Over the years as a recruiter and resume coach, I’ve seen the consequences of poorly written resumes.  Unfortunately, most people don’t seek professional career help until they experience the frustration of a long and fruitless job search.  It’s surprising how many of their problems can be traced to the top five resume mistakes.

Top Resume Mistakes

#1  No resume focus.

The most effective resumes leave no doubt as to the job seeker’s career objective.  A one-size-fits-all resume gives the impression that the job seeker is uncertain of his career goal.  An employer once told me that if a candidate is interested in two completely different positions, he must not be very good at either.  If you have more than one career objective, you need more than one resume.

#2  Lack of marketing strategy.

Job seekers rarely see their search for what it is-a sales campaign.  Think of your resume as marketing material designed to create a powerful first impression and win a multitude of job interviews.  A resume coach can help you translate your career history into an effective marketing piece by selling toward the reader’s buying motives: solving problems, saving money, or increasing profits.

#3  No accomplishment statements.

95% of all resumes lack accomplishment statements.  These statements allow employers to visualize your contribution to their company.  A resume coach can help you move from a job description type resume to a resume with quantifiable statements that motivate employers to call you before their competition does.  These statements can dollarize your worth and increase your bargaining power.

#4  Lack of resume keywords.

These days, resumes are screened by both humans and computers.  A resume lacking in keywords runs the risk of being read by neither.  An average screening of a resume is 15 seconds or less, so more attention is paid to resumes using the same words found in the job description. Candidate-tracking software retrieves resumes by keywords. A keyword-focused resume will put you front and center.

#5  Incorrect resume format.

Basically, there are three resume formats: chronological, functional and hybrid.

Chronological:  The chronological is best known and easiest to write, a time-line style resume. This format works well if your objective is to remain in the same industry or occupation.

Functional:  The functional resume places transferable skills and accomplishments at the beginning of your resume. However, a poorly crafted functional resume can be confusing, causing the reader to believe the candidate has something to hide.

Hybrid:  The hybrid resume combines the best features of other resumes.   It showcases skills and accomplishments while maintaining ease of reading.  This is the best format for job seekers of all level, but it is also the most difficult to write, requiring thoughtful planning to identify the most critical transferable skills that will attract potential employer attention.

Once your resume is designed to avoid the top five resume mistakes, you will be well on your way to winning interviews and reaching your career objective.  How much is you old resume costing you in lost opportunities?

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Deborah Walker, Resume Coach, has spent years studying the art of fine resume crafting.  Her career-long focus on all phases of the employment process provides a solid base of knowledge for resume advice and coaching. Learn more about resume coaching at www.AlphaAdvantage.com

Looking for that new job?  Or just curious to know what else is out there?

Social Networking websites have taken on a storm the past couple of years.  From the well known Myspace.com and Facebook.com to the many others that pop up daily.

Finally, there is a job seekers social networking website that is taking the recruiting industry by storm: BlueChipExpert.com

However, BlueChipExpert.com is by invitation only.  If you would like an invitation, please email me at damon [@] ceoconsultant.com

BlueChipExpert.com is unique in that it is not only looking for top notch consultants, software engineers, and creative directors, but it offers a referral fee to those that introduce these people to BlueChipExpert.com and get placed for a project.

Many high end job seekers do not want to post their resume on Monster.com or CareerLadder.com.  Instead, they like to use their network of collegues and friends to find those positions.  BlueChipExpert.com uses this network to provide high end jobs for those high end job seekers.

It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.

To learn more how BlueChipExpert.com works, visit money.cnn.com

The stakes have been raised in the job search. Employers and recruiters receive a deluge of resumes every day and in response to every job opening. The online resume databases are packed full with tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of resumes! How will you ensure that your resume will make the cut and that you will capture attention and get the call for an interview? Here are a few crucial tips that are absolutely essential to the creation of a compelling resume in such competitive times.

Write a Compelling Resume

Tip #1: It isn’t about you, it’s about the employer.

Yes, I know it is a resume and I know that the traditional foundation of a resume is a listing of your employment and educational history. But guess what? Your resume ISN’T about you. Very few of the actual recipients of your resume actually care where you went to school, where you worked ten years ago, and what training classes you completed last year. The simple truth is that the ONLY reason these facts are useful at all are because they give important clues as to the value you have to offer to your next employer. Keep this truth in mind as your write your resume. Yes, you should still include the traditional elements of a resume, but that should be secondary. Your focus and emphasis should be on creating content that is employer-centered and focused on how you have the unique and superior ability to meet their needs and solve their problems. Present your facts within this context.

