Helping Jobseekers All Year Long

The Resume Resource is proud to provide FREE resume critiques on behalf of Career Directors International, the global network for career services professionals, at the following Hartford, CT career fairs:

Premium Job Fairs: 2/6, 5/1, 8/1, 11/6

National Career Fairs: 4/17, 7/24, 10/16

Coast-to-Coast: 3/6, 6/4, 9/10, 12/4

Note — all the career fairs take place at the Farmington Marriott from 11 — 2. Between 20 and 35 companies are expected to recruit at each fair.

Even if you do not need a resume critique, stop by to say hi, enter our raffle, or grab a pen or a mint. I hope to see you there!

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she guides her clients through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.

3 Things to Keep In Mind When Hiring a Professional Resume Writer

In today’s competitive job market, many jobseekers who used to write their own resumes are now reaching out to professionals to improve their job search results. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t get burned.

1. Template resumes work best for clones.

Each of us is unique —in regard to the value we offer an employer as well as our individual career goals. Be wary of resume mills that promise a complete resume within 24 — 48 hours. A resume created this quickly must surely be a template and those are rarely effective. You need to stand out from the competition to win an interview. How can you differentiate yourself with a resume that looks like everyone else’s?

Make sure you get to speak to the person who will be writing your resume. You want to work with someone who takes the time to get to know you and your individual needs. A successful resume writer will schedule a 60 — 90 minute client intake session to discuss your skills, interests and career goals. Think about it. If they do not know you, how can they possibly market you effectively?

2. “One size fits all” solutions rarely fit all.

Some jobseekers have a clear idea of where they want their career to go and only need a well-written resume to jump start their job search. Others need help focusing their job search efforts, training on how to use social media effectively in their job search, or interview preparation.

Select a professional that offers a variety of services. A la carte options are a great way to customize a package for your individual needs. Why pay for something that you don’t need?

3. Value is not the same as Price.

Make sure you know what you are getting for your money. Be sure to ask these types of questions and make sure you are comfortable with the answers.

– What sort of results do other clients typically experience?

– Does the company offer client testimonials?

– Will you receive your resume electronically so that you can update it yourself in the future — or must you return to the company and pay for future updates?

– Is the resume writer trained on the current best practices?

– Will your resume be optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems?

Your resume writer should be easy to work with and want her clients to succeed. In addition to creating a stellar resume, she should provide tips on effective job search practices and navigating the online application process.

The take-away:
In this highly competitive job market, a professionally written resume can accelerate your job search and result in jobs offers with a higher starting salary. Due your due diligence to make sure you are working with someone reputable, who comes highly recommended.

Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people develop the tools, strategies and confidence to build satisfying careers. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she helps her clients articulate their unique value to stand out from the competition, and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful. www.the-resume-resource.com

As a Jobseeker, You’re (Always) On!

Jobseekers should consider every interaction a potential networking opportunity — because you never know who may have, or know of, the perfect job for you. Are you able to articulate the unique value you offer an employer, at a moment’s notice? Most people aren’t. With a little planning and practice, you can always be ready to sell yourself effectively to advance your career.

You should have different versions of your introduction. What you say to someone at a networking event should probably be different from what you say to a neighbor when out walking or a chance encounter at the grocery store. Each starts with a Compelling Conversation Opener — a brief statement that piques the interest of the listen and prompts them to ask for more information.

Rather than a description of what you have done in the past, your introduction should be a forward facing statement of the value you offer an employer. One of the most effective opening lines includes why you love to do what you do. Then, explain what you do, who you help, and how you do it. Do not start off with “Well, I used to…”. Your likability factor is as important as your skill set. People enjoy being around happy people. Smile, and keep it upbeat and positive. Let them know that you are good at what you do, and you enjoy it. Searching for a job is difficult and it can be very hard to stay positive. But, the effort is worth it. Your positive energy will pay off.

The Soft Skills Most Highly Prized By Hiring Managers

Make sure your resume shows employers that you have what it takes to join their team. Highlight these qualifications on your resume; demonstrate how you have utilized these skills throughout your career to deliver results for your previous employers.

1. Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
2. Ability to work in a team structure
3. Ability to make decisions and solve problems
4. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
5. Ability to obtain and process information
6. Ability to analyze quantitative data
7. Technical knowledge related to the job
8. Proficiency with computer software programs
9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports
10. Ability to sell or influence others

Source Job Outlook 2013 – Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers

How Compelling Is your Conversation Opener?

Personally, I am not a fan of the term “elevator pitch”. I prefer “compelling conversation opener” CCO). If your introduction is succinct and intriguing, it will compel your listener to ask for more information. Rather than a description of what you have done in the past, it should be a forward facing statement of the value you offer an employer.

The formula for an effective CCO:

What you do

Who you help

How you do it

You know you have a great CCO when the listener immediately asks, “Really, how do you do that?” Make sure you have powerful follow up statements that tell them how you deliver on your promise.

