4 Ways to Take Your Resume From “Good” to “Great”

What really makes a great resume for today’s job market?The use of a branding statement, a tag line or two, relevant keywords/key phrases, and a situation/action/results writing style can actually increase the return of your resume. Let’s review why each are increasingly important for job seekers competing in today’s highly competitive job market.
 
1. Branding Statement
Personal branding is hot – very hot! Once paralleled with top business professionals such as Bill Gates, Donald Trump, and let’s not forget Oprah, personal branding strategies are now applied to job seekers. Branding is not made up of one thing, but of many. According to Wikipedia.org, personal branding “is not limited to the body, clothing, appearance and knowledge contained within, leading to an indelible impression that is uniquely distinguishable.”
Can branding techniques be used for job search purposes? Absolutely. Start by using a branding statement within your resume. Typically a one or two-liner, a branding statement could be an umbrella statement relative to the broadness and depth of you.
To develop a branding statement, take your 15-second elevator pitch and rework it to include key points relevant to talent recruiters. For those who don’t have an elevator pitch, write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) about your professional career and value. Then, boil the paragraph down to a couple of sentences. Lastly, fine-tune the statement until it contains the exact wording that helps sell you to the hiring community.
 
2. Using Tag Lines
If a branding statement as a book title, a tag line would be the subtitle.
Tag lines are terrific, enabling those who review your resume to immediately see your value… all from a mere skim. Oh sure, resume management systems are certainly ruling the roost when it comes to resumes these days, but real people are actually out there reviewing soft and hard copy resumes, so definitely write your resume for those pesky RMS systems, and don’t forget about the human beings, too.
Taking a variety of forms, tag lines can be a group of keywords or a sentence fragment. The first example tag line below (Award-Winning Designs – Community Project Lead – Travel Internationally) was perfect for this client. She was targeting a high-end, executive role for a major community development company with project interests on a national and international level. Certainly we could have included this information within the intro statement, or elsewhere, but a more strategic placement adds visual interest and introduces a bit more white space to attract readers’ eyes.
My favorite use of tag lines is to include a quick “content snapshot” where you would otherwise see blank space. For example, readers would learn this individual is a turnaround expert by simply reading the resume; but honestly, who reads an entire resume these days?
Tag lines are another way for readers to quickly learn more about you and what you have to offer, putting you one step closer to being called for an interview.
 
3. Keywords & Key Phrases
Want to know an insider’s secret to identifying ideal keywords and key phrases for your resume? Print those ideal job ads and get out a highlighter. Highlight job tasks, concentrating on nouns/actions. Then, cross-reference the highlighted keywords against your resume. Is there an important keyword (skill) missing from the resume? Does the resume need a bit more tweaking to accommodate more relevant keywords and key phrases? Sometimes a job description is filled with poppy-cosh, and by focusing primarily on those specific skills (keywords), you’re somewhat getting rid of the “content fat,” enabling you to see what’s ultimately important to the hiring company.
 
4. Situation/Action/Results (SAR) Writing Style
A SAR writing style introduces achievements into a resume, adding numbers and percentages to add visual breaks in text for readers’ eyes… it’s that simple. Hiring managers and recruiters love achievements within a resume because each represents an action and result on the part of the candidate.
Introduce more achievements into your resume by focusing on your specific job area, department, or the company as a whole. Think about situations you faced during your tenure, how you responded, and the results from each action. Did you increase sales? Save the company money? Cut dependency on a specific resource? If you weren’t in a lead/management role, maybe you assisted a team with achieving a sales goal or securing that million-dollar client.
Some actions seem small, but in the end, may have resulted in a big impact. For example:
 
Provided extensive team support during the development and integration of a new incentive program offered to the SE sales team; program added $3.2 million in new sales and was later introduced to other US-based territories.
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If you are worried about writing a résumé, or struggling with the task, you’re not alone! Are you looking to change fields or just give your résumé some more meat?  Research suggests that your résumé has less than 20 seconds to make the right impression, so it must be eye-catching and easy to read. Click here to register!
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New Year, New Career Strategy

