ORCMS Career Blog

According to a recent NY Times article, President Elect Obama has upped his goal of providing new jobs in the first two years of his presidency from 2.5 million to 3 million. Many of these jobs will be in areas that will enhance our current transportation infrastructure (roads and bridges) and help us cut our addiction to foreign oil (new energy sources such as solar and wind power). My fervent belief is that Mr. Obama and the new Senate will want to get started on this project within a few weeks of his taking the oath of office. New jobs should be coming online within the next few month. Are YOU ready? Here are some things you can do now to be prepared when those new jobs come around.

1. Build your network. You have heard that it’s not what you know, but who you know. The saying is even more true today than it ever has been. Statistics say that
2. Enhance your skills. What do you need to know that you don’t currently know? Do you need some training in a specific skill area or with a particular software program? Now is the right time to take a class or return to school for a program that will enhance your skills and abilities.
3. Develop a strong, compelling, memorable, and inspiring Unique Selling Proposition. Here’s link to a recent article on developing your “Elevator Pitch” that will be helpful for pulling together your USP.
4. Create a winning resume. Make sure you focus on developing a resume that highlights that which you are both capable of and willing to do in your next position. It should include a strong USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and clearly quantified results of your accomplishments.
5. Explore growing industries. Some of the industries sure to grow in 2009 are healthcare and alternative energy. What skills do you have that might be transferable to either of these industries?
6. Clean up your Internet presence. Do you have an account on Facebook? Plaxo? LinkedIn? Career Crossroads 2.0? Have you updated them recently? Do so now.

Obama’s innaguration is just 2 weeks away. Are YOU ready for the new jobs this new administration plans to create?

Fred Rogers is my hero. If you grew up in this country, there was probably a time when he was your hero too!

When he decided to become Mr. Rogers on t.v. I can imagine that it was a bit risky. I mean, who would have thought that doing this little show for kids on PBS would make him an American icon. He was probably laughed at. Heck, I probably laughed at him. It took courage for him to do this work, but it was what he loved. He WAS Mr. Rogers because he was Mr. Rogers.

Here’s a video of him from when he finished his career on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. It’s touching.

Mr. Rogers is my hero because he did what he loved all of his life.

Mr. Rogers is my hero because he encouraged us to do what we love.

How about you? Are you willing to take a risk and become who YOU really are? Are you ready to live you life’s passion? What are you waiting for?

If you haven’t submitted a resume in a while, you may not be aware that things have changed significantly in the past 5 or so years regarding what employers, hiring managers, HR folks, and recruiters are looking for.  Here is a brief synopsis of what used to be and what is, along with some suggestions for making your resume “pop” for that potential employer!

OLD STYLE — we used to think of a resume as simply an accounting of the jobs we have held over our career-life.  The old style of resume (the one I was taught to put together in college) focused on describing what you did on the job.  It was heavily dependent upon responsibilities and was more of a job description.

NEW STYLE — the new style of resume places heavy emphasis on helping your potential employer see how hiring you will bring them a return on that “investment.”  This new resume style is all about results and achievements.  How will you help your potential employer make or save money?

Here are some tips for making your OLD STYLE RESUME into a NEW STYLE RESUME:

1. Begin with a clear Career Objective.  This should be your USP — Unique Selling Proposition.  It should be written to entice a potential employer to read the rest of the resume.  Use their language and be sure to let them know what you will DO for them.
2. Quantify results.  Give quantified examples of what you have done in the past.  Use numbers to express the scope and quantity of your previous work.  Use specific examples that will be helpful to your potential employers.
3. Get LinkedIn and get recommendations.  The Internet has made it easier for you to submit hundreds of resumes.  Conversely, it has made it more difficult for hiring managers and HR personnel to sort through the hundreds of resumes they receive for each posting.  ANSWER?  LinkedIn.  Get recommendations from former co-workers, clients, bosses, etc. and they will help you cut through the clutter.

The OLD STYLE of resume is out.  If you want to get yourself seen by potential employers you must upgrade your resume to show them what you can do for THEM.  The NEW STYLE of resume is the way to go.

Leonardo DaVinci was the ORIGINAL Renaissance Man.  Below is a copy of Leonardo’s letter to the House of Sforza (his resume) that he sent over 600 years ago.  Modern day job seekers can learn a lot from Leonardo!

“Most illustrious Lord, having now sufficiently seen and considered the proofs of all those who count themselves master and inventors of instruments of war, and finding that their invention and use of the said instruments does not differ in any respect from those in common practice, I am emboldened without prejudice to anyone else to put myself in communication with your Excellency, in order to acquaint you with my secrets, thereafter offering myself at your pleasure effectually to demonstrate at any convenient time all those matters which are in part briefly recorded below,

