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Resume Writing 101-23

July 23rd, 2008 by Martin Buckland

Whatever you decide to write in your resume be sure it is the truth! No fabrications, no inventions and as appealing as it may sound, don’t exaggerate!

There are many examples of ruined reputations, lost jobs and interviews cut short for those who erred on the side of dishonesty or embellishment. Last year a high profile professional was forced to resign after it was discovered she had lied about her qualifications 28 years prior.

Recently, a potential client sent a resume to me for a free critique and when asked to ellaborate on the many languages she was fluent in, as noted on her resume, she hedged and dodged and finally admitted that one language was English and the other Arabic. To justify her claims on her resume she insisted she had some knowledge of French and Spanish as well. Most people are able to extend greetings in a number of languages but if you are going to write on your resume that you are fluent in a number of languages you had better be able to back that up! I know hiring professionals who are fluent in many languages and are happy to take the opportunity based on information in resumes to choose a language and then cut the job interview short when they discover the potential candidate’s lack of fluency.

Regardless of what the indiscretion is when writing your resume; leaving out a positon, exaggerating talents, embellishing accomplishements or adding false qualifications, you are at risk of tarnishing your reputation and/or losing your job. Maybe not today but there’s always tomorrow. So stay with the facts and above all, the truth.

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Cover Letter Survey

July 22nd, 2008 by Martin Buckland

One of my recent posts, “You Need a Cover Letter!” was based on personal experience and knowledge. If you had any doubts of the importance of a cover letter or are one of many job seekers who believe a formal cover letter is no longer neccessary, read on.

A new study conducted by an independent research firm and developed by OfficeTeam shows 93% of senior executives feel that a cover letter is valuable when evaluating prospective job candidates.

Dave Willmer, executive director of OfficeTeam said, “Submitting a resume without a cover letter is like not shaking hands when meeting someone for the first time.” “Those who aren’t including cover letters with their resume are missing an opportunity to make a good first impression and set themselves apart from other job applicants.”

A meeting without a greeting, a bagel without cream cheese, a roller coaster without an incline, prime rib without horseradish, a shirt without trousers, salt without pepper, a resume without a cover letter? It’s just not right!

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Famous Quotes - Career, Success and Choices

July 20th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

“I’ve been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had a career.”
– Martina Navratilova

“Don’t drive people working under you; inspire them.” - J. Donald Walters

“The decisions you make about your work life are especially important, since most people spend more of their waking lives working than doing anything else. Your choices will affect, not only yourself and those closest to you, but in some way the whole world.” - Laurence G.

“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” — Mohandas Gandhi

“I’m old enough to know my limitations and young enough to exceed them.” — Marv Levy (Upon coming out of retirement at 80 to manage the Buffalo Bills)

“I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can’t be done.”
— Herny Ford

“Talent is only the starting point.” — Irving Berlin

“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the positon that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.” —Booker T. Washington

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Resume Writing 101-22

July 18th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

About.com offers plenty of information on writing resumes. A recent article on ”How Not To Write a Resume”, written by Laura Schneider, About.com includes a list of the top “pet peeves” according to a recent poll of technical recruiters and hiring managers. Here are just a few examples of the things they don’t want to see in a resume:

A listing of personal interests and activities.

Resumes that are too long. Most seem to feel that general descriptions pertaining to work history for the last 10 years is sufficient.

Having no contact information or including a phone number that is no longer valid.

Sending a resume attachment named 41808res.doc - use your name or a descriptive title.

Photos on resumes (this is a cultural preference).

When a candidate’s email address is not appropriate for the work environment. Example: BigFoxyMama@.com!

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Future Trends in the Workplace

July 17th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

Emerging Technology, globalization and demographic changes continue to have a significant impact on our workplace.

In a recent article in the Baltimore Sun, John A. Challenger, chief executive of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago outplacement firm identifies some workplace trends of the future that could transform office culture. He begins by saying, “Teleconferencing could end business travel.” Audio, video and Web conferencing continues to grow significantly as these tools become less expensive and more available. Soaring energy costs will also have an impact on reducing business travel and the potential for increased productivity with less time spent travelling.

“No health benefits.” Not a surprise to anyone. On a positive note, employers are introducing health and fitness programs.

“A four day work week in the office becomes standard.” It will help in dealing with soaring gas prices and who doesn’t want a three day weekend?

“Globalization will lead to an exodus of specialized workers to job-rich areas.” Not to mention the effects of skills and talent shortages.

Challenger goes on to forecast further trends including, the evolution of cubicle life to open spaces and common areas, free agents representing 40% of the U.S. work force by 2012 and no more corporate offices. The emerging workplace flexibility and the need for companies to save costs on real estate are key factors.

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Little Evidence of 2000 Bell Canada Managers Online

July 16th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

According to a Financial Post article, BCE insiders say more than 2,000 people out of approximately 15,000 managers will lose their jobs during a “100-day plan” unveiled by new chief executive George Cope, to change the public image of BCE’s main unit, Bell Canada.

