Making your resume standout

You've just heard about a great job and you know you're an ideal candidate. But how can you make your resume stand out from dozens (or hundreds) of others so you can get that all-important interview? While a great resume won't guarantee an interview, you can increase your chances by avoiding the mistakes HR professionals see every day in resumes that come across their desks.

Let's start with the basics. A resume is more than a summary of your experiences and education. It's a invitation to discuss how you can help the company you're applying to. It's intended to make the a busy manager give you a few minutes of their scarce time to see if you can serve a need or solve a problem for their organization.

Switching your orientation from how they can help you to how you can help them is an important switch to make. Their goal is not to guarantee you a great job. Their job is to figure out what you bring to the table that's going to help their organization. If you're really looking for your dream job, learn as much as you can about the industry and companies you want to work for. Then, tailor your resume to meet those needs. What does that mean? It means highlighting those experiences that are important to the firms you're applying to. If your industry's main day-to-day work is troubleshooting technical problems for clients, make sure your resume includes concrete examples of customer relations and problem solving.

Next, keep it brief. Drop your hobbies (who cares?) and information about your family. Try to keep it to 1 page, or 2 at the most if you've had a lot of experience. Unless you can make a concrete connection that will help you in your job, for instance, volunteer work in which you managed a major event, leave it out. Remember your job is to make it clear what you can offer the organization, not have them guessing whether being in a bowling league qualifies you to be a team player.

If you're right out of school and have limited work experience, you may have to draw more on volunteer and other experiences. Just make sure you connect the dots for employers. If you were on student government, list the initiatives you were involved with that demonstrate leadership or skills that matter to them. Spell it out. As one HR professional said to me, "I hate guessing whether someone can do the job. Their resume should make it clear."

Because you've only got a page, make your words count. Be as specific as you can. "Raised revenues 38% or "cut costs by 59% over 2 years" or "decreased customer complaints by 50%" has much more impact than "looked for continual opportunities to grow." Measurable changes wins out over generalities every time.

Even if you're not detail oriented, most HR professionals are. As one asked me, "Don't these people have a spell checker? Spelling mistakes show me they aren't serious about their job." Ditto for grammar errors, acronyms that no one is familiar with and sloppy formatting. It's a shame to waste the 20 hours most people put into writing a resume because you haven't taken the time to proofread or have a friend check it for errors.

A resume is not a static document. As you gain more experience, age and develop new career goals, you'll need to update it to give yourself the edge and to stand out.

6 things you can say in an interview to make me hire you

Employers interviewing today have lots of choices. When I was running my own communications business, I interviewed scores of potential writers. Here's what I liked to hear from them in an interview.

"I know your business. And I know how my experience can help you."

Explaining the basics about my business wastes valuable interview time. I appreciate candidates who took the time to do their homework. If they come in knowing who our major clients are, what projects we are working on and what we had say about ourselves in publications and online, the interview becomes about. Bonus points if they know trends in the industry. Our interview can focus on what they bring to the table, rather than exchanging factual information.

"I play well with others. I'm a team player."

Gen Y's have a reputation (deserved or not) for being prima donnas. Very few projects are solos. I want to know you can pitch in and work on a team to get work done. I need you to understand that not every aspect of every project is fascinating. To move a project forward, everybody has to be willing to do some of the less glamorous work required. Most of all, I need you to see the succesful outcome as the most important goal, not the egos of individual players.


"I float well. I can adapt as things change."

In the past, employees could count on work being relatively stable. No more. Successful companies need to be able to adapt to changes. For example, when the government put a hold on hiring any contractors, we had several hundred thousand dollars worth of contracts on the verge of being signed. Our employees had to be reassigned to finish other projects quickly so that we could keep the business afloat. I learned that employees with the flexibility to adapt were golden.

"I take a creative approach to roadblocks."

As a busy owner, I need people who are optimistic and regard problems as challenges that we have to be creative about instead of immovable roadblocks. Worst of all are employees that come up with the 5000 ways we can't do something rather than coming up with approaches that allow us to move ahead.

If you're speaking badly about past colleagues, if you're telling me about how boring your last job was, I will not likely hire you. Negativity and the inability to find ways to make your work life interesting are huge red flags.

"I can land running."

When I can see you're ready to start and motivated to dig in, I can begin to imagine you as part of my team. Don't interview with me until you've cleared the stumbling blocks that are sapping your energy. When I can sense your energy level is high, it will make me eager to take you on.