The New Year is a time when we consider our current status in life and resolve to make changes.  For many, a transition to a new career may be one of those resolutions. Each year my clients ask me about career trends for the upcoming year. VentureReady LLC has developed a list of trends and tips you should consider in order to make the most of your career search in 2015.
2015 Career Trends
 
Increased Hiring – Unemployment has decreased to its lowest rate since 2008 according to the board of labor and industry.  There are less job seekers who have been searching for employment for more than one year.  Therefore, if you are seeking employment because you have been recently laid off or are seeking a change, 2015 is a wonderful time to start search for a new opportunity.
Increased Resignations – More people will resign from positions that they are unhappy with. This is a good sign as it shows professional are more confident in successfully attaining another job with higher pay or has other benefits to fit their lifestyles (i.e. work/life balance).  A word to the wise – It is still a good practice to find another job before quitting your current position.
Higher Wages – There is a trend toward higher wages in 2015. If you are worth more than what you are currently making, go to resources like payscale.com and salary.com. Armed with this information, you will be able to negotiate more effectively. Your manager could deny your request, but you have a higher chance of getting a raise than in previous years.
LinkedIn – More employers and professionals are using LinkedIn as a tool for seeking candidates and searching for a new position. Recruiters and employers my still reach out to you for positions even if you are not actively seeking employment. LinkedIn provides you the opportunity to share more information about your accomplishment by allowing links to projects, videos, and slide show presentations that display your aptitudes.
 
Continuing Education – More professionals are building developing new skills with advanced degrees, certifications and training. Employees are more optimistic about the economy rather than being concerned with losing employment. Employers are looking to develop employees in order to keep them happy because they realize that with that talented candidate can be found with ease even when they are not actively seeking positions due to social media sites like LinkedIn.
2015 Career Search Strategies
These strategies will assist you with your career search in 2015. Use the tips below to develop an action plan and you will see results sooner than not having one because you will be able to track your progress.
Network – You will have a lot of competition when you allow for an advertised position.  Tailoring your resume or CV to the job description will help you stand out, but networking will give you an edge that most candidates will not have.
Use your personal referrals and online contact in order to come to the attention of hiring managers. Personal contacts can be family members, friends, colleague and prior managers, or supervisors.  Follow the company on social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, join the same communities and groups. Find out how the company could benefit from your education and/or experience.
Tap into associates through volunteer activities and professional associations. You can get a chance to make a positive impression with a decision maker while chatting with him/her during an association meeting or event.  During the discussion you could mention that you can mention what your skills are and that you are looking for an opportunity.
Interviewing – Mastering the interview is just like mastering any other skill. The more you practice, the more confident and proficient you will become. Research the type of questions you may encounter during the interview based on your industry and do a mock interview with a friend, or career specialist. Use your contacts to find someone who knows the company/industry and ask them what the current issues are.
Show the interviewer how well you’ve researched the role and, be ready to demonstrate how you can make a real difference in the role. That’s what a hiring manager wants to know.  VentureReady LLC’s Career Readiness Consultants are advocates for bringing career portfolios to an interview.  This booklet is a powerful tool that will have samples of your work that brings proof of your accomplishments and experience. A career portfolio should also have work samples so that the hiring manager can get a clear picture of what you will bring to the company and the position.  This doesn’t mean you won’t get a difficult question during the interview, but it does mean you be in a position to answer it with poise and confidence.
Ask the interviewer questions.  This will not only show that you are interested in the position, but also that you were paying attention.  The interview will not reveal everything about the position.  This is also a chance to get more information on the position, the management style and the company culture that you cannot get from online research.
It is also a good idea to have a 90-day plan when you interview with the hiring manager. This will give the interviewer a picture of you performing the job.  Click here for more information on 90-day plans
Temp Agencies – Building a strong relationship with the agencies will ensure your success in securing a position. You must be the first person that comes to mind when a new assignment comes in. You can be that person by meeting the staff at the agency face-to-face. Prove yourself as a reliable worker, by taking any and every assignment offered at first. Occasionally call them and inquire about available assignments.
Blogging –If you want to get your name out there, help build up contacts and start networking try blogging. It can be a challenge to fit your dream career around your commitments, but there’s often more than one way into a role.  If you are a subject matter expert, blogging will help you to share that knowledge on a large scale and establish you as an expert in the industry.
 
