ExecutiveBrightSide Blog
3 Steps to Make Your Online Resume A Winner
* Voted “Best Answer” in LinkedIn Discussion: Is Applying for Jobs Online a Waste of Time?
I agree with the overwhelming response of careerists to spend time networking and doing company research as a job seeker, instead of posting resumes. The facts are there: online job applications account fro 2-5% of job offers.
That said, if you find a suitable company through your networking and research, chances are they are going to ask you to apply online, even if you claim an inside contact. So you’re stuck being just one more needle in the hiring person’s haystack. Here are some quick tips to make your online resume stand out from the rest of the chaff: Continue reading this entry »
Gift Ideas for the Unemployed
It’d be great if you could go out and buy a job at Walmart for someone you love but, unless you know something I don’t, retailers aren’t stocking their shelves with job requisitions (yet).
The closest you can come to giving someone a job, is giving them someone that can give them a job. Continue reading this entry »
BrightSide places 2nd in Jobacle’s Resume-Writing Challenge
Jobacle, an innovative career development portal led by Journalist/Writer/Podcaster/Blogger Andrew G. R., invited resume writers to compete in creating a resume for his job-search arsenal.
Although we didn’t take home the gold, instead placing second, a case could be made that BrightSide got the most positive and enthusiastic commentsfor from both the staff at Jobacle and the general public, including a podcast declaration from Andrew himself that he’ll definitely be using his new BrightSide resume if and when his search for work commences.
Check out all of the entrants in this one-of-a-kind contest to read about the diverse range of resume writers’ processes, qualifications, and perspectives. This is perfect cross-section of our industry, a rare insight indeed, into how we work and why we do what we do.
Stay on the BrightSide.
“Is A Cover Letter Really Necessary?”
Truth be told, some hiring managers will never read your cover letter.
According to a 2008 focus group of 150 senior recruiters*:
- only 23% said a cover letter was absolutely mandatory;
- 63% said they could go either way; and
- 14% gave an emphatic “nay” to this age-old document.
These findings are right in line with my conversations with hiring professionals.
I know screeners who delete the cover letter immediately, some who forward it on to others but never read it themselves, and others who print it out only to staple it behind the resume.
But you know what else they tell me? Continue reading this entry »
3 Ways A More Expensive Resume Writer Will Save You Money
Three job seekers (just in the past two days) have complained to me about their experiences with other resume writers:
“This resume doesn’t say anything about me.”
“They left out the most important part.”
“They just didn’t get me.”
The common thread? Each of these three people paid $150 or less for their resume. They went the inexpensive route, a seemingly smart maneuver when money’s tight. Continue reading this entry »
Is An Online Job Search Enough?
Everyone would like to think they’ll find the ideal job from the comfort of their living room, or while they sip lattes at Starbucks and troll through listings on their laptop. However, research shows that Continue reading this entry »
Career Fields That Remain Strong During a Depression
The number one request of job seekers during these challenging economic times is “Find me a job with some stability”. A tall order but famed careerist and radio personality, Marty Nemko, has some great ideas on depression-proof career fields. He covers everything from utilities to prostitution.
Human Resources Speaks Out About What They Want
In Sept. 2008, I had the privilege of attending an HR panel who took the time to share what they wanted to see (and did not want to see) on a job candidate’s resume. Here’s what they had to say: Continue reading this entry »
“How Do I Get Hired After Age 50?”
I’m getting tons of clients coming to me with this very question.
The key is recognizing and remembering that your work experience can play a *supportive* role as well as a leadership role with organizations. The two need not be mutually exclusive.
If you’re over 50, you’ve probably had the experience of being labeled as overqualified. And in response to this unwanted job-search slur Continue reading this entry »
“Should I Hide My Age By Leaving Off My Graduation Date?”
* Voted “Best Answer” in LinkedIn Discussion: Is a Graduation Date Necessary on a Resume?
- I am too old
- I’ve never managed anyone directly
- I don’t have Microsoft Excel experience
- I have a job gap from 2002-2004
You’ll never see these above items on a resume because the purpose of the resume Continue reading this entry »
“Should I Include My LinkedIn URL On My Resume?”
Assuming your LinkedIn profile is completely error free, always professional, and in line with your current job pursuits, then I suggest including it on the resume. It shows you’re a proactive job-seeker, you’re technically adept, that you know people, and (if you’ve taken the initiative to get some recommendations) that at least some people like you.
I can think of at least 3 things your LinkedIn website offers that a resume does not: Continue reading this entry »
The Most Common Question About Resumes
As an ex-recruiter, career counselor, and résumé-writer, I’m often asked the ever popular question: “Should my résumé be 1 or 2 pages?”. This concern is valid, especially since lengthy résumés can make an applicant appear arrogant, unfocused, anxious, old, or overqualified.
So how do you know when to stop writing? Continue reading this entry »
“Should I Lie On My Resume To Recharge My Job Search?”
[After sending out 1000+ resumes with not a single job offer, a job seeker concluded that he needed to lie on his resume. In his case, he felt he was overqualified and therefore needed to dumb down his resume to get some interviews. It's my estimation that he's looking in the wrong place Continue reading this entry »
Safe Answers to the Salary Question
Your negotiating power stems from your ability to demonstrate how your contributions will increase revenue and productivity and/or decrease costs and stress for your employer. Therefore, the earlier you talk about salary (without having first addressed the employers’ concerns), the worse your negotiating position. Here are some winning answers Continue reading this entry »
How To Choose & Use Your References
Ultimately, the choice is yours as far as who should speak on your behalf. However, here are some guidelines to help you figure out who are the best people to approach when searching for references. Continue reading this entry »
“How Can I Make My Resume Represent ‘The Real Me’?”
[There's a widespread frustration held by business executives that their resumes' cannot adequately describe "the real me". I've challenged this notion with the following comments and suggestions:] Continue reading this entry »
“How Do I Get a Management Job If I’ve Only Held Positions As An Individual Contributor?”
[A software developer was looking to move further into management but had no idea how to build a resume to support this transition. My response includes a detailed explanation as to what I've done in the past with clients in this position.] Continue reading this entry »
“Should I Answer Interview Questions In My Online Profile?”
Online profiles (posted on networking sites, your own job-search site, and social spaces) are an excellent complement to your resume. Just be sure to leave at least a few questions unanswered. Continue reading this entry »
“How Do You Write The Perfect Resume?”
Looking for feedback on my work, I sent the exact same resume to 2 trusted recruiters and got the following 2 gut reactions:
- “Great format but the writing could be more salesy.”
- “Compelling content but the format is bland.”
The take home message: You can’t please everyone.
That said, you can still win interviews Continue reading this entry »
“How Do I Write A Resume If I Have No Experience?”
* Voted “Best Answer” in LinkedIn Discussion: What is the Best Way to Structure a Resume for an Entry-Level Medical Assistant?
In my experience there’s no such thing as “no experience” even for recent graduates and current students. There’s plenty of other ways to fill space on a resume aside from listing paid work experience Continue reading this entry »
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