Job Searching in a Recession

The first thing I am going to tell you is this: DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE. COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING EVERYDAY!

That said, dust off your portfolio and get out your resume and cover letter. When was the last time it was updated? Is all information current? Do you have a .txt version or ASCII version of your resume? You will need that version for your online job posting. Read over your cover letter, does it still say everything you want it to say? Does it reiterate your strong points and showcase some of your accomplishments? If not, you will need to add those things. If you are unsure, send me an email and I can look it over.

Your job search must be your full time job. Get up every morning, TURN OFF the news, and start returning emails. Set up a LinkedIn account and connect with old colleagues and friends. Let everyone know you are job searching. The number one way to get a job is through networking!

Keep looking locally even if everyone around you tells you no one is hiring (there is always SOME PLACE interesting that is hiring). Go to local business mixers and get to know folks in your area.

Stay positive and hopeful. Work on your job search every day. I guarantee you will find a job you love.

Until next time...

Road Warriors get a Break!

Good News for Job-Related Travel!

According to www.compensation.BLR.com, "The Internal Revenue Service has raised the standard-mileage-reimbursement rate for the final six months of 2008, citing recent increases in gasoline prices.

The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through December 31, 2008. This is an increase of 8 cents from the 50.5-cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008."

To read the full story, go to: http://compensation.blr.com

BLOOPERS: What NOT TO DO when writing a Resume or Cover Letter...

I recently stumbled across a blog called, "Dumb stuff I read on resumes" started by a recruiter. He is a bit mean-spirited at times, but when reading some snippets of resumes/cover letters he's posted, it does lead one to say to themselves, "What were they thinking?"Here are a few examples of WHAT NOT TO DO OR WRITE ON YOUR RESUME:

"My hobbies include regular attendance at my local gym and swimming poo" (OK. ick.)

"I have developed a healthy work-life balance" (this from a fellow who had ONE part time job...)

"6/2007 - Present - Supermarket Sales Assistanti as a online shopper .our dept,its called grossory online.i m a shopper,n do all the work in absence of supervisour n manager.managing the dept well.i.e doing paper work,making sure tht we have enough shoppers n drivers 2 make sure the deliverys is on time,allocating vans to drivers n work to shoppers accordingly." (this is not a text message... need I say more?)

"Successfully handled money. Received money from customers.And successfully issued the correct amount of change back to the customers" (we get it. a bit redundant...)

--You may wonder why I request you to this at our behest and this is due an inner feeling in me which tells that you a woman who believes in human bondage, not to re-mention compassion and kindness. I am often told by others in the manifold spheres of my activities that there is a mystic in what I do." (ummm- ahem... errr... ok...a little too much info here.)

"For the past 3 months I have also been living at home with my brother as my parents have gone on holiday for 3 months as a retirement presents. I believe this experience has matured me as a person, as I have had to look after the house, shop and generally do a lot more tasks for myself. This has given me a new outlook on life and what I want to do with my life in the future." (Good boy... and this has to do what with the clerical position you are applying for??)

"wonder, I have no money, but again, although being "loaded" is commonly used as a measure of being successful, this does not apply to my view and it is not a true measure of "success". Personally I'd rather be a poor free man, rather that rich slave. Strangely it may seem, but I've noticed that what I am doing today, others do couple years after.Instead of being a follower I prefer to be a leader. I never fail to do what I believe is right and I don’t care what other people think about me. also easily bored so I prefer chaotic environment, no wonder admin is not quite my cup of tea.I guess I prefer to work with people that can inspire me, both creatively and spiritually (although I am not a religious person). (your cover letter is not a blog... it is meant to help you get a job...)

"interests and hobbies none at present" (huh? no interests or hobbies??)

"I have a wide variety of skills and experience, some of which I have taken for granted and cannot readily recall". (huh?? just put the pen down and walk away)

Well, I can go on and on here, but I think you get the drift. If you think you are adding too much personal information, then you probably are. Keep both the rez and cover letter about the job and you should do just fine.

Until next time.

FACEBOOK & NETWORKING SITES

I admit, at first I thought the idea of Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and other networking sites were, well, silly. It seemed juvenile and strange... not to mention an invasion of privacy. Why would anyone put pictures of family members on a site where virtually EVERYONE could look at them? I didn't get it and poo-poo'ed the idea.

Clients begun sending me "invites" to "connect" on their different sites and boy, are there a lot of them.. Plaxo, LinkedIn, Fast Pitch, Tagged, and Twitter, just to name a few. Not wanting to seem rude to my clients, I finally broke down and started an account with LinkedIn. I found it to be very professional and a great way to have an online bio that perspective clients and colleagues can read to have a better idea of what it is I do.