LinkedIn – Maximize your LinkedIn experience. Do not simply post a profile and assume hiring managers will flood your inbox. Join groups and associations with shared professional interests, and then contribute to the discussions.
Be Patient – Every situation is different but on the whole most people do have to take a salary cut, before they can move forward in a career transition. It is imperative to see a career transition as a long-term process.
Corporate training programs such as trainee roles tend to have fixed salaries with little or no flexibility. An abstract job search may give you with more negotiation power by appealing to employers with your experience and transferable skills.
Relocating – When deciding on relocating for a position you must decide on how far are you willing to move.  You should consider if there are any areas of the country or the world you would like to go to as well as area you do not.  Clarifying where you want to go will help to focus your job search. Why do you want to relocate? You are the only person who can decide if the transition is worth it.
Returning to the Workforce – This year we had clients who were returning to the workforce after a long illness. They were concerned that they would have to reveal their health issues to the employer. We inform our clients that their illness should only be revealed on a need-to-know basis.
If the past illness affects your performance on the job, then it’s better to inform the employer upfront, then to wait until you are hired. If you have overcome this challenge, then there is no need to bring it up.  If you have gaps in your career history because of it, you can mention it in the interview, but let me know that this is a past challenge.
If you are returning to the workforce after caring for young children you’re an illness in the family, this is an understandable gap.  Work on your explanation for the gap in employment so you are not taken off guard by the question.  Preparing for the question will also allow you to be confident in your answer and enable you to reassure the employer that you are ready to reenter the workforce.  You have also gained transferable skills.  If you need assistance with identifying these skills, you should find a certified career professional.
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Katrina Brittingham, M.B.A., MSA, CPRW is the owner of VentureReady LLC. Katrina’s skills and areas of expertise include resume and cover letter writing, career and interview readiness coaching; creating dynamic 90-day business plans and thank you letters. She received two Master degrees in Business Administration and Accountancy from Rosemont College and the University of Phoenix.  Katrina is a certified professional resume writer and is an active member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches as well as the National Resume Writers Association of which she is a member. She is a contributor to the best-selling 50 Seeds of Greatness as well as the author of career related manuals including, Create an Interview Winning Résumé and The complete Interview Readiness Guide. For more information or to book Katrina visit www.ventureready.net, or email her atinfo@ventureready.net. 
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Creating a 30 60 90 Day Plan

A 30-60-90 day plan is a modest idea that has an influential impact in your interview with a hiring manager.  This information is an outline of what you intend to do in your first 3 months on the job.
VentureReady has used this outline of the first 90 days of service in a new position with clients in various industries (not just sales) and achieved phenomenal results.  Every client who have used this document has blown away the hiring manager and was hired for the position they were seeking.
A30-60-90-day plan will show the hiring manager that you have done your homework, analyzed the position, and thoughtfully considered how you can best serve the company in this particular position. Done right, the plan will be very impressive to a hiring manager. This kind of effort is the advantage you need to set you apart from other candidates and get you hired.
Every job has a period where you’re learning the company’s policies and procedures, getting up to speed on the projects and daily work you will be performing, and taking on assignments on your own to make noteworthy offerings to the organization.  A 30-60-90-day plan expounds on that, and shows what it will look like to have you in the position.
How you put together your plan will vary by whatever industry or career you are in, but all jobs will have a basic structure you’ll follow when you start. VentureReady can assist you with crafting this powerful tool for you arsenal that is sure to turn the interview in your favor.
A 30-60-90 day plan should include:
  • Introduction: An overview of what you would like to accomplish the first 90 days in the job.
  • First 30 days: During the first 30 days in the position, time is spent in training, meeting team members, learning the organization’s systems and its products and services, reviewing procedures and assigned accounts.
  • First 60 days: The next 30 days is spent studying best practices in the industry, setting goals for the next 30 days, meeting with the supervisor to gather feedback, building relationships with your colleagues, identifying potential mentors, reviewing the efficiency of company processes and procedures, visiting other departments and continuing to attend training.
  • First 90 days: The final 30 days will be spent obtaining feedback on new processes and procedures, implementing new strategies and procedures, and addressing the three strategic initiatives.
30-60-90 day plans take a while to put together so you don’t want to write it the day before the interview. Just like the rest of the documents you prepared for the interview process, you want the plan to be visually attractive to the eye and grammatically correct.
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How to Get Beyond the Gatekeepers While Job Hunting

