Craig Fisher (twitter: @fishdogs) on his Career Branding for Social Animals blog shared the results of his informal LinkedIN query to recruiters and hiring managers about the top things to leave off the resume. You can read the post with the top 10 list or check out the Wordle image he put together that tells it all.
Craigs' top 10 things to leave off your resume.
10. Religious or Political affiliations 9. Toastmasters 8. Hobbies 7. Photos 6. MENSA 5. Compensation 4. Family info (marital status, children, pets) 3. References available upon request 2. Anything not relevant to the position for which you are applying 1. Objective
This is a guest post by Alison Kenney, a Boston-based independent PR practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the field.
More and more PR pros are going solo these days. Often the economy is tipping their hand — striking out on their own after a lay-off or finally calling it quits themselves as a result of a "now or never" attitude. I′ve been a solo PR practitioner for the past 8 years and have these tips to share from what′s worked for me: There′s a difference between freelancing and consulting. Freelancing is essentially working for someone else — sub-contracting with another agency or an employer. Consulting is when you interface with a client directly and run the project or program. With either role you are self-employed, must fill out a 1099 tax form, and typically concede receiving any benefits. Consultants tend to earn more than freelancers and take on a more strategic role. Solo practitioners can do either (and both!) but it helps to know the terminology so you′re on the same page as prospective employers.
If PR is all about reputation management, then being a solo PR practitioner, where you rely heavily on referrals and word-of-mouth leads, means relationships are king! The PR industry can be a small world, where job turnover means yesterday′s client is tomorrow′s"¦client.
Focus. Working on your own is liberating, but all the "unstructured" time can also distract you from accomplishing your goals. If you end up freelancing or consulting for work/life balance reasons, e.g. having more time for children, be sure to set specific goals. Be clear about what your client goals are versus what you want to accomplish with your new flexible schedule. Having an office space, hiring childcare and setting work hours will increase your odds of meeting these goals.
Understand your source(s) of business. подборка ÑротичеÑких приколовThe Readerпорно труÑики PR is different from some other service businesses. Clients don′t typically look in the phone book or follow up on a coupon to find someone who can build and promote their company brand. They are guided by referrals from trusted sources and to get those referrals you will most likely have to develop and care for your network.
Alison Kenney is an independent PR practitioner with more than 15 years of PR consulting experience. She is based on Boston′s North Shore and has worked with organizations in the technology, professional services and consumer industries. She can be reached at alisonkenney@comcast.net.
Rejection, especially in this job market, is an unavoidable reality. You won't win every time. It's okay to be disappointed, for a minute, but set a limit and move on. Part of job search success requires self-evaluation. It's important to recognize the possibility you might be doing something wrong and, if so, to be open to positive change.
If you've been on the hunt for awhile and you feel like you're getting nowhere, consider asking your recent interviewers and peers for constructive criticism. Be prepared for the sugar-coated version, but at least you will gain some perspective on what you may be able to change for future interviews.
I find the most frustrated job seekers are those who walk blindly through their job searches. Recruiters and hiring managers are keen at sniffing out those with chips on their shoulders. Not being aware of negative feelings or the inability to control emotions throughout a difficult job search process will quickly send a job seeker to the depths of job search hell, and we all know that is not a pretty place to be.
I know it's easier said than done, but keeping your chin up and sending out positive vibes throughout every step of an interview process is critical to your success. Here are 6 ways to stay positive during your job search:
1. Take responsibility for your happiness.
Too often we let other people determine our happiness. When you let a potential employer, or anyone else for that matter, control your feelings, you'll never end up very happy. Happiness, bitterness, or frustration are all choices. How you decide to react to any situation in a job search is up to you. Many issues in life you won't have any control over. The key is knowing what is within your power (yourself) and what is out of your hands (everyone else).
2. Reward yourself for the small successes along the way.
Celebrate when you get a phone interview or second-round interview. Okay, it's not a job offer, but it's a step in the right direction. Even if you aren't selected for the job, it means your resume is communicating the right things to a potential employer.
3. Find a job search partner and surround yourself with positive people.
Networking should play a huge part in your job search, however, if you find yourself surrounded by "Debbie Downers", find another group! This goes for a job search partner, too. While finding someone to talk to who's in the same boat as you and who understands the frustrations is very helpful, make sure you help keep each other motivated and positive.
