Posted By Amanda Collins on March 15, 2010

Taken from a recent e-mail from Mike O’Brien at Climber.com.

Did you know 75% résumés are overlooked? If you are like most people, you have applied to and uploaded résumés for dozens of jobs and heard nothing back. This is generally referred to as the “résumé black hole.”

If you do not know how to beat the résumé black hole, chances are your résumé will be overlooked. The root of the  problem is a piece of technology called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The ATS was designed to streamline the flow of applicants for companies. This is accomplished by having a central place where all applications and résumés are warehoused.

To further compound the issue, ATSs are only 65% to 80% accurate in reading the information in your résumé. This means that one-fifth to one-third of the time the ATS is just plain wrong in importing data wholly and properly into the ATS. If your résumé makes this cut, the ATS then screens and ranks your résumé against open positions.

Next, résumés that pass the ATS screen are generally sent to a gatekeeper who spends about 30 seconds reading the résumé before deciding to move it along to the recruiter or hiring manager or pass it along to the trash can. About 1 in 10 résumés are passed along to the decision maker who decides if you will be interviewed.

Combat the résumé black hole by:
Loading up on keywords: ATSs rank on keyword density. Keywords should match closely to the required skills that appear in the job posting. The better you score against a jobs skill requirements the higher your résumé will rank.

Bypassing the ATS: Leverage your connections in person and the social media spectrum. Attend networking events and be sure you have a complete profile on LinkedIn. Also, connect with a recruiter (or two!) who specializes in your industry.

Making sure the job fits. Especially in today’s tough job environment, it is even more important to make sure that you have the skills and background required for the job.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: job search, key components in resumes, linkedin, resume, resume keywords

Posted By Amanda Collins on March 12, 2010

I know that I don’t wield ultimate power in getting clients jobs; I write résumés and help to position them on paper. Even though, I’m surprised when a client comes to my office dressed in cut-offs and a rock band T-shirt and tells me all the horrors of her last boss and how she just phoned it in (okay, this doesn’t happen often, but it’s still shocking). Then, when I refer some of my clients to my executive recruiter partners, I hear back about some of the inappropriate stories they’ve shared.

For some reason, job seekers don’t see recruiters as having power in their job searches. I think that’s funny, not to mention a self-defeating stance to take. One of my recruiter colleagues told me that his candidates will often be completely unprofessional with him, telling him things one would never disclose during an interview. When I was surprised at this, he said most of the folks with whom he interacts don’t understand how influential he is in their search. The power of his recommendation can land someone a job. Just as easily, he can close doors.

When you’re looking for a job, every interaction is an interview. You have no idea who someone knows and how much that knowledge can hurt or help your career search. I have an acquaintance I won’t recommend for a position because I would never want to work with him. I wrote his résumé, and I know enough people to get him in somewhere, but that would reflect poorly back on me – and I’m not willing to take that chance. Selfish? Perhaps, but it’s the way the world works, especially when it comes to business.

Complain to your partner or friends about your boss and the job search, but keep that information out of your conversations with recruiters, career consultants, and others who may be able to help you get a job. Remain professional and you’ll see opportunities start to surface because people will want to help you.

Share on Facebook

Category: Communications, job search, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: Communications, interviewing, job search

Posted By Amanda Collins on March 5, 2010

It seems a common theme in my résumé practice that my clients have been laid off and are looking for their next opportunities. Often, these folks have so intermingled their identities with what they’ve done that they don’t know who they are without their jobs. They come to my office and have little self-worth, feeling as if they have nothing to offer another employer.

Much like a codependent relationship, when the relationship (with a person or firm) ends, there is a serious sense of loss. Of course, that is to be expected. You feel surprised, sad, angry, depressed – pretty much all of the feelings described so vividly in Kübler-Ross’ grief cycle, which Kerry Scott sums up as it relates to the topic at hand in “Five Stages of Grieving over a Job Loss.” This is all very normal and to be expected. However, just because you’ve lost your job doesn’t mean you’ve lost YOU. That talented, knowledgeable professional is still there under everything – and you need to muster up the confidence to present that person to your future employers.

Tap into what makes you able to do the job you’re seeking. How are you unique? What value can you provide? Present yourself not as “I’m unemployed,” but as “I’m your next [insert your targeted job title here].” At a networking event I attended regularly, a woman would say week after week, “I’m unemployable.” I’m not quite sure if she didn’t realize she’d chosen the wrong word or really felt that way, but no matter what she meant, I sure didn’t want to talk to her about a job potential. Imagine the difference if she had said, “I’m ready to become your next Sales Associate, bringing with me a depth of experience securing and managing million-dollar accounts and increasing revenue 25% year to year.” I want to talk to that person!