Getting beyond the gatekeepers can be one of the most challenging for job-seekers. Gatekeepers can be those most obvious, such as administrative or personal assistants to the company’s hiring managers, department heads, and executives. But, gatekeepers can be those in less obvious roles as well, such as assistant managers, supervisors, engineers, and so on.   Your first thought might be that only those within some sort of support role serve as gatekeepers, yet directors and executives can be gatekeepers as well. Gatekeepers are merely those who put obstacles in front of you — demonstrated by dodging questions, failing to answer emails, and eventually pawning you off to someone else.
 
Gatekeepers are generally tasked to… Provide limited or no information to job-seekers.  Point every applicant down the same path for applying; Comply with company procedure pertaining to hiring practices   Sometimes, job-seekers get short-fused when having to deal with gatekeepers —unfortunately forgetting that gatekeepers are people, simply doing their jobs. 
 
Need to get beyond a gatekeeper? Try a technique that works for those in sales, such as initiating and subsequently striking a quick relationship with those on the other end of the line, so you’re not such a stranger whose only motive is to get more information. There are several resources to help you talk with people and subsequently build a relationship on the fly, including Christopher Gottschalk’s book,How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less.
 
Another technique is to ensure to sound “human”when on the phone. Sometimes, we get nervous when making important calls, making our voices crack, our brains misfire, and our overall personality to come off as mechanical. We have our notes in hand, but we read from them practically word for word, rather than using that material for nothing more than quick reference.
 
Don’t have a problem being a little tricky? Another not-so-great idea is to ask for the hiring manager by name, and then mention “he’s expecting my call.” Beware however. This recommendation can backfire, as seasoned gatekeepers are wise to these sneaky strategies. Gatekeepers are typically very good at what they do, and have become attuned to the tricks that job-seekers sometimes use.   Still can’t get by the gatekeeper? If no, you’re not alone. Getting beyond gatekeepers is rarely an easy task … if easy, everyone would be doing it, making gatekeepers unnecessary.  
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Returning to the Workforce

People leave the workplace under all kinds of circumstances, whether voluntary or not. Lay-offs, sicknesses, and motherhood are the most common reasons for taking time off from work. With the poor state of today’s economy, unemployment rates are surfacing at an all time high. Because the workplace changes over the years, being out of work for a while can mean a need for updated wardrobes, resumes, interviewing skills, and knowledge of what employers are looking for. Many of these issues evolve over time and by keeping up with the trends, candidates will successfully convey their interest in getting the job.The majority of people facing unemployment or getting back to work for the first time in months or even years are generally the population that were laid-off during the recession.

Diana Middleton of The Wall Street Journal states how “Starting any new job is hard, and coming back to work after a long layoff can be even harder. You have to re-establish a routine, refresh your skills and rebuild your confidence.” Keeping up with the current trends is imperative in making a successful comeback. Get back into the swing of things. Going back to work for the first time in months and in many cases, even years, can be an extremely intimidating and nerve-racking experience. This is especially true for the many people who got laid-off from their previous jobs and experienced months of unemployment. Returning to the workplace is, although an exciting time, very stressful for people who have gotten out of the “working routine.”