Finally, after hearing my nieces and nephews talk about Facebook all summer long, I decided to cave and start an account. I did one for business and one for personal. Once I got the hang of it, it was like a giant light went on and suddenly, without warning, I was hooked. The first two weeks I was like a fiend, "connecting" with old friends and family in my personal account--catching up on what everyone had been doing, who was having children, where were they working, who had moved, married, etc. I had to keep checking. It was like a drug. Who was doing and posting what? After about a week and a half, the dazzling draw of it started to wear off. Thank goodness.

I realized a few things in my networking journey so far:

1) You can control your privacy settings, so only your "friends" can see what you posted... not the whole world.

2) With my business account, it is a fantastic way to see what my colleagues are doing, what articles they find useful, clients or projects they are working on, etc.

3) You don't have to invite EVERYONE in your address book (my first mistake when joining-- I invited everyone to join me). Invite who want to hear about.

4) Use these sites sparingly at work--remember, many companies ban the use of these at work due to loss of productivity and the system resource drain. Your job could be in jeopardy if use them without permission (although, c'mon who ever really asks their bosses if they can Facebook while at work?). Save your networking for home.

5) Pick and choose your networking forums. You don't need to join every one. It gets to be too time consuming trying to keep up with more than one or two.

I still check my Facebook everyday. Although maybe just one account or the other, and only about twice a day. Who has the time? I am still catching up from the work I missed while on my Facebook high.

If you are contemplating joining one of these sites, read my 5 tips first and be ready to enjoy yourself. As a former skeptic, it's easy to get hooked.

Until next time...

Erin Kennedy

UNUSUAL JOBS

A special thanks to Laura DiCarlo of Career Directors International (CDI) for sending this over to me. Thought I'd share it with you!

+++++

CareerBuilder.com released a new survey on Unusual (and Fun) Jobs A to Z. They asked 8,700 works and the following are the top entrants, A to Z:

A - Autopsy assistant
B - Bartender at the Liberace mansion
C - Cat nanny
D - Donkey trainer
E - Elf at Santa's workshop
F - FBI fingerprint examiner
G - Grave digger
H - Hurricane hunter
I - Ice sculpture carver
J - Junk mail machine operator
K- Kitty litter box decorator
L - Laser tag referee
M - Magician's assistant
N - Nuclear electrician on a submarine
O - Opera singer
P - Parachute tester
Q - Quality control/taster for chocolate factory
R - Romance specialist
S - Scratcher (scratched backs for patients)
T - Turkey wrangler
U - Undercover vice decoy
V - Video game tester
W - Wallpaper peeler
X - X-ray technician for zoo animals
Y - Yawn counter at a sleep clinic
Z - Zamboni driver

EXECUTIVE MBAs

Considering advancing your education even further? Executive MBA programs are known for turning managers into full-fledged executive and c-level leaders, showing you how to think strategically, motivate staff, and expand business.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal's Career Journal, these are the top 5:

1. Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management
2. University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School
3. The Thunderbird School of Global Management
4. University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business
5. University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School

To read the full article, go to:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122244975223379303.html

Resumes versus CV's-- What's the difference?

I get asked often by clients if they need a CV. Then the next question inevitably is, "What IS a CV?"

A CV is a Curriculum Vitae. It is generally used by college professors, physicians, researchers, lawyers and any profession where lists of information are required. Examples include publications, presentations, conferences, residencies, education, etc. They can even be over 20 pages long in some cases.

Internationally, in some areas of the world resumes are called CVs, but they really are resumes. Other countries require a CV type of a format (lists) from candidates. Those are usually the countries where pictures on resumes are required as well.

If you are planning on staying in the United States and do not plan on going into medicine, law or academia, chances are you will only need a resume.

SEPTEMBER IS INTERNATIONAL "UPDATE YOUR RESUME" MONTH

Not only are the kids preparing to go back to school, but it's time for the "grown ups" to prepare, too-- for unexpected opportunities! Is your resume ready to be viewed? Is it loaded with everything you've accomplished? Would you hand it out to a stranger (i.e the Hiring Manager) tomorrow?

IF NOT, YOU NEED TO UPDATE IT!

What would you do if you were told about a fantastic opportunity that seemed tailor-made for you, but you only had a day to submit your resume to the person? Are you ready? Worse, what if you look at it and realize, it doesn't need to just be updated, it needs to be REWRITTEN! I don't know about other resume writers, but I am booked up for at least a week in advance.

What have you accomplished since your resume was written? Certifications? Training? Career advancement? Continued education? A job move? 2? 3? Yikes! What are you waiting for?

