The Write Resume Career Strategies Weblog

Are You Ready for the Job Search "Shark Tank?"

ABC premiered a new show, “Shark Tank®” last Fall, and it has become a hit! It airs on Friday nights and I promise you will love it!

If you’re not familiar with the show, entrepreneurs “pitch” their ideas to a panel of venture capitalists hoping to receive start-up / additional funding to take their product or service to the next level. In exchange for an investment in the company, the investors gain an ownership percentage in the business.

The “contestants” must request a specific sum of money, present a description of the service or product, discuss the history of the business, provide actual or projected financial figures (current  / projected sales, profit margins, costs, etc.) and a business plan, and detail how the Sharks’ money will be used.

The presentations are very interactive, with the Sharks asking tough and thoughtful questions during the pitch. If the business owner has a great idea that merits an investment, he / she will be awarded either all or part of the capital requested.

As I watch the show, there are times that I want to scream! Many of these individuals “come to the table” without thinking very clearly about their target market, potential demand for the product, what experience they bring to the business, and any successes they have achieved thus far. These people are often sent out the door with some pretty “strong” advice from the Sharks.

Then, there are the entrepreneurs that really have their stuff together. They present their idea and business plan brilliantly, exude passion and confidence, detail research they’ve conducted, and have a clear picture of how their product meets a specific need or opens up a new niche market. I love watching these people! And, the Sharks are usually fighting over who is going to give the best deal and capital to the individual.

This show reminds me so much of how people prepare (or not prepare) for their job search! The parallels are uncanny. Like an entrepreneur pitching a product or service, you should be doing the exact same thing in your job search – except the product being pitched is you!

Here are some words of wisdom if you want the “Sharks” (Hiring Managers) to buy into your “product” utilizing the premises of this show:

• Do your research. The successful entrepreneurs on this show have done their research, know who they are targeting, and determine their product’s value. As a job seeker, you need to take the same steps. Research the companies that will be a match for your specific strengths and skills, target them, and develop your value proposition that will help these companies achieve their goals.
• Develop your “business plan.” Just as business owners develop “road maps” for their product or service, detailing their skills and previous successes, you need to do the same thing. However, in the job search, your business plan is your resume. Convince the potential employer, on paper, why they should even call you in to “give your pitch.”
• Show the value of your “product” to the potential employer. As a job search candidate, you need to convey your “value proposition” to the employer. Figure out what makes you different and unique. Then, be prepared to show evidence of your continued success throughout your career that speaks to your “personal brand.”
• Be prepared to make a convincing, confident presentation about why your “product” should be chosen over all the other products. When the entrepreneurs make their pitch to the Sharks, the ones who come out on top and get the funding are always confident and well-prepared. They also provide examples of why their product is better than what is currently on the market. For your interview, prepare a dynamic “presentation,” and back up your “value”  with facts, figures, and successes.
• Be ready to answer questions or address objections. Many times the Sharks will ask probing questions to determine whether the participants really know their product’s market and audience. Sometimes, they even ask about other markets where the product will be valuable. When you are interviewing, you need to be prepared to answer tough questions and determine what, if any, objections a potential employer may have about you. Further, you need to understand how your skills can be transferable to other areas of the company so you can show your versatility.

While most of us will never end up on the show, Shark Tank®, I would like to suggest you watch it as “research” for your job search. I am confident you will quickly discover how pitching a product / service on this show is the same as pitching yourself to a potential employer.

You can watch previous episodes on ABC’s website at http://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/episode-guide

Finding the Right Employer Utilizing ABC’s “The Bachelor®” Method

I admit it - I watch The Bachelor® on ABC. But, not for the same reasons that other people watch it. You know, the "let's see if he really finds his true love" deal. No, I watch it for another reason.

By nature, I am a strategist and I like to observe how other people make decisions and try to figure out the psychology behind WHY they make the choices they do. To me, this show is fascinating because the audience is never really given a reason why The Bachelor sends people home. So, I like to put my own reasoning to the test.

Now, if you aren't familiar with how the show works, basically ABC chooses a Bachelor and then finds him 25 women (to start) from which he is supposedly going to find his true love. In the first episode, he meets with them at a cocktail party and gets to know something about each one by sitting down with her for a few minutes.