4. Set goals. Get up and get out.
Don't allow yourself to sleep in and lounge around. Take your job search seriously and search every single day. Set daily goals and track your progress so you have a good idea of where you are heading. Setting a job search schedule will give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.
5. Find time to do things you enjoy.
Keeping your life balanced will help you stay positive and keep things in perspective. Explore a new hobby. Catch up on your reading list. Eat right and exercise! Stay engaged with your family and friends.
6. Consider exploring a cause you are passionate about through part-time volunteer work.
Not only can volunteering lead to possible job leads and new connections, but it's a good way to add structure to your days and feel like you are contributing to a positive cause.
Yesterday, I posted the example of the worst job inquiry I've ever received which has prompted a few questions from people who have been unemployed for an extended time and relate to the frustration pouring out of the letter. Frustration is an undeniable and natural reaction during the job search.
Simply put - the economy sucks right now. Many very talented people are out of work or under-employed. This is even more of a reason you need to put the extra effort into the job search and into how you present yourself throughout the process. You are your number one fan and it's up to you to sell yourself every time you walk through an interviewer's door or send an employment inquiry. It is your job, despite your frustration, the economy, the doom and gloom, the rejection letters, and the unwillingness of others, to put your best foot forward and do it with a smile on your face if you plan to go back to work anytime soon.
A company will not hire you because:
You have been unemployed for X number of months or years
You have personal financial obligations or need health insurance
You are going through a divorce
You need more of a work/life balance
For any reason thrown out there that has to do with your personal needs
A company will hire you because:
Your background fits the job
AND your professional experiences and skills add value to an organization
AND your energy and enthusiasm are contagious and the team wants to share office space with you
AND you have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn new things
It is your responsibility to demonstrate this to any prospective employer. Check the negative attitude and frustration at the door. It's easy to get down on yourself and anything else the stands in your way during a long job search, but voicing it, even eluding to it, will not help you one bit.
The question is how does one stay positive during a job search when nobody seems to want to help you? Where do you channel the frustration? How does one revive and advance their job search when the possibilities seem limited? More about that tomorrow.
The example below is one of the worst examples of an employment inquiry I have ever received. You don't need to read more than the first paragraph to see where this is heading. But read it thoroughly, maybe even twice.
Is it just me or does the negative tone and desperation of this email just make you cringe? Aside from the negativity, the unnecessary sarcasm, and a few typos, it is obvious that this candidate sent this blanket inquiry to dozens of recruiters. Big time fail. I can't imagine I'm the only person who wouldn't feel comfortable putting someone who presents himself like this in front of a client.
Telling candidates not to sound desperate always raises a lot of questions, especially for those who are out of work and need a job to pay the bills. We all need to pay the bills. We may have alimony, mortgages, credit card bills, student loans, and child support - the list goes on and on. Your financial obligations are a given, so bringing it up in the job search is completely unnecessary. I get numerous inquiries each week asking for help with blatant statements about personal financial situations. Don't be that person.
Tips for writing a good employment inquiry letter:
1. Make it personal. Remind the person where you met, how you found his or her name, or who gave you the recommendation.
2. Explain why you are writing and exactly what information you would like to find out. People don't know how to help you if they don't know what you need.
3. Stay positive and cheerful. Do exactly the opposite of the example above.
4. Market an accomplishment or two. Make people want to call you.
I'm not a huge fan of cover letters. The "Is a Cover Letter Necessary?" topic is a highly debatable topic between recruiters. Most will tell you cover letters are absolutely necessary, but there are some of us out there who will openly admit that we always look at your resume first. It's true. A cover letter is secondary. If the resume fits the job specs and you didn't send me a cover letter, I could care less. I'll still interview you.
Before you get too excited, I'm not recommending a complete omission of the cover letter. Some companies put a lot weight on deciding who comes in for an interview on the letter itself, so it's better to have one ready. I'm just sayin'.
The type of cover letters I prefer are more like introductory letters embedded in the email. I'm not talking about that cover letter everyone learned about in college. You know the one: traditional, long, full-page 5 paragraph monster filled with boring adjectives that everyone uses to describe themselves. Blah! This introductory email is brief, direct, and cuts to the chase. It tells me everything I need to know to decide if I should open the attachment before moving on to my other emails.
