VisualCV Blog

VisualCV News - September 2009

Latest News from VisualCV

To continue to keep VisualCV free for you, we will be incorporating messages and links related to job seeking on our site. These messages will be useful for your job search and can be found on the dashboard and in our blog - no dancing monkey ads here. And as we've promised, we'll NEVER post these messages or links on your personal VisualCV.

We will also continue to offer free employer accounts. Why? Because we know the best way to help our members is to keep the job postings rolling in. Tell your colleagues in HR that they can post job openings on VisualCV for FREE!

If you have ideas or want to advertise to VisualCV members, e-mail advertising@visualcv.com and we'll give you additional details.

Most importantly, thank you for your continued support. We wouldn't be able to do this without you.

What's New?

As for our next release, we can't reveal all the details yet but we'll give you a hint- the changes will help you get hired on VisualCV! Be sure to update your career interests to get the full benefits when these features become available in the next few weeks.

Learn how to update your career interests in the Learning Center.

Are you ready for the job hunt?

Built on the practices of professionals that have been successful in landing their jobs faster and smarter, the Job-Hunt Readiness Evaluator from UpMo uncovers how prepared you are to search for and secure the right job in the next 90 days. Get your personalized report and learn precisely what you can do to become a candidate that gets hired. Then, sign up for a free UpMo trial membership - they'll help you get the job you want faster and confidently move up in your career!

VisualCV Success Stories

What do these three individuals have in common?

• a recent college graduate had three job offers and landed a job within weeks
• a company President landed a role of greater responsibility and higher compensation
• a senior executive transitioned from an industry where she had over 20 years of experience to an emerging industry where she had no experience

They all used a VisualCV in their job search. Also, they all worked with Global Resources, a Certified VisualCV Creator.

The part that is fun for me as a creator, and for my client as well, is to be able to share additional information that strengthens ones background by sharing presentations, publications, photos of awards received, special interests and unique attributes. Both executive recruiters and hiring managers have told me that after clicking on the link to view a candidate's VisualCV their interest level was heightened due to the additional information they were able to glean about the candidate.

-Lucille Pearson, Certified VisualCV Creator, Global Resources

Find Lucille and other Certified VisualCV Creators, Resume Writers, and Career Coaches in the VisualCV Marketplace.

Looking for a job? Know someone who is?

VisualCV has hundreds of employers actively seeking great candidates within the VisualCV community. Applying for a job on VisualCV is easy. Just click the "Get Hired" link and search for jobs. When you find one you like, click the "Apply" button and send the employer your VisualCV. If you're not looking for a job now, share these great opportunities with a friend! Here are some of the jobs we are featuring this week:

• Program Manager in Melbourne, FL
• Staff Accountant in Lakeland, FL
• ABA Provider - Associate in Massachusetts
• Web Designer/Developer in Harrisburg, PA
• Federal Practice, Business Development Manager in Washington, DC
• More jobs on VisualCV...

Stay in touch with VisualCV

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The Career ReBoot Camp

By Eric Wentworth

 A ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENT DESIGNED TO HELP JOB-SEEKERS FIND WORK IN THE “NEW” WORLD OF WORK.

Are you ready for the new world of work?

Millions of job-hunters are frustrated about how to effectively look for work in the “new” job market.  It’s definitely not your father’s job search.

The new world of work is a frustrating experience for job-seekers who find they now have to learn how to find a job.  What worked just two years ago doesn’t work today.   It’s like being a good soccer player and then being asked to play on a baseball team. 

New job seekers are suddenly faced with having to create resumes that are “scannable” by computer for “keywords.”  Image and “personal branding” are hot topics.  Behavorial interviews, social media networking, VisualCV online resumes---are all changing the way we look for work.

With competition as intense as it is for existing jobs, savvy job-hunters will use every weapon in their arsenal to create a successful search.

ReBoot your career.

The Career ReBoot Camp is a crash course in job-hunting.  And for anyone who is “behind the loop” in their job search skills, it can make the difference between collecting unemployment checks or starting a new career.

The Career ReBoot Camp provides all the tools, resources and guidance job-seekers need to be competitive in the tightest job market in 70 years.   Our first event is being held this October 26/27 in San Rafael, CA (just a few minutes north of San Francisco in beautiful Marin County).  The cost is only $249 and includes breakfasts, parking and all materials.