My personal example: “I guide jobseekers through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more productive.”

When asked how I do that I continue with “I take the time to get to know my clients and their individual career goals, so that I can market their skillset effectively. I then collaborate with them to design a professional resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile that attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. To improve their job search results I also offer job search strategies and interview preparation so they ace the job interview.”

Spend a few minutes to develop a strong introduction that compels people to want to learn more about you. Then, confidently display your personal brand and the value you offer an employer.

The Formula to Finding True Career Happiness

How do you define your personal career success? Is it in terms of title or salary; recognition for your contributions; knowing that you are helping others? A job that provides you with the opportunity to work from home or provides the flexibility so that you can attend your children’s events? There is no right answer. We each have our own definition of success. And the good news is — we can each have it if we manage our careers with intention.

To be effective, your job search should be forward-facing. Determine where you are now and where you want to go. You will not be pigeonholed by your past career experience, unless you allow it to happen.

To start, identify your ideal career position that will meet your financial goals and aligns with your skills, interests and natural talents.

Then, develop the proper tools to establish your personal brand. A strong resume and cover letter and online presence will help you stand out from the competition.

Next, compile a list of targeted companies that need what you offer, and learn as much as you can about them. Do not limit yourself to open job postings or spend too much time on job boards.

Finally, you need to put in consistent and focused effort. The most effective job search strategy is a structured approach that combines face-to-face and online networking to provide warm introductions to the decision makers.

You CAN have a job that is satisfying and sustainable that also meets your financial needs. Not sure where to begin? Give us a call at 860-658-6480 and we’ll help you out.

The Resume Resource Featured on WomenPartner.org

January 1, 2012 – The Resume Resource was featured on WomenPartner.org, as one of the business women introduced during its 24-hour PR blitz to kick off 2012.

Interview with Trish Thomas of the Resume Resource

About me:
I am the Owner/Operator of The Resume Resource. I help people looking to advance their career to stand out from the competition and get hired. I apply a holistic approach to personal branding and help them identify and express their unique value and establish their online presence.

In today’s competitive job market, a self-written resume no longer cuts it. An effective resume must be geared towards the needs of the employer and highlight the value the job seeker would bring to the position. Involved in the hiring process in previous corporate positions, I understand what the employer wants to see in a resume. I use this experience to design compelling resumes and cover letters that command attention. These professional documents stand out among other candidates’ submissions because they target the employer’s needs and values. To improve job search results, I also provide optimized LinkedIn profiles, career coaching, job search strategies and interview preparation.

I founded The Resume Resource in 2009 after writing effective resumes and cover letters for more than 10 years on a volunteer basis. I enjoy helping people and wanted to provide a cost-effective alternative to the resume mills that churn out cookie cutter resumes that do not actually help job seekers. I left the corporate world because I wanted a more balanced and rewarding life. I now have that. I touch people’s lives every day. I am finally helping to make the world a better place… helping one person at a time.

An active member of Career Directors International and The Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches, I strive to make a difference to the job seekers I serve. I continually participate in training on the latest industry trends in resume writing, social networking, job search technologies, and the changing job market.

My resumes and cover letters get results. More than 90% of the resumes I have written have resulted in immediate job interviews. So, if you are looking to improve your job search results, I can help.

Company: The Resume Resource

Is your business Home Based, Virtual, and or Brick & Mortar?
The Resume Resource is home-based/virtual.

Type of Company: Resumes and Career Services

URL: www.the-resume-resource.com

City, State / Province: Simsbury, CT

Country: US

Zip Code / Postal Code: 06081

Email: trish.thomas@the-resume-resource.com

Are you launching a new company, product or service in 2012? Or are you morphing into a different company to stay relevant?
One thing I love about running my own company is my ability to evolve to meet my clients’ needs. When I started my company in 2009, I only wrote resumes and cover letters. They were effective documents that were resulting in frequent interviews, but I found that many of my clients were not making it through the interview process. So, I sought out training on the subject and started to provide interview preparation. As the job market became more competitive, I added job search coaching to my offerings to help my clients succeed in the “hidden job market”. While Social Media was gaining popularity as a powerful job search platforms, I participated in several of LinkedIn’s training events geared towards career professionals. Since then, I have participated in dozens of webinars and workshops on using the various social networking platforms as job search tools. I will continue to add more career-related services as the needs arise. I enjoy technology and like to stay current on industry trends.

Who is your ideal client?
I help anyone looking to advance their career. I work with clients well established in their careers who are looking for their next (better) position. I work with displaced workers, some right after their departure and others who have been in transition for several years. Honesty, I get the most satisfaction helping someone who has been out of work for a while get their life back on track. I also offer entry-level resumes for fresh grads and those in the workforce for less than two years. Recently, I have been asked for resumes by high school seniors looking to increase their chances of being accepted by their top schools. They use the resume in addition to their official college application.

