If your idea of writing an executive resume is trying to list all your tasks and group them under each job title, you’re in for quite a surprise.The information that actually makes employers want to call you is quite different than just the descriptions of your previous jobs, as it involves creating a personal brand message with a clear, unmistakable promise of leadership value.In this market, your job search is almost guar...
As much as you may want to land your next job, you have to feel for the person who is reading your resume on the other side of the hiring table.I can attest to the brain drain that happens after reading hundreds of resumes with similar phrases and nearly identical conventions… giving the impression that they were all written by the SAME person!Generating attention during this hectic job market requires shaking things up a b...
Have you struggled with putting your brand into your resume, writing a profile paragraph that looks great, but is failing to get the attention you deserve?If you’ve spent considerable time (or money) on a lackluster resume that serves up the same information as everyone else’s, it might be time to rewrite your introductory summary to get better results.You’re boring hiring managers if your resume contains an opening paragra...
Did you realize that LinkedIn has a built-in marketing and search engine-friendly capability that is easy to use--and often overlooked? Well, neither do most job hunters.The best 120 characters of keyword optimization you can find for a job search, your LinkedIn Headline (or title) is a major piece of the puzzle that can help recruiters locate your skills.If you're one of the many that loaded up this field with your current...
As you might expect, I speak with many senior executives and other job hunters on a regular basis. As I review their job search techniques and situation, the common refrain I hear is that they’ve set up a LinkedIn Profile, but then failed to do anything else with it. These executives are often just peripherally aware that using LinkedIn can help their job search, but they're not sure what steps to take that will help them l...
Great news! You received a call out of the blue from a recruiter who wants to see your resume quickly. But what if you haven’t kept it current?First of all, consider asking for more time to pull things together. After all, the recruiter’s job is easier if your resume clearly tells the employer why you’re a strong candidate.Now, on to getting that resume in shape! Here are 3 tips to help you craft a compelling document—even...
If you’ve constantly looked at other resumes to get ideas, borrowing words here and there, you might find that employers are on to your game. Weary of reading the same phrases over and over again, hiring managers are starting to expect more from top candidates who want to stand out in the crowded job market. Here are 7 phrases that appear far too often on resumes, with recommendations on how to improve your wording for a sh...
Trying to tell employers the story of a long and successful executive career on your resume? Unfortunately, describing yourself as a seasoned, skilled, or experienced leader won’t cut it as much as showing the results of what you’ve done.Quantifying the results of your work, especially when it comes to the bottom line, will tell companies why they can count on you to produce similar gains for them, and will underscore your...
If you’re not gaining the response you want from your job hunt, there can be several reasons: lack of hiring in your desired field, a watered-down resume that doesn’t represent your skills, shotgun job-search tactics like applying to every job you see, or an over-the-top, unrealistic goal for your next position.The latter situation can occur when you’re unsure how your skills tie into different rungs on the career ladder, c...
I was recently asked by a prospective client if I "knew" any recruiters. Well, I do maintain strong relationships with recruiters in various fields, but there seemed to be a disconnect in the question.You see, finding a recruiter is only part of the effort you'll need to undertake in order to be successful. Recruiters find candidates, not jobs.Let me repeat that again - a recruiter will NOT set out to find you a job. Theref...