Each participant at the 2-day event is given a headshot photo taken by a professional photographer to use with their VisualCV resume or online profiles.  It’s amazing how few people pay attention to this important career management ingredient.  The value of the photo shoot is greater than the price of admission.

Participants also receive a video of a mock interview for evaluation.  

Get help from more than two dozen top career experts.

 Keynote Speaker Richard Bolles, author of the NY Times 10 million copy bestselling career guide “What Color Is Your Parachute?” is one of more than three dozen career experts speaking at the event.  The Library of Congress named his book “One of the 25 books that have most influenced Americans’ lives.” 

Also featured is Grammy-nominated musician Freddie Ravel presenting his innovative program “Tune Up to Success.”  Ravel recently was asked to join Carlos Santana’s band. 

Other speakers include best-selling author Anat Baniel (“Move Into Life”), Amy Frost (“When Work Isn’t Working”), Anne Brown (“From Grad to Great”), Marky Stein (“Fearless Resumes” and “Fearless Interviewing”), Carol Ann Wentworth (“Networking Now”); and Ron Nash (“How to Find Your Dream Job---Even in a Recession”), Dr. Lynn Joseph (creator of The Job-Loss Recovery Program) and motivational speaker Darren Jacklin (author of Living the Law of Attraction), among others.

The Career ReBoot Camp---$249.  Getting your career back on track---priceless.

The Career ReBoot Camp is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get your career back on track.  This tax-deductible event may be the single best thing you do for your career---and your life. 

Go to www.CareerReBootCamp.com.

Eric is has more than two decades experience in marketing, advertising and public relations.  He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and attended Northwestern Medill graduate school of journalism.  He is the Director of the San Francisco office of Steve Allen Media.  He also is a Director of The Career ReBoot Camp, an innovative event designed to help job-seekers get the tools, resources and guidance they need to be competitive in the tightest job market in more than 70 years. 

6 Creative Ways to Stand Out in the Job Search!

By Peggy McKee

Can’t get an interview?

Can’t get past the first interview?

Are you demonstrating the levels of commitment, drive, tenacity, skills and organization employers want?

Here are 6 tried and true ways to separate you from other candidates and be the candidate everyone wants to hire:

1.  Preparation = SWOT Analysis:

SWOT is a strategic planning tool.  It stands for Strengths (attributes helpful to achieving the objective), Weaknesses (attributes harmful to achieving the objective), Opportunities (external conditions that will be helpful to achieving the objective), and Threats (external obstacles or conditions that will harm the process).  Look at the picture–it helps.  Doing a SWOT analysis on the company demonstrates your drive, commitment, and skills, along with helping you create a better 30/60/90-day plan.   Click here for advice on how to do one and avoid mistakes.

2.  30/60/90-Day Plan :

A 30-60-90-day plan is a short, 1-3 page outline for what you will do when you start the job.  Essentially, you spell out for your future employer, in as little or as much detail as necessary, how you will spend your time–in training, learning company systems, introducing yourself to customers, and your initial plan to build sales.  It demonstrates exactly how you’ll be an asset.  A 30/60/90-day plan is an almost-guaranteed way to impress any hiring manager or hiring team.If you absolutely can’t get an interview, you could try e-mailing your 30/60/90-day plan to the sales manager.  It’s an attention-getter, and it could be the key to get you in the door.

3.  Video or Audio Communication:

Send the interviewer an audio of video clip of yourself.  Keep it short and sweet, and make sure you’ve checked lighting, background, and sound quality.  One idea:  Structure it like an elevator pitch–what can you do for the company and why can you do it?

4.  Brag Book :

A brag book is a folder/ binder that you can use during your interview process to clarify your skill sets.  It can include letters of recommendation, “attaboy” notes (or any notes commenting on what a good job you’ve done), staff ranking, annual reviews (if you include some, include them all), rewards letters, your resume, types of equipment you’ve used or marketed, certifications or other educational courses, any financial or PowerPoint presentations, copies of articles you’ve written, brochures you’ve helped develop, and a college transcript (though ONLY if you’re just getting out).  Here’s a link to a video that explains more.

5.  References :

It’s critical that you have winning references.  Some people believe that references never get called, but they do.  You should know how to choose a good reference, and know with stake-your-job-on-it certainty what they will say about you.  You can (and should) even coach them beforehand, to help them tailor their answers to the job.

