Careerdaze

Turn Your Experiences into Soundbites

2007-05-21T06:57:00.000-05:00

Why go into an interview situation unprepared?

Have you had numerous interviews but no offers? Do you find it difficult to sell yourself in an interview?

This is YOUR CHANCE to hear EXACTLY HOW to answer questions in a POWERFUL way. You'll hear me talk about:

1. A specific step-by-step approach to developing anwers for interview questions.
2. The keys to making the most of your answers - the must haves.
3. How to gain the most points with the interviewer.

Turn Your Experience into Soundbites Teleclass

I'll show you an easy five-step method for preparing answers to interview questions so you can breeze your way through an interview with flair and style. No more embarrassing pauses while you try to think of something to say.
My upcoming teleclass will be an hour of powerful information that can truly impact your life!

For a small investment of $45, you will gain confidence in yourself and be able to take control of your career!

EVENT DAY & TIME

Wednesday, MAY 30, 2007
4 pm EDT, 3pm CDT, 2pm MDT, and 1pm PDT

SIGN UP NOW

* If you are not able to attend this class, don't despair! We will be recording it and sending out the MP3 file to all those who are registered!

SIGN UP NOW - DON'T DELAY - LIMITED SEATING

What Sports Car Are You?

2006-05-15T13:02:00.000-05:00

This is just for fun! I took an on-line quiz to see which sports car I am. Mine came back a Ferrari 360 Modena: You've got it all. Power, passion, precision, and style. You're sensuous, exotic, and temperamental. Sure, you're expensive and high-maintenance, but you're worth it.

I don't know if I would call myself "high maintenance" .....but I'm sure that my husband would go along with the "expensive" attribute.

Go ahead and try it out. It only takes a minute or two! Sports Car Quiz

BE PREPARED

2006-02-08T19:22:00.000-06:00

I've been working with a few of my favorite clinets lately, the ones who contact me about every 12 months or so to update their resume. They aren't my favorite because they pay me once a year. I love them because they are taking care of themselves. They are always "prepared."

If someone asked you today for your resume, could you send it right away? One client in particular has been promoted from a basic sales position to National Sales Director in just two and half years! Part of his success is that he is ready with his resume when an opportunity comes along.

I have had clients come to me after working with a company for 15 years -- and they haven't updated their resume in that same amount of time. Of course, they're always in a hurry--gotta have it tomorrow. They have to scramble to find the right information, and some of it can't be found. Plus, many people don't remember what they had for breakfast let alone what accomplishments they had on the job a few years back.

Besides being prepared for possibilities, here are some other benefits to an updated resume:

A current record of your accomplishments
Self esteem builder to see what you've done
Use it to ask for a raise
Great tool for preparing for your performance appraisal

As for my "prepared" clients, they'll reap another reward. When it comes time to do a total resume upgrade, the investment will be much smaller since so much of the information is already there!

For more information about resume upgrades click here

Top Jobs for 2006

2006-02-07T13:12:00.000-06:00

Fast Company has released its listing of top jobs for this year for business and professional occupations and those in creative fields (creative: those that are passionate, playful, and high performers).

The survey reflects both the Bureau of Labor Statistics data and job-growth data through 2014. Fast Company's methodology also revealed a number of appealing jobs in other burgeoning fields, which were included in their list of top jobs.

Additionally, in the next decade, "about three of very ten new jobs created in the U.S. economy will be in either the healthcare and social assistance or private educational services sectors," as the baby boomers retire, get older, and need medical services.

Fast Company's top 25 jobs for 2006 are:
Lawyer
Personal financial advisor
Sales manager
Management analyst
Computer and information systems manager
Financial manager
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent
Marketing manager Computer software engineer
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative
Chiropractor
Postsecondary education administrator
Medical scientist
Market research analyst
Dentist
Medical and health services manager
Producers and directors
Financial analyst
Engineering manager
Advertising and promotions manager
Compensation and benefits manager
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologist
Real estate sales agent
Training and development manager
Public relations manager

Source: http://fastcompany.com/articles/2006/01/top-jobs-main.html

Values and Career Choices

2006-01-27T12:09:00.000-06:00

Each generation seems to have different motivators for work/career choices. My father's generation looked for stability - get a job and stay with that company for 40 years, retire and get the gold watch.

Then we moved into a money motivated society, and then the money and benefits era. Not only did we want the money but we wanted lots of benefits. We went from vacation and health care benefits to life insurance, childcare, disability insurance, petcare, concierge services. Those extra benefits came at a price - instead of the traditional 40 hour work week, salaried employees found themselves working more hours and taking work home too.