I am sharing with you the things that I look for in an interview, but I don't think my observations are unique. Do your homework and tell me how you can help. Be a team player. Let me see your optimism and motivation. And be really available to dive in. Honestly, I think these characteristics will appeal to most employers.

The sustainable business case

Young people get why businesses need to develop sustainability programs. Gen X and Y and Milleniums don’t want to give what matters to them most — their lifetimes – to promote the corporate bottom line. They want to work for companies that feel some responsibility to their communities and to issues that effect us all, like sustainability. More than that, they’ve got incredible radar for companies that are using PR to appear green — what they like to call “green washing.”

But sustainability is not necessarily a top priority for the business owners I talk to. From them I hear, “Times are tough. My job is to make a profit so I can continue to support my workers and their families. ‘Saving the environment’ is laudable, but I have to look at the bottom line.”

Making your business more sustainable and making a profit really mutually exclusive? Not according to Adam Werbach in a Harvard University video. Adam, the global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, one of the world’s largest advertising companies, explains how big businesses can create a “sustainability culture” that is essential to their financial success.

He says that as resources like fuel become scarcer, companies that figure out a way to manage environmental factors are companies that are going to cope best. And, he says that a commitment to sustainability results in:

. better products
. engaged and committed employees
. more sales

Werbach warns that the efforts can’t be episodic. Really creating a culture that engages workers and that encourages them to come up with ideas to solve an environmental problem is critical.

What young employees want

My friends who own small businesses complain a they can’t motivate their newest employees. “I can’t figure out what they want. It’s not money, necessarily. It’s not prestige. What makes them tick?,” they ask.

As a life coach working with 20 somethings, I can tell you what they want.

More than previous generations, they want their work lives to matter. According to What Canadians Think, a book by two of Canada’s leading pollsters, 81% of Canadian students surveyed said having an “interesting” work was important to them. To put that in prospective, only 19% said having a high paying job was important. Engaging work is really, really a priority with this generation.

And, as important, they want to work for organizations that understand their prospective that businesses need a bigger vision. If they are going to give you what they value most – their life time — they want you to show you care about burning issues, both locally and globally.

It’s not that hard to make your organization one that young workers will want to work for. You just need to commit to making a difference about the issues that matter to them.

And what are those issues? For sure the environment and sustainability. Put your young workers in charge of developing your environmental company policies and you’ll be surprised how ingenious their solutions are.

For sure, it’s enriching their communities. Make it easy for them to volunteer by providing information on local charities and events in your newsletters and emails. Give them a day off every three months to volunteer in the community.

For sure it’s the larger world. Adopting a cause – whether its global warming or world poverty – will show you care about something beyond the bottom line.

This is a generation that gets more grief that they deserve, because their values are different. Make yours the kind of company they are proud to tell their friends about, and you’ll earn their commitment.

Getting ready for your interview: U of Chicago offers step by steps

Sometimes my clients do an enormous amount of work to finally land a job interview, then back off and figure their work is done. Your goal is not getting an interview, its landing a job.

So how can you prepare? There's some great toolkits out there to walk you through the process. Take a look at the University of Chicago's Career Advising and Planning Service site. They offer a whole series of detailed handouts to guide you in every step of the job search process. And you don't have to attend one of the best universities in the world to have access to them.

Their 8-page Employment Interview Handout walks you through the 4 step process to:

1. assess what you bring to the job
2. do you research on the industry and the company
3. prepare your responses
4. practice and dress for your interview

To help you relax into the interview, they suggest that you use the STAR Method by preparing mini-stories for possible interview questions. For example you're likely to be asked, "What can you add to our team or company?' You can have a mini story ready to highlight how you made a difference as a reporter on your school paper by adding an environmental column. Using your story, you can demonstrate how you were on top of trends and were able to create something innovative that improved circulation.

Remember, you're in the home stretch when you arrive at a job interview. It's time to put forward your best effort by going in totally prepared.

Great Career Exploration Site at McGill U

I'm often asked where to begin in figuring out what to do with the rest of your life. Not surprisingly I always answer: "With you." Before you begin to search for available jobs, you need to begin with a little self analysis. Taking the time now can save you years of going down the wrong road and having to retrace your steps.

I'll give you an example from my own life. When I graduated high school at 16, I decided to go into nursing, most likely because my older brother had gone into medicine and because my family said I could always get a job. But by choosing nursing, I ignored my own nature. I wasn't interested in sciences, not detail oriented and overwhelmed in the super stressful environment of hospitals. Years later, a fish out of water as an ICU nurse, I compounded my error by getting a Masters in Health administration. I was in my 30s before I finally conceded to myself, "This isn't working," and became a writer. I finally found the sort of work that matched my styles and interests.

