Journal of Office Workers
Archive for October 2014
6 Of The Scariest Resumes I’ve Ever Seen
When you embark on the job search, updating your resume is the natural first move. Resume writing is where you devote significant energy, in order to increase the likelihood that the recruiter will stand up and take notice. But it doesn’t bode well if the recruiter flags your resume for all the wrong reasons. In the spirit of Halloween, let’s highlight some of the scariest types of resumes out there:
1. The template.
No, no, 1,000 times NO. I beg of you: please do not use a Microsoft Word resume template. I cannot express to you deeply enough how unimpressive that appears to the reader. Worse yet are candidates who insert terms like, “innovative,” and “creative,” into what is literally a resume-in-a-box.
Instead, here’s a wild idea: start from a blank piece of paper. You have the knowledge, experience, and English language skills to express yourself. If you feel a little stuck, look at resume samples for inspiration (not duplication). Balance style elements you’ve seen with what is uniquely yours, to deliver a presentation that genuinely reflects who you are.
2. The circus.
On the other end of the spectrum from the aforementioned template, lies the circus. This is the resume where, in an effort to be different, you’ve utilized four font types, three styles of bullets, and several colors from the rainbow. Circus-like visuals that assault the recruiter’s vision will never dress up a weak professional history.
Instead, select one font and then apply all caps, small caps, and italics. Choose one bullet style. Identify a two-color scheme, understanding that less is more. This approach will guide the recruiter to focus on the expertise and accomplishments you bring to the table.
3. The oldie.
Circa 1982, this is the resume that indicates, “responsible for,” usually within the initial two lines, and then many times throughout. Here’s why this is unnecessary: you worked a job, therefore, you were responsible for it. Further, this is not an action term that indicates how you applied your particular brand of expertise. This is a stop-the-recruiter-in-his-tracks-and-hit-the-delete-button term.
Instead, skip “responsible for,” and just write what you were responsible for. Begin to write like you would speak in a normal conversation with another person. By doing so, you’ll make tremendous strides in getting your thoughts down on paper.
4. The dissertation.
Worse than the oldie, this resume dates back to 1974, because you insist you must have every single thing in there. News flash: you don’t. Period. Bear in mind recruiters today are reading resumes on their phones. If they see a file size of 14 megabytes, I promise they are passing you over.
Instead, present your most recent 10 years in detail, and the 10 years prior in somewhat less detail. Release your need to account for every single day of your professional life dating back to your academic years. Doing so keeps your resume crisp, clean, and centered on the most relevant information the recruiter needs.
5. The storybook.
Traditionally more entertaining than effective, the author of the storybook resume seeks to explain, and undoubtedly says too much every single time. This resume presents language regarding what you hope to gain from your next job, why you’re seeking employment at this time, and the reasons for leaving every job, such as, “Pursued a new position.” Such statements eat up prime resume white space while not shedding too much light.
Instead, leave the explanations off. I don’t even recommend saving them for the interview. Moving away from stories goes a long way towards emphasizing impact and results – those are the elements the recruiter needs to see.
6. The snoozer.
This is the resume that regurgitates your job description (word-for-word, in the cases of the most serious offenders). The painstaking detail used to describe the most mundane job functions doesn’t win anybody over.
Instead, use your resume to showcase not just the job (which anyone could have done), but your performance in the job (which only you did). With this strategy, you focus on the unique impact you’ve delivered for your past employers, and the distinctive value you bring to the table today.
Behind every bad resume is (usually) a good-hearted candidate. Avoiding these scary resume traps means you’re on a faster path to achieving job search success!
Related Posts
How To Customize Your Resume
3 Tips For Flaunting Your Value On Your Resume
How To Make Dates On A Resume Work For You
About the author
Jewel Bracy DeMaio finds out who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, and articulates that in a way that invites the employers and recruiters to call you. Ms. DeMaio is a triple-certified, nationally-recognized executive resume writer and job search coach. Learn more at http://ift.tt/1zPN9Vr or call 855-JOB-FOUND.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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The Lazy Networker’s Guide To Moving Up
In 2007, Tim Ferriss, angel investor and author of the Four-Hour Workweek, challenged students in a “High-Tech Entrepreneurship” class to contact high-profile celebrities and CEO’s…
Related: My #1 Secret For Building Your Network
… And get answers for questions they’ve always wanted to ask. The winner, who contacted the most hard-to-reach person with the most intriguing question, received a round-trip plane ticket anywhere in the world.
Interesting idea, isn’t it?
Imagine making contact with an “impossible-to-reach” person and asking them a burning question. Maybe making a connection, and building a relationship over time.
Perhaps getting an intro to a place you’ve always wanted to work… or even working for the person you contacted!
I’ll tell you how they did it in a minute, as well as how Tim Ferriss himself does it, but first…
Is Tim Ferriss Crazy?
Why did he offer a round-trip ticket - an amazing (and expensive) prize - to the winner of his little contest?
“I believe that success can be measured in the number of uncomfortable conversations you’re willing to have. I felt that if I could help students overcome the fear of rejection with cold-calling and cold e-mail, it would serve them forever.
- Tim Ferriss
Okay Tim, makes sense. Overcome your fear, and do something that will move you forward in the process.
The Lazy Networker’s Guide To Moving Up
The “Tim Ferriss Technique,” which he uses himself and his students applied in this contest is coming up…
First, here are five tips I would apply today if I were participating in the contest. Here’s the lazy networker’s guide to moving up:
1. Warm Them Up
Follow them on social media, and start commenting on and liking their stuff. Find a way to make an impression.
If you’re a writer, you could also write a blog post mentioning them, and then send a simple tweet letting them know.
2. Keep It Concise
First of all, be realistic. This person is incredibly busy, and they’re not going to respond to a long email telling your life story.
So, keep any contact you have with them short, and to the point. Honor their time, and you might just get some of it.
3. Remember WIIFM
WIIFM = What’s In It For Me?
Make your communication all about them right from the start. Think about how you can add value to their lives with something interesting or helpful, and go from there.
4. Keep It Light
Bring a sense of humor into every contact with you have them, and you’ll not only be more interesting, you’ll be more likeable. And with that, you’ll have a better chance of building a relationship.
5. Find Common Ground
This could be a passion for anything from a sports team to a food group. Whatever it is, find something that you have in common, and share that. It’ll warm up the conversation from the start.
The “Tim Ferriss Technique”
“I participate in this contest every day,” said Ferriss. “I do what I always do: find a personal e-mail if possible, often through their little-known personal blogs, send a two- to three-paragraph e-mail which explains that you are familiar with their work, and ask one simple-to-answer but thought-provoking question in that e-mail related to their work or life philosophies. The goal is to start a dialogue so they take the time to answer future e-mails – not to ask for help. That can only come after at least three or four genuine e-mail exchanges.”
And that’s how it’s done. So think about who you’d like to reach out to and what you’d like to ask them, and then build up some courage and try it out.
If you’d like more interesting and effective job-seeking techniques, check out this free video I put together alongside my mentor containing three powerful and tangible things you can start doing today to get your dream job.
Related Posts
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About the author
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world’s best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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18 Tips For Becoming Professionally Independent
November is upon us, which means the Professional Independence Project is coming to an end. In case you missed some of the great advice we shared this month, here are 18 fantastic tips from our contributors on becoming professionally independent!
1. Tell people what you want.
“We forget that people can’t hire us if they don’t know we’re available. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your network – personal and professional – know what kind of business you’d like. You’d do this if you were looking for a job, right? So, why wouldn’t you do it for your own business?” (Shonali Burke)
POST: 5 Lessons From A Successful ‘Business-Of-One
2. Develop a solid plan.
“The key to success is to set achievable goals, develop a plan to reach your goals, surround yourself with people who will help you, and – most importantly – be the CEO of You, Inc.” (Susan Butler)
POST: 4 Steps To Success As The CEO Of You
3. Don’t focus on becoming the ‘next big thing.’
“Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to become the next Bill Gates, try first to become the best you can, and that will ultimately lead to long term success.” (Mohamed Amine Belarbi)
POST: Sell Me Yourself: The Secret To A Successful Personal Brand
4. Know how to communicate your value.
“Know what you can bring that someone else can’t, be able to communicate the value of that knowledge/service, and find people who are willing to pay to have that type of problem solved.” (Ben Eubanks)
POST: 3 Secrets To Marketing Your Value To Anyone
5. Share your accomplishments.
“If your supervisor isn’t sharing your accomplishments with higher level administration, make sure you do the sharing yourself. Keep everyone informed of what you are accomplishing.” (Elizabeth Dexter-Wilson)
POST: 3 Tips For Branding Yourself As A Business-Of-One
6. Have advisors.
“Select a handful or more of industry influencers, mentors, trusted advisors, and former managers to serve as a sounding board for major career decisions. This team of professionals can provide advice, of course, but they can also help you see facets of your personality, experience, and career brand that you may take for granted or overlook.” (Cheryl Simpson)