Be prepared for the golden opportunity-- update your resume today and spare yourself the pain of missing out it tomorrow.


--Erin Kennedy
www.proreswriters.com

CAREER SUMMARY

Take a look at your resume. What does it say at the top? Does it accurately describe your strengths and skills? Does it grab you? If you were the hiring person, would you read it and say, "Wow! Who is this person?", or would you put the resume in the circular file?

The top half of your resume needs to be fantastic in order to catch the attention of a hiring manager. If they have 200 resumes to look at a week, they will put aside the dull and uninformative ones to get to the more eye-appealing and exciting ones.

If you are still using an objective, say for example: "To obtain a position where I can use my education and experience to achieve a high-paying position with room for advancement"... BEEP! Wrong answer. If your resume says that, crumple it up and throw it out. It's not doing you any good, in fact it is hindering you from landing a great position.

Your career summary needs to have action words and action phrases, along with a keyword summary of some sort, to stand out and put yourself above the competition. It needs to have tangible statements of what you've done and what you can do for the company.

The quickest way to land an interview is having an effective resume, if you haven't been getting calls, you should consider having it rewritten... and watch the calls come in!

------------
Erin Kennedy

PERSONALITY/BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS-- THE NEW HIRING TOOL?

These days, just because you have your Masters or Bachelors degree from the right school with the right major, doesn't necessarily make you the right candidate for the job. More and more companies are requiring potential employees take a personality or behavioral assessment to help identify a candidate's work style and behavior.

According to an article in the CareerJournal, more than 80% of midsize and large companies use personality and ability assessments for entry and mid-level positions as part of a pre-employment or new employee orientation tool, says Scott Erker a senior VP at Development Dimensions International, a global human resources consultancy. Where they were used mostly in retail positions, they have now spread to other industries including finance, technology, health care and operations.

The main goal of these assessments is to help a company hire a specific type of person for a job that may require particular traits, or rule out traits that are most likely to lead to job failure. Further, some companies are using them to screen candidates as they apply; candidates won't even get an interview unless they reach a certain score or result.

There are a few things you can do to be prepared for a personality assessment, namely understanding the organization and why they use that particular assessment. Do your research to give you more insight into the company's rationale behind their assessment choices.

Another idea is: TAKE YOUR OWN ASSESSMENT WITH YOU. Go straight to the interview armed with your own behavioral assessment. For example, our company offers a variety of Behavioral Assessments that help you expand upon your work habits, interview preparation, communication style, management style, customer service, sales skills and more. We've had clients potential employers ASK for our numbers in order to be able to give these assessments to their own employees! For a minimal cost, you can have a complete portfolio of assessments at your disposal to impress a hiring manager and get a leg up on the competition.

Companies see the assessment as opportunities for individuals to better understand themselves and their value to the company.



For more information on the behavioral assessments we offer, call 1-866-793-9224 or email me at: ekennedy@proreswriters.com

Until next time,

Erin Kennedy

PRESS RELEASE

Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW
Professional Resume Services
Lapeer, MI 48446
(866) 793-9224
ekennedy@proreswriters.com
Http://www.proreswriters.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER AWARDED INTERNATIONAL WRITING CERTIFICATION

Erin Kennedy, President of Professional Résumé Services, has been awarded international certification as a Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW) by Career Directors International (CDI). She has demonstrated her superior knowledge and experience in resume writing and career development through an intensive examination, professional writing and professional development process to assess and demonstrate her industry knowledge and resume writing skill. Recognition as a CERW sets Ms. Kennedy apart from the competition and distinguishes the high caliber of her credentials in assisting clientele with professional resume and career coaching services.

Professional Resume Services offers expert resume writing and career coaching services to entry-level through executive clientele in the global marketplace. Their expertise is in empowering clients who wish to transition either within their existing career fields or to another industry. Ms. Kennedy is a recognized national expert, author and multiple T.O.R.I. award (Toast of the Résumé Industry) nominee with over 9 years of assisting clients to meet their career goals. Samples of her work have been published in eight resume writing and cover letter compilation books. To learn more about Professional Resume Services, visit her website at www.proreswriters.com.

CDI is an international association that provides proactive resources and assistance to empower its members in the undertaking and application of career development, resume writing and employment practices.

# # #

COVER LETTERS FOR DUMMIES, 3rd Edition

Erin Kennedy, CPRW, has been chosen to have samples of her work published in the new upcoming career book, "Cover Letters for Dummies, 3rd Edition". The "for dummies" brand is internationally known and books become instant best sellers.

The new book hits stores as early as January of 2009.

