Scott Nelson, founder of Medsider.com interviewed Sue Sarkesian, Co-founder of The Resume Group a few weeks ago. They had a fascinating, very candid conversation about the mistakes people make on their resumes, as well as how to put together a great elevator pitch, critical job search strategies, the ins-and-outs of applicant tracking systems, and how to leverage LinkedIn as an important, strategic element in the job search.
Check out this really informative interview at www.medsider.com/interviews/. I promise, you'll be very glad you did.
Then, if you like, email your current resume to sue@theresumegroup.com for a no-cost, no-obligation resume evaluation and market analysis. If you're looking at ways to advance your career in the medical device space or in any other sector, the tips provided by Sue in this interview will help you get started.
If you find you need help putting together your resume, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, and search strategy, The Resume Group is there to provide the professional experience and expertise you need to take your professional image to the next level.
We wish you the best in your job search, and if we can help in any way, let us know!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, January 3, 2011
Job Search Tips for the New Year from Sue Sarkesian, Co-founder of The Resume Group
The holidays are over and we're all back to the realities of our day-to-day. For many, New Year's resolutions include gearing up a new job search, looking to move within the same company, or taking steps to change careers. Here's some realities and tips from Sue Sarkesian, Co-founder of The Resume Group:
Always be prepared. Today’s reality is there are no longer such things as permanent jobs. Competition, mergers, acquisitions, closures, offshoring, etc. have shown us that even the most tenured employee doesn’t have long-term job certainty. All of these factors affect employees regardless of seniority, management/staff level, function or industry.
Even if the company one is working for is solid, generating revenue, growing and productive, it could still mean employees are at risk. Others companies see the success and develop entry in to the same space. This competition challenges market share and creates a crowded sector. The company is then forced to make changes to stay ahead of the game. This can have an impact on every department.
I don’t write this article to present a negative picture. Rather as a wake- up call to say that even when an employee is happily and gainfully employed, they still need to be prepared. Waiting until the picture looks bleak or waiting until a layoff is imminent puts the employee behind in their search by 3-4 months.
Many people believe if they have a resume, a connection with a couple of recruiters, and are casually networking as they always have, then they are prepared. This is false and puts them at risk for a 7-12 month search process.
What are the reasons for this?
1.) Inadequate networks. What used to work in networking is not true in the new marketplace. Reality is that today most folks are also looking out for themselves. So connecting with them is fine, but they may have their own personal agendas. The other truth is that many folks are networking with individuals in similar situations and/or they are not the persons making hiring decisions.
2.) Poor resume. There is nothing that makes the individual stand out in the crowd.
3.) No search plan or a poor search plan.
So what are the things that constitute a great search strategy and staying ahead of the game? Always be involved in a passive search and follow these steps. Unemployed? Be much more aggressive.
1.) Have a stand out resume. Update it annually whether you think you need it or not.
2.) Create a target list of companies. Don’t just focus on the obvious big players. There are many opportunities available in small and medium companies as well. Don’t let ego tell you a Fortune 500 company is where you need to be.
3.) Create a target list of contacts. Managers, employees and executives.
4.) Expand your LinkedIn network. Add 25-50 per month. Use the LinkedIn company search function to connect with the decision makers in your target company list.
5.) Attend networking events, conferences and trade shows - 2 per quarter at a minimum.
6.) Stay in touch with contacts at least 4 times a year.
7.) Stay connected to retained search firms. If unemployed, reach out weekly via email and phone.
These are all things that should be done regardless of employment status. The bottom line is, do not wait until you have concerns to have a plan in place. Always be a step ahead of the game. If you become unemployed it could a very costly mistake.
Many of the 2011 projections are looking much more positive than the last 18-24 months. There will be industries and geographical areas better than others. Make 2011 a year to commit to your career and career planning. Things don’t often happen randomly. Granted, some folks get lucky in their searches. Maybe that job you took was just a job and not the best opportunity that was out there.
But imagine the possibilities if you have a strategy and a comprehensive approach to your job search. Best wishes for the New Year!
Always be prepared. Today’s reality is there are no longer such things as permanent jobs. Competition, mergers, acquisitions, closures, offshoring, etc. have shown us that even the most tenured employee doesn’t have long-term job certainty. All of these factors affect employees regardless of seniority, management/staff level, function or industry.
Even if the company one is working for is solid, generating revenue, growing and productive, it could still mean employees are at risk. Others companies see the success and develop entry in to the same space. This competition challenges market share and creates a crowded sector. The company is then forced to make changes to stay ahead of the game. This can have an impact on every department.