Tip #2: Employers don’t care about what you know how to do. They care about what you DO with what you know how to do.

Qualifications are the baseline for a position, but they don’t distinguish you from your competitors in the job market, and they certainly don’t sell. On the other hand, achievements do sell, but results sell even better. Just telling the reader that you have achievements and accomplishments isn’t very effective unless you present them in terms of the results and benefits they have produced for past employers. Continually ask yourself “so what?” in terms of your achievement. What did you improve,save, increase, enhance, etc? What impact did the work you do have on the companies? While numbers are always best, even if you are unable to quantify achievements, the emphasis should still be on the results and benefits of your work. For the maximum impact, accomplishments should be presented as concise “success studies” complete with challenge faced, action taken, immediate result, and strategic importance. The reason is simple: what you know how to do (your qualifications, knowledge, and skills) are of absolutely no value unless you know how to put them into practice for the benefit of the organization. Show that you do. Prove impact!

Tip #3: Illustrate passion. Don’t be afraid to show yourself!

Infuse your resume with your personality and your authentic passion. Forget the self-promotion, the cliches, and the jargon. You want to let the facts speak for themselves, but you want to do so in a way that tells the reader about your personality. Yes, the return on investment (ROI) that an employer reaps from hiring you is paramount, but of almost equal importance in the hiring decision will be the chemistry and the fit. Forget the bland, self-effacing, autobiographical style of resume writing that you may have been taught in college. Let your personality and your authentic personal brand shine through, and illustrate your passion for your job target with succinct success stories that demonstrate to the reader your unique value. By doing so, you will attract the right opportunities – the ones for which you are the perfect fit and for which the corporate culture is a perfect fit for you.

Tip #4: Rip your resume in half.

Go ahead. Do it. Print a copy of your resume and then take the first page and rip it in half. Now throw away the bottom half and concentrate on the top half. This is the most important section of your resume. This top half of your resume must be absolutely compelling. It must seize the reader’s attention and draw them in with content that leaves absolutely no doubt that you are the perfect candidate to fulfill their needs and solve their problems. With just a five-second glance at this section, the reader should come away with a crystal clear understanding of your focus and exactly how you would fit in their organization; they must come away with an accurate perception of your brand and the unique promise of value that differentiates you from your peers and competitors. And remember, you must not only tell the reader about your value proposition. You must show them with examples of past accomplishments. I said it before and I’ll say it again. Prove value! Prove impact! In short, within moments of picking up your resume and without looking any further than the beginning of the first page, the recipient of your resume must come away with the perception of a dynamic, result-proven individual. And, of equal importance, of a professional who has clear career direction, and more importantly, who understands the parameters and challenges of the position and exactly how she will add unique value and a superior return on investment in relation to those challenges.  It is a tall order, but with clear, succinct, brand-driven and results-focused writing it is absolutely possible to achieve all of these goals.

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Certified resume writer and personal branding strategist, Michelle Dumas is the director of Distinctive Career Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP Services www.100kcareermarketing.com  Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals all across the U.S. and worldwide. Michelle is also the author of 101 Before-and-After Resume Examples www.before-and-after-resumes.com

When you’re ready for advancement up the career ladder, all usually goes well when you’re in the same field. You can demonstrate the know-how familiar to those who are interested in promoting or hiring you.

However, changing careers is another matter; marketing your skills for a switch into another industry can be tough. You might fear that employers will only glance at your resume before tossing it aside.

There actually ARE ways to get hiring managers to see the relevance of your skills, believe it or not–and much of it has to do with what you tell them on your resume.

To illustrate, consider the case of Jay Jones, a fictional candidate who is targeting a sales career even though his current position doesn’t reflect this goal. His existing resume looks like this:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service, payroll, and accounting for upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

Here are my recommendations for his resume, given his goal of a new position in sales:

1 – Don’t use a functional format.

Many people will tell you to use a functional resume, since this is the supposedly tried-and-true method for a career change.

I have some unfortunate news for anyone trying this idea: it won’t work. Employers often view functional formats with suspicion, as they are used by candidates who are trying to downplay some facet of their career history.

