The Magic Formula
As resume writers, we are amazed at the amount of time we spend
discussing the “wow” factor with job seekers. If any concept has been
oversold in regard to resumes, it is the idea that a resume must take on
an almost magical quality that casts a spell over the reader,
transforming the average professional into the “must-have” candidate of
the year!
Of course, this magical quality is a moving target because no one
quite knows what the special combination is to unveil this secret spell,
and of course, everyone seems to have a different idea of what it
means.
Not to mention the plethora of materials that are out there just
promising to either create this almost-mythical document for you or to
help you create your own.
“Get yours to the top of the pile! Just say our magic chant 15 times,
spin around twice, and embed these special keywords behind the text of
your document, and employers will be mesmerized!”
Laugh, if you want, but deep down, it is what every job seeker is
really looking for…something that will make it easy for them, something
that will overcome the fact that, by and large, they are hard-working
professionals just trying to create a solid career that they enjoy.
Casting Spells Doesn’t Work
Listen. We’ve seen a lot of resumes. Pretty ones. Flashy ones. Video
ones. Two-column ones. Colorful ones. Conservative ones. Progressive
ones. You name it.
Sorry to say, but flashy resumes have not really proven to be anymore
effective than traditional professional obituaries. Both can seriously
hurt a candidate’s chances if they fail to understand what really makes a
resume work.
It’s Not a Secret
So does this mean you can’t use color or get creative with a two-column masterpiece?
No, but a solid resume must accomplish 4 things: (1) Communicate a focused, compelling brand message of the candidate and support it throughout the resume, (2) utilize strong
writing skills with solid action verbs, (3) organize the candidate’s
information in such a way that a clear picture of the candidate is
revealed (scope of knowledge and responsibility), and (4) be attractive
without being offensive.
We all like things that look nice, but color isn’t what sells a
candidate. Let the “wow” factor be in the strategy employed and in the
quality of the writing.
On the other side of things, however, don’t be so rigid that you
force the writer to prepare a cookie-cutter resume (Times New Roman,
10-pt, with lots of bullets!!). You’ll just end up with something
nondescript, that looks like it came from a Microsoft Word resume
template, and is not much better than anyone with decent grammar skills
could produce.
Problem-Solving Is the Wow
Do you know what really is the “wow” factor for employers? A
well-crafted document that highlights the specific skills and
accomplishments that they are interested in, that solve the need or
problem they have! Please don’t miss this point. It isn’t the
skills/accomplishments that YOU are most proud of; it is the
skills/accomplishments that THE EMPLOYER is most interested in for the
type of position being filled.
Sadly, most job seekers (and even some resume writers) are all worked
up about the font and type size of the resume and less concerned about
whether they really have the right strategy in place to attract their
audience. Yes, a resume should look appealing, but if you can’t speak to
your audience, then it is all just fluff and no “wow.”
Did you find this post helpful? If so, please share it! Or send us a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Social Media Explosion: Why Your Personal Brand Matters Even More
Social Media Stats
A recent article on Talent HQ indicates the following social media statistics from Spring 2012:Users
- Facebook – 850 million
- Twitter – 500 million
- LinkedIn – 161 million
- Google+ – 90 million
- Foursquare – 23 million
- Pinterest – 10.4 million
Daily Activity
- Facebook – 31% of users check-in daily for an average of 20 minutes
- Twitter – 175 million tweets per day
- LinkedIn – 11.5 million searches per day
- Google+ – 5 billion g+ buttons served each day (served, not clicked)
- YouTube – 4 billion video views per day
Personal Branding: Why These Stats Make It Relevant
“So what,” you say? “What do these social media statistics have to do with my personal brand, my IT resume or technical resume, and my job search?” It’s simple. Companies are going to expect to find you on one or more of these sites when considering you as a candidate for a job opening. As such, it opens the door for opportunity.I suppose you could try to be like everybody else out there is SoMe (social media) land. That’s easy enough. Just sign up for a few of these services and write the standard description of yourself that makes people reading it fall asleep within 3 seconds.
The alternative is to craft a strong, compelling personal brand statement that is real to who you are, what you do, and what you want to do. Then put some creative messaging in place to effectively communicate this brand across all of the social media forums you’re a part of. Just keep in mind that these forums are all different, and the demographics are distinct for each…so the style you use to communicate your brand message should correlate with the site you’re on.
Friday, October 5, 2012
The Job Hopper Cure
In today’s job market, with even high-profile CEOs lying about their
credentials, resumes are being scrutinized like never before. Thus, for
good reason, job seekers with many short stints in their work history
are concerned. After all, the label “job hopper” is one no one wants to
wear.
As a resume writer, it is certainly one of the main concerns that I come across when working with candidates, especially technical candidates who have a consulting background: “What do I do to avoid looking like a job hopper?”
First of all, one of the main problems is in the definition of “job hopper.” Is it two years or less? Is it one year? Is it several short positions in a row? Personally, I don’t believe that one short stint at a company constitutes “job hopper,” and I think it is pretty shallow to suggest that someone is a job hopper because they were an independent contractor.
Nevertheless, I have to admit that avoiding the job-hopping label is a tricky issue for resume writers because a resume must remain truthful, and there is very little that anyone can do about the fact that a job seeker may have spent less than a year or two at some of his or her positions. However, thankfully, there are some things that can be done in these situations.
One caveat that I would like to mention here, however, is that some of these tactics may not always be looked on favorably with recruiters. Depending on which companies the recruiter is recruiting for, he or she might still want to see months or exact dates or want the resume more company focused rather than position focused. Job seekers would be wise to find out in these situations whether this is something the recruiter prefers or whether it is a make or break with the hiring company. There is a difference, and you have a right to put your best foot forward whenever possible. (That’s why you hired the resume writer in the first place. Otherwise, why don’t we all just fill out the same standardized form for every job application and be done with all this? But, I digress…)
Now here are some things you should NOT do when it comes to dealing with potential job-hopping situations:
1. Don’t leave off dates all together. This is just a bad move, and unfortunately, I see job seekers do this a lot. Now you just look like someone who has something to hide!
2. Don’t opt for the functional resume. Again, this is another bad move. Functional resumes aren’t effective in most situations. Semi-functional resumes are sometimes OK, but by and large, companies want to see a chronological work history paired up with job functions and accomplishments. In other words, they want the resume to tell a story. The problem with a functional resume is that it says a lot, but it doesn’t really tell the story. How frustrating it can be to have a job seeker say that he or she reduced expenses by millions but then not match that up with where that occurred. Now the hiring manager has no context for the accomplishment.
3. Don’t lie. How many people lie on their resumes? Many, and companies are getting better at sniffing them out. Don’t stake your reputation on it.
So although job hopping is certainly a cause for concern, there are some things that you can do to lessen the impact on your resume.