I don’t write this article to present a negative picture. Rather as a wake- up call to say that even when an employee is happily and gainfully employed, they still need to be prepared. Waiting until the picture looks bleak or waiting until a layoff is imminent puts the employee behind in their search by 3-4 months.
Many people believe if they have a resume, a connection with a couple of recruiters, and are casually networking as they always have, then they are prepared. This is false and puts them at risk for a 7-12 month search process.
What are the reasons for this?
1.) Inadequate networks. What used to work in networking is not true in the new marketplace. Reality is that today most folks are also looking out for themselves. So connecting with them is fine, but they may have their own personal agendas. The other truth is that many folks are networking with individuals in similar situations and/or they are not the persons making hiring decisions.
2.) Poor resume. There is nothing that makes the individual stand out in the crowd.
3.) No search plan or a poor search plan.
So what are the things that constitute a great search strategy and staying ahead of the game? Always be involved in a passive search and follow these steps. Unemployed? Be much more aggressive.
1.) Have a stand out resume. Update it annually whether you think you need it or not.
2.) Create a target list of companies. Don’t just focus on the obvious big players. There are many opportunities available in small and medium companies as well. Don’t let ego tell you a Fortune 500 company is where you need to be.
3.) Create a target list of contacts. Managers, employees and executives.
4.) Expand your LinkedIn network. Add 25-50 per month. Use the LinkedIn company search function to connect with the decision makers in your target company list.
5.) Attend networking events, conferences and trade shows - 2 per quarter at a minimum.
6.) Stay in touch with contacts at least 4 times a year.
7.) Stay connected to retained search firms. If unemployed, reach out weekly via email and phone.
These are all things that should be done regardless of employment status. The bottom line is, do not wait until you have concerns to have a plan in place. Always be a step ahead of the game. If you become unemployed it could a very costly mistake.
Many of the 2011 projections are looking much more positive than the last 18-24 months. There will be industries and geographical areas better than others. Make 2011 a year to commit to your career and career planning. Things don’t often happen randomly. Granted, some folks get lucky in their searches. Maybe that job you took was just a job and not the best opportunity that was out there.
But imagine the possibilities if you have a strategy and a comprehensive approach to your job search. Best wishes for the New Year!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Waiting To Inhale...Your Resume!
That's what an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) does. It "inhales" your resume, sorts your personal and professional information, and looks for specific keywords that match job descriptions. In this very tough job market, hiring managers and recruiters are inundated with hundreds of resumes for every opening, and they just don't have the resources to read each one and select the most qualified candidates. So, the ATS does it for them. The problem is, the ATS is NOT looking for ways to include you – it's looking for ways to filter you out of the candidate pool. So how do you conquer the ATS challenge to get your resume actually seen – and read?
The obvious answer is to stuff your resume chock-full of as many keywords and as much industry jargon as you possibly can, right? Maybe even stick a giant keyword paragraph on at the end. Good ideas, right? Wrong. Most ATS's will reject resumes that don't have enough keywords, but some ALSO discard resumes that have too may keywords. It's important to have the right balance of the right keywords in your resume.
So what's the answer? First, read job descriptions. Read some more, and then read a few more. Read as many job descriptions as you can for the type of position you want, pick out the right keywords - the ones that match your background, experience and expertise, and write your resume so that your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of the job description. Of course, it also has to be true and accurate. Many ATS's now automatically check details like degrees and even employment dates, so don't lie. Give yourself the best chance of getting your resume seen by making sure your is keyword rich, with the right balance of keywords to make the ATS cut!
The obvious answer is to stuff your resume chock-full of as many keywords and as much industry jargon as you possibly can, right? Maybe even stick a giant keyword paragraph on at the end. Good ideas, right? Wrong. Most ATS's will reject resumes that don't have enough keywords, but some ALSO discard resumes that have too may keywords. It's important to have the right balance of the right keywords in your resume.
So what's the answer? First, read job descriptions. Read some more, and then read a few more. Read as many job descriptions as you can for the type of position you want, pick out the right keywords - the ones that match your background, experience and expertise, and write your resume so that your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of the job description. Of course, it also has to be true and accurate. Many ATS's now automatically check details like degrees and even employment dates, so don't lie. Give yourself the best chance of getting your resume seen by making sure your is keyword rich, with the right balance of keywords to make the ATS cut!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
IS YOUR RESUME COMPETITIVE? THEN YOU LOSE!
With record numbers of jobseekers actively seeking new employment, you have to work harder – and smarter - than ever before to get your resume seen, and to get in the door for an interview. Having a resume that makes you a competitive player in today's job market is no longer enough to ensure a response to your resume.
