Your Career Partner

Over the weekend, I got an e-mail from a past client. He talked about how our collaboration helped him in myriad ways. Again and again, clients are confirming that an outstanding resume writing process is about a lot more than producing job search documents. 

Here is a re-share of a few of the most valuable aspects of my process:

Confidence – Much of the resume writing process is focused on uncovering accomplishments and speaking to your impact. That allows me to create a resume that is rich with quantifiable achievements. Beyond that, it can reshape how clients see – and speak to – their professional history. Having a clear idea of your impact and the ability to quickly provide examples can improve your confidence in a very profound way.

Clarity – Many of my clients come to me looking for a resume to help them transition into something different. Unfortunately, many of them don’t know what that “something different” is. In order to create a resume that highlights your strengths and positions you for your next big thing, I have to help you identify your strengths. Understanding your natural strengths and transferable skills makes it much easier to determine what you should be doing and where you fit.

Career Trajectory – I am constantly reminding clients that a resume is just one piece of a career management strategy, albeit a very important piece. Not only will a new, achievement focused resume likely help you to more quickly secure interviews or build interest, it can also help you land a more favorable pay package. It is much easier to negotiate salary when you can clearly communicate why you are worth it.

An achievement-focused resume is a very valuable thing. But it’s important to keep in mind that the process of developing that resume is also incredibly valuable – a very wise investment.

The best investment you can make is in yourself.

Don't Undervalue Language Skills

Q. I am going to apply for software engineering positions in the US. You’ve talked about the importance of a concise resume, so I am thinking of removing my BA in Foreign Language and my study abroad experience so that my resume stays one page. Do you think that is a bad idea?

A. You're right, a concise resume is key, but not at the cost of including valuable information like language skills.

I assume the reason you would consider removing language skills and study abroad experience is because you believe that potential employers will not see them as beneficial (for a US-based software development position). Even if a position does not require you to speak a foreign language, language skills are almost always relevant and could really set you apart.

Here is why your language skills and study abroad experience is relevant even if you won’t be speaking a foreign language in the position: those experiences tell potential employers several important things – most critically, that you bring some level of culturally competent communication skills. Workplaces and audiences are increasingly multi-cultural, so the ability to connect with diverse audiences is nearly always a qualification, regardless of the role.

Controversial Affiliations and Volunteer Experience

Q. In my spare time, I lead a political advocacy group that many would say is controversial. I think listing it on my resume would show leadership skills, but I am worried that the experience cold also hurt me. What should I do?

A. First, consider your audience. If you are applying for positions where your political views closely align with those of the organization (a lobbying firm, for example), then highlighting your shared political ideologies makes sense.

Having said that – since you want your resume to appeal to a broad audience and you want to be judged on your qualifications – it is generally best to exclude potentially controversial information from the resume.

In all cases, consider your audience and weigh the risk / potential reward.

It's Time To Get Social

I know that social media has a reputation for being nothing more than a way to share selfies, sunsets, and pictures of food. Perhaps that is why so few of my clients are using these tools to build their professional brand. I think 2014 should be the year that changes. 

Here are just a handful of the ways that you can use social media to drive professional success:

Thought leadership – Social media allows you to broadcast your ideas and engage audiences around your area of expertise. Powerful stuff.

Interpersonal Savvy – Interactions on social media can provide potential employers / clients with a clear insight into your communication style.

Brand Development – Your presence on social media is a perfect way to frame perceptions. What you say, share, and promote all serve to shape your brand.

Networking – Social media (and not just LinkedIn) can be a powerful networking tool. It has never been easier to connect with influential individuals in your field.

With so many potential benefits, I encourage you to make 2014 the year you fully leverage social media to increase your professional efficacy. I'll be working on it too!

5 Ways to Stay Motivated During Extended Unemployment

I was recently consulting with a corporate client that asked me to sit in on a few final selection interviews. In those interviews, I noticed that one uniquely qualified candidate had an air of desperation and lack of confidence. In speaking with her and reviewing her resume, I realized that she had been out of work for some time. Of course, I don’t know why this candidate was not seeming as strong in this late stage of the hiring process, but I can only imagine that extended unemployment and my client’s drawn-out hiring process was probably taking it’s toll.

That encounter reminded me that no matter how qualified you are, lack of confidence or the perception of desperation can be your undoing during the hiring process. Here are a few tips for maintaining your sanity during extended unemployment so that you can move through your job-search process with your sanity – and confidence – intact.

Keep a schedule – Do this from day one. Immediately set a schedule and stick to it. As tempting as sleeping in until noon (and spending the day in sweat pants watching YouTube videos) may be, that sort of inactivity has a gravitational pull that is very difficult to recover from.

Volunteer – It can be very easy to slip into a ‘poor me’ mindset when you’ve been let go or are having difficulty finding work. That makes sense. But self-pity is a fast track to inaction. So gain some perspective and volunteer your time. Not only will this elevate your self-esteem, it is a great way to network with like-minded people. Additionally, it is a low cost way to interact with people and get out of the house.

Stay Active – I know I’m not breaking any new ground with this tip, but that doesn’t make it any less valid. Few things are as good for your self-esteem as exercise. Oh, and before you say that you don’t have the time to exercise, remember that that long standing excuse no longer holds weight.

Limit Social Media – Studies show that people who spend lots of time on social media tend to be more depressed. That should come as little surprise. Don’t waste away your time focusing on other people’s idealized versions of their lives.

Learn a new skill – It is very easy to let your mind atrophy when you are out of work for an extended period. It is also easy to let your skill set become less and less current, which can make it even more difficult to find employment. So use your time to either learn a new skill or stay up-to-date on your current skill set.

Be Careful With Hyperbole

“I run toward fires.” That phrase showed up on a LinkedIn profile I recently viewed, and it has been bugging me ever since.

Resumes and LinkedIn profiles are marketing documents. As such, they need to be engaging, informative and compelling. Powerful language is a key part of achieving those critical objectives. However, there is a point where powerful language veers into hyperbole. And hyperbole can work against you.

“I run toward fires” is hyperbole.

To be certain, there are people who will read a phrase like “I run toward fires” and think 'cool, this candidate is not afraid to take on difficult tasks.' However, there are also many people who will think, 'This candidate doesn’t know which way to run when something is burning.' One reader will see a risk taker and the other will see someone who has poor judgment. There in lies the problem. Hyperbole leaves way too much room for interpretation.

When developing personal marketing like a resume and LinkedIn profile, remember to balance powerful language and self-assessments with clear achievements and un-ambiguous facts. That way you won’t get burned by misinterpretation.

How Do I Say I Am Willing To Relocate?

Q. I am completely open to moving for the right job. How do I say that I am willing to relocate?

A. The cover letter is where you want to share things like a willingness to relocate. Keep in mind two important things:

• Unless you offer an extremely in-demand skill set, companies will likely be reluctant to cover expenses associated with relocating. Make sure you share that you don’t need assistance with relocating expenses (if that is the case). One very tactful way to accomplish this is to communicate that the move is underway. I suggest something like, “I am currently in the process of relocating to City, State. During that time, I remain fully available to speak with you about this exciting opportunity.”
• Employers will likely be inundated with resumes from local applicants, so applying from a distance will put you at a disadvantage. If you can use an address that is local to the employer, consider doing so.

How To Ace a Phone Screening Interview

Phone screening interviews can be a little confusing... Here are three tips for acing them.

Don’t over talk – A phone screen is an interview but it’s not an Interview. The screener is typically looking to quickly identify if you are a strong candidate and if it makes sense to invest the time in a full interview. Honor the screener’s time and the purpose of the call – to gather a lot of information quickly and narrow down the candidate pool – by keeping your answers brief and achievement focused.

Be engaged – We talk on the phone a lot, so it is easy to believe you know how to interview on the phone. Without the context of a face-to-face interview, it can be challenging for a caller to “hear” your enthusiasm, so step up your game and be consciously enthusiastic. And don’t forget to smile. As corny as it may sound, callers can hear a smile.

Speak clearly – Enunciate and speak slowly. It is easy to assume you always communicate clearly and with good diction. Truth is, you probably don’t. So be mindful.

When Is The Best Time To Apply?

I read an article the other day claiming that Monday was the best time to apply for a job. It states that:

“...getting your application early gives a hiring manager time to discuss it with colleagues and arrange meetings in the same week. Applications that come in later may have a higher chance of falling between the cracks or getting pushed aside.”

That sounds like safe reasoning, but I doubt it really holds much weight. Here is when I think the best time to apply for a job is: before the position close date and after you have had enough to time to thoughtfully target your resume and cover letter towards the specific opportunity. If that coincides with a Monday, great.

Bad Advice™

I see a lot of bad advice when it comes to resume writing and job search strategies. Often times, this is the result of long-held but outdated ideas that get amplified in the cyber-echo-chamber. However, sometimes this advice contradicts commonly agreed upon best practices as a way to differentiate a service, propagate fear and cash-in on people’s general confusion about the often maddening resume writing process. This is what I call Bad Advice™.  Here are a few examples of Bad Advice™ that I’ve recently encountered:

Avoid Certain Words – Every time LinkedIn releases its annual list of words to avoid, the Internet blows up. And that is very likely why they do it. I’m a big fan of LinkedIn but I would brand this particular social marketing initiative as Bad Advice™. As with so much Bad Advice™, this seems to make sense.  If, for example, everyone uses “achieved” on his or her resume, you want to set your self apart by NOT using that word. Right? The issue is that everyone uses “achieved” because it is often the right word. And when you start to try to avoid good words because they are common, you run the risk of using really stilted and silly language.

Avoid Corporate Jargon – This one sounds like excellent advice. But it is misguided at best and often full-on Bad Advice™. I am the first to admit that corporate jargon can sound ridiculous outside of the office. For example, if I used the term “creative” as a noun in everyday conversations, people would probably look totally perplexed. However, in discussions with marketing professionals, “creative” makes perfect sense as a noun. So, while I would agree that it is important to not overuse jargon, speaking in the language of your industry is incredibly important. Tactful use of jargon is a very effective way to show that you are an insider.

Avoid Implied First Person – There are people trying to sell the Bad Advice™ (literally) that you should write your resume the way you speak. The idea is that the resume should read like a conversation. Here’s the thing, the resume most definitely is not a conversation. It is a conversation starter. And most readers – assuming anyone has the patience and time to actually read your resume – are going to perceive this approach as very junior.

When trying to determine the best approach for your resume or job search strategy, it is important to remember that a lot of people are looking to differentiate themselves, products and approaches by contradicting best practices. Don’t buy Bad Advice™.