Is your Resume all Fluff and No Flavor?

Professional resume writers are not the only ones being bombarded with resumes from job seekers who are having no luck with their job search. Recruiters are too.

Too many of those resumes contain more fluff than flavor and really do not stand a chance. When you have 20-30 seconds to impress a recruiter or hiring manager as they complete a power scan of your resume, fluff won't help your resume make it to the "keep" pile.

Here are 3 resume writing tips to ensure that the top 30% of your resume packs a lot of punch, offering less fluff and more flavor:

1. Limit name, address and other contact details to two lines maximum. That is all you need. This may be harder with college resumes with a temporary and permanent address or some addresses in other countries. 20 Ways to Audit Resume Contact Information so Recruiters Can Find You

2. Audit your resume objective for relevance and focus. Get to the point! Guidelines for Writing Resume Objective Statements

3. Try a powerful summary of qualifications. One trick to writing a powerful summary of qualifications is to write it last. Pump up Your Resume with a Summary of Qualifications

The key is to make sure there is nothing in that top 30% that will make the recruiter stop reading.  Your goal should be to help them get to the other 70% of your resume where you share relevant skills, education and talk about outstanding outcomes.

Set up a Career ReEntry Advisory Board

Going back into the workplace after an absence can be difficult.

Depending on how long you have been out of the workplace, you may need some help navigating the landscape and not a project you want to embark on by yourself.

To get all the support you can, why not set up a career reentry advisory board to help you.

Who could you ask to be on your career re-entry advisory board?
- Prior supervisor
- Previous or current mentor
- Career coach
- Recruiter
- Spouse

Some things the board can assist you with?

• identifying your values, interests, skills and abilities
• setting your goals
• be a sounding board for disappointments along the way
• sharing job leads
• checking in regularly on your progress

Tips To Fight Age Discrimination in the Job Search

I spoke with an older employee who had recently lost a spouse and was looking to go back to work. She was fearful of her chances of finding employment.  "Nobody wants to hire old people anyway and with all these young people looking for work, I feel bad trying to take a job from them.  They have families."

I reminded her that she really needed to put her best forward and not show hesitation in her search.  Not only did she feel most employers would not want to hire her because of age, she also felt that those who would, were not willing to pay what her experience deserved.

I shared with her the following list of tips Ishared to help her fight any age discrimination in employment.

1. Stay cheerful and high energy for all phone or in-person job interviews
2. Speak to the benefits of experience, professional maturity and expertise
3. Keep resume content current and stick to relevant information. Read 50 Hot Resume Writing Tips.
4. Speak to the long term value you can bring to the company
5. Tell stories about outstanding outcomes in prior assignments
6. Consider using a functional resume
7. Use cover letters to focus on relevant, recent experiences
8. Speak to your ability to collaborate and work with everyone from Boomers to Millennials.

It's Never Too Late: The Benefits of Adult Education

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities accredited . She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com .

By now, nobody needs convincing that the economy has seen better days. Although some experts are predicting a bit of bounce-back from the recession in coming months, many Americans are still out of work or struggling to make their jobs worth more. No matter what category you're in, you might want to consider going back to school.

I know what you're thinking. Those of you with degrees think it's a waste of time to go back to school, and those without them think it's too late to do anything about it. But you're both wrong. Whether you're supplementing your current education with a graduate degree or you're a worker looking at getting the bachelor's degree you never achieved, going back to school as an adult can be a smart career choice.

For starters, adult education is a good way to add to your skill set. If you've got a bachelor's degree in business or finance, expanding on it with a master's of business administration or something similar can open more doors for you and make it easier to rise through the ranks of your career field. By the same token, adults with years of working experience but no actual degree can get a lot farther by proving they have the drive and determination to finish their education as well as pursue job opportunities.

Going back to school as an adult has an added bonus not available to younger students: You're still able to work full-time while attending classes at night or in your spare time by earning a degree online. That level of flexibility is what makes it possible to avoid having to choose between staying employed and going to school in the hopes that your degree will get you your old job back or a new job right away. What's more, your employer might be willing to participate in a tuition-reimbursement program if your schooling is related to your job in a specific way. Talk to your manager or human resources department about reimbursement opportunities.

The most important thing to remember about adult education is that it's never too late to make the smart choice for your future. Whether you've always wanted to get your degree or you're looking to step up a level in your schooling, you're never past the point of improving your education.

6 Tips to Career Reentry in a Down Economy

No one seems capable of predicting what final unemployment numbers will be or when this global recession will end. We do know that almost 600 000 more American jobs were lost in January 2009, adding more workers to the unemployment lines. More job seekers are competing for work in a job market where there are currently not enough available jobs for everyone. As the New York Times reports, "losing more than a half million jobs in each of the last three months, the country is trapped in a vortex of plunging consumer demand, rising joblessness and a deepening crisis in the banking system."