POST: Fire Your CEO: Reorganize The Business Of BrandYOU™
7. Maintain a good reputation.
“Businesses and people care more than ever about reputation. And the quickest way to impress a new potential business is to have the facts there and searchable any time they choose.” (Lori Osterberg)
POST: 5 Questions To Ask As A ‘Business-Of-One’
8. Understand WHY you’re a ‘business-of-one.’
“Essentially, the reason you should think of yourself as a business-of-one is because you are one! The economy and job market are no longer the same and in order to evolve with the new world of work you have to adapt at becoming the CEO of your life.” (Carrie Smith)
POST: 3 Reasons Why You Should Think Like A ‘Business-Of-One’
9. Stop choosing to be a victim.
“When you declare your professional independence and take charge of your life and career, you are choosing to stop being a victim. You stop whining and complaining. You begin taking personal responsibility for yourself, your life and your career. And let me tell you, this feels great.” (Bud Bilanich)
POST: My Declaration Of Professional Independence
10. Have a vision.
“Running a business, even one where the “work” is done on the kitchen table, in a garage, or a spare bedroom, requires creating a business vision, strategy, and mission.” (David Zahn)
POST: What You Need To Know Before Freelancing
11. Think like a salesperson.
“Think like a salesperson – Gigging means constantly selling yourself. This might sound stressful but the good news is that you’re selling bite-sized bits of your time. It’s a low pressure sell, a low stakes game where both sides benefit from the transaction.” (Hugh Taylor)
POST: The Memo On The ‘Gig Economy’
12. Limit your target market.
“You can’t support a wide array of customers and be able to provide a good level of support. By limiting your target market, it will be easier to be seen as a leader in that area and also allow you to have answers to questions and problems more readily available – which will in turn create a more positive.” (Cody McLain)
POST: 3 Tips For Finding Your Niche - And Owning It!
13. Know how to talk to your clients/customers.
“People skills are part science, part art, with a little sprinkling of intuition on top! Developing a sense for what motivates your clients will be a major driving force of your success as a freelancer.” (Termeh Mazhari)
POST: 5 Traits You Need To Be A Successful Freelancer
14. Evaluate your performance regularly.
“The best leaders at the top are constantly evaluating their performance and looking for ways to improve. As CEO-You, slow down and evaluate your performance every 90 days and after each major project you complete.” (Aaron Rehberg)
POST: CEO-You: 5 Secrets To Navigating A Successful Career
15. Stop relying on others.
“No one looks out for your interests like you can. If you’re in a habit of relying on people like your boss, family members or a mentor for direction, keep in mind that no matter how much they care about you, they can’t see what’s inside your heart.” (Joellyn ‘Joey’ Sargent)
POST: Me, Incorporated: We’re All CEOs At The Company-Of-One
17. Network, network, network!
“The five networking musts are: join, get involved, contribute, participate, be visible. If you are going to be successful today, you must network consistently and robustly (sturdy, vigorous, solid).” (Deborah Shane)
POST: 11 Assets Every Business-Of-One Needs To Survive
18. Build valuable relationships.
“Establish a true RELATIONSHIP with people and don’t be a business card collector extraordinaire. There’s power in the quality, not in the quantity of people you know.” (Jeff Sheehan)
POST: 7 Things You Should Do Before Becoming A Freelancer
Want to take control of your career?
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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4 Ways To Give Your Brand A Little Swagger
My students recently turned in their final job search documents, video interviews, and digital portfolios. Unfortunately, none of the documents stood out, grabbed my attention, or compelled me to read and learn more about each person. None had a ‘Wow!’ factor, or that something extra that makes a person special and unique. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the problem until I overheard my 14-year-old neighbor tell her dad how awesome she felt while riding her new bike. Her description was, “It gives me swagger!”
Related: How To Avoid A Huge Personal Branding Mistake
If you are not familiar with the word “swagger,” it is most commonly referred to as a person’s attitude or level of confidence (even arrogance). It’s the way a person holds him/herself both inside and out. I consider swagger to be the spark, spirit, and energy that radiates from a person. And it’s necessary for your personal brand.
So, once again, a teenager has enlightened me. And, as my young neighbor radiates swagger while riding her bike, my students must find their swagger as well. If they don’t, their brand is going to suffer big time - an unacceptable ending to MY semester.
4 Ways To Give Your Brand A Little Swagger
So, how do you find your swagger and incorporate it into your brand? Here are some of my ideas:
1. Get Excited About Your Industry!
I’m amazed at the lack of enthusiasm in students’ voices when I ask why they chose a specific industry. And many times, they struggle to answer the question all together. Knowing your industry and beginning to think about how you fit in is huge! Once you can identify your fit and how you can contribute, sparks will ignite and your spirit and energy will boost.
2. Give A Hoot!
Maybe you do, maybe you don’t; most of the time it’s really difficult for me to tell. I continue to see passive students who wait for things to happen to them. Or, wait for someone else to make a move for them. In today’s job market, you cannot do this! You have to care about your industry, your fit, your potential, and your contributions! If you don’t step out of your comfort zone, take risks and try things that may be a little scary, you will never find out what you care about, what’s important to you, and where you see yourself making a different. You will lack empowerment, which is made up of confidence, spirit, and, well, swagger.
3. Own Your Ideas And Opinions!
Again, I reinforce the importance of knowing your industry. Knowledge is empowerment. Contributing educated opinions to blogs, tweets, and LinkedIn groups will help demonstrate your spirit and confidence. Sharing your ideas on how to improve your industry and make other people’s jobs easier will help you form professional connections and collaborations. Once professionals start reading spirited and confident opinions from you, they will pick up on your swagger and your brand will shine.
4. Become A Regular!
Knowing your industry means knowing your target audience. And, knowing your target audience helps you locate the best blogs, tweets and LinkedIn groups to follow. Choose your top 2-3 “targets” and spend the majority of your on-line time on their blogs, tweets, and groups. Be a regular who adds his/her educated opinions and shares his/her ideas for making the industry better than it is now. Again, this will boost your brand’s swagger and get your target audience’s attention.
So, on that bicycle ride to finding your swagger, keep these ideas in mind. Your brand will thank you for it. Do you have ideas to spark swagger? How have you identified others’ swagger? Share your thoughts and ideas here.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
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How To Build A Dynamic Personal Brand
5 Ways To Create A Consistent Brand
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About the author
Elizabeth Dexter-Wilson is the Coordinator of Career & Professional Development at Spring Hill College where she helps students transition from student to professional. She is also in the process of starting her own consulting business where she works with businesses and individuals on professional etiquette, branding, and image consulting. Are you a new graduate who needs help with these strategies? Check out her CareerHMO Coaching page.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CareerHMO coach. You can learn more about expert posts here.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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How To Make Internships Translate To Employers
If you ask any successful business person about how they got their career start, you’ll more than likely see a wistful look in their eye as they recall an internship that made a significant impact on their lives.
Related: How To Turn Your Internship Into Full-Time Employment
That’s all well and good, but what is the real trick to making sure your internship doesn’t turn into the “making coffee and running copies” dreaded drudgery?
The truth is that what your internships turns into rests on you. But there is a real secret to making these internships truly meaningful. You can make out of it as much or as little as you would like.
Go-getters go into internship experiences with high expectations; more importantly, they have a plan. It’s just not enough to suddenly be granted the privilege to walk through the vaunted doors of the company… you need to help define and shape your experience so that you walk out of there benefiting from it just as much as your internship sponsor.
So, what does it take to have a successful plan? How do you communicate it to your supervisor?
How To Make Internships Translate To Employers
Here are six tips to help create a satisfying internship experience that creates easily digestible connecting activities that are highly relevant to prospective employers:
1. Set Up A Planning Meeting With Your Boss
On your first day, it is important to sit down with your supervisor to facilitate a brainstorming session to learn about their pain points and set up some structure to what exactly it is that you’ll be working on for them.
2. Suggest Specific Projects That You Will “Own”
Having some kind of start-to-finish project ownership will give you something to wrap your arms around and also provide a concrete example of your abilities. Future employers appreciate seeing some kind of specifics in your resume, so the more you can take on and successfully complete, the more you’ll have to talk about to potential new companies.
3. Determine What Your Project Outcomes Should Be
In order to know whether the project that you work on is successful or not, you should work together with your supervisor to determine what the outcomes should look like so you have measurable targets.
4. Learn New Skills
Proactively plan through your internship experience to include opportunities where you can learn new skills to add to your career portfolio. Ask your supervisor about rotating into different roles in the office, find out if you can attend meetings, or even job shadow. The more you learn, the more diverse your skill sets become to make you a better candidate.
5. Build Networking Contacts
Tap into your supervisor and co-workers to start building your professional network. Leverage your time at the company and ask to be connected to key industry people or thought leaders - they can turn into powerful advocates if you treat them right.
6. Schedule An Internship Exit Interview With Metrics Measurements
Your last day should end with a giant slab of cake and ice cream; you should have a specific sit-down meeting with your boss to go over what you learned, what you accomplished, and how they felt you performed in the internship.
By taking these steps, you can have a much more fulfilling experience which will translate into meaty connections that will build your employability and credibility with future potential employers.
This post was originally published at an earlier date.
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6 Reasons Internships Are A Must In College
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