A functional resume, which conveys your achievements within functional, or skill categories, usually saves your work history for last, and then presents each job as a single line. Jay’s resume would look like this if he used a functional format:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

SALES LEADERSHIP

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

BENEFIT SELLING STRATEGIES

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

Clearly, this format makes tying the achievements to each job rather difficult. The result? An employer may skip this resume entirely, instead of trying to interpret Jay’s actual experience.

2 – Add an Achievements section.

Since first-page content on a resume grabs the eye and intrigues the reader, this type of format puts the most interesting information first, without resorting to a functional format.

The Achievements is section can give compelling data about you and your RELEVANT qualifications, all while satisfying the employer’s need to know what you’ve done at each job.

Now, let’s look at how Jay would use this strategy:

OBJECTIVE: Seeking senior sales role that utilizes my closing and prospecting abilities.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service, payroll, and accounting for upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

3 – Remove the objective and put your personal brand into a Profile.

All too often, job seekers follow the advice of yesteryear, where they were encouraged to add an Objective statement. In today’s hiring market, you may have already discovered that a resume objective just doesn’t cut it.

Savvy professionals will add a profile that reflects their personal brand and true capabilities–and profiles that gain the most attention will include information that distinguishes you, such as a former military background, a graduate-level degree, and special abilities.

Don’t forget to make your ultimate goal–in this case, a sales role–abundantly clear to the reader.

Jay’s final resume would then read:

SALES PROFESSIONAL

Intensely motivated, articulate sales representative offering strong sales aptitude and outstanding closing skills, with exceptional record of account growth. Talent for building solid client relationships that generate profitability and create generous referral rate. Recent MBA graduate skilled in establishing rapport with decision makers.

SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS

-Increased revenue by 10% with effective consultative selling strategies targeting business accounts.

-Cultivated new account base, with 50% rise in new business, by networking at community events.

-Named to President’s Club for sales achieved through new account growth.

WORK HISTORY

Front Range Golf, Operations Assistant, 2007-Present

-Managed customer service and food sales within upscale golf community.

ABC Company, Sales Associate, Denver, Colorado, 2005-2007

-Consulted with clients to determine best product fit for requirements.

XYZ Corporation, Sales Assistant, Westminster, Colorado, 1997-2005

-Closed largest percentage of corporate sales from online prospecting activities.

As you can see, Jay can now market himself for a role that differs substantially from his current position, all by using a strong Profile, Achievements section, and classic reverse-chronological resume format.

This approach can also work well for professionals whose experience in the desired role is fairly light, but who want to bring out these skills to their best advantage.

If you’re intent on showing an employer just how qualified you really are–without a current job that shows it–consider altering your resume style in order to get hiring managers to focus on your most relevant credentials.

————————

A unique resume authority and former recruiter, Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CIC, Executive Director of An Expert Resume, has achieved a 98% success rate landing interviews for leadership professionals. Known for her powerful ability to assess unique strengths, Laura has facilitated career transitions for numerous job hunters. Visit An Expert Resume (http://www.anexpertresume.com) to see resume samples and download a free resume e-course.

If you were to sign up with an online dating service the
first task for you to complete would be to describe what
you are looking for. “What you are seeking in a mate?” It
makes sense. How are you going to find your mate if you
haven’t declared what is important to you?

It’s not that different in a job search. The first question
to ask yourself should be: “What are you seeking in a job?”

Taking some time to think about what is important to you
will help you be more selective in where you apply,
interview, and hopefully end up working. This will also be
a great source of energy, enthusiasm and passion for you
when you are asked, “Why do you want this job?”

Using interview questions as your guide, try flushing out
what is important to you and what is not. In the end
hopefully you will have your own “Wish List” of job
requirements.

Interview Question – “When have you been most motivated?”

This is more than an interview question; it is a question
that you should be asking yourself before the interview.

When have you been most satisfied in your work? When did
you feel like you were making a difference or making a
contribution? Basically, what would you like more of in
your next job?

This simple exercise will help you answer this question
will also help you look inside yourself to think about what
you want “more of,” and what you want “less of” in your
next job. People usually perform at a higher level if they
are satisfied with the work that they do – and as a result
are more motivated to give 100% – plus.

Exercise to Find the Answer

Begin by making a list of the tasks at your last job – the
tasks that you were particularly proud of, or were
energized by. In other words, “when your job turned you
on.” Think about the last time you were so involved in a
project or task that you woke up thinking about how you
could improve the situation. Write those experiences down
and try to determine what the factors were that were
satisfying for you.

