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Michelle A. Riklan
Certified Resume Writer, Career Coach, LinkedIn Profile Writer, Trainer, Facilitator, Author, Columnist, Speaker
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Career Newsletter
Volume II, Issue 9 September 2012
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Riklan Resources, LLC 522 Highway 9 North #290 Manalapan, New Jersey 07726 (800) 540-3609
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Welcome to our September 2012 career newsletter!
September is international Update Your Resume Month! So, this is the perfect time to pull out that old version and put it to the test to see just how outdated it might be. Remember, your resume is a marketing tool and you have about 6 seconds to make a positive first impression on your reader.
Take this short quiz and let's see if it is time to update your resume:
- A resume should always be 1-page True False
- Resumes begin with an objective statement. True False
- Times New Roman is the best font for the resume. True False
- It is not acceptable to use color, chart, graphs, and images on a resume. True False
- My resume has a wide, left-handed margin and the dates are to the left. True False
- Resumes should conclude with "References Available Upon Request." True False
Results: If you answered "True" to any of the above, your resume may need serious updating! If you are interested in learning why, and how you can create a compelling job-search document that will get results in a competitive market, visit my website at: www.riklanresources.com.
Kind regards,
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Our list is growing! If you would like to advertise in future issues, please send an e-mail to robin@riklanresources.com.
Please feel free to send suggestions for improvement and additional areas that you would like to see covered in future issues to michelle@riklanresources.com.
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How to Write a Resume That Gets Results in a Tough Economy
Hosted by Marshall Brown and Michelle A. Riklan
 I'd like to invite you to attend our upcoming, free 60-minute teleseminar: It will take place on Thursday, September 27th @ 7:30 PM EST
This exclusive event is co-hosted by me, Michelle A. Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC, Resume Expert and Career Coach and Marshall Brown, Career and Executive Coach and certified REACH Branding Specialist. Here's a sneak peek at some of what you'll learn in this resume writing teleseminar:
- What are the 3 most common mistakes job seekers make when writing their resume?
- What are the basic components of a resume that gets results?
- How to create a resume that will act as a solid marketing tool for you.
- And much more. . .
Sign up today!
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Recent Graduates and Today's Job Search (Part 3) - How to Track and Plan Your Job Search
by Michelle A. Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC
Finding a job is a job. It requires time, dedication, research, homework, and an organized plan. So how do you get started?
1. Prepare your personal inventory. You are more than just your major. What do you have to offer? This may be a good time to meet with a career coach who can conduct a career assessment and help you to determine your personal qualities, values, and transferable skills. These are all important to know when you are looking to find a good career fit.
- Identify and list all academic and non-academic experiences; college education, related coursework, certifications, training, student organizations, previous employment, and community.
- List out all of the things that you like to do.
- List the things you do not like to do.
- List everything that you are good at.
- List everything you are not good at.
2. Determine your job targets, identify a list of potential employers and learn about them. To quote my friend and colleague Martin Yate, author of the annual Knock 'Em Dead series of books "Just because you don't see an advertisement in the newspaper with your job title on it, it doesn't mean they're not looking for you."
Ninety to ninety-five percent of the jobs that are available will not be found on the job boards. You must do your homework.
- Identify where you want to work and who you need to contact.
- Get your resume into employers' applicant tracking systems so when a job does open up, they can find you.
- Get assistance from websites such as http://experience.com.
- Work your network. Makes sure your professional LinkedIn profile is complete, and learn how to use it to connect with potential hiring managers.
- Keep your job search organized! (I recommend http://JibberJobber.com )
3. Make sure your marketing materials are in order. I can't say this enough. You are the product, and you need to market yourself effectively.
- Your resume needs to be unique and show the value that you offer a potential employer.
- Cover Letters are not optional.
- LinkedIn Profiles are essential. If you are not LinkedIn, you do not exist. It is the #1 tool that employers use to find talent. Make sure yours is developed properly and positioning you to be found.
- Control your online identity. Employers will Google you and dig for dirt before they ever call you. Keep it all clean.
- Have a reference sheet available and make sure the references will be positive if someone calls. Ask your references if you can list them before you do.
4. Prepare for interviews. If you think you need interview coaching, get it. Dress appropriately, be on time, come prepared, and walk in as an educated applicant. (Do your homework on the position, company, and person who may be interviewing you.)
- Always send a thank you within 24 hours.
- Follow up.