OLYMPICS and JOB SEARCH

I was reading this morning through the blog of Adam Kreek, a member of the Canadian Olympic Row team (I've been into rowing this year because of my niece who was on Michigan State's Crew Team last year), when I read about the training that he puts in to get to where he is today.
Here is an excerpt: “The pain experienced while rowing is similar to middle distance running, biking really hard or speed skating. Your legs burn and scream for oxygen, while your lungs wheeze with your heart struggling to transport renewed blood to the complaining body parts. Suffering is the best word to describe how I feel in a race. The after-effects of competition are exhausting. My body aches and I have depressed energy and drive for weeks after the event.”

Or, the US Boxing Team who leave the comforts of home for 10 months to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs in intense preparation for China.

What does this have to do with job search? It is a job. Job search is a full time job. Similar to Olympic training, it has to be your number one focus. A person can't expect to land a dream job after posting his/her resume on 5 job sites. It has to be worked on daily. The good thing is, there are lots of job search activities you can do without leaving your house, and will keep you busy for hours.

When you get up in the morning, what do you do? Consider putting on nice clothes, not just your sweats. This makes you feel productive and gets you into the job search groove. Check your emails and respond to offers (with monster.com you will get hundreds of those that should end up your junk mail). Let all old acquaintances, family and friends know that you are job searching.

Go to companies you've thought you'd like to work for and research them online. Most companies offer hoards of company information, press releases, employment opportunities, etc. Get to know the companies well. Create a folder with information on the companies you like and organize it alphabetically, by industry, or however you like. When the time comes that you get invited for an interview, you will be armed with an arsenal of information that will impress even the most straight-faced hiring person. Know your stuff.

Join online networking groups like LinkedIn, Facebook, Plaxo, etc. It is a great opportunity to network with old co-workers, friends and strike up conversations with people from companies you would like to work for. The possibilities on these sites are endless.

And, as always, getting out and going to local business mixers and job fairs are excellent ways of getting your name out there. Be prepared and have your resume, references and any other documentation ready to hand out.

Job search isn't something you do once a day for a half hour or hour. It's a full time job. Not only will it keep away the anxiety of not having a job, it will keep you feeling productive while getting your name out there for potential employers to see.

Keep at it, stay the course, be positive, and watch great opportunities come your way!

Until next time,

Erin Kennedy, CPRW

Lapeer, MI Resume Writer Nominated for International Award

Erin Kennedy, CPRW, President of Professional Resume Services, was nominated as a "best of the best" resume by Career Directors International in their annual Toast of the Resume Industry™ (TORI) competition for 2008.

Recognition is based upon creativity, clarity, and visual appeal in professional resume development, with submissions judged by an international panel of professional resume writers.

Each year in May, CDI selects up to five nominees in various categories who represent the top echelon of resume writing worldwide. Awards will be announced at the annual conference in October 2008.

DEVELOPING YOUR 2-MINUTE COMMERCIAL

At some point in your job search you will be asked to tell something about yourself.

Focus on what you have to offer. This is like a television commercial about you. A commercial sells products. Therefore, you should emphasize those strengths and qualifications most suited to the position you are pursuing.

Watch your language and presentation style. Use the formula: language + motivation = outcome. In other words, positive language + positive body language and behaviors = a positive and favorable outcome. This means there is absolutely no room for negativity. When you see advertisements, you will notice that they emphasize the positive outcome you will gain from the product, not the downside.

A sample two minute commercial may include information such as: personal qualifications, technical skills, relevant education, training, certifications and achievements.

Look at this sample two minute commercial from a corporate accountant:

"I am a CPA with over nine years of corporate accounting and financial reporting experience. In my most recent position, I was selected to lead several special projects which included strategic planning, forecasting and corporate treasury functions.

I was recognized last year as Manager of the Year for my ability to develop my accounting staff and provide training in many facets of customer service, auditing, time management, problem solving and other key functions. I have an MBA and am active in both the National Management Association and the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida CPA's Association."

Developing a fluid, confident and natural sounding commercial takes time and practice.

Good Luck!

Erin Kennedy, CPRW

Quote of the day:

"All that we ARE, is a result of all that we have THOUGHT"

-- Buddha

The Importance of the Thank You Letter

I've been asked many, many times, "Do I really need to send a Thank You letter to the employer?"... and the answer is always, "Yes! Yes! Yes!”

Okay, so I am a bit uptight about Thank You letters. I know that--especially after a wedding or birthday. But do we need to do it after an interview? Does the employer really care? Does it really make a difference?

YES!

When in the job search process, a little bit of manners goes a long way. A Thank You letter can literally boost your chances of beating out other candidates, according to a new study on HR.BLR.com, a human resources website.