Did you find this post helpful? If so, please share it! Or send us a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
As a resume writer, it is certainly one of the main concerns that I come across when working with candidates, especially technical candidates who have a consulting background: “What do I do to avoid looking like a job hopper?”
First of all, one of the main problems is in the definition of “job hopper.” Is it two years or less? Is it one year? Is it several short positions in a row? Personally, I don’t believe that one short stint at a company constitutes “job hopper,” and I think it is pretty shallow to suggest that someone is a job hopper because they were an independent contractor.
Nevertheless, I have to admit that avoiding the job-hopping label is a tricky issue for resume writers because a resume must remain truthful, and there is very little that anyone can do about the fact that a job seeker may have spent less than a year or two at some of his or her positions. However, thankfully, there are some things that can be done in these situations.
1. Focus on position and not on company.
Although your work history should be arranged chronologically, there is nothing to say that you cannot group companies together under one position title. Often candidates will have had the same position with more than one place. So why not arrange the work history by title first and then list companies underneath the title? I’ve seen this work very well with contract positions. Maybe someone was a helpdesk support contractor for 2 places from 2001 to 2004 (one for 1 year and one for 2 years). By placing both companies under the one title, then you place less emphasis on the short stay at each and more emphasis on the fact that you did that job for 3 years.2. Keep dates, but place them in less prominence and avoid months.
Nothing says that employment dates have to be front and center or that you have to include months.3. Use an Additional Experience section for older positions.
If some of your shorter stints are over 10-15 years old, then place them under an Additional Experience section. Most companies are primarily concerned with the last 10-15 years of work history anyway.One caveat that I would like to mention here, however, is that some of these tactics may not always be looked on favorably with recruiters. Depending on which companies the recruiter is recruiting for, he or she might still want to see months or exact dates or want the resume more company focused rather than position focused. Job seekers would be wise to find out in these situations whether this is something the recruiter prefers or whether it is a make or break with the hiring company. There is a difference, and you have a right to put your best foot forward whenever possible. (That’s why you hired the resume writer in the first place. Otherwise, why don’t we all just fill out the same standardized form for every job application and be done with all this? But, I digress…)
Now here are some things you should NOT do when it comes to dealing with potential job-hopping situations:
1. Don’t leave off dates all together. This is just a bad move, and unfortunately, I see job seekers do this a lot. Now you just look like someone who has something to hide!
2. Don’t opt for the functional resume. Again, this is another bad move. Functional resumes aren’t effective in most situations. Semi-functional resumes are sometimes OK, but by and large, companies want to see a chronological work history paired up with job functions and accomplishments. In other words, they want the resume to tell a story. The problem with a functional resume is that it says a lot, but it doesn’t really tell the story. How frustrating it can be to have a job seeker say that he or she reduced expenses by millions but then not match that up with where that occurred. Now the hiring manager has no context for the accomplishment.
3. Don’t lie. How many people lie on their resumes? Many, and companies are getting better at sniffing them out. Don’t stake your reputation on it.
So although job hopping is certainly a cause for concern, there are some things that you can do to lessen the impact on your resume.
Did you find this post helpful? If so, please share it! Or send us a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Techies and their careers: Stop thumbing your nose at social media
If there’s one stereotype about techies that is almost always true (and I
have a family full of them) is that they can talk all day about
virtualization and network security issues and debate the merits of this
solution or that, but they are pretty mum when it comes to talking
about their careers. They want you to be impressed (if they even think
about that at all) with how they can use their knowledge of technology
to solve real business problems, but they want to show, not tell. They
are high-level problem solvers, not philosophers.
Talking is overrated anyway.
Also, it’s more than about just being more approachable at work; with social media becoming more and more a part of our personal lives, the idea of “engagement” is now a hot topic when it comes to pursuing our careers and how we position ourselves to “influence” the virtual marketplace. Whether you are looking for the next position or happy where you currently are, it is wise to figure out how to use social media to “chat” about your “core talkable difference,” in other words, what makes you unique in your knowledgebase and how you can talk about it. It’s time to stop thumbing your nose at social media as a tool for helping you in your career.
I know, I know, I can hear you now: “Social media is overhyped.” “Social media is a waste of time.” “Social media is just for GenYers.”
And you know what? All of that is somewhat true. What’s also true, however, is that social media is a tool that you can use to your advantage if you know how to do so (I know because I’ve tried it!). If someone tells you that social media is just a time-waster, chances are they aren’t that knowledgeable about it in the first place. You need to get advice from those who use it effectively, and the only way to do that is to get on there…(just sayin’).
Talking is overrated anyway.
It’s Time to Come Out of the Shadows
Ten years ago, that quality wasn’t a big issue in the workplace. In fact, it was kind of expected. The techies would hide out in their cubicle caves devising the next solution or migration, and everyone else basically tried to stay out of their way. Today, however, techies often find themselves getting a bad rap, needing to fight to show that they are more than just a commodity that can be outsourced on a whim, that they know how to communicate their knowledge in a way that “tells” value as well as “shows” it. It’s an annoyance, for sure, but like it or not, it’s where the market is continuing to head.Also, it’s more than about just being more approachable at work; with social media becoming more and more a part of our personal lives, the idea of “engagement” is now a hot topic when it comes to pursuing our careers and how we position ourselves to “influence” the virtual marketplace. Whether you are looking for the next position or happy where you currently are, it is wise to figure out how to use social media to “chat” about your “core talkable difference,” in other words, what makes you unique in your knowledgebase and how you can talk about it. It’s time to stop thumbing your nose at social media as a tool for helping you in your career.
I know, I know, I can hear you now: “Social media is overhyped.” “Social media is a waste of time.” “Social media is just for GenYers.”
And you know what? All of that is somewhat true. What’s also true, however, is that social media is a tool that you can use to your advantage if you know how to do so (I know because I’ve tried it!). If someone tells you that social media is just a time-waster, chances are they aren’t that knowledgeable about it in the first place. You need to get advice from those who use it effectively, and the only way to do that is to get on there…(just sayin’).
Social Media & the Techie
So here are three ways techies can get more chatty across social media and use it to their advantage in their careers:Blogging.
I know…who has time, right? But blogging is where you can really shine, especially if you know how to drive traffic to your site. You don’t have to talk about how wonderful you are, just communicate your knowledge, share tips, link up with like-minded others. Think of it less as “selling” yourself and more as directing your career down the path that most interests you.LinkedIn Groups/Answers.
Both the Groups and Answers features on LinkedIn are good tools for engaging with others and for getting an opportunity to share and respond to information about your main topics of interest. You can position yourself as someone to listen to as well as someone who listens to others.Twitter Chats.
Some people will call Twitter the biggest waste of time on the Internet, and it certainly can be…if you don’t have a strategy for how you are using it. Not only can you “tweet” out your blog links and LI group responses, but also you can engage in Twitter chats that are relevant to your background. Here are two we recommend:- #ITchat (Tues., 1pm, Eastern): Each week this chat covers a different topic related to IT.