Let’s say you were a “Project Leader.” The tasks list would
read something like – “Led a team – Coordinated and
monitored project progress – Assured the flow and
completion of work on schedule – Monitored expenditures and
budget.”

What were the stimulating tasks of this job? Was it the
leadership aspect? Or, was it the challenge of coordinating
the details, and people? Was it completing the project on
time or below budget? Were there customers involved
(internal or external) – if so, is that what you found most
challenging?

What didn’t you like, and hope that you will do less of in
your next job?

After you have written this list for your current job, try
doing the same thinking about previous jobs. If you
recently graduated from college, use the classes that were
most stimulating and interesting for you, or the projects
you worked on with teams.

By making lists of motivating experiences from your last
two or three jobs, you will hopefully begin to see patterns
of projects and tasks that stand out. Analyze what you did
before. Do you want more of this type of responsibility in
your next job? The answer to this question will give you
the answer to the motivation question as well as
possibilities for fulfillment in future jobs that have
similar responsibilities.

Take this list of motivating experiences and script an
answer to the question, “What motivates you?”

This is the start of building your “wish list.” It may take
time, but little by little you will begin to see the
picture. Like the job posting written by employers some of
your requirements may be more flexible and some may be
fixed.

This will be your task to determine which factors are of
the highest importance to YOU.

There is no such thing as the “perfect” answer to this
question. Your answer will be individual and based on your
own satisfaction and dissatisfaction. No one can do this
for you. Only you have the answer.

“What is it that you want in your next job?”

Knowing what you want will make you feel more confident
about finding the right job.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Coach has specialized
in the subject of “Interviewing” for the past 15 years from
both sides of the desk. She has produced a free practice
interview that shows you where you are going wrong in your
interview. See if your skills pass the test at
http://www.jobinterviewcoachingcenter.com Do you need some
personal coaching? http://www.interviewcoach.com

The best way is to handle a panel of interviewers is to take them on one at a time. The board or panel is not one entity, but several individuals coming together with the common goal of hiring the best candidate for the job. At the same time, each person has his own agenda or department’s interest at heart. For example, the HR manager will be checking to make sure you are a good fit with the culture and people working at this company. The hiring manager will want to know about your technical skills or business know-how. And the person from accounting will want to know if you are savvy enough to operate a business budget.

Board or panel interviews are usually rather formal and organized, using a standard set of questions for all applicants. This type of interview is typically used in academia, government or for high-level executives but can be used for any other type of position in any company.

Another multiple-type interview is the team or “good cop/bad cop” interview. The team is usually made up of two interviewers, one who asks the questions and one who takes notes. The two typically trade roles, which can be confusing if they have different styles. In fact, one person may be kind and gentle and the other more harsh or pushy. Just remember, these inquisitors are working together toward the same end. Treat them equally, not favoring one over the other.

Regardless of the type of interview, the best advice is to prepare and practice beforehand. When you have your script written and rehearsed your answers, you will feel prepared and more confident no matter how many people you have to face.

A good tip is to try to shake hands with each member of the panel before and/or after the interview if at all logistically possible.

Lastly, remember to make sure you get each person’s business card, hopefully at the beginning of the interview, so you can address each person by name. And, when you write your follow-up/thank you note/email you can address each person correctly. When responding to an individual, try to remember what he or she was particularly interested in when they asked questions or received your answer.

Remember each person has an agenda – it is up to you to zero in on that interest and make the most of it.

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Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor. Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com

Over the last few months there has been a lot of talk of recession. Wherever you look and whatever you read, ever since the American subprime crisis, talk of a recession seems to be bombarding us from every possible media. Every expert there is seems to have something to say about whether there will or whether there won’t be a serious recession and if there is, how long will it last and just how severe will it be?

If there is a serious recession, learning how to keep on selling in a recession will be vital. Sales training might well be the key.

I have worked with many clients who have weathered recessions, grown their businesses through recessions and even set up and started successful businesses in recessions. Now is not the time to be panicking. Now is the time to be checking your sales activities, sharpening your sales training activities and applying solid sales principles.

1. Believe you can and stay positive!

One of the problems with all of this talk about recession is that once people believe there is going to be a recession they start to feel negative about their prospects. The nature of belief is such that people only tend to see what they believe rather than believing what they see. Once you believe that there is going to be a recession you tend to only notice articles, comments and statistics that support your beliefs.