As Michael Luo of The New York Times suggests, “Interviews with more than a dozen people who were out of work at least a half-year during the recession and have now landed jobs found many adjusting to new realities. They include grappling with new found insecurities and scaled-back budgets; reshaped priorities and broken relationships. In some ways, it is equivalent to the lingering symptoms of post-traumatic stress.”In general, interviewing is only half the battle when making a return to the workplace.

Dealing with the implications of unemployment for months or years is one of the most difficult obstacles, especially mentally, when finally returning to work. People’s anxieties are extremely high when they face this type of a comeback. By making a routine of exercising, eating, and sleeping, newly employed people can get back on their feet both physically and mentally, which will lead to a better workplace performance. A successful transition. Being the “new person” in the office can be a stressful time. It is best to connect with people quickly in order to learn as much about the company as possible. This way, the transition from the unemployed world to the working one can be as rapid and worry-free as possible. This will reduce the stress and anxiety that may accompany starting a new job.

Overall, the key to getting back to work and feeling comfortable with this transition comes from establishing a routine and rebuilding poise. With this confidence, new employees will flourish.Reaction Search International is a leading executive search firm specializing in the placement of sales and marketing professionals throughout various industries within the United States and abroad.Article

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Boroff

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To get more tips on the subject matter, Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. for a workshop on Interview Readiness. You will learn techniques to make sure the interviewer can see your true personality and how you would be a great fit for their organization.
Click here to register!

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Tell Me About Yourself, Interview Strategies

Re-posted article from Resume to Referral  Original post date -February 14, 2013
I’ve seen professionals who not only can appear confident, but who ARE confident, very successful sales professionals for example, fall flat on their faces in interviews. It’s a very different ball game.
Many of the most skilled and successful professionals are victims here. I only reference sales professionals because they are the people likely to understand the dynamics of an interview for it is like the sales call. Unfortunately, even they may sometimes forget the basics of “selling”. So skilled they are that they forget the basics, and it is there, where the control in an interview is both gained and lost. When lost so are the “wits” of the so-called “confident and accomplished professionals” and they assume a more reactionary stance. Here are some tips for gaining more control in an interview that may help: Addressing the infamous “Tell me about yourself”.
“Tell me about yourself” may be the single-most important pitch moment you have and a favorite question that has befuddled many an unsuspecting candidate. Responses can range from strong to weak to irrelevant to fatal. Having a good response is as important as having a good tennis serve. There are several different types of responses. Two that are especially effective are the Specific Approach and the Overview Approach.
• Specific Approach allows you to identify specific, relevant aspects of your background
• Overview Approach is more of a summary of your background. The Overview is also used to keep you out of trouble when you are not certain of what the interviewer wants to hear.
With either approach, your response should be followed by a question that is intended to evoke anarrower question from the interviewer. That is, it forces him or her to ask a more specific question in line with your opening statement. Since I prefer to combine the two approaches, I have a model I advise folks to use.
A SIMPLE 4-STEP APPROACH
 