The new generation of workers is saying HOLD ON! NO MORE of this! They want a balance of life and work AND in that order.

Research has shown that some will take a lower salary in order to have that balance. The new generation wants their careers to match their values.

I say, BRAVO for that! As I coach my clients and work with them through the personal branding process, one of the first steps is to determine their values. I have found through the years that when someone is unhappy in their job, most of the time it is because there is a value that is not being met.

A benefit of completing the personal branding process is that the employee will be able to identify their strengths and their values and then match that to an employer's value system. This synchronization will lead to a more meaningful culture and each person's role and contribution will take on a new importance. The end result is happier employees who want to stay.

Have You Been Googled?

2006-01-05T11:12:00.000-06:00

Have you googled yourself lately? If you can be found, is the information something that you would want a future employer to read?

How can you get relevant, updated material about yourself on the web? Let me introduce you to Ziggs. Ziggs is a "search for professionals" site. You can register for free and input the information you want. Go to their site and find me!

Googling an applicant is a standard procedure used by executives and hiring managers. The Ziggs profile is a great tool to use to get positive exposure on the web. Try it!

If you need help in developing the right content, contact me

NEW YEAR - "BRAND" NEW YOU!

2006-01-01T08:13:00.000-06:00

What is it?

+ Personal branding is a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special. It’s understanding your unique attributes and using them to differentiate from your competition. It’s your “unique promise of value.” Learn to capitalize on your strengths.
+ Successful personal brands are authentic. They are not created. They are uncovered, strengthened, and nurtured.

Who is it for?
+ It is for professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone who wants to achieve great success.

Why personal branding?
+ It enables you to expand your success and to differentiate yourself from others.

Benefits include:
+Understanding yourself better
+ Increasing your confidence
+ Enhancing your visibility and presence
+ Creating a clear focus for your business or career
+ Boosting your revenue, increasing your fees
+ Thriving during economic downturns
+ Expanding into new business areas
+ Ultimately reaching your goals

What is the process?

+ Work at your own pace through 16 computer modules
+ Complete exercises provided in a workbook
+ Brainstorm through group coaching sessions
+ For more information or to sign up

Go Brand Yourself

2005-12-12T09:03:00.000-06:00

Personal Branding is becoming an essential element in career management today. Corporations have branded their goods and services for years. Now employees, entrepreneurs, and individuals are going through the branding process in order to communicate what makes them different and special. A brand is a unique promise of value. You use your brand to achieve your goals while being true to yourself.

Personal branding is not just a logo or a tag line. It is about being authentic. Personal brands are not created, they are unearthed and evolve. You use your values, passions and strengths to uncover your brand identity.

Visualize Mother Theresa. If you ask anyone in this world who she was you will hear words like: humble, selfless, giving, caring, etc. Now, picture her wearing a fine silk suit and Italian gold jewelry. That vision doesn’t fit her brand. She lived and breathed her brand and she was successful—not wealthy, but successful. She was known the world over and had audiences with heads of state.

Take Madonna—her brand is about change and shock value. You know that each time she comes out with a new CD it will be different than any other she has made. Each of her books is about completely different subjects. She also lives and breathes her brand.

What does a successful personal brand do for you? You will understand yourself better, increase your confidence, create a clear focus for your career, and enhance your presence so that others will understand you.

Want to know more? Contact me about a special offer to unearth your personal brand valid until December 30.

PLANTING SEEDS

2005-12-02T11:41:00.000-06:00

The holiday season is full of giving – it is a festive time that brings out one’s charitable self. This is the time to plant seeds so you can harvest them in January!

1. Executives and managers tend to travel less. They may have more time to talk with you.
2. The holiday spirit prevails – more courtesy and charity. People tend to be more receptive to inquiries during this time. It’s easier to get past the “gatekeepers.”
3. Corporate budgets are generally being tweaked in November and December. There might be some wiggle room for a new position or a raise.

Here are 4 tips for planting career seeds during the holidays:

1. Stay sober at company parties. Don’t be a bore, but DO make pitches about yourself.
2. Ask your friends to invite you to their company parties.
3. Attend your friends and neighbors’ holiday parties with the intent to make a connection.
4. Listen to conversations. Most tend to center around people’s work, so take advantage of the situation. Discretely exchange business cards and then don’t forget to follow up!