What’s more, your negative beliefs quickly affect your outlook and the way that you feel about your business prospects. Think about it for a second… If you thought 2008 was going to be a great year for business, your best year yet; how would you feel? Conversely, if you thought 2008 was going to see a major recession and that it was going to hit you and your business hard; how would you feel?

Mighty different huh? And remember, nothing’s changed here… only your belief. Having a positive and supportive belief structure is essential if you want to succeed in any market but it is vitally essential if you want to keep on selling in a tough one.

Having a winning belief system does not mean that you need to be deluded however! In the middle of the darkest recession you don’t want to have your eyes shut! But you do need to realize that in a recession people want to work with the best suppliers.

Suppliers that they can rely on. Suppliers that support them. Suppliers who are going to be around tomorrow. And if your competitors struggle, that means more sales and more business for you.

2. Get proactive

If this year is going to be tough then you need to be more proactive. Much more proactive. You need to do more marketing and more selling. You need to attend more events and do more networking. You need to do more promotion and more canvassing. Bottom line, you need to increase your sales activities, maybe dramatically.

In a recession many companies cut their sales activities. They figure, “If we’re not going to sell anything, what’s the point?” Many individual salespeople do this too. Perhaps it’s not a conscious choice but it’s what they do.

Touche. Cut your activity, cut your sales. You’re a living, breathing, self-fulfilling prophecy! You believe there is not much business out there, so you feel negative. That in turn affects your activity and your activity destroys your sales results.

Even if (and it is only if at the moment) there is not as much business out there, then you need to be more active, more focused and more targeted. If your competitors are easing off a little, now is the time to up the anti and grab your share of the market. Even if sales do slow down temporarily, you will be in pole position when things pick up again.

3. Sharpen your sales skills

Most salespeople do not spend enough time working on improving their sales skills and techniques. Perhaps they can get away with this in a booming market when sales are easy. Perhaps not. But things will always change if the market tightens. Sales success will go to the salesperson who really understands why people buy and can help people make the right business decisions. Salespeople of this caliber stand to benefit from possible changes ahead because there will be more business for them as their competition falls by the wayside.

Sales will not go to the journeyman salesperson, the mediocre wannabee or the 9-5 order taker. Salespeople like these could well be in for a rough time.

When did you last read a sales training book on selling? How many sales training audios have you listened to over the last month? How many sales training seminars have you attended in the last 6 months? For 80% of salespeople reading this, the answer is zero.

If you’re in the 20% who have invested in yourself…Great, you’re on track. Keep the study up and make sure you stay ahead of the game.

If you’re in the 80% who haven’t… Don’t panic! You still have time. Start now by putting together your own sales training and development plan to sharpen your sales skills and hone your sales techniques. Salespeople who can sell in any market will always be in demand. Effort now will reward you whatever this year brings.

4. Improve your service and focus on relationships

As I write this many companies will be working out how to cut corners. They will try to save money by tinkering with their business offerings. They will try and eek extra profits out of their clients by cutting the bells and whistles from their offerings. This is not a good idea.

If business is tight you want to be wowing your clients with the best service that they have ever had, from you or from any of your competitors. You need to be going the extra mile. If a recession bites many companies will try and discount to survive. They probably won’t (survive), but you don’t want your clients going to them as they try to keep their heads above water! You need to “lock in” your
existing clients now so that they won’t even think about going anywhere else.

Spend time with your clients.  Build stronger relationships with your clients. Make sure you truly understand them, their concerns and their businesses. Find ways to help them and add value over and above what they could have ever expected.

5. Leverage your efforts

In a soft market many salespeople only chase the easy stuff. They don’t chase the tough stuff. Most salespeople have all sorts of opportunities which they squander every day and every month because there are seemingly easier things that they can be doing.

In a tough market you must leverage all of your efforts. This is basic sales 101 and should be stuff that you do every day anyway… Here are just a few ideas.

Always ask for referrals. Referrals are great business but most salespeople do not ask for them because clients often say no. Learn how to ask for a referral properly and then build asking for a referral into your sales process and ask for one every time.

Upsell and cross-sell. Whether though laziness, lack of knowledge or lack of ability many salespeople sit on accounts where there is so much more business than they are currently leveraging. Extending your business with existing clients will not only make you more money, it will also strengthen your relationships with and value to them and their businesses.