1. Prepare Bullet Phrases
Do your research and prepare four or five bullet phrases relevant to a business challenge or a market threat or potential opportunity that the target firm or industry faces. Each bullet should be no longer than 3-seconds and associated with action-oriented successfully completed tasks (“I started-up this”…“I developed and successfully executed that”…“I spearheaded something and brought it to something other”). The bullets should also touch on your positive attributes and personal characteristics – all combined, a big order I know. Here are some examples of words and phrases that have impact and can trigger interest:
• Ability to identify alternatives
• Results-oriented
• Successful business startups
• Led both large and small companies
• Decisive; easily cuts through non-essential information
• Put through major changes
• Ability to identify alternatives
• Good long-range strategic planner
2. Story-Telling
Prepare a 30- to 50-second story for each bullet using a “story-telling” technique I refer to as S.O.A.R.
S The Situation or circumstance in which you were involved
O The Opportunity that existed for, first, your organization and then you
A The Actions you took in face of the opportunity
R The Results of your action
Example: (S) The ownership of a physical therapy and sports medicine company recruited me to (O) lead, grow and concurrently stabilize a $4.7 million health systems company staffed by 85 professionals. (A) I developed and executed all business plans and opened new markets in industrial and corporate health promotion, (R) positioning the company for its very profitable $6.6 million sale, $2.5 million more than the ownership had anticipated.
Strong, well-articulated success concepts and persuasive examples of your successes using the S.O.A.R. technique are essential for securing a quality position.
3. Bullet Phrase Roll-Call
In the Interview: When asked “Tell me about yourself” begin with “As you can see from my resume my experience covers…” and then recap your resume for him/her (eg. “…covers the full breadth of starting up a business from developing a business plan to obtaining seed capital to acquiring plant and equipment to hiring staff) and quickly roll through your four or five specific 3-second bullet phrases
4. The “SOAR” Story
After rapidly firing off your bullets you can wrap-up with “on which of these would you like me to elaborate?” or, if you learned something that is important to your target firm, you may suggest one upon which you can expand, such as “would you like me address some of the specifics of my business start-up experience?”. I personally prefer to lay out the bullet phrases and let him/her choose thus giving the illusion that they are selecting the topic. BTW, I have yet to receive feedback of an Interviewer suggesting you talk about something other than one or more of the bullets that have been outlined. Now, once you have your marching instructions, the bullet phrase(s) on which s/he wants you to elaborate, you can provide your well-prepared corresponding SOAR story. Be prepared to keep it under 1 minute.
The combination of your resume, bullets phrases from relevant research and the “story technique” is a great method to address the infamous “Tell me about yourself”.
Hope this answers some questions.
Rob Taub, MBA, Credentialed Career Master, and successful businessperson is a 25-year veteran in the career consulting field, Principal at Job Search Corner, creator of the blog, “Job Searching with Rob”http://bit.ly/18wCkO and is a CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert and LivePerson’s Online Expert for Career Coaching http://www.liveperson.com/rob-taub
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To get more tips on the subject matter, Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. for a workshop on Interview Readiness.  You will learn techniques to make sure the interviewer can see your true personality and how you would be a great fit for their organization. 
Click here to register!
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Why use a Career Portfolio during an Interview?

I am an advocate for the use of career portfolios during an interview.  Career portfolios are useful for interviewees at all levels of their career.  This document showcases education, skills/accomplishments, volunteer work, and professional memberships.  It also helps organize a candidate’s thoughts during the interview.  It provides a polished presentation to the hiring manager, and shows him/her that the candidate took time and effort preparing for the interview.  A standard career portfolio will be about 20 pages and have:
  • A table of contents
  • A copy of your resume (which you should bring to the interview as a standard practice)
  • A break down of experience pertaining to the position
  • Education degrees/certifications or transcripts (if any)
  • Accomplishments or awards (professional and/or academic)
  • Samples of your work (professional or academic)
  • A 30/60/90 day work plan.
A career portfolio sets an interviewee apart from the crowd as most candidates will not have a presentation such as this in the interview.  It is a package that you leave with the interviewer so they can see your presentation as they review their notes of the interview.  It is also a guide for the interviewee to refer back to during the interview in order to refresh his/her memory of details that my be forgotten, if left to memory.  The 30/60/90 day plan shows the interviewer that you are serious about becoming a part of the team and will give them a picture of how you will use your skills, education and experience to help the organization reach its goals.
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To get more tips on the subject matter, Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. for a workshop on Interview Readiness.  You will learn techniques to make sure the interviewer can see your true personality and how you would be a great fit for their organization. 
Click here to register!
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Ace the Interview Before It Begins

Sweaty palms, a nervous twitch, parched lips, or words that just won’t come — does that sound familiar? No, you are not waiting to perform before an audience of 20,000 adoring fans! You are driving into the parking lot anticipating your upcoming interview for a new job. What is the key to minimizing your fear and feeling in control of the interview? Preparation and practice, practice, practice are key protocols to successful interviewing. Even the most seasoned professional develops a solid interview strategy and prepares adequately to avoid an interrogation by an untrained interviewer. Don’t make the mistake of comparing the “gift of gab” with well-honed interview skills. Remember… there is no such thing as an innocent question. You are being judged from the moment you walk in the door or speak on the telephone until the instant you are offered the job.
Focus research on each targeted company
Once you land an interview, research the targeted organization thoroughly. Focus completely on the company’s needs, not your own. Study the corporate website and read the Annual Report, executive bios, company mission statement, and other important information. Use the local library to learn more, stop in personally and ask for company brochures and other available marketing materials, and contact inside sources to learn about critical issues, concerns, or projects your targeted department might be facing. It’s critical to know as much or more about the company than the person who interviews you. It is shocking to learn that many job seekers are not completely sure what the company does when they arrive for an interview! This simple, return on investment interview strategy sets you apart from the crowd from the beginning.
Know your résumé inside out
Develop a core message based on value and capability and adjust that message to fit each company’s need. Know your résumé inside out and prepare several stories or examples to support every point listed. With a strong arsenal of examples, you can adjust rapidly to almost any interview question and quantify, build, or compare your answers to highlight your best skills and accomplishments. In preparation, think of questions you will probably be asked and prepare solid answers based on thebenefits you will bring to the organization. Identify questions you do NOT want to be asked, and prepare a strategy to address each question with a positive, confident response. Finally, define a response to “Tell me about yourself” based on your skills and achievements that match the needs of the company. This is your 90-second commercial that sets the tone for the interview. Practice with a family member or friend until you sound natural, positive, and comfortable.
“Good hours, excellent pay, fun place to work, paid training, mean boss. Oh well, four out of five isn’t bad!”


Help Wanted Ad, PA newspaper, 1994

You are interviewing the company for a good “fit” as much as they are interviewing you. Research five to six intelligent questions to ask the interviewer — never about vacation, wages, or benefits. You will only use a few good questions, but prepare adequately in case some are covered during the interview.
For an in-person meeting, take a dry run simulating interview day traffic and plan on arriving approximately 10 minutes early. Have your interview clothes dry cleaned (sealed in a bag if you smoke) and your shoes polished. If you are unsure about appropriate attire for the interview, drive to the company parking lot and watch how employees are dressed as they arrive for work. Or make a simple phone call and ask the receptionist for advice.
In closing, remember, there is always a market for “A” players, but people often hire for passion (attitude) and train for skills. Show enthusiasm, give concrete examples of your achievements, and present a positive attitude. Ace YOUR next interview before it begins!
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To get more tips on the subject matter, Join us on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. for a workshop on Interview Readiness.  You will learn techniques to make sure the interviewer can see your true personality and how you would be a great fit for their organization. 
Click here to register!
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Resume Types

Many people do not realize that there are different resume styles. There are three different resume styles Chronological, Functional and Combination. It is very important to identify which style will best showcase your skills. In this post we will review the benefits of using each style.
Chronological Resume – This is the typical style that most people use.  This might not be a good choice for some on who has gaps in employment history, have moved frequently to various companies, or someone who is moving to a new industry.
Choose this style if you have:
  • consistent work history that is related to your employment goal
  • recent employer was very prestigious and you want to showcase their name to impress
  • continuously increased your level of responsibility through the jobs you worked ie., you began as a accounting clerk, then became staff accountant, then accounting manager
Functional Resume – Also referred to as a skills profile, this style allows you to focus more on your skill sets. It allows you to choose which skill categories you want to emphasize and showcase. Choose this style if you want to:
  • Focus on a selected area of accomplishment/experience
  • Camouflage gaps in work history or helps downplay areas you do not want to emphasize
  • Highlight experience gained from one or two employers you have been loyal to for many years
  • If you are changing careers and want to present recent training/education more so than employment history
Combination Resume – This type of resume combines characteristics of both the chronological and functional resumes. It is easily adaptable and you can format your information according to your specific situation.
As a client with VentureReady LLC, we can review which resume style best fits your situation.
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If you want to learn more on resume writing. Join us on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. for a teleseminar on The Resume Checklist.  This checklist will ensure that you have everything you need for an “interview winning resume”.  This teleseminar is geared to individuals who have written their resume. Click here to register!
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7 Secrets to Making Recruiters Find You

