Let's call my client Sally. Now Sally is wonderful - personable, capable, lots of skills - but she is having trouble landing an offer. I would say that her major job search downfall is in not targeting her search and being passionately committed to one goal. Really needing a job, and yesterday, she is conducting a less-than-targeted job search, while also running her own small business, which further takes her away from the job search.

It's a fact that a targeted job search brings faster results! Yes, focus in and lock into a position in a specific industry and you'll achieve that goal much faster than with a "I can do any job if given the chance" strategy.

Two things you must - MUST - do before you begin are these:

1. Create a list - target an industry (or a few) and begin creating lists of prospective employers. Select employers to meet your criteria: location, size, culture. Don't leave this to chance!

2. Prepare your script - be ready to talk about yourself with examples of what makes you a great employee. Take into account a potential employer's "buying motivators." (If you don't know that term, "google" it and figure it out - it's critical!)

These are similar to sales professionals, and they work, because every job hunter is in sales - selling his or her own skills/experience/credentials/value to prospective employers who are in the market to buy these!

Need help? New Leaf Resumes is here to assist. Recently certified as a Master Resume Writer, and trained in interview coaching and career strategies, I am here to support your job search.

- Stephanie

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

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

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

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

"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

I advertised in my store for part-time help, and two sisters, frequent shoppers, submitted their resumes. I hired them both. They were terrific!

In a small store, that kind of low key approach is still possible. But in a larger business or a position in which a certain level of skill and knowledge is a necessary prerequisite, this certainly wouldn't work. Besides that was in pre-computerized days so "email your resume" wasn't yet in our lexicon!

Today's ease of application has led to large numbers of applicants. Whether truly interested or not, whether suitably qualified or not, people apply. "Who knows?" they muse.

Obviously HR cannot assign enough staff to review 200 - 500 applicants for each of four jobs open at any one time, for example. Hence, software was developed to rescue beleaguered HR staff from sifting through the mountains of resumes.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now being used by more and more employers. But do you know what that means to you, the job hunter?

I would say that the answer from most would be a "no." I know this because I see resumes that wouldn't begin to make the grade.

Even knowing some of the peculiarities that characterize ATS resume reading, it's a bit of a gamble.

For example, because I have access to one of these ATS (there are dozens out there), I plunked a client's resume and the job posting in to evaluate how well or poorly the resume scored. By the time I finished tweaking, the resume scored in the "very strong" category.

But here's one of the "partial key words" that the system was looking for that I couldn't accommodate:

"are required assumes"

Mmmhmmm. You're likely thinking "what the (insert your choice of endings!)" and I can't blame you.

These systems are programmed not on logic but on mathematical algorithms. There's no way to score a perfect mark without copying the entire job posting into the resume, which makes it a job posting rather than a resume so of course you wouldn't do that.

The phrase is taken out of context. And in the original posting there was a comma between required and assumes, and so these words were not directly related.

With time these programs will likely be improved, but for now, it's another aspect of the job hunt that is changing, that must be studied or delegated to a professional, but certainly shouldn't be ignored.

The answer to the question - it's not a "who" at all, it's a "what."

- plugging away at job search puzzles, Stephanie

I was inspired to post it because I have a client who is feeling low because her job hunt isn't going as she hoped.

There can be many reasons for job searches that take longer than expected. For example, an industry that is in decline or a state of flux. One of these is tool and die makers. Once a lucrative career choice, it is falling out of favour, or at least going through change as prefabricated manufacturing dies made in China are seriously impacting the need for made-from-scratch dies. I have helped several tool and die makers transition into new roles.

School teachers are also having a tough time, at least the new grads. They must begin as supply teachers, and even that is difficult to get into. The new grads who have come to me are thankfully employed as supply teachers and have gone on to land full-time contracts.

Social workers also have a tough time. Even Personal Support Workers, once a sure-bet for employment, is looking oversaturated these days.

Sometimes we have to re-evaluate our plan, and assess it against realistic expectations, market conditions, and our need for employment. Sometimes we have to change course and take a job that isn't our first choice ... and might even lag far behind first choice.

It's tough. But what we can do is find a way to make that job fulfilling in some way. Attitude plays a huge part in shifting gears. In my life, I have cut fabric, sold beads, make bagel sandwiches, mopped floors and worked the till. I also shelved library books, cleaned bathrooms, worked in a factory, and taught a pre-school!