The Gender Factor

2005-11-21T07:15:00.000-06:00

Interesting Trends in Professions for Men: A recent article in Human Resource Executive® Magazine noted some interesting stats on non-traditional professions for men:

For instance, there were about 9,000 male nutritionists in the United States in 2002, up from 7,000 in 2000, and they accounted for a larger percentage of the total--89.3 percent. Similarly, the number of male switchboard operators was also 9,000 in 2004, up from 7,000 four years earlier. They accounted for nearly 14 percent of the total, up from 10 percent of all operators in 2002.

Another burgeoning line of work for men is the position of paralegal or legal assistant. Men accounted for 44,000 in 2002, up from 33,000 in 2000. As a result, they accounted for 13.7 percent of all paralegals three years ago, up from 11.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of male nurses increased to 193,000 as of last year, or roughly 7.8 percent of all registered nurses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Looking back still further, the number of men who taught nursery school and kindergarten reached 15,000 in 2002, up from 6,000 in 1983. And the number of male librarians increased from 24,000, or 12.4 percent of all librarians, in 1983, to 38,000, or 18.3 percent of the total three years ago.

Source: Human Resource Executive® Magazine

Are you in a non-traditional career? Send feedback!

Battle of the Sexes Redux

2005-10-24T06:53:00.000-05:00

A new study by the Harvard Business Review of over 3,000 executives, about three-quarters of them women, puts gender differences in stark light. The survey suggests that highly qualified women are significantly less ambitious than their male counterparts and that women are much more likely to leave jobs for family reasons than men are.

"The bottom line is men and women are different," said Carolyn Buck Luce, a partner at Ernst & Young and a co-author of the report. In some areas, the study seems to confirm controversial statements made last month by Harvard President Lawrence Summers in which he hypothesized that women may lack "innate" abilities in some scientific disciplines. But the authors of the study say those comments don't track from their research. They contend that perceived shortcomings of women have more to do with the structure of the workplace than women themselves.

What do you think?

Read more online: Boston Herald: http://tinyurl.com/bxerd

Salary Increases

2005-10-17T06:41:00.000-05:00

Salary Increases Help Companies Hold On To Top Performers: Hewitt Associates surveyed 1,056 large organizations throughout the U.S. and found that employers were offering salary increases for salaried exempt employees to help retain top performers:

Atlanta: 3.6 percent increase
Boston: 3.6 percent increase
Chicago: 3.6 percent increase
Dallas: 3.7 percent increase
Denver: 3.7 percent increase
Houston: 3.9 percent increase
Los Angeles: 4.3 percent increase
Milwaukee: 3.6 percent increase
Minneapolis/St. Paul: 3.6 percent increase
New York: 3.7 percent increase
Philadelphia: 3.7 percent increase
San Francisco: 4.0 percent increase
Washington, D.C.: 3.9 percent increase

Source: Workforce Recruiting Newsletter

College Grads and Career Choices

2005-10-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

I’ve had the chance to work with several new college graduates lately. A common thread among them is that they can’t articulate what their strengths are and what makes them unique – in other words, their value to the employer.

Even more concerning is that so many college grads don’t really know what they want to do – or if they know what they want to do, they don’t have a clue how to get there!

If you have are in college, or the parent of a college student, NOW is the time to do some work on yourself. Here are some suggested steps:

1. Personal Branding – go through the process so that you know your strengths and how others perceive you.
2. Co-op or intern in your chosen profession – before you’re a senior
3. Conduct field research interviews with people in your chosen profession. Ask them about their average day, their favorite part of the job, their least favorite part of the job.
4. Have a back-up plan – especially if your primary plan involves an advanced degree or if your career field is difficult to get into.

New Job Stats

2005-10-10T07:38:00.000-05:00

Why New Hires Fail
In a study by Leadership IQ of why new hires fail in the first 18 months on the job, results showed that one-in-two (46%) will fail and only one-in-five (19%) will achieve undisputable success.
Why do they fail? The reasons covered almost everything except their skill to do the job. Here are some of the statistics from the survey:

26% didn't have the ability to accept and implement feedback from bosses, colleagues, customers and others - (personal branding is a remedy for this).
23% were unable to understand and manage their own emotions, and accurately interpret others' emotions
17% lacked sufficient motivation to achieve their full potential and excel in the job* 15% had the wrong attitude and personality for the particular job and work environment
11% had insufficient functional or technical skills required to do the job

The real kicker was that in follow up interviews with hiring managers, an unexpected 82% said that, in hindsight, clues to such problems were uncovered during the employment interview. What caused managers to hire these candidates anyway? Two reasons cited were being too distracted by other matters or too pressed for time to pay attention during the interview.

