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Stress…no kidding! May 13, 2010

Filed under: Maintain Health & Sanity — cstatenclark @ 12:03 pm
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Okay… this Category of postings is about keeping body and attitude in good working order while navigating a career move. I’ll start with my  little episode meant to emphasize the importance of self-care during a significant life transition like job search.

Early on in my search, I started itching. Hmmm. It was too cold outside that month for mosquitos. Randomly little red spots would appear on my arm, then my knee…then go away. And if I scratched them they would get bigger. A rash? Caused by my soap or shampoo or laundry detergent? Nope. Took a Benadryl — they went away. The next day, the top of my foot and my wrist started itching. In the spirit of self-diagnosing (like any Internet-savvy soul would do), I searched the web about “hives”. I’ve never had them before, but my symptoms matched what I’d heard. Sure enough, that’s what I had. Benign, yet irritating. And why now? They were messing with my “chi”.

I tried to blame them on medication, but the symptoms remained after the pills were gone. A dear friend (thanks Cindy!) who’s not a medical expert, quickly assessed, “So many changes are going on in your life right now — you have stress-induced hives.” No way! I felt so calm and positive about my job prospects (it was early). But inside my body was having a different reaction. So I decided to exercise (and exorcise) those little red bumps from my system by increasing my visits to the gym to 5 times/week. Viola! It worked. The stressors remain , but the hives are gone.

Change is always stressful – even when you like change as I do. The more layers of change, the more layers of stress. You may not react by breaking out randomly in hives (I never had before), but you may gain weight/lose weight, get headaches, catch cold/flu, show your temper, dip into depression, or a host of other reactions. Most stress responses will make your job search more difficult if not sabotage it altogether. So this category is where I’ll post thoughts on how to manage your head, heart, and body.

The most important thought (shared by dear friend, CB) – “You will find meaningful employment again!”

 

Updating Your Resume May 6, 2010

Filed under: First Things First — cstatenclark @ 10:15 pm
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Updating my resume at the beginning of this job search felt daunting since I thought it had to be perfect right out of the gate. Don’t get me wrong, a resume always has to be perfect as far as spelling, grammar, and accuracy…but mine has morphed every few weeks with regard to format and exactly how I summarize my talents. I’ve written and re-written my accomplishment statements several times to be more concise, meaningful, and add stronger verbs.

The conventional wisdom you’ll hear from everyone states:

  • For most job-seekers, use chronological format to make it more easily skimmed (and not tossed) by recruiters/hiring managers.
  • Use formatting consistently (indentations, bullets, periods, header formats, etc.).
  • Use well-accepted fonts and paper (unless you’re after a job as an artist, designer, creative director, etc) – for ease of reading and scanning.
  • Keep it readable using reasonable amount of white-space, section headers, bullets for emphasis, and minimal length (2+ pages).

So what fresh resume insights have I learned or been reminded of? Check out these tidbits:

  • A resume is not just your history – it’s what you are capable of (accomplishment statements). Make all your accomplishment statements quantifiable (dollars, time-savings, customers retained, other metrics) – employers want to know how good you are.
  • Your Summary statement should recap your strongest overall talents (put it at the top). Make the reader want you even before they reach your history.
  • Insert industry or job-specific keywords within the resume – so the resume scanning software will pick yours out of the masses. Google on “resume keywords” for a current list. Or let me know and I’ll post the list I found. This means you’ll likely have several resume versions.
  • If you have a number of recommendations on LinkedIn (see prior post), list your LI profile’s URL under your address in the resume header.
  • Save a version of your resume non-formatted for uploading into web-based job applications – it will upload more accurately and save time in adjusting within the application tool.
  • There are additional tools like www.visualcv.com to post your resume with links to many attachments like photos of projects or events, videos of press conference, white papers or articles you’ve written, etc).
  • Keep a consistent story. Make sure your resume and your profiles on LinkedIn and job board postings look like they’re from the same person.

Next post I’ll cover personal commercials, …in other words, “How do I say what career I’m looking for – quickly – to peers, friends, family, and prospects without making their eyes glaze over?” You want them to offer help and connections, not change the subject and run the other way!

 

LinkedIn Profile May 4, 2010

Filed under: First Things First — cstatenclark @ 6:56 pm
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Because you might fret and sweat about updating your resume and making it perfect, start with something simpler – LinkedIn. If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile…where have you been? It’s free – do it today! http://www.linkedin.com If you already have a profile – good for you! Now go update/refresh it.