In each job, I found a way to make it work for me, and if it didn't, I quickly found another job.

Do read the article; it holds a few genuine nuggets that might provide inspiration, hope and the energy to say "onward."

- supporting job hunters is an honour as "everyone deserves meaningful work," - Stephanie

Before you get worried, no I am not quitting! Although I will admit that at times a steady paycheque looks mighty tempting; self-employment is a tough gig. I wear so many hats that some days I don't know which hat to put on next. Should I be the marketing department, the client support division, the operational improvements Kaizen leader or what!? Oh yes, I still have to make time to wear the money-generating resume writer hat!

It is, at times, overwhelming! But it gets done, and I haven't missed a promised deadline yet!

No, the "I Quit!" is the feeling I perceive from some of the folks who contact me, dismayed by months and months of job hunting with nary a call to an interview or even a pre-screening telephone interview. They wonder if I can help because they are ready to quit looking and sit in a dark basement, contemplating taking a job they would dislike, that requires none of their skill set and that pays minimum wage.

I would never counsel that dismal fate (I truly believe that everyone deserves meaningful work, and with reasonable expectations and strategic planning can achieve their preferred position), but I may counsel that they have to start all over before they will make progress.

That means that they must begin with a solid job search foundation: outstanding resume and cover letter. Here's why:

• a strategic self-marketing package will force the job hunter to take a hard look, a deep investigation into the skills they possess, and how they've used these to benefit employers
• a strategic resume must contain key words and phrases appropriate to the position applied to. otherwise it risks not meeting the requirements of the applicant tracking systems that are widely used these days
• a cover letter must match the resume in quality, key word strategy, and not simply repeat the information or outline of the resume
• both must not give a potential employer, recruiter, or resume reviewer any reason to toss the application aside. These reasons may include seemingly inconsequential things such as font size, font style, text density, lack of white space, spelling errors, skimpy information, untargeted information

The competition is substantial and unless you take a critical look at what you are sending out, and acknowledge that perhaps the reason you're not receiving calls lies in a lack of appreciation for today's resume/cover letter standards, you may indeed be tempted to call it quits.

Before you do that, consider calling New Leaf Resumes for some honest feedback. New Leaf Resumes is here to champion YOUR job search, champion YOUR skills and experience; after all, YOU deserve meaningful work!

- Always pleased to be of service, Stephanie

Yesterday a new grad contacted me about my services. I love working with new grads because their careers are in such a vulnerable state! Take the wrong job or launch your job search with sub-optimal documents and poof! career aspirations go dry.

She had some great questions. "Some services offer a guarantee that if you don't land a job in 60 days, they will rewrite your resume."

Here is an abridged version of my reply:

I welcome all questions as my service is about quality and realistic expectations. Unless your focus changes between my writing and your job search, major tweaking won't be necessary - that's quality. As for realistic expectations, read on!

 

I don't offer that guarantee, and honestly don't know how anyone could. When you consider the variables, it would be impossible. Depending on the field of studies, for example, teaching, you might have to begin not as a full-time teacher, but in supply teaching. My clients land supply teaching jobs whereas others do not. Or social work is also highly competitive and requires incremental steps up that career ladder.

 

What if a new grad had unrealistic expectations and applied only to jobs that were step two on the career path, not step one? How could I possibly tweak that person's resume to match the requirements without being untruthful?

 

What if the new grad had two possible targets but only wanted one resume and then only found jobs in the second target area to apply to and used the resume that targeted the alternative position and thus didn't land any interviews?

 

What if the target job is elite and rare? (I had a forensic psychologist once who landed a few contracts, but it took a year to land a real job.)

As you can see, there are situations that could not meet that guarantee.

 

I do however send out a handout with the resume and cover that walks you through identifying the tweaks needed and incorporating them into the resume/cover letter. I also offer ongoing support as you launch your job search. (I haven't yet charged any client for  this privilege as all have been respectful of my time. Some ask a few more questions and others no questions and it all evens out at my end.)

 

Also, I assess the resume I create against an Applicant Tracking System to see how well it does, and tweak further to make sure your resume scores well. I cannot think of anything else that could be done to ensure success in landing interviews. Landing a job offer then relies on your interviewing skills (I offer interview coaching as well).