Source: http://www.leadershipiq.com/news_whynewshiresfail.html

Personal Branding

2005-07-26T14:21:00.000-05:00

I am happy to say that I have completed the coursework and am in the final stages of becoming a Personal Brand Strategist. Unearthing your personal brand is one of the most powerful ways to achieve your career goals and dreams.

Want to find out more about personal branding? Contact me and I'll send information on our upcoming programs!

Career Talk

2005-07-25T06:02:00.000-05:00

The latest lingo: "Zero Drag" refers to a candidate or employee who has no children or obligations and can receive email 24/7 or work unlimited hours (in other words, someone without a life beyond work). Not a pretty thought!

WORDS

2005-07-11T07:35:00.000-05:00

WordSpy: http://www.wordspy.com/ - This Web site is devoted to lexpionage, the sleuthing of new words and phrases. These aren't "stunt words" or "sniglets," but new terms that have appeared multiple times in newspapers, magazines, books, Web sites, and other recorded sources. Here, you'll find entries such as:

career coach (kuh.REER koch) n. A guide or advisor who helps to plan and manage a person's career. Ckeck out my site: www.resumesuite.com

13th generation n. The generation born between 1961 and 1981, so-called because they are identified as the 13th generation since the founding of the United States. Also: 13th Gen, 13er.

404 (fohr.oh.fohr) adj. Relating to a person who is out of touch or clueless (from the Web server error message: 404 Not Found. The requested URL was not found on this server.)

meatloaf (MEET.lohf) n. Forwarded messages, jokes, lists, and other unsolicited noncommercial email messages sent by an individual to a large number of people.

Career Management

2005-07-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

It seems "interesting" to me that most people spend more time planning their vacation than planning their careers. The average family will spend $2274. on their vacation this year.

Yet, they will balk at spending less than that on career management coaching or their job search--in order to have a job they love so they can take that well-deserved vacation!

Think about this while you're sitting on the beach pondering a career move this year! And when you return, check out www.resumesuite.com to see what we can do for you.

Hiring Stats

2005-06-29T17:40:00.000-05:00

Hiring Trends for Quarter 2 in 2005: Hiring activity is expected to peak at 27% in the second quarter, according to the Spring 2005 "Hands on Research" report by CareerBuilder.com. The top industries for new jobs are:

+ Healthcare
+ Retail
+ Sales
+ Accounting/Finance
+ Information Technology

The report goes on to say that:

+ 31% of hiring managers report difficulties finding qualified candidates, especially those with specialized skill sets.
+ 30% of hiring managers plan to seek candidates to fill professional and technical positions.
+ 10% will be looking for managers, directors, team leaders, and senior executives.
+ 12% will be looking for administrative level positions.

College Grads and Jobs

2005-06-23T06:03:00.000-05:00

Grads Without Jobs:

Here’s what college graduates unable to land the jobs they want will be doing, according to a HotJobs survey of more than 700 college seniors (Source: Workforce Management.com newsletter Workforce Management Recruiting, www.workforce.com):

Taking a temporary job: 32%
Traveling: 21%
Interning without pay: 14%
Other: 33%

What is your college grad doing?

Want to avoid the "boomerang" syndrome? (That's when your college grad moves back home!) Invest in your child's future with career coaching, personal branding, and professional job search documents: www.resumesuite.com.

Resume Writing

2005-06-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

I received this message from another resume writer and thought it was worth sharing...
I thought this email from an old client was so interesting -- and amazing -- that I couldn't resist passing it on . . .

"ps: I got my resume updated at fedex/kinkos for 70 bucks - they send these types of jobs to India via fax and then do any minor corrections in house - heck if I would have known my stuff was going to India I could have just went to a 7-11 and had it done there :-)"

By the way, he said he is still looking for a job.

For a professionally written resume written right here in the USA contact Bonnie Kurka: www.resumesuite.com

Career Management and Women

2005-06-15T10:04:00.000-05:00

Should women have the same opportunities as men for promotions? OF COURSE, you say!

Well then, why do so many women leave their careers up to their supervisors? I have worked with many women from career women all the way, to women re-entering the workforce, and women with "non-traditional" careers. Most of these women did not proactively take control of their career. They just waited for opportunities to drop in their lap, waited for someone to send them to a Professional Development class or seminar, waited for regular raises, waited, waited.....

The majority of my clients are men: 3:2 is the ratio. So many women don't believe that they should pay for career services even when their husbands have used my career management services (www.resumesuite.com) very successfully, I might add.

What's up with that? (as my teenagers would say!)