I always recommend that people keep their resume current. You never know when a job opportunity might present itself. Plus, it can be hard to write anything positive about yourself or your career right after a job loss.

List your top 3 products and services. What problem(s) do they solve for your clients?

My top 3 products are my professional resume, cover letter and optimized LinkedIn Profile.

RESUMES:

Your resume is the most valuable marketing tool you have. Reflective of your personal brand, it highlights your strengths and qualifications for prospective employers and persuades them to call you for an interview. In an instant, its contents and appearance can make or break your chances of landing an interview. Many human resource managers say they spend less than 10 seconds scanning a resume, while considering it for further review.

The way we ensure that our clients’ resumes stand out from the competition:

The resume establishes their personal brand and targets the needs of the employer.
We clearly identify their successes and achievements, demonstrating the depth of their experience, so that the hiring manager can understand how the company could benefit by hiring them.
Using a clean and uncluttered format, we highlight their specific skills and the qualifications that make them the ideal candidate for position.
As we synopsize their professional career, we include the relevant key words that applicant tracking software uses to flag resumes for review.

COVER LETTERS:

We write creative cover letters that help our clients stand out to prospective employers. As the cover letter is the initial document a hiring manager sees, it is the chance to make a strong first impression. It needs to convince the hiring manager to bring the candidate in for an interview. We tailor the cover letter to the position and highlight the strengths and skills that make our client the ideal candidate for the position. In the cover letter you can express your personality and include some of the soft skills not emphasized in your resume. A strong cover letter will increase the chance that your resume will be reviewed.

LINKEDIN PROFILES:

Utilizing LinkedIn’s best practices, we work with our clients to establish their personal brand online to improve their job search results. The LinkedIn profile represents a job seeker’s professional online image. We advertise the value the candidate brings to their next employer, highlighting their skills and talents so the right people and opportunities find them. The resume and Linked In profile should complement one another. They share most of the same information but the tone and overall feel of the profile should be more personable. Many hiring managers will compare the LinkedIn profile to a candidate’s resume.

We craft a compelling headline that will get them noticed and use the summary section as their Unique Value Proposition. This is where you can get some of your personality across and incorporate some of your soft skills that would generally appear in a cover letter. In the Specialties section, we include key words that a recruiter would use to search for candidates. We synopsize their professional experience demonstrating the benefits the employer would realize when they hire them.

Showcase your expertise by providing 3 business tips.

Your resume should be forward facing and position you in such a way that the job for which you are applying is the next logical step in your career path. As past behaviors are indicative of future performance, hiring managers want to see your past professional achievements — not a list of your daily duties.
LinkedIn is the most powerful job search tool today. To be considered a serious job seeker you must have a 100% complete profile which includes information in all sections, a professional head shot and at least 3 recommendations. You must also be an active participant on LinkedIn. Post frequent updates and take part in group discussions, to position yourself as a top performer in your field.
Do not use the “spray and pray” job search strategy where you apply for every job out there and hope to get a response. Target the companies that are actually hiring and only apply for jobs that match your skill set. You will have better job search results if you put more effort into applying for jobs for which you are qualified.

What’s your New Year’s Special?
***My New Year’s Special*** A free LinkedIn Profile with every Professional Resume package purchased in January 2012. ($129 value)

Who is your ideal collaborative business partner? My ideal collaborative business partners are recruiters who do not provide resume services (and need an effective resume before they can present a strong candidate to a client), and outplacement firms that need help when resume demand is heavy.

What types of marketing, PR and advertising projects are you open to sharing the cost of and time implementing?
I am open to discussing all sorts of marketing campaigns:

Back links to each other’s websites
Ads on each other’s websites
Mentions via Blog, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Facebook
Joint Press Releases
Joint Print Ads
Networking Introductions

What is your top business goal for 2012?
My goal for 2012 is to have my business be self-supporting by Q3 2012.

Are you a member of any social media sites? If so, list the profile URLs so we can follow you online.

www.linkedin.com/in/thomastrish
www.linkedin.com/company/2112981?trk=tyah
www.facebook.com/TheResumeResource
www.twitter.com/Resume_Resource
https://plus.google.com/107938593923328107246

How do you plan to market your company in 2012?
We will market our services using Facebook ads, LinkedIn ads, Local women’s business groups, You Tube ads, and speaking and sponsoring at local women’s conferences.

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How to Answer These Tricky Interview Questions

It is important that you take the time to properly prepare for a job interview. Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety. Draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up on the company with which you will be interviewing and prepare some questions of your own. This lets the interviewer know that you are truly interested in the company and the position.

Although every interviewer is different and questions vary from industry to industry, there are some questions that are common across the board. Reading through the following questions and developing your own answers is a good place to start in your preparation. Once you have done that, remember practice makes perfect! Nothing impresses a potential employer like being ready for whatever is thrown your way. Continue reading →