The best recruiters out there pride themselves on being able to find you, not the other way around. So what if they haven’t called yet? Instead of calling them and coming across as desperate, do your best to get on their radar by following these 7 tips.

1. Get Active on LinkedIn

Here’s a surprise: recruiters use LinkedIn more than emails. In fact they probably click on the LinkedIn site about a hundred times per day minimum. So just by being on LinkedIn you’ll be able to be found by recruiters. Make sure you use the right keywords on your profile, get active in Groups and Events and you’ll be targeted very quickly.

2. Get Active on Twitter

Recruiters love Twitter as they can spray out their new roles to the market. Finding job opportunities onTwitter is very swift and takes very little effort. Follow the recruiters you know have the positions you want, by searching for your skill + recruiter + your location. Start adding value to them by doing some retweeting of their tweets, help them out with potential referrals etc. Before you know it, they will check out your online bio and see if you are keen on a new position as well. This requires you to have an employee friendly Twitter profile, clearly stating what you do and a link to your online bio somewhere.

3. Write and get read

Everyone likes to write but very few get round to it and publish anything. With the advances of technology, it’s never been easier to reach out so embrace this to the fullest. You can write an article in your favorite industry periodical, a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, a post on your company blog or your own blog. The key here is to write something that will get read by the right people (in this case recruiters). Ensure that you are credited with your name, title and company at the end of your piece to make it easy for the recruiter to look you up.

4. Speak and get heard

Next time you go to an industry event, try to secure a speaking slot either as giving a speech or just participating in an open forum, whatever it takes to get listed in the event’s directory. Recruiters are known to sneak in to these functions and to make contact with prolific people in the industry; public speaking is a brilliant way of being included on the hit list.

5. Get Referred

Being referred by an authority in your industry is a great endorsement for you. Even if you are not exactly what the recruiter is looking for, they will be interested in you have come recommended by somebody they respect. It’s easier than you think to get referred as recruiters pester their candidates asking for referrals all the time. If you make it known to the right people that you are looking around, they will be very happy to tell the recruiter as it gives them future kudos. To make yourself seem more sought after, pretend that the referral was made without your knowledge and you “weren’t actively looking for job, but will listen to what they have to offer”.

6. Online Resume

This is an optional one and not exactly a secret. Some would say don’t list yourself or upload your resume with online job sites like Monster, as you may come across as desperate. Other will say it’s the quickest way to get found. If you do it, be prepared to be bombarded with calls and emails from myriads of recruiters scouring online resources every day. To avoid irrelevant job offers, a good tip is to get the right keywords in your resume as it will be indexed and searched. And do activate the anonymous name and contact details setting allowing you to respond only to the relevant enquires.

7. Recruit Internally

Get yourself involved in the internal recruitment at your company. You will be working with HR and they will introduce you to the recruitment partners they use. This is very sensitive for the search partner but if you send out the right signals, sooner or later the recruiter will probe you on your career. Sometimes they can actually help you direct; sometimes it will have to be more indirect (involving a 3rd party) due to legal implications. The point is that once one recruiter knows and rates you, they will be able to help you in one way or another. Recruiting internally is also very useful to for understanding exactly how recruiters operate and how the HR hiring process works in general.
That’s it! You might also want to cast a glance at 5 Tricks Recruiters Use to Find You.
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