blueskyresumesblog

Write It Down!

Today I'm working on a resume for a client who is having a hard time recalling details of her prior projects. She's not sure of the results of her efforts and sometimes she can't remember why a project was even started. I'm concerned that her resume won't reflect her true abilities, which got me thinking ...

Do you keep a record of what you do at work? Do you track your impact, make notes when your boss compliments you, or jot down details of projects you're working on? If not, you should!

None of us has a job for life anymore --- when you come to write your next resume, think how much easier it will be if you can refer to a written record.

Is This Really Want You Want?

Recently, several interesting business opportunities came my way. My first reaction was to jump at all of them - after all, who doesn't want to grow their business? But on closer evaluation, some of these opportunities were not quite right for my company. As I built up to the decision to say 'no' to one company, I was tense and worried - but the moment it was done, I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

The sense of relief reminded me of the last time I looked for a job. Five years ago, before I decided to start my business, I was out interviewing with various companies. One company was very keen to hire me to run their HR function. Everyone was very nice, but the job was just not for me. The culture wasn't right, the job wasn't exactly what I wanted, and the pay was much lower than I was used to. But despite all these flaws, I agonized over my decision.

What if this was the only offer I got?

What if I had misjudged the company?

What if all the future opportunities they were promising really did materialize?

In the end, I listened to the persistent little voice that told me to run far, far away from that job and - once the decision was made - I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that it was right.

So what does this all have to do with you? I guess I just wanted to remind you that it's important to consciously choose what you want to do, and that it's OK to say 'no' sometimes.

Feeling Stuck in Your Job Search?

Check out Copybloggers' 10 Mental Blocks to Creative Thinking.

This quote in particular struck me as true about many of the job seekers who come to me frustrated and burnt out by their efforts to find a new job:

You create your own imaginary boxes simply by living life and accepting certain things as “real” when they are just as illusory as the beliefs of a paranoid delusional.

I was writing a resume just yesterday for a client who was trapped into the belief that she wasn't qualified to pursue the position of her dreams. Yet when I reviewed the information she submitted, it was clear that she was highly accomplished and very qualified - she actually exceeded the position requirements as posted.

How could we both look at her background and see it so differently?

I think it's because I don't know her. I don't know her work situation. I have no preconceived notions about what she can and can't do. She, on the other hand, is intimately acquainted with herself - she knows her own faults (although seems blind to her strengths), she knows about the challenges her company currently faces, she knows that she is paid relatively little for the work that she does (and has extrapolated this to mean she's worth very little).

In addition I know the marketplace. I know what other people in her target position do all day (and I know that she does all of the same things and more.) She doesn't know any of that but she has made some assumptions all the same.

In other words, she has boxed herself in with her notions about herself and other people. She has decided what reality is and she is therefore planning to apply for jobs that are beneath her experience and her skill set.

I'm going to send her the Copyblogger article because I think a little creative thinking will be a big help!

Career Hub is Expanding - We Need You!

Some readers will kow that in addition to this blog, I also founded and manage a group blog focused on careers and job search.

Career Hub has been in existence for more than a year and half! During the past 19 months, our team of career experts have really gone above and beyond to provide insights and information on both job search and career management.

Now we want to take things a step further and offer a broader range of advice. We're looking to add to our team of bloggers and we'd love to hear from anyone with an interesting perspective on either finding a job or managing a career.

Bloggers might be:

• Recruiters or HR Managers
• Coaches
• Job seekers
• Line managers or executives with hiring responsibility
• Employees

Hmmm, that pretty much covers everyone doesn't it?

This is a great opportunity to raise your profile while sharing knowledge with other job seekers. And if you already have a blog, you are free to cross-post here with links back to your blog. We're looking for interesting voices from the entire careers spectrum.

We also offer our bloggers regular opportunities to contribute to eBooks and other promotional projects. So if you love to write and have something to say, drop me a line. Send links to your blog or one or two articles you've written and we'll be in touch.