Strengths, not weaknesses!

As a Certified Professional Resume Writer I answer many intriguing and probing questions regarding my services, experiences and my approach to making my diverse clientele look outstanding and highly competitive.

Today however, I was rather taken back by a question from a client as we were proceeding through the draft stage of the resume. The question, “Why don’t you show my weaknesses”?

How astounding?

I replied back, “You have made an investment in my services, why should I even mention anything negative? I focus solely on the positive”.

Potential employers and Recruiters review you as a performance-driven resource, not an under-performance resource.

Your comments and questions are most welcome. Constructive dialogue is important. Education on how to optimize your job search is a major component of Elite Resumes mandate and shifting your mindset into a positive approach.

For more details about Elite Resumes positive, performance-driven career management services please visit our web site: www.aneliteresume.com

Is your resume telling the true story about your accomplishments?

We are in an accomplishment-driven society. Potential employers and Recruiters are hiring people who deliver consistent measurables. They aren’t hiring couch potatoes!

Numbers, dollar values and percentages clearly portraying your drive to generate and deliver results is going to seduce the reader.

Some examples of performance taken from clients resumes include:

¬ Captured significant acquisitions from the competition in the education sector to drive growth a further 30%. Boosted shipments in the government sector from 11,956 units to 14,257 07/08. Elevated education shipments from 15,707 to 18,289 07/08 with a combined 17.6% increase.

¬ Initiated a radical production management realignment, involving scheduling, packaging and plant layout, which catapulted fill rate from 90% to 99% in 3 months adding $3.4 million in sales.

¬ Catapulted revenue in year 1 300% over budget. Consistently exceeded annual mandated targets ranging from 105% to 125%.

Do these snippets entice you to read more?

Are you selling yourself to your optimum? Will I call you for an interview over the competition? Are you comfortable with your resume?

If not, would you like a free no obligation resume critique? If so, please e mail via: http://www.aneliteresume.com/

Is your LinkedIn invitation personalized?

A person in a serious job search and those managing their careers when gainfully employed should use Linkedin as one of the prime resources to connect with people.

When you meet in person the introduction is professional, normally a firm handshake, smile and direct eye contact. However, when you introduce yourself online to connect are you just as professional? It appears an increasing number of people aren’t! Many are using the default message – “I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”.

How tacky, how impersonal and unprofessional!

Customize your invitation and make it personal. You wouldn’t pull out a canned speech when meeting someone in person. Everyone has a reason to connect. Identify the reason, and your rationale behind wanting to network. Position the relationship in a positive sense and provide a compelling reason to connect in a succinct business like introduction.

Summer fun or summer job search?

With this economy many people are asking themselves this question. Should I take the summer off or should I go full tilt into a job search? Can you afford to be out of the job search market in the summer? No you cannot!

An incredible 70% of job searchers fall out of the market in July and August, providing significant opportunities to strike gold for the remaining 30%.

Yes, due to vacations, the recruitment period can be lengthened, but resist the opportunity to put your job search on hold.

The trick to a successful job search is to stay on track; it’s easy to get distracted with other activities. Stay focused; don’t get frustrated when interviews are cancelled. Use this time to conduct further research into other job opportunities and move forward. How forward will you be?
By September when the 70% return to the market you will either be way ahead of the pack or have secured a new appointment. How enticing is this?

What Your Handshake Says About You.

A handshake can be soft, firm, brief, long or even painful. The way you shake hands provides clues to your personality. Aggressive people have firm handshakes. People with low self esteem often have a limp handshake. Politicians typically shake your hand with their other hand covering the shake or holding your elbow. Domineering men often squeeze the hand of a woman during a greeting. The clever woman moves her index and little finger in toward her palm preventing a crushing handshake. This negates his dominant act and keeps her in equal control. So adopt a handshake that is firm, yet not crushing. Convey confidence and professionalism, not dominance.

An open hand, eye contact and a smile are a good way to establish a positive contact.
But……
The extended thumb and the stretched-directed palm resembles a pistol and thus conveys aggression.

Touching or invading the personal space of another can be a serious error in judgement. The man shows patronage and dominance and the woman withdraws.

The handshake no one likes: The “Dead-Fish” handshake: No one likes the soggy, lifeless, fish-like touch.

Within the first 10 seconds of the interview the interviewer has a snapshot of your personality.

First impressions count! Which one are you?

But I don’t have a degree. I won’t be considered!

Not so. Many potential clients call me and say I have seen an interesting position, I’m the perfect fit except that I don’t have an under graduate degree. No problem.

I’m a firm believer that if you consider you have all the skill sets required go for the position anyway. What are you going to lose?