- #TCFchat (Wed., 3pm, Eastern): Hosted by the Tech Career Forum, this chat covers issues related to career and job search, from resume to personal branding to the state of the IT job market. You can learn more about the Tech Career Forum and #TCFchat on LinkedIn. You can also find out about the latest questions/topics for the upcoming Wednesday chat.
The ITtechExec Way
To arm yourself with more tools in your technical job search arsenal, we offer a free Technical Jobs report & Online Identity Assessment to our followers. We also offer a 10% discount on our solutions. Take advantage of our offer just by signing up to follow this blog or go to our website ITtechExec (be sure to indicate in the “How did you hear about us?” box that you found us through our blog).Monday, October 1, 2012
Tech Careers: 3 Simple Effective Branding Methods
I’ve talked quite a bit lately about the importance of personal branding and leveraging social media in
a technical career. Today, I want to cover 3 simple things that
techies can do to improve on their career branding message. (And these
are not just for active job seekers, but for
happily-at-the-moment-employed techies as well.)
Get a technical resume makeover (and keep it updated)
I know what you’re thinking…the resume is dead, right? For some social media fanatics, perhaps. They would like to think that social media has replaced any and all traditional methods. But to hiring managers and recruiters, resumes are still a must. TechRepublic, a highly respected news source for IT/technical info, issues a technical resume makeover pretty regularly that you can follow for tips. Of course, we have tons of tips here as well (Technical Resume Keywords and ATS Systems, IT Resume and Personal Brand Strategy, and Executive IT Resumes: How Far Back Do You Go?).Take a chance with your LinkedIn profile
Once you’ve read one LI profile, you’ve read them all. Now, I am not suggesting that you go off the deep end; after all, LI is a stuffier place than Twitter or Facebook, but just because the air might be thicker there doesn’t mean it all has to be the same. It’s a common mistake people make with their resumes, and now I see it with LI profiles as well. Having a solid branding message will help with that, though, because if done right, you are going to be focusing on the unique skill sets that you have and presenting yourself in that light.Join a Twitter Chat
If you’ve followed my blog at all, you know I keep harping on this…and for good reason. If you’re not going to do anything else on Twitter (and we can certainly debate the merits of that), you should at least jump in and participate in a chat or two on a somewhat regular basis. The key is showing up at the most effective chats. I’ve highlighted the following chats before, and I will list them again (you can usually find me at one or both of them):- #ITchat (Tues., 1pm, Eastern): Each week this chat covers a different topic related to IT.
- #TCFchat (Wed., 3pm, Eastern): Hosted by the Tech Career Forum, this chat covers issues related to career and job search, from resume to personal branding to the state of the IT job market. You can learn more about the Tech Career Forum and #TCFchat on LinkedIn. You can also find out about the latest questions/topics for the upcoming Wednesday chat.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Don’t Get Twitter? Start Chatting & You Will
For social media junkies, it is sometimes hard to believe that not
everyone is in love with #SoMe like we are. Yet every week our firm,
ITtechExec, speaks with high-level technical clients who barely have a
LinkedIn profile (considered the very rudimentary of social media
existence) and are not especially keen on “wasting” time on Twitter.
Although those of us who have had great success with social meda may disagree, we do have to admit that a person can waste time on Twitter. But just because you can doesn’t mean you will if you know what you’re doing.
In my mind, one of the best innovations to happen to Twitter is the formation of chats. These are typically weekly, biweekly, monthly topical discussions that take place at a set day/time and are hosted by fellow Tweeps. By simply following a specific hashtag at that day and time, you can follow the discussion and join in (as long as you add that hashtag to the end of your tweet).
With more than 600 chats happening across Twitter each week, it was surprising to me that none of them catered to IT and technical career issues, especially as the war for talent in the technical arena is heating up. Well, now we have one. Hosted by the Technical Career Forum, #TCFchat is held each Wednesday at 3pm Eastern.
Topics covered during #TCFchat include:
Now, last week, I wrote about how important it is for techies to become more “engaged” in social media and to start becoming more proactive in career planning. Here is a great opportunity to do just that.
And even more, it is an opportunity to use Twitter without “wasting” precious time. You can speak with purpose to others interested in the same topics as you and you can network with industry and career leaders.
To learn more about #TCFchat, touch base with Stephen, the @ITtechExec on Twitter, or join the LI group to stay posted on weekly topics/discussions. To find out about the 600 other Twitter chats, follow @chatschedule on Twitter or do a basic Google search on Twitter chat schedules. A whole list of options will come up to check out.
Although those of us who have had great success with social meda may disagree, we do have to admit that a person can waste time on Twitter. But just because you can doesn’t mean you will if you know what you’re doing.
In my mind, one of the best innovations to happen to Twitter is the formation of chats. These are typically weekly, biweekly, monthly topical discussions that take place at a set day/time and are hosted by fellow Tweeps. By simply following a specific hashtag at that day and time, you can follow the discussion and join in (as long as you add that hashtag to the end of your tweet).
With more than 600 chats happening across Twitter each week, it was surprising to me that none of them catered to IT and technical career issues, especially as the war for talent in the technical arena is heating up. Well, now we have one. Hosted by the Technical Career Forum, #TCFchat is held each Wednesday at 3pm Eastern.
Topics covered during #TCFchat include:
- Job Market Trends
- Technical Resume Strategies
- Personal/Professional Branding
- Job Search Strategies
- IT/Technical Recruiting
- Networking Strategies
Now, last week, I wrote about how important it is for techies to become more “engaged” in social media and to start becoming more proactive in career planning. Here is a great opportunity to do just that.
And even more, it is an opportunity to use Twitter without “wasting” precious time. You can speak with purpose to others interested in the same topics as you and you can network with industry and career leaders.
To learn more about #TCFchat, touch base with Stephen, the @ITtechExec on Twitter, or join the LI group to stay posted on weekly topics/discussions. To find out about the 600 other Twitter chats, follow @chatschedule on Twitter or do a basic Google search on Twitter chat schedules. A whole list of options will come up to check out.
Friday, June 15, 2012
First steps in transitioning to Agile Methods from Traditional methods
First steps in transitioning to Agile Methods from Traditional methods
(Guest blog by Ram Ramanathan)
Ram is a Senior Technical Program Manager that has led ASIC product development and engineering program management teams at Intel. Ram was able to successfully guide the adoption of Agile and Scrum methodologies within the Intel organization.
Connect with Ram via:
LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/
Twitter : http://twitter.com/
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/
Blog : http://inceptionizer.
(Guest blog by Ram Ramanathan)
- Study the culture of the team and strategize based on whether the team falls under the Innovator or Early adopter or Followers categories.
- Bring Agile Project management concepts step by step. All the Agile concepts can not be implemented in one day, it would only cause failure.
