Career Coaching TIPS: Career Documents,Take 2

People..


It is never too early to reevaluate how you are communicating your personal value proposition nor to take the time to examine your resume and cover letter. I conducted a few search assignments for senior positions. My goal was to find the passive candidates with the expertise in a particular market for a particular function, someone who out shined their counterparts through the printed word and presented their business acumen and credentials powerfully. Hundreds of resumes submissions later, my colleague and I were completely underwhelmed at the resumes put forth.

Here is what we noticed:

Candidates are not skilled in writing their own career documents. They are not taking the time to examine if the contents in the cover letter and resume are aligned with the specific requirements in the job posting. There were NO concrete examples of how one's experience specifically maps to the requirements in the cover letter nor resume. Candidates haven't taken the time to define their business value for each position for which they are applying. Rather they use one generic resume and cover letter. Don't fall in this trap, people! These documents are important to advancing you to the next stage of consideration.


For those who are busy, employed, and pulling down a solid income, there is a remedy: Pay for a resume critique and hire a professional to write your career documents. Skip a few beers or bottles of wine! We are professionals and that needs to be reflected career documents. For those or aren't or choose not to have them professional written, make sure you take the time to thoroughly critique your documents. Make a few drafts, read it to yourself and see if what you do is clear to someone who doesn't know you. And for the love of all good things, don’t EVER assume that a gate keeper or HR person understands what you do and will align your qualifications back to their position. They won't! You have to make the alignment for them. State clearly, the problems you got hired to solve, how you solved them and then quantify that with percentages or $$$. Does the words, what have you done for me lately, ring a bell?

Be mindful that these documents are also a reflection of your written communication skills. Perspective employers want to see it and so do recruiters. Your written skills provide insights to how you approach business problems, how you will communicate with your peers and how you add value.

Also, if you are networking with a recruiter, don't shoot over and email that says " here is my resume. I look forward to your feedback." We are screening candidates to find the best and the brightest. We are looking for people who are prepared. Our client's put a very high standard on us to find the best as they are paying us! So you better impress us!

It's time to get focused in 2011! What is your 2011 career plan? Are you going to looking for the next great opportunity? Are you in transition? If so, take the time to take a personal inventory of your personal assets, building your personal brand, crafting your career documents and building a search plan. This all requires time and focus. If you are looking to get more detailed career planning, I am for hire and positioned very well to provide excellent career coaching advice.

Get on your game, people.