Blanc Resume

On average, employers will look at your resume for about 7 seconds. There is hot debate in resume writing circles about the importance of a summary up top. I'm firmly on the 'Yes, duh?' side. In those precious few seconds, you need to make it blatantly obvious why you’re the perfect fit for the job. The top third of the page in a publication is often referred to as the "above the fold" area. This term comes from the newspaper biz, where the most important stories and headlines are placed 'above the fold' of the newspaper to grab readers' attention. This is why summaries are important. They've gotta be engaging, concise, and leave them wanting more. This is your chance to shine before they even scroll down. Don't let it go to waste!

On occasion, I get some pushback on why someone would hire a resume writer. After all, "I can just do it myself." But once you break down the costs, it starts to make a lot of sense. Let's say you value your time at $𝟰𝟬 an hour. (And that is certainly going to be low for some people) Now, before you get started, you should do some research on current trends and the overall format. That's going to take you at least 3 hours for a very surface-level understanding of resumes in 2024. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 $𝟭𝟮𝟬. Oh, that template you like? $𝟯𝟬 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. How long would it take you to do a first draft of a resume? 4 hours maybe? $𝟭𝟲𝟬 You should probably have someone proofread the resume. If you don't have someone that knows what they're doing, you're going to want multiple people to go over it. Finding and reaching out to these people is going to take, what, 2 hours? $𝟴𝟬 Now you have to make some edits based on their suggestions. That's probably going take the better part of an hour. $𝟰𝟬 For those not counting, we're up to $𝟰𝟯𝟬. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙. It’s the same reason I hire someone to detail my car or do my taxes. They can do it faster and better than I ever could. It’s a no-brainer investment when you consider the time, stress, and uncertainty you save.

Got your eye on that dream job? 👀 Here's a hack: Read 10, 20 job postings in your field. Jump straight to the qualifications. What's the common thread? Experience? Certifications? Skills? If you see a pattern, that's your treasure map. Do you match up? If not, how can you? There are countless ways to improve yourself and ensure you're a great fit. Many of them are free. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy offer free courses on everything from coding to marketing. Google, HubSpot, and LinkedIn Learning offer free certifications that can give your resume a boost. You can always join professional groups on LinkedIn or attend free webinars to connect with industry leaders. Or, if you have the time, volunteer with a nonprofit for projects related to your field. And there are thousands of free eBooks and articles are available online to keep you updated on industry trends. Being the 'ideal candidate' isn't magic; it's strategy. 💡

"The economy is doing great! Just look at the stock market!" Let's get real for a moment. The disconnect between the stock market and our daily economic pressures is obvious. As a career advisor, my job requires me to pay close attention to the economic landscape and it isn't pretty. Every day, I see firsthand how rising costs and job insecurity are impacting people's lives and career choices. For many people, the struggle to secure jobs is particularly tough. Don't let the news gaslight you. This is not a normal job market, and the challenges you're facing are real and widespread. Despite the headlines about economic recovery and booming markets, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Many job seekers are encountering unprecedented competition, underemployment, and a lack of opportunities that match their skills and education. Stay resilient, stay informed, and remember: Your struggle is valid.

I often have students coming to me for career direction advice. This is often due to them not understanding themselves or what they truly want from a career. Fortunately, there are ton of tools that can help with that. One of which is the 'Flower Exercise' from "What Color Is Your Parachute?" by Richard N. Bolles and Katharine Brooks. (I know, I know, I didn't pick the name) Here’s how it works: 1. Identify Skills (What) Identify the skills you enjoy using and excel at. Consider both hard and soft skills, and think about the activities that make you feel energized and accomplished. Examples include: Project management Creative writing Data analysis Team leadership 2. Your Favorite People Environment (Who) Reflect on the types of people you enjoy working with. Are they collaborative, competitive, innovative, or supportive? 3. Your Preferred Working Conditions (Where) Determine the environments where you thrive. Do you prefer a structured office setting, remote work, or a dynamic, on-the-go atmosphere? Consider factors such as company culture, location, and flexibility. 4. Your Ideal Working Conditions (How) Think about how you like to work. Are you someone who enjoys autonomy, or do you prefer guided instructions? A fast-paced environment or a more relaxed pace? 5. Your Preferred Fields of Interest (What) Identify the industries or fields that ignite your passion. This could be anything from technology, healthcare, and education, to arts, finance, or social work. 6. Your Values (Why) Clarify your core values and what drives you. Is it creativity, financial stability, helping others, or achieving a work-life balance? 7. Your Goals and Purpose (Why) Outline your short-term and long-term career goals. Where do you see yourself in the next year? Five years? What impact do you want to have in your professional life? Creating Your Diagram Once you have detailed responses for each of these categories, visualize them as petals on a flower. This diagram serves as a representation of your ideal job and work environment. It can help with your job search and career decisions, helping you match your personal and professional aspirations.