Contact dormant accounts. Most companies have hundreds if not thousands of “dormant” accounts. There may be multiple reasons for this from changing business practices to fall-outs with the client. Dormant clients may well be redeemable and may have been “lost” purely because someone forgot to ring them or a salesperson moved on. Get in touch with them!

Follow up on all leads. I recently contacted 5 health insurance companies over the web. Only one replied. You should not be burning leads like this in any market. Follow up on all leads professionally using a proven sales system like the ones I teach in my sales training seminars and programs and you will close more business. New clients are essential for any business in any market.

So there we are, 5 tips to help you to sell in a recession. This year may well prove to be an interesting year for some businesses and individuals. Some of this will be down to the market itself. Much of it will be down to you and how you react and respond to what might be a challenging year.

Here’s my prediction for the year…

There will be winners and there will be losers. Which are you going to be?

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Motivational speaker and sales expert Gavin Ingham is offering a free Sales Success mini-course and newsletter to readers of this article. Visit http://www.gaviningham.com now to get the sales edge over your competition.

The days of simply browsing through the Sunday newspaper
and sending out a few resumes in order to win your next
career opportunity are over. The days of retiring after
having worked for just one or two companies are also over.
Downsizings, mergers, offshoring, acquisitions, corporate
reorganizations, consolidation, and other change
initiatives have required rapid adaptation of workers, hard
career decisions, and frequent transitions. These days, the
average worker will hold approximately ten jobs before the
age of 36. The average worker will change careers several
times during his or her lifetime.

While the timeframe for your job search will vary with the
specifics of your situation, a commonly cited statistic is
that the average job search will take anywhere from three
to six months from initiation to the day you begin your new
job. The U.S. Department of Labor indicates that the
average length of unemployment in the U.S. is currently 18
weeks (a little over four months), but this figure covers
all professions, all industries, and all professional
levels. Another common job search statistic tells us that
you can expect to spend approximately one month job
searching for each $10,000 in salary you are seeking.

Do you have a job search planned in 2008? If you do, and if
you are looking forward to your next job search with dread,
you are definitely not alone! Job searching can be
incredibly stressful. But, with some planning, genuine
effort, and sincere commitment, you can minimize that
stress and land a new job – one that is personally,
professionally, and financially rewarding – faster than you
may have thought possible.

Here is a checklist to help you achieve a fast, successful
job search in 2008.

_____ Set a clear target. Put yourself in the driver’s seat
of your career by clearly defining your job search focus.
In general, the more precise and focused your job search
is, the better. For most people, the best and strongest job
targets will include a statement of the job function and
professional level paired with other indicators, sometimes
just one and sometimes more than one, to make the job
target more precise and ultimately more effective. These
other indicators may be criteria such as industry, company
size, company culture, or geographic location.

_____ Build your network of support. Don’t underestimate
the importance of having a strong support network to offer
encouragement and advice, to brainstorm and share ideas
with you, to help keep you accountable to the goals you set
for yourself, and to help keep you on track throughout the
emotional roller coaster that a job search can be. Family
and friends are often included in the support network, but
also consider joining a job search group or working with a
career coach, particularly one who is very familiar with
job search mechanics.

_____ Adjust your attitude. An enthusiastic, “can-do”
attitude that exudes self-confidence and a clear
understanding of the value you offer in the workplace will
make all the difference. Always put a smile on your face
when you talk on the phone; it will shine through in your
voice. Make eye contact and watch your body signals and
posture when you meet with contacts in person. Your
positive, confident attitude is one that people will like
to be around and will make it more likely that you will be
hired.

_____ Update and revive your resume. Your resume is your
first introduction to employers. Don’t underestimate the
importance of making a positive first impression with it!
Your resume should be up-to-date, focused for the current
search, employer-centered, and results-oriented. YOU are a
commodity in the job market and your resume is your
advertisement. If your resume needs refreshing, now is the
time to do it. If you need help with your resume, you
should definitely consider hiring a professional resume
writer.

_____ Cultivate and strengthen your professional network.
With more than 80% of available jobs never advertised, it
is essential that you have the ability to access the hidden
job market. Your professional network will be one of your
most effective sources for information and referrals
relating to the hidden job market. Of course, networking is
all about relationships and so you should continuously
nurture your network relationships regardless of whether
you are job searching or not. But, whether you have or
haven’t (If you haven’t, building network relationships
would make a great New Year’s Resolution), now is the time
to reach out to everyone you know to inform them of your
search and to ask for advice and referrals. Consider using
a website like LinkedIn to help with your effort.

