How do you compete?
The approach most job seekers take after learning that recruiters do “keyword” searches on resumes submitted online, is to focus on job functions in the hope that a brief description of what they do will cover all the possibilities. Say an employer receives 100...
read moreBe wary of resume templates
If you are using a software template to create your own resume, there are some serious drawbacks that you need to be aware of. Here are some of the more serious ones: 1) type in text blocks is invisible to the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that most employers use...
read moreHow strategy impacts resume writing
Since a resume is considered a marketing tool, strategy becomes critical. Think about the glossy brochures you see in your local car dealer’s sales office. These are carefully targeted to the demographic for which an automaker has designed a specific car model. Luxury...
read moreHow to convert failure into interview “gold”
One of the things I enjoy most in my work is discovering what recruiters look for in the candidates they interview who rise to the top. A recent blog post by Ben Martinez of Ramp Talent reveals that “one of the most overlooked questions in a job interview is finding...
read moreHow to succeed in job search
Sometime ago I had the opportunity to work with two top IT executives from the same employer; a female boss and her male subordinate. I interviewed her first and was interested to find that she couched all her achievements in soft skills – developing people,...
read moreExecutive-level resume or not?
Accomplished executives have a lasting impact on the companies they lead. They change how business is done by making decisions, saving time and money, and improving operations. They hold positions of increasing influence and authority in the companies they manage and...
read moreTop job seeker strategy
Part of empowering my clients to succeed in their careers is challenging them to grow, and growing involves attitude—or mindset—as much as anything else. A growth mindset as described in Mindset, the New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck, PhD is essential for...
read moreSecrets to supercharge your job search
An employer's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is not your friend. These systems were created to facilitate increasingly complex government reporting requirements around the hiring process. Both candidates and recruiters dislike the systems because 1) they...
read moreMaking your resume “POP”!
A resume with “POP” appeal provides context that makes your achievements resonate with employers and positions you for a future role. Sure, your resume is going to include information from your past career, but you also need to demonstrate aptitude and value for a...
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