This will be good practice before updating your resume. The description of each past job doesn’t have to have every accomplishment that you might include on a CV/resume, but it will give you a chance to briefly describe each job with a fresh, concise perspective. Start with your Headline. Mine says “Sales” in a couple of different ways to make me more easily searchable. (Experienced Sales | Sr. Acct Exec seeks a role selling technology/consumer packaged goods & services to retail channel.)

Your Summary and Specialties need to quickly highlight your best talents and the type of work experience you have …in case the reader doesn’t scroll down to you career path. And then, set aside your humility and ask a few of your closest contacts for  Recommendations. You say you don’t have many connections. Oopsies! Then back up and go find colleagues, friends, former employers/employees – LinkedIn makes it easy to search by name, company, title, and/or city. When you email to ask for the recommendation, make it easy on your friend and jot down a couple of your strong points – ones you’d like them to call out. Assuming they have experienced that particular talent of yours, your notes will actually make it easier for them to quickly put together a helpful, accurate recommendation.

So you ask, “Why LinkedIn and not Plaxo or Naymz or others?” I say pick which ever business social network you’ve most often been invited to by your contacts. You’ll have a better chance of making connections with folks who use the service. And two last thoughts – since you’ve done the work of updating your profile:

  • Go on Facebook (assuming you have an account) and update the Work section there (even briefer than LI)
  • Post an Update on your LinkedIn page and Facebook page to let your contacts know you’re in-the-market for a new opportunity – be specific! (Sr Account Executive selling technology to the retail channel in Dallas) They can’t help if they don’t know.

Enjoy recapping your history – it’s meant to get you focused on the best fit for your next career move. Resumes and elevator pitches next!

 

What to do first? April 30, 2010

Filed under: First Things First — cstatenclark @ 4:20 pm

Getting “let go” from a job can feel just like that – you’re holding hands/connected, and then the other party lets loose their grip. If it’s a gentle separation, you land on your feet and start running in a new direction. If it’s sudden/unexpected, it can feel like a free-fall – resulting in a hard landing and splatting like one of those flattened cartoon characters from a Looney Tunes episode. In either case, there’s much assessment you need to do before you apply to any jobs (what happened, what do you want, how do you best “pitch” yourself, do you have the contacts you’ll need to find the best fit for your talents).

Start by creating a brief update statement – something that positions what’s happening in your work life. Think about what you say about your job loss …to family, to friends, to colleagues…and primarily to yourself. The separation might have been mutual (your department was eliminated, you were asked to move and couldn’t, etc). Or your old company might be closing down. Or there could be an issue (performance, personalities, etc). It’s empowering to draft a statement of how you wish to describe your change. It’s similar to describing a break-up in your love-life. In either case, YOU want to choose how to position the altered status. ADVICE–> If you can’t cough-up a gracious statement about the departure, at least be diplomatic. Anger and bitterness will reflect worse on you than on your intended target – your former employer.

Once you have your state-of-the-nation worked out (write it, edit it, sleep on it, then edit it again), let people know! Send an email to your network of friends, family, colleagues, and clients. You want people to know you’ve started a job search. How else will they be able to help you make connections on the road to your new career? You can send the message to yourself and BCC: your list of selected contacts. If you have a LinkedIn or Plaxo profile, post your statement in your summary since these are people who have chosen to stay connected with you. Another BIG reason to make sure the statement is diplomatic.

I didn’t attach a resume to my announcement email since the notice was brief and general – I just told them about the change and what type job I was looking for. Folks aren’t ready to see your resume until you’re relating it to a specific job. Next post I’ll talk about tips I learned about refreshing my resume and updating all Social Network profiles.

 

Hello world! April 29, 2010

Filed under: Intro — cstatenclark @ 9:17 pm
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I’m an experienced Sales and Marketing pro with 20 years experience in selling technology into the retail channel. My department was eliminated recently so I’m officially hunting for my next career adventure. It’s been a long time (at least 12 years) since I’ve actively searched for a job.

Being a lover of all things geeky I thought this trek through online applications, LinkedIn research, and networking via social media would be right up-my-alley.  Wow, do I feel anonymous? Yes…even with a great network of friends and colleagues.

I’ve faced enough challenges so far to feel I have current insight into the process(es) and pitfalls – and want to share the wealth. Plus I’d love to hear the wisdom of others. So here goes something…

 

 
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