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5 Things Recruiters Look for in a Resume

6/23/2012

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Yolanda M. Owens is an author chick who's fluent in humor and employer dating issues. Her book How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

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5 Things Recruiters Look for in a Resume
By Yolanda M. Owens

Have Recruiters Seeing STARS!
You've heard people say that when they met that special someone, they saw fireworks. Well, when a potential employer reads your resume, they should see S.T.A.R.S. (Simple; Truthful; Assertive; Results-driven; Swagger). 

A resume should be intriguing and informative, alluring yet accurate, should tell a story, but leave room for conversation and the reader wanting more. So how do you accomplish this without sounding cliche, self-absorbed, or like you're trying to hard? Follow the S.T.A.R.S. guide below and win the attention of recruiters who will be screening your resumes.

Simple = Skip the fancy formatting! Recruiters respect the fact that you're innovative and have a knack for clipart and textbox formatting. But at the end of the day, just keep it simple, sunshine! Be more graphic about the skills and deliverables you have to offer than showing off your flair for
clip art.

Truthful =
Make your resume sound interesting but keep it accurate. In other words, save the embellishments for your outfits. Most companies conduct background checks on your resume information, so that little white lie could banish you to the unemployment line.

Assertive =
Don't be afraid to toot your own horn! That's why they call the resume a brag sheet. It's an opportunity to show what you've accomplished. But keep it professional and relevant to the position(s) you're applying for. You don't need to list every accomplishment you've made since your third grade spelling B! 

Results-Driven =
Focus on your deliverables and quantify them. This will make you stand out among the competition. Anyone can say they make widgets. But if you say you made widgets 25% more efficiently while saving the company $10k in production costs, you'll get more attention.

Swagger =
Having swagger means taking that extra step to tactfully get someone's attention and getting them to want to know more about you. This means showing you put some thought and effort into your resume before dispatching it. A well-crafted, thoughtful resume is the first step in demonstrating that you've got game.

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5 Ways to Make Your Business Card Exchange Memorable

5/20/2011

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Face the World Boldly
While Networking
by: Guest Blogger, Jennifer Kumar

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Picture by t-dot-s-dota@flickr
In keeping the networking theme flowing from my previous blog, I've invited Cross-Cultural Coach, Jennifer Kumar,to give her global perspective on the topic. Check out her insights on the best ways to get your business card filed to the top of someone's rolodex...

Although I define networking as nothing more than meeting people, making connections, creating and nourishing friendships and helping others, the first meeting with anyone new can make or break that connection.

In that first meeting, we want to be remembered as well as memorable. In addition to just being ourselves and striking up natural and interesting conversation when we meet new people, we want to assure that we can contact each other after that initial meeting. To that end, an exchange of business cards is crucial. Here are a few tips to make that business card exchange a moment that will bear fruit of an ongoing mutual friendship:

Make sure your card is up to date
When preparing to meet someone new assure the cards in your possession have all your correct contact information. If it is not possible to get new cards made before the meeting, personalize the card before or during the initial meeting. (Often placing our handwriting on a card can make it feel more personal to the receiver.)

Add a Photo to the Business Card
There is debate as to whether this is a good idea or not. I have had a photo on my card for the past year. Each time I have given the card out, I have received a comment about that. People took notice as seeing a photo on a business card is rare. It is also easier for people to associate your face to your name among all the business cards and new people they meet when a picture is included. Assure the photo chosen looks like you on most average days, as this increases the ability to attach the name to your face on the card and in person.

Exchange Cards at the Same Time
I have noticed that when both people exchange cards at the same time, both pay more attention to each other’s cards, looking at it and clarifying any doubts that may arise while looking at it the first time. If your card hasn’t been personalized, this is the time to do it.

Give Two Cards, Not One
I learned this tip at a networking event, and it makes a lot of sense. When we meet someone really interesting, they may mention knowing someone they’d like us to meet or we just instinctually feel that the people this person comes into contact on a daily basis may be someone we’d like to know. In that case, I like to give two cards. At the time of exchanging, I like to say, “I’m handing you two cards not one. You have really inspired me and in case you come across anyone else who may like to meet me, please take the extra card and pass it on to them.” I think this trick has helped me get a few contacts that I otherwise would have missed.