Headhunters and the Military

2005-06-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

Just read a great article from Electronic Recruiting Exchange concerning military recruiters needing help from headhunters and civilian recruiters: http://tinyurl.com/ckumg

Check it out. Do you think the military needs help from the corporate sector?

One of the tips was that the military needs to hone its brand. What about the recruiters? Maye they should invest in some personal branding sessions so they can give their best to their job....

www.resumesuite.com

BAD REFERENCES

2005-05-31T19:40:00.000-05:00

...or as I call it "skeletons in the closet." Most people think that their references are singing their praises. Little do they know, nor can they believe that many of their closest friends are ratting them out! Most people worry about their employers, but HR representatives are bound by what their legal counsel has recommended--which is to say only the position, dates employed and if they are eligible for re-hire.

A recent client swore up and down to me that those skeletons weren't his personal references...until we conducted a reference check. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Moral of the story: check your references before you give them to a potential employer. For more information on reference checks, go to http://www.resumesuite.com/writing_services.html and click on the reference link.

CAREER COACHING

2005-04-08T14:45:00.000-05:00

In a survey conducted by the International Coaching Federation, 70% of the respondents said that their investment in a coach was "very valuable".

Some of the outcomes that clients most often attribute to their coaching are:

higher level of self-awareness
smarter goal-setting
a more balanced life
lower stress levels
more self-confidence
change in career
enhanced communication skills

Coaching works because the client accounts for his/her action and learning. Clients learn that they control the coach/client relationship and the changes they make in their lives. It is a very powerful relationship that lasts on average about 6 months, although one respondent reported working with their coach on a continual basis that had lasted 6 years and counting.

Who is a good candidate for coaching? Someone who has the drive to better themselves in some way, but needs the call to action facilitated by the coach. In the survey, 82% of clients have a college degree; over 1/3 hold a Master's degree or higher.

If you're ready to move forward and take action, call me or visit my website: www.resumesuite.com.

Handwritten Notes

2005-04-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

When the pope died, a friend of mine asked for protocol advice. She was wondering about the proper thing to do for some of her very devout Catholic friends. We talked about ideas / possibilities (email, phone call, card, etc) and then the subject turned to handwritten notes.

Handwritten notes have taken the back seat to email messages. I have to admit that I have only one friend who writes to me in her own handwriting! I treasure every note from her.

Handwritten notes create a warm feeling. They show that the person took the extra effort to find the tools--pen, paper, envelope, and stamp--and then took some time to write a personal note.

When I coach my clients in the interviewing process I often get questions about sending email "thank-you's" after the interview. The answer is always NO! Take the extra time. It will pay off.

Why Women Leave the "Fast Lane"

2005-04-05T13:55:00.000-05:00

Harvard Business Review featured an interesting article on what keeps talented women on the road to success in its March 2005 issue. In a survey of highly qualified professionals, these statistics emerged:
Top five reasons women leave the fast lane:

Family time – 44%
Earn a degree, other training – 23%
Work not enjoyable/satisfying – 17%
Moved away – 17%
Change careers – 16%

Top five reasons men leave the fast lane:

Change careers – 29%
Earn a degree, other training – 25%
Work not enjoyable/satisfying – 24%
Not interested in field – 18%
Family time – 12%

Though the average amount of time that women take off from their careers is surprisingly short (less than three years), the salary penalty for doing so is severe. Women who return to the workforce after time out earn significantly less than their peers who remained in their jobs.

Salary Implications for Time Out:

Salary of those who took no time out – 100% earning potential
Salary of those who took less than one year out – 89% (or an 11% reduction)
Salary of those who took three years or more out – 63% (or a 37% reduction)

Learn effective career management and avoid the salary drain. Find your passion in life with career coaching from Resume Suite. www.resumesuite.com

Hiring Stats and Other Stuff

2005-03-30T13:23:00.000-06:00

I just had lunch with a blogging friend and was chastised for not updating my blog lately. Life has been hectic...and fun.

Here are some new stats about hiring.

CareerXRoads authors Gerry Crispin and Mark Mehler have released their annual Sources of Hire study. Here are some of the highlights:

Surveyed firms hired 10% more employees in 2004 than 2003 and plan to hire another 5% more.
38% of all open positions are filled by internal transfers and promotions.
61% of all external hires can be attributed to just two channels – employee referrals and the Internet.
The Internet and expanding referral networks continue to put pressure on traditional forms of recruiting.
Hires from just three online job services destinations (Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, and HotJobs.com) account for 22.8% of all hires attributed to the Internet. “All other” job sites account for 16.9% of the Internet.
Hires attributed to the company website have declined from 67% in 2003 (of Internet hires) to 54% in 2004.
Sources of diversity hiring offer no “silver bullet.” Affinity groups and employee referrals are perceived to be the most productive sources.