Give yourself time to grieve; you definitely deserve it. But remember that you continue to be you – valuable, employable, worthy – regardless of economic conditions. Surround yourself with positive people and keep plugging away. You’ll turn it around!

Share on Facebook

Category: job search | No Comments »
Tags: career identity, ego tied to job, job search, laid off workers

Posted By Amanda Collins on February 28, 2010

There is a lot of power in a résumé – well, at least there is potential. So many times, I review résumés that lack a focus and strategy. Essentially, they are a brain dump of everything the person has done across his or her career. Typically, there are many areas for potential improvement, but it all starts with the top. Whether you call it an objective, title, or headline, how you present yourself starts with your first words.

When I first started writing résumés (in 1996), an objective was something like:
To obtain a position in which I can apply my experiences in child development and education.

Now, however, titles / headlines have replaced that long, not very to-the-point statement:
Preschool Teacher

Just like a newspaper headline draws readers to learn more, a résumé headline should do the same. To expand on the newspaper similarities, in journalism “above the fold” is where all writers want to be – because it’s the first part readers see when the paper is delivered. On your résumé, your “above the fold” section is the first third of your document, where you will have your contact information, headline, summary, and keywords. Employers have a lot of choices in résumés these days, so attract their attention immediately!

Even if you include a headline, it can be poorly written. At an event I attended yesterday, a hiring manager said he’d received a résumé that said “Banking Executive.” His first response? “Huh?” That basically meant nothing to him, so he didn’t bother to read further. His suggestion? Your headline should match the position for which you’re applying.

So be specific, succinct, and definitely include a headline on your résumé so employers are sure who you are for them. Questions on a résumé are never good.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search, marketing, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: job search, resume, resume headline, resume objective

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 21, 2009

Start 2010 with the skills you need to land your next job!
Professional résumé writers and career counselors provide tips for job seekers.

Glendale, Ariz. (December 21, 2009) – With the unemployment rate climbing each month and no end in sight, the job market is getting more and more competitive. The same skills used just a few years ago may not work in quite the same way with employers today. As job seekers look at entering 2010 without a job secured, they are seeking alternatives to the more traditional means of approaching the job search.

The Résumé Writers Council of Arizona (RWCA) has a solution. On January 4, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., RWCA will host a free job-search strategies panel at the Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown, Glendale. The panel will consist of RWCA members, including professional résumé writers, interview and job coaches, and career counselors. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn best practices in résumés and interviewing as well as some innovative and proactive methods for conducting a successful job search.

This presentation will shed some light on many of the misnomers about job seeking. For instance, “a résumé doesn’t need to be one page and is not merely a summation of your work history,” states Donna Tucker, president of RWCA and owner of CareerPro Résumé Center. “A résumé is a marketing document, and if it takes two pages to share the value you offer a new employer, that’s okay.”

While a résumé’s objective is to get an interview, the interview is the means to the job. “It’s just as important that the job seeker have the opportunity to ask questions of the interviewer at that crucial meeting. The trick is to know the right questions to ask,” says Martha Rockwell, interview coach and owner of A+ Résumés and Career Coaching. “An interview should be viewed as an opportunity,” says Rockwell, “and the prepared job seeker stands a much better chance of securing the position.”

Did you know that your online résumé should be updated every three weeks or so? “Recruiters are looking for the recent applications, typically those posted in the past few weeks. If yours appears to be older than that, it might be overlooked,” shares Amanda Collins, résumé writer and owner of The Grammar Doctors. It’s tips like this that can give job seekers an edge in today’s environment.

The Résumé Writers Council of Arizona is a professional organization of résumé writers and career champions dedicated to enhancing and improving the résumé writing and career search industry of Arizona; ensuring quality work, fair prices, and ethical practices; and remaining current with changes in the industry. The RWCA advocates community service, and this panel is a representation of that charge. The free event is open to the public. Attendees are invited to bring their current résumés for review by the professional panel following the formal presentation.

For more information, please contact Donna Tucker at 602-788-3121 or jobsaz@att.net.