In a recent online poll taken, a question was posed to HR managers “Are you more likely to hire someone who has sent you a post-interview thank you note?”. 61 percent answered either “yes” or “perhaps”, where 39 percent said “no” or “probably not”.

With fierce competition out there these days, HR professionals are looking at more and more criteria to help them decide on the best possible candidate. The right thank you letter can give a hiring manager additional insight on your intelligence, manners, and written verbal communication skills, as well as your desire for the job. Guess it’s time to dust off the box of thank you notes.

Studies repeatedly show that candidates who follow up the interview with a thank you always get chosen before their peers. Sending a customized thank you note gives you an edge. It helps remind the interviewer who you are. Many recruiters of Fortune 500 companies admit that some candidates get lost in the shuffle, only to rediscover them when receiving a thank you note.

A thank you note reiterates your strong points. It reminds them why they should hire YOU.

Here are a few tips about writing a thank you note:

1- Proofread. Double check and make sure that not only is your thank you error-free, but that you are sending it to the right employer!

2- Restate Your Strong Points. Hiring managers state that a thank you note is "literally the last chance candidates have to sell themselves to an employer". Remind them why you are the best candidate.

3- Impress Them With Your Listening Skills. State something in the letter that relates to the conversations you had at the interview. Show them you really were listening to them, not daydreaming about what the benefits and compensations are going to be.

4- Thank Everyone. If 3 people interviewed you, then they each get a thank you. Not only will they be impressed, but they may show it to each other in an attempt to get the others to want to hire you, too. Just remember to customize each letter. A letter that is not well-thought-out (or the same to each) can only hurt you. If you are stumped on what to write, just think about the topics you discussed during the interviews.

It only takes about 2 minutes and a stamp to make a lasting impression.

Thought this was too cute to pass up. Sent to me by CDI's, Laura DiCarlo

2008 Horoscopes - Salary Negotiation By Sign

By Shanon Lyon, Special to PayScale.com

We'd all like more money, but how you approach a salary negotiation depends largely on your personality and work style. These 2008 horoscopes provide a bit of insight on how to approach your next salary negotiation.

Career Horoscope for Capricorn
December 23 - January 20

As a Capricorn, you work hard for your money. And, since you're ambitious and patient, in most cases, you'll likely get what's due to you without having to ask. If you fear you're being passed over, approach your salary discussions in your usual practical, no-nonsense way.

Career Horoscope for Aquarius
January 21 - February 19

You're original and inventive, but you prefer to fly solo. Unfortunately, your lone wolf approach could cost you a promotion or a raise. Before entering a salary discussion, make sure you've demonstrated your ability to work well with others. And let your boss lead the negotiation. Suppress your impulse to throw out the first number.

Career Horoscope for Pisces
February 20 - March 20

Trust your intuition this year. If you think you deserve a little more cash in your pocket, you probably do. But, as a quiet fish who's in danger of getting stepped on, you'll have to speak up. Know exactly what you want before you ask, then ask with confidence. If your employer doesn't meet your needs, consider looking for better opportunities elsewhere.

Career Horoscope for Aries
March 21 - April 20

You're cool and confident, but you can also be impulsive and impatient. The salary negotiation tactic that will serve you best is a well-made plan. Know exactly what you plan to say and make sure you schedule a meeting for the discussion. Don't approach your boss at the end of a meeting or in the hallway. You're a great champion for a cause, so, with a plan in place, you should have no problem making a convincing case.

Career Horoscope for Taurus
April 21 - May 21

You're not one to stir the pot, but, you won't get a raise unless you ask. Realize that "no" is the worst that can happen. Use your natural business sense to approach the discussion in a straightforward, business-like way. And if your request is denied (or your raise isn't as high as you'd hoped), don't let your occasional hot temper flare. Ask for suggestions on how to improve and get to where you want to be.

Career Horoscope for Gemini
May 22 - June 21

You love to talk, and your eloquence and charm can come in handy when it comes to money. Make the conversation less about you and your needs and more about what you have done and will continue to do for the company and your boss. And, as hard as it might be, let your boss do most of the talking. You'll get more information this way and be better able to negotiate. Silence can be a very effective strategy.

Career Horoscope for Cancer
June 22 - July 22

Though you're outwardly thick-skinned, on the inside, you're a sensitive person who takes negative feedback to heart. Your cautious and non-confrontational ways could keep you from approaching your boss about a raise, but, remember that business is business. Keep your emotions out of it, and you'll be able to handle the discussion with grace and ease.