Fortunately there are some great tools for you to learn what kinds of careers might suit you and walk you through the process. McGill University's website has a tools that can help walk you through a self assessment process. It offers nine steps from that all important self assessment to shaking an interviewer's hand and accepting your first job. There's links, tips, podcasts and advice at every step of the way. It's one of the best organized sites I've seen.

You can use Macgill's site to:

1) Do a Self Assessment
2) Explore Careers
3) Engage in New Experiences
4) Research Employers & Target Organizations
5) Develop Your Networking Skills
6) Look for Job Opportunities
7) Write a CV and Cover Letter
8) Prepare for the Interview
9) Know Salary and Labour Information

Check it out.

How to find out what it's really like to work in a profession

Dear coach:

I'm trying to land on a great career, but I'm not sure I'm getting the real story when I talk to people in the field I'm considering.  I'm only hearing the positives (or sometimes only the negatives).  How can I get the real scoop? 

Flummoxed

Dear Flummoxed:

It's natural for most people to put the best possible face on their profession when they're talking to a new grad considering their field.  They don't want to squash your enthusiasm.  But you know that jobs, like life, cannot be fascinating 24/7. If you get only glowing reports, you need to ask more questions.  Every job has its challenges, and its best to know what they are and if you can live with them. 

You might try some open ended questions that indicate that you're willing to know the whole truth.  You can try questions like: "What characteristics do you have to have to make you happy in this job?"; "What do you consider the hardest part of your job?" ;  What kind of people are not suited to working in your position?"  Answers to questions like these should give a better idea of what it's like to work in the field.

You're really trying to find out whether your temperament and interest are a match.  If you're thinking of being an event planner, for example, the answers to your questions might reveal that you need great organizational skills and attention to detail to be happy in the job.  That dealing with clients during especially challenging times in their lives (think weddings) can be hard because they often react emotionally.  And that people who don't adapt well to rapidly changing circumstances (think the caterer doesn't show up) don't last long in the field.

Once you let people know by your questions that you really want to know the whole story on a profession, they'll help you fill in the picture.

Anxious about your interview? Try this.

Dear Coach:

When I go to an interview, I freeze up, no matter how well I prepare. How can I get over my nerves?

Nail Biter

Dear NB:

First, there would be something wrong with you if you weren’t at least a little nervous about talking to someone who has the ability to change your life with a job offer. The question is how to accept your anxiety and turn it in your favor.

First look at what you tell yourself about anxiety. This month’s Psychology Today cites a study looking at students about to take the Graduate Record Exam. One group was told that nervousness could help them by increasing their performance. Another group received no advice. The result? The first group did better on the test, even if they took the test a month later. Like the first group of students, you can accept that your stress over interviewing is inevitable and that a little stress may help you rise to the occasion.

Second, you might try preparing for your interview beyond looking at the company’s website (which I hope you know is a must). Take a look at news reports and even blogs about issues that important to the company or the industry. Your goal is to feel like you know what’s important to the company. If, for example, you know that the firm is outsourcing work that doesn’t have to do with its core business, you can emphasize the skills you have that contribute to its new direction. You might note that you’ve had experience managing or working with people offsite.

Finally, you can use an imaging exercise that media trainers use to help prepare executives for reporters’ questions. Executives are told to look for questions that allow them to get their key messages across.

To prepare your key messages, imagine that you’re in an ideal interview situation that showcases your best talents perfectly. Imagine what question the interviewer could ask that would lead to him seeing you in the best possible light. Imagine your answer. Be as detailed as you can. Now think of a way to work this response into any interview, including some concrete examples.

For example, you might know that you are an outstanding trouble shooter. Sometime during the interview, the interviewer is bound to ask a question that allows you to highlight this strength. Your job is to make sure your key message gets emphasized. For instance, you could talk about your trouble shooting skills in response to any of these questions: “What do you think others would say about you? What do you contribute to a team? Can you tell me about a project you were proud of?”

Who are you really? Make sure your job matches your personality

Dear coach:


My dad wants me to be an accountant. I know he has my best interest at heart but the idea of working by myself and crunching numbers all day leaves me cold. He’s paying for university and I’d like to please him, but it’s my life, right?