A good introduction includes:
A brief description about why you are contacting the person and how you found him or her.
The position you are interested in exploring (a link is helpful if you found it online somewhere).
Top three reasons you fit the position. Be specific. Add a previous accomplishment that addresses the possible challenges in the position.
Here is a basic introduction letter outline of someone I would be inclined to call.
Hi Lindsay,
I began following you on ____ and I recently came across your current search for a (position title) in (city). (Add link here if you have it).
If the position is still open, I'd like to put my hat in the ring. Even though (industry) is a new field for me, I'm a fit for the position's background criteria.
* 10+ years in corporate communications (in-house at (company) and two agencies: (company) and (company). * Built out the PR function and brand from the ground up for a major (industry of company). * Reported directly to the (title of person reported to)
I was the (insert your title here) at (company). But don't let the title fool you: I built the PR program from scratch starting in (year) as the company's first departmental hire. By the time I left in (year), (I accomplished this which meant $$, %, or something significant). I left (company) to (reason for leaving) and ....
I've attached my resume and would like to learn more about the position. Please let me know if you're interested in speaking further. I can be reached at _____.
Best regards,
The accomplishment and the three bullet points should be address some of the requirements or challenges you might face in the position.
Customization and personalization are the keys to writing effective cover letters. While your cover letter may include some of the same material, it needs to be changed for each individual position. A job search is a job in itself and requires some extra effort for each position for which you apply. Blanket cover letters reek of laziness and do little to set you apart from your competition, so don't go there with your intro.
Most people will ask themselves this question at some point during a job search. In the current state of the economy, professionals feel they aren't able to be as picky as they were in previous years. The pressing need for a paycheck deposit undoubtedly outweighs or hides any negative aspects of the job. But accepting your next position is a serious decision and it's important to consider several factors before rushing to the alter. After all, this is the place and the people with whom you will be spending a majority of your waking hours.
I spend a lot of time talking to people about why they have made job changes or what changes in their current position would make them happier. The top three reasons I hear are...
Management issues, no room to grow, and geographical constraints/relocation.
A company is always changing and sometimes those changes are unforeseen. Regardless, these are the issues you should evaluate before making a decision and the best way to do that is through asking good questions throughout the interview process.
Mini-vacations should be mandatory. It doesn't need to be something extravagant. It could just mean turning off the computer and getting out of your daily routine for a few days to spend it with friends and family.
I'm as guilty as one can be about sneaking a peek of work-related email whenever I get a chance on vacation. A two week vacation without checking in seems impossible for me, but four days... I can manage four days.
No Man's Land: The Rise of Reeker trailer , a pueblo about 50 kilometers outside of Cordoba, Argentina. As you can see from the pictures, there is nothing, nada, zilch. Well, there is a Jesuit Church, animals, mountains, a river, and a very nice family that attends to filling your tummy with their homemade goodies four times a day from their farm and organic garden at the Posada Las Perdices. Not having a WIFI signal makes disconnecting much easier.
Rule 2: Bring books, but only fiction or non-fiction that have nothing to do with business. As much as I love activity, adventure-filled vacations, I find I truly recharge when I'm not pressured to be somewhere or do something. Losing myself in a book for a few hours a day gives me something else to think about.
Rule 3: Bring the walking shoes and the yoga mat. Keeping up with my daily exercise is important even on vacation. Exercise gives me the energy I need to get through the day. Have you ever regretted a workout after actually completing it? It's easy to incorporate into your mini-vacation even without the fancy gym machines.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm off again for another short vacation. It is Semana Santa (or Holy Week) in Argentina. I figure if the rest of the country shuts down, I should too. And with the baby on the way (consider this the announcement!), it's probably a good idea to take as many as these quick getaways as possible.
My husband, MatÃas, and I are off to Córdoba, Argentina which lies about 700 kilometers from Buenos Aires to spend a few days hiking and lounging in the Sierras. Complete disconnect. You won't be seeing much from me on the blog until I get back, but stay tuned. I'll be back to regular posting next week.
This blog is to share my recruiting experiences and discuss thoughts on the job market, PR industry and technology. I'm an entrepreneur, business developer and recruiter.
This blog is to share my recruiting experiences and discuss thoughts on the job market, PR industry and technology.
Alison Kenney is an independent PR practitioner with more than 15 years of PR consulting experience.
