Hey Grads – Here’s your Resume Easy Button
If you could invest roughly an hour of focused time right now, and it would result in a dramatically better salary, job, and life 10 years from now, would you do it?
A quick post today, but an important one. This one really goes out to all of the upcoming college and high school grads -
If you could invest roughly an hour of focused time right now, and it would result in a dramatically better salary, job, and life 10 years from now, would you do it?
Your resume, when done properly, will serve as a base for all of your other job hunting. A good building is built on a strong foundation just as massive sequoia tree is built on a strong root system.
If you take the time to write a great resume, as our framework will help you do, you can transfer this to a great LinkedIn profile, an attention-getting application, etc. Moreover, the language you use in your resume will come out in your job interviews. You will naturally start thinking beyond your job title and on to your work impacts. You’ll start thinking about your job from the employer’s perspective. You’ll start thinking about value creation.
The interviewer will notice this – and that’s a good thing.
To all the upcoming college grads out there – I know you are busy. I’ve been there too. I’ve crammed for finals, I’ve said my goodbyes to friends, I’ve wrapped up final projects, and I’ve tried to make the most of my time at school.
Take my advice here – this is every bit as important as those activities. Do yourself and your future self a favor and polish your resume. The 20 Minute Resume framework is proven. It’s landed students jobs at powerhouses like Google, GE, Ford, and Merck. It contains hundreds of small details that by themselves may not be noticeable, but together form an army. We invested a LOT of time into getting this right – for you. This is the “Easy Button” for starting your life off on a great trajectory.
To your success,
Peter
For more great info, inside strategies, and step-by-step guides on writing a fantastic resume, please visit www.20minuteresume.com .
10 steps to a successful networking conversation
We have received several requests to talk about “networking” (See that little pop-up on the bottom, right? Yes, we read those responses!). One question that I particularly liked was “what to do when you actually meet someone that could offer you a job.” This is a great question with a variety of answers, but I’ll share some general (and hopefully helpful) guidelines on how to have a successful networking conversation.
We are going to assume that you have found yourself in a networking situation. You just met someone that works with a company that interests you. What do you do next?
1. Assess. What sort of networking event is this? Is it a career fair or a Sunday picnic? Is the person expecting to network, or are they just trying to enjoy their afternoon? This greatly affects the pace of the conversation. If it’s a job-finding event, dive right into business and skip the small talk. If it’s a leisurely afternoon event, ease into it and adjust course as the conversation progresses
2. Connect. The tone of the conversation will vary greatly if you are talking to the owner/CEO vs. hiring manager vs. floor supervisor vs. shift worker. Your goal is to make a connection with them. Think about what they would want to talk about. If they are a CEO, show interest in the company direction and big-picture topics. If they are a hiring manager, learn about the hiring challenges they are having right now. A floor supervisor probably appreciates good, reliable workers more than anything, and a shift worker wants coworkers and supervisors that are human, friendly, and good to work with/for. Tip: Think twice before immediately saying “Hey, I’d love a job there!”
3. Leverage. Determine their influence on hiring. You will find one of three types: Above, At, or Below.
- Above hiring – CEOs, VPs, etc. They can usually heavily influence hiring decisions, create positions, and get you in.
- At hiring – HR managers, general managers, etc (front-line of hiring, must follow hiring protocols or systems, by-the-book, but not a bad place to be)
- Below hiring – Department/floor managers, accounting, sales, general employees (little/no hiring influence, but a good source of knowledge on culture, needs, challenges, etc).
4. Listen. Now that you are connected and you know who you are dealing with, it’s time to become memorable. Based on the assessment and tone you determined above, you might talk about the latest college basketball game or you might dive right into the needs of the company. When you get into the topic of business… LISTEN. Don’t come across as a know-it-all. Listen carefully, ask good questions, and you will likely hear many opportunities. If you need more help here, I suggest referencing Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.
5. Talk briefly. When it’s your turn to talk, go for quality vs. quantity. If you are genuinely interested the opportunities you have now uncovered, speak to why you are drawn to that sort of thing. “You know, I’m really interested in (insert problem here). In fact, I did a lot of work in school around (problem), and in my current position, (solved a similar problem).” “We found that there was actually a lot of upside to be gained from (the problem) and I really enjoyed having that sort of impact on (the team/organization, etc). Your goal is to be sympathetic with what they spoke of, not boastful. Take genuine interest in what they said, and reflect this sincerity back to them.