At the end of every show, there is a "Rose Ceremony" where he hands out roses to the women he wants to stay and continue in the process. Then, as the season progresses, he keeps choosing until he is down to the final two women. From 1 of these 2 women, he selects the person he will propose to, and then (supposedly) will end up marrying.

On this season of The Bachelor®, Jake Pavelka, a 31-year-old commercial airline pilot from Denton, Texas is looking for his true love. This season intrigued me more because I worked in the airline industry for 16 years. So, I decided I had to watch it.

Even though we are only three episodes into the season, there have been some interesting twists AND some great (and not so great) decisions made by Jake based upon limited information he gathers from the women.

Based upon some of his decisions, I began to think about his process from a job search perspective because there are some definite parallels between finding a job and spouse.

Here are the parallels I see and how they can be applied to searching for a job:

1. Start with a list of 25 employers (or find 25 positions) that fit your criteria. Unlike the show finding the women for Jake, no one chooses 25 companies for you. You have to do that on your own. However, Jake must have given ABC some criteria of what he was looking for in a potential spouse. So, think about what you want in your next employer and identify those companies that fit the bill.
2. Do your research on those companies. On the show, Jake gets to read the bios of the women before he meets them. While he probably doesn't have a lot of information to work with in the beginning, as a job seeker, you have the Internet, the library, company annual reports (if they are publicly held), and possibly "insiders" at the companies from your network. However, one of the best informational websites on companies is www.glassdoor.com, which provides "dirt" and "positive" information about companies anonymously supplied by employees.
3. Conduct "informational interviews." Jake gets to conduct "information gathering" sessions with each woman on every episode. This happens through "group" or "one-on-one" dates. His time is limited to make the right decision about the women. However, as a job seeker, you can conduct multiple, longer informational interviews with individuals who work for ypur targeted companies. However, do not approach these sessions as a way to "trick" employers into a real interview. Your sole mission is to gather "intelligence."
4. Take input from other people. On this season's first show, Jake had the opportunity to receive input from last season's couple, Ed and Jillian. He also got the "low-down" on one of the women he gave a rose to from the other ladies in the 3rd episode. They basically told him that she was a "different person" with him then she was with the other women. As a job search candidate, it is important to listen to what other people say, which leads us to my next point.
5. Evaluate the information you have received. On the first show, Jillian and Ed told Jake to eliminate a woman named Michelle. In my opinion, they gave him correct information. However, it was up to him to evaluate whether their opinion was accurate. In the job search, you will receive many opinions about companies and positions. My advice is to listen to what is being said, and if the same comments (good or bad) keep surfacing regarding a certain company, pay attention.
6. Decide which companies are a "true match" for you against your established criteria. Just as Jake needs to decide which woman is his "ultimate soulmate," as a job seeker you need to stay true to your values and find a job that fits at least 90% of your established criteria. If not, you will settle for any job, end up unhappy, and start job-hopping.
7. Eliminate those companies who aren't a good fit for you. In the 3rd episode, Jake eliminated two women BEFORE the Rose Ceremony. He realized that one of the women was just playing "games" with him and the other (Michelle, the one he was told to eliminate on the 1st show) was just not right for him. He wanted to focus on the women he was really interested in and give them a chance to stay on the show.  This same premise is true when you are evaluating companies. If there's a company that isn't a good match, walk away and focus on the companies that are right for you.

While Jake may or may not find the love of his life in six weeks with limited information, I believe that in the same amount of time, you can find a great job by utilizing the methods I have detailed above during your job search.

A Perfect Illustration of the "Right Way" to conduct a "Job Search"

History was made on January 19, 2010 in Massachusetts. Republican Scott Brown won the Senate seat previously held for 46 years by the late Senator Ted Kennedy. While that in itself was monumental, this story is not about politics, issues, or which person was the "better" candidate.

This is the tale of two "job seekers" and the methods by which they carried out their "job search." And yes, these candidates were conducting a job search. The only difference between regular job seekers and the politicians is that their search was conducted with the public watching their every move.

The candidates were Scott Brown, a little-known, underdog State Senator and Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley.

Each had their own strategy to win the seat. However, the method by which each of the candidates conducted their campaign were very different.

