Don't Do This on a Resume

We've already established (all over this website!) that there is no gold standard for a resume – no "magic formula" for what works. I use my years of experience in Career Development and Human Resources to help people craft resumes that capitalize on the best practices out there. My extensive hands-on experience (and behind-the-scenes knowledge) has proven very effective in helping people to navigate a confusing arena.

Despite this ambiguity, there are a handful of black and white things that we know for sure about the world of job-search documents.

A few people will like the following but most won't, so don't...

1) ...use graphics or an overly-designed resume.

2) ...use color.

3) ...list hobbies/interests (unless they are asked for).

4) ...rely on responsibilities (i.e. copy your job description).

5) ...forgo sharp bullets in favor of bulky paragraphs.

6) ...veer away from implied first person.

7) ...insert many articles (a / an / the).

8) ...skip a cover letter (unless asked to).

9) ...include a picture, birthdate, marital status, etc. for positions in the US and Canada.

10) ...provide more than about 10 years of professional experience.

Again, some people undoubtedly will like some or all of these conventions but most will not.

You want/need your resume to appeal to a broad array of people, not only to people who think exactly as you do. Plus, you'll likely have to contend with automated screening systems (which are traditionally tripped up by design and graphics). 

Finding Career Satisfaction

We're getting into Autumn. Wow.

This is the time of year when I recommend that people, yearning for a new job or career, start making the transition to more meaningful work.

Do not wait until December or, worse yet, January. That might feel like a good time of the year for this kind of professional development work, but it rarely is. Save the end of the year for celebrating with loved ones and working on small changes that you want to make in 2015.

Do the heavy lifting – working on larger goals – now. It's an ideal time to take steps toward career satisfaction.

As I've said before...

We live in a time where, out of necessity it seems that many people have to take jobs that “pay the bills.” The number of people I meet in unfulfilling jobs is alarming. It’s a sign of the times and a sign of how quickly the reality of the world’s economy is changing.

Unfortunately, though, there’s a huge price to pay when that’s the case. For one, unless you’re feeling fulfilled and in sync, that little voice in your head will always be nagging you – reminding you that you aren’t feeling so hot about your career. There’s a solution, though, that helps to quiet that nagging voice. Pursue fulfillment.

You see, if you are at the very least pursuing your purpose, you are “on purpose” and the voice is dulled. Many people view the job dilemma as an either/or sort of thing. You’re happy or you’re not. That’s what keeps people from taking steps forward; tiny steps, even, that get them closer and closer to feeling in sync.

Fulfilling work that will resonate with you is within your reach. It starts by taking one step at a time. I’ve worked hard – and even faced a career refocusing – to become an expert and to differentiate myself within the field of Human Resources and Career Development. It wasn’t always easy, and I could have chosen to stay in upwardly mobile but ultimately unfulfilling jobs from my previous career track. My life is much richer all the way around because of the career shift I pursued.

The economy is improving. I urge you to get on top of your career and make work work for you. Settling is simply not worth it – no matter the state of the economy.

Start now. Who knows, by 2015 you could be celebrating beginning something new.

Civilian Perceptions of Military Experience

During a recent project with a separating Service Member, I received this note: “I’ve heard that some people view military experience as separate from 'real-world' experience. For example, I tell people I have 8 years of experience as a network administrator because I did it for 5 years in the military and 3 years in the private sector. The response I received was that the 5 years of military experiences doesn’t count because it is not real-world.”

First off, I felt the need to apologize to this client that potential employers might not value experience gained through military service as much as they should. Personally, I find that very frustrating. But I have a feeling it is not because these employers don’t honor our Service Members (I sincerely hope that is not the case). Instead, I think they simply don’t understand military experience. Here is why...

Many of the Veterans and separating Service Members I work with come to me with resumes that are so dense with military jargon that they may as well be written in a foreign language. As is the case with any specialized field – from IT to Transport Logistics – it is your job as the applicant to communicate your skills in a way that enables readers across all levels to easily grasp your experience and impact.

If you want your experience to be valued, you have to make it clear that it is valuable. If you’ve done that, and a potential employer still does not honor the experience, consider yourself quite lucky that you won’t be part of that organization. I promise there is a better fit out there.

Internet Savvy

Internet Savvy.

But probably not the kind of savvy you're thinking.

My post from a couple of week's ago prompted a bunch of e-mails about what whether or not current/potential employers care about employees/candidates presence on social media. I wrote a bit about this a year ago, but clearly it's worth addressing again.

Yes, employers care. Very much.

In the consulting work I do, I'm quite frankly surprised at the effort that employers put into monitoring employees and checking out candidates. Now, to be clear, most just want to be sure that candidates aren't totally insane during their free time and employees aren't hunting for other work.

Although I'm surprised at the effort, it can be revealing.

If someone posts pictures of him/her self drunk on social media, does a company have reason to question that person's judgement? Yes.

Of course not all companies do such a thing, but it's a good idea to behave as though they all do.

Employers That Offer Work-Life Balance

Whenever I share information on popular employers, I get a lot of positive feedback. 

It makes sense.

People want ideas on where to apply. "Best of" lists help to target a job search effectively.

Take a look at Glassdoor's Top 25 Companies for Work-Life Balance. The ability to have a life is a key requirement for a majority of the people that I talk to and work with. When I am speaking or on a panel, it's a question that comes up most of the time.