Afraid of Conflict

Dear AC:

There’s a natural tug of war between loving parents who want to give kids the benefit of their experience and sons and daughters who intuitively know that they have every right to decide how they spend their lifetimes.

You’ve indicated what you don’t want: to work by yourself crunching numbers. It will make it easier to talk to your dad if you focus on what you do want.

Take the time to think about the kind of work that would make you happy to get up every morning. Imagine what your ideal work situation would look like on an average day. Be as specific as you can.

· Would you work in teams or on your own?
· Do you work best under deadline, or are you happier if you have time to get every detail nailed?
· Do you like to plan before you proceed, or do you like to work more spontaneously?
· Do you like project work or do you like work that is pretty consistent from day to day?
· Do you like figure out how to do a job or are you happier when the steps are laid out?

Remember, there aren’t right or wrong answers here – just honest ones. Knowing yourself will guide you in finding the work that clicks for you.

After you’ve had time to think about your work style and personal preferences, it will be easier to have a conversation with your dad. You might say, for example:

“Dad, I know you want the best for me and want me to have a good career. I’ve thought about this a lot and I think accounting may not be a good match for me.

I know I’m not a detail guy. I see the big picture and I’m analytical. My strengths are really in pulling together with a team of people, like I did on the school news paper. I know I’m going to be more successful and a lot happier in a career that plays to my strengths.”

Figuring out what makes you happy in a job is important stuff. I’ll use my own kids as an example:
My younger daughter, an extravert, finds the idea of working alone suffocating.

When she had an internship where she was stuck in a cubicle writing reports, she was so bored she turned down a lucrative job the company offered. As a journalist, she found the kind of interaction and adventure she needed to thrive.

My older daughter, an introvert, finds the idea of working on a project uninterrupted heaven. When she had a job giving tours in a national park, she found herself drained at the end of the day from dealing with so many people. Now, as a program manager for the forestry service, she works on program planning that satisfies her need to work quietly and analytically.

Get ready! Signs of recovery in hiring

Dear Job Coach:

2009. What a year! I’m hanging on to a low wage job, but I’ve been looking for work in my field for 6 months now. Any hope for 2010?

Holding my breath

Dear Holding,

We all know that the economic recovery has not been robust, but there are signs that things are beginning to ease a little. Buck up.

In the US there are the “green shoots” of the stock market beginning to recover and foreclosures beginning to slow down. Things are improving in Canada as well. In today’s Vancouver Sun, journalist Derek Sankey notes: “Economists have widely predicted the labor market is expected to grow most in the second half of 2010 … Don’t expect the out-of-control hiring blitz seen during the peak boom years of 2005-2007, … but job seekers should prepare to launch a competitive search.”

So how can you be ready when the market is ready for you?

• Look for opportunities to grow in your current job. Think of any job, even one that’s not in your field, as an opportunity to develop skills. If you see your job as marking time, it will show. If you’re not engaged, look for a way to be engaged.

When I was a student, I worked as an aide in a hospital – a job that paid very little and was not in my field. The work was hard physically, but not particularly challenging. I noticed that the children on the pediatric wards had no activities to keep them entertained on the weekends. I volunteered to put together games and crafts that would keep the kids occupied. I learned a lot about teaching, about organization, and about working with children -- which showed up in my resume when I applied for my first job.

• Line up your references. You never know when a great opportunity is going to turn up. Scrambling for references at the last minute puts pressure on the people you ask. They may not have time to write you the letter that shows you in the best light.

• Update your resume. If it hasn’t been updated in three months, take a fresh look. I suspect you’ve done something or learned something in the last three months that will make you more appealing to an employer. Maybe you’ve finished a project that had some impact on your organization. Maybe customer service calls are down as a result of what you’ve done. Maybe you’ve learned a new piece of software. Maybe you’ve taken on new duties as a result of downsizing.

Things really are starting to get better. Be sure you’re ready to take advantage when they do.

Information Interview Etiquette

Dear Coach:

My uncle has arranged an information interview with a friend in a company I’d love to work for. I’m not sure how to approach this. I’d really like to work for this firm, but I don’t know how to parlay this interview into a job. Help!

Beholden to Uncle Vinnie

Dear Beholden:

Job search books often suggest informational interviews as an excellent way to gather information and let a company know you’d like to work for them. When I owned my own company, I got up many, many calls a month requesting information interviews. In fact, at one point, I was getting so many calls that I decided to hold a workshop on my industry once a semester at a local university so that I could meet the demand. I simply didn’t have the time to respond to every request.

The requests I always responded to, though, were referrals from a friend or client. Your uncle has given you a terrific opportunity to talk to someone who is probably pretty busy but is happy to do your uncle a favor. So here are some ground rules on information interviews that might help:

Honor the time. When you set up the interview, set a time limit. Say, for example, “I’m wondering if we could meet and talk for 30 minutes about your company and your industry. I know that you’re probably very busy, and I’ll make myself available at your convenience.” Then, arrive on time. Keep track of the time that you’ve spent together. Once you’ve reached 30 minutes, even if you’re engaged in conversation that’s going very well, acknowledge the time. “I promised I’d ask you for only 30 minutes of your time and we’ve reached that point.” If your interviewee is really engaged, he’ll give you more time. At any rate he’ll appreciate that you’ve stuck to your request and respected his time.

Come prepared. Don’t waste time asking questions that you can find out on the company’s website or annual report. Do an online search to see if the company’s been in the news. Ask your uncle what he knows about his friend’s work. Knowing something about the industry and company shows that you are serious about your career.

Make a list and check it twice. Before you arrive, make a list of questions you’d like to ask. Of course during the interview, your conversation may generate other things you want to discuss, but having a list an reviewing it right before your interview will prevent awkward pauses. Here’s some sample questions I’ve been asked:

• What combination of education, skills and experience would you like to see in a candidate for a job with your firm?
• What do you like most about your job? What are the challenges?
• Is there a chance to grow in your company? Is there a career path for employees?
• Is your field growing? What are the trends you see in your field over the next few years?
• What kind of salaries to people earn in your field when they are starting out? What is the earning potential?

Plan for the wind up. Don’t ask for a job at an information interview. Ever. It will likely make your interviewees feel pressured and used. Thank them for the time and great information they shared. Of course, if they ask you to submit a resume, you can follow up quickly.

Listen to your Mom. She was right about thank you notes. A few days after your interview send a handwritten note of appreciation, not an email. Your uncle’s friend made a special effort for you that’s important to acknowledge in a personal way. When you are ready to apply for a job in the future, you’ll have left a favorable impression.

Common resume and cover letter mistakes

Dear Coach:
I’m an Arts major who has been sending out dozens of resumes with NO responses. I’ve posted on every job site I can find. Any ideas of what I’m doing wrong?

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Dear BST:

You haven’t given me enough information to fine tune my answer, but I’ll pass on some common mistakes I’ve seen in the resumes and cover letters that have crossed my desk.

You’re writing a generic cover letter and resume. How do you react to spam? I’m guessing not well. Believe me an employer can tell when they’ve been “spammed” by a resume and cover letter that’s going out to a hundred employers. I know this seems like more work but you’re looking for your 1st professional job. Take the time to tailor a cover letter that looks like you’re serious about my company or organization.

Do the research. I can tell when someone knows something about my industry and why they want to be in it. It shows on their resume. They joined professional organizations that show me they were serious. They figured out what skills were going to be attractive to employers like me, like industry-specific software. Even before I interview them, I can see that their learning curve for my company is going to be short.

Your resume doesn’t tell me anything about what you’ve accomplished. Many resumes I’ve seen read like a history timeline. “2004, hostess at Whitespot. 2005, summer internship at St. Michael’s Hospital.” I need to know what these experiences gave you beyond a paycheck that would be helpful to my company. If you started out as a waitress, then moved to managing a shift, tell me. It lets me see that your employer recognized management skills. If your internship project resulted in a change in the way work was done at the hospital, tell me. It lets me see that your work had an impact that was acknowledged by others.

There’s stuff on the web about you that would singe your mother’s eyebrows. Information about you on the web has become part of the application process. Many, many recruiters that find your resume interesting enough to invite you in for an interview will google you before making their decision. Google yourself. If there’s stuff there you wouldn’t want an employer to see, you need to address it. And please consider what you post on MySpace or Facebook. It could follow you for a very long time.

Do you have what it takes? Focus and flexibility.

Dear Coach:


Every time I talk to someone about my job search, they emphasize something different. Half of them say “You have to be clear on exactly what kind of job you want. Be as specific as possible about the industry, location and work environment you want.” The other half say, “Stay flexible – you’re going to have 10 different careers over the course of your life so why focus? Apply for anything you’re remotely interested in.”
-- Huh?

Dear Huh:

You may not want to hear this, but the opinions you are getting are both right. Welcome to the 21st Century.

There’s a reason your generation is called the Millenniums. You and the Gen Y’s just ahead of you are the first generations that have used a computer all your lives. You’re the first generation that totally gets what technology brings to the table in terms of efficiency. You are the generation that will help us make a transition to a new kind of workplace where workers have flexible hours to complete well-defined projects. Other generations have dealt with outsourcing and downsizing reluctantly. But people from your generation seem to me the first to embrace these changes.

So what does this have to do with focus and flexibility?

Recognize that the workplace is still in transition. While there are still plenty of companies that have regular work hours and that employ people long term, those same companies are looking for ways to work more efficiently. They may be outsourcing some work off shore. They may use project teams to get work done, and then move team members to a new project with a new team when their project is completed. The team members may not even be their full time employees.

In your first job search out of school, try to find a job with an organization that has opportunities for you to use your skills and talents. Try for sure to check that the companies you choose are in growth industries. Focus on making as good a match as you can. But realize too, that your life long career success may depend on your adaptability, even if you have a nine-to-five job.

A crisis of confidence.

Dear Coach:


I’m graduating in April and I’m getting scared. I’m afraid I don’t have what it takes to go out and get a good job. Everybody says having a job is easy now, but I still have my doubts. How can I raise my confidence?

Quaking

Dear Quaking:

Nearly all of us have an inner voice that whispers to us “You don’t have what it takes” from time to time. In fact it’s so common, coaches regularly have to work with our clients to silence that voice so that they have the confidence to move forward. One exercise that some of my clients find helpful is called the Mentor’s Table.

Here’s how it’s done.

Sit in a comfortable chair and take a minute to clear your mind. Now, imagine a place that is quiet, isolated and safe and which has special meaning for you. Maybe a stretch of beach, a cabin in the woods, a ski chalet. Call up the image as specifically as you can. What season is it? What do hear, see, and feel? What emotions do you feel? Really set the scene for your ideal place.

Now, to your imagined place, invite three people you truly admire -- living or dead, famous or just personally important to you. They should be people you would love to have a conversation with or who you know intimately and who love you. When I did this exercise I chose Buddha, an elderly neighbor and my best friend. Assume that the people you invite have your best interest at heart and want you to succeed.

Now, in turn, imagine each what each one would tell you that would help you see that you have the skills, talents and character to succeed in your job search. Again, try to see them and hear them speaking directly to you in your imagination.

If you are like most of my clients, you will be touched by how others see your strengths and talents. If you are like most people, giving yourself a break from your inner critic can help you gain a new perspective on yourself.

Facebook, My Space legacies you may not want

Dear readers:


I haven't had a question about the Facebbook and My Space but I've decided to write a column on it anyway. I recently had an alarming conversation with the head of human resources for a large tech company.

Here's what she said. “As soon as we're seriously considering a candidate, I look them up on the internet, especially on the social networking sites like Facebook and My Space. You would not believe what people have up on their sites. It's really the best way I know of to find out what people are really like.”

When I told her I'd be writing a column on this, she looked alarmed. “Please don't. It's a tool we all use and we don't want our applicants to know it!”

An article in the Globe in Mail last year quoted a British survey that found that 80% of the respondents from personnel departments regularly googled their applicants' names before hiring them. Of course, this practice may not be as common in Canada, or for smaller firms, but you need to be aware that what you put up on these sites could be there for a long time. Maybe forever. The wild keg party video, the revealing dress photos, your description of getting wasted may be fun to share with your friends, but a lot less appealing to employers.

If you must share this kind of information, limit access to your site. But, remember, even if you shut down your site, some of your stories may be so legendary that they've been passed around by others and are still out there.

Very few of us could stand the scrutiny of the things we did in our youth. But for your generation, new technology records the events which someday may cause you to wince.

Please consider what you put up on the internet. You may be creating a legacy you don't really want.

Concerned Coach

Space and time for job searching.

Dear Coach:


I know I should eke out some time for finding a job after graduation. But, frankly, with school and other obligations I feel buried. Any tips?

Buried Alive

Dear Buried:

Of the people I coach I’d say 100% feel overwhelmed at one time or another. In most cases it’s a question of creating space in your life for what you want to occur. Then, assigning a time when you’re committed to making your goal happen.

So what does it mean to create space? Take a good hard look at the where you work. Is the surface of your desk as buried in papers as you feel? Do you even know the color of the rug in your room because there is so much piled on it? Have you given up working on your desk and moved your studying or other work to the dining room table or, worse, to your bed?

Time to back away from the clutter that’s making you feel buried alive.

The first step toward feeling less overwhelmed is to create a clean slate – a dedicated space – where you can work. Put the notes and information for a given course in a file folder or notebook. Put all your bills in another folder. Honestly, you don’t have to be obsessive, just group like things together in a way that makes sense to you. Lest you get overwhelmed by the prospect, start small. Every day file one course’s information or tackle just one thing you’d like to track and put it in the same stack or file.

Nearly every client I’ve had finds this process of clearing the decks invigorating and one that helps them to move away from stuck in overwhelm.

Next, using the same principle of starting small, figure out an amount of time you would happily devote to starting your job search. Keep it small to let you develop your “honoring time” muscle. Could you devote an hour a week to looking at websites related to your career? Or researching companies you really want to work for? Or looking at job ads to see what companies are looking for? Now commit to that one hour more specifically. “For one hour on Sunday afternoon, I’ll commit myself to doing something related to job search.”

If you’re like many of my clients, I think you’ll find honoring the space you need to do what you want and committing specific time toward achieving your goal makes you want to do more. At the very least, you’ll have a clean desk.

Fine tuning your decision on profession.

Dear Coach:


I’ve been thinking about nursing, but I’m concerned about the shift work and demands of the job. I can’t imagine working 12 hour days – even if I get 4 days off in a row. Yet I’m really drawn to a profession that lets me help others and I that gives me lots of choices of where to live. How do I figure this out?

Yeah or nay?

Dear Yeah:

This is a major decision so it’s no wonder you’re finding sifting through the pluses and minuses difficult. Some of my coaching clients find it helps to look at your career choices using three perspectives:

1. Listen to your heart.
2. Listen to your head.
3. Listen to others.

First, your heart. Think of a time when you were fully engaged by something. So engaged that you actually lost track of time. It doesn’t have to be work – it could be a sport, a hobby or a school experience. What were the elements that gave you the experience of being in your zone? List them. If you had the peak experience of a runner’s high maybe you’d say that you felt confidence in your body, challenged by doing something hard, and the chance to be alone with your thoughts. See if you can come up with at least two of these engaging experiences. Now, look at the lists you created and try to see what core values pop out. Maybe all your peak experiences had to do with being with others. Maybe you value independence. Maybe all your experiences had some element of challenge in them. Now go back to nursing and see how many of your core values can be addressed by being a nurse. Ideally, you want to choose a profession that aligns as closely as possible with what gets you excited to get up for in the morning.
Now listen to your head. You’ve already started to make a list of the pluses and minuses of nursing. Now really get into it. In one column give yourself 20 minutes to list absolutely everything that’s great about nursing as a career. Now do the same for the negatives. Don’t censure. Just write. Give yourself a little break, then, return to your list. Highlight the items that seem really important in making your decision. Consider your core values here too. If your core value is that you need serenity, hospital nursing may be a mismatch you want to consider.
Finally, listen to others. Okay, say that you’re still on the fence. Time to draw on outside resources. For example, you can imagine yourself as a nurse, but can’t imagine coping happily with the shift work and you want to work independently. If these are your only deal-breakers, some research or discussions with practicing nurses might open up possibilities that would work for you. Could you think about nurse practitioner or health educator, for example? Or how about working in medical research?

First steps. Looking for jobs on-line.

Dear Coach:


I’m ready to begin my job search on the on-line. But I’m not really sure what sites will be most helpful. Now what?

Overwhelmed

Dear Overwhelmed:

It’s not surprising you’re feeling a bit lost. Turns out the worldwide web really does offer a world of possibilities and that can be intimidating. So how do you zero in?

You don’t tell me what your major is, so I’ll have to answer your question in a general way. Most students know about the really big sites like Monster and Workopolis. These sites may have the greatest number of jobs, and in fact may be the best place for you to find a job if you have a unique and highly sought after talent. But if you are a student competing for jobs that many others could fill, you may be one of literally hundreds, even thousands, applying for a job.

You may want to increase your odds by looking at other internet sites with less competition. These include:

* company and other employer sites,
* industry association sites,
* web sites of employment agencies and head hunters,
* web sites for university career and placement services (CAPS)

Let’s look at each one.

If you’ve done your research, you know the companies you’re most interested in. Often companies decide to use their own site first for recruiting rather than pay the fees for big job sites. They also may not want to deal with the volume of resumes that come their way if they use a large site. If the company is a really big, though, they may ask you to enter your resume information into a software template so they can scan it for key words. A smaller company website is more likely to accept an attached resume. Using these websites lets you target the companies you’re most interested in and increase you’re likelihood for an interview.