Click here to read Parts 1 & 2
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| Quick Tips to Bury Digital Dirt
by Kristin S. Johnson, CARW, CCMC, COPNS, CG3C, 360Reach Analyst
 When was the last time you Googled yourself? Some of my clients never have. They've just never thought there would be anything out there. But, I've Googled them, and they were surprised at what I found. So have the employers they've been trying to interview with. This could be making or breaking the hiring deal for you!
Employers want to be sure that their candidates don't come with any baggage - legal, moral, financial, or otherwise. But, it's not just about there being a lack of something bad about them online. Employers want to see something noteworthy. It's important to have a powerful, positive presence.
What do others value in you? What strengths, talents, and accomplishments can you showcase? That's your personal brand. Smart jobseekers understand this and want to control their digital identities. They use Google to their advantage in branding themselves.
This can take some effort if you've got anything damaging out there: criminal history, negative social media posts, a disreputable past. That's digital dirt, and if that's what is out there when you Google yourself, you need to work on your brand.
Other things can be problematic for your online identity. If you've got a common name, like Kristin Johnson (there are a lot us!), you might be mistaken for someone else. Digital dirt might be real indiscretions from your past, or they may be someone else's. What employers see when they Google your name might not even be you!
An employer might not take the time to figure that out, though, so you have to be proactive. Your goal is to have positive, intelligent content about you rank high in Google's algorithm. This information will then take over the bad info on the first page of a Google search about you. The negative links will be pushed down onto subsequent Google pages where an employer will be less likely to look.
Here are the basics on burying dirt and building your brand up:
- Sign up for LinkedIn (Google loves LinkedIn!) and other social media accounts with your full name that an employer will see on your resume. Post, tweet, and update to keep things current. This feeds the Google machine, too.
- Buy your full name .com, .net, .me, etc. Use this URL to set up a website, posting your bio, resume, video, etc. There are lots of free WordPress templates to help you with this.
- Use this WordPress website to blog, showing your communication skills and knowledge of your field.
- Link your social media sites to your blog. Link your blog to your social media sites. Encourage your contacts to find you. The more interaction you get, the more Google will like you.
- Comment intelligently on articles posted on prominent, established websites with good Google ranking like Huffington Post, New York Times, or NPR. Use your full name so that Google picks it up.
- List yourself, using your full name, in online directories like lookuppage, workface, or bigsight. Use these to direct traffic to your website, blog, or social media sites.
- Use frequent press releases, especially if you are a freelancer or business owner. When you launch your website, social media sites, give presentations, attend conferences, complete certifications, do anything...let the world know!
- Sign up for BrandYourself.com to boost these online interactions and further promote who you are online.
This is just the beginning. There are other ways to bury digital dirt and brand yourself online. What ideas do you have? If you need help, ask your friendly career coach.
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Suggested Reading: Get Hired and Get Noticed
By Steve Matter
Get Noticed & Get Hired: Action Steps, Strategies and Resources to Become Empowered & Employed
by Steve Matter by Back 9 Communications, LLC
Paperback
List Price: $10.25
Our Price: $6.54
In Get Noticed & Get Hired, veteran corporate executive Steve Matter delivers an entire workbook for directing you from job loss to become empowered and employed. This book is filled with action steps, resources and strategies to get you focused and prepared for your journey back into the workplace.Take action and follow a path to: - Get through the emotional upheaval
- Build your support team
- Network effectively
- Prepare a magnetic resume that attracts employers to you
- Be self-assured, positive and prepared for your interview
- Learn the different personality styles of managers
- Set the stage to become a MVE - a Most Valuable Employee™
- Question yourself whether you are ready to go into business yourself versus returning to the corporate world
- Rebuild your confidence, attitude and belief in yourself
- Stand out on paper and in person
Read it, apply it, and start on the path back to the workforce. www.getnoticedandgethired.com
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If you have a favorite career book to suggest or an article that you'd like to submit for our upcoming issues, please send your information to newsletter@riklanresources.com.
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101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career
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Join our LinkedIn Group!
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Do you have a career related product or service that you would like to promote in our upcoming newsletters? Contact us at robin@riklanresources.com for more information.
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You look for stars. You look for the makeup of artists who can have long lasting careers and who could be headliners.
- Clive Davis
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| About Riklan Resources
Riklan Resources offers the following services:
- Resumes that land on the top of the pile!
- Coaching that puts you ahead of the competition.
- Training that ensures career advancement.
We want you to reach your top potential!
Riklan Resources is now on Facebook. Be sure to stop by and like our page!
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