6.  Follow-up/Thank You Notes :

Don’t underestimate how important thank you letters are in the job interview process.  Everybody “knows” they’re critical, but unbelievably, not everyone writes them.  Thank you letters accomplish several things:

• They get your name in front of the hiring manager one more time.
• They are your last chance to package yourself as the best, most qualified person for the job.
• They are polite, and manners count. 
• They can be an example of your ability to take in information (the interview) and process and provide feedback or new ideas about whatever the problem was. For example:  “I thought about your concerns about how to handle xyz delivery issues, when I was a product manager at ABC corporation, we used………”

(See what I mean?)

Handwritten thank-yous are nice, but e-mail thank yous are fast.  Sometimes, hiring decisions are made quickly, so a timely note can be critical.

I know these things will help you become an outstanding candidate!

If you need more personalized help, please see my custom consulting page.  If you’re really having trouble, a fresh pair of expert eyes can point out issues or problems that are keeping you from getting the job you want.

Peggy McKee is the owner and founder of PHC Consulting, a medical sales recruiting firm well known for providing top candidates for sales, management, marketing, and technical support positions in the biotech, life science, laboratory, and diagnostics industries for the last 10 years.  In addition to placing candidates in some of the most prominent healthcare companies in the country, Peggy also provides custom career coaching to jobseekers in all areas of sales.

Is looking for a job after a layoff like dating after a divorce?

By Lindsay M. Allen, PR blogger, “No Poetry; Just PRos(e)” 

Brace yourselves, job seekers; I’m about to say something that may seem a bit wacky ... but if you stick with me and keep reading, you may just see some truth amid the humor.

Losing your job is like getting a divorce, and looking for a new job in the aftermath of being laid off is like finding yourself back on the dating market again.

I know it sounds odd, but just think about it for a minute ...

- You’re in a relationship (job) for a number of years, and while it has had its share of ups and downs, you’re content overall and don’t have any plans to end the relationship (quit your job), but then your spouse (employer) tells you it’s over.

- You are stunned by the loss and must figure out where you’ll live, what life will be like on your new income, etc.

- You find yourself alone (unemployed) and needing to re-enter the dating pool (job-seeking market). Since you’ve been in this relationship (job) for so long and didn’t expect it to end, you’re somewhat unfamiliar with the current dating scene (job-search process) and lack the stylish wardrobe, hairstyle, etc. (fancy portfolio, personal Web site, e-résumé, technical skills, etc.) to be an attractive potential mate (employee). The game has changed since you last had to play it.

- You give yourself a bit of a makeover (building a Web site, creating a modern portfolio, reformatting your résumé, trying out some of the newest tools of your trade and becoming proficient with them, etc,) and start going to new hangouts (networking events, professional conferences, etc.) where you might meet new people (find new job leads).

- You go on dates (interviews), and when you really like the person (job opportunity), you sit by the phone and await a call back for another date (second interview); if that does happen and the situation seems promising, you start thinking maybe this could lead to a proposal (a viable job offer) and marriage (acceptance of a job offer and the start of a new job or career). Unfortunately, the crowded market has many of us waiting by the phone, only to never get that courtesy call (or any other communication, for that matter) to say, “We’re just not that into you.”

I ran this concept, in its simplest form, by someone who is both divorced and a job-search/career development expert, and she enthusiastically agreed that the comparison is a valid one (although divorce and job loss are not the same; don’t think for a moment that that’s what I’m suggesting!), which made me feel like I could share it.

As for where I am in the process: I’m continuing to “go to new hangouts” for now, attending conferences and workshops, participating in online courses and engaging in social media. I’ve met lots of great folks, made meaningful connections, collected many business cards and been part of plenty of interesting discussions about the public relations and marketing industry. Perhaps I’ve even met my next potential “date.”

© Copyright Lindsay M. Allen, 2009. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Lindsay M. Allen is a Michigan-based PR professional with more than a decade of experience in journalism and PR, largely focusing on higher education and the entertainment industry. Recently downsized, she is freelancing and engaging in professional development while seeking her next career move. Follow her on Twitter: @LindsayMAllen.

Pitfalls to Avoid on Your Resume

By Chris Perry

Crafting your resume is undoubtedly a challenge for most professionals, as there is so much to consider prior to sending it out to employers and recruiters.  I have asked resume writers and career-search experts from across the web for what they consider to be the most “dangerous” pitfalls to avoid when crafting your resume.  While I could not include every tip from all of the experts, I have selected and compiled the best and most unique ones in this list to share with you today.