Take Notes on The Card You Received
While meeting someone for the first time, we learn interesting things about them. Rather than try to remember it in our head or write it in a place we will forget about, if possible, write a small note on the card itself. Like having a photo, it will increase the chances of remembering something interesting about someone else.

If these tips do not come naturally, call up some friends and do a role play with them. Practice your approach. As Yolanda mentions in her book, we all need a pick up line; and the use and exchange of cards is another skill to add to your ‘pick up line’ approach.

Good luck meeting, greeting and helping others build their ‘network’.
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Guest Blogger: Jennifer Kumar
Jennifer Kumar is a cross-cultural coach. She is the creator of a networking seminar entitled “How to Network Professionally?”  She works with people individually, in small groups and classroom settings to prepare themselves for finding a job in America having come from abroad. View more about the networking seminar by clicking here.

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First Post!

1/23/2011

16 Comments

 

Fatten Your Professional Little Black Book Online and Off

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In a time where everyone is living their lives out loud and unfiltered, it's hard to determine the professional comfort zone when networking.  Whether tapping into your six degrees of separation or in cyberspace, you need to establish some professional boundaries.  Recruiters and hiring managers realize times are tough, but that does not give job seekers a get out of jail free card for invading their personal space in the name of professional networking; you need to know your role.

So let this be your litmus test.  The next time you decide to call, email or "friend" a random stranger on a social network, ask yourself, how would you feel if this person did the same thing to you? Blindly contacting someone you don't know who could possibly take you out of the unemployment line with a 30-second elevator pitch is the equivalent of drunk-dialing an ex minus the personal connection. Can you say stalkerish? And do you honestly think this makes a great first impression?  Sure it demonstrates the size of your moxy, but doesn't bode well for you in the personal judgment department.

So what is the protocol for networking (online or off) with people you've never met in the job search process?  I call it my social algorithm: six degrees of separation + a common denominator +3 contacts = trust.  In other words, in order to effectively network with individuals you don't know (without being labeled a stalker) you need a connection to their social circle, share something personal in common, and have at least three contacts with them to win their trust.  You can't expect someone who doesn't know you from a can of paint to miraculously recommend you for a job based on a blind friend request, phone call, meeting at the grocery store (fill in the social scenario blank). You have to build a rapport with them and earn their trust through the social algorithm.

So how do you get these types of vitals on said stranger who could hold your future employment in their hands?  Channel your inner 007 and legitimately use your cyber stalking skills for your intelligence.  Do a search for said stranger on LinkedIn to see who they're connected to and if you share individuals in your social circles.  If you do, contact that connection and ask them for an introduction to said stranger so you can elevate your status from stranger to acquaintance.  Now, don't assume that since the introduction has been made you have free access to immediately ask this individual to hook you up with an interview while you're in town the following week.  You have to build a rapport.  Dig deeper on LinkedIn, Google, or just ask your connection where this person went to school, whether they have kids, play the tuba...The angle here is to find out something personal you both have in common so there's a connection and a conversation piece other than the weather and the fact you need a job. 

Now that you have this information in your arsenal, you need to employ the secret phrase "Flattery will get you somewhere".  Use these common denominators to stroke the person's ego and get on their personal level.  Set up an informational interview to find out more about what they do for a living, ask them to be your tour guide next time you visit their city, give them a list of great restaurants for the vacation spot they'll be heading to for the holidays.  This is far more subtle than the blind contact elevator pitch and will get you more traction in the long run.  You'll know the equation is complete once you've had three meaningful contacts with the person.  By then you'll have established enough common ground to talk about your credentials and how your new acquaintance can help you build upon them
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    About Yolanda M. Owens
    Author Chick. Recruiting Sensei. Gen Y Guru. Education Enthusiast. Intern Whisperer.  Read more tips in her book "How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer".

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