Why I've Been Quiet (& Free E-book)

If you're a regular visitor to my website or stop by to read my blog, you've probably noticed that I've been quiet as of late. I've been busy.

Since April 15, I have been serving as a consultant to Microsoft Office Live's "My Resume Talks Campaign," a national campaign over Facebook which ends this week. Recently, Microsoft released my free eBook, "Has Your Resume Graduated from College? Five Strategies for Finding a Job in Today's Economy" on the campaign website. You can have your own copy here.

While I work with job seekers of all levels, the eBook was designed especially for the recent college graduate.

Could someone mistake your resume for a laundry list? If yes, find out how to fix it.

Check it out, and tell me if you find my tips for resume writing to be helpful, or if you have additional strategies to share that I may have missed?

As always, thanks for reading.>

To Your Success,

Chandlee

P.S. If you have time, do check out Kevin Connolly's resume in a blender routine on the MyResumeTalks.com campaign site on Facebook. The campaign ends Friday, June 5.

Learning to Swim Again

This winter, I'm learning how to swim again. After a childhood full of lessons and success rates with annual swim tests, I must say I'm surprised. When I started swimming again regularly this fall, I was pretty convinced that I knew how to swim well enough, and I thought it completely unnecessary to take lessons--especially since I have no plans to swim competitively. But that was before I adjusted to the skinny lanes allotted to swimmers in Manhattan, and got passed more than I ever thought possible.

Then I realized that I wasn't really seeing any results from swimming. I looked up the calorie burn rate for swimming; and realized that the swimming that I was doing probably fell into the lower "burn" rate even if I felt I was exerting myself. It was time for a correction.

I caught the eye of a swim coach, got a tutorial in new techniques for the breaststroke, watched a couple of YouTube instructional videos--and got back in the pool and tried again. I learned that there have been many improvements to the breaststroke technique over the years, and that it isn't just the magic swimsuits which have contributed to new world records in speed.

It feels good to learn a new way of doing things, and I plan to continue my fitness efforts in this area--especially since my results have been rewarded. (I've discovered that the revised technique means that I can actually pass people on occasion.)

Almost everyone I know feels self-conscious about being seen in a bathing suit. And, as I talk about swimming I feel even more self-conscious, especially since my first post for Career Hub last summer focused on how Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin adjusts to feedback in the pool. There's something to be said for taking one's own advice--and who wants to admit that they had not done it before!?

I decided to share my experience in the pool anyway because I think it parallels the current experience of many job seekers: It is easy to get used to the old ways of doing things and if it worked in the past, it can be harder to try something new at the outset--even if the rules of the game have changed.

If you're active in this employment market, chances are good that the traditional job search process (find ad, send resume with cover letter, interview and get offer) may not work as quickly for you in the past--especially given that there are fewer postings now than before. As time equals money, I encourage you to seek assistance with your job search to help you ease the process. From YouTube videos on interviewing skills, to the free e-books available through Career Hub, you'll find a wealth of information available to help you adjust your techniques. If you learn better through a personal approach, contact me and let me know how I can help you dive in!

To Your Success,
Chandlee

Why "Fit" Should Come Before "Foot"

You may recently have noticed a new slogan for this blog "Put your best fit forward." It's the essence of my philosophy in four short words.

As I see it, any job search is a dance between the job seeker and the potential employer, and in the end, there are two decisions to be made.

From the employer's perspective, comes the first decision: Are your skills and experiences aligned with organizational needs, and will you fit into the culture?

Decision the second: Is the position right for you? Does the work involved align with your goals and interests? Does the workplace culture feel like a fit to you?

All too often, job seekers place far more emphasis on the employer's decision than their own. Certainly, employers frequently appear to have more power in terms of the first decision--after all, they are the ones who evaluate all the candidates and extend an offer...

But the choice of where you want to work is also very much on the table in any job offer. The economics of supply and demand and your own fiscal reality may make your workplace preference seem like less of a choice, but whether or not you want to accept an offer is virtually always your choice to make.

A bad fit can have many unintended consequences, ranging from simple incompatibility of work style to major philosophical differences and a lack of enjoyment for how you spend much of your waking hours?

