Friday, April 18, 2014

Winning Ways Advice Corner by Marge 'Magic' Powers - Is Your Resume Working? Getting You Interviews?



            
Dear Magic:
I am looking for work and I’m not getting any calls.  I’m starting to think there is something wrong with my resume.  Could you give me some tips on how to write a good resume, my experience is somewhat varied and I’m not sure how to create a resume that will get some interest.  Help!   Jimmy Robinson

Dear James:
If you are not receiving a response back from employers about the resume you submitted, there could be a variety of reasons.  Perhaps you do not have the particular qualifications the employer is seeking.  Or maybe you are not properly communicating your strengths, experience, accomplishments and skills, or maybe you didn’t include a job objective.

Take a hard look at your resume and revamp it for effectiveness.  Would you want to interview you if you read your resume?  If you only have 30 seconds to make your pitch, what would you say?  If an employer cannot see what you have to offer or understand how your particular experience and skills are applicable to the job, you are not going to receive that callback to come in for an interview.  Note my tips and suggestions below, and good luck to you.
Sincerely,
Marge ‘Magic’ Powers



The common culprits that make a resume less ineffective include:
 Poor Opening:  If your resume starts with only an “Objective” indicating what you are looking for rather than what you have to offer an employer, you have already lost points right there.  Even if your resume does start with a ‘Summary of Qualifications” or something similar to that effect, you need to ask yourself, “Does it immediately and clearly tell why you’re the right fit for the job?”  An effective opening creates a theme that says, “Here is what I am best at.”  Then, prove it by showcasing your accomplishments (with an end result) in your various jobs.

Not Using It As a Marketing Tool:  A resume is used to help get your foot in the door with an employer.  It is not a legal document and there is no need to include information that is irrelevant to the position you are seeking.  The more irrelevant information you put on your resume, the easier it will be for an employer to come to the conclusion that you are not an appropriate candidate for the job.  Use your resume to help demonstrate particular accomplishments, experience, and skills that the employer can benefit from regarding the open position.  Your mission is to simply put out a sufficient amount of background experience and information to spark the employer’s interest.  Save the rest of details for the interview.
Inappropriate Personal Information:  Some personal information, such as hobbies, may be explicitly placed on the resume to help tell the employer more about your character.  However, if what you list is unprofessional and inappropriate for the profession, it can ruin your shot at making a good impression with the employer.   For instance, be cautious of your e-mail address.  Your username or domain for the e-mail address can give off the wrong impression if it reads something unprofessional or inappropriate or similar to “partyaniml@...or “peoplehater@.
If you are including a website or blog address, or on LinkedIn, make sure the information you have on it is appropriate and relevant for the job you are seeking.  Also, even if you are not publicizing digital information, employers may be screening your activity on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, so check your privacy settings or make sure your public profile is appropriate for a potential employer to see.
Brand yourself:  What can you do to distinguish yourself from your competition?  The answer is: create a ‘branding statement’ that specifically highlights your unique value; the one thing that you do better than anything else.  For instance, if you are an IT Manager, your headline and branding statement could read something like this:
‘Information Technology Manager.  Designing next-generation technologies that consistently out-perform and innovate the competition.’
(Think about what sets you apart from the crowd.  How are you better?  What do you offer that others don’t?  Identify your unique brand and use your resume to sell it. What have been the results of your accomplishments?  If you were an employer, why would you hire you?   Hmmmmmm?
What employers look for when screening resumes and applications?

·         A match: They want to see if you work history, knowledge and skills, education, training, and achievements match their needs.
·         Positive patterns:  They look for a logical progression from one job to another with a reasonable amount of time per job, promotions, awards, and other positive results.
·         Positive indicators:  They look for favorable personality traits, work habits, and interpersonal skills, as well as successful project completion.
·         Knockouts:  They look for any simple, clear-cut facts that immediately put the applicant out of the running, such as:  inability or unwillingness to relocate, inappropriate education or experience, inappropriate salary demands.  Avoid common resume mistakes:

Avoid These Common Resume Mistakes:
·         Career/job objective is missing or unrealistic.
·         Information isn’t relevant to the job opening
·         Wordy, vague, unfocused, rambling.
·         Focus is on duties rather than responsibilities.
·         Lacks performance results—concrete ways your employers benefited from your skills.
  • Lacks hard numbers to back up achievements.  Or no accomplishments listed at all.
  • Work history is spotty, fraudulent, or missing.
  • Crucial skills for the open position are buried and hard to find.
  • Layout is too difficult to read quickly
  • Typos, poor grammar, misspelling
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 
Magic Morsel:  If someone can’t spot your value in 20 seconds—you’re not making a good first impression.
Magic Morsel:  When you are in a negative state, you cannot win.
Magic Morsel:  If you don’t share your accomplishments, how are they going to know what you contributed to the results?
                                                     CONNECT WITH US.

Questions:  Email me and let me know your opinions, let’s have your suggestions and ask your questions.  If you’re ready to feel good about yourself, then connect now! 

If you would like a ‘free review of your resume or your background summary.  I’ll be happy to critique it at no charge.

Help is here if you only ask:  Contact Marge “Magic” Powers for a free ½ hour consultation at 209.785.2042 or   marge@discoverwinningways.com.  (Would you please call between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.)?   Note:  If I am with a client, I do not answer the phone, so please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  Thanks.  ‘Magic’ Powers   J

I have written and included on my Web Site many helpful eBooks in how to improve your personal life issues, career, job search activities and retirement lifestyle predicaments…look them over and read what interests you:  www.discoverwinningways.com.
WINNING WAYS is a Career and Life Coaching firm.  We help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be so you can reclaim your power, commit to your destiny and keep your dignity.  Our mission is a strong commitment to bringing about real practical changes with huge results in your life. 
Note:   I only work with people who can benefit most from my coaching; such as those who are in transition, open minded, interested in growing and viewing their world as an opportunity full of possibilities.  I enjoy working with people who are committed and motivated to ‘win’ and want to be satisfied in a life that actually works and fits who they are! 

WINNING WAYS,    Founder
Career and Master NLP Life Learning Advisor
             209.785.2042
                                                                            marge@discoverwinningways.com
                                                       www.discoverwinningways.com