Here's to employers that honor the fact that a happier you outside of work leads to a happier, more productive you at work.

Awesome Places to Work

I like Outside magazine's list of best places to work. Check it our here.

I find that lists like this can inspire a new way of looking at the kind of organization that might be a good fit for job seekers.

Have a look and have a great week!

The Stories We Tell

“I definitely don’t want to use bullet points; I really want my resume to tell my story.”

I want your resume to tell your story as well. In fact, I am passionate about it. But I also want your resume to get read. 

When telling your story on a resume or LinkedIn profile, it is critical to consider your platform. Just as it doesn’t make any sense to tweet a novel 140-characters at a time (although I am sure it’s being done!), it doesn’t make sense to create narrative-heavy, dense professional marketing documents. Doing so simply ignores the way readers will be consuming the information.

When it comes to telling your story on a resume, my best advice to always be aware of your audience, let your accomplishments do the work, and create plenty of curiosity gaps. That way you are more likely to get a chance to really tell your story in an interview.

Why Tandem Powered Is Your Perfect Partner

There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a professional resume writer and career development professional. Here are five reasons why I believe Tandem Powered is the best choice for you.

1. Because you are your best investment.

Career development services are not a gadget that will be obsolete in a year or two. Rather, career development is a solid investment – perhaps the best investment you can make because it’s an investment in yourself and in your future. You’ll walk away from our time together with a new understanding of your professional strengths, a clear grasp of the value you represent, and tools that will serve you for a lifetime.

2. Because you need help organizing your life / work story.

If you’re like many people, you’ve let your career development languish. Many of my clients come to me with no idea of how to begin to organize their job history and the way they present themselves. My process gets things in order and leaves you in good shape to continue the momentum. 

3. Because you care about your professional and personal growth. 

So does Tandem. I am the first to say that powerful job search documents are a small part of a successful career management plan. That is why I place so much emphasis on the entire process; I want you to walk away with a success orientation and the kind of bolstered confidence that can change your career trajectory. This is about a lot more than a new resume, and that’s why I love what I do.

4. Because you understand the value of a deep process. 

I want you to be able to bring all of you, and so I bring all of me. I draw on my entire skills portfolio – education, professional certifications, extensive experience, and a background working with hundreds of professionals across almost every conceivable field – to provide the deepest and most enriching process possible. Get ready; we’ll get right down to the very details that will make you shine.

5. Because you want to see yourself in a new light. 

I am passionate about empowering you to see yourself and your career in the best light possible by directing your focus to your unique accomplishments and the value you represent. Just imagine the possibilities when you have a new success “language” that makes it easy for you to clearly speak to your past and, more importantly, your potential impact.

Think Long and Hard About That Infographic Resume

Today, I want to do a repost of a post from awhile back. Since I continue to get asked a lot about infographic resumes, I think this is worth a re-share.

Infographics are becoming very popular. They quickly communicate a wealth of information in an engaging and creative manner. Personally, I think they are fantastic. So...  Why not use an infographic as a resume, right? Well, hold on for a second before you decide.

Last week, I was on a recruiting panel call with a number of other people. One person on the call wanted to share the resume of a highly qualified candidate. It happened to be in the form of an infographic. Here's where things get really interesting. All but one person on the call thought the resume was great – clever, engaging and dynamic. Conversely, everyone on the call agreed that there was no way the resume would hold up through the recruiting process.

There are really two issues:

1. Resume screening software: Most of these programs "hate" infographics and would likely disregard the resume (meaning it might never get seen).
2. The employment landscape: The current job search environment (and many individuals hiring within it) simply aren't ready to see this type of resume.

As I said in a post I wrote about including hobbies on a resume, you have to consider your audience. I can tell you that – although the job search landscape is changing – the typical corporate recruiting environment is still in a place that would view this approach as gimmicky. For now, you should stick to a resume that incorporates powerful content but sticks to largely accepted resume standards. Here's what you can do:

• More and more, progressive companies are asking for creativity on your resume. In that case, go for it!
• If you are in design or a creative field, consider bringing an infographic resume to the interview as a "leave behind" – something that allows the interviewer to see your work in action.

As I say over and over throughout this website, your ideas and your creativity will matter more and more as HR and the hiring landscape continue to evolve.

The Problem Is Not Resumes, It's Your Resume

We’ve all heard the stories – some are true, many are bordering on the job search version of urban myths. A woman sent a VHS tape to Google instead of a resume and it landed her a senior-level position. A guy created a resume that looks exactly like an Amazon.com web page and it goes viral. A friend of a friend showed up to a place of employment and simply refused to leave until he or she was given a job (at least that worked for Erin Brokovich, right?).

Those stories capture our attention because they are, to a certain degree, soothing. They create the possibility that, just maybe, the reason we are struggling in our job search is not because we have ineffective resumes or lack critical qualifications. They allow us to believe that the real problem is that employers want us to completely turn their world upside down with a unique and disruptively creative job search approach.

For better or worse (I argue for better), that is simply not the reality. Über creative approaches can work, but that is the rare exception, not the norm. In almost every case, employers are looking for qualified candidates who can clearly communicate their potential impact via traditional channels.

Don’t decide to recreate the wheel before you’ve first put air in your tires.