Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
In my career, I’ve created more than 10,000 resumes, cover letters and other business documents for clients. I’ve seen and heard it all. When someone tells me they have absolutely no quantified accomplishments to put on a resume, I know that’s not true.
Why?
If the client had achieved nothing at his or her career, if the only purpose was to show up for a paycheck, then that individual would have been fired faster than he or she could have ever imagined. Companies don’t babysit adults and pay them for simply sitting in a chair all day. If you’re not achieving, you’re history. Therefore, the question to ask yourself is ‘how valuable am I to my current – or past – company?’
Within the answer will be the first of your accomplishments.
For example: I have a client who has worked fifteen years for ABC Firm. “Nope, I have no accomplishments,” he tells me.
“Fine,” I say. “So if you were to quit your job today, the position would be eliminated?”
“Well, no. They’d have to hire someone.”
“Just someone?” I ask. “Just one person?”
“At least two people,” he says. “I do the work of two, maybe three people.”
Hmmm. “What’s your salary?” I ask.
“$60,000 a year.”
I do some quick math. “If your company would need two people to replace you, they’d have to shell out $120,000. If it were three, the number would rise to $180,000 annually. Am I correct?”
“You bet.”
“Then,” I say, “you’re saving your company $60,000-$120,000 a year by doing the work of two to three people. THAT’S an accomplishment.”
This is what every candidate needs to do when composing a resume. Brainstorm with yourself, consider your value to a company, what they’d be losing if you moved on. Whatever that is, that’s the beginning of your accomplishment.
With all achievements make certain they’re quantified – that is, they contain dollar figures, percentages of improvement and time periods. If you made your company $500,000 that’s impressive, until the hiring manager learns that it took you 20 years to do so. If you made that half million for ABC firm within six months of hire, that’s amazing.
And it’s what gets a hiring manager’s attention.
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Once you receive that coveted phone call inviting you to interview it’s best to remember that you only have one chance to make a stellar first impression.
Keep these tips in mind for your interview:
1. Dress appropriately. Even if the company culture is casual Friday or downright casual, it’s best to dress one step up. It shows professionalism and your seriousness about the position. The time to wear deck shoes and khakis is once you’re hired. For men, get a haircut and trim your facial hair if you have a mustache or beard. For women, keep the jewelry and makeup to a minimum and don’t wear overpowering perfumes.
2. Arrive a few minutes early. Ten to fifteen minutes is advised. It will give you time to relax before you’re called in and will show your professionalism in keeping appointments. To assure that you’ll arrive in a timely manner, drive to the office on a weekday to determine what traffic will be like, where you’ll be able to park, etc. Don’t leave these details till the last minute.
3. Be nice to the receptionist/administrative assistant. If you’re rude or demanding, they won’t forget and they may very well report it to the manager. Be courteous to all. However, it’s also wise to remember that the receptionist or secretary isn’t your best buddy. If she or he starts to talk about the company and disparages it in anyway, keep your opinions to yourself.
4. Turn off your cell phone before you’re interviewed. Nothing is more distracting or irritating than to be interrupted by someone else’s call.
5. Sit appropriately during the interview. Don’t slouch in your chair or bounce your legs up and down no matter how nervous you are. Project an image of success and you’ll be treated accordingly.
6. Never interrupt the interviewer. Yes, you want to get your points across, but barging in on anyone’s comments is rude. Once it’s your turn to speak, take a moment to reflect upon what was said and comment as well as you can.
7. Don’t have a sense of entitlement. If the first words out of your mouth are – “What’s the salary and benefits?” – you won’t be considered for the position no matter how great you believe you are. Always speak about the company’s success and how you would like to make it reach all goals.
8. For the Gen Yers – don’t bring your parents to an interview. Yes, it’s been known to happen and having your mother or father arrive with you isn’t the way to impress a hiring manager.
9. Make eye contact. Don’t stare the interviewer down, but be certain to meet his or her gaze rather than staring off into space or glancing nervously around the office.
10. Be prepared to sell yourself and to answer the usual interview questions. Don’t arrive unprepared. Practice interviewing with friends or family members.
It’s not always easy to ace an interview but it can be done with forethought and practice.
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Now that we have the holidays behind us, it’s time to gear up for that all important job search.
Many of you might be considering application to the federal government. It’s a good move for solid employment; however, application to any government agency can be as complicated as doing your yearly tax return.
Here are some tips to remember:
1. You must have a job vacancy announcement to apply. Unlike the private sector, you cannot simply send a resume to every federal agency and hope to be considered. You won’t. You’ll be spinning your wheels. You need to look at job openings at the government’s website (you can do a google search for it). The vacancy announcement must still be open. If it’s closed, you’re out of luck. And, you must meet the requirements for the position. You cannot state that you’re willing to learn. Agencies want individuals with the required skills.
2. You must submit a resume in the format each agency requires. That might be Resumix (plain text unformatted) or by copying/pasting your resume into fields onto an online form. Each agency has their own requirements and you must meet them. If you do not, your resume won’t be considered.
3. Your content must meet the agency’s requirements. Unlike private sector resumes, federal resumes include vast amounts of data such as your supervisors’ names, work addresses, contact numbers, your social security number, high school data, etc. Be prepared to include everything the agency asks for.
4. You may have to answer questions such as KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities), ECQ (Executive Core Qualifications), etc. These are questions that require essay type answers. Not including them with your resume, if they’re asked for, will take you out of the race for the job.
5. Meeting every agency guideline when composing and submitting the resume, KSAs, ECQs, etc. If you do not, you won’t be considered for the position.
Many individuals feel overwhelmed by all that they must do in order to work for the federal government. However, that’s no reason to give up. If you feel you cannot do an adequate job of composing your federal resume and essay questions, then use a professional resume writer who’s trained to know the ins and outs of the federal application process.
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Don’t make the mistake of many job seekers by thinking it’s impractical to look for a job during the holidays. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The wheels of commerce don’t grind to a halt in November and December. Job recruitment in healthcare, IT and many other industries is a constant.
Rather than taking it easy and thinking you’ll get back to your job search in January, consider this: A great deal of job seekers will be doing the same, thereby lessening your competition. While they cool their heels for January, you’ll be sprucing up your resume, honing your job interview skills and applying.
Wouldn’t one of the best holiday gifts be a new job?
Don’t wait and don’t kid yourself that it’s all right to delay the inevitable. Take charge today.
1. Review your resume and if it’s not up to par, have a professional work on it for you.
2. Sharpen your interview skills. Again, if you’re unable to do so yourself, engage professional services.
3. Apply, apply, apply. If you do so now, you may not have to wait until January to begin your new career.
4. Don’t fall for the herd mentality. The only word of wisdom you should be following is to make looking for a job your only job.
Those who keep at it will be the ones invited to interview. This holiday season, make certain it’s you.