- Elucidate the benefits of Agile and how that could help win a customer or retain a customer. Here are some advantages of Agile Methodologies:
- Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software *Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
- Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication
- Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers
- Working software is the principal measure of progress
- Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
- Simplicity
- Regular adaptation to changing circumstances
- Self-organizing teams
- Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
- Even late changes in requirements are welcomed (this does not mean just more coding. Instead removing an existing feature or moving a deadline forward to accommodate late/unplanned feature requests.
- Tailor the Agile Methods or Scrum to fit the needs of your organization.
- YAGNI – Remember the acronym YAGNI (You Aint Gonna Need It – Unless Business conditions require it).
- Trust your team members and empower them.
- Agile may not work well if the majority of your team members are just beginning their career as it requires a high level of commitment from your team members.
Ram is a Senior Technical Program Manager that has led ASIC product development and engineering program management teams at Intel. Ram was able to successfully guide the adoption of Agile and Scrum methodologies within the Intel organization.
Connect with Ram via:
LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/
Twitter : http://twitter.com/
Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/
Blog : http://inceptionizer.
Monday, June 4, 2012
In IT, When You're Old, You're Old, Right?
Guest Post by Perry N.*
In IT, "old" is yesterday. So, let's just say, then, that I'm really "old". What I mean by that is that I've been around long enough to experience a few migrations, either in a hands-on role or in a management capacity....all things that I thought would make me more "experienced" and therefore more "valued".
However, as I sit here trying to decide whether (at 45....so old, I know) I should take the plunge and enter into this insane job market, I have been faced with the realization that not all employers might see my experience as cutting-edge enough, never mind that I have all the certs (updated and in good order) and degrees and other sorts of credentials that I would need for my background.
It makes me wonder how I ended up choosing a field where at 45, I would be an old-timer and where having too much experience might be considered a bad thing!
At my current employer, I spend most of my time justifying my department's very existence (I'm the IT manager) and trying to fend off the notion that my people are merely "techie janitors" here to fix everyone's BYODs. It's not exactly what I had in mind 20 years ago when I started out in my first role, thinking I would never have to explain why an IT department exists and what we do.
After I worked up into an enterprise architect role with my last employer, I thought I was really set. After all, I had co-led the design and implementation of the backbone of our company! But, not so. So I ended up leaving that to move on to my current position with a smaller shop where I thought I could bridge the gap and migrate them into newer solutions.
Somehow along the way, however, either I really did get old, or there was a significant culture shift that I missed. Either way, it puts me right back to wondering just how 20 years of experience in IT equates in this market.
*As part of a new series of posts here at ITtechExec, we have asked some clients to share issues that they are facing as part of their technical job search or comments they have on emerging technology trends.*
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Personal Branding in a Social Media World
Reblogged from ITtechExec WordPress Blog
Users
I suppose you could try to be like everybody else out there is SoMe (social media) land. That’s easy enough. Just sign up for a few of these services and write the standard description of yourself that makes people reading it fall asleep within 3 seconds.
The alternative is to craft a strong, compelling personal brand statement that is real to who you are, what you do, and what you want to do. Then put some creative messaging in place to effectively communicate this brand across all of the social media forums you’re a part of. Just keep in mind that these forums are all different, and the demographics are distinct for each…so the style you use to communicate your brand message should correlate with the site you’re on.
Social Media Stats
A recent article by Talent HQ indicates the following social media statistics from Spring 2012:Users
- Facebook – 850 million
- Twitter – 500 million
- LinkedIn – 161 million
- Google+ – 90 million
- Foursquare – 23 million
- Pinterest – 10.4 million
- Facebook – 31% of users check-in daily for an average of 20 minutes
- Twitter – 175 million tweets per day
- LinkedIn – 11.5 million searches per day
- Google+ – 5 billion g+ buttons served each day (served, not clicked)
- YouTube – 4 billion video views per day
Personal Branding: Why These Stats Make It Relevant
“So what,” you say? “What do these social media statistics have to do with my personal brand, my IT resume or technical resume, and my job search?” It’s simple. Companies are going to expect to find you on one or more of these sites when considering you as a candidate for a job opening. As such, it opens the door for opportunity.I suppose you could try to be like everybody else out there is SoMe (social media) land. That’s easy enough. Just sign up for a few of these services and write the standard description of yourself that makes people reading it fall asleep within 3 seconds.
The alternative is to craft a strong, compelling personal brand statement that is real to who you are, what you do, and what you want to do. Then put some creative messaging in place to effectively communicate this brand across all of the social media forums you’re a part of. Just keep in mind that these forums are all different, and the demographics are distinct for each…so the style you use to communicate your brand message should correlate with the site you’re on.
The ITtechExec Way
To arm yourself with more tools in your technical job search arsenal, we offer a FREE Technical Jobs Report & Online Brand Assessment to our followers. We also offer a 10% discount to those that give us the full social media endorsement (FB, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest, LI). Take advantage of our offer just by signing up to follow this blog or go to our website ITtechExec (be sure to indicate in the “How did you hear about us?” box that you found us through our blog).Tuesday, May 8, 2012
IT: 10 Reasons IT Gets a Bad Reputation
A May 5th article in TechRepublic.com (10 Reasons IT Pros Get a Bad Rap)
provides a list of reasons why there is such a negative perception of
the IT department in general and IT workers specifically.
Three of the ten reasons listed I don’t agree with whole-heartedly. #1 :”We’re considered too well-paid;” #8: “We suffer from the Golden Boy syndrome;” and #9: “We are indispensable” are not really true anymore…although they were about a decade ago.
With all of the IT outsourcing happening, IT is no longer the hot and happening place it used to be. It’s more of a commodity field now, and nearly any IT job is “dispensable”…meaning it can be outsourced.
The rest of the items on the list can be solved and remedied with the right touch. All it takes is a dedication and focus in one particular area to turn the tide. That area is “Engagement.” Of course, to make the transition complete, the IT group has to effectively execute on the promises it makes. But it all starts with engagement.
Last month, we posted a blog focused on the IT group and how they struggle effectively engaging the rest of the business. You can read that post here.
To arm yourself with more tools in your technical job search arsenal, we offer a free Technical Jobs report & Online Identity Assessment to our followers. We also offer a 10% discount to our followers. Take advantage of our offer just by signing up to follow this blog or go to our website ITtechExec (be sure to indicate in the “How did you hear about us?” box that you found us through our blog).
As a leader in the Tech Career Forum, ITtechExec will again be hosting the weekly Twitter Chat on Wednesday at 3pm Eastern for IT and tech pros to get great advice on resumes, personal branding, career management, and the job search process. Join and follow the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #TCFchat.
Three of the ten reasons listed I don’t agree with whole-heartedly. #1 :”We’re considered too well-paid;” #8: “We suffer from the Golden Boy syndrome;” and #9: “We are indispensable” are not really true anymore…although they were about a decade ago.