1. I have plans for bridges, very light and strong and suitable for carrying very easily…
2. When a place is besieged I know how to cut off water from the trenches, and how to construct an infinite number of…scaling ladders and other instruments…
3. If because of the height of the embankment, and the strength of the place of its site, it should be impossible to reduce it by bombardment, I know methods of destroying any citadel or fortress, even if it is built on rock.
4. I have plans for making cannon, very convenient and easy of transport, with which to hurl small stones in the manner almost of hail…
5. And it is should happen that the engagement is at sea, I have plans for construction many engines most suitable for attack or defense, and ships which can resist the fire of all the heaviest cannon, and powder and smoke.
6. Also I have ways of arriving at a certain fixed spot by caverns and secret winding passages made without any noise even though it may be necessary to pass underneath…a river.
7. Also I can make covered cards, safe and unassailable, which will enter the serried ranks of the enemy with artillery, and there is no company of men at arms so great as not to be broken by it. And behind these the infantry will be able to follow quite unharmed and without any opposition.
8. 8. Also, if need shall arise, I can make cannon, mortars and light ordnance, of very beautiful and useful shapes, quite different from those in common use.
9. Where it is not possible to employ cannon, I can supply catapults, mangonels, traps and other engines of wonderful efficacy not in general issue. In short, as the variety of circumstances shall necessitate, I can supply an infinite number of different engines of attack and defense.
10. In time of peace I believe that I can give you as complete satisfaction as anyone else in architecture, in the construction of buildings both public and private, and in conducting water from one place to another.
11. Also I can execute sculpture in marble, bronze, or clay and also painting, in which my work will stand comparison with that of anyone else whoever he may be.
12. Moreover, I would undertake the work of the bronze horse, which shall endure with immortal glory and eternal honor the auspicious memory of the Prince of your father and of the illustrious house of Sforza”

What strikes me as most impressive (and perhaps most instructive for job seekers) is the way in which Leonardo highlighted his talents to meet the needs of his potential employer(s).  Leonardo most enjoyed painting and scupting — it’s what he is MOST known for these days (think of the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.”)  However, he doesn’t mention that until # 11 in his list!  That’s because he knew Sforza was looking for someone who could provide assistance with his military and building affairs.

Did it work?  Go to Milan, Italy and you will see that Leo did indeed get the job!  What can YOU learn about your job search from Leonardo DaVinci?

Lately I’ve been listening to a book on my ipod entitled “Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot” (Richard M. Restak).  I was interested to “read” about the way the brain works to re-connect networks, even after years of dis-use.  Apparently the brain has an amazing amount of plasticity, and the networks that are created never really go away.  Dr. Restak tells us that in order to become proficient at something like playing a particular sport or musical instrument, the brain makes a series of network connections.  If we don’t use those connections for a long time they will atrophy.  The good news is that they never really disappear.  The plasticity of the brain makes it easy for us to re-learn those activities very quickly when we attempt them again, even years later.

This makes me think of my grandmother.  She played the piano and organ when she was a young woman, but as she aged her fingers became grossly disfigured by arthritis.  She stopped playing because her hands hurt so badly.   However, one day I was with her when she spotted a piano in the corner of a friend’s house.  She walked over and began to play as if she had never quit — a bit slower than her old days, perhaps, but she hit every note.  She hadn’t played the piano for years, but the connections in her brain that told her hands what to do never went away.  She was able to call upon them years later.  The human brain is indeed amazing!

What is true for networks in the brain, is also true for the personal networks we make with friends and colleagues.  Even if we haven’t talked to a network contact in years, the contact never goes away.  Now, mind you, you may have to mend a fence or two if you have left that relationship due to some sort of conflict. But most of the connections we make fall into dis-use because of a lack of proximity of time or space.  Our lives move off in different directions and we lose the connection we once had with the other person.

The good news is that those connections are never REALLY lost.  They can be re-engaged a just a few minutes if you want.

So, here’s what I suggest.  Look through your rolodex, facebook friends, or LinkedIn contacts.  Find a person or two that you haven’t had contact with in awhile, and shoot them an email or give them a phone call.  We all have a few connections that we haven’t talked to in a while — maybe even in years! I’m sure that you will find it rather easy to re-connect with those people.  You may even learn something new and exciting as you catch up with each other.

What are you waiting for?  Why not make it a habit of refreshing one network each week?  You will be suprised at how quickly those contacts re-connect, and you will BOTH be glad you did!

How do people in your profession establish credibility?  Years of experience?  Higher education?  Professionalism?  Knowledge of your industry? All of the above?

What “tickets” do professionals in your field need to “get punched” in order to be counted in the upper echelon of your field? Accountants sit for the CPA or CMA exam.  Lawyers have to pass the Bar Exam for the state(s) in which they practice law.  Project Managers can get  a PMP certification.  Human Resource managers can go for the PHR, SPHR, or GPRH.  For some professions these certifications are required.  In other fields they are a way of gaining status.  Sometimes these certifications require education and a certain number of years in practice.  Others can be achieved straight out of college or grad school.  Do you know the certification requirements and opportunities for your profession?

Many professions REQUIRE continuing education or advanced certification of their members.  Professional certification is a great way to keep up on the changes happening in your field.  It’s a way to learn more about what’s happening in your industry or profession, and a it’s also a GREAT way to distinguish yourself from others who do the same thing  you do.

