Executive
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Resumes category.
Pages
Archives
Categories
- Career Transition (13)
- Cover Letters (1)
- Get To Know Cliff (9)
- Interviewing (10)
- Job Market (10)
- LinkedIn's Best Answers (3)
- Mature Workers (6)
- Networking (6)
- Press (1)
- Resumes (27)
- Salary (1)
- Uncategorized (4)
BrightSide Blog
Archives for the 'Resumes' Category
Real Market Pain
This month’s already been a rough one.
One client, upon receipt of her resume, wanted to forgo the revision process, wanted a partial refund, and asked to “end this relationship” with no further explanation. Wow.
Another resume client refused to do career counseling despite her being completely at a loss for where to go next.
One job-seeker sent us a list of demands and concerns a mile long, and hadn’t even placed an order yet!
A valued former client threatened to stop making referrals if we didn’t get her in our already tight project queue.
Sheesh.
It’s enough to make a business owner want to throw in the towel and go pick Pink Lady apples for a living. What’s going on? Let me make sure we’re doing our job right, here.
Is it our product?
We’ve put together the most talented resume team out there; Seriously, our writers are word wizards; they’ve won awards; they’re nationally certified, even multi-credentialed with certifications, degrees, and relevant career paths. More than that, they take the whole client into account to design a personalized document that addresses every single stated challenge and concern. People would be amazed at how much thought we put into a 1-3 page document.
Is it our process?
We have the most comprehensive information gathering process I’ve seen, comprised of an hour of coaching/consulting and a very well crafted questionnaire to both help clients generate resume content and prepare them for their interview process.
What about customer service?
We’re responsive as all get-out. When I can’t answer the phone personally, our administrative manager certainly does, if only to get back to customers with a real live voice to say “we’re super busy, how can I help”.
Maybe we’re slacking on followup?
Our infrastructure is technologically rich, making it possible to track projects through every step and get back to existing clients immediately to address their needs. At any given time, 3 people are paying attention to a single client.
Am I ranting?
That’s not the goal here (well, not the primary goal). The point is we’re doing all we can to keep customers happy. We’re staying relatively small, offering a high-touch service, and bringing clients into the process all along the way. Put another way, we’ve set up a system to control our extensive resume development process so that nothing and nobody gets overlooked or under-serviced.
But I guess there is one thing that we can’t control:
The economy.
In following up with all of the aforementioned aggrieved clients, this what they had to say
“Things are tight right now.”
“I was really counting on this resume to change everything.”
“I just don’t have the money.”
“It’s hard to justify paying for anything.”
“I need help now, not in a month.”
“No one will hire me no matter what I do.”
The pain is real and it flows amongst anyone involved in the job search process, directly or indirectly. I suppose I need to buck up with my self-absorbed complaints of “difficult months” and instead relish the fact that I’m employed and in a position to help. And although my intentions with BrightSide are honest, simply offering or even successfully delivering, such help may not be enough to make the pain disappear.
Only getting a job can do that.
If I’m truly open to criticism (which I try to be), it hurts a little. And I suppose we’re all hurting at least a little in this economy. If it’s not us, someone we know is out of work and not getting the recognition they deserve–sometimes for no other reason than there are just too many applicants for each job available.
After several months of non-response, anyone–even the most seasoned, well-established career professional–will get discouraged. It’s a lonely, frustrating feeling and it seems to be inextricably linked to looking for work.
At the base of the issue, it just hurts.
And I guess one way to offer support to anyone in this position is to hurt a little bit with them.
Resume Tips For Overcoming Recession-Related Challenges
Give employers the real scoop, not just your work history.
Recessions tend to push hardworking people into two groups. On the one hand is the layoff survivor handling the load of multiple former employees. On the other is the hyperqualified job seeker who nevertheless remains overlooked. Both types of people often need to write a new résumé, and neither can afford to do it the same way they might have in the previous millennium. Continue reading this entry »
What Are Resume Writers Really Offering?
It never ceases to amaze me how many people argue against hiring a resume writer.
I’m one myself–the world’s best in fact–and though I know my resumes are well worth the $1,000 people pay for them, I understand that my services are not for everyone. Continue reading this entry »
Video Resumes: Yea or Nay?
This question was posed on LinkedIn, receiving unanimous “no way in web 2.0 hell” replies from recruiters and HR people. Among the top arguments against video resumes were viewing time, discrimination issues, downloadability, and storage, but I think there’s a much more important and insurmountable factor to consider. Continue reading this entry »
Brazen Careerist’s Compelling Argument for Hiring a Professional Resume Writer
It’s often hard to justify spending money on a resume writing when you’re already out of work. Isn’t money supposed to be flowing the other way?
The Brazen Careerist makes a compelling argument for hiring a pro, using the analogy of a haircut to drive her point home. Continue reading this entry »
Cliff Flamer, Owner of BrightSide Resumes, Named “World’s Best Resume Writer” After Winning Contest
Press Release: Cliff Flamer, seasoned résumé writer and owner of BrightSide Résumés, wins #1 public vote for crafting the world’s best résumé.
San Francisco, CA — Cliff Flamer, résumé expert and career counselor, was just deemed The World’s Best Résumé Writer” after winning the public vote for the first-ever worldwide résumé-writing contest sponsored by Career Director’s International (CDI).
So what makes his résumés the world’s best? Continue reading this entry »
Answers To Popular Resume Questions From Recent Grads
Here’s an interview I did for MadGrad blogger and recent graduate, Ashley Mittman, asking me some popular resume questions on behalf of her fellow Millenials. Continue reading this entry »
Mature Workers And The Fountain of Youth
As a seasoned professional, you have much to offer but remember to make room for new experiences as well.
An effective résumé for will balance your strengths (i.e. what you can teach) with your areas for growth (i.e. what you can learn). In regards to the latter, I’m certainly not suggesting you claim ignorance. Rather, consider showing a recently developed interest in a new industry or field.
This is best done by illustrating how you’ve already Continue reading this entry »
Are “Job Gaps” A Good Thing?
Recently, a resume client of mine forwarded a newsletter article from job board discussing ways to overcome “job gaps” of 3-6 months.
Here’s a snippet from the article, and my subsequent retort as to why we should redefine the criteria for a job gap: Continue reading this entry »
Let the Government Pay For Your Career Expenses
One of the best kept secrets in job-hunting: The government has offered to pay part of your expenses!
You read correctly: Career expenses, including fees incurred for Continue reading this entry »
Headhunter Reveals The Ladders scam
Looking for $100K+ Jobs? You might want to look somewhere other than TheLadders. According to this in-depth exposé by Nick Corcodilos, one of the industry’s most trusted voices of recruiting, TheLadders is making promises they’re not even coming close to keeping.
More and more career professionals and job seekers are making complaints about The Ladder’s resume-critique and job-posting services, often claiming this household name in job boards to be a scam.
As you’ll see, his article evokes equally frank reviews and experiences from resume-writers, career counselors, coaches, recruiters, and regretful clients of TheLadders. The message is clear: TheLadders came up with a concept on which they can’t deliver.
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 »
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.
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 »
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 »
back to top | Copyright 2008 BrightSideResumes.com