With all of the IT outsourcing happening, IT is no longer the hot and happening place it used to be. It’s more of a commodity field now, and nearly any IT job is “dispensable”…meaning it can be outsourced.
The rest of the items on the list can be solved and remedied with the right touch. All it takes is a dedication and focus in one particular area to turn the tide. That area is “Engagement.” Of course, to make the transition complete, the IT group has to effectively execute on the promises it makes. But it all starts with engagement.
Last month, we posted a blog focused on the IT group and how they struggle effectively engaging the rest of the business. You can read that post here.
The ITtechExec Way
To arm yourself with more tools in your technical job search arsenal, we offer a free Technical Jobs report & Online Identity Assessment to our followers. We also offer a 10% discount to our followers. Take advantage of our offer just by signing up to follow this blog or go to our website ITtechExec (be sure to indicate in the “How did you hear about us?” box that you found us through our blog).
As a leader in the Tech Career Forum, ITtechExec will again be hosting the weekly Twitter Chat on Wednesday at 3pm Eastern for IT and tech pros to get great advice on resumes, personal branding, career management, and the job search process. Join and follow the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #TCFchat.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tech Career Forum Group Launched
Stephen Van Vreede (http://www.ittechexec.com/) and Jennifer Hay (http://www.itresumeservice.com/) have joined forces to launch Tech Career Forum.
Tech Career Forum is designed to provide advice to IT and technical professionals in all career areas, particularly those related to personal branding, the technical resume, and the job search process. Tech Career Forum also assists resume writers and career services professionals in expanding their knowledge base to enhance their engagements with IT and technical clients.
Tech Career Forum has initiated a LinkedIn group (http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Tech-Career-Forum-4395590) with interactive discussions, which is available for all members. Tech Career Forum will be hosting live Twitter chats on Wednesdays at 3pm Eastern, with the first in the series beginning Wednesday 5/2. To view or join in the discussion, follow or post tweets at #TCFchat.
Tech Career Forum is designed to provide advice to IT and technical professionals in all career areas, particularly those related to personal branding, the technical resume, and the job search process. Tech Career Forum also assists resume writers and career services professionals in expanding their knowledge base to enhance their engagements with IT and technical clients.
Tech Career Forum has initiated a LinkedIn group (http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Tech-Career-Forum-4395590) with interactive discussions, which is available for all members. Tech Career Forum will be hosting live Twitter chats on Wednesdays at 3pm Eastern, with the first in the series beginning Wednesday 5/2. To view or join in the discussion, follow or post tweets at #TCFchat.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
4 IT Resume Tips for Project Managers and Program Managers
Reblog from Ezine Article by Stephen Van Vreede
As I speak with IT project managers, IT program managers, and even PMO directors, I am amazed by how many think or know they do a great job but are unable to communicate it effectively. This is true with their resume, on their LinkedIn profile, in their cover letter, and in their face-to-face interviewing skills. Why is it such a struggle for PMs to talk about their successes?
The main reason that most PMs are unable to articulate why a company should hire them is that they lack a focused brand message. Wait! I know what you're probably thinking now. And, no, this doesn't need to be some highly complex process in which you need to do focus groups or polls to gain "customer insights." Creating a personal brand is relatively simple when approached with the proper mindset.
What you want to do is consider how your actions as an IT project manager impact the business. Obviously, the specific projects that you lead are intended to benefit the company in some way. So you've got to describe those projects on your IT resume. However, the focus of the discussion is not the project itself or the technology solution deployed. The key element has to be about value.
What do I mean by value? Think benefit. If the company did not benefit in some way by the project you led, what was the point? Benefits come in many different forms, including:
Listing these benefits is a great start, but they may be things that any project manager could have contributed to. To truly differentiate yourself in the job market, you've also got to communicate how you are distinct from other project managers...and not just because you have the PMP. Lots of project managers and program managers have the PMP certification. The real focus here should be on how you lead teams, transform projects, streamline project delivery, and get things done where others could not. Gearing your information in this manner will communicate the unique you and help you to avoid becoming just a commodity.
The final step is in creating a clear, consistent, and compelling message across all the job search forums. This includes the resume, the LinkedIn profile, the cover letter, your bio, your Twitter profile, Google+, and any other forum in which a prospective employer may find your information. Just use some caution here, as you don't want to simply paste the information from your resume into these other platforms. The style in which you communicate on LinkedIn is different than on Twitter or Google+.
IT Resumes for Project Managers
As I speak with IT project managers, IT program managers, and even PMO directors, I am amazed by how many think or know they do a great job but are unable to communicate it effectively. This is true with their resume, on their LinkedIn profile, in their cover letter, and in their face-to-face interviewing skills. Why is it such a struggle for PMs to talk about their successes?
Personal Branding for the IT Project Manager
The main reason that most PMs are unable to articulate why a company should hire them is that they lack a focused brand message. Wait! I know what you're probably thinking now. And, no, this doesn't need to be some highly complex process in which you need to do focus groups or polls to gain "customer insights." Creating a personal brand is relatively simple when approached with the proper mindset.
Think Business Value
What you want to do is consider how your actions as an IT project manager impact the business. Obviously, the specific projects that you lead are intended to benefit the company in some way. So you've got to describe those projects on your IT resume. However, the focus of the discussion is not the project itself or the technology solution deployed. The key element has to be about value.
What do I mean by value? Think benefit. If the company did not benefit in some way by the project you led, what was the point? Benefits come in many different forms, including:
- cost savings
- revenue growth
- process improvements
- system or application enhancements
How to Achieve Distinction
Listing these benefits is a great start, but they may be things that any project manager could have contributed to. To truly differentiate yourself in the job market, you've also got to communicate how you are distinct from other project managers...and not just because you have the PMP. Lots of project managers and program managers have the PMP certification. The real focus here should be on how you lead teams, transform projects, streamline project delivery, and get things done where others could not. Gearing your information in this manner will communicate the unique you and help you to avoid becoming just a commodity.
Creating a PM Package
The final step is in creating a clear, consistent, and compelling message across all the job search forums. This includes the resume, the LinkedIn profile, the cover letter, your bio, your Twitter profile, Google+, and any other forum in which a prospective employer may find your information. Just use some caution here, as you don't want to simply paste the information from your resume into these other platforms. The style in which you communicate on LinkedIn is different than on Twitter or Google+.
Stephen is the ITtechExec, a "Go To" Personal Branding Strategist for IT, engineering, manufacturing, telecommunications, call center, medical device, and other STEM/technical specialty professionals. By translating technical activities and leadership achievements into a clear, consistent message that's meaningful to business executives and recruiters, Stephen generates at least a 5x return on investment. The ITtechExec offers a proprietary career lifecycle management approach that includes resumes, cover letters, online profiles and bios,
interviewing preparation, job search strategy development, and online brand management. Contact Stephen today at (866) 755-9800, http://www.ittechexec.com, or stephen@ittechexec.com.
