Important News to Share!

I am proud to announce that just today I was informed that my submission to Career Thought Leaders, in application for the title of Master Resume Writer, was successful!

After almost seven years in full-time service, providing global clients with an ever-expanding assortment of career management documents, it feels awesome to be so recognized!

Here is an excerpt from the Career Thought Leaders website that defines the MRW:

The MRW is the world’s most elite resume writing credential, clearly signifying that an individual has mastered the art and science of resume writing – strategic approach, content development, formatting and design, English language and grammar, and other key elements of resume development. There are stringent requirements for both writing talent and years of experience to qualify for the MRW.

I am grateful for this recognition, and know that it was my own hard work, an innate talent for writing, as well as a passion for helping people build careers that earned me the right to call myself a Master Resume Writer.

No time to rest on my laurels, I will continue to pursue relevant training, and serve clients with an ever-increasing level of expertise. Onward!

- living my motto "Everyone deserves meaningful work," Stephanie

Preparing for an Interview

Before I interview each client, I prepare. This involves reading over the client's homework, job postings, performance reviews, and other materials the client shared.  I do this about an hour before the interview, committing the details to a short term memory bank only! (Somehow my brain figures out how to store these details for short-term only; I couldn't say how this is done!)

With some senior or unusual clients, I begin early and even a day in advance, researching the role and industry so that I am familiar and aware of jargon or trends.

It takes time!

Similary, when you are called for an interview, you must prepare! MUST. No "ifs ands or buts" about it!

Many people don't know how to prepare. They have no concept of strategy in the interview. How sad, because quite often the candidate who interviews best receives the job offer. Not necessarily the best candidate - not the most experienced, the most credentialed, the most whatever - but the one who most impresses the interview team.

If you have had a few interviews, but no job offer, may I suggest that strategy will help? New Leaf offers a one hour session that provides you with actionable tools that teach you how to formulate an answer to whatever question is asked - the expected and the bizaare. Yes, even if asked "If you were an animal what animal would you be?" (as one of my clients was asked), you will have an idea of how to reply by applying strategic thinking!

- I dedicate my career to your career's success, Stephanie

3 Top Tips on How to Interview Well

 I would venture a guess that next to public speaking, heading to an interview comes a close second in "most feared" activities! Rather than a banquet room full of listeners, one has an interview panel, but that audience may hold your future in their hands!

If they like you, they vote in your favour and if not, well, you'll likely never hear from them. Such is the typical recruitment pattern.

BUT, and this is a big "but," there are strategies to use that will boost your ability to influence the interview panel in your favour. Here are a few!

1. Conversation. Don't view the interview as an inquisition. It is a conversation. Like the fellow in the photo above - he is clearly having a conversation. His demeanour is friendly, relaxed, and he comes across as a full participant. That's what you should aim for in your interview.

2. Personality. In order to come across as someone who is having a conversation, you must inject personality into your replies and conversation. Sticking to an obviously memorized answer won't fit this idea. Trying to muddle your way through an answer that has you stumped also won't do it. Rather than muddle, just say that you are drawing a blank and will reply to that question later; and rather than memorize, you must develop "stories."

3. Stories. I don't mean stories as in "tall tales"; I mean workplace based, factual stories. Here's another way to think of this: support your facts with context. It would be less impressive to say that you are very organized and far more impressive to prove that you are organized by painting a picture, telling a story of a typical day or of a particularly challenging situation that your organizational skills saved.

I can't help leaving you with one more tip. Please don't wear brand new shoes. That 5-minute walk from the local parkade may turn into a 15-minute sprint when you discover that the parkade is full and you have to park down the street. The blister caused by those new shoes will not contribute a sense of calm to a potentially nerve-wracking situation! No, polish up your old pair and spend your money on new shoes once you've landed an offer.

If you need help with wrapping your mind around how one can have a conversation in this stressful situation, or how to make sure your personality comes across (and well), or how to build really great workplace stores, New Leaf Resumes offers interview coaching. Supported by an e-book, it is worth its weight in gold!

