Why are you waiting to update your resume? Are you thinking you are stable at your job? That can only update your resume right before you send it out? Are you waiting to practice interviewing until you have an interview time on your calendar? If so, you are too late! Let me explain... If you wait until you are laid off or actively seeking a job, you are selling yourself short in a variety of ways. First, you are not adding valuable information to your resume in real time, thereby forgetting important details, such as the topic you presented, the old and new software you worked with, and the training you completed. You are missing portions of valuable work experience which set you apart from other employees. A company knows what your general job description looks like. Yet, they have no idea how you have made the position yours, by adding the personal touches only you provide to personalize your role. Secondly, you are not tapping into the hidden job market, networking, thereby passing up what could be your dream job. Everyone is always in the market, unless you own your own company. Even then, there could be enough of an offer to potentially interest you. You cannot explore opportunities if you are not refreshing on paper, thereby reinforcing, your strengths to yourself. Think about it. Like anything else, interview practice takes time. It takes a lot of effort, rehearsal, and practice. You won't get the luxury of time, if you are scrambling to meet with a job coach the day before your interview. You are already going to be nervous, and are not going to be focused enough to absorb all the information about the company, the position, and how to most effectively answer questions. I have seen people from entry level to C-level make the same mistake, time and time again. The last minute is too late! If you wait until the car is empty to fill up with gas, you're going to be pushing it to the nearest gas station. And where I'm sitting, in South Florida in July, that just doesn't seem pleasant. Refuel. Give yourself a little bit of time. Stop scrambling. You will make a better impression!
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"You're a temp. As long as you don't poop yourself, you'll be fine...Even if you do, they'll probably keep you" "We are being paid minimum wage. That means minimum work" If you have not seen this brilliantly written show, it is about 2 working girls aspiring to own their own cupcake business. And these 2 girls get into some funny stuff together! In the episode, Caroline wants to be the star temp, and be what a company would look to hire. Max, the "bad girl" of the show is going in to collect a paycheck, and unfortunately, what too many people think of temp work. In many cases, temporary work is the doorway to a future long-term opportunity. If a temp is good enough, has the work ethic a company seeks, and the right attitude, there is a strong chance he/she will be hired. Companies create positions for the right hire more than they advertise! Also, when the company calls an agency, they don't know if their employee is actually in the Bahamas, or whether he/she is interviewing! Always be the right candidate. And whatever you do, don't poop yourself on the job, even if Max says it's ok! A friend of mine was laid off due to a downturn in business last year. (Sounds familiar?) She was depressed, angry, and frustrated having never been out of a job in her life. (Still familiar, right?) And it took her quite a while to identify what she wanted to do next. She had a great run of success in business to business sales, and unfortunately, very few organizations were hiring. So she did what anyone who (thankfully) has a savings account did, and took a little time off to refocus, regroup, and decide what her plan of attack would be.
During that time, she took a temporary job, but knew this would not be her long term goal. Once focused, it took her SIX WEEKS (that’s it, 6 weeks!) to successfully land a sales job!!! Her resume highlighted both her STABILITY and ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Moreover, she is one of the most likeable people I know, and clicked immediately with her boss! In less than a year afterwards, she has been promoted once and is looking at a second one shortly. She has established credibility, ethics, and trust with her boss. She explained that the key was presenting his information in a way that her boss would value. She wore the shoes of the person in the interviewer’s chair, and told me that to this day, she and her boss see eye to eye on many important key points and values related to the daily operations and upcoming plans. And of course, the boss likes her. It really is a simple formula: 1. Add value. Document the value you have added to prior companies. 2. Be likeable. And honest! 3. When you are working, be the best you can be. 4. If you and a company work well together, stay there. Have a stable professional background. 5. Know the next step in your career path. Have a flexible but defined idea of the strategy. There are millions of people getting new and better jobs each day! Don’t give up!!! |
AuthorJessica has over 15 years in job searching and resume development. She has been quoted in many national articles and has been noted as a subject matter expert in the field of employment. All information on this site is proprietary and the opinion of Jessica Renard. There is no guarantee that you will find a job based upon reading this blog. Archives
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