What Career is Right for You? Courtesy of Our Friends at Rasmussen College

Thank you to our friends at Rasmussen College for providing us with an interactive chart based on the latest BLS outlook data. The chart is a career finder tool that provides viewers with what occupations are "worth choosing" based on potential salary, competition, and market scalability. You must click on the image to engage the interactive version. We hope you find this tool useful as part of your research activities. 

Click image to open interactive version (via Rasmussen College).

Résumé Help: Tell Us Why We Should Hire YOU

When I first scanned this résumé, I thought that the formatting was the biggest issue.  (We’ll address that in a separate blog post.)  After I got past the formatting issues, I read the résumé carefully.  The candidate did a poor job of showcasing her unique value.  She included a couple of strong facts.  The rest was very mundane and vague.  It does not show me how she performed better and how she did it.  The two good points she provided were lost in the sea of mediocrity. What a shame!  When I interviewed this candidate and began to ask a few questions, I found that she is a winner.

Does this blog post sound familiar?  That’s because this is one of the top three résumé mistakes.  The mistake is wasting space on routine job functions and not showing how you are better. Leaving major accomplishments off of your resume is letting money slip through your fingers.  Hiring managers are not looking to hire the adequate candidate who can just get the job done.  They want the “exceptionally-talented, revenue-building, problem-solving, money-saving” candidate. If you are not going to take the time to show your remarkable accomplishments, don’t worry.  There is another candidate who will and that candidate will get the interview.

Read through today’s example and you will see the original statement and my comment bubble with the questions to ask to dig up an accomplishment.  Now take a look at your résumé.   Have you dug as deep as you can to feature major accomplishments?   Revamping your résumé to show why an employer should hire you will boost your interview request rate.  If you would like to read more about this subject, click on the links below. If you have a question about your résumé, contact me.  I would be happy to review your résumé.

Résumé Help:  What Value Do You Bring?

Résumé Help:  Categorizing Skills and Achievements

Why Is Your Professional Brand the Best?

Three Signs That You Are on the Job Search Ferris Wheel

Have you lost control of your job search?   Are you stuck on a Ferris wheel, going round and round, and not getting anywhere?   If you have been searching for months without a job offer, it is time to evaluate your job search strategy and performance.  Either you are not doing something that you should be doing, or you are not conveying the information in an appropriate manner.  Let’s look at the top three signs that indicate you are in need of some job search revamping.

Sign #1:  Interviews…No Offers

If your interviews are dead-ends, it is time to examine why things are going wrong.  First cover the interview basics, including appearance, grooming, on-time arrival, a firm handshake, and other courtesies.  Beyond the first impression, examine what you are saying.  Don’t fall into the trap of saying something negative about your past employers, clients, or peers. Take note of the questions asked and how you responded following each interview.  An interview journal can be an effective way to scrutinize your interview.  These are the most common reasons why a candidate does not advance after an interview. Consider the following: 

• You did not sell your value.  Did you present your background and achievements in a way that complements the company and its requirements? Did you showcase how your past performance will be indicative of future success? Examples are key when marketing your skills and background.
• Your interviewing skills are poor.  Many people feel they are an excellent at interviewing.  If you are feeling that you are ‘always the bridesmaid but never the bride,’ consider consulting a professional interviewing coach for one or more sessions to improve your skills.  At minimum, practice interviewing with a peer who is willing and able to give you candid feedback.
• You are not connecting with the interviewer or you are annoying the interviewer. As embarrassing as it is, the sooner you know what annoying trait you are exhibiting, the sooner you can correct it.  Recruiters and interview coaches are excellent sources for this type of feedback.

Sign #2:  Lots of Leads…No Interviews

Don’t blame lack of response from your résumé on the condition of the job market. Instead, take control of your job search by analyzing your résumé to ensure it is a powerful calling card.  It could be as simple as a formatting issue.  Some formats are not readable for résumé scanning software. Follow this link to be sure your résumé is formatted properly.  Review the content. Is it results focused? Does it showcase how your background meets the needs of the role for which you are applying?  Perhaps you are showing too much history (going back more than 15 years).  Another common error is not highlighting your top accomplishments.  Invest the time and resources to be sure your résumé is outstanding. If you are considering hiring a professional résumé writer, click on this link for tips to ensure you hire a genuine expert. 

Sign #3: Nothing in the Pipeline

If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you know that networking is a critical way to get your next opportunity.  Networking online and in the real world is essential to generating leads in your job search pipeline.  If you are actively networking, yet you are not gaining traction, your story may be ambiguous or unattractive. Craft a concise, compelling, understandable story. The story must support your goal and should be in sync with your social media profiles, your résumé, and cover letters.

The bottom line is that your job search strategy must be balanced and every component of your strategy must be flawlessly-executed.  Get off the Ferris wheel and take control of your job search.  Examine all aspects of your job search so you can diagnose and correct your issues.  If you would like assistance, contact me.  Every day I help people repair and revitalize their job search, resulting in career success.