Employers in this market have just one question: Why should I hire YOU? In this economy, employers have unprecedented numbers of candidates to choose from for every single job opening. If your resume is just competitive, you don't make the cut. It takes more than a competitor to win in this market – employers have to see you as a superstar.
So how do you take your resume to the next level? How do you convince a potential employer you are the "must-have" candidate? Here are some tips to get you started:
1) Know what's happening in NOW your industry. Conduct some research through professional associations, colleagues, competitors, and news bureaus to make sure you're up to speed on hot topics in your field. Make sure you know what the latest terminology is, and use those keywords in your resume.
2) Recognize what the future holds. Look for emerging technologies, untapped markets, the latest product advancements, and new product developments. Show a potential employer you know what's coming down the road – immediately and long-term - and that you know how to uncover and capitalize on those opportunities.
3) Distinguish yourself. What do you do better than anyone else in your field? What are the strengths, expertise, and competencies that make you distinctive? What would former bosses, customers, and team members tell a potential employer about your work?
4) Quantify your achievements. Think about each job you've held, and ask yourself how your employer benefited because you were there. What did you do – specifically – to increase revenue, reduce costs, improve service, streamline processes, gain market share, develop new products, etc. How much did you generate in revenue? How much time and money did your idea for a process improvement save? Did you help turn around an unhappy customer? How much did that client mean to the company in annual sales? Make your story compelling and powerful with precise details and numbers.
5) Position yourself for your NEXT Role. Don't dwell on where you've been. Position your resume for the role you want next. If you're a Sales Rep who wants to be a Sales Manager, try to bring out instances where you've had opportunities to train new hires, lead projects or teams, or present your successes at local or national meetings. Try to find examples of leadership roles, and bring out that experience in your resume. Let a potential employer know you want to excel, advance, and grow in your career.
Today's job market makes it more critical than ever to have a commanding resume – a resume that gives you a greater competitive edge and more than a fighting chance. If you need help putting together a "knock-'em-dead" document, hire a professional resume writer to help you project the right professional image.
Employers in this market have just one question: Why should I hire YOU? In this economy, employers have unprecedented numbers of candidates to choose from for every single job opening. If your resume is just competitive, you don't make the cut. It takes more than a competitor to win in this market – employers have to see you as a superstar.
So how do you take your resume to the next level? How do you convince a potential employer you are the "must-have" candidate? Here are some tips to get you started:
1) Know what's happening in NOW your industry. Conduct some research through professional associations, colleagues, competitors, and news bureaus to make sure you're up to speed on hot topics in your field. Make sure you know what the latest terminology is, and use those keywords in your resume.
2) Recognize what the future holds. Look for emerging technologies, untapped markets, the latest product advancements, and new product developments. Show a potential employer you know what's coming down the road – immediately and long-term - and that you know how to uncover and capitalize on those opportunities.
3) Distinguish yourself. What do you do better than anyone else in your field? What are the strengths, expertise, and competencies that make you distinctive? What would former bosses, customers, and team members tell a potential employer about your work?
4) Quantify your achievements. Think about each job you've held, and ask yourself how your employer benefited because you were there. What did you do – specifically – to increase revenue, reduce costs, improve service, streamline processes, gain market share, develop new products, etc. How much did you generate in revenue? How much time and money did your idea for a process improvement save? Did you help turn around an unhappy customer? How much did that client mean to the company in annual sales? Make your story compelling and powerful with precise details and numbers.
5) Position yourself for your NEXT Role. Don't dwell on where you've been. Position your resume for the role you want next. If you're a Sales Rep who wants to be a Sales Manager, try to bring out instances where you've had opportunities to train new hires, lead projects or teams, or present your successes at local or national meetings. Try to find examples of leadership roles, and bring out that experience in your resume. Let a potential employer know you want to excel, advance, and grow in your career.
Today's job market makes it more critical than ever to have a commanding resume – a resume that gives you a greater competitive edge and more than a fighting chance. If you need help putting together a "knock-'em-dead" document, hire a professional resume writer to help you project the right professional image.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Give Thanks - After the Interview
It's that time again. This week we'll gather with family and friends and give heartfelt thanks for the blessings and people in our lives. Expressing gratitude is important in all facets of our daily lives. But in some situations, knowing how and when to say "thank you" can be tricky. One of those instances is the "after-the-interview-thank-you-note-challenge".