6. Get them thinking. This may not apply to all conversations, but done properly, is really impactful. Get their gears turning. Offer an idea, a positive perspective, or a way that they can look good. Position yourself as a “thought leader” in a field, and you gain instant value in their eyes.
7. Close. How you end the conversation depends greatly on the setting, tone, and pace. In general though, something like this works: “Jim, I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and learning more about Acme Co. In fact, I’d love to talk more with (you or the right person) about opportunities there and how I might bring value to your organization. Would it be ok if I contacted (you, or the name of the right person) over the next week to potentially discuss this further?” Then, as with any sales situation, be quiet! Let them respond, hopefully with a “Sure! Here’s my card,” response.
8. Follow up. By saying “over the next week” it gives you an opportunity to do two key tasks:
- Research their company more, connect dots of the conversation, and find needs, then,
- Tailor your resume to fit the needs you have found.
With the research complete, send a brief “nice to meet you” email and include your cover letter and resume. Keep the tone of the email similar to the tone of your conversation. Ensure they have some way to remember you (“great meeting you at (event)” or “Really enjoyed chatting with you about (topic).”
9. Call to action. As you close your brief email, mention “I look forward to hearing from you” or “Can we schedule a time to chat more about (opportunity)?”
10. Rinse and Repeat. Networking is one of the best ways to find a job – but it does not come with a 100% success rate. Don’t fret if your first few attempts crash and burn – practice, perfect, and keep moving forward. Be flexible in your networking conversation, follow up professionally, and good luck landing that opportunity!
For more great info, inside strategies, and step-by-step guides on writing a fantastic resume, please visit www.20minuteresume.com .
Writing a Green Resume that gets you noticed
Fundamentally, are there real, core- level differences between a regular resume and a green resume?”
Initially, I thought, “no.” I figured that it was mostly the content within the document that differed. I assumed that the standard rules applied – talk the talk (“lingo”) for your industry, be professional, show experience and emphasize how you stand out. But the more I started thinking about this, the more I couldn’t rest on those assumptions. So, I went on a little journey to see if there was more to writing a green resume. A few conversations, experiments, and hypothesis tests later, I discovered some fundamental differences between a regular resume and one that targets the new “green” fields.
To help with this, I consulted a few recruiting friends in the green industry world to help with a green resume, and I also pulled from my own experience. When I thought I had it close to right, I did a few experiments in which I sent two different resumes to the same company, for seven different companies. By using a unique phone number and email address on each of the two resumes, I could see which ones got results.
So let’s start with a bit of important psychology: To really understand how these orgs are different, think about the fundamental DNA of their organizations. These aren’t “big 3” accounting firms. How might this affect what they are looking for in a candidate, and how you might approach them?
How they are different:
Green fields often have some unique underlying traits that bring together several common industry elements otherwise rarely found together:
Greater Good – Cutting Edge – High Demand – Grassroots
- Most are founded on and driven by a greater good purpose. By greater good I mean something bigger than themselves. The desire to create real, positive, lasting change. Zero Motorcycles, for example, is driven by more than the desire to make and sell electric motorcycles. Integrity Block doesn’t make low carbon, recycled building materials just for the sake of it.
- They are (often) cutting edge – from the actual technology being used to the uniqueness of the idea, message or movement, a lot of this stuff has never been done, thought, spoken, or combined.
- They are often in high demand – Green is definitely “in”. I know that makes some cringe, because most are not in it for the fad. But it’s the truth, which means that there is going to be a lot of competition out there.
- There is often a unique grass-roots DNA – obviously this isn’t always the case, but it is the prevailing wind. From startups like Tesla Motors to well established organizations like the Sierra Club, there is an underlying, grass-roots tenacity driving many successful green companies.
What this means for you:
Greater Good – If your idea of fun is a roadside cleanup or a spring break to help others, you’re on the right track. These companies might not have the highest pay possible. They might not have the most luxurious offices with massage chairs. But they will have a team of people brought together by a common, unifying purpose, and the energy (and results) you will share with them will be second to none
Cutting Edge – Green organizations need a lot of thought leaders, independent thinkers, and people that are current or ahead of the curve in whatever they do. You need to have an overarching understanding of the green industry and then a specific understanding of the particular segment you are in (or entering). “Passion” comes to mind here, as it often effortlessly results in these traits.
High Demand – It’s a zoo out there, with a lot of qualified people. What sets you apart? What gives you an edge? If you have the same grades from the same program of study as the next person, what can (or did) you do that gives you the edge? Think in terms of value, too. Why would you be more valuable? Is it your experience? Your passion? Your skills? In what ways will you go above and beyond to land that opportunity?
Grassroots - This needs to appeal to you, and you need to understand (and excel in) this culture. You also need to think differently. What might work for an advertising initiative for Coke-Cola is probably not what you should bring to the table at 350.org. You’ll need to specifically demonstrate your desire to make the difference.
What this means for your green resume:
Greater Good – You need to demonstrate that you share this greater-good philosophy. Actions speak louder than words, so what in your resume explains this through action? Think in terms of experience, clubs, associations, volunteer, and non-work activities, and emphasize these points.
Cutting Edge – You need to show publications, presentations, leadership positions, and/or other proof that you too are cutting edge. If you are a student, relevant coursework, events, and seminars are a good starting point. Did you do an independent study course on a topic? Complete a senior thesis?
High Demand – If you have it, flaunt it. Emphasize awards, recognitions, and successes. As I talk about in 20 Minute Resume, here is where you need to really perfect those “work impacts.” Also, simple things like good proof reading can keep your resume out of the trash can. How else can you set yourself apart? Think outside of the box. Attend meetings that the company is attending and get face time with them. Look within your network (LinkedIn, for example) for connections. Just how marketing initiatives need 7+ impressions to be remembered, you and your resume are not much different in this climate.
Grassroots - First, your resume needs to show that you “get” what grassroots is. If your only experience is with a Fortune 100 company, do you really think this green organization will believe that you can relate to a scrappy, cost conscious, trend breaking culture? Probably not. You need to prove your desire to make a difference. This is a good topic for your objective statement or cover letter. Then, emailing it once probably won’t work. You have to be grassroots in your effort to get noticed. I’m talking about emailing, then calling, visiting, and other outside-the-box avenues to getting that exposure.
Fundamental Shift
So with those fundamentals in mind, how does this change your approach when designing your resume to them? Hopefully, you’re thinking about the big picture – how you come across on paper. Also, think about the details – what sort of paper it’s actually printed on. Chances are that a bright-white card stock will get less attention than a 100% post consumer fibrous non bleached choice. Interesting huh? I’m not suggesting you use a recycled grocery bag. It still needs to be professional. But conscious choices like these can be the small differentiating factor that peaks a recruiters interest enough to invite you in for an interview.
Lastly, one size does not fit all. You need to understand the organization. Is it a startup or is it well established? Is it really mature and focused, or in a time of change and flux? Tailoring your green resume package to these observations will make you relevant to the recruiter that receives your resume. If you fit with them, you’ll get that interview invitation.
Was this helpful? Was it worthless? Have a topic you’d like for us to help with or blog about? Please let us know!
For more great info, inside strategies, and step-by-step guides on writing a fantastic resume, please visit www.20minuteresume.com .
Free cover letter template – and “what should I include in my Cover Letter?”
Cover Letter Content
Begin by addressing your letter to a specific person. This may involve some research on your part such as a call to the organization to find out the correct name and title of the person to whom you should write. “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern” is very impersonal and indicates a lack of real interest in the organization and the person to whom you should write.
- Identify who you are, why you are writing, and where you learned of the opening.
- Relate your skills and qualifications to the position or organization you are applying to. This will demonstrate your knowledge of the organization and illustrate how you can be an asset to them.
- Ideally, you should address organization/position needs that are expressed in the advertisement or position description.
- Make references to your resume without restating it word for word. Your goal is to draw attention to the highlights.
- Make the letter short and to the point.
- Avoid the use of flowery language and clichés.
- Be specific; use examples to support your claims of skills and qualifications.
- Indicate what you want to happen next. If you want an interview, ask for it.
- Tailor your letters for each position. Letters that are mass produced and generic are unappealing.
Style
- When writing your letter, keep in mind the reader’s perspective.