If you like this post, please +1 it, share it, tweet, like it, digg it, etc. Thanks so much!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Van_Vreede
If you like this post, please +1 it, share it, tweet, like it, digg it, etc. Thanks so much!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
IT Infrastructure Resume Tips
IT Resume: IT Infrastructure Manager
Technical resumes can be a challenge to write effectively. For IT infrastructure managers, this problem is compounded immensely. You have a specific skill set that is difficult to communicate. If you elect to seek a professional resume writer, you will quickly realize that most do not have a technical foundation. As a result, they typically don't know where to begin and which questions to ask. So what do you do?
Read more to find out specific strategies for an IT Infrastructure Management resume, including what infrastructure technologies to discuss and how to make the resume focus on creating value from infrastructure solutions.
The "Go To" Expert for all things related to resumes, cover letters, online profiles and bios, interviewing, and the job search for executives and professionals in the IT, engineering, manufacturing, telecommunications, call center, and other technical specialty areas. The difference? We Speak Geek! We understand how to translate your technical activities and achievements into information that's meaningful to the business and to recruiters and HR reps. We help you generate a 5x return on your investment or more! Contact us today at (866) 755-9800, visit us at http://www.ittechexec.com, or email me at stephen@ittechexec.com.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
CIO Technology Focus: Revenue Growth
A recent poll of CIOs conducted by Gartner has identified revenue growth as the primary driver of the technology organization. This represents a noticeable shift from the past several years in which cost containment or cost reduction has been the main goal.
See the full post by me here (ITtechExec) to learn more about it and to understand how this trend impacts communication of the CIO or CTO personal brand and their resume documents.
See the full post by me here (ITtechExec) to learn more about it and to understand how this trend impacts communication of the CIO or CTO personal brand and their resume documents.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Government, Resume, and Job Search: They Just Don't Mix
I have long held that the government should not in any way be involved in the job search process, except when they are hiring for governmental positions. Every time they get involved, things seem to go awry. What, in theory, should be a relatively simple process becomes convoluted and fraught with pitfalls and sudden twists and turns. Not to mention the fact that government has a tendency to throw good money after bad...and then some.
So I could only shake my head in frustration when reading about how government used part of an $11 million grant designed to help 400 job seekers in Detroit obtain job interview clothing and support. According to a FoxNews report (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/07/stimulus-money-meant-to-help-400-detroit-job-seekers-reportedly-helped-2/?test=latestnews), the program provided clothing for only 2 candidates.
So either some serious fraud was involved here or the program isn't really necessary--or some combination of the two. Regardless, you shouldn't wait to let someone else, particularly the government, take over your job search for you. To get control over your career, contact ITtechExec today at www.ittechexec.com or by phone at (866) 755-9800.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it, "Tweet" it, or "Repost" it on StumbleUpon, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Thanks so much!
So I could only shake my head in frustration when reading about how government used part of an $11 million grant designed to help 400 job seekers in Detroit obtain job interview clothing and support. According to a FoxNews report (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/07/stimulus-money-meant-to-help-400-detroit-job-seekers-reportedly-helped-2/?test=latestnews), the program provided clothing for only 2 candidates.
So either some serious fraud was involved here or the program isn't really necessary--or some combination of the two. Regardless, you shouldn't wait to let someone else, particularly the government, take over your job search for you. To get control over your career, contact ITtechExec today at www.ittechexec.com or by phone at (866) 755-9800.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it, "Tweet" it, or "Repost" it on StumbleUpon, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Thanks so much!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Executive Job Market Trends & Analysis
ExecuNet recently released some excerpts from their upcoming Job Market Intelligence Report for 2012. With a 14% increase in job placements (assignments) expected throughout 2012, the Top 3 growth industries or sectors are projected to be 1) Healthcare, 2) Technology, and 3) Manufacturing. Of course, the number of technology-related positions in the healthcare and manufacturing segments has grown tremendously. So, for IT and technical candidates, this is a good sign for the upcoming year.
For executive-level candidates, just more than half (52%) thought about a job change over the past 12 months. For those candidates that are conducting a job search now or have taken part in a job search over the past year, the expectation was that it would take nearly 6 months to complete the job search but that it would yield a salary or total compensation package increase of about 13%. The 6-month time frame is consistent with the results over the past several years, so there weren't any apparent "breakthroughs" during 2011, which confirms what most job seekers have believed about the job market in 2011.
Finally, 70% of executives anticipated low or relatively low turnover for the remainder of this year. This statistic cuts two ways. First, the most common view, is that people view this figure as a favorable indication that the economy and the job market (and unemployment) have stabilized. So, we shouldn't expect to see major layoffs or large-scale downsizing initiatives across the board--although some are going to occur regardless of how high or low the market goes. Of course, one can point to the fact that most organizations have gone through their exercise of "right-sizing" to flesh out the dead weight, get lean, cut costs, etc. As a result, there is little need to do more cutting in 2012 unless the economy takes a major turn for the worse.
The second view--which still allows for the opinion above to be true--is that the expectation for little or low turnover is proof of just how tenuous the economy and job market really are. In my experience as a resume writer and hiring director, when the economy is strong, people are more assertive in the job search. They hire resume writers to help them prepare the best possible document so that they reach for new heights and stretch for the dream job. When things are not looking strong, human nature is to hunker down, be cautious, play it safe, and weather the storm. People are more satisfied trying to hold on to what they have. In other words, for their own security, they decide to stay in their current job, thus reducing employment turnover expectations.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
For executive-level candidates, just more than half (52%) thought about a job change over the past 12 months. For those candidates that are conducting a job search now or have taken part in a job search over the past year, the expectation was that it would take nearly 6 months to complete the job search but that it would yield a salary or total compensation package increase of about 13%. The 6-month time frame is consistent with the results over the past several years, so there weren't any apparent "breakthroughs" during 2011, which confirms what most job seekers have believed about the job market in 2011.
Finally, 70% of executives anticipated low or relatively low turnover for the remainder of this year. This statistic cuts two ways. First, the most common view, is that people view this figure as a favorable indication that the economy and the job market (and unemployment) have stabilized. So, we shouldn't expect to see major layoffs or large-scale downsizing initiatives across the board--although some are going to occur regardless of how high or low the market goes. Of course, one can point to the fact that most organizations have gone through their exercise of "right-sizing" to flesh out the dead weight, get lean, cut costs, etc. As a result, there is little need to do more cutting in 2012 unless the economy takes a major turn for the worse.
