An outstanding resume is a critical component of a successful job search and career development strategy, but – as I have written about several times now – it is just a piece of the puzzle. Read more
I just heard back from a client who – for a long time – was reluctant to consider temporary employment. She held on to an outmoded notion that it was somehow not an option for someone not pursuing clerical work. Read more
It is becoming increasingly important to find ways to differentiate yourself in the job market – ways to get the attention of readers and to stand out among a sea of highly qualified candidates. That means finding ways to be appropriately and productively disruptive.
There are very safe ways of doing this; creating a truly accomplishment focused resume is pretty disruptive (since so many are anything but). And there are more risky ways of achieving this. I recently received an email from someone asking whether it would be appropriate to send a potential employer a skateboard with an infographic decal along with his resume (yes, really!).
The employer was a very progressive design company. They had requested applicants “provide something extra.” But a skateboard with an infographic decal? Believe it or not, I liked the idea. It certainly will be hard to ignore! Because – and only because – the employer opened up the door for something like this and the approach was not out of line with the company’s culture, I said go for it. What would be a terrible idea in most situations made good sense here.
When considering ways to be appropriately and productively disruptive, there are some things to keep in mind:
- In the example I shared, the skateboard is an attention getter. Regardless, the focus needs to be on what you offer and how you plan to impact the company. If you aren’t directing people to what really matters (your accomplishment-focused resume), the skateboard is just a gimmick.
- Whatever you produce – be it a mock advertisement, proposal or infographic – needs to be top-notch. You are going to get people’s attention, but you are also opening yourself up to added criticism. That’s not a bad thing. Just make sure what you send / leave behind is the best you can possibly deliver.
When considering ways to stand out, it is most important that you consider your audience. What works for a creative design firm could be absolutely disastrous in another setting. Know your audience, do the best you can and make sure – above all else – that the resume you provide is outstanding.
Q: Your post on fulfillment really got me. The thing is, many people (including me) don’t have that luxury. It’s tough enough to make ends meet. Don’t you think a lot more people are going to have to be satisfied by simply having a job?
A: I understand what you are saying and am not blind to the reality of our economy and the employment landscape. I think your question can best be addressed by a something I wrote a while back…
We live in a time where, out of necessity it seems that many people have to take jobs that “pay the bills.” The number of people I meet in unfulfilling jobs is alarming. It’s a sign of the times and a sign of how quickly the reality of the world’s economy is changing.
Unfortunately, though, there’s a huge price to pay when that’s the case. For one, unless you’re feeling fulfilled and in sync, that little voice in your head will always be nagging you – reminding you that you aren’t feeling so hot about your career. There’s a solution, though, that helps to quiet that nagging voice. Pursue fulfillment.
You see, if you are at the very least pursuing your purpose, you are “on purpose” and the voice is dulled. Many people view the job dilemma as an either/or sort of thing. You’re happy or you’re not. That’s what keeps people from taking steps forward. Tiny steps, even, that get them closer and closer to feeling in sync.
Fulfilling work that will resonate with you is within your reach. It starts by taking one step at a time. I’ve worked hard – and even faced a career refocusing – to become an expert and to differentiate myself within the field of Human Resources and Career Development. It wasn’t always easy, and I could have chosen to stay in upwardly mobile but ultimately unfulfilling jobs from my previous career track. My life is much richer all the way around because of the career shift I pursued.
The economy is not great and the world of work will is not likely to return to the way it was several years ago. I urge you, though, to get on top of your career and make work work for you. Settling is simply not worth it – no matter the state of the economy.
If you follow this blog, you know that I like to share answers to the most frequent questions that come through my inbox. One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What can I do to make my job search successful?” Read more
Here is a question I get at least once a week, “I interviewed with several people. Who do I send the thank you letter to?” Read more
If you have recently interviewed and have not heard anything, you are probably hoping that this post will tell you a very specific period of time to wait before following up after an interview. Unfortunately, there is only one way to know for certain, and the answer can only come from the potential employer.
You have to ask during the interview.
I could tell you “two weeks,” but that could create a problem for two reasons. Firstly, many employers are taking many months to select candidates. If you follow-up after two weeks, they may consider this far too early. “We aren’t even done interviewing candidates,” they may think. Alternately, many companies are expediting the hiring process. Wait two weeks and you may just be too late.
The only way to know when to follow up is to ask during the interview. “What does your process look like?” is a very easy question that should provide you with some understanding about the company’s timeline. It’s also a killer question because it shows 1) your interest 2) your respect for process 3) your desire to be prepared (should there be multiple rounds of interviews, etc.).
I can’t tell you how often I see resumes with the incorrect LinkedIn URL on them. In short, your public LinkedIn profile URL should look something like this: Read more
Make today the day you decide to pursue professional development. The day you decide to live from a place of commitment – not comfort or fear. Read more
A while back, I wrote The Resume Is Not Dead following a spate of articles sounding a death knell for the tried-and-true job search document. At that time, LinkedIn had just announced its “Apply With LinkedIn” button, which many touted as the final nail in the resume’s coffin.
The resume has persevered. Read more
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