The Best Time to Update Your Resume – Part 2 of 2
Summary – A brief statement of who you are, where you’re “coming from,” and what strengths and expertise you have to contribute to an organization. Five or six lines maximum. This will target and focus the reader on where you might fit into their organization. The content of your Summary must be oriented toward the benefits and contributions you offer as a professional. (You can think of the Summary as the “headline” in an article. If the reader is captivated by the “headline,” they’ll go on to read the body of the “article!”)
Professional Experience – A history of your past jobs, responsibilities, and accomplishments. This is the “body of the article,” where most employers and recruiters will focus 90% of their attention. The information you present here, and how you present it, can decide the fate of your candidacy within about 10 seconds of scanning time! Put the most important or impressive facts first within each job. Make your professional experience section easily “scannable” by using bold headings and bullet points. For each position, include a paragraph that generally describes your role, and then include several “bulleted accomplishments.” Be specific and results-focused. Quantify results whenever possible, by using percentages, dollars, and other measurable results.
Education – List the schools, degrees, and years in which you earned them. (Note: you might choose not to include the dates if you graduated a long, long time ago.) Include degree, major, and any honors or special achievements. Generally speaking, the longer you’ve been out of school, the less important this information is to an employer. This section should only include formal education, so don’t list non-academic experiences here.
Professional Development – This is where to cover your affiliations, professional credentials, or related experience. Include association memberships, workshops and seminars, trade groups, and professional societies, leadership positions in industry-recognized organizations, and any additional certifications, accreditations, or designations you’ve earned since leaving school. If you don’t have a college degree, the professional development programs you’ve participated in will take-on special importance here.
Finally, here are two important points for you to remember: (1) the purpose of your resume is to “get you in the door” – not to land the job! To get the actual offer, you’ll need to leverage all the other skills we’ve covered in previous issues of “Your Career Advocate,” and (2) your resume is a “living document” that will be edited and updated throughout the course of your job search and your entire career.
So, take a good look at your resume now and be sure it’s as strong as it can be. Follow the advice of the career industry experts at Career Directors International, monster.com (and Career Potential), and improve your resume NOW. If you’re not sure how to do this, get help from a qualified Career Consultant or Certified Resume Writer. Don’t wait until next Summer to update this document that is so critical to your career success!
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The Best Time to Update Your Resume – Part 1 of 2
Summer has traditionally been a fairly slow season for job seekers. In previous issues of “Your Career Advocate,” we’ve discussed how to take advantage of the “Summer Job-Search Doldrums,” and actually use this period to your advantage! Many clients have taken our advice to heart, and have generated great successes throughout the Summer months.
As we mentioned a year ago in “Your Career Advocate,” Career Directors International has been promoting September as “International Update Your
Now that September has arrived and we’re moving into Fall, it’s time to ask what YOU did over the Summer to update
With this in mind, let’s go back to basics. Here is an overview of your resume’s building blocks. Following the structure below will ensure that your resume will work hard for you this Fall and throughout the rest of the year:
Elements of a Professional Resume
Regardless of format (chronological, functional, etc.), every resume will be composed of some standard sections. Resumes of experienced professionals should generally be two pages long. Below is a quick guide to the main elements that should be included in every resume.
Personal Information – Always include your full name, address, phone number, e-mail address – as well as
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Performing an Internal Career Audit – Part 2 of 2
3. Create a detailed picture of your ideal career.
- In order to move forward in a powerful way, we must first clarify our career direction.
- This principle is best described in a quote by the popular motivational speaker, Brian Tracy: “Eighty percent of success is being clear on who you are, what you believe in, and what you want.”
- The first requirement is to identify what “success” really means for each of us — in professional, financial, personal and social terms.
- We are often “handed down” definitions of success from our family or culture — definitions that may not align with our own needs and desires, but definitions to which we remain loyal. We must consciously evaluate these “messages” to see if they are working for us or against us.
4. Identify clear goals based on your own definition of career success.
- One measure of success is identifying meaningful goals and then bringing them into reality.
- Clearly defined goals create focus, direction and positive energy, and they enable you to create an action plan.
5. Know that in order to get results, you must take action.
- Action is the only difference between someone who has dreams and someone who brings dreams into reality.
- Our actions come from a decision to change our situation.
- Make the phone call, write the letter, have that important conversation, resolve that issue you have been carrying around — don’t delay any longer.
- Clarify the action steps you can take to move your career forward.
- Identify one action step you can take right now to
improve your career .6. Learn about the things that get in the way of your success, such as:
- Self-limiting beliefs. (“I could never be a manager, never get a promotion,” etc.)
- Fears. (i.e., being rejected, failing, looking bad in front of others.)
- Negative self-talk. (I’m not smart enough, I’ll mess it up again.)
7. Associate with successful people.
- The single most influential force in your environment is the group of colleagues and friends with whom you associate.
- If you are serious about achieving success, you should associate only with successful people.
- Spend time with respected role models and identify the qualities you want to emulate.
- Find ways to “transplant” these success habits into your own life.
- Work with a qualified Career Consultant or professional development program to support your career plans and provide a structure to accomplish your goals.
- Associate with like-minded individuals who are also committed to reaching their career potential, and who will “stand behind you” in your quest to achieve real success.
8. Do an image makeover.
- Make a deliberate, consistent effort to present yourself in the best light.
- Ask: how can you improve your attributes in the following areas?
a. Hair
b. Eyeglasses
c. Makeup
d. Hands
e. Clothes
f. Shoes
g. Accessories
h. Posture
i. Speech
j. Smile
Now is the ideal time to stop and take stock of your career. Your present circumstances are based on choices you made over the past 5 to 10 years. Where will you be a year from now? Will you be proud of the strides you’ve made, or will you find yourself in the same career situation you’re in right now?
By following the eight principles above, you can create dramatic improvements in your career — but only if you truly commit to making it happen through planned, effective action!
To read the entire article, click here.
Performing an Internal Career Audit – Part 1 of 2
Would you like to get your career on track, with more power and momentum than ever before? Are you prepared to create the focused and productive career that you know you are capable of having — one that will give you great satisfaction and financial reward? When you think back to prior career transitions, did you also believe that you were finally going to “get it right?”
It is a sobering fact that more than 75% of adults who try to realign their
So the pressing question is: What will make this transition different from previous attempts to control your career? The simple answer is: take stock; plan; and take action!
You have the power and ability to take charge of your career! The following eight principles will provide you with the items you need to perform a candid and effective “internal audit” of your career situation.
1. Understand that success is not an accident, but a planned event.
- Most people actually spend more time planning their vacations than designing their careers.
- Many people think they lack discipline or are lazy, but the real issue is a lack of knowledge.
Career change takes time, and it is important to understand the necessary components that produce desired results.2. Accept the fact that you are fully responsible for your career.
- There is a direct relationship between accepting full responsibility for your career and the amount of control you have over your success.
- When you assume responsibility and feel that you are in control, you experience greater personal freedom, power and motivation.
- Don’t make excuses for the problems in your work life. Commit to taking charge of what you create in your career.
To read the entire article, click here.
Assimilating Into Your New Position – Part 2 of 2
Learning from the Past, Building the Future
You can increase your value to your new employer and your chances of long-term success by answering the following questions:
- Do you have skill areas that you can improve upon, as you perform your next job?
- If so, what do you need to learn in order to work more successfully?
- If you were previously laid off or downsized, what can you do differently to make yourself more valuable in THIS job? (Acquire new skills? Develop a better attitude? Take more initiative?)
- How will you follow the trends in the job market in your field?
- Do you know where you want to be in one year, three years, and five years?
- What can you start doing now to help you ultimately reach these goals?
The First 90 Days
Some experts believe you have only 90 days in a new job to make your impact and create the permanent impression that people in the organization will have of you and your leadership capabilities. You'll either "cut it" or not — in terms of garnering respect, visibility, and credibility in your new position. The precedents you establish in the first 90 days will last for your entire tenure at that organization. So this "thumbprint" period is critically important.
Here are 6 priorities that you should focus on during your first 90 days:
- Establish positive relationships with your new colleagues and develop good communication habits to maintain those relationships. Be honest, open, friendly, reliable and clear.
- Develop a reputation for producing tangible results and for keeping commitments. Immediately start a "success file" and track your accomplishments, contributions, and the positive feedback you get from others.
- Communicate plans, progress, and results to your superiors and to your team. Become known for developing clear goals and completing projects on time and on budget.