Heather Huhman, a careers expert at the Examiner, is running a great series on how to evaluate employers for how well they fit your needs. Here's a link to the first installment. Read on, and share your stories of occasions when you put your "best fit" forward and when you didn't...

Feeling Stuck? 3 Quick Ways to Make Your Search Move Again

One of the interesting things about the work that I do is the cyclical nature of job seeking: September and January are traditionally the busiest months as it is "back to work" for students and professionals alike.

That being said, job hunting can be like New Year's Resolutions: it is frequently easy to set ambitious goals and can be difficult to keep them--especially when shrinking budgets and hiring freezes may require you to do more instead of less.

If you're feeling stuck, consider leaning on someone else to pull yourself out of it. (I once read that one factor behind the high failure rate of resolutions was the fact that a majority of common self-improvement efforts are often done in relative solitude--i.e. weight loss, personal finance management, and even applying for new jobs.) As it is often easier to achieve success with the help of others, here are three of my favorite resources:

1. Authentic Happiness
This website by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Positive Psychology provides many tools and resources for "bad mood busting." I particularly recommend the VIA Signature Strengths Finder.

2. How to Find a Community of Job Seekers

This 2 part series from my colleague and friend Miriam Salpeter at Keppie Careers includes a mention of the Manhattan based Job Seekers group I run through MeetUp.com. (sign-up for additional information on programs and events if you like.)

3. Ask for Advice or Suggestions from someone who has been there before. Here's a recent Penelope Trunk post on "How to Generate a Useful E-mail Response."

I also like management consultant Dan Erwin's suggestions on "How to Ask for Advice and Not Look Like a Dumb***" (Our opinions on word choice for titles differ--I'm more of a prude for public writing--but his advice is spot-on.)

Do you have additional suggestions on how to self-motivate during a job search? If yes, please share.

Propel Your Career in '09 with the Best of '08

As we welcome 2009, here are five must-reads of 2008 that will help you stay ahead of the curve:

1. It's tough to make a resolution that sticks if you're putting up with something that's always in the way. In I Hated My Lawnmower, author Jason Alba provides a lesson in the satisfaction that can come from fixing a simple but nagging problem.
   
2. If you're not on LinkedIn yet, you should be. Statistics on successful job searches routinely show that at least 60% of job offers come from networking, and LinkedIn is the granddaddy of social networking apps (some call it "Facebook" for grown-ups). Here are tips on how to write your LinkedIn profile for your future from social media whiz Chris Brogan.
   
3. If you're applying for a front office position--or seeking positions in a very competitive field-- you'll want to differentiate yourself. I recommend subscribing to Dan Schawbel's personal branding blog. (Note: If you decide your job search strategy should include starting a blog of your own, see his tips on how to do this.)
   
4. Do They Care About Your Personal Brand? As important as it is to differentiate yourself and stand out amongst other candidates in the actual job search, employers search and hires based on their own needs. This piece by Louise Fletcher, founder of Career Hub and Owner of Blue Sky Resumes, is a great reminder of the need for balance between branding and positioning yourself to meet employer requirements and mission critical demands.
   
5. 10 Ways You Stop Yourself from Getting the Right Job. In a tough economy, it's easy to shy away from the job market or feel overwhelmed. Don't. London-based Sital Ruparelia's tips will help you keep a stiff upper lip and keep your career moving forward!

To Your Success,
Chandlee

A Late Bloomer Learns How to Make a New Year's Resolution

Recently, author Stephen Shapiro shared some surprising findings on New Year's Resolutions:

It appears that the younger you are, the more likely you are to achieve your resolutions.

39% of those in their twenties achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.

Less than 15% of those over 50 achieve their resolutions every year or every other year.

If you clicked through to read Shapiro's extended findings and you aren't in your 20's, and you saw the statistic that only about 8% of those who make resolutions consistently achieve them--do not give up on a big goal.

Pick up the phone or turn to your partner and enlist their encouragement. You are much more likely to achieve your goals if you share them--and set them in tandem with someone else. This is how Weight Watchers stays in business.

I share this advice with confidence and conviction. I have tried and failed to achieve resolutions in the past, but this year was a watershed moment: I've found personal success using the collaborative approach.

