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December 2nd, 2009
Often the first impression of your writing ability is NOT your resume, it is your cover letter. It is important that you take time to customize each cover letter.
If you are aware of a specific opportunity, list the credentials required in on column and list your skills in a second column. That will show the hiring authority that you do have the qualification the position required.
If you are NOT aware of a specific position, make sure you list your credentials as well as desirable personality traits that you bring to the table. It is also important to inform this employer that you have targeted their company and share the reasons why.
End your cover letter with your plan of action, I will call you next week to see when it would be most convenient for us to meet.
Follow these tips and you will book more interviews!
Barbara J. Bruno, CPC, CTS
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November 23rd, 2009
A job search can be filled with rejection and disappointments, but you need to follow-up after those disappointments. When you are in a job search you need to realize you are up against people who are employed looking for a change as well as other individuals who are not working.
AFTER someone is hired many things can occur including:
The Candidate Accepts a Counter Offer
The Person Hired does NOT work out
Another positions has become available similar to the one you targeted
Never assume for one minute that you will be called if any of these become reality. Often your credentials are lost in a pile of resumes. One telephone call from you can result in additional interviews and possibly a job offer. If you are re-interviewed, often the process is shortened because of your prior interviews with this company.
When you follow up you need to show your enthusiasm for working for their company and the confidence you have in your abilities. Showing a high level of interest is very important in your follow-up process. Hiring authorities often know other hiring authorities and as rapport improves they become more comfortable providing you with leads.
It’s much easier to follow-up with people you’ve met, than continuing to make only cold calls. You want your job search efforts to include both!
Barbara J. Bruno, CPC, CTS
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November 10th, 2009
Whenever you attempted to learn a new sport, play an instrument or master any new skill you learn quickly that practice did indeed make perfect. This also holds true when it comes to your job search. You need to practice the following: your 30 second pitch, stressing your accomplishments and the impact on past employers, your interviewing skills, negotiating and your unique follow up with employers.
Practice with anyone willing to role play with you. If you want to evaluate your skills, record your answers and you will “hear” areas needing improvement. The more you practice the better your chances of landing the job of your dreams.
Barbara J. Bruno, CPC, CTS
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October 25th, 2007
The definition of a Vision is a picture of the future to which you can commit. It is an articulation of your values. It is what inspires you to do your job. It allows you to contribute new actions or ideas. Try to create your vision for both your personal and professional life! The Visions need to be different for your personal life and your professional life.
Begin by creating an encompassing vision for your current lifestyle. In order to do this effectively you must go beyond where you think you can go. From where you are, you may only be able to see small pieces of the whole. Now try to expand your view to include your entire future. See all of the people in your life, see all of your job responsibilities, see all of the amazing possibilities! When you attempt to create a Vision you may want to consider the following:
A Vision is something worth working toward.
A Vision engages your heart and your spirit.
A Vision is simple.
A Vision is a living document that can be expanded.
A Vision addresses concerns and needs.
A Vision by definition is unclear and grand.
A Vision is based on two human needs, quality and dedication.
A Vision is a great starting place for something bigger, later.
Your Vision will be unique and it will be your own! When creating your Vision, dare to take risks and aim high. Reach for what you really want for your future and don’t look back. Your goal is to attempt to identify your true needs, and then try to discover your hopes and goals. If it touches you personally, if it truly resonates what your needs are, you will then have created a successful Vision!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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October 18th, 2007
1. Project an image of yourself one year from today, picture where you will be, how you will feel, and what you will be doing. Try your best to picture what it will be like to begin to realize your vision!
2. Next create the 4 to 5 accomplishments you will have achieved at that time. Limit yourself to a maximum of 6 goals. If you have too many goals you might become overwhelmed with all there is to do for those goals. You literally can paralyze the process in a state of inaction. On the other hand, fewer than 4 goals will not be comprehensive enough to make a real difference.
3. These past 4 or 5 accomplishments are your goals. It is important to state them in the past tense, as if you have already achieved them. For example: Your goal may be: “In one year I am employed with one of my top three choices. I am currently making more money than I have in my life and I am extremely happy with my success.”
4. Your goals should always be objectively measurable and easily identifiable. This step enables you to know when you have actually accomplished your goals.
5. Finally, your goals should directly support your personal and professional vision!
Someone once said: “How will you get there if you don’t know where you’re going?”
Goal setting is mandatory if you want personal and professional growth! Think out your goals and then commit to them. Your future is determined by you – make it count!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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October 11th, 2007
When a perspective employer is scanning resumes, they first look for reasons to screen out a majority of the resumes. Once the initial scanning is complete, they then need to look for reasons why they should select a small number of resumes to reexamine. They are looking for certain information on the resume to determine whether the resume should be retained and considered for current or future positions. The following are a few Basic Questions they may ask to narrow their search:
• Does the candidate have the experience needed to fill the position?
• Does the candidate have the length of experience required?
• Can this person work as a team? An individual?
• Does the candidate have the technical ability needed?
• Does the candidate have stability throughout their work experience?
• Does the candidate exemplify leadership or management qualities?
• Does the candidate appear to have achieved a good record of achievement?
• Does the candidate have any awards?