Begin building your in-house contact network. Cultivate connections with everyone — including the employees above and below your level at the company. Get to know people's names. Reach out to the mail guy, the security guard, the IT guru, your manager'sExecutive Assistant … everyone! You want solid contacts in a 360-degree arc around you.- Review and fine-tune your job description with your manager. Make sure to also sit down during those first 90 days and create an Individual Development Plan for yourself and your role, which includes your short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. This will ensure that the job you landed becomes the job you love — because you created it for yourself!
- Maintain a healthy balance between your work life and your private life. Make sure that you don't "go overboard" with your enthusiasm for your new job. Family time, hobbies and "recharging your batteries" are all part of your continuing effectiveness and success.
Conclusion
Landing your new job offers you an incredible opportunity that extends far beyond the position itself. You now have the chance to create an entirely new professional experience for yourself. You can assimilate into the new job with your eyes wide open; fully-conscious of the situation around you and totally capable of handling yourself like a winner.
The focus of your attention should transcend the day-to-day work tasks, as you navigate effectively through the new company’s politics and culture. This is the approach that is so essential — not just to maximize your chances of success within the first 90 days, but also for successful, long-term career management!
To read the entire article, click here.
Assimilating Into Your New Position – Part 1 of 2
Landing your new job is a wonderful experience. In fact, don't forget to celebrate because you definitely deserve it after all your hard work!
After the celebration, write letters or cards to your network of contacts, letting them know about your new position and thanking them for their help. In turn, you should offer them help and support, should they ever need it (and they will, eventually).
The first several weeks in a new job are usually both exciting and filled with a certain amount of anxiety. You may be used to being the "top dog" or expert, and now you're the "new kid on the block." Or, you may suddenly be the guy or gal who knows the least about some new technology, procedure, or "the way we do things around here." Your new relationships and the unfamiliar corporate culture can also be a source of apprehension as you figure out how best to fit into your new environment.
During
Start by understanding what your boss's priorities are and what the expectations are for your new position. But before you rush to meet these priorities and expectations, be sure that you also understand the organization's culture, style, and its way of doing things.
To read the entire article, click here.
Laid Off? Downsized? Looking For A Career Change? – Part 2 of 2
Primary Advantages of a Franchise Business:
- The marketplace has already "tested" the franchise and found it to be successful.
- Franchises have a 90%+ success rate, as compared to the extremely high failure rate for non-franchised business start-ups. (See chart, below.)
- You leverage the franchisor's established brand name and reputation.
- Complete training and on-going consulting are available from the franchisor.
- Managerial, operational, accounting and technology systems are already in place to facilitate your success.
- The franchisor has collective buying power and passes those discounts to you.
- Marketing and advertising for the business are supplied by the franchisor.
- Franchisors insist that you are adequately capitalized, which helps you avoid the most common reason for business failure.
- On-going research and development is provided by the franchisor.
- The franchisor provides expertise and guidance in researching and selecting the best location for your new business.
- With a franchise, the timeframe to reach profitability is shorter than it would be with a non-franchised business.
- Franchises have a vested interest in your success. If you don't succeed, the franchisor won't succeed.
Franchise Facts
- 44% of the American workforce said they are considering self-
employment — a percentage that is almost four times higher than the number of people who are actually self-employed in the U.S. (12%), according to a March 2005 study by the world's largest career transition firm. - A 2004 study by the International Franchise Association stated that franchising is responsible for 760,000 businesses, 18 million jobs, 14% of the private sector employment, and over $500 billion in payroll!
- From January, 2000 to December, 2004 the performance of the top 50 franchises increased 34.5% compared to a drop of 20.1% in the S&P 500 during the same period.
- Franchise businesses currently account for 42% of all retail sales in the US.
- A recent Gallup Poll of almost 1,000 franchisees found that more than 94% considered their businesses to be successful; and 75% said that they would buy their franchise again if they "had it to do over."
- The U.S. Department of Commerce states that 90% of franchises are still in operation after 10 years, compared to just 18% for other forms of small business.
- Franchise businesses employ more than 8.5 million Americans.
- A 1999 study by The United States Chamber of Commerce found that 86% of franchises opened within the last five years were still under the same ownership and 97% of them were still open for business.
- A U.S. Department of Commerce study conducted from 1971 to 1997 showed that less than 5% of franchise businesses were closed each year.
- A U.S. Small Business Administration study conducted between 1978 to 1998 found that 62% of non-franchisedbusinesses closed within the first 6 years of their existence due to failure, bankruptcy, etc.