The second view--which still allows for the opinion above to be true--is that the expectation for little or low turnover is proof of just how tenuous the economy and job market really are. In my experience as a resume writer and hiring director, when the economy is strong, people are more assertive in the job search. They hire resume writers to help them prepare the best possible document so that they reach for new heights and stretch for the dream job. When things are not looking strong, human nature is to hunker down, be cautious, play it safe, and weather the storm. People are more satisfied trying to hold on to what they have. In other words, for their own security, they decide to stay in their current job, thus reducing employment turnover expectations.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Resume and Your Personal Brand
So many career services and resume writing professionals talk about "personal branding" today. It is so overused and cliche at this point...I must rebel. I understand the thrust of the argument and, at a certain level, agree. However, the advice regarding personal branding within a resume typically results in a sanitized version or account that doesn't depict the true nature of the individual.
Think about it! We all have unique strengths, flaws, passions, drivers, attitudes, and motives. Your "personal brand" needs to include these elements. Most do not...they simply state how you are just like everyone else. To successfully engage your audience, you must tap into these critical areas and harness them to help communicate how you are distinguished from all others.
Maybe the problem is that most resume writers and career services professionals have it in mind that the bulk of candidates they work with will be conducting the lion's share of their job search using job boards and submitting resumes through company websites. As a result, the candidate needs to "play it safe" and take the cookie-cutter approach. I propose that you showcase what makes you, well, you! And then suggest that you take that individuality and put it to work in your job search so that you don't simply become an applicant number of one among hundreds or thousands for each job you apply to.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Think about it! We all have unique strengths, flaws, passions, drivers, attitudes, and motives. Your "personal brand" needs to include these elements. Most do not...they simply state how you are just like everyone else. To successfully engage your audience, you must tap into these critical areas and harness them to help communicate how you are distinguished from all others.
Maybe the problem is that most resume writers and career services professionals have it in mind that the bulk of candidates they work with will be conducting the lion's share of their job search using job boards and submitting resumes through company websites. As a result, the candidate needs to "play it safe" and take the cookie-cutter approach. I propose that you showcase what makes you, well, you! And then suggest that you take that individuality and put it to work in your job search so that you don't simply become an applicant number of one among hundreds or thousands for each job you apply to.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Resume Formula: Is It Real?
So many career professionals today spout across social media networks about their formula of Do's and Don'ts, Must's and Mustn'ts. Many are even able to convey their "rules" in 140 characters or less. All of this information and the average job seeker who is reviewing the material is saying, "What? Are you kidding me? Is this really what I need to do to get a job?"
The answer, in essence, is "No!" I am full agreement that there are essential elements in the resume that employers will focus on. What gets lost in translation is that these elements take on greater weight the more a job seeker goes through the traditional channels of identifying and responding to job opportunities. Those would be using job boards, premium job sites, or submitting resumes to job postings on a specific company website. Essentially, this would include any channel in which your resume arrives in a batch (electronic or hard copy) along with almost everyone else. The only opportunities you have to differentiate yourself are through the use of keywords and a very limited amount of content that will be scanned by the decision maker if it makes it past the HR person.
If you consider yourself unique--and really, who among us isn't unique--alternate approaches exist. These options can be quite effective in helping you successfully navigate through the job search process. Whether you are an Engineering Director, an IT Executive, a Manufacturing Manager, or a Technical Team Lead, it is important to convey to your audience what makes you, well, you! How do those unique skills sets and personality traits supplement what the organization is looking to achieve? Focus on that...play it up and you want be with the rest of the cookie-cutter resume crowd.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
The answer, in essence, is "No!" I am full agreement that there are essential elements in the resume that employers will focus on. What gets lost in translation is that these elements take on greater weight the more a job seeker goes through the traditional channels of identifying and responding to job opportunities. Those would be using job boards, premium job sites, or submitting resumes to job postings on a specific company website. Essentially, this would include any channel in which your resume arrives in a batch (electronic or hard copy) along with almost everyone else. The only opportunities you have to differentiate yourself are through the use of keywords and a very limited amount of content that will be scanned by the decision maker if it makes it past the HR person.
If you consider yourself unique--and really, who among us isn't unique--alternate approaches exist. These options can be quite effective in helping you successfully navigate through the job search process. Whether you are an Engineering Director, an IT Executive, a Manufacturing Manager, or a Technical Team Lead, it is important to convey to your audience what makes you, well, you! How do those unique skills sets and personality traits supplement what the organization is looking to achieve? Focus on that...play it up and you want be with the rest of the cookie-cutter resume crowd.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Monday, February 13, 2012
The IT Resume and The QR Code
How important is having a QR code on a resume?
The answer is that it depends. For IT and technical candidates, having a QR code on your resume or business card can help to differentiate you from other job seekers. Think about it...companies are looking to hire tech savvy people. Setting up your own personal QR code to direct your audience to your personal website, blog, or other Web page communicates that you are up to speed on "new" technologies.
Of course, as a job seeker, you must have online content that you want a prospective employer to see that adds credibility and improves your value proposition. If there is nothing relevant to point them toward, having a QR code doesn't aid your cause.
Included below is a sample QR code for me, Stephen Van Vreede. I am able to control the information that people see about me through a "Google Me" service.
ITtechExec now offers the addition of the QR code to your resume for free. They also have services to help establish an online portfolio for you so that you have relevant information to your job search to link your QR code to. Contact ITtechExec today for details at www.ittechexec.com or by phone at (866) 755-9800.
If you like this post, then please "Like" it on StumbleUpon, "Tweet" it through your Twitter account, or post a link to it on your LinkedIn account. Thanks!
The answer is that it depends. For IT and technical candidates, having a QR code on your resume or business card can help to differentiate you from other job seekers. Think about it...companies are looking to hire tech savvy people. Setting up your own personal QR code to direct your audience to your personal website, blog, or other Web page communicates that you are up to speed on "new" technologies.
Of course, as a job seeker, you must have online content that you want a prospective employer to see that adds credibility and improves your value proposition. If there is nothing relevant to point them toward, having a QR code doesn't aid your cause.
Included below is a sample QR code for me, Stephen Van Vreede. I am able to control the information that people see about me through a "Google Me" service.
If you like this post, then please "Like" it on StumbleUpon, "Tweet" it through your Twitter account, or post a link to it on your LinkedIn account. Thanks!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
IT Candidates & Tech Jobs: What's the Disconnect? Top 4 Reasons
So much is made today about the fact (or myth) that there aren't any technical jobs out there. What I have heard from employers (and found to be true) is that they simply cannot find quality candidates to fill technical openings they have been trying to fill for quite some time. A current sampling of the technical jobs site Dice.com finds more than 83,000 job openings as of February 7, 2012.
Why the disconnect? Here are my top 4 reasons:
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Why the disconnect? Here are my top 4 reasons:
- Lack of Training: Many technology candidates simply don't have the training required in the necessary skill sets to qualify them for the openings that are out there. Very few are willing to go out and get that training (on their own, if need be) to position them for that next great opportunity.
- Subpar Academic Framework: Our schools and universities today are failing our true technical candidates. The push in recent years has been for colleges and universities (either brick-and-mortar or online institutions) to offer "technology" degrees. They end up teaching a lot of unapplied theory that corporate technology leaders don't value, because they have not seen it translate into real-life results.