Prior to 2008, I had unfulfilled dreams of writing about careers in a public forum, but I was stuck in an inner battle between my social self and my quiet self. I love to write but the process is--conventionally--a solitary task. I enjoying reading, but I am happiest when I am making connections with others. I found myself talking a lot about writing but not actually doing it. In 2009, I actually did it. Consistently.

I could tell you that my success is a result of a change in my self discipline, or a testament to my drive and motivation. But I can't lie: Like many who achieve their goals later in life, my success is "highly contingent on the efforts of others." In a New Yorker essay exploring economist David Galenson's research on the differences between child prodigies and those who achieve success later in life, Malcolm Gladwell calls this the "final lesson of the late bloomer."

Consider the career of Cezanne. As Gladwell tells it, he was supported by his father for years, had his first show at 56 and once had a friend sit for a portrait over 150 times--before he decided to abandon the painting. (Now that's a friend!)

It was others who helped me put words to paper. First I discovered Twitter, and a new community of interesting people who provide me with ideas on what to write about--and who serve as role models on how to write. I also gained not one, but two new mentors who have consistently encouraged me. I made friends with several other emerging writers and took a short course. I sent drafts to friends and family. I learned to take small steps, to use a formula to break writer's block, and to publish the imperfect.

As I look back on what I've written this year, I am grateful for the support that I've received from my friends and family. They have my gratitude and my thanks, and I appreciate their patience. As Gladwell says, "Prodigies are easy. They advertise their genius from the get-go. Late bloomers are hard. They require forbearance and blind faith."

If you have a dream that you can't quite give up on--and haven't managed to achieve just yet, find a friend or mentor who will encourage you with blind faith--and challenge you to be accountable for making it happen. Let me know how it turns out...and good luck!

When To Wine, Instead of Whine

With all the news in the headlines, you may find it hard not to feel anxious with regard to your own job search.

At least once a day I'm asked, "Should I stay where I am? Is it even possible for me to find a job in this market? How can I possibly find something I want when the unemployment rate is rapidly rising?"

Resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself. Visit a job board like Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com. Type in a few key words of interest and see what comes up.

Chances are good that you will see jobs...Current openings that you can apply for. If your experience fits, you should move forward.

I was reminded of this recently when I stumbled upon a website that recently mentioned me in a blogpost...Winetalent.net

This website specializes in executive placement for positions in the wine industry. You don't have to be a vineyard owner to apply, you do need functional experience in the area to which you are applying and a demonstrated interest in the industry.

Even if you're not a oenophile (i.e. lover of wine) with a dream of working in the business full-time, the point here is a broader one: Not all jobs have ceased to exist, and there's a treasure trove of information about potential opportunities across different sectors available. Now get going!

It's better to go out in search of possibilities you'll love then to sit at home and whine...

Cheers,
Chandlee

Making Decision 2008 Personal

Today, I am participating in Job Action Day, a pre-election event hosted by QuintCareers.com. The purpose of the event is a "call to action" for job seekers by sharing resources written and recommended by career experts.

You can read about the event--and see tips provided--here:

http://www.quintcareers.com/attacking_job_market.html

I once read some intriguing statistics on the correlation between self improvement initiatives and personal happiness. According to the data, Americans often take on self-improvement projects in order to feel better about themselves and to feel less isolated from others. The challenge: many self-improvement projects are often done independently and without the support of others. As a result, it can be easier to give up on your cause and to feel even lonelier. Having team support is one reason why programs such as Weight Watchers, Team in Training, and Boot Camp Classes at the gym tend to have higher success rates than going it alone...

For these reasons, I challenge you to find an accountability partner to pair up with during the course of your own job search--or join in a national effort like Job Action Day. Working with others can help you stay motivated--and help you feel more connected in the process as you make Job Action Day transition into Job Action Month!

Contact me and let me know what you've done and how you've seen progress. Any strategies you recommend or don't recommend for other job seekers?

To your success,
Chandlee

On the Secret Ingredient to Career Sustainability

Yesterday, I attended "Branding for Sustainability," a conference examining environmental sustainability initiatives at the corporate level. The program included collective brainstorming on a common question: Given that sustainable initiatives often cost more at the outset and involve rethinking relationships, how can individual employees build support for change within an organization?

