People often ask me, how do you create achievements in your resume when you're in an entry-level role or you simply have no influence in a company? Today's Podcast explains how: Listen! Read More
From Little Acorns…Companies Need Problem Solvers
No resume is ever read and no one ever gets interviewed or hired, unless the employer is trying to solve a problem or a series of problems. Sales may be declining in a key territory, or the manager could be bogged down by routine administration; staff may be leaving in droves, productivity and morale is plummeting and costs are skyrocketing. Whatever the circumstances, Read More
Of Mums, Dads and Kids, Oldies and Sickies. Explaining Absences in Your Resume
You know in your heart it absolutely looks awful. I'm taking about that gap in your resume where you just can't easily explain your absence. Did I say "gap"? The more you look at it you see a great yawning chasm with nothing to link the dates before "the event" and after. "The Event" of which I speak can be any extended leave of absence that you feel uncomfortable in Read More
Resumes: Two Phrases to Turn Robotic to Robust
Cutting and pasting your current job description into the experience section of your resume speaks volumes about your slap dash, throw-it-all-together-in-a-minute approach and attitude. Is that really the impression you want to give? The key problem with job descriptions (apart from the fact they are mind-numbingly boring to read and full of fluffy, nonsensical Read More
Unleashing your career…with the power of words
I created my business slogan "Unleashing your career with the power of words" many years ago as it resonated with me. Words have always had power. They can hurt someone's feelings, they can wield power by inspiring decision makers to act. Politicians, spin doctors, advertising professionals and product marketeers have known the secret for decades: to get customers to buy Read More
The 5W1H Formula
Have you ever heard of the 5W1H Formula? It's especially helpful in planning your resume and job search. Rudyard Kipling, the great poet once wrote: I keep six faithful serving men Who teach me well and true Their names are What and Where and When And How and Why and Who. Journalists call this the "5W1H" formula and while it's great for investigating information for a Read More
Management is not just KPIs
If you are a manager or senior manager writing your own resume, don't concentrate exclusively on achievement of KPIs to the exclusion of the people side of the business. Of course your achievements in terms of reducing costs, driving revenue growth, and delivering strategic outcomes are great. But they are not the only thing you should be focusing on. The best managers -– Read More
PS You Need a Resume in Bookstores Now!
My book has now been distributed to bookstores and libraries throughout Australasia. Look for it in these stores. Booktopia Melbourne University Bookshop Abacus Books New Zealand Picadilly Books New Zealand Read More
Formal Performance Reviews
This week's Question: What advice would you give an employee to prepare for a formal performance review? I would hope that the employee would have kept a career journal during the year. If that is the case, I would counsel the employee to review his or her career journal and review all the instances in the past year that he or she had resolved a problem or overcome Read More
Podcast-Information Gathering.
Extract: Today’s podcast is about getting your information together. You know information gathering is one of the most important aspects of creating a great resume. It’s like any project really. Whether you are painting the walls of your home, or creating a culinary masterpiece from your kitchen, success equals preparation.Sure you can open a can of paint and start Read More
“Responsible for” I’m not going to take it anymore!
Received another example of a cringeworthy D-I-Y resume today and so like Peter Finch in the movie "Network" I have decided to make a stand. Yes, right here I'm going to open the windows and scream "'Responsible for' is a dead phrase and I'm not going to take it any more!" Okay, perhaps that was a little loud. But if you can do anything to improve your resume today, then Read More