I highlighted the last fact. Affinity groups and employee referrals....That's the good ole' way....NETWORKING!

Putting Resumes on Big Job Boards

2005-02-10T10:50:00.000-06:00

Everyone asks about the effectiveness of putting their resume on one of the big job boards. I always advise against it. Here is why:

To me, placing your resume on a job board is like posting a classified ad saying I'm looking for a job, call me if you want me. It is the most passive way of looking for a job, and, for the most part, least effective way.

Most of the people who get hits from the job boards are those with a very specific, in-demand skill set.

What is the best way to job search? The old fashioned way--networking and contacting the employer directly. To find out more, contact me for a laser session about the job search. www.resumesuite.com.

Oh, and since the Churchill nut is in the news, NEVER lie or make up details on your resume. Bad, Bad!!! It will always come back to haunt you. If you want to know more about the aforementioned nut, go to http://www.pirateballerina.com/index.php

Till next time...

Comments about Professional Resume Writer

2005-02-06T09:14:00.000-06:00

Here are comments from clients:

"I want to personally thank Resume Suite - www.resumesuite.com --every employer that has contacted me has been very impressed with my resume. I know it has put me a level above the other people competing for the same job."

"Your talents are amazing. I hired you (Resume Suite.com ) www.resumesuite.com to write my resume in order to begin the process of switching career fields. After you were finished, I realized just what my accomplishments were. I went back to the CEO and talked to him about my job concerns with a new perspective and confidence in myself. I am proud to say that I am now the VP of Operations and couldn’t be happier. The investment was peanuts compared to the results." Thank you so much.

Professional Resume Writer

2005-02-03T09:57:00.000-06:00

Consider this: If you make $30,000 a year, every week that you are out of work costs you $600.

What do you get when you hire a professional writer?

1. You gain more confidence in your skills and value to have to offer the employer.

2. A resume that looks good--it will stand out in the crowd of other resumes.

3. A resume with powerful words--you will get interviews faster.

4. You'll SAVE MONEY!

Such a deal--what are you waiting for?

Resume Writer's Prayer

2005-02-01T10:41:00.000-06:00

by William Seavey

God grant me the serenity to stay cool under the pressures of "Can I have it by noon today?" and "What can you do for $5?"

God grant me the patience to repeatedly explain that "resume" is not pronounced "re-zoom" and doesn't mean "life story."

God grant me the power to turn men over 50 into young lions, divorced women into childless singles, and job hoppers into corporate careerists.

God grant me the presence of mind to find one more synonym for the words "dependable," "hard working," and "establishes good rapport."

God grant me the courage to calmly remind my clients that the "$8 and up" services provided by other resume businesses usually turn out to cost "and up."

God grant me the intelligence to understand the chicken scratches a client euphemistically calls "notes" or "outline."

God grant me the empathy to console one more frustrated job seeker who has already been everywhere but my resume service.

And, God grant me the wisdom to type one last resume, put a sign on the door, "Gone Fishin'," and get back to work on my real love, the Great American Novel.

Top Ten Job Forecasts 2005

2005-01-31T06:52:00.000-06:00

Top Ten Workplace/Workforce Forecasts for 2005: The Herman Group, which specializes in workforce and workplace trends, offers these ten forecasts for the year (see www.hermangroup.com/futurespeak/top10_2005.html):
1. Employment Market Turbulence. More secure employees will stimulate unprecedented churning in the labor marketplace. This turbulence will threaten corporate stability and capacity to serve customers, particularly for employers who took employees for granted in recent years. The use of incentives such as childcare, concierge services, and other employee support programs will increase.
2. Employment Will Become a Seller’s Market. Employers will face the most severe shortage of skilled labor in history. Corporations will become more aggressive to attract and hold top talent. People will change jobs to find their personal Employer of Choice®. Competition for qualified employees will intensify, endangering employers who are not able to maintain a stable, competent workforce.
3. More Jobs and Workers Will Move Globally. Economic issues and skilled labor shortages will stimulate the movement of jobs and workers across political boundaries. Offshoring, so controversial in the United States will become more of a global phenomenon. However, employers will discover that some situations are unsatisfactory and jobs will return to their home countries.
4. Traditional Retirement Will Continue Its Metamorphosis. Retirees will move into jobs in other fields, start their own businesses, and engage in other activities to remain busy and productive. Aging workers will explore lifestyle changes, rather than stop working. Employers will increase hiring of older workers to take advantage of their maturity, wisdom, expertise, and reliability.
5. Training and Education Will Accelerate. Corporate development programs will reach out to new employees and existing staff. Demand for vocational education will grow. Educators will be challenged to make major changes to produce graduates ready to be productive in a faster-moving world. Graduates of four-year colleges will be in greater demand, somewhat diminishing graduate school enrollments.
6. The Leadership Deficit Will Be Crippling. As employers discover serious inadequacies, leadership development will take on new importance. Up and coming managers will be expected to demonstrate leadership skills before assuming new positions.
7. Flexible Employment Will Gain Popularity. As more people work flexible hours, work from home, and use technology to work for employers in distant locations, the traditional workday and workweek will further erode. Part of this movement will be driven by parents--male and female--who want to spend more time with their children.
8. The Role of Women in Work Will Transform. More women will rise to significant positions of leadership at the same time that other women are opting out of the workforce. A greater number of parents--mothers and fathers--will telecommute so they can spend more time supporting their children.
9. Advantage of Strategic Agility. Companies will re-create themselves to be more agile, nimble, and responsive to customers and employees. Relationships, resources, knowledge, and speed will become strategic weapons.
10. Workers Will Become More Independent. More people will become independent contractors, selling their services on a project, contract, or set-term basis. Specialized staffing firms and electronic communities will evolve to connect workers with employers.

