Making sure you have superior resumes Pt. 5

Our recommended approach

After analyzing every resume style, we developed a new approach – one where people are equipped with three different styles of superior resumes and materials that meet all of the concerns we’ve mentioned. Why does having several resumes give you a major advantage? The answer is that each one is targeted for a different application and each is what we call an A resume. When you have an A resume, it’s not likely to be just two times more effective than a B resume – it’s more likely to be 20 to 25 times more effective. Plus, you have the advantage of having more tailored materials for the three most common situations where you will be submitting resumes.

When we prepare an introductory resume for people to get the very best results, we also always follow seven key rules:
- The resume must be one page
- Preferred jobs must be listed first
- The top third must be a summary
- Liabilities must be neutralized
- Transferable skills must be sold
- A first-class image must be presented
- Resumes must be scanning-ready with relevant key words

Keep in mind that a good resume has to cover the past, but it is really all about your future. So now let’s look at the three different resumes you should have available before you begin your search.

(Originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site) Be sure to check out sites from great companies like ERI Personal Marketing and SET Personal Marketing. Or visit SET’s Youtube Channel or ERI’s Youtube Channel.

Setting up your personal marketing website Pt. 3

Can this make networking easier?

Yes. For people you already know, all you do is send an email to let them know that you are open to new opportunities and that you put up a new and unique personal marketing website. And, when people see your presentation, they will be far more impressed than anything you could say over the phone.

For those with access to our Job Market Access Center (JMAC), you can even comfortably network people you don’t know. For example, you can quickly get the names of alumni from your school who hold influential jobs or others who worked with you some years ago or executives in an industry or metro area whose advice and referrals you’d appreciate.

(Originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site)For additional information, check out Robert J. Gerberg Jr.’s LinkedIn, follow on Twitter, friend on Facebook, watch the videos or read additional blogs.

Making sure you have superior resumes Pt. 1

Using multiple resumes can bring you much greater response.

This chapter by itself could significantly alter the results of your job search. Here’s why I say this. Over the last 10 years we’ve learned what really works and what doesn’t. In this discussion I will share this with you. 

To appreciate the importance of superior resumes, let’s first talk a little bit about the competition, and why it has devastated so many talented people. And keep in mind that when you look for a new job, you are reduced to how you look on paper.

Today, the number of resumes in circulation exceeds the imagination. GE receives 800,000 resumes a year & but they only hire about 4,000 people. That’s 1 out of every 200. Other well-known firms say they get over 1,000 resumes for every opening. And, when it comes to submitting your resume to an attractive ad & you should know that employers are now getting hundreds of candidates. Leading recruiters, like Korn Ferry and Heidrick and Struggles, now claim to receive more than 1,500 resumes a work day & 30,000 each month.

Unfortunately, despite the enormous competition, many people create a resume, show it to some friends or family members and then assume it’s fine. Ann Landers is famous for many quotes, but one applies here. Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

 

(Originally posted on Robert  Gerberg‘s site)For additional information, check out Robert J. Gerberg Jr.’s LinkedIn, follow on Twitter, friend on Facebook, watch the videos or read additional blogs.

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 5

Your leadership qualities are marketable

If there is one quality you want to communicate, it is leadership ability. Experts say that leaders possess and communicate real convictions—strong feelings and principles that have grown with them over time.

Leadership is also attributed to those who create an image of operating at the leading edge… into new products, new services and new solutions. We expect our leaders to have the vision and talent to develop new things.

Another skill common to most leaders is their ability to assemble teams and motivate them to peak achievement. Often creative, intuitive and passionate, they project integrity and trust. If you have these traits, they should be marketed. Image, attitude and presence also play a role.

 

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 4

Your transferable skills are marketable

Identifying transferable skills is critical (e.g., organizing, group presentation skills, problem solving and so on). Employers place a premium on men and women who can move from challenge to challenge, handling assignments that draw upon skills.

Naturally, your experience can also be reviewed according to various “functions” that apply to most businesses, such as sales, production, accounting and human resources. All areas in which you have knowledge must be identified. At the same time, you need to think of your experience in terms of “action words” that describe what you did, and then translate those activities into achievements, e.g., controlled, wrote, reshaped, etc.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 3

Your knowledge and personality are marketable

Do you have knowledge of a job, a product, a process or a market… from work, hobbies, alumni relationships, research or suppliers? If so, it may be marketable.

Personality, of course, is just a word for that combination of traits that either attracts us to someone or leaves us unimpressed. More employment decisions are based on personality and chemistry than any other factor. For example: “He’s certainly professional and quick-thinking. I like him, and better yet, I trust him. He’ll fit in with our team. I need to get him into the firm.” The perception of your personality has to do with your interest and enthusiasm. How many people get hired because they showed real interest? A lot.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 2

Each year, about 20% of the clients who come to us have settled for less, simply because they are not able to communicate their real skills. For example, one client was earning a $65,000 base after almost 20 years. Three years later, she is earning $180,000. Another executive came to us at $125,000. Three years later, he is a CEO at many times that amount. The key in both situations was to market their true assets.

It has been said time and again by psychologists, spiritual leaders and coaches that the most restrictive limits you face are those you put on yourself. So, don’t put any limits on your thinking, and look at some factors that you may have overlooked… which will expand your marketability.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Sell Your Transferable Skills & and You Will Dramatically Expand Your Marketability Pt. 1

You’ll need to do more than just present your background. Don’t trap yourself by thinking, This is simply who I am, where I’ve been and what I’ve done. People fail because they never surface and communicate all that is marketable about themselves & and they never build their appeal beyond factual credentials.

Your starting point is to organize your lifetime of experiences and achievements. Whether you are a young attorney or a company president, there is probably much more to your story than meets the eye.

Experience has proven that many people never identify 50% of their own assets, simply because they’re so close to their own situation. We’ve learned that most people need to identify 10 to 20 skills that, if properly communicated, can make a major difference in their career opportunities.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 5

Identifying new industry options

As you begin to consider industry options, you’ll also need to decide whether you should take a narrow view. This is essential if there are a lot of growth companies in the industries to which you relate best.

However, if you are part of an industry that is suffering a decline, then you will want to adopt a broad view of your options. The more you understand the dynamics of a market, the more you can spot potential opportunities.

Historically, executives tend to overrate the barriers and to underrate their own abilities to make contributions in new areas. It is, of course, up to you to take the initiative to learn something about new companies, new industries, and the problems and opportunities they face.

As you review potential industries of interest, remember that while glamorous high tech and service businesses receive 90% of the publicity today, many executives will find far more opportunities in industries that are considered low tech or non-glamorous by today’s standards.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)

Uncovering Your Industry Options Pt. 4

Identifying new industry options

If you have no knowledge of an industry but have an interest in exploring situations, extra steps are recommended. As mentioned, the easiest way to acquire knowledge of a new industry, and gain credibility for it, is to read trade publications. They will bring you up to date on personnel changes, new products, information on companies, and challenges as seen by industry leaders.

Another way to acquire knowledge is to talk with executives already in the field. In some cases you can go further by getting more formal input, attending trade shows and the like. The most radical approach is to take a lower level job in an industry in order to acquire knowledge.

During the last decade we’ve witnessed declines in many industries. However, don’t overlook opportunities in troubled industries. Executives who have worked for firms under pressure often find they can be valuable to distributors or consulting firms. Those who learned tough lessons in competitive battles can function as veterans in any industry.

(Originally posted on Bob J. Gerberg‘s site)