Want to make more money at your current job? 💰 Here are some ways you can improve your chances of getting a raise: • Focus on your accomplishments and the value you bring to the team. Don’t just ask for more. Demonstrate why you deserve it. • Give specific examples of your contributions that align with your organization's goals. As in a well-written resume, quantify these achievements where you can. • Know the market rate for your role. 📊 Are you below the average? Do your achievements reflect an above-average employee? • Have you taken on any new responsibilities? New skills? New certifications? New supervisees? • Share your future goals within the organization and how you plan to continue adding to its success. 🚀 • Align your request with the company's financial calendar. It’s more effective to ask for a raise when budgets are being planned, not after they are set. Even if the answer is a "no" for now, you've made your expectations clear. This puts future raises on your supervisor’s radar and allows them to plan budget adjustments or consider other forms of recognition/compensation. Preparation and confidence are your best allies. Go make your case! 💼

Networking is often synonymous with ‘What can you do for me?’ But sometimes things are better when you flip the script. Let’s talk about Reverse Networking, shifting the focus from taking to giving. Imagine entering every professional interaction with the mindset: “How can I help you?” This one question can transform the way we build relationships. It’s not about exchanging business cards or adding connections; it’s about creating value for others. Here’s why Reverse Networking can be a game-changer: Offering help without expecting anything in return is a powerful way to build trust and respect; the foundation of any strong relationship. Being selfless makes you memorable, and when opportunities arise, you’re the first person people think of. They remember the assistance you’ve provided and are often eager to return the favor. Stepping into someone else’s world to understand their challenges, you can expand your own perspective and expertise. And it doesn’t end with one act; it creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to extend the same kindness and support, fostering a network that benefits everyone involved.

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙣𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬? Congrats! But here are 5 reasons why you should keep up that job search until you have an offer in hand. 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆 A verbal nod is a great sign, but until you have a written offer, many variables remain at play. Organizations can shift directions, budgets can tighten, and unforeseen circumstances can arise. Until the ink dries, consider everything provisional. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Holding multiple offers isn’t just good fortune, it’s a strategic advantage. It enhances your negotiation position, enabling you to discuss terms with the confidence of someone who has options. 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲 The job hunt is an emotional rollercoaster. By keeping your options open, you soften the blow of potential disappointments and maintain momentum in your search. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 Engaging with multiple potential employers provides a broad view of the job market, helping you understand your worth, the industry demands, and where you stand in your field. 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 If the offer you’re banking on falls through, having other irons in the fire ensures you’re not back to square one. You don't want to effectively be sitting around for a couple weeks while other opportunities come and go. So, before you pop the champagne and end that dreaded job search, you have to remember: a wise career navigator keeps their compass in hand and their map wide open. #jobsearchstrategy #careeradvice #employmentnegotiation #jobmarket

I have been seeing a lot of AI-written cover letters and resumes lately. There are always a couple of dead giveaways. "I am writing to express my interest..." "I am eager to bring my strengths to" ".... and contribute to your team's success" "Spearheaded" "Leveraging," "Additionally," "Furthermore," "In conclusion," Obviously, this isn't an exhaustive list, and one or two of these popping up certainly doesn't mean that AI was used. But.... When you start to notice a pattern, it's glaringly obvious. They might signal to employers that the document lacks a personal touch and calls your authenticity into question. To make sure your application stands out positively, focus on tailoring your language to the specific job and company. Use industry-specific terms and showcase your unique experiences and achievements. AI can be a helpful tool in constructing initial drafts or improving structure, the final product should reflect your personal voice and professional story. I'm curious, do any of you have any keywords or phrases that ping your AI-detector? #AI #ChatGPT #coverletter #resume #careeradvice

Employing Aristotle's modes of persuasion (ethos, pathos, and logos) can be a game-changer in your career. Here’s a quick breakdown: Ethos (Credibility) - Building a strong personal brand based on trust and expertise not only elevates your career but also turns you into a go-to leader and collaborator in your network. Pathos (Emotional Connection) - Tapping into emotional intelligence to genuinely connect with colleagues, clients, and teams fosters a collaborative environment, smoothens conflict resolution, and enhances team dynamics. Logos (Logic) - Applying logical reasoning and data-driven decision-making in problem-solving and strategic planning ensures your arguments are coherent and outcomes successful. Combining these elements transforms communication, making it more dynamic and effective. Whether you're pitching a project or leading a team, integrating ethos for credibility, pathos for connection, and logos for reasoning, elevates your professional presence, ensuring you're not just heard, but also remembered and respected. Master these for a truly impactful career journey. #careeradvice