and jacket over your pajama bottoms).

7- Be prepared to do more email and online networking – the face-to-face networking is ‘out’ with social distancing in place (likely for the next 6-18 months). Do continue to make phone calls to friend, peers, past co-workers and bosses to let them know you are available for work. Who do they know is looking to hire?

8- Recruiters won’t be able to rely on ‘body language’ in virtual interviews, so it’s important for job candidates to look sharp, act like they are paying attention during the online cloud meetings, and to ensure the dog or cat won’t interrupt the meeting. The interview candidate may have to project more to demonstrate a positive attitude and don’t forget to clean up the area behind your computer to look like a more professional work environment.

9- In the past, recruiters may have been able to make a job offer and have a candidate in the seat in two weeks. The pandemic has slowed the process down to ‘whenever it is safe to physically come to work.’ Expect delays in the hiring process – some college grads who were extended job offers aren’t able to work for their new employers until as late as July or August while the company struggles to determine health and safety protocols. There will be a slow-down in the decision-making.  Companies may take a while before business picks up again to justify the hire and bringing the candidate onboard with a start date.

10- Job seekers who have lost their jobs need to be aware the extended benefits from the Payroll Protection Act are for a small and finite period. If your employer laid you off and you refuse to come back to work – you will lose your unemployment benefits.  Even if you get paid more in the PPA, it is vital for you to get back to work so you have a job after the benefits run out.

11- Do not lose hope. If you have a ‘side’ job, you may need ramp up the sales and services to bridge the financial gap between the last job and the new post-Covid career move.

 

FSC Career Author: Ms.Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., is a FSC Career Coach & owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, and publishing (print-on-demand) consulting. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

 

FSC Career Blog |  June 12, 2020

 

Bio: Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., has been an entrepreneur and business owner for 20+ years, with a successful business and consulting firm (CEO) in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond, VA.  Her background experience is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. She is the author of 812+ books on the topics of business, human resources research, career search practice, women and gender study, genealogy and family lineages, quotes for motivation and self-improvement, and Adult Coloring Books.  Her books can be found on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#JobSearch : Four (4) Job-Search Hacks For When The Job Market Opens Up. Must REAd!

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We’ve just passed Memorial Day weekend. Some states have started reopening, while others are beginning to focus on gradually easing up on restrictions. Before you know it, we’ll be close to some getting back to business.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

With a ray of hope on the horizon, here are four things you can do right now to plant the seeds for future success.

1. You need to get yourself into the right mindset.

This job market is and will continue to be different than others in the past. The simple act of asking someone to grab a cup of coffee or some lunch, which we’ve always taken for granted, is not even possible in certain cities.

Companies, understandably leery of what’s going to happen next, will naturally err on the side of caution and hold off on hiring or enact hiring freezes, as it’s the path of least resistance. They’ll maintain that it’s more prudent to take a wait-and-see approach before attempting to bring aboard someone new. Management will consider the likelihood of future layoffs and deem it inappropriate and unfair to both the company and job seeker. They wouldn’t want to be put in the position of hiring a person today only to let them go in a few months—if things don’t turn around for the better.

With this in mind, it’s easy to get discouraged. You have to change the way you view your search. Instead of interpreting it as a sprint, think of your job search as a marathon. It may take many months or longer to find a new job. Tune out the well-intentioned advice of friends and family who share their own antiquated, job-search anecdotes that took place pre-Covid-19, as they won’t be relevant to today’s environment.

Think of everything you do now as planting the seeds for the future. Don’t worry if you aren’t receiving feedback. The people at the company you’re applying to have no clue of what’s going on and what direction their company will head into next. The harsh truth is that they are worried about their own jobs and future.

Continue doing everything you need to, such as submitting résumés to jobs that you desire, networking, interacting on LinkedIn, making tailored versions of your résumé specifically for each job and other measures. While doing this, understand that you may not hear anything back. That’s okay, as the goal is to do everything you can to get noticed. So, when things improve, you’ve been in front of a large number of people and then you’ll gain momentum.

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

Article continued …

2. Write down a list of the five or more companies that you’d like to work with.

Then, look on LinkedIn to find out who are the hiring managers and human resources professionals responsible for these desired positions. You can also conduct Google searches too.

Once you find that right person who looks like they are a decision maker, send them a bespoke invitation. Let them know that you’re very interested in working at the company and would appreciate the chance to have a conversation. It might make sense to buy a premium LinkedIn account; you can send Inmails, which affords the opportunity to write a longer, more in-depth message.

Once you’re connected, like and comment on the person’s posts. Start writing original content yourself. By offering smart commentary relative to your field, you will come across as a thought leader and a person who takes their job seriously. You’ll draw positive attention from the people you’re connected with. They’ll remember and think of you when an appropriate job opens up.

3. Start connecting with former co-workers or current colleagues (if you’re still employed), managers, college alumni, business associates and anyone else you can think of who may be able to help with your job search and career development. 

This takes a little chutzpah. Reach out to the people you have connected with and invite them for a virtual cup of coffee via a Zoom video or traditional phone call. Since most people are bored out of their minds from being home over the last two months or so, they’re likely to say “yes,” as they are looking for something to break up the monotony.

This will be a numbers game. If you contact 10 people, maybe two or three will say “yes.” There’s no need to get discouraged about the ones who say, “Thanks, but I can’t.”  People are wrestling with serious issues during the pandemic. They may want to help, but have enough on their plate already. Keep contacting folks, as there will always be people who are happy to help.

On the call, keep it positive and light. Invariably, the conversation will veer toward what you’re up to. Tell them the truth that you’ve lost your job or are worried about your role or whatever the  circumstances may be. Most people will then offer some assistance. They’ll probe as to what you do next and think of some people for you to connect with.

