This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Galen writes: I have been searching for a job for about 2 and 1/2 months. Every one I show my resume to, or e-mail/fax/snail mail to says that they really like my resume, or WOW, or this is a really strong resume.
Problem is no interviews, no follow-up calls from headhunters on-line or otherwise for jobs which I submitted my resume. Many of these jobs I am definitely qualified for, some over qualified, some under. Most, 80% fall into the definitely qualified for.
- What am I doing wrong?
- How do I get the headhunters to respond?
- etc.
No interviews is a bad sign to me. It means that there is something wrong with your job search…and probably not just your lack of follow-up.
I strongly urge you have a career professional — a resume service, a former boss or colleague, or a headhunter — carefully review your resume and cover letter. In fact, you should have him or her evaluate your entire job search plan.
I also strongly suggest you read our article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven’t Found a Job, published on Quintessential Careers. The article discusses some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search — and how to get through them.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Carol writes:
I have read your Quintessential Careers article Moving Up the Ladder: 10 Strategies for Getting Yourself Promoted with great interest because of my situation.
It has been recommended I write a proposal to create a new position for myself to move into. I am having a difficulty finding a template as to how to create such a document. Can you make any suggestions.
The Career Doctor responds:
If I am reading between the lines correctly, I am guessing that someone within your organization has suggested that you create this proposal, but even if I am mistaken, the advice I am suggesting will be useful.
One caveat: If you have not been encouraged to create such a proposal from someone higher in the organization, tread lightly, because management could view such a proposal as you being unhappy with your current job.
There are several keys to success here.
First, you need to conduct research. Try and determine if other similar organizations have the type of position you are proposing. If so, gather as much data as possible to build your case. And even if your search is fruitless, by conducting the research, you are building your network — and perhaps other more interesting opportunities may arise from it.
Second, you need to do a detailed (as possible) cost/benefit analysis. You have to show for the added costs of the position (including salary, benefits, etc.) that there i s also an added benefit — such as increased efficiencies, reduced costs, more revenue, etc. The more numbers you have to support your proposal, the better.
Third, you really need a champion of the new position in upper management. Someone who is going to sing your praises and push for the new position. This person could be your mentor — or anyone else in your internal network.
How likely it is to be approved depends on the strength of your proposal and how flexible the organization is to new ideas.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Delia writes:
I am planning to move back to California from Utah to be closer to my family. How do I address that relocation in the cover letter without it seeming as though there are professional problems?
The Career Doctor responds:
Why do you need to say anything? In your cover letter — or in the interview — you simply need to say you are relocating for personal reasons. But with people on the move all the time, changing geographic locations should not be an issue.
Now, get focused on the more important issue: your strategy for finding a new job before you relocate. Start contacting those in your network — especially back in California — and let them know you are relocating and looking for a new job back in California. Then, get on the Web and do some research on the types of jobs, companies, industries where you want to work.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Galen writes: I have been searching for a job for about 2 and 1/2 months. Every one I show my resume to, or e-mail/fax/snail mail to says that they really like my resume, or WOW, or this is a really strong resume.
Problem is no interviews, no follow-up calls from headhunters on-line or otherwise for jobs which I submitted my resume. Many of these jobs I am definitely qualified for, some over qualified, some under. Most, 80% fall into the definitely qualified for.
- What am I doing wrong?
- How do I get the headhunters to respond?
- etc.
No interviews is a bad sign to me. It means that there is something wrong with your job search…and probably not just your lack of follow-up.
I strongly urge you have a career professional — a resume service, a former boss or colleague, or a headhunter — carefully review your resume and cover letter. In fact, you should have him or her evaluate your entire job search plan.
I also strongly suggest you read our article, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself if You Still Haven’t Found a Job, published on Quintessential Careers. The article discusses some of the common roadblocks to a successful job-search — and how to get through them.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Carol writes:
I have read your Quintessential Careers article Moving Up the Ladder: 10 Strategies for Getting Yourself Promoted with great interest because of my situation.
It has been recommended I write a proposal to create a new position for myself to move into. I am having a difficulty finding a template as to how to create such a document. Can you make any suggestions.
The Career Doctor responds:
If I am reading between the lines correctly, I am guessing that someone within your organization has suggested that you create this proposal, but even if I am mistaken, the advice I am suggesting will be useful.