If you are an older worker getting back into the job market, here are 6 tips for career reentry.

1. Get your resume ready. You cannot execute a successful job search strategy without it - not in today's market. This is the time to revamp your resume. You have time available and a lot of the resume writing work you can do yourself to save money. Use these sample resumes to get started.

2. Tell everyone you know that you have been laid off. People can offer tremendous support and you will benefit from people "looking out" for you.

3. Network with people you don't know. Visit your local library, scour the internet and find groups to join, meet-ups and job clubs. You will be expanding your circle and hearing about new opportunities.

4. Be willing to cast a wider net, in terms of work you are willing to do. Think about transferable job skills and what other jobs you could do.

5. Stay positive. This is super important. Someone I know who was laid off recently and had visited the unemployment office, talked about how positive people were to each other. I also wrote last week about the possible upsides of being laid off as shared by three mid career professionals who had lost their jobs. You need to know that there is life after layoff.

6. Brush up on your interview skills. If you have been with the same company for years and haven't done a job interview recently, check out all the interview FAQs and career FAQs on all our career blogs.

Photo - Courtesy of New York Times

Patrick Swayze Going Back to Work

In today's economy we spend a lot of time, as well we should, focused on people who are out of the workplace because of a layoff. We should keep in mind though that there are many other reasons why people are forced to be away from work.

A long term illness is one such reason. Going back to work after an illness can be very, very difficult not only for the individual and their families but also for companies. Issues with work hours, health insurance and reasonable accomodations all have to be resolved.

Check out this story from Us Weekly magazine's celebrity news blog: http://www.usmagazine.com/patrick-swayze-going-back-to-work/

Photo courtesy of USmagazine.com

Get your Business off and Running - Buff and Polish your Ideas

6. "Buff and polish" your ideas.

Like most of us, you've probably scribbled an idea down and then lost the paper or forgot where you wrote it, only to hear later about some other business owner executing "your" idea.

A great way to refine your great ideas and really flesh them out is to write them down in a place where you can find them at any given moment. PDA’s are great unless you take them accidentally into the Caribbean Sea with you while on vacation – like I did!

There's no time like the present to start your "startup journal." This can either be in the form of a good old spiral-bound notebook or something more sophisticated.

There are any number of tools on the market that will help you keep track of important notes and milestones as you move forward and develop your ideas. These ideas can eventually be rolled up into your business plan, which will become the roadmap for your business.

Career ReEntry in Scary Times

With unemployment rate almost at 7% and the much publicized job losses, it is a scary time for people who are considering career reentry.

Over the last few months job seekers have increasingly shared concerns that layoffs have increased competition in the job market. With qualified workers in the market for jobs, some career reentry professionals fear that competition will make it harder for them to find work.

No doubt that is a significant possibility and from what I am seeing and hearing, it is scaring many people.

My advice for career reentry professionals is to stay positive and focus on competencies and job skills. Here are some actionable steps career reentry professionals should think about:

Revisit and revamp your resumes
If there is ever a time to make sure a career reentry resume is in tip top shape, it would be now. Many online resume writing services offer free resume critiques. Some resume writers work exclusively with career reentry professionals and older workers who want to work in retirement, transition careers or return to the workforce. Here are two Career Reentry Resume Samples to use.

Sell current job skills and the need for less training
Employers want to reduce costs in a tight economy. Many employers will want to save time and money by hiring workers needing less training. Job seekers should focus on finding employment using job skills already mastered. Having required job skills and competencies can be a significant advantage for the jobseeker who hits the ground running.

Consider part-time hours and fewer benefits
Many career reentry professionals who want to go back to the workplace are willing to work in temporary jobs. Typically in a slow economy, employers find temporary, part time workers an advantage. Additionally, part-time employees provide scheduling flexibility that employer need to staff during times of greatest need.

Volunteer to learn new skills
If you are exploring career reentry into a new career and don't have the required experience immediately, consider volunteering. If you can afford to do it, volunteering is a one good way to learn new skills, get a foot in the door and establish new contacts.

Laura Bush Planning her "Career" After the White House

I saw Laura Bush on Meet The Press this past weekend with Tom Brokaw as she talked about her work with the women of Afghanistan.

As Mrs. Bush outlined much of what she had done in her role as First Lady to champion the cause of women globally, I sensed she was preparing for her new life and "career" beyond the White House.

Didn't think about it until just now, but does one refer to being First Lady as a career?