_____ Establish and promote your personal branding. At its
essence, personal branding is about the authentic and
unique promise of value you offer. In relation to your
career, it is about the promise of value you offer that
differentiates you from your peers and competitors in the
workplace and job market.  Branding yourself can actually
have such a dramatic effect that you will become hunted
rather than being the hunter for your next job opportunity.

_____ Get organized and create a system for managing your
job search. An organized plan and system will help keep you
motivated, moving forward, and focused on achieving the
ultimate goal. At the very least, you need a calendaring
system, a system of logging inter-related and follow-up
activities, a contact management system, and a filing
system.

_____ Create and follow a written, multi-pronged job search
plan. Answering ads or posting your resume on the Internet
are the easiest, but usually least effective job search
techniques. Your job search plan should include a balance
of techniques to access both the published and unpublished
job market. Further, it should include activities
prioritized and strategically selected to fit in each of
the five major job search approaches: 1) Networking and
referral building; 2) Targeting and contacting employers;
3) Working with recruiters and agencies; 4) Internet job
searching (which also has some overlap with the 5th
technique); 5) Answering advertisements.

—————————————————-
Nationally certified resume writer and career coach,
Michelle Dumas is the director of Distinctive Career
Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents
http://www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP
Services http://www.100kcareermarketing.com  Michelle has
empowered thousands of professionals all across the U.S.
and worldwide. Michelle is also the author of Secrets of a
Successful Job Search http://www.job-search-secrets.com

Have you ever negotiated an offer?

If not, you are not alone. Most people DO NOT negotiate salary. They accept what is offered.

Whether you negotiate a salary or not is secondary to doing your homework before accepting an offer. It is always best to take some time before signing on the dotted line so that you understand exactly what you are gaining – or losing.

Here’s an example of someone who jumped at an offer before doing his homework.

Nicholas received an on-the-spot offer and was thrilled. This was the job he wanted and he was anxious to get started. He was going to get more money, and a bonus. What more could he ask for?

When he got home that evening, he sat down with pencil and paper and began to evaluate the offer, and what he was getting overall. He was not only shocked by what he discovered, but wished that he could go back and talk about some of the issues. But, he had signed on the “dotted line” that afternoon.

Once you sign the offer letter, you have essentially signed a contract. It is too late to go back and negotiate. Never accept an on-the-spot offer, unless it is absolutely out-of-this-world. It is generally wise to evaluate what you are gaining and losing. Let’s look at what Nicholas found out by doing some simple calculations.

Nicholas was offered $55,000 per year, with a hiring bonus of $5,000 paid in two payments over the next six months. This was a $5,000 a year increase from what he was making on his last job, and a bonus to boot. An extra $10,000.00.

When he and his wife looked over the benefits package they discovered that he would now have to pay the insurance premiums for his dependents. His last employer had paid the premiums for the entire family.   -$350.00/per month – $4200 per year His new vacation package offered two weeks time off, accrued over the next twelve months. His former package included three weeks vacation. -$962.00 one week’s vacation pay

Nicholas was receiving a 6.5% yearly bonus, based on company earnings in his last position. His new company does not have a planned bonus as part of the salary. Bonuses are earned based on performance, and given as judged appropriate.  -$3250.00 per year – lost bonus

His former employer matched 50 cents for every dollar contributed up to 6% on his 401K account. This company does not match funds. -$1500.00 per year (based on 6% contribution)

His calculations showed a minus of $10,000 a year from his new offer, based on cost of insurance premiums, lost bonus, and lost matching 401K contributions. He wasn’t quite so thrilled with the offer anymore.

At least he got that $5000 hiring bonus, which will cushion the fall. But even that will be affected – he didn’t anticipate the higher tax rate on “special” checks that was deducted from the bonus money. These higher rate taxes can run as high as 41.5%.

Nicholas got the job he wanted, and maybe that is worth more to him than the money difference. But, it would have been wise to make the decision with all the facts before signing the offer letter. He may have been able to negotiate another $5,000 to compensate for the benefits differences. Or, given the higher tax rate he could have negotiated for an increase in the hiring bonus.

It is always best to take some time to reflect on the “total package.” Benefits can be worth another 20-50% of your salary. There are other factors to consider besides money – more challenging work, better company, a greater opportunity. It may be worth giving up dollars now to invest in your future. However, the decision should be thought through before rushing ahead.