If you do this with a large number of people, it becomes a numbers game. The greater amount of people you contact, the more you increase the odds of positive responses. This tactic will help expand your network.

4. Just sending résumés and applications won’t work by itself.

Continue searching for relevant jobs and submitting résumés. However, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. As 40 million people are out of work, there will be intense competition. You’ll just be another résumé, unfortunately.

The trick is to find two or three people who work at the company. They could be someone you know or are sort of acquainted with. Feel free to find someone who knows someone who knows someone and leverage that contact.

Ask the person to put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. This way you immediately become a known, recommended human being and not just another name on a résumé. If you can find a second or third person, that’s awesome. Imagine how impressed a hiring manager or human resources professional would be when they learn that two or three internal employees highly recommend you for a role.

Bonus tip

It’s easy to find yourself frustrated, anxious and worried. We’re all going through these feelings. The challenge is to push back on the negativity. If you wear your emotions on your sleeve, the interviewers will notice and be turned off to your downcast demeanor. You must find ways to work on your presentation to recalibrate yourself, so that you feel positive, upbeat and motivated. If you can’t do this, then try channeling your inner-actor abilities and play the part of the motivated, excited, successful person that they want to hire.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

 

Forbes.com | May 29, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#ResumeWriting : Executive Resume Targeting is More Important Than You Think . Targeting your Resume is Critical Today, and Here’s Why it’s So Important.

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What’s the first thing you think about when you start preparing or updating your resume? A common misconception today is thinking you have to craft your resume to be more general since you don’t know exactly what an employer wants to see.

The reality is hiring managers are looking specifically for people who understand their needs and have the skills and knowledge to solve their problems. The key to getting recognized is writing an effective resume geared toward acknowledging those specific needs and demonstrating why you have the skills they are looking for.

Targeting your resume is critical today, and here’s why it’s so important.

Targeting Doesn’t Limit Your Job Search

Your first thought when the best executive resume writers tell you to target your resume may be that you’re limiting your job search options. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume. Employers need to see specifically how you can help their current and future situation, so only including relevant information in your resume is critical. When writing an effective resume, your time is much better spent researching a potential employer and targeting the resume accordingly rather than trying to create a general resume to reach a wider audience.

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

Article continued … 

What to Do Before Writing Your Resume

The top resume writing services always suggest thinking hard about exactly what you want to do at your next job. Once you have your goals and desires set, you can search for potential employers that can help you achieve those goals. Take a look at what attributes and skills the company needs and identify where you can help them out the most. When writing your resume, be sure to demonstrate your brand clearly so the hiring manager will know exactly who you are, what you stand for and how you can help the company achieve its goals. 

Make Your Resume Stand Out

Hiring managers want to see you’ve done your research on them before sending in a resume. The best executive resume writers can help you with relevant keywords and phrases employers want to see. When you value the idea of working for an employer, the hiring manager will be able to see it and you’ll have a better chance of getting called in for an interview.

It can be difficult to wrap your mind around targeting a resume. While resume targeting has always been important, employers today take it much more seriously in their efforts to narrow down candidates to find the right fit. Take the time to make your resume a stand out by writing a targeted resume to show them you are the candidate of choice.

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 |  May 28, 2020

#ResumeWriting : 5 Tips for Updating Your Resume During COVID-19 . Great REad for All!

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The past few months have been challenging for most employees and workplaces. In fact, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed and many people are on unemployment while they wait to see if and when their jobs will be back to “normal.” This is a time—whether or not you have lost your job or are still working—when it may be a good idea to review your resume.

Here are some tips for update your document TODAY.

Tip #1: Say what happened. If you are on furlough due to COVID-19 or have been laid-off due to this situation, then make a line item on your resume that says you were placed on furlough or the company closed. Because everyone has been affected by the pandemic, it is okay to mention it on your resume.

As you move forward during or after COVID-19, make sure that you are aware of the challenges while still remaining hopeful and positive for the future. There ARE things you can do RIGHT NOW to change your resume FOR THE BETTER!

Tip #2: Now is a great time to change directions. If you have always wanted to make a career transition or try a different industry, then now is the time to rework your resume toward that goal. In fact, all industries will be changing how they operate, so there may be more opportunities in your intended target industry.

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

Article continued …

Tip #3: Focus on transferable skills. Let’s face it: you may have to switch directions or take a job that isn’t in your traditional goals; use what you have done in the past to ensure you are aligning it to future jobs. Discuss your cross-functional teamwork abilities, critical decision making, creative problem solving, and communication skills.

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to state facts. You are NOT bragging when you talk about your accomplishments or achievements. Think of yourself as a reporter who is stating facts and discussing what happened. This is NOT the time to be demure or to worry about being boastful.

Tip #5: Start looking NOW. While many companies are in a hiring freeze, do not wait to look for new opportunities. If everyone looks for new jobs at the same time, there will be a LOT of competition. Keep your eyes open now and make sure that you are always available for new jobs.

As you move forward during or after COVID-19, make sure that you are aware of the challenges while still remaining hopeful and positive for the future. There ARE things you can do RIGHT NOW to change your resume FOR THE BETTER!

FSC Guest Author: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish has a BBA in management from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an MBA from Lakeland College, and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University. She LOVES helping people position themselves for today’s job market. She can help boost your confidence by creating a resume that helps you land your DREAM JOB. Visit her website @ https://www.feather-communications.com

If you are still unsure how to make your resume stand-out, contact me today for a free resume review!

 

FSC Career Blog | May 21, 2020 | FSC Guest Author, by