- USA Today recently reported that franchised businesses in the U.S. generate almost $1 trillion each year.
- 1 out of every 12 businesses is a franchised business.
- More than 300 franchises are sold every week in the U.S., which translates into one franchise business opening every 8 minutes in a typical business week.
- In 2000, the median gross annual income, before taxes, of franchisees was in the $75,000 to $124,000 range,with over 30% of franchisees earning over $150,000 per year.
Common Characteristics of Successful Franchise Owners
1. Low tolerance for risk
Many people think that to buy a franchisee, you need to be a gambler. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Successful franchisees — especially those recently downsized from corporate careers — like to avoid risk! Any business start-up involves some risk of failure. But a strong franchise with a proven track record offers the highest likelihood of success (90%+ success rate), compared to all other business models. Successful franchisees do their homework, so they know what they're getting into.
2. System orientation
People coming from a corporate background are used to working within a formal structure and are familiar with organizational policies and procedures. Successful franchisees also have the ability and desire to follow a proven system. They don't want to "re-invent the wheel," or have to figure-out the best way to do something. They want a system of operation that tells them the best way to do everything associated with the business.
3. Strong Work Ethic
Successful franchisees are highly motivated, and are willing to work hard to achieve success in their new business. This characteristic shows in their every action — putting in long hours, handling multiple tasks, taking pride in a job done right. The best franchisees know and accept this fact, and are happy to do what it takes to create success, especially in the first few years while they're "getting their business off the ground."
4. Well funded
Investing severance pay in yourself, instead of the unpredictable stock market, is a great way to start a franchise. The franchisee must have enough liquid capital, as well as total net worth, to meet the franchisor's requirements. A good franchisor will not allow the potential franchisee to enter into the business without proper level of initial investment. The franchisee must also have good credit, which is essential in qualifying for a loan, if necessary.
5. Positive attitude
Franchisors always look closely at the prospective franchisees attitude. Are they asking a lot of questions about failure in the business, or do they focus on how to succeed? Do they genuinely want to learn everything they can about the opportunity? Do they follow-through on their commitments, and are they strongly motivated? Are they resourceful, consistent, self-directed and professional in their approach? Are they "team players" who will work to make not only their own business successful, but will they also contribute to the continuing success of the whole franchise system?
6. Interpersonal skills
Though this characteristic is listed last, it's probably the most important of all. Successful franchisees always have strong interpersonal skills — developed from years of working with a variety of people in various positions. Franchisees need to enjoy spending time with other people. If they do not enjoy a lot of human interaction, they will tend to become stressed, which can decrease their chances of success over time.
Conclusion
If you've been laid-off, or have always yearned to own your own business, or just want to escape the "corporate rat race," consider the entrepreneurial alternative! Of course, this path is not for everyone. But franchising has never been more popular, and the range of opportunities has never been broader than it is right now. With so many exciting businesses to choose from, there's a franchise well-suited to almost any person or situation.
Ask yourself if you possess the qualities, desires and goals outlined above. If the answer is "yes," then franchising could very well be the solution you've been looking for! If you'd like to explore this option in your own career, contact Career Potential any time.
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Laid Off? Downsized? Looking For A Career Change? – Part 1 of 2
Here at Career Potential, it seems like we hear about businesses merging, plants closing or production facilities moving overseas on a daily basis. These "business transitions" force out valuable employees — the very same people who often wind-up in our office seeking
There are only four paths toward business ownership: (1) Start a business "from scratch;" (2) Buy a franchise; (3) Buy a non-franchise business; (4) Become a consultant. Of these options, the most popular choice by far has been to buy a franchise.
Why Franchising is so Popular
With the increasing instability and uncertainty in Corporate America, and with a stock market that no longer offers the attractive
Business success requires going through a learning curve for the type of business you're in. With franchising, the franchisor has already gone through that process and is highly motivated to share with you everything that has been learned. Franchises succeed because the franchisor has invested the resources to truly understand the business. There is a proven formula for success ready and waiting to be adopted by the new entrepreneur. How many non-franchise, independent businesses can say that?
And, because a franchise represents a large number of units with established track records, the buyer has access to much more of the data required for sound investment decisions than would be available with a non-franchise start-up.
Being able to study the actual performance of identical business entities is invaluable! And so is the contact you'll have with other franchisees, who can provide real-world insights into what it takes to succeed in the specific business you've selected.
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