Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Resumes must grab readers' attention

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It’s only recently that I have personally taken advantage of DVR technology. Yes, I watched shows when they were on live AND sat through commercials. We didn’t even have cable (believe it), so using the VCR to record and replay shows wasn’t a good option – the reception was not good enough make it worthwhile.

So, when TV went digital and the converter box for those without cable didn’t give me access to ABC, it was time to enter this century. While I am not a huge TV watcher, I do enjoy certain shows, and being able to view them on my time – on the TV (not via the internet) was pretty cool. (Yes – this is career related – I’m getting there!)

It took me awhile to remember that I could fast-forward through commercials. I usually multitask while viewing, so stopping to skip the commercials actually interrupted my flow. I am getting in a groove, though. Skipping commercials and getting through my favorite shows in less time has become a ritual.

Sometimes, though, a commercial just grabs me before I have time to hit fast forward. In those cases, I actually catch myself watching the commercial. I was thinking about which commercials grab me and why. Usually, it is one of three reasons:

  1. There is a lot of color and/or it is very visually appealing,
  2. It is for a product or service I use or enjoy or
  3. It engages me with a story and I need to watch the whole thing to see what happens!

Since I now often watch with my hand on the remote, if I am going to actually watch a commercial, one of these three must happen right away.

Think about your resume. You have about the same amount of time to grab a person reading it as commercials have to get my attention. What are you doing to immediately attract attention?

Appearance

While looks are not everything, they do mean a lot. Yes, often a resume goes through a computer scan first, but when a real person looks at it, it is important for it to be attractive, easy to read and up-to-date. If your resume looks like the BEFORE versions on my site, you really need to consider a revision. If you are using one of Word’s templates (they certainly did not consult a savvy resume writer for those) – you absolutely need to consider a change.

Did you know that you can even use a little COLOR in your resume? There are a lot of different ways you can visually grab attention – some that are more controversial than others. For example, some people use company logos on resumes. (This is not a practice I favor, but some really think it is great!) The bottom line is that you need an attractive resume if you want to compete.

Are you offering something the reader wants?

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 100 times – the resume must speak in the language that an employer will understand. If your targeted job requires someone who knows how to “develop proposals and presentations detailing new implementation process plans implemented by top management,” saying that you have done that is terrific! If the job has nothing to do with developing proposals and presentations, that language might as well be Greek to the hiring manager. Remember – simply stating your ability to do a particular task is not likely going to help your cause. Show, don’t tell.

And – do it in a way that immediately appeals to the reader.

Engage with a story

Just as a good story hook captures my attention when I watch TV, telling a good story on your resume – and in your job hunt – is important. It’s a good idea to think about stories – even collect them – to help improve your ability to catch their attention. Being able to tell your job search story is an incomparable skill. Do you know what you have to offer, and can you tell it in a way that interests people? In a way that makes them want to know more about you?

Learn how to share your story via social media, in person and via your resume. I can help!

photo by danielgreene

Making lemonade out of a layoff

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Have you heard of the movie Lemonade? “Lemonade is an inspirational film about 16 advertising professionals who lost their jobs and found their calling, encouraging people to listen to that little voice inside their head that asks, “What if?”

The trailer for the movie is below…Take a look – you may be inspired!

Thanks to my new partners Simon North and Nisa Chitakasem, for sharing this video via the Position Ignition Career Advice Blog. Position Ignition is all about helping you get clear about what you want to do next with your career and how to make it happen. They focus on helping people who are wanting a more purposeful, rewarding career and those who are considering a career change.

photo by pink sherbet photography

What's important to you at work?

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Do you feel empowered as a job seeker? Do you have a list of needs and wants? Are you bored at work, but haven’t taken any steps to remedy the problem?

I recently came across some of Penelope Trunk’s videos. (Hat tip @LRuettimann.)

This is an older video, but I think these points Penelope identifies as most important to Gen Y job seekers is, in one sense, timeless. (I think it is also true that these are values for a lot of people who are not Gen Y.)

– They value time over money.

– They recognize that it is important to have friends at work.

– Location is key.

View Penelope’s video:


What do you think? What is most important for you as a job seeker? How do you evaluate an opportunity? What makes the difference for you, and how do those things change depending on your situation? What are you doing to help yourself land the opportunity that is best suited to your needs?