Let me dissect the candidates from a "job search" perspective.

Martha Coakley

Martha Coakley, as Attorney General, has amassed an impressive record of cases that resonate with voters. She also had many "firsts" as a woman and a politician. She definitely has a "track record" of success throughout her career.

Her strategy was to reach Democratic voters through traditional means. She showed up at political events, but, from many media reports, failed to "interact" with the common people. Allegedly, she focused more on rallying key political leaders, Democratic activists, union organizers, and even the Kennedy family to get the vote out.

Further, she apparently displayed two different personalities depending on whether she was in a public or private setting. In public, she was very tough and "presented her case" like a lawyer. By her own admission, she didn't inject "personality" into her speeches. However, Boston Globe reporter David Filipov wrote in an article that Coakley displayed a quick wit, was humorous, and very easy going when he conducted a one-on-one interview with her.

Scott Brown

Scott Brown has also had his share of "wins" as a State Senator and has served for 30 years in the Massachusetts National Guard.

During his campaign, Brown took the approach of "shaking the hand" of every person he could possibly meet. He drove around Massachusetts in his truck, met with real people (read voters), and got his message out either by himself or through grassroots efforts.

He was the same person, 24/7/365, consistently showing the voters who he was as a person.  As he did during his campaign, he delivered his acceptance speech with injections of humor, while still being professional. In short, he was "real."

I believe there are three key lessons to be learned about the way the candidates ran their campaigns from a "job search" perspective:

1. Know Your Personal Brand. When it comes to a job search, people want to get to know the "real person," not a carefully crafted "image." Personal branding, by definition, is all about being authentic. Know who you are and exude that authenticity with those individuals you interact with in the job search.
2. Don't rely on other people to get your "message" out for you. While networking and connecting with influential people is great, it is but one "spoke" in the wagon wheel of a job search. It is imperative to employ all methods to garner a great position, including "knocking on doors" and meeting people "face-to-face."
3. You don't win the "job" based on just your "resume." While you may have great achievements, it's the way you communicate your successes in an "interview" that will land you a coveted position.

Attaining a great job in this economy can be tough. However, with the right approach, even an underdog can come out on top of the pile.

One Size Does Not Fit All When It Involves Writing a Resume

 
I remember as a child wanting to borrow my sister's clothes. She was older than I and her clothes were a few sizes larger. When I would put on any of her outfits, they would simply hang on me.

There was no "definition" of my body and the clothes didn't look good on me. Frankly, I was cheating myself out of having my own "signature style" that would separate me from my sister.

The same premise can be true when it comes to writing a great resume. Many times, people will "borrow" their friend's resume and try to make it their own. Or, they will go out on a resume writer's website and "copy" the text that is written in one or more of the samples.

Another common practice is to purchase or download resume templates that have "pre-worded" sections that "could" apply to position(s) that they've held.

While these practices may seem like they will save you time and effort, it won't allow you to really convey what makes you unique to a potential employer. In this economy, you have to stand out - not look like the rest of the crowd. There could be 5,000 people out of work, all with the same skill sets you possess.

If you fall into the trap of just "putting a resume together" and utilize wording that doesn't portray your value and expertise,  the likelihood of you landing interviews will be slim to none. I vehemently disagree with these practices.

Allow me to share a story that illustrates why job search candidates shouldn't try the "one-size-fits-all" resume-writing approach.

Recently, a recruiter who sends all of her candidates to me for resume writing sent me an email and attached a resume to it. She wondered "what had happened" when I wrote this particular resume because it was full of grammatical errors and wasn't my usual "excellent work."

When I looked at that name of the person whose document she sent, I didn't recognize it. So, I downloaded the resume and looked in the "properties" section of Microsoft Word.

In the properties section was the name of a client I HAD worked with on composing her resume for utilization with this recruiter.

What I assume happened is that she felt sorry for her colleague (many of them were being downsized) and she decided to "share" her resume with this gentleman. They had held only one position in common - the one at their current company. Every other position was different in each of their backgrounds.

This gentleman had taken my format and saved it as his own. He kept what I had written for her summary and the description of the position they both held. Then,  he added in the rest of his work experience at different companies.