- The most effective cover letters are clear and concise, conveying your message in 3 to 5 paragraphs. Your letter should not exceed one page in length.
- Like the resume, your letter must be NEAT, TYPED, and have NO SPELLING ERRORS.
- It is recommended that you use paper that matches the paper your resume is on. You may use matching envelopes or plain manila envelopes.
Format
- Any business style letter format is appropriate (e.g. full block format, modified block format)
- Always indicate whether there are enclosures included (e.g. resume, writing sample, transcript)
- If your resume has a unique header, such as the templates offered with the 20 Minute Resume, format your cover letter to match. Consistency is desired.
Samples and Template
To help you get started, you can download a cover letter sample and a Microsoft Word template below:
Cover Letter Guide and Samples
Microsoft Word 2007+ (.docx format)
Microsoft Word 97+ (.doc format)
For more great info, inside strategies, and step-by-step guides on writing a fantastic resume, please visit www.20minuteresume.com .
Former small business owner resume
Background:
How do you craft your resume when you go from your own business to working for others? To run your own business is part of the American dream. According to the Small Business Administration (sba.gov), over 600,000 new businesses are started each year! Sadly, well over half that many (300,000+) also close each year. When these businesses close or more income is needed, the owner is often required to go back out in the “traditional” work force (and sometimes it’s a welcome change from the stress!).
The problem is that, for some reason, the “traditional work force” doesn’t usually like to hire entrepreneurs! My experience tells me that the biggest reason is that they think “well, if you couldn’t make it on your own, why would I want to hire you?” It’s a sad and badly misguided perspective, but it’s the hard truth. Here we will discuss how to write a resume after being out of the workforce for years running a small business, i.e., the former small business owner resume.
Lesson:
The quick lesson here – Don’t put “owner”, “founder”, “entrepreneur”, “partner”, etc, on your resume. It sends the wrong signals. (The exception, of course, is if you’re a wildly successful entrepreneur, and the reason for your resume isn’t to get a job!)
Instead of these titles, look one level deeper at what you did the most of or what you were really, really good at. In my case, I excel at business development and project management. So, while I did start and run my IT companies, my resume wouldn’t say that. I’d still list the company name, location, etc, but instead of “founder”, I would put Vice President of Business Development or “Project Manager.” Below that, I would list accomplishments specific to that title. Don’t forget – don’t list tasks, list accomplishments. “Grew revenue from $400,000 to $1,100,000/year in two years”, for example. Not “worked with customers to increase revenue.”
Additional:
Pay attention here – you’ll have to face this eventually. We’re not trying to be misleading in this method. Instead, we’re trying to get that potential employer to focus on your strengths. When you land that interview – and you will land that interview! – be prepared to talk about the company. Be open – “well, in fact this was a project that I started and ran for two years, but project management was my strength and what I did the most of.” Once you get in front of the interviewer, you can throw in that you know what it’s like to make payroll, you know what it’s like to watch cash flow, and as such you will really take a vested interest in what you do at this new company. You’ll have a much more comprehensive perspective on the situation than any other applicant because of this. And, it shows that you’re not afraid to really dig into a project and go for it.
If your company closed due to less-than-desirable performance, and the situation hits where the interviewer asks “why did it close?”, I’d encourage you to tailor your response toward “well, I had a goal in mind that made it worth my time, and I told myself if I didn’t meet this goal by a certain time, that my time was better spent elsewhere. It was the responsible choice.” They don’t need to know any of your specifics – no revenue numbers, no profit and loss numbers, etc. As quickly as you can, get them back on the positive trend – “but we did some great things and I feel it really helped me grow as an individual, and position me perfectly to excel in a position such as this.”
Closing:
Practice this and be ready. Don’t make a big deal out of it and don’t talk about the “ownership” aspect more than you have to. Focus on what you did that was valuable and how it will apply to this new position you are applying for. Stay very positive, upbeat, and optimistic about what you bring to the table – because you bring a lot to the table!
Those that have never started their own company will not understand, and don’t expect them to. It’s an experience that “you have to be there” for. What you learned during that experience can’t be taught any other way. The potential employer should be grateful that you have that experience!
For more great info, inside strategies, and step-by-step guides on writing a fantastic resume, please visit www.20minuteresume.com .
8 ways to find a job opportunity
So now that you have a great resume, now you need to decide where to use it. Where are the best places to find a job? Read this first so you make the most of your efforts.
I should aos know that you may find a great opportunity but need to adjust your resume accordingly so it better fits the job – that’s GREAT, and it really helps you tailor your introduction to exactly what that company needs. (Be honest though… always be honest).
So, here are some facts I found interesting on where people actually find out about or land opportunities:
1. Online Marketing (online resume posting) yields an 8 percent chance of success in uncovering the next opportunity. This rate matches those of 2003 when this strategy was still in its infancy.
2. Referrals from within the organization (18 percent) and outside the organization (9 percent) are the most successful ways to land the opportunity.
3. A blended strategy of using social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, helps identify referral opportunities.
4. A downward trend in the overall effectiveness of recruiters since 2005 continues.
5. For those earning more than $100,000, networking is clearly the most successful strategy, with 50 percent of candidates surfacing the opportunity in this way.
6. Published openings, with a 44 percent effectiveness rating, are the most significant way of learning about an opportunity for those earning less than$60,000.
7. For the 50+ age group, networking continues to be more important with 46 percent of these respondents saying it led to their opportunities.
8. As for gender effect, men in the sample were more likely to learn about opportunities through networking, while women were more successful with published openings.
Check us out at 20minuteresume.com – free templates, samples, and a whole lot more.
8 Cover Letter No-nos
A cover letter is an important part of your resume package. Here are eight things to make sure you avoid when writing your cover letter:
1. Don’t address the letter “Dear Sirs.” The person reading your letter may be a woman who won’t be impressed with this salutation. Instead, find out the name of the person who will be reviewing your résumé by contacting the company’s human resources department, or address your letter “Attention: Human Resources Department” if they won’t give you a name.
2. Don’t forget to say which position you are applying for. Many companies advertise more than one position at a time.
3. Don’t send a cover letter that has not been thoroughly proofread. Typographical and grammatical errors (such as confusing “you’re” with “your”) create a poor impression.
4. Don’t focus on what you want. In this case the applicant said he thought he’d enjoy the job and get experience. Focus instead on what value you can bring to the employer, such as increasing revenues or cutting costs.
5. Don’t send a generic letter. You can make a much better impression by mentioning the company name and doing a little research so you can say something flattering about the company. You can learn what companies pride themselves on, including their products and achievements, by checking their Web sites.
6. Don’t appear desperate. Avoid comments such as “I’ve already sent out a bunch of résumés without much luck.” Employers may wonder if there’s a good reason why no one else has hired you.
7. Don’t challenge them to hire you. Employers will be turned off if you say something like “It’s your loss if you don’t hire me.” Instead, show them, with examples of your accomplishments, why you would be an asset to their company.
8. Don’t forget to make sure you have the right company referenced in your resume! I can’t count how many times I received a cover letter that had my name and my compnay’s address correct at the top, but the closing would say something like “I look forward to hearing from you and Company Y”, where Company Y was some other company! Whoops!
Samples and Template
To help you get started, you can download a cover letter sample and a Microsoft Word template below:
Cover Letter Guide and Samples
Microsoft Word 2007+ (.docx format)
Microsoft Word 97+ (.doc format)
SexyKat69? How to fail (and win) at your resume’s first impression
Sexykat69@______.com
…I really did receive a resume with that email address on it. We were hiring for an
office manager at the time. The rest of her qualifications were average or better, but
what’s with the email address? Seriously? Sexy Kat? What does this say about her
professionalism? Her attension to detail?
A very commonly overlooked aspect of your resume is your contact information and
the image it gives. The above example, for instance. It’s not difficult to go to Gmail
and get a first name.lastname@gmail.com address.
Similar story with Voicemail -
Be sure the telephone numbers you provide have voicemail, and make sure the
voicemail greetings are professional! “Yo, this is John, you know what to do.
Beep…” will turn a potential employer away faster than anything. Here’s a sample
script you can follow:
“Hello, you have reached the voicemail for John Doe. Please leave your
contact information and the reason for your call, and I will return your
call as quickly as possible.”
Say each word clearly, be upbeat, and show a little enthusiasm in your voice. Hide
accents, watch your grammar, and don’t mumble.