Career Horoscope for Leo
July 23 -August 21

As the king of the zodiac, you're self confident and self-controlled. You know what you want and how to get it, which sets you up for a successful salary discussion. It's in your nature to shoot for your stars, but make sure you do your homework first. Find out if there's a salary scale for your position and then assess what others in similar positions are making. Aim high, but be realistic.

Career Horoscope for Virgo
August 22 - September 23

Don't let your worrying ways get the best of you when asking for a raise. Before approaching your boss, write down all your accomplishments and contributions (better yet, keep track of them throughout the year). You're often reluctant to take credit for a job well done, so ask for some peer input as well. Review your list several times before discussing your salary with your boss.

Career Horoscope for Libra
September 24 - October 23

As a Libran, your sense of justice and fair play is remarkable, but your reluctance to ruffle feathers could prevent you from making more money, even if you deserve it. Be assertive and ask for what you want. If you get what you think you're worth, great. If not, perhaps you don't belong there anyway.

Career Horoscope for Scorpio
October 24 - November 22

Because you dislike (and can easily detect) superficial flattery, you prefer to see the fruits of your labor in the form of cold, hard cash. Your straightforwardness will fare you well, just don't get impatient. Temper your typical bluntness with diplomacy and keep a lid on your emotions when you discuss your salary with your boss.

Career Horoscope for Sagittarius
November 23 - December 22

You're adept at social situations, so use this to your advantage when negotiating a raise. As a natural born traveler, you're also a perfect candidate for alternate forms of compensation. Be flexible and willing to consider other options. Perhaps an extra week of vacation would be more valuable than money?

Background Checks and Candidate Research-- Hype or a Reality?

For the last few years we've been hearing more and more about celebrities or high-powered executives being publicly cast as liars after being caught lying on a resume. Why did these people do it? Didn't they know they would get caught? Well, probably hoping they wouldn't be discovered, and "back then" we didn't have the internet and other public information at our fingertips.

This leads me to another related topic.... being aware of our actions. For example: a picture of you marching down a main street protesting a political party, or posting a picture of yourself for your friends to see of you chug-a-lugging it at a football game, might seem okay or fun to you, but casts a shadow of doubt to the hiring person. They want to know, are you the candidate for them? I've had to tell a few clients to use a different email address because, on a hunch, I did a search on the email address and pulled up 2-3 pages of links to a few different blogs and message boards all containing controversial topics not at all suitable for an employer to read in a potential candidate.

Most checks are for criminal records or education verification, driving records, credential verification, sex offender registry, reference checks, Patriot Act search and credit reports. Some employers use several different kind of checks while most use one kind and look for extremely bad reports.

While it may seem like a scary inconvenience for the employees trying to get a job, they might want to keep in mind that a search on potential employees might just benefit not only the company itself but also the current employees in the long run.


Food for thought...

Erin Kennedy, CPRW

http://www.proreswriters.com

Using simple Feng Shui tips to create more Wealth and Career success in your life

Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Shway) is the Chinese Art of Placement that has been practiced for over three thousand years in China with the belief that positioning one’s things released vital energy, or Ch’i, that would create a harmonious flow in human life.

I’ve had an interest in Feng Shui for about 15 years. I try to use some of the tips when I remember to (which isn’t all the time, I admit). I know that some things really have worked. A few little changes here, a major one there, and I could truly tell a difference in the energy around that area. Here are a few things to remember:

The water element is a strong force in activating career luck. However, do not worry if you cannot act upon every tip. More is not always better. Balance if vital. Sometimes just energizing one method or activating one direction can be sufficient. When you find yourself becoming very busy, it is a good indicator that your Feng Shui is working.

The direction Southeast is considered the corner of the home or office that represents wealth. If this corner has good Feng Shui, then the wealth aspirations have been actively energized. If it the corner is bad, it may lead to loss and failure in business. It is vital to remove any negative energy from the southeast corner of your home or office. Only keep healthy thriving things there. If there is something old, stale, or give you bad memories/vibes, GET RID OF IT. To create good energy, you need to apply the theory of the 5 elements: fire, wood, water, metal and earth. Here are some simple tips you can try:

- Placing a plant in the southeast would be excellent wealth Feng Shui, symbolizing wood (avoid pants with thorns or spines, like cacti or bonsai, as they are thought to be inauspicious).

- Wealth and prosperity colors include blues, reds and purples.

- The number “9” is said to be enormously auspicious because it represents heaven and earth.

- Place a mock money bag containing a $10.00 bill in a rice urn. It is supposed to enhance family wealth.

- Keep an aquarium with goldfish, or a small artificial waterfall in the garden to activate the water element.

- Add any valuable possessions to your wealth area including collections, antiques, art, coins, crystal, etc.