###

Share on Facebook

Category: job search | No Comments »
Tags: events, job search, resume, resume coach

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 19, 2009

Courtesy of StAndrewsjobnetwork@yahoogroups.com

Accounting and Finance
1. Tax accountant: Companies seek tax accountants who can help their organizations achieve bottom-line savings through effective tax management strategies. Businesses also need their guidance to comply with tax regulations. Tax accountants with one to three years of experience at large companies, defined as having more than $250 million in sales, are expected to see an average national starting salary of $46,500 to $61,500.

2. Compliance director: Companies need professionals who can help them comply with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission mandates and prepare for the potential transition to international financial reporting standards. New regulations that are issued as a result of the financial crisis may generate further demand for professionals with the requisite compliance expertise. The starting salary range for a compliance director at a small company, defined as having up to $25 million in sales, is forecast to be $83,750 to $108,500.

3. Credit manager or supervisor: Companies need professionals who can reduce inefficiencies and enhance profitability. As a result, credit and collections specialists who can evaluate credit risk, manage delinquent payments and help improve cash flow are in demand. Base compensation for credit managers or supervisors working in small companies is projected to range between $42,500 and $57,500.

4. Senior financial analyst: Businesses need professionals who are able to evaluate financial plans, forecasts and budgets, and identify ways to improve profitability. A senior financial analyst at a midsize company, defined as having $25 million to $250 million in sales, is expected to earn $57,750 to $74,000 in starting salary in 2010.

Information Technology
5. Network administrator: Cloud computing, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Software as a Service (SaaS) have significantly increased the complexity of and requirements placed on networks. Further, network administration remains an in-demand skill, according to chief information officers interviewed by Robert Half International. Network administrators can expect to see starting salaries of $54,500 to $80,250 in the coming year.

6. Information systems security manager: Protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information from internal and external breaches is crucial for companies of all sizes, making security professionals integral to the IT department. The salary range for an information systems security manager is expected to be $96,500 to $130,750.

7. Systems engineer: As companies implement new technologies, technical services roles remain critical to the organization. Systems engineers are in demand to help companies develop and maintain technical infrastructure, hardware and system software components. Base compensation for these professionals is projected to range from $64,250 to $93,250.

Administrative and Office Support
8. Medical records clerk: As more hospitals and health care organizations transition from paper to electronic medical records, facilities will seek medical records clerks who can help supervise the scanning and processing of patient data. These individuals can expect to earn a starting salary of $23,750 to $31,500 in 2010.

9. Customer service representative: In the current economy, hiring managers consider customer service the function most critical to their organizations’ success, according to the 2009 Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations (EDGE) Report from Robert Half and CareerBuilder. The salary range for a customer service representative is projected to be $22,750 to $30,750.

10. Executive assistant: Companies with leaner teams are looking for employees to take on a wider range of duties. Executive assistants who can wear many hats, support multiple managers and adapt readily to change are in particular demand. These individuals are likely to see starting salaries of $35,000 to $47,000.

Visit http://www.rhi.com/SalaryGuides for more information about the Salary Guides, which include the “2010 Salary Guide” for accounting and finance, produced by Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources; the Robert Half Technology “2010 Salary Guide” for technology professionals; and the “OfficeTeam 2010 Salary Guide” for administrative positions.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search | No Comments »
Tags: job search

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 18, 2009

Even Mark doesn’t regard himself as a salesperson. That says a lot for someone who possesses the depth of experience in sales that Mark has. Instead, Mark lets his customers know that he provides solutions. He works with customers as a trusted partner, gaining insight into the challenges they’re facing so that he can devise answers using the products and services in his “bag of tricks” to add value and revenue opportunity to those he serves.

Mark has worked with some heavy hitters, Mitel and Intel among them. He has played an active role in creating opportunities, both for clients and the company, through business analysis and strategic planning. While some people are content to have an employee mindset, Mark is able to call on his entrepreneurial spirit to ensure that projects get completed when they’re supposed to at a quality level that exceeds expectations. A customer service advocate, he makes himself available during consultations, midway through implementations, and post-sales. Calling on acquired technical abilities, Mark is able to troubleshoot issues before and as they arise to mitigate further complications. His dedication has been recognized time and again by his customers and managers.

The best compliment a sales professional can receive is for his honesty – and this is where Mark excels. He once told a hard-to-reach potential customer that he would only call on him when there was something of value to offer. Following through on that promise, Mark soon gained a new client for his company.

Mark is a talented solutions consultant who lends a higher level of service to each interaction. Just don’t call him a salesperson.