• Does the candidate show a pattern of upward movement or growth?
• How does this candidate measure up to other internal candidates?
• How does this candidate measure up to other external candidates?
• Overall, does this candidate meet all or most of the criteria required for this opportunity?
Again, these are just a few of many possible attributes that a prospective employer might look for in a resume. It does not matter how long you have been in a job search, you should still take out your resume and ask these questions. Of course not all of these questions will apply to you, but the ones that do could give you the edge!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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October 4th, 2007
As indicated so many times on this site, resumes are read or even scanned quickly with one of the primary goals of the reader to eliminate as many as possible to arrive at a few candidates to be considered for an interview. It is now possible for employers to have their computers scan a resume for key words. If those words are not located on the resume, they don’t even get touched by a human. Technology is great but it does have its pitfalls too. The following are some of the main reasons why a resume is screened out of the process.
• Poorly prepared, organized and difficult to read cover letters and resumes
• Career objectives incompatible with current or future opportunities
• Improper spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Gaps in work history
• Incompatible geographical requirements
• Salary requirements incompatible with company’s compensation guidelines
• Lack of education required
• Lack of skills required
• No stability in work history
• Resume is too short or too long
These are just a few of the reasons why resumes are screened out before they even have a chance to attract attention. You must have a resume that avoids some of the reasons listed above. If you are unsure about your resume, take it to a professional or to someone you trust that has a solid professional background. It is impossible for you to judge your resume objectively. Take it seriously because it could make the difference of whether or not you become employed!
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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September 27th, 2007
You resume, once completed, will be one of the most important ingredients of your job search. Therefore, it is essential that you exercise great care in how it is prepared and the manner in which it is distributed. Your resume should be considered a primary marketing tool.
Unfortunately, it has been our experience that the majority of resumes we see in our business at best are average, in terms of quality. The problem is that most job seekers tend to downplay its importance, when in fact an excellent resume is often the difference in whether an individual is initially considered for a position and ultimately favored with a face-to-face interview.
As you realize, there is a tremendous amount of competition in today’s job market. When compared to the number of actual new hires, it appears that most resumes are screened with the goal of eliminating as many candidates as possible as fast as possible. Therefore, it is in our opinion that you resume must stand out from others being submitted to prospective employers in order to allow you maximum consideration for the positions you desire.
Your resume has a primary purpose which is to get you in front of your competition and in front of decision makers. However, you also need to be aware of the fact that it has a secondary purpose as well. Most interviewers will use your resume as a guide when they are interviewing you. Therefore, the requirements for complete and accurate information cannot be over emphasized.
You must assemble your resume carefully and it should be prepared in order that it serves its true purpose and augments your marketing strategy. There are many different types of resume styles. You need to choose one that fits your background and stick with that format throughout your resume. Take the time to prepare it properly, as it will return important dividends as you conduct your search process.
Lastly, once you have secured your new job, chances are that your resume will be put into your personnel file. This now becomes a permanent document in your file. In other words, your resume will be a reflection of YOU! Your professional reputation is critical to your future success, protect it by ensuring that your resume is extremely positive and highly professional.
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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September 20th, 2007
The following words are descriptive words commonly utilized when building your resume. Use the words that are targeted toward the opportunity you desire. These are just a few of many words you can use. Hopefully these will get you started!
Adaptable, Ambitious, Analytical, Assertive
Capable, Cheerful, Competent, Conscientious, Courteous
Dependable, Discreet,
Eager, Efficient, Energetic, Enthusiastic, Expressive
Flexible, Formal, Friendly
Helpful, Humorous
Imaginative, Independent, Intelligent, Industrious, Intuitive
Kind, Loyal
Mature, Methodical, Modest, Motivated
Open Minded, Optimistic, Original
Patient, Persistent, Positive
Quick Learner
Reliable, Resourceful, Responsible
Self Confident, Sincere, Steady, Strong, Spontaneous
Tactful, Tenacious, Thrifty, Trustworthy
Unselfish, Versatile, Well Organized
These skills are Basic Skills utilized in the workplace. Some of these words describe your work habits and some will not. Use the words that best describe you on your resume and just ignore the words that do not apply. The following words are called Adaptive Skills:
Accepts Supervision, Gets along with co-workers, Gets things done on time, Good attendance record, Honest, Industrious, Accurate, Professional, Productive, Provides Leadership, Punctual, Solves problems.
Again, these are just a few examples to get you started! The more positive and descriptive you are when building your resume, the more likely you are to get interviews. Keep in mind that your resume is basically your “ticket to your interview.”
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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September 13th, 2007
In the United States we pride ourselves on the fact that we do not discriminate. In the workplace there are many laws that protect the individual. The very basic questions that are strictly prohibited in the United States are as follows:
How old are you?
Are you married?
Are you single?
What is your sexual orientation?
How much do you weigh?
Are you disabled?
When did you graduate from high school?
When did you graduate from college?
Do you have children?
How many children do you have?
What country are you from?
Where were you born?
Have you ever been arrested?
What religion are you?
Would you religion prevent you from working on weekends?
These are the very basic questions that you should not be asked during any interview in the US. If in fact you are asked any of these questions, you should politely refuse to provide the interviewer with an answer.
Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
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