While environmental issues were the theme for the day, the recent volatility on Wall Street did not go unnoticed. Here are two take-aways that are equally applicable to both the issues of "environmental sustainability" and "career sustainability":

1. Pain drives change, but passion is a better long-term recipe for success. Just as many companies have been prompted to change their conservation practices based on rising fuel costs, your job search may be fueled by external factors--or by your discontent.

Within this environment, making a career change suddenly may stop the pain. That being said, if you haven't had time to reflect on why you are making the change: if you are not passionate or genuinely interested in your new line of work, you may not like your new job, either.

2. We get by with a little help from our friends. At the conference, several of the organizers mentioned the importance of building support for sustainability initiatives by working with colleagues horizontally---i.e. from your friends and colleagues, rather than starting with the c-suite.

Given that it's not always "easy being green," this strategy to build horizontal strength can help you both in terms of your ability to advocate for change and also in terms of your own career success. After all, support from colleagues can help you stay "vertical" and moving forwards in terms of how you accomplish your goals.

Several years ago, Tom Rath, author of How Full is Your Bucket? and head of the Gallup Research Workplace Research and Leadership Consulting Practice, published a book called Vital Friends which examines the effects that friends can have on your work happiness. According to Rath and research conducted by Gallup poll, having a best friend at work makes you seven times more likely to be engaged in your job.

Bottom-line: Stop reading here and engage in conversation with someone!

To your success,
Chandlee

The 30 Minute Online Resume Workout

As you can imagine, it's a busy time to be a career coach and resume writer: given the climate on Wall Street and the ensuing trickle-down in Manhattan, the phone lines are buzzing.

In the process I've been reviewing resumes of many talented people who never expected that a job hunt would be in the cards right now.

Given the prevalence of Blackberries and cell phones, the notion of "doing more with less" has clearly stretched beyond fiscal frugality and extended to personal time (quite simply, there's less available as there are fewer people available to help with work). Frequently, I'm contacted by clients who say, "I'd do this myself, but I don't have the time" and don't know how to get started. Here are three suggested strategies to get started on a resume rewrite in 30 minutes or less.

1. Consider hiring someone to help you, or review tips from the pros. I strongly recommend Career Hub's free e-books on resume writing, networking, and interviewing.

2. Read job listings and position descriptions to develop a sense of what employers want. Do a "Google" search on yourself to know what you look like "online." Then develop a strategy for how you want to be known.

As an increasing number of employers are using LinkedIn and other social networking tools to find candidates and make hiring decisions, help them find you. I particularly recommend Chris Brogan's Write Your LinkedIn Profile for Your Future for this purpose.

3. Revise your resume by starting with your LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn has a strong search engine ranking and offers you a substantial but a controlled amount of space in your profile section.

Because LinkedIn limits the number of characters you can use in your work, it is a great site to write a resume draft: you can search for people who work in similar roles to your own (and make observations on what works and what doesn't). If you put together your profile carefully, you'll have a concise summary of skills and experiences that you can then use as a base for your resume. An added bonus: your voice will sound consistent across both your LinkedIn and your resume since you'll be speaking in the same language.

To your success!

Will the Resume Become Obsolete?

Forget Palin versus Biden or Obama versus McCain, over at Career Hub, there's a raging debate over the future of the resume. This is an ongoing question for discussion among career professionals: are online sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook rendering the resume obsolete? Here is my take on the debate--read the post and tell me what you think. Counter opinions welcome!

I've long been a fan of the supplemental information in the job search: I think job seekers can always boost their attractiveness to employers with electronic portfolios (especially in creative professions--love Coroflot), writing samples, and online information that demonstrates interest and passion aligned with interests and career goals. Of course, there's no guarantee that employers will look at supplemental material in the process; however, I think it's better to have "extra information" than not--especially as employers look more to the web.

Here's my response to the debate:

While resumes are still the de-facto standard for applying for jobs (and are generally required both for the application process and so that the employer can meet Federal standards on record keeping) , I agree with Barbara Safani: the resume is increasingly viewed as one component of the application process--with online information playing a greater role in the overall search process.

