The 30 Minute Online Resume Workout

As you can imagine, it's a busy time to be a career coach and resume writer: given the climate on Wall Street and the ensuing trickle-down in Manhattan, the phone lines are buzzing.

In the process I've been reviewing resumes of many talented people who never expected that a job hunt would be in the cards right now.

Given the prevalence of Blackberries and cell phones, the notion of "doing more with less" has clearly stretched beyond fiscal frugality and extended to personal time (quite simply, there's less available as there are fewer people available to help with work). Frequently, I'm contacted by clients who say, "I'd do this myself, but I don't have the time" and don't know how to get started.

I can help you with all of this, but if you want to try it on your own, here are three suggested strategies to get started on a resume rewrite in 30 minutes or less.

1. Consider hiring someone to help you, or review tips from the pros. I am a contributor to Career Hub, and I strongly recommend the site's free e-books on resume writing, networking, and interviewing.

2. Read job listings and position descriptions to develop a sense of what employers want. Do a "Google" search on yourself and know what you look like "online." Then develop a strategy for how you want to be known.

As an increasing number of employers are using LinkedIn and other social networking tools to find candidates and make hiring decisions, help them find you. I particularly recommend Chris Brogan's Write Your LinkedIn Profile for Your Future for this purpose.

3. Revise your resume by starting with your LinkedIn Profile. LinkedIn has a strong search engine ranking and offers you a substantial but a controlled amount of space in your profile section.

Because LinkedIn limits the number of characters you can use in your work, it is a great site to write a resume draft: you can search for people who work in similar roles to your own (and make observations on what works and what doesn't). If you put together your profile carefully, you'll have a concise summary of skills and experiences that you can then use as a base for your resume. An added bonus: your voice will sound consistent across both your LinkedIn and your resume since you'll be speaking in the same language.

Find your fingers at a loss for words? Contact me and I'll help you get started.

To your success!

Chandlee

Will Resumes Become Obsolete?

Forget Palin versus Biden or Obama versus McCain, over at Career Hub, there's a raging debate over the future of the resume. This is an ongoing question for discussion among career professionals: are online sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook rendering the resume obsolete? Here is my take on the debate--read the post and tell me what you think. Counter opinions welcome!

I've long been a fan of the supplemental information in the job search: I think job seekers can always boost their attractiveness to employers with electronic portfolios (especially in creative professions--love Coroflot), writing samples, and online information that demonstrates interest and passion aligned with interests and career goals. Of course, there's no guarantee that employers will look at supplemental material in the process; however, I think it's better to have "extra information" than not--especially as employers look more to the web.

Here's my response to the debate:

While resumes are still the de-facto standard for applying for jobs (and are generally required both for the application process and so that the employer can meet Federal standards on record keeping) , I agree with Barbara Safani: the resume is increasingly viewed as one component of the application process--with online information playing a greater role in the overall search process.

The Google search on a candidate has become another standard practice--your online presence from LinkedIn to "digital dirt" can reveal just as much about you and your work as your resume. As early as 2006--an ExecuNet survey reported that 77% of executive recruiters admitted checking out candidates online during the employment process. In my opinion, building and maintaining your online presence has become a critical component of the job search process: In my private practice as a resume writer and career coach, I work with clients on "web-based" presence as much as I do on "paper."

Beyond the "Google" and online factor, Web 2.0 has also heavily influenced how resumes are evaluated: when you apply online for a position through a company or job board portal, your resume is frequently ranked based on "relevance" for this position. Elements affecting relevance include level of experience and key words (look at position descriptions and ads to identify potential key words, then use them in your resume).

In sum, technology is changing the role of the resume in the overall process, but resumes are still essential in the employment process. As such, it's no less important to have a clear, concise resume today than it was previously. The only "game changer": Your online presence is equally important.

Have you Googled yourself today?

To your success,

Chandlee

Why Spelling Remains in Style

Back in April, the Brazen Careerist (aka Penelope Trunk) made the assertion that writing without typos is totally outdated. I've been thinking about the post ever since, particularly given that we are living in a shorthand, emoticon-filled world and I am a spelling bee kind of girl.

I agree with Brazen Careerist's assertions that "spellchecker isn't perfect." In my opinion, spell check can also be dangerous if you aren't paying attention: I remember well the laughs that a friend received in college when a rapid paper correction translated her last name from "Borden" to "Bordello." (Fortunately, our Sociology Professor had a great sense of humor.)

A small piece of me that also agrees with the sentiment behind the Brazen Careerist's observation that we don't "have unlimited time, so spend it on ideas, not hyphens." That said, the career counselor in me--the one who has spent the majority of the last decade advising emerging professionals and college students on career-related issues, resumes, and job applications--disagrees.

To me, spelling is as essential as making eye contact when you meet someone new: it's a fundamental part of making a strong impression. When someone looks you in the eye, you know that you have their attention; when you take the time to spell--you show that you care about both the appearance and the content of your information. Good spelling also demonstrates that you are good with details, and that you are paying attention. This builds trust, and increases the likelihood that your ideas will be carefully considered. Bottom line: I'll stick with the timeless assertion that a typo on your resume or cover letter can still--quite possibly--land you in the reject pile.

I know I'm out of sync with many bloggers and members of the court of public opinion--even Verizon directories pronounce "zero" as "O"--and I am doing my best to stay in the game. Unless I'm working with a client, I no longer focus on correcting typos before evaluating what is being said: I am working hard to evaluate ideas before presentation. But I continue to hold my love of spelling close to my heart, and I still answer text messages in longhand.

I hold firm that--in the professional world--spelling is unlikely to go out of style. One of the most-viewed stories in this Sunday's Washington Post: the story of William Glass III, an eighth grader whose attention to grammar wowed judges and the audience of an LG-sponsored national text messaging competition. He didn't win the competition, but his speed, accuracy, and ability to write SMS messages as if he were an "middle-aged technology-clueless English teacher" have certainly garnered him the recognition which will come in handy when it comes to securing his first internship. I rest my case.

Cross Posted at Career Hub.