- Chinese coins are believed to be an auspicious tool in attracting wealth and luck. Place three Chinese coins (or any type of coin will do) tied together with a red ribbon in your wallet or change purse and you will see your wealth luck changing. The coins can also be hung on the doorknob, facing the room.

- Brighten southeastern walls and corners to attract wealth. To ensure productivity and activation of your wealth area, get rid of dark rooms. Dim lighting increases uneasiness.

It doesn’t have to be a gaudy display of everything at once. You can place these things on either floor of your home—1^st floor, 2^nd floor or basement will work, too. For example, on my first floor, I have a small shelf in the corner with three coins tied with a red ribbon and two thriving plants. On my 2^nd floor which also happens to be my bedroom, I have a plant and a couple of red candles with holders, representing the color of prosperity. You can really have fun and be creative with it.

According to Chinese traditions, these are some simple and fun ways to increase your wealth and prosperity. However, I’ve only listed a few. To get more ideas and Feng Shui tips, I would suggest doing an online search and buying a few books. Feng Shui also works for every other area in your life to create balance, harmony, love, and prosperity in your environment.

Erin Kennedy, CPRW

http://www.proreswriters.com

Hey Bragger... yeah, I mean YOU! or Why Talking Yourself Up on Your Resume is a Good Thing!

Are you bragging about yourself enough on your resume? I don't mean bragging in an obnoxious or fictitious sort of way, but in a "look what I can do" sort of way.

One of the main things I notice with my clients and their existing resumes is that they don't BRAG enough about their accomplishments. They don't talk enough about what they've done above and beyond their daily responsibilities.

My worksheets are very C.A.R.-oriented. The C.A.R. methodology is this Challenge, Action, Results. What Challenge did you face? What Action did you take to rectify it? And lastly, what were the Results? It is a very accomplishment- focused method and works wonderfully every time I have a client who doesn't talk enough. When I send these out to clients, I am amazed at the achievements that come pouring out. Why did it take sending a worksheet to get this VITAL information out of them? I ask each client. The response is generally the same-- either, "I didn't know how to word it" or "I didn't want to sound too braggy". Many of us were raised to be humble about our accomplishments, not to be boastful. I know I was. Not that we couldn't be PROUD, but it was just kept a little on the quiet side.

Here are a few tips about bragging in a non-braggy way on your resume to get yourself noticed:

1) List your daily responsibilities clearly in your narrative under the job title. Even the ones you think aren't worth being mentioned. If there are too many for more than a 5 or 6 line paragraph, then summarize.

2) Think of each thing you did in that made a difference, something you were praised for, something that saved the company money. Readers LOVE to hear how you saved the company money or drove revenue by 43%, etc. For example:

** Currently implementing a new sales method that will eliminate 6 trucks from the road and save company $45,000/year.

3) Add the accomplishment, even if it has a negative undertone or you were fighting challenging conditions. For example:

** Despite negative sales growth in Michigan's harsh economic climate, met the challenge of producing positive topline growth successfully while managing net revenue and contributing to margin gains.

See how this one sounded? Even though my client struggled the last 2 years and saw a -2.2% sales decrease, to her company this was a good thing because of Michigan's dismal economic climate.

4) Your resume is the place to SELL YOURSELF. Think of yourself as a product. What would you buy? The new 'OKAY' car model that has all the basics and does it's job but has nothing super special about it? Or would you buy the 'WOW, THIS CAR IS AWESOME' car that is fully loaded, has a mini fridge in the dash, and wings to automatically make you airborne if traffic looks too heavy? The 'WOW' car may cost you a bit more, but isn't it worth it? The same goes with your salary... but that is an article for another time. You have to sell yourself and turn yourself into the 'WOW' car. You have what it takes, you just need to put it on paper.

I hope this helps you rethink that bland little 'OK' statement, "streamlined processes and increased productivity" with something more 'WOW!'. Let's face it, we all want the WOW! car.

So does the employer.

Until next time,

Erin Kennedy

http://www.proreswriters.com

For the Executive on the move....

I've recently added an exciting new service to my site called, "Executive Recruiter Distribution" (http://www.proreswriters.com) .

Whether you are actively seeking a new position or just monitoring the job market, the most effective way of getting a new position is to work with a recruiter. I can get your résumé in hands of select recruiters who are most likely to be looking for you. Quite unlike a typical "resume blast", my database content is specifically targeted and based on your unique preferences and project parameters. Updated quarterly, my database consists of 15,800+ recruiters. I attach your résumé to a recruiter targeted letter in PDF or MSWord format. Upon completion you receive a Microsoft Excel file with the names, addresses and contact info for each recipient. The database is comprised of retained and contingency recruiters, and major recruiting firms such as Korn Ferry, Boyden, Heidrick & Struggles, Egon Zehnder, Christian Timbers, and more. We also have a database of more than 3,000 Venture Capital and Private Equity firms that we can distribute your résumé.

