There are many people that are having the challenge of sending out their resume, yet not getting interviews.
Typically, if you are sending out resumes and not getting response, the diagnosis is that your resume isn't "showcasing" your skills in the best way. Remember, the resume is nothing more than a marketing piece and it is critical that it highlights your expertise in a way to draw attention over your competitor's resume.
I'm wondering how many resumes you have sent out? Are you tracking that information? Sometimes, the resume looks great, however, the person simply isn't sending out enough of them.
Lastly, are you networking to find both posted positions and tap in to the hidden job market?
Take time to evaluate the strength of your resume. Remember, it is not the strength of your career that you are evaluating at this time, but the showcasing of your career on a piece of paper that will be your first "ticket" to gain the interview.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Discussing a weakness in a job interview
How often do we dread the question: What is your weakness? We never know exactly how to answer that question and it is also quite sad because often times we don't know what are greatest weaknesses are or how they impact our career.
In order to have a successful career, it is paramount that you are "aware" of your single biggest strength and your single biggest weakness. You must be honest with yourself and not only look at "generic" weaknesses like - I work too much or I'm a perfectionist. Great corporate cultures are cultures where people can put themselves out there. If you are meeting with an organization that is truly looking for the "perfect" candidate, I would advise you to run the other way.
Think about this - maybe you aren't the best external spokesperson, maybe you're not the most detail oriented person, or maybe you are often misunderstood because you are non-communicative. You need to look at these areas of development carefully and address them. So, the answer to the question - what is your greatest weakness, can certainly be an honest open answer. You may want to follow it up with how you compensate in this area.
For example, my personal weakness at work is that I'm don't utilize the best level of detail skills. My strength is that I am big picture-long term focused. I compensate for my weakness by surrounding myself with great detail oriented people.
It's interesting because sometimes a strength and a weakness are rooted in the same area.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
In order to have a successful career, it is paramount that you are "aware" of your single biggest strength and your single biggest weakness. You must be honest with yourself and not only look at "generic" weaknesses like - I work too much or I'm a perfectionist. Great corporate cultures are cultures where people can put themselves out there. If you are meeting with an organization that is truly looking for the "perfect" candidate, I would advise you to run the other way.
Think about this - maybe you aren't the best external spokesperson, maybe you're not the most detail oriented person, or maybe you are often misunderstood because you are non-communicative. You need to look at these areas of development carefully and address them. So, the answer to the question - what is your greatest weakness, can certainly be an honest open answer. You may want to follow it up with how you compensate in this area.
For example, my personal weakness at work is that I'm don't utilize the best level of detail skills. My strength is that I am big picture-long term focused. I compensate for my weakness by surrounding myself with great detail oriented people.
It's interesting because sometimes a strength and a weakness are rooted in the same area.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Negotiating Compensation
I am asked daily by my career transition clients what is the best way to negotiate compensation?
Timing is key. In salary negotiations, the one who mentions money first loses. For a new job, never negotiate salary or other benefits until you have an offer of employment. Even when you have the offer, if you want to negotiate, first speak about your desire to join the organization and how pleased you are to have received the offer. You want to focus on your future contributions to the company before money discussions start.
A great business practice is to "under promise" and "over deliver". If you can't communicate what you have done to impact your former employer and what you intend to do to impact your future employer, you'll lose in negotiations. Think in terms of revenues, time saved, resources preserved, problems solved, and opportunities or new products created. In you can assign a value in terms of your contributions, you'll enhance your negotiating stance.
Work toward a Win/Win situation. Focus on mutual goals. You never want your future employer to think that you are "playing hardball" in the negotiations unless you truly intend to walk away. If you have that attitude, you may want to reconsider accepting this offer no matter what the compensation.
If you don't get all you want, don't take it personally or become upset. Most of the time companies have salary ranges that they must stay within. Remember to look at the big picture. There should be so many things that are important to you in a position in addition to the compensation. Look at all the benefits and especially how this experience contributes to your own development and skills set.
Finally, celebrate your new position and get to work. You have a lot to accomplish in your new position.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
Timing is key. In salary negotiations, the one who mentions money first loses. For a new job, never negotiate salary or other benefits until you have an offer of employment. Even when you have the offer, if you want to negotiate, first speak about your desire to join the organization and how pleased you are to have received the offer. You want to focus on your future contributions to the company before money discussions start.
A great business practice is to "under promise" and "over deliver". If you can't communicate what you have done to impact your former employer and what you intend to do to impact your future employer, you'll lose in negotiations. Think in terms of revenues, time saved, resources preserved, problems solved, and opportunities or new products created. In you can assign a value in terms of your contributions, you'll enhance your negotiating stance.
Work toward a Win/Win situation. Focus on mutual goals. You never want your future employer to think that you are "playing hardball" in the negotiations unless you truly intend to walk away. If you have that attitude, you may want to reconsider accepting this offer no matter what the compensation.
If you don't get all you want, don't take it personally or become upset. Most of the time companies have salary ranges that they must stay within. Remember to look at the big picture. There should be so many things that are important to you in a position in addition to the compensation. Look at all the benefits and especially how this experience contributes to your own development and skills set.
Finally, celebrate your new position and get to work. You have a lot to accomplish in your new position.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Why do you want to work for us?
Whether you have been downsized, relocated, or simply want a new position, sometimes, you will look at a particular job through rose colored glasses. You know the old cliche, the grass is always greener on the other side. Problem is, when you get to the other side, the grass is actually weeds.
It is in your best interest to research a potential employer thoroughly. Researching a company is much more than going on the Internet to their website. It is also finding out who you may know that has a contact within that particular employer and speaking with them about the company and its culture. Researching can also be finding customers and asking them about the company, its leadership, and its products.
It is up to you to have many solid reasons WHY you are interested in working for a particular employer. If you accept a position, just to have a job - you may find yourself extremely unhappy and back on the job market after a short time. Job stability is a key factor is moving up in your career and finding new employment when you need it. You must, to the best of your ability, guard your job stability and make your choices wisely.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
It is in your best interest to research a potential employer thoroughly. Researching a company is much more than going on the Internet to their website. It is also finding out who you may know that has a contact within that particular employer and speaking with them about the company and its culture. Researching can also be finding customers and asking them about the company, its leadership, and its products.
It is up to you to have many solid reasons WHY you are interested in working for a particular employer. If you accept a position, just to have a job - you may find yourself extremely unhappy and back on the job market after a short time. Job stability is a key factor is moving up in your career and finding new employment when you need it. You must, to the best of your ability, guard your job stability and make your choices wisely.
Xodus Advantage serves as expert partners to individuals from the time they contemplate a potential career/job change, through the planning and transition phases. We specialize in making the change process positive and practical by empowering the individual to excel in their job campaign strategies. We are committed to seeing a successful career transition.When individuals find themselves on the job market or interested in a career transition, they are typically very uncertain. It is always nice to offer them the “voice of calm” plus real-world practical strategies to accelerate their down time during the transition.
For a free 30 minute consultation, please contact:
Lori Harbeck - lori@xodusadvantage.com
Janet Blumen - janet@xodusadvantage.com
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