If pressed to give your answer to an offer on-the-spot, always stall for time. Tell them that you need to do some calculations and think about it. There is only one window of opportunity to negotiate your terms of employment.. Once you say “Yes!” – the window closes.

Make sure you take the time to consider all your options. It’s not always as good as it looks.

—————————————————-
Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part “Interview Success Tips” report by visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com

The motto “Be prepared,” isn’t just great advice for Boy
Scouts; it’s also great career advice.  You never know when
the perfect career opportunity will present itself.  If a
recruiter called you today with your dream job, are you
prepared to send out an up-to-date resume right away?

There are four critical times to update your resume:

* At least once a year

* Any time your career focus changes

* When you anticipate layoffs with your company

* When you begin to feel dissatisfied with your current
position

1.  Update your resume every year.

This is where many people fall short.  When that recruiter
calls with the perfect job, you may suddenly find your
resume is years out of date, and you’ll have to scramble to
catch up.

Keep your resume current by including your best
accomplishments each year.  Don’t count on your memory to
recall everything you achieved in years past!  You are
likely to overlook critical achievements and contributions.
If you need assistance, a resume coach may be able to help
you through the process with some targeted questions on
your most recent jobs.

2. Update your resume when your career focus changes.

If you want to change your career path, then you also need
to change your resume.  There are several ways to shift the
focus away from your current job and toward your new career.

By focusing on the skills that will be useful in your new
career, you can position yourself as a stronger candidate
for the job.  Highlight those transferable skills in your
new resume, bringing them front and center.

In addition to highlighting your transferable skills, shift
your list of accomplishments to support those skills.
Accomplishment statements give credibility to transferable
skills and prove your ability to cross industry or
occupational lines.  Well-crafted accomplishments make a
big difference in whether you win the interview or are
passed over.

Finally, be sure you understand your audience.  As you
shift career focus, it is critical to understand the hiring
motives of your target market.  Use your resume as an
effective selling tool by correctly anticipating the
recruiter’s “wish list” for great job candidates.

3.  Update your resume when you anticipate layoffs within
your company.

A harsh reality of today’s economy is the need for
corporate downsizing.  Layoffs and losses are becoming more
and more common.  But you can prepare for any worst-case
scenario by keeping your resume up-to-date.

Don’t make the mistake of being overly optimistic.  It’s
safer to assume that you are on the “out” list.  Most
people who get caught unexpectedly in a layoff thought they
were indispensable to their employers.  You might be
important or well-liked, but remember that the bottom line
always has a louder voice than you do.  Get your resume
ready as soon as you see any indications that downsizing is
on the way.

Don’t mistake company loyalty for a fear of change.  Often
employees would rather take their chances with a potential
layoff than make proactive steps toward finding a new job.
Once they’re laid off, it’s already too late.  Remember, as
a candidate, you are always more marketable while still
employed.  Avoid this trap and start your job search early
with self-marketing tools (resume and cover letter) that
are up-to-date and top quality.

4.  Update your resume when you are dissatisfied with your
current position.

Job dissatisfaction leads to feelings of frustration,
worthlessness, and often hopelessness.  But there is no
reason to stay in a job you hate.  Being prepared with an
updated resume can help you feel better in your current
job.  When you have a really terrible day at work, you can
respond to job opportunities that same evening with
confidence in your up-to-the-minute resume. Taking
proactive steps toward a new career will give you back your
optimism and self worth.

If it’s time for you to update your resume, first decide
whether your resume requires a simple update or a complete
rewrite.  If you have been using the same resume format
throughout your career, it’s possible that you have
outgrown the old look.  What your resume promoted ten years
ago may not be appropriate or significant for your career
choices today.  And if you’ve simply been “tacking on” to
your old resume, it may start to resemble a house with too
many additions, with little sense or direction.

A professional resume critique can help you decide exactly
what you need to move forward.  A well-written resume can
make an incredible difference in:

* The length of time it takes to make your career move

* The quality of your next position

* The income potential of your next position

Your resume is your best sales tool in finding a new job,
and it deserves the investment of your time and commitment.
With a little extra effort now, you’ll be prepared for
anything that comes your way-and be well on the path to
your next great job.

—————————————————-
Deborah Walker, Career and Resume Coach, provides job
seekers up-to-the-minute advice on all phases of resume and
job-search effectiveness. Find more career-expert tips and
see sample resumes at:
http://www.AlphaAdvantage.com