Despite this announcement, I am surprised to see, or I should say, not to see, any increase in online activity from Bell Canada Managers, who had to have seen the writing on the wall long ago.

Whether the inactivity is related to the highly publicized skills shortage or the anticipation of a lucrative severence package, these managers do not appear to be concerned about online networking to secure new positions. It is possibile that networking is being done in person rather than online but should there be any doubt of the significance of networking, I am sharing an excerpt from ExecuNet’s Executive Insider newsletter;

“NETWORKING is undoubtedly the best method for identifying career options, as 70 percent of the senior-level executives we’ve surveyed credit this activity for their success, and more than half of corporate and search firm recruiters reportedly find candidates this way.” Robyn Greenspan, Editor in Chief, ExecuNet.

As a Professional Certified Resume Writer and Career Coach I would be happy to provide a free resume critique and share my “networking” expertise with you.

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Resume Writing 101-21

July 15th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

When writing your resume you must focus on what a Hiring Professional is looking for. The most powerful language you can use in your resume are action verbs to describe your accomplishments. You must take action to go beyond “assigned duties and responsibilities”. Highlight your detailed accomplishments with action verbs and quantify to prove your ability to increase profits or eliminate problems and you will get the attention of the hiring professional.

Everyone has a history of responsibilities but it is your accomplishments that will set you apart from the competition. Instead of, ”Responsible for product sales”, try, “Re-engineered operations enterprise-wide to net over $1 million in additonal profits” or “Achieved a nationally unprecedented 50 persent increase for product placed in field”.

Here are some further examples of accomplishments;
“Directed Chamber of Commerce membership drive that yielded a record 125 new members in a 24-hour period.”
“Introduced and implemented inventory software reducing costs of physical inventory counts by 50%.”
“Created marketing strategies to address fluctuating market conditions during critical economic period and led company campaign increases peaking at as much as 153%.”

Everyone has responsibilities but not everyone has been successful in carrying out those responsibilities and some have not presented their accomplishments effectively in their resume. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, I offer a free critique of your resume. Find out before you send out your resume if you have a resume that sells!

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Work and Family

July 14th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

Managing the work-family conflict by Judith Maxwell, and published in the Globe and Mail adds to the thousands of blogs and articles verifying the ever increasing acknowledgement of the importance of a healthy balance between work and family. And I continue to follow up further to previous blogs, “Employee’s looking for work life balance” and “Bummed out at work?”

Barack Obama recently said, “We need families to raise our children. Only families can set the standard of exellence, pass along the value of empathy, and give the gift of hope - hope that something better is waiting for us if we’re willing to work hard for it.”

Our government, our employers and our society as a whole must be committed to supporting men and women to be the best they can be in the world of work and in the home. The cost both financially and psychologically is too great to ignore! If the number of positive initiatives currently underway prove to be successful, we will eventually eliminate the serious conflict between work and family and establish a healthy balance between work and family.

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First Impressions

July 11th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

We have all heard it so many times before but it is a reminder that needs to be said again and again, ”You do not get a second chance to make a good first impression”! Your look, your information, your voice, your words; everything you say and do creates an impression and if you want the job you better do whatever is necessary to create a positive and professional impression!

What is your impression if someone…….

…sends you documentation expecting a response but neglects to include their email address or phone number?

…leaves you a voice mail including a phone number but you’ve listened to it ten times and still can’t understand it?

…enters the room you are in and their perfume or cologne is so overpowering that you have to leave?

…has so many tatoos and body piercings that you can’t help but stare?

…walks into a job interview unshaven and in casual attire when applying for an executive position?

…shakes your hand with with a very limp handshake?

…reeks of booze and cigarettes?

…enters into a conversation with you but never looks you in the eye?

…spends most of your meeting preoccupied with their Blackberry?

…is comfortable engaging in foul language on your first introduction?

…sends you a letter and your name is spelled wrong?

First impressions are lasting impressions! Get it right the first time because, “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression”!

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Resume Writing 101-20

July 10th, 2008 by Martin Buckland

The Purpose of your Resume, is to entice the reader and inspire them to call you for an interview. Savvy job seekers will pay attention to what, as well as who, is reading their resume, understanding that there is a high probabliity that it will be electronically scanned.

Your resume is not simply a list of your past positions and if you want to be noticed, attention must be given to language, style and tone. Use crisp, succinct and direct language avoiding poetic, bureaucratic, vernacular and academic terms that often tend to turn off readers.

Use the first person, but do not refer to yourself as “I” or “the author”. Always use action verbs and parallel sentence structure. Do not use introductory and wind-up phrases like, “My duties included…” or “Position description reads as follows…”.

If you want to increase your probablility of being “electronically acceptable” to employers, you need to pay particular attention the the specific language you select for your resume. When scanning resumes electronically, employers select certain keywords. Are those keywords in your resume?

As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, I have the expertise to assist you in creating a resume that is favourably recognized by both Hiring Professionals and resume scanning software. Please do not hesitate to call for a free critique.