Most professions and industries also have associations with websites. And many of these sites have on-line job banks. Their advantage is that employers have sought them out looking for talent in your field and the competition is usually less because fewer people are aware that they can use them. If you belong to an association, it also implies a built in endorsement of your credentials, even if this is not really the case.

Employment agencies often don’t charge the person applying for a job a fee. But many do. Be wary of agencies that promise your dream job by providing you with information you can easily find on your own. Agencies are often interested in someone who already has a track record. They may be a good source for temporary work while you’re seeking a professional job or if you’re looking for a job in an area the agency specializes in. Some agencies, for example, have a lot of non-profit clients or specialize in a particular market sector like health.

Finally, don’t overlook your campus placement sites where many employers in your region post jobs. By seeking out your school’s grads, they’ve already indicated a bias in favor of applicants from your university.

Who’s got your back? About references

Dear Coach:


I’ve had a great interview at a medical research lab. Now they’re asking for references. Okay, I know I should have lined them up first. But who should I ask?

Oops

Dear Oops:

You’re right. This would be a whole lot easier if you already lined up your references. But, hey, your question gives us a chance to focus on references, which, for a lot of grads seems to be an afterthought.

As the job you’re applying for is research oriented, you will probably want some of your references to be from professors that taught you in university. Of course, if you already have experience working in a lab, you’ll ask for work references – a great combination from an employer’s point of view.

Your reference portfolio consists of testimonial letters from 3 to 6 people who are prepared to attest that would make a good hire if employers ask. Most employers ask for three references, but it’s good to have references from different sources so you can have appropriate letters for the kind of jobs you’re considering.

Since you’re pulling together academic references, it’s a good idea to ask professors who taught courses in your major. Try to ask a professor whose rank is associate or full rather than an assistant professor or a lecturer. This is not because the associate and full professors are better teachers, but because an employer may believe that a more senior professor can assess your qualifications better.

Ask the professors you approach if they would be willing to give you a letter of recommendation in both electronic and hard copy forms. Ask also if you can include them in your list of references and give contact information for them on your resume. If they agree, make their lives easy. Give them a well written point summary of your:

* employment objectives
* your academic track record, especially in their classes
* other for the sorts of jobs of interest to you

Once you have your three core academic references, try to find at least three non- academic references. Ideally at least one of these should be from an employer you’ve worked for on a paid basis, or in a co-op or internship position. You need a reference like this to vouch for your ability to fit in and help with the bottom line needs of a real employer. It is helpful, but not essential, for the employer recommending you to be in businesses like those you’ll be applying to.

If you have no paid employment track record, try to draw your references from other sorts of organizations where you made substantial contributions such as school clubs, community organizations. For example, if you were the membership coordinator for a student club and the membership rose substantially, you could use the faculty advisor for the club as your reference.

Want to tick employers off quick? Try this.

Dear Coach:


I think you’re going overboard by harping on getting skills and training before I leave school. Can’t employers see I have skills that are transferable? Shouldn’t they be training me?

Overwhelmed in Ottawa

Dear Over:

Maybe you’ve been watching those decorating shows that are all over TV lately. (Or maybe not if you have an active social life). Anyway there’s a lesson to be learned here. Again and again the designers say “No, prospective buyers can’t imagine how your chartreuse bedroom with the disco ball will make a nice office. You have to show them what the room can be used for by making it into an office.”

Employers aren’t that much different from prospective homebuyers. They don’t want to guess whether you have the credentials and transferable skills they need. You have to show them.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from employers is that they often receive hundreds of resumes that do not meet even one of their qualifications. “What are these applicants thinking?” the employers ask, outraged. “Why are they wasting my time?” Not having the qualifications that are the standard in a field of work is like placing a heading on your resume in bold letters that screams:

“I didn’t bother to get the credentials you need. Maybe you can figure out how you can use me.”

You may have read articles that said you don’t have to have every qualification -- employers will be able to see you have transferable skills from another course of study or a job. This may be true if you have the major qualifications the employer needs and are missing a less critical skill or an easy to learn skill. You might get hired, for example, if you are an architect who knows how to use architectural software but not the particular software product an employer has. But if you’re saying that you’ve written a lot of term papers so you should have the qualifications to be a book editor, your resume is likely to get thrown in the reject pile without even being considered.

Employers today have an idea of the training, skills and experience they expect from potential employees. It is up to you to make sure that you have the credentials they want.