JOB SEARCH TIP

2005-01-30T09:05:00.000-06:00

Are you sure you know what each of your references is going to say or write about you? Will it always be 100% positive?
Consider hiring a reference checking service. These companies contact your references, conduct a detailed interview and provide you with a written report of the results. This information can be invaluable to your job search! www.resumesuite.com

Business Coaching and Coffee with Friends

2005-01-28T17:25:00.000-06:00

I had coffee with a friend today. What fun it is to sit and talk about life, the military, life, Iraq, kids, pets, her business, and mine!

The perfect end to a wonderful week! Now, I'm closed for the weekend. www.resumesuite.com

Resumes, Coaches, and Friday

2005-01-28T17:13:00.000-06:00

What a busy week this has been. I began another coaching certification class, attended my weekly networking meeting, met with several prospective clients, coached a client for an upcoming interview, and delivered three completed resumes. I LOVE IT!

My clients this week: a teacher in transition, an accountant, an attorney, and an Army officer. They are from Virginia, Texas, Kansas! None from Oklahoma--my current home. Oh, well....

Last night I went to dinner with friends and to a very bizarre play. The acting was great for a community theater, the play was just depressing. We should have stayed at the restaurant and had more wine!

Well, Resume Suite is closed for the weekend! www.resumesuite.com

Moving Up - Career Transition

2005-01-25T15:55:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite clients is one who has been in the workforce for several years but still has that fire in their belly to want to move up. I love showing clients how they can develop a career management plan, set goals, and GO FOR IT!

The past few months, I have talked to several clients who say they "can't afford" to hire a career coach, or a professional resume writer. What they don't realize is that hiring a professional will help them advance their career, and they really can't afford to not hire me!

What does that mean? For my clients, that means that they have a smaller pool of competition! YEA!

Want to know more about managing your career? www.resumesuite.com

Hire a Career Coach

2005-01-23T15:11:00.000-06:00

How many people do you know who own a pet? Think about this: a cat or a dog costs $3000 and more over its lifetime (food, shots, vet bills, boarding, licenses, grooming, etc) What do you get in return? Companionship.

Now, how many people do you know who have a career coach? Fees vary according to your career field and level of position, but most packages will cost between $350 - $2000. What do you get in return? A career you love, better pay and benefits, and 20% - 60% less time in the job search thereby saving $3000 - $35,000 or more in lost pay. By hiring someone to guide you through your career search, you will not only get a better job, but over your lifetime you can expect to net as much as $100,000 - $1,000,000 more!

Notice that people are more willing to put $3000 into pet care than into getting the help they need to derive the most satisfaction out of this single most important—and potentially, most lucrative—aspect of their lives, the one thing that makes all other investments possible in the first place--A CAREER!

Money doesn’t grow on trees. So where does it come from? Your career! Your career is a kind of money tree; if you feed and nurture it, you'll reap huge rewards. If you expect it to grow and prosper without planning and attention, it will “dead end” on you. Invest in the best--yourself!

Resume Suite - Certified Professional Resume Writer

2005-01-21T11:07:00.000-06:00

I had lunch yesterday with a friend and colleague. During our conversation, she commented at how bad most people's resumes are. HR managers have a difficult time sorting through the meaningless STUFF they find on resumes. We are talking about mid- to upper-level management here!