Don't miss this great opportunity to get your name out to the most prestigious recruiting firms! Act now!

To learn more, call 1-866-793-9224 or go to my website at http://www.proreswriters.com for more details.

How People Are Finding Jobs

Some interesting statistics are in from a couple of trusted Internet sources, WEDDLE's (www.weddles.com) and Salary.com, on the topic of how people find jobs.

WEDDLE's 2008 Source of Employment Survey ran from March 2007 to March 2008 and generated responses from over 15,600 individuals. The respondents were 65% male, 35% female; they had a median age of 40-45, with more than 60% describing themselves as managers, mid-level professionals, or executives.

When asked to identify where they found their last job, the respondents listed the following sources as their top ten (not all sources are listed so the percentages will not total to 100%):

· 13.3% An ad posted on an Internet job board

· 7.0% A tip from a friend

· 6.8% Other

· 6.3% A newspaper ad

· 6.2% They posted their resume on a job board

· 6.0% A call from a headhunter

· 5.8% They were referred by an employee of the company

· 5.2% They sent a resume to the company

· 4.9% At a career fair

· 4.8% By networking at work.

Survey Source: Weddles.com

Salary.com released its recent Employee Job Satisfaction & Retention Survey, where a total of 7,482 individuals and 245 human resource or other company representatives responded. Among the individual employee respondents, 7,101 were employed and provided valid responses. Of those, 57 percent of employees indicated they are “somewhat” or “very” likely to intensify their job search in the next three months, down slightly from last year's 62 percent. The most popular job search activities that employees are involved in, in order of preference:

· 46% are surfing online job postings

· 42% are updating their resume

· 32% are reading classified employment listings

· 32% are networking with friends/colleagues

· 27% are posting or emailing resumes

Survey Source: Salary.com

If you combine WEDDLE's "tip from a friend" and "referral by an employee of the company" you get nearly the same number as the #1 response "an ad posted on an Internet job board," which implies that networking should receive the same amount of attention as surfing online job postings. The questions that arise are these: Are you spending an equal amount of time networking? And, if not, how can you make that happen?

Source: Career Coach Academy

http://www.proreswriters.com

Government Hiring on the Rise

According to the USA Today article, Hiring leaps in public sector by Dennis Cauchon, "Federal, state and local governments are hiring new workers at the fastest pace in six years, helping offset job losses in the private sector.

Governments added 76,800 jobs in the first three months of 2008, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That's the biggest jump in first-quarter hiring since a boom in 2002 that followed the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. By contrast, private companies collectively shed 286,000 workers in the first three months of 2008. That job loss has led many economists to declare the country is in a recession."

Don't Fall Prey to Negative Influences

With the economic downturn, unemployment rates rising and the job market seemingly getting tighter, it is easy to get depressed about your job search. Being from Michigan, I am inundated daily either via the television, radio, internet, or newspaper with gloom and doom about our economy at it's worst in 30 years, etc. It's easy to get sucked into the attitude 'no one is hiring'.

I'm here to tell you THAT'S NOT TRUE. People are getting hired every day. My clients send me feedback all the time with good news. I'm not saying that the economy/job market is super... what I'm saying is it is in your attitude.

Attitude plays a key role in your job search. Think about some of your best days when you felt like you were on a roll. Maybe you woke up and it was sunny outside. You checked your email and you got a response from a resume posting. Feeling excited, suddenly you get a phone call from an old pal who says his co-workers wife's company has a position opening up that would be perfect for you. And so on. Suddenly, life is wonderful, the world is full of opportunities, jobs are everywhere, and YOU ARE IN DEMAND. See how it was a domino effect?

It's all about energy. When you are feeling positive, you are sending out positive transmitters, "Hire me... I'm perfect for the job!". When you are feeling negative, what is the domino effect you transmit? "No one will hire me. There are NO jobs out there. I will never get a job, unless it is some fast-food place for minimum wage..." etc. You are putting out your own frequencies. Think about your best and worst days-- it doesn't have to be job related. See how it happens? Keep that in mind when job searching. Don't let yourself fall for the general attitude about job searching these days-- stand out from the pack-- be positive, keep your thoughts focused on the outcome, send out those "I'm Great and the One You Want" frequencies, and watch what happens.


Erin Kennedy, CPRW
http://www.proreswriters.com