To say the least, the descriptions and accomplishments he had placed in the resume for his "other jobs" were poorly written, not formatted correctly, and had glaring grammatical errors. Like my sister's clothes that obviously weren't flattering on me, the format and flow of the information he wrote did not do him any justice!

From what I can gather, he was looking for a "quick fix," and didn't want to spend the money to differentiate himself from his own colleague, let alone any other individuals in his field.

So, as the late Paul Harvey would say, "And now, here is the rest of the story."

I called my recruiter and showed her the properties section which contained the name of the woman whose resume I wrote.

Not only was the recruiter disappointed that this woman would share her resume with someone else, but she also felt the woman lacked judgment by not realizing she was only hurting her own chances of obtaining future employment.

As for the gentleman who "copied" the resume, his resume and contact information were deleted by the recruiter. He shot himself in the foot and therefore squashed any chances of being represented by the TOP recruiter in his industry.

Further, what would have happened if I hadn't had a great relationship with this recruiter and she felt strongly enough to write me an email? Her opinion of me would have been tainted because someone tried to pass off my work as their own. I'm lucky that I have cultivated a reputation with my recruiters for quality resume preparation.

So, here are my suggestions if you want to stand out in the crowded world of job seekers:

1. Don't share the resume for which you have paid a professional to produce or one that you have carefully crafted on your own. The last thing you need is more competition and a recruiter seeing two resumes with the exact same information on them. It's like when people used to copy someone else's English paper in school. Both people would be called to the principal's office and suspended because there couldn't be a determination of "who copied whom." The result in the employment world is the HR Manager or Recruiter can't tell who was dishonest and will likely toss both resumes.
2. Don't use a software package or online system with canned phrases and job descriptions to write your resume. Spend the time to determine what makes you unique and what value you bring to the next employer. Then, figure out what skill sets and accomplishments you possess, and put that information into your resume. If you're having a hard time with "seeing the forest for the trees," then consider hiring a certified professional resume writer who will strategize and partner with you to bring out your personal brand and write your entire resume to reflect your unique promise of value.
3. Don't copy the wording from a sample resume you find on the Internet or in a book. Once again, your resume should reflect your value and abilities - not those of someone else.
4. Don't just "throw in" the wording from current or past job descriptions on your resume. As a former hiring manager, I can immediately tell when someone does that. Further, the 15 executive-level recruiters that utilize me as their sole resource for resume writing have stated to me that when someone does that, it tells them the person is not a leader or an "out-of-the-box" thinker, and can only regurgitate the tasks he / she was "assigned" to handle.

In closing, get busy figuring out your own "wardrobe" (resume) that will portray your uniqueness and ultimately make you stand out from the crowd! If you're having a hard time with the process, hire a "stylist" (resume writer) to ensure your "signature look" will garner the attention of recruiters or hiring managers.

Is There Rain or Sunshine in Your Career Forecast?

"It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
Howard Ruff

This past Wednesday I was speaking on a radio show on the topic of career management.

At one point in the show, the topic came up regarding how job seekers, and even professionals who are not currently in the job market, should be prepared at all times with an up-to-date resume and cover letter.

I used the quote above during the show to provide a vivid analogy that most everyone can relate to, as there was a very positive outcome from Noah building the Ark BEFORE the rains descended upon the Earth.

Personally, I believe that having an updated resume, whether you are currently looking for a job or not, is one of the best pieces of advice given during the show.  And, I don't state that just because I am a professional resume writer!

Allow me to share a personal story.

Back when I was working in corporate America, there was a supervisor opening in the department where I worked.

I wanted that promotion. I had worked hard, developed and / or changed many processes and procedures to increase efficiency, always said "yes" to any extra project that needed to be done, received excellent performance evaluations, had managed people at a previous company, and knew my job and the department "inside-out."

So, I submitted my resume for consideration. I prepared for my interview and it went really well. However, I wasn't selected for the position. They gave the job to a person that wasn't even in my department and did not have half the qualifications that I did!

To say that I was stunned is an understatement. I went to my boss to ask him why I had not received the promotion. His answer?

"Kathy, you were very qualified for the position. However, when you submitted your resume, you didn't even take the time to update it with the position you currently hold. That tells me you really didn't take applying for this position seriously."