- Ineffective Resume: Some candidates do have the sought after experience, skills, and knowledge. However, many don't know how to market those traits effectively on their resume to be seriously considered for the opportunities. One example is the generic resume. A job seeker wants a resume that works for many different roles, but makes it so general that they are not strong in any one area. Of course, when an employer is hiring, they are doing so for a specific role, not a general one, rendering the resume ineffective.
- Poor Job Search Skills: Finally, many job seekers simply don't know how to look for jobs in the right way. More than 50% still use job sites like Monster, Indeed, or CareerBuilder exclusively. Although lots of jobs are posted on these sites, that's not where the real action is. There are so many other, more effective channels that a job seeker can employ to identify and secure a great job.
If you enjoyed this post, please "Like" it or "Tweet" it. Thanks so much!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
No More Resumes? The Importance of a Candidate's Online Presence
A January 24, 2012 article by the Wall Street Journal online (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173031991814896.html) states that some firms are sourcing candidates for jobs by reviewing their credentials only through various online forums. In other words, they are not accepting resumes from job seekers.
So how will a prospective employer evaluate a candidate and their potential for the job in question? They will review the online presence or "brand" of each candidate. Some of the sites they will evaluate include:
Although the majority of companies still do want a resume, serious candidates need to establish and nurture their online presence as a professional, serious, and qualified individual. So creating and/or optimizing the information contained in these social media is of paramount importance to remain competitive and to distinguish yourself from other job seekers in this tough market.
To help you get started with developing or improving your online brand to enhance your career, visit www.ittechexec.com or call toll-free (866) 755-9800.
If you enjoyed this post, please tweet it or "like" it at StumbleUpon. Thank you!
So how will a prospective employer evaluate a candidate and their potential for the job in question? They will review the online presence or "brand" of each candidate. Some of the sites they will evaluate include:
- YouTube (for personal and professional video content)
- Google Search
- Blog Content (i.e., WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger)
Although the majority of companies still do want a resume, serious candidates need to establish and nurture their online presence as a professional, serious, and qualified individual. So creating and/or optimizing the information contained in these social media is of paramount importance to remain competitive and to distinguish yourself from other job seekers in this tough market.
To help you get started with developing or improving your online brand to enhance your career, visit www.ittechexec.com or call toll-free (866) 755-9800.
If you enjoyed this post, please tweet it or "like" it at StumbleUpon. Thank you!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Resume Solutions for Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are a reality in today's world of the job search and resume posting. Regardless of your opinion of them or mine -- which is that the way companies set them up makes them ineffective and costs them lots of dollars -- they are here to stay and are increasing in number. A January 2012 Wall Street Journal article provides some good background and statistics on the topic. You can view it at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204624204577178941034941330.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet&_nocache=1327506661957articleTabs=comments&user=welcome&mg=id-wsj#articleTabs%3Darticle.
The real question is: What do I do with my resume so that it works well with these resume screening ATS systems? Although most claim that a Word document will work fine, that's not really true. Resumes done in MS Word inherently have a good amount of formatting behind the scenes to make the resume look nice. That's great when you email it or print it out for someone to view. Its not so nice for the ATS. The technology is such that they have difficulty parsing the data in your resume properly. Which means that information doesn't always get placed in the right bucket. Oftentimes, this leads to the resume being "booted out" of the system.
The answer is to have multiple versions of your resume to handle the various submittal requirements. When submitting through an ATS, a text-only (ASCII) or e-version of the resume is the best way to go. The text-only version strips out all the fancy formatting and reorganizes the information into the proper order so that the ATS can load it successfully.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition and get you past those automated systems in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
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The real question is: What do I do with my resume so that it works well with these resume screening ATS systems? Although most claim that a Word document will work fine, that's not really true. Resumes done in MS Word inherently have a good amount of formatting behind the scenes to make the resume look nice. That's great when you email it or print it out for someone to view. Its not so nice for the ATS. The technology is such that they have difficulty parsing the data in your resume properly. Which means that information doesn't always get placed in the right bucket. Oftentimes, this leads to the resume being "booted out" of the system.
The answer is to have multiple versions of your resume to handle the various submittal requirements. When submitting through an ATS, a text-only (ASCII) or e-version of the resume is the best way to go. The text-only version strips out all the fancy formatting and reorganizes the information into the proper order so that the ATS can load it successfully.
To develop a resume that helps to distinguish you from the rest of the competition and get you past those automated systems in this tough market, go to www.ittechexec.com or call us today at (866) 755-9800 to schedule an appointment.
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tech Trends: Fastest Growing Cities
Forbes.com ranked the fastest growing US cities. As we begin 2012, these markets continue to hold their own and grow despite a sluggish national economy.
1. Austin, Texas
2. Raleigh, North Carolina (Research Triangle)
3. Phoenix, Arizona
4. Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
5. Houston, Texas
Rounding out the top 10 were Salt Lake City, Utah; Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; and the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
Interestingly, the lowest unemployment rate among the top 10 was in D.C., coming in at 5.8%. The major factor is the huge increase in federal government jobs, which is helpful to the local job market but not a favorable indicator for the national trend.
With three of the top 5 and four of the top 10, Texas is an attractive market for your next job search. It's business (and individual) friendly tax structure has brought new enterprises and new talent to the area, stimulating strong sustained growth.
If you are flexible on terms of geography, consider one of these markets in your upcoming job search.
1. Austin, Texas
2. Raleigh, North Carolina (Research Triangle)
3. Phoenix, Arizona
4. Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
5. Houston, Texas
Rounding out the top 10 were Salt Lake City, Utah; Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; and the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
Interestingly, the lowest unemployment rate among the top 10 was in D.C., coming in at 5.8%. The major factor is the huge increase in federal government jobs, which is helpful to the local job market but not a favorable indicator for the national trend.
With three of the top 5 and four of the top 10, Texas is an attractive market for your next job search. It's business (and individual) friendly tax structure has brought new enterprises and new talent to the area, stimulating strong sustained growth.
If you are flexible on terms of geography, consider one of these markets in your upcoming job search.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
6 Tech Jobs For 2012
According to a recent InfoWorld report, the six hottest jobs in the technology field as we enter 2012 include the following:
1. Technical Architect
2. Data Scientist
3. Social Media Architect
4. Mobile Application Development Director
5. Enterprise Mobile Application Developer
6. Cloud Solutions Architect
Keep your eyes open for opportunities in these specialties to continue to grow. Having a resume that highlights your expertise in these areas can position you effectively for garnering such a role.
1. Technical Architect
2. Data Scientist
3. Social Media Architect
4. Mobile Application Development Director
5. Enterprise Mobile Application Developer
6. Cloud Solutions Architect
Keep your eyes open for opportunities in these specialties to continue to grow. Having a resume that highlights your expertise in these areas can position you effectively for garnering such a role.
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