6 ways to improve your listening skills

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This is the fourth in my series about the five networking fundamentals to help you land a job. Don’t miss the pieces about the keys to researching your networking targets and how to ask good questions. Today’s installment is about being interested in the replies, which is mainly about being a good listener.

Good listening is fundamentally important for job seekers and all careerists. I’ve written about this and cannot say it enough.

It is so easy to be distracted. The buzzing (or ringing) phone in your pocket, the online ad that is dashing across your screen while you are typing an email, Tweetdeck notifying you of direct messages, the “to dos” running through your head while speaking to someone…This list is never ending. Being distracted is easy.

Need help articulating what you offer? Check out my new book:
100 Conversations for Career Success

Re-learning how to focus and concentrate is important, because good listeners have more opportunities to succeed at networking, in interviews and on the job. I can’t tell you how often I have interviewed a candidate, asked a question and gotten an answer that has nothing to do with what I wanted to know. Clearly, the person was not practicing active listening!

What can you do to improve your skills in this area?

JobsDB.com has some useful tips (bold from them, commentary is my own):

  1. Learn to listen by using lots of eye contact. It is harder to be distracted if you are really focusing on the speaker.
  2. Be slow to speak. Don’t interrupt.
  3. Be Attentive. Sit still and nod your head. Make sure your body language shows your interest. Lean in and keep your body turned directly to the other person.
  4. Show Gratitude.
    Thanking someone for a specific piece of advice or information clearly shows that you were listening and paying attention. Plus, people love to be thanked…It really helps form a connection that could result in more opportunities to share and learn.
  5. Stay in Tune.
    “If you find that your attention span is small, actively repeat what is being said to you as the speaker is speaking.” It’s rude to let your mind wander when someone is talking. If you are not interested in the conversation, change the subject or excuse yourself. Don’t give yourself permission to ignore what is going on in the discussion at hand.

Dawn Rosenber McKay, who writes for About.com, adds another great point: “Repeat instructions and ask appropriate questions when the speaker has finished.” This is a great tip to help maintain focus.

Stay tuned for more ideas to improve your listening skills…In the meantime, feel free to share your ideas and stories about good listening!

Photo by Beverly & Pack

Questions to ask when networking

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This is the third in my series about networking. Now that you have the keys to researching your networking targets, and know the fundamentals, you need to consider what to ask when you meet them! The number one thing to remember when networking is that most people have a favorite topic of discussion – themselves!

GL Hoffman had some useful advice at his blog, What Would Dad Say?:

It truly is not about you. It is more about the other person. Ask questions, find their interesting story, learn from them, ask advice. Strive for a conversation that is 25% you, 75% them.

Remember your manners. Smile a lot. Say please and thank you. Hold doors open. Make eye contact. Say “and” more than you say “but.” Be positive. These are the things your mom taught you.

These are great launching off points to consider before thinking of what to ask at an informational meeting.

Don’t forget that it’s important to assess what you want to know! There is nothing worse than having a meeting and walking away without accomplishing your goals. So, have some goals!

Need help learning what to say when networking?
Find tips and scripts for in-person and online networks in my new book:
100 Conversations for Career Success

Figure out what you need to know about the organization or the person – things that you cannot find out by a quick Google search. Consider asking about the person’s (or organization’s) values, important skills needed to work there and about how they do business. Ask the nuanced questions you want to know. For example:

  • What are your biggest challenges? (Or those impacting your field/company/organization?)
  • What is the best (and worst) part of your job?
  • What would you do differently (if anything) if you were starting over in your field?

At the same time, in case you have a contact who likes to ask a lot of questions, be sure that you can also discuss your unique qualities – your unique selling proposition.

  • What are YOUR skills.
  • Why are you interested in this field or organization?
  • What do YOU have to offer?

Be sure to bring along your resume, just in case your networking contact asks for it, or if you have an opportunity to ask for input and advice.

In the long run, what exactly you ask is less important than HOW you ask it and how well prepared you appear. It is really true that you have one chance to make a first impression…Be interested and interesting and you won’t have to worry!

Feel free to share your great question ideas and success stories in the comments!

photo by leo reynolds