Update Your Résumé Month
International Update Your Résumé Month (UYRM) should be on the mind of any professional you hire to assist in your pursuit of a new career or transition!! UYRM has been around for over 20 years!! I should know, because I introduced this to the world!! Know who you’re working with to move your career forward!!
Get a Competitive Edge
Navigating today’s job market can be daunting!! Be sure you know exactly what you’re doing, and don’t hesitate to solicit the assistance of an industry professional to keep you on track!! Consider reaching out to a career or résumé specialist for the best results possible!! A professional should be open to offering a free critique and some sage advice before you hire them to help move your career forward!! - Laurie J. James, MCD
Soft Skills
Soft skills are sometimes called “people skills” or “transferable skills” and MUST be included in your career portfolio to attract the right employers!!
Take time for yourself
Sometimes life gets HARD!! The key is to step back, relax, and take a fresh approach to your plan!! Stepping back ALWAYS clears your mind and helps your body get refreshed!! Try it!!
References
References are an extremely important part of your career portfolio. Identify between 3-7, and be sure to include both genders. Identify name, job title, company, contact phone number and consider including the actual year you met each one. This will help give you credibility.
Positivity
Keep a positive attitude while considering a new career. Your attitude always translates into how you succeed and getting through the challenging parts of the process.
It's all in the attempt!!
Sometimes, you just have to step out of your own way and just TRY!! After you make the effort, you’re likely to see positive results!! If not, at least you’re moving toward the goal!!
Balance is Key!!
Balance work, play and rest. Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. www.marykay.com/lauriejjames
Body Language!!
Body language speaks volumes about your interest and enthusiasm during an interview. http://www.lauriejjames.com
Relevant Questions on Interview
Ask relevant questions during your interview. www.lauriejjames.com
Body Piercings
Take out all body piercings before going on an interview, to ensure your professionalism and chances of advancing to the next round of interviews. www.lauriejjames.com
Saying Thank You is KEY!!
Follow up interviews w/a thank you! Best is a hand-written note; a phone call or email can also work. Don't text a thank you!! It's not professional!! lauriejjames.com
Men's Cologne
CAREER TIP FOR MEN: Easy on the cologne before an interview! Smell clean, not overpowering. - www.lauriejjames.com
Rings on Interview
Career Tip for Ladies: Wear maximum of one ring per hand on an interview. www.lauriejjames.com
Eye Contact!!
Look an interviewer in the eye as you shake hands. Make it a point to remember the color of his/her eyes. This will help you stay in practice. www.lauriejjames.com
Resume Typos - Kiss of Death
Résumé Mistake #1 ...TYPOS = YOUR KISS OF DEATH. Typos are easily overlooked, but are deadly on a résumé. The look of your résumé may be out of this world, but when the recipient actually reads the document, make sure that there are zero typos. A common typo is manger for manager. As a professional résumé writer, I see these errors every day. The best way to avoid typos is to actually read the document backwards so that you can be sure that the spelling is accurate on every word. Then have another person read for content and flow.If you’re looking for a FREE résumé critique, send your current résumé directly to me.
Résumé Mistake #2 - Copying Someone Else's Résumé
The likelihood of the recipient having someone else’s résumé that you used as a template on file are slight, BUT you never can tell where that other document might show up. Be original to yourself, and your résumé must reflect your “unique” qualities. The reader should get a sense of who you are by reading your résumé and cover letter. If you need assistance, go online and look at job descriptions. The internet is loaded with information if you are willing to research. Looking for a FREE résumé critique? Contact me..
Résumé Mistake #3 - Using a Cookie-Cutter Template
The trained eye of an employer or human resource specialist will immediately notice if your résumé looks like a template. They’ve seen hundreds or thousands of them, and they want to see something unique, fresh, different, and YOU. Give them what they want! Don’t be like everyone else. Standing out in the pile of résumés is a GOOD thing! If you’re looking for a FREE résumé critique, send your current résumé directly to Laurie J. James at the email address below.
Résumé Mistake #4 - Sending as a Word Document
Save the finished document in a PDF format before emailing. The software is free and it's the industry standard. In this way, every recipient of your document will be able to read it in the original way it was formatted. When you send a document in Word (for instance), the chances of thedocument getting (inadvertently) edited are much higher. Plus,the recipient may not actually have the version of MS Word ontheir computer, so the margins will go haywire and the integrity of what you sent will be lost. PDF is the easiest and most universally accepted format.If you’re looking for a FREE résumé critique, send your current résumé directly to Laurie J. James at the email address below.