- at your service, Stephanie

Focus Pocus!

I subscribe to many blogs and newsletters. Many are related to career management topics, but some are just for me. One of these is Kelvin Ringold's Vitamin K Daily Dose of Positive.

For those who know me, you'll know that I am pretty good at finding that silver lining, and some would even say I am a skilled daydreamer! I'm a bit of a paradox though, as I am equally as likely to think of a fantastic outcome as I am to consider the worst possible outcome! I have no explanation for that. :-)

But I enjoy starting my day in the right frame of mind. Kelvin's daily blog has me bopping to songs (Celebrate, by Rare Earth, is a favourite - here's a YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCiw5xUmoUQ) - enjoy, I just did!!) and thinking about my inherent worth as a human being, or considering something more serious, like attitude. I am grateful that his words leave me with a smile on my face and pep in my step!

Today's dose of Vitamin K had the memorable phrase "Focus Pocus" and I knew that was worth sharing. Kelvin graciously gave me permission and here is the paragraph to give you context:

Focus pocus! Take control of your thoughts. Breathe deeply, calm down, get back to pleasant. Change your vibration... and watch things stabilize. After all, YOU are the captain of your ship... the driver of your vehicle -- your MENTAL vehicle, too.

Now sit back, watch the "road signs" and make sure you're headed where you think you're headed.

Now, enjoy the ride.

I think that's one of the best "attitude adjusters" I have ever read! And here's a link to Kelvin's website for those who want to start their day with music, positivity, and the right attitude!

http://intenselypositive.com/vitamin-k-daily/

- committed to spreading hope and practical ideas to job hunters, Stephanie

Urgency and Accountability in Your Job Search

 Over the last few years, since the financial crisis, news stories often swing to the jobless rate and the difficulty in finding jobs. These stories, to my mind, inspire not hope and a sense of urgency, but despair and a sense of doom.

"What's the use?" must be the question that echoes across states and provinces.

So counterproductive. It makes no sense to me to spread inertia and helplessness. I wish that the stories were at least balanced with a few career-related, hope inspiring, job search success stories.

A quick "google" search revealed that the typical job search takes 7 to 8 months. But with proper documents and a targeted effort, you can cut this down (although this depends on your geographic area, whether you have particularly challenging circumstances, and how saturated your market is).

Truly the job search is Your responsibility and with a sense of urgency and accountability, you can project manage this task more effectively.

Here are a few tips on avoiding a sense of hopelessness:

1. Don't make excuses. Blaming it on the economy, the government, the "times," or heck, even your mother in law won't serve you well. Do yourself a favour and skip the excuses - just don't go there.

2. Avoid asking too many people their opinions on your resume, the need for a cover letter, the point of filling in applications ... follow your instincts instead, and play the game. For each person who thinks your resume is fine you'll find another who says it stinks! If you do want opinions you can trust, look for an expert, not a friend, neighbour, fellow job hunter etc. Good old mom may know a lot of things, but unless she is a recruiter, she is unlikely to provide useful advice about your resume, although I'd listen to her advice to persevere!

3. Get over your fear or dislike of networking, researching at the library, taking your fate into your own hands. You simply must do some of these. Yes, follow your instincts, but even listening to "gut feelings" doesn't absolve you of picking up a new skill or reading a great job search book (try Tony Beshara's Job Search Solution - tough love for the job hunter!).

The success of the job search, even with the help of a book, an industry expert, or a job search club, is still in Your hands. It is up to you, plain and simple.

My clients land interviews and jobs - some within mere weeks and others, facing challenges such as a saturated market or ageism for example, have taken longer. But they do land jobs. There are jobs out there.

Recent statistics showed that there were three job hunters for every job. Admittedly the odds are not great. BUT, why can't You be one of the one in three who lands the job? It does go to someone and with proper preparation and a good strategy, there is no reason why you cannot be the one who lands the next one.

I am always hopeful and I hope that I've spread it around a bit. Remember though, that hope is great, but it's not an action plan.

- firmly committed to the premise that everyone deserves meaningful work, Stephanie