One caveat: If you have not been encouraged to create such a proposal from someone higher in the organization, tread lightly, because management could view such a proposal as you being unhappy with your current job.
There are several keys to success here.
First, you need to conduct research. Try and determine if other similar organizations have the type of position you are proposing. If so, gather as much data as possible to build your case. And even if your search is fruitless, by conducting the research, you are building your network — and perhaps other more interesting opportunities may arise from it.
Second, you need to do a detailed (as possible) cost/benefit analysis. You have to show for the added costs of the position (including salary, benefits, etc.) that there i s also an added benefit — such as increased efficiencies, reduced costs, more revenue, etc. The more numbers you have to support your proposal, the better.
Third, you really need a champion of the new position in upper management. Someone who is going to sing your praises and push for the new position. This person could be your mentor — or anyone else in your internal network.
How likely it is to be approved depends on the strength of your proposal and how flexible the organization is to new ideas.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from the Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen, PhD:
Delia writes:
I am planning to move back to California from Utah to be closer to my family. How do I address that relocation in the cover letter without it seeming as though there are professional problems?
The Career Doctor responds:
Why do you need to say anything? In your cover letter — or in the interview — you simply need to say you are relocating for personal reasons. But with people on the move all the time, changing geographic locations should not be an issue.
Now, get focused on the more important issue: your strategy for finding a new job before you relocate. Start contacting those in your network — especially back in California — and let them know you are relocating and looking for a new job back in California. Then, get on the Web and do some research on the types of jobs, companies, industries where you want to work.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
This posting is a guest entry from The Career Doctor, Randall S. Hansen
Mauro writes:
I read an article of yours — Resume Critique Worksheet for Job-Seekers — and found it very interesting. I have been applying for quite a few jobs recently and have not had much luck getting interviews, and I think this has a lot to do with my resume. I know it can be improved a lot and was wondering if you could provide me with some critique given your knowledge and experience. I sincerely appreciate any help you can provide.
The Career Doctor responds:
I’m sorry for your lack of job-searching success, but pleased that you have taken the time to analyze your situation and recognize that your resume is probably the problem. Anytime you are not getting job interviews, the problem generally lies with your resume or cover letter. (It could also be that you are applying for positions for which you are not qualified — or overqualified, but let’s assume that is not the case.)
I was kind of stunned recently when the results of a recent online poll revealed that almost 50 percent of business professionals thought their resume needed improvement. I can only imagine how high that percentage would be for all job-seekers.
Your resume is one of the most — if not the most — crucial career-marketing tool a job-seeker uses, and yet, as evidenced from the thousands and thousands of resumes I have seen over my career, many job-seekers just do not get either the importance of the resume or simply do not put the time in that is necessary to produce a resume that results in employer interest.
Sometimes, all it takes is some tweaking and minor adjustments, but other times, it is best to start from scratch. How do you decide? Get your resume professionally critiqued. If you are a college student or alum, go to your college’s career services office. Or, hire a professional resume writer (many will critique your resume at no cost). Or, even just ask some of the people in your network to critique for you.
Here are some suggested links for mastering the resume-preparation skills you need:
- Ten Easy Ways to Improve Your Resume
- Resume and CV Resources for Job-Seekers
- Resume Tutorials for all Job-Seekers
- Why
Hire a Professional Resume Writer?
A career change gives you the opportunity to sharpen the focus of your resume toward the new career or industry. Study ads and job postings in your desired new field, and frame your resume bullet points so that your skills and accomplishments in your current career can be seen as directly applicable to your new career. Use copious keywords that relate to your new career, and tailor your profile, headline, branding statement, or objective statement to your aspiration. Read more in our Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes: The Complete Resume FAQ.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
In a cover letter, how do you address relocation for personal reasons? Easy. You simply need to say you are relocating for personal reasons. People move all the time, so changing geographic locations should not be an issue. What may be more difficult is your strategy for finding a new job before you relocate. Start contacting those in your network, especially in your new location, and let them know you are relocating and looking for a new job there. Then, get on the Web and do some research on the types of jobs, companies, industries where you want to work. Check out our Job-Seeker Relocation Resources.
Need help with your resume, cover letter, or other career-marketing document? Order today from Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, powered by About Jobs Resume Writing Service.
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