At first I was mad. I mean, really, he knew what contributions I had made, that I was a great worker, and constantly sacrificed my personal life for the department. How could he give the promotion to someone who had never even worked in our department and make her my supervisor?

After I calmed down, I began to let what he had said sink in. You know, he was right! I hadn't shown him that I was "ready" to lead others because I didn't take the time to "prepare" for that leadership position.

So, why do I share this story? There are two reasons.

First, like I did several years ago, many people assume that their internal superiors know what contributions they have made and the successes that came as a result of their efforts. So, they feel like they don't really need a "stellar" presentation of their achievements on paper when the time comes to apply for a promotion or another position in their company.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Managers are busy with the latest crisis, and they usually don't remember what you did yesterday (unless it was bad), let alone what accomplishments you achieved during the last year or throughout your career. Further, if you are applying for a different position in your company, it's likely that another manager won't have a clue about your successes.

You need to be proactive and have your resume ready, showcasing your skills and achievements in an attractive format in case a fantastic opportunity is presented.

Second, what happens if you are suddenly downsized or a recruiter calls you and says they have a great position available? Either way, you are now "behind the eight ball" if your resume isn't up-to-date.

When either of these situations happens, the individual now has to "scramble" to get his / her resume together under a tight deadline. It becomes an almost impossible or overwhelming task for the individual because stress takes over and makes it difficult to think clearly about specifics for each job. 

So, be like Noah, and start building your "ark" before the rain starts falling so you'll be prepared before the "flood" strikes in your life. Whether you write your resume or hire a professional to compose one for you, set a date for completion and stick to it.

I promise that you’ll feel more in control, you’ll look like a professional who is always ready for any situation that may arise, and the sun will be shining on you without a chance of rain in sight! 

 

Debunking The Myth of the One Page Resume "Rule"

As a professional resume writer, I often receive resumes from potential clients to review before we begin working together.

Generally, these individuals have many years of experience, with either multiple positions in the same company or different companies, and / or an impressive career path that has lead to senior management  or executive-level positions.

When I open the document, what do I see? Every job they've ever held crammed onto one page!

Typically, the type is in an 8 pt font size (never use less than 10 pt), there is no white space (makes the resume hard to read), and there are 1-2 bullets or sentences under each position.

When I inquire about why they have a one-page resume, the answer I receive on a consistent basis is this: "I thought that was the rule."

While that may have been the rule 20+ years ago, times have changed. Instead of a resume being a "listing" of every job you've held, it is now a "marketing" document designed to sell a "unique" product - you!

It's competitive out there. No longer can job seekers convey their unique value proposition, differentiate themselves from the competition, and show a consistent track record of increased position responsibilities and success in every position on a one-page resume.

And, I'm not "debunking" the one-page resume "rule" without research and facts to back up my assertions. Recently, I conducted a survey of recruiters and human resource professionals regarding resume "page-length."

The overwhelming response was that they didn't want to see an "experienced" candidate's professional career crammed onto one page. They wanted a document that would allow them to determine the skill set and achievements of the candidate, as this is how they matched the individual to the position requirements and made the decision to grant an interview.

Further, I have been writing resumes for 22+ years, and I haven't EVER had an experienced client come back to me to have their resume cut down to one page because they weren't getting interviews. I also work with 15 executive recruiters, and not one time have they asked me to "trim down" a candidate's resume to one page.

Consider this analogy.

When homicide detectives present a case to the District Attorney to determine whether to prosecute a  suspect, they don't just bring one or two pieces of evidence to the meeting. They provide all the evidence and let the DA decide if there is enough to obtain a conviction.

You can use the principles of this analogy when putting together your resume. Does your resume contain enough "evidence" (your brand, skills and achievements) to compel the DA (HR or Recruiter) to determine whether to go after a "conviction" (interview) ?

If not, you may want revamp your resume to "tell the story" of your career in a way that compels the reader to pick up the phone and call you for an interview.

Has it been a few years since you updated your resume, and you're not sure how to present your brand, skills, and achievements to "sell yourself" to make it to the top of the candidate pile? Consider hiring a certified professional resume writer and investing in a customized resume that showcases your unique value proposition.

Happy New Year and may 2010 bring you closer to the career of your dreams!