Want to get in touch with Mark about opportunities in your organization? E-mail me and I’ll connect you.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: job search, resume

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 16, 2009

Creating harmony and synergy from chaos

Chris has a depth of experience in print production. While you may be thinking that print is dead, let me assure you that the skills Chris has acquired will readily transfer to another industry. When I met with Chris, I was extremely impressed with his vast set of talents, not only in the print industry but also in business development, IT / technology, training, and project management. Chris is used to working within extremely tight deadlines – like putting out a daily paper. To him, there is no alternative when it comes to completing projects, and he always finds a solution.

Another fantastic value Chris will offer his next employer is the ability to translate creative jargon into technological directions – and vice versa. He is just as comfortable working with graphic designers, ad agency executives, systems administrators, clients, and production line workers. Not only can he change hats quickly, he treats each person with respect. And if they don’t know what he’s trying to convey, he takes the time to train them and really communicate, an art often overlooked in today’s fast-paced work environment.

Chris is currently seeking an opportunity as an IT Production / Print Manager. He will help the company with which he works expedite and streamline processes and stay on task moving into the next decade. He can analyze business directions and create strategic marketing plans that result in increased revenue – all with a smile on his face.

Want to learn more about Chris? Send an e-mail and I’ll get you connected.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: job search, resume

Posted By Amanda Collins on December 10, 2009

According to a recent e-mail I received from Climber.com, only 40% to 60% of jobs appear on the major job boards and only 25% of new hires come from job board postings. If you are relying exclusively on sites such as Jobing, Monster, and The Ladders, you are doing your job search a disservice. You may be missing the job you want or not even be seen because you’re up against so much competition.

So what’s the better way to find a job in today’s technologically charged world? Although there’s certainly not one “right” answer, you can really increase your chances of finding a position by having a multifaceted approach.

Networking
Most major cities have job seeker support groups. No matter where you are, you’re likely to find a group of people who are looking for jobs. Check with community colleges, churches, and temples. These groups offer not only support but often training. I have spoken at a few resource events about résumés, and they invite sales coaches, networking experts, and career counselors to provide free or low-cost training. Even if you don’t get to a group, start telling people that you’re looking – and for what. Post a status on your Facebook or Twitter. You never know who’ll be reading.

LinkedIn
Recruiters are scouring LinkedIn for quality employees. Susan Healthfield, in her article “Use LinkedIn for Recruiting Employees,” gives employers hints on how to use the networking site, and many of her hints can be reversed and used by employees. Make sure your profile is complete; your résumé serves as its basis and the site is pretty simple to use. When you connect with people, share your value proposition. Do research on the companies or positions you’re targeting. Ask for informational interviews to learn more about people and companies. Post and answer questions. If you’re active on the site, people will notice.

Recruiters
Are you working with a recruiter in your job search? They don’t charge you anything, and by putting yourself on their radars, you will know about those unadvertised positions that might be a great fit. There are many national recruiting companies, as well as a number of local specialists in a variety of arenas. (I work with a few, so if you need some names, let me know.) Although recruiters may not have the multitude of positions on their dockets they did a few years ago, they can still provide another resource – especially if you’re exactly what one of their clients needs.

The old saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” certainly applies to job seeking as well. Explore options and stay positive. That next great job is out there.

Share on Facebook

Category: job search, networking, resumes | No Comments »
Tags: job search, linkedin, networking, recruiters, resumes

Posted By Amanda Collins on September 10, 2009

I’ve been writing résumés since 1996, and at that point they were little more than prettified job applications with little or no focus on differentiating the client. They were a series of lists saying what you did at each job. And they all started with objectives. In essence, they were about applicants.

Today, résumés are no longer past-oriented; they are very much targeted to the reader and future-oriented. Far from the days of lists, the best résumés today highlight your value proposition and accomplishments you’ve had across your career to paint a picture to the reader and let them know how you can make their business better. The driving factor behind résumés is WIIFM: what’s in it for me? – meaning what’s in it for the employer.

If your résumé starts with an objective, doesn’t have a summary / profile, and you’re not sure what accomplishments really are, you’re likely not hitting the right note with HR managers and recruiters. Remember that you need to market yourself as the expert, the one candidate they cannot afford to pass up. If you do that, you’ll likely see a turnaround in your responses to your job-search efforts.

Share on Facebook

Category: resumes | No Comments »
Tags: accomplishments, job search, resume