Sending a thank-you note following the job interview is one of those things you know you should do, but many people find this seemingly simple task to be an extremely difficult task. Do you send a handwritten thank-you note or is it OK to send an email? If you were interviewed by a selection committee, do you send a separate, differently worded note to each of the interviewers? When do you send the note - immediately after the interview, or within one or two days? Can it wait a week? And when is it too late to send the thank-you?
Of course it's professional and good etiquette to send a thank-you note. But just as importantly, the after-interview "thank-you" is a great opportunity to reinforce your fit for the job. It's a chance to sell yourself one more time as the ideal candidate and to expand on how your qualifications match the requirements of the job. It's a way for you to make one more great impression, and emphasize the benefit you can bring to the company. It's a great chance to distinguish yourself from your competitors. Don't miss the opportunity to get your name in front of the right people one more time – it gives them another reason to remember you.
So where do you start? Always send the thank you within 24 hours of the interview. The discussion will be fresh in your mind, your notes from the interview will make more sense and you'll be able to zero in on specifics from the interview more easily. Any longer than 24 hours will make the hiring manager think it was an afterthought, and they may not remember you at all.
There's disagreement among career experts on whether the thank-you note should be snail-mailed or emailed. It really depends on the company and on how quickly they intend to make a hiring decision. Emailed thank-you notes are probably fine in most cases, especially if it's a company where email communication is the norm. If the culture of the company seems more traditional, you may also want to follow up with a hard-copy version of your thank-you note. If your handwriting is legible and neat, go ahead and hand-write the note. If not, type it up, print it out and put it in the mail.
How should the thank-you note be structured? Make it short. This is not the time to go into an epic discussion of your qualifications. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, and mention one thing you like about the company as a whole. It might be that the culture, management style, executive leadership team, or long-term corporate growth objectives are a good match for you. Pull out something specific from the interview that is a differentiator for you. Maybe there was discussion of a problem you can help solve, or experience in your background that aligns with an important company initiative. Restate your enthusiasm for the position and your interest in the job. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity. Close by asking for the job. Don't beat around the bush. It's perfectly acceptable to say that you'd love the chance to work for the company.
By making the effort to show your interest in the job, highlighting the contributions you're prepared to make and the value you're willing to bring to a company, hopefully next Thanksgiving you'll have even for which to give thanks.
Sending a thank-you note following the job interview is one of those things you know you should do, but many people find this seemingly simple task to be an extremely difficult task. Do you send a handwritten thank-you note or is it OK to send an email? If you were interviewed by a selection committee, do you send a separate, differently worded note to each of the interviewers? When do you send the note - immediately after the interview, or within one or two days? Can it wait a week? And when is it too late to send the thank-you?
Of course it's professional and good etiquette to send a thank-you note. But just as importantly, the after-interview "thank-you" is a great opportunity to reinforce your fit for the job. It's a chance to sell yourself one more time as the ideal candidate and to expand on how your qualifications match the requirements of the job. It's a way for you to make one more great impression, and emphasize the benefit you can bring to the company. It's a great chance to distinguish yourself from your competitors. Don't miss the opportunity to get your name in front of the right people one more time – it gives them another reason to remember you.
So where do you start? Always send the thank you within 24 hours of the interview. The discussion will be fresh in your mind, your notes from the interview will make more sense and you'll be able to zero in on specifics from the interview more easily. Any longer than 24 hours will make the hiring manager think it was an afterthought, and they may not remember you at all.
There's disagreement among career experts on whether the thank-you note should be snail-mailed or emailed. It really depends on the company and on how quickly they intend to make a hiring decision. Emailed thank-you notes are probably fine in most cases, especially if it's a company where email communication is the norm. If the culture of the company seems more traditional, you may also want to follow up with a hard-copy version of your thank-you note. If your handwriting is legible and neat, go ahead and hand-write the note. If not, type it up, print it out and put it in the mail.
How should the thank-you note be structured? Make it short. This is not the time to go into an epic discussion of your qualifications. Thank the interviewer for his or her time, and mention one thing you like about the company as a whole. It might be that the culture, management style, executive leadership team, or long-term corporate growth objectives are a good match for you. Pull out something specific from the interview that is a differentiator for you. Maybe there was discussion of a problem you can help solve, or experience in your background that aligns with an important company initiative. Restate your enthusiasm for the position and your interest in the job. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity. Close by asking for the job. Don't beat around the bush. It's perfectly acceptable to say that you'd love the chance to work for the company.
By making the effort to show your interest in the job, highlighting the contributions you're prepared to make and the value you're willing to bring to a company, hopefully next Thanksgiving you'll have even for which to give thanks.
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