Whether you call it a career or not, her transition from the White House to whatever she does next will be pretty similar to career transitions made by many women every year.

Going Back to School is Getting Tougher to Fund

One of the big drivers of the increased number of applications for student loans, primarily federal aid, has been the significant increase in the number of nontraditional students going back to school.

Of course, if you read my blog all the time, you know that the term "nontraditional student" is one I don't like. Why? Learning is a life long process and there is nothing "nontraditional" about learning as one gets older. For example, an older student returning to school for a Masters degree is not considered nontraditional, but an older student completing a bachelors degree is?

People are going back to school, many because they want to reenter old careers or start new careers and need to improve job skills. It is expected that the number of adults going back to school will increase as the economy worsens.

The Department of Education suggests that President Barack Obama will face an unusually burdensome financial situation that could force government to trim America's college aid program.

“There are a lot of things going on — more people are applying for student aid, more people are going to college, more people who qualify for the aid are showing up at school,” said Thomas P. Skelly, the Department of Education’s director of budget service, who wrote a memorandum detailing the problem to Congress.

Per the NY Times article, as of 7/31/2008, 800,000 more students had applied for grants than on that date the year before; one of the largest increases ever.

Tips for funding education in a down economy?
- Apply early
- Look for scholarships and grants
- Get advice from your college of interest
- Check employer tuition reimbursement

Career ReEntry Without More College Education

No one can underestimate the value of new training and new education if you are seeking career reentry into the workforce. However, in the current economic downturn, many potential career reentry workers are worried about getting hired if they don't have the education they perceive employers want.

A recent FOX Business article offered encouraging news for career reentry workers - of the 15 fastest growing jobs for 2006-2016, 10 do not require a college degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Express Employment Professionals, the fifth-largest staffing company in the US, helps about 350,000 employees find jobs in 35,000 companies in the U.S. every year. Here is a profile of the 350,000 jobseekers they help:
- 12% have a four-year college degree.
- 42% have a high school diploma, some high school education or a GED.
- 33% have some college
- 13% have either an associate’s degree or a graduate degree

The jobs they help workers find include everything from warehouse stocking positions to management and executive roles at an average contract rate of about $12 an hour.

For most of Express Employment’s clients, a high school diploma is sufficient--and for those clients who do request a staffer with higher education, they also want someone who has the right skill set. Says Sean Simpson from Express Employment, “A degree is one thing, but if you don’t have the right skill set to match up, they don’t want you.”

Start evaluating your job skills today, develop a comprehensive resume (Career Re-entry Resume Sample) and get ready to start your competitive job search.

Information Source - FOX Business

10 Things to do Before the Pink Slip Arrives

I read a great article at Career Solvers about what to do before the pink slip arrives.

Many of the career reentry professionals who read my blog are concerned about the pink slip possibility. Many have returned to work and are feeling some "last-in-first-out" anxiety.

Of course no one knows for certain, if a pink slip is in the future, but it pays to be prepared.

Tips mentioned in the article:
-audit your resume (sample career reentry resumes)
-gather testimonials
-reconnect
-do a favor for someone
-join a professional association
-volunteer
-get a flu shot
-manage your finances
-avoid toxic people
-spend time with family

Of course the author Barbara Safani, expands on each and so you want to read the entire article.

Other articles:

Stop Muddling Through Your Job Search; Get Focused!
Is it a Good or Bad Time to Look for Work?
More Job Losses on Wall Street - has some additional ideas about what to do if you fear job loss.

Older Workers Should Create Positive Online Profiles

The internet should be adapted as part of the successful career reentry strategy for Baby Boomers and older workers. However, many are not using the available job search technology such as career blogs, job boards, online training and resume distribution or referral services.

One reason is fear due to the prevalence of online fraud targeting seniors. In 2004 alone the Federal Trade Commission reported that older Americans had lost over $150 million through these internet scams.

Older workers who want to develop an online job search strategy might want to include some of these practises in their processes:

- Secure your computer with anti virus software
- Use computers at local libraries or career one-stops
- Never enter your social security number as part of an online job search. If there is a request, send an email for clarification.
- Create a separate email account you will check regularly and that is accessible via the web. Use this email for your job search.
- Use niche job boards associated with specific industries and professional associations.

Additional reading:
- Job Hunting - Dust off your Online Persona
- Explore social networking sites
- Use job boards at professional association web sites

Emerging Careers - Baby Coordinators

If you are thinking about career reentry, changing careers, working from home or starting a business, here is an option I came across recently - Baby Coordinators!

What is a Baby Coordinator you may be asking? To quickly get a sense of this emerging career, think Wedding Planