More Is Not Always Better

Your exhaustive LinkedIn profile or five-page resume tells readers a lot. Unfortunately, the message they may be sending could be working against you.

It takes courage and confidence to create a concise LinkedIn profile or resume. So, if you are including every position you’ve ever held, all the content of your job descriptions, or a detailed rundown of every single accomplishment, you could be inadvertently communicating a lack of confidence or, even worse, desperation. 

When it comes to marketing your skills, unless you are in some very specialized fields like Medicine and Academia, brevity and focus are hallmarks of professional expertise.

Be Prepared

Lately, in the HR Consulting side of my work, I've been surprised by the number of times my clients are dealing with unprepared candidates. When it comes to senior-level positions, big-name companies tend to get a lot of referrals. More often than not, those referrals have to go through the same process as all candidates (that's all about fair treatment, and that's a good thing).

What I'm surprised at, though, is the number of times my client companies are dealing with referred candidates that don't have a current resume.  

Of course, I see this on the other side of the table as well. Many people reach out to me for a resume that was needed, well, yesterday.

Make having a resume – an outstanding, updated resume – a priority. It's your personal marketing tool, and you never know when you'll need it. Plus, being able to produce one quickly is very impressive.

The Right Job

At this time of the year – particularly after tax season – people tend to reflect on their jobs and careers. Many of the questions I get revolve around the classic "do I just get a job – any job – or do I build my career" dilemma. Given that, I wanted to put up this repost of some advice I've given before.

I was just on a conference call on which someone said "Right now, people care about getting a job, not reinventing themselves." I think – in a horrible economic climate – it's easy to take a "people just want jobs" attitude because, well, people do want jobs. But, just as companies are now seeking the right fit, so too are job candidates. Sure, we all need to put food on the table; I'm not arguing that many people simply need work in order to do that.

What I'm proposing, though, is that – whether that's the case or not – more and more people want to find the right job – the right career.

My advice…. Don't buy into a "I need any job" mindset. Even if you have to take a job to simply meet expenses, don't let that be the end of the conversation. Always focus on moving closer and closer to the right thing, even if that means taking those steps while you are doing the wrong thing temporarily.

In this economy (and going forward), you can't afford to feel disempowered. Do whatever you need to do to start feeling empowered and energized by your work/career.

Listing Availability on a Resume

Q. Where do I list availability on my resume?

A. Simple answer; you don’t. In the rare case that you need to speak to availability at all, you would do so in the cover letter.

If you are applying for a position that requires specific availability, then it can be assumed that you meet those requirements (so you don’t need to state that you do). If your availability differs from the job requirements, then you can share that in the cover letter and speak to why you are still a strong fit for the position.

There are always outliers, but in all of my years on both sides of the table, I have yet to come across a situation where availability actually belongs on the resume.

The Shadow Side of Longevity

Longevity, while still potentially very attractive to employers, just doesn’t command the attention that it once did. In fact, longevity could actually be working against you.

Here are three possible perceptions that someone with an extended history with one organization (or in one role) needs to be mindful of:

Unambitious – The easiest way to combat this especially negative perception is to highlight a track record of taking on new challenges. Make sure to clearly outline ways in which you’ve expanded or stepped outside of your role. Speak to specific projects you’ve taken on or responsibilities you’ve assumed.

Lack of agility – Unlike candidates with several positions within multiple organizations, agility isn’t implied by your professional timeline. In this case, make sure to speak to overcoming obstacles in your role. Include instances of adapting to a changing organization or industry.

Stagnant skills – This is a perception that is fairly easy to combat, but no less critical to be mindful of. Make sure your resume is clearly outlining recent and relevant training. Show professional affiliations and, even higher impact, thought leadership through professional social media profiles.

Longevity still translates to “loyalty” in the minds of many readers, which is a huge differentiator. But times and perceptions are changing. Knowing the potentially negative way readers can view longevity means you can manage perceptions while highlighting a professional quality that is increasingly rare.

References and Your Resume

I get a lot of questions about how to handle references on a resume and during the job search process. As I've written about before, it is not a good idea to list references – or even the phrase “references available upon request” – on your resume.  Here is why.

First off, if a potential employer wants to see your references, they will ask for them. In the modern employment landscape, employers know that you will provide references, if needed. No need to state the obvious. Once requested, You can provide them on a separate document (after you have let your references know that they should expect to be contacted). Use the space you save by leaving “references available upon request” off of your resume to include one more accomplishment.

Another reason behind leaving references off of your resume is equally as important. Your references have entrusted you with their personal contact information. If you list those details on your resume, than you will essentially be broadcasting them across the Internet when you upload your resume to career websites. Honor the trust your references have placed in you by only providing their information to potential employers who have specifically requested it.

Authenticity Should Not Be a Differentiator

“I build authentic connections with my team.”

That answer – a response to a question I ask my clients about what they feel sets them apart – struck a nerve. Why? Because it dawned on me that authenticity is increasingly used as a differentiator.

Like seeing “real food” emblazoned on a block of cheese, there is something incredibly sad about the need to qualify one’s actions as authentic.

Let’s all strive to make “authentic” the default. Let’s work toward a place where our actions – both professional and personal – are simply assumed to be authentic. When that time comes, we can all find plenty of other ways to differentiate ourselves.

Career Coaching – It Doesn’t Have to be All or Nothing

Q. I am very interested in having my resume updated, but I also think I could benefit from career coaching. It just seems like a big commitment and I am having trouble making the leap. Talk me into it!
 
A. I think it is great that you are looking beyond your resume and considering a more comprehensive career development strategy. Obviously, I am a huge proponent of career coaching. However, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Getting your resume updated is a much smaller commitment, but the process can be profoundly rewarding. It can also be a great entry point into a deeper coaching relationship.
 
While the bulk of my clients initially come to me for a new set of job search documents, the process of developing a new resume will often open clients' eyes to the power of a comprehensive strategy. The process can also bring to light areas of opportunity and help frame a coaching strategy.
 
Regardless of how you choose to move forward, taking a step is what is most important. So if it is easier to ease into it by focusing on your resume, start there.

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.