Limiting your resume to one page.  “This may compromise the substance for the space.  A two-page resume with substance and details wins over a one-page resume with too little information every time, especially when the one page is full of job description bullets or worse, is done in a tiny font so it all fits.” - Judi Perkins, FindthePerfectJob.com

Using colored or scented paper.  “Don’t do it.  Colored paper makes the resume very difficult to read and just because you enjoy the scent applied to the paper doesn't mean that the reviewer will or worse, they could have an allergic reaction.” - Angela Swarts, Spherion.com

Including an unprofessional email address. “Do not have an unprofessional email address on your resume.  Nobody is eager to hire stallion545@yahoo.com or msbootylicious777@gmail.com.  Help yourself by having a neutral, professional email address.” - Lisa Rangel, ChameleonResumes.com

Omitting your address information.  “Many people leave out their address information, apparently due to concerns about identity theft.  If sending your resume, you need to include your address, or at a minimum, the city/state/zip where you live.  Resumes without geographic references are likely to be ignored as it requires additional follow-up with the candidate.  More to the point, resumes without a geographic location will be invisible to any geographic/proximity searching available in advanced Applicant Tracking Systems.” - Ken Winters, Staffback.com

Including a photo on your resume. “Including a photo may get you screened out of the selection process at many organizations.  Human resources in many companies have strict rules they must comply with regarding discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, etc.  Including your photo is like writing “I am a 27-year-old white woman” across the top of your resume.” - Liz Layton, Florida Gulf Coast University

Fudging the facts. “DON’T LIE, EVEN A LITTLE! You WILL be found out, maybe before they consider making you an offer, maybe after you’ve been on the job for a while.  And once your credibility is shot, your credibility is shot.  Trust is one of those qualities that is difficult to gain and impossible to truly prove, yet easy to lose.  And when it’s lost, it becomes exponentially more difficult to regain.”  - David Wright, TheGetAJobBook.com

Not including keywords and phrases.  “In today’s wired world, many staffing agencies and employers digitize resumes and enter them into a database. Then, they search the database to find resumes that include keywords that relate to job vacancies.  The bottom line is that if you apply for a job with a company that compiles submitted resumes in a database and searches them for keywords and your resume doesn't include keywords relating to the position you’re seeking, you are pretty much dead in the water.” - Emma Murphy, HollisterStaff.com

Listing irrelevant skills.  “Don't list skills that are irrelevant to the job you're seeking. For instance, if you're a certified dog trainer, that has nothing to do with the duties of an accountant. Since your resume should not exceed two pages (ideally one), include only the most pertinent information.” - Rick Saia, PongoResume.com

Overusing bullets. “Too many bullets amount to crying wolf - people stop listening after a while. As we read, our eyes are drawn to the things that stand out: bold, italics, and bullets. If everything is bulleted, it's as if nothing is - and the eye doesn't know where to go. Remember that employers don't typically read résumés; they scan them. Only use bullets to point out those things that will really matter to an employer, such as accomplishments.” - Amanda Collins, GrammarDocs.com

Highlighting failed accomplishments. “This is mentioning initiatives that failed to materialize or deliver results expected, rather than demonstrating real accomplishments such as launching a new product, capturing market share, growing sales, etc.” - Julie Rains, WorkingtoLive.com

Being negative.  “Don’t be a Negative Ned or Nelly. Did your last employer treat you unfairly? Was your boss incompetent? What does that have to do why you are a fit for the new employer? Nothing! Few employers will interview someone who is so negative that it spills over into the résumé. Including negative information also leaves the impression – fairly or not – that you may be a troublemaker.” - Amy Savage, ConvincingResumes.com

Providing too many hints about your age.  “Age discrimination exists in both directions.  You can be considered too young for the upper level position you are applying for or too close to retirement to hire.  Employers will try to play the guessing game—it’s human nature.  So, don’t make it easy for them to rule you out for silly reasons before you even get in the door for your interview.  If it is 2009, and you received your Bachelors degree in 2007, you can leave off your graduation dates when you apply for that less-than entry-level position.  And, if its 2009 and you received your Bachelors degree in 1987, you can do the same.  And, for experienced professionals, go back no more than 15-20 years into your work history, unless the position you are applying for is very senior level and 20+ years experience will be required.” - Colleen Georges, ColleensCareerCreations.com

Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this wealth of resume insight!

Chris Perry is a Gen Y Brand and Marketing Generator, a Career Search and Personal Branding Expert and the Founder of Career Rocketeer, the Career Search and Personal Branding Blog.