If you have an outstanding performance-driven career and you quite clearly portray the skill set they are seeking on your resume, employers will sometimes overlook the absence of a degree. The resume has to provide the reader with quantifiable examples in the form of percentages, dollar amounts, and before/after comparisons.

Although you didn’t graduate from a university or college, clearly portray your education studies that you did complete. This way you can introduce the buzz words including BA or BS into the resume without being misleading or dishonest.

This is how I show these circumstances on a resume:

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario 2004 – 2006
Completed 24 modules towards the Bachelor of Arts, Political Science degree

The key component here is to be 100% honest and upfront. For many reasons students don’t complete their studies which is OK. Family commitments or even an enticing job offer can halt education. I tend to tell the reasons in a cover letter. “Due to my father requiring my full time attention for serious health problems, I was unable complete my under graduate degree. However, I firmly believe I have the perfect qualifications for this intriguing position, my degree has been completed in the workplace, and here are a couple of examples”.

Don’t count yourself out of good opportunities simply because you lack the academic credentials. Go for it!

It’s imperative that your resume makes you look more competitive than a contender with a degree. Does your resume stand out? Are you making a compelling statement that you are the perfect fit for the job? Would you like a free no obligation resume critique? If so, please submit via www.aneliteresume.com

Putting Your Telephone Number on a Resume!

This may seem very trivial, but it can portray a negative impression if you have not taken into consideration the response when a potential employer calls you. Obviously you have to provide the Recruiter or Human Resources Professional with the most effective way of contacting you quickly. Your home telephone number should be included; however, is it your voice on the answering machine rather than your kids? Make sure you have a professional scripted, articulate and confident message encouraging a reply. Nothing is worse than a weak, inaudible message.

I would suggest you avoid using your work telephone number. What message does that send to a potential employer, that using an employer’s time and resources for personal communication is acceptable?

A mobile telephone number is perfect if you feel comfortable in answering while conducting your business.

First impressions count. A verbal telephone message is the second chance you have to impress. Your first is your resume which should make you look outstanding, competitive and lure the reader into calling you. If you don’t have a good resume I offer a free, no obligation resume critique. Go to www.aneliteresume.com to submit your resume.

Always be cognizant of sending positive vibes in all your messaging!

Get out and network in your job search!

A memorable quote from the movie Field of Dreams resonates with me. “If you build it, they will come”, how true!

Networking is perhaps the best investment in time you can make in a job search. Although some are uncomfortable with the concept and consider it difficult, it is essential that you network effectively with your professional colleagues, associates, past employers, past co-workers, suppliers, neighbours, friends and others who might have leads to opportunities. Another strategy is to become an active member of your trade or professional associations in your area, regionally or even nationally. Position yourself on their Executive Board, this will attract more attention and gain respect from your peers. Being elected to an executive position by your peers will impress a future employer as it shows many good qualities.

In today’s turbulent economy, you are likely to change jobs every few years. The most profitable strategy is to maintain your network while you are gainfully employed. The people you have met during your job search will appreciate a brief e-mail every three to four months on what you are doing and have achieved with your employer. They don’t just want to know you during a job search.

The best use of “Twitter” as a job search tool!

There is a great deal of skepticism about using Twitter per say. If used correctly it can provide a wealth of knowledge and contacts that will reap rewards in your search for a new appointment. Yes, it can also be a huge time consumer if not used correctly. Here are some tips that will bring benefits to assist you through a job search:

1. Job search experts, coaches and resume writers use this tool extensively. They have valuable comments and knowledge to share. Each can bring value add to your quest to gain a thorough knowledge of techniques, how to generate leads and open job positions. Twellow is a must; the database for Twitter can provide you with a wealth of information. Search specific career industries to locate interesting people to follow.
2. The search functions on Twitter are impressive. The use of the hash tag #jobs or Twitterjobsearch can bring you numerous leads which stem from a variety of sources not all from job boards or corporate sites. New positions are posted every minute by Recruiters and others with many well-known brands.
3. Twitter is full of experts each willing to share snippets of news, the buzz and trends. Listen to these Twitterers , their Tweets will provide you with a large amount of information to prepare for a job interview.
4. Like all the social networks, using your time prudently can bring just as much value as mass marketing yourself. Connect with people at target companies, discover the gossip and uncover their employers needs. Ask probing questions, ask for referrals and give back by providing information.
5. Opening, trusting and honest communications is key! You are branding yourself to an influential audience all who want to hear your story or perhaps not if your Tweet is totally irrelevant . After all who wants to hear you are throwing up? What message does that send to your contacts and a potential employer? Engage in constructive conversation, ask probing, enticing questions or Re Tweet (RT) information you want to share. As with every online presence, you want to proofread all content prior to posting. Keep your posts positive, relevant and above all market yourself as an expert!