Why hire a professional? You get what you pay for! If you do it yourself, it's like buying some cleaner and cleaning your carpets yourself. Yes, you can do it, but it won't be done professionally.

The amount you invest in a professional resume will come back to you--by getting an interview faster, positioning for a better job than you hoped for, and probably a much hirer salary than you dreamed!

When you hire someone to write your resume, make sure they are professional, qualified, and credentialed.

Resume Suite is a professional business using only Certified Professional Resume Writers, and Certified Job and Career Coaches.

Tips From Recruiters

2005-01-19T08:33:00.000-06:00

A poll of recruiters at a recent conference showed that approximately 50% had a position at that very moment that they had tried to fill for months, but couldn't!

According to a recruiting expert, no matter the economy, there is always a war for top talent.

Definition of top talent: a rare performer, or someone with rare skills or someone with both!

Career Coach / Networking Coach

2005-01-18T10:33:00.000-06:00

Companies are actively looking to build relationships with top performers. Hiring a coach will help you learn to raise your visibility and pump up your networking abilities. Networking may not bring immediate job offers, but will result in a wealth of pre-employment reltaionships that will be a source of on-going opportunities. The time for you to to begin is NOW. I can help you to plan and manage your networking activities through coaching.

Consider this: One-half of companies expect to lose 50% of their senior executives within the next six years. Only 25% of these open jobs will be filled with internal candidates.

Don't wait! www.resumesuite.com

JOBS

2005-01-15T08:24:00.000-06:00

Everyday I receive job announcements from various sources. Most of these positions fall into one of two categories: Accounting / Financial or IT such as Network Engineers, Software Engineers, Web Developers, and other Tech-type jobs. I look through these everyday and I notify my clients of positions that may interest them.

Most of these jobs are on the East Coast, but some are scattered throughout the country. These positions don't stay open very long, so if you are actively looking, NOW is the time to invest in a professional resume and cover letter. Don't wait until you find the perfect job to hire a professional.

Why hire a certified professional resume writer? When you hire me to write your resume you will not only have a professional looking resume that shouts your value to an employer, you will also learn much more about yourself and feel more confident in going for the best job.

I'll help you create a first impression that deserves a second look!

Want to learn more? Check out my website at www.resumesuite.com

Federal Resumes - Army

2005-01-14T08:09:00.000-06:00

ARMY TO DEPLOY NEW RESUME BUILDER / ANSWER TOOL
On 18 January 2005, we will deploy a new version of our Army civilian Resume Builder and ANSWER. The deployment of the new Resume Builder will modernize, simplify and shorten the application process. The new tool will combine both the Resume Builder and ANSWER into one application providing a number of benefits to applicants.
Users with existing Resume Builder and ANSWER accounts should log in as "Registered Users" when first accessing the new Resume Builder/ANSWER application. You will be prompted to verify/update your registration information.
Enhancements and features of our new Resume Builder / ANSWER are:
Army Civilian Resume Builder and ANSWER now together under one login process.
Capability to toggle between Resume Builder and ANSWER.
User friendly/Menu driven - no more scrolling down one long page.
Enhanced copy, cut, and paste capability - able to copy from ANSWER and paste into Resume Builder.
Worksheet formats available for work experience, education and additional information - puts information in proper format.
New job experience entries will automatically be entered at the beginning of the resume.
One large box for job experience versus six individual boxes - allows for more flexibility.
Up to 12,000 characters for job experience description.
Status tracking enhanced - only last 25 entries displayed, with option to view more.
Enhanced "Help Menus" available for applicant's use.
To learn more on how to apply for Army jobs, or any federal job, please contact me through my website: http://www.resumesuite.com

Talent Gap

2005-01-13T07:25:00.000-06:00

According to recruiters and HR professionals, by 2008 to 2010 we will have the "worst worker shortage in a lifetime." 35 million people are expected to vacate jobs and 20 million jobs are projected to be created, leaving 15 million unfilled jobs--the so-called "talent gap." Recruiters have expressed a deep concern with the need to find top performers in what will be an increasingly tight "employees" market.

Please note these are educated, skilled workers we are talking about.

CAREER FACT #1 Did You Know...?

2005-01-12T10:26:00.000-06:00

Despite the current flat job market and offshoring, there will be, within the next few years, a growing shortage of workers across all industries as the country's changing demographics impact the workplace.

2005-01-12T08:57:00.000-06:00

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2005-01-12T08:56:00.000-06:00

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2005-01-11T16:19:00.000-06:00

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