The Google search on a candidate has become another standard practice--your online presence from LinkedIn to "digital dirt" can reveal just as much about you and your work as your resume. As early as 2006--an ExecuNet survey reported that 77% of executive recruiters admitted checking out candidates online during the employment process. In my opinion, building and maintaining your online presence has become a critical component of the job search process: In my private practice as a resume writer and career coach, I work with clients on "web-based" presence as much as I do on "paper."

Beyond the "Google" and online factor, Web 2.0 has also heavily influenced how resumes are evaluated: when you apply online for a position through a company or job board portal, your resume is frequently ranked based on "relevance" for this position. Elements affecting relevance include level of experience and key words (look at position descriptions and ads to identify potential key words, then use them in your resume).

In sum, technology is changing the role of the resume in the overall process, but resumes are still essential in the employment process. As such, it's no less important to have a clear, concise resume today than it was previously.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

On Looking Focused: And the 30 Second Pitch

Yesterday, I had lunch with a recruiter for one of the only five investment banks in New York hosting MBA information sessions this fall. The circles under her eyes and weary gaze were troubling to me: Despite the relative good health of her company, she is clearly directly experiencing the fallout from the turmoil at Lehman Brothers, Merrill, and the rest of the "Street." Among her current challenges: an increased traffic in candidates from competing firms, many of whom are not exactly sure what they are looking for yet in terms of a new career opportunity.

My friend and I agree that one of the biggest challenges for job seekers and current employees is looking focused in a time of turmoil. It is natural to want to explore your career options but you need to look focused when you speak to potential employers.

If you need to develop your own soundbite for exploration with potential opportunities (and interview preparation), I recommend 15secondpitch.com. This site provides a free "Pitch Wizard" that coaches you to develop a focused pitch targeted on the needs of your audience. At the conclusion of the pitch, your pitch will be placed on a template of a business card--if it doesn't fit, you know you need to condense and refine your message. If it does fit, you can even purchase the cards--and add your picture to increase your chances of "total recall."

Kudos to 15SecondPitch.com. for an innovative product that makes preparation work easier...

New on the Job?: Molt Like A Penguin

Many of my posts on this blog talk about strategies for finding a job; I think it's equally important to talk about effective career management strategies once you've landed a new job--or in your current line of work.

Today I'm musing on the parallels between allowing yourself space to learn in a new work environment and the cyclical processes of penguins. This post was inspired by my friend Deborah Tobin, who possesses a treasure trove of information: she's worked in recruiting, is a professional organizer and talks about penguins at the Central Park Zoo (she's a docent).

This weekend, Deborah is exhausted from talking: the penguins look terrible and everyone wants to know why they are all shedding their feathers. Are they sick?

In fact, this collective shedding is a sign of strength: the penguins are molting, an annual process which takes places after mating and before the winter. Over the course of two to three weeks, they will essentially shed all of their old feathers and grow a new coat for winter. During this time, they'll stay out of the water, eat very little (they've built up some reserves) and look more vulnerable than usual. Here's a YouTube video from the Tennessee aquarium which describes the process.

In my opinion, there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between molting penguins and the process of adapting to a work environment:

It's the feathers that help make us attractive to others. Penguins need a healthy coat of feathers for mating, you are hired for a job based on the "feathers in your cap"--i.e. what you've accomplished in the past--and your potential to accomplish great things in the future.

In order to be successful, we have to let the feathers go and prepare for a new environment. Just as penguins need to molt in order to prepare for the winter, you can't rest on what you've accomplished before, you have to assess your new job--learn what success looks like within the context of your new environment--and then adapt.

For most of us, the comparisons end there: while penguins typically molt at the same time, many workers start new positions alone--and without the comfort of a large group of peers who are going through the same situation. From a professional standpoint, it's important to be simultaneously viewed as competent, capable and humble on a new job. You want to demonstrate both your potential, as well as your growing understanding of a new work culture.

This can be tricky; organizations with a similar mission can vary greatly in culture and in terms of what they value: what is an accomplishment in one environment, may be seen as counter to the team in another. You need to take the time to learn the difference so that you can get new "feathers."

Here are a few great places to start: Keith Ferrazi's blog "Never Eat Alone" and the books Your First 90 Days, and Sink or Swim: New Job. New Boss. 12 Weeks to Get it Right.

May you have many successes with the molting process...