You should note that there is a difference between certification and certificates.  Many universities have certificate programs for anyone who wants to enroll.  They provide a certain level of knowledge about a profession,  and they sometimes will help prepare students for taking the certification exams.  Certification, on the other hand, is usually provided by the profession itself.  Certification is often a more rigorous process and is more widely recognized among the members of the profession granting certification.

If you want to advance your career, look into obtaining a professional certification.

My mother used to caution me about the people I hung out with.  If their character was “questionable,” she would warn me that I was destined to become like them — because our friends, and those we spend time with make an impression on our own character.  I used to think she was just being a “naggy-old-mom”, but then I realized she was right!  Our friends DO influence who we become!

If that’s true for you, then the question is: “are you spending enough time with the people you want to become?”  If you are an Architect you need to spend time with others who share your passion for drafting and building buildings.  If you are a marketing professional, you should spend time around other marketing professionals.  If you are an engineer you will want to be around people who speak your same language and read the books, articles and blogs you need to read in order to grow in your professionalism.

But what if you are new to the profession and you know only a few people in your field?  Where can you go to find others?  Where do people in your field hang out and how can you meet them?

One of the best ways to meet people in your specific field is through a professional organization.  Most professions have them.  In fact, some require membership in order to maintain a license or  qualify for career advancement.  I recommend you find out which ones are most important to your field by talking to someone who has been in that profession for longer than 10 years.  Another option is to conduct a web search to find out what is available.  Most groups will allow you to sign up through their website and many have student rates if you are still in school or a recent graduate.  A lot of these professional organizations hold monthly events, and some have smaller group sessions for networking and professional development.  You will also find that most of them have a job board of some sort for people in your field who are looking to make a career change.

A great way to make a name for yourself in your profession is to volunteer in your professional organization!  In every organization their is an 80/20 rule at work — 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work.  You can take advantage of the 80/20 rule by volunteering.  Being part of the 20 percent will put you front and center of the organization where you will meet important leaders, other professionals, and potential employers.  YOU should be part of the 20!

There are many reasons to join a professional organization:  you will brand yourself as a professional in your field, you will grow in your knowledge and skill-set, and you will meet some people who could influence the direction of your career.

You no doubt have heard about this. I recommend you take the next hour and a half and watch this video! It will impact your career and your life!

Here is yet another example of why you don’t want to trust your job search to an online Job Board such as CareerBuilder. I warn you, the video that is linked to in the attached article is funny, crazy, hilarious, inappropriate, and R-Rated. Watch it at your own peril. Whatever you do, DO NOT WATCH IT AT WORK! . . . CLICK HERE.

I can’t believe that CareerBuilder thought this was a good idea.  You shouldn’t either, and here’s why:

Oh, it’s funny. Yes, it will reach the intended audience of 21-30 year olds. When I watched it I laughed so hard I cried. I dragged my wife to the computer to watch it and forwarded it to a couple of good friends. But that’s not the point. This sort of thing has a place, but it’s NOT an appropriate for job seekers.

You are YOUR BRAND, and just like Coke or Nike or GE you should do everything you can to protect your brand.  the only way to do that is to do the work yourself.  More than 50% of you will find your job by networking.  Now more than ever its not “what you know”, its “who you know” that will help you find your perfect career.

You CAN NOT afford to allow someone else to to that for you!

How much do you expect to make in your next job? $50K per year? $70K? $100K? More? Multiply that by the number of years you plan to spend on the job, and that’s how much your resume is worth! If you were going to buy space in the New York Times or Wall Street Journal for an ad campaign that would yield you this much revenue, wouldn’t you want to make CERTAIN you are getting your money’s worth? You bet you would!

Think about it. Wouldn’t it be worth your time and effort to make sure you get it right? Would it be worth an extra $500 or $1,000 to make sure you are presenting your product (i.e. YOU) in the best possible manner?

Here are my top 5 tips for making sure you have a top notch advertising campaign:

1. FOCUS your product offering. Know what you have to offer and who needs it. DON’T try to be all things to all people. Focus your USP (Unique Selling Proposition) to present yourself in the best possible way to your key target audience.
2. DON’T waste any space! Would you put a picture of your dog in a full page ad in the New York Times? Not unless you are selling puppies! Then why list your hobbies and accomplishments unless they are DIRECTLY related to your career objective?
3. BE CLEAR about what you have to offer. Don’t make the reader guess. Don’t allow them to read between the lines. If you can do something for them (which is really all they care about), state it up front and in clear language.
4. QUANTIFY results. The “native language” of the people who have the authority to hire you is NUMBERS. In order to best speak their language and gain their attention you need to quantify your results from past activities. How much? How Many? When? Where? How often? How much of an increase was that? These numbers will show your potential employer that you have done it before and could most likely do it for them.
5. Get help if you need it. There are a lot of great resources out there. Check out our “Resource Page” for more info on this. Especially helpful is “Doug’s List” (at the bottom of that page). If you need more direct coaching you can contact one of us at: info@orcms.com.

Your resume is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Think of it as a high priced advertising campaign. You want to make certain that it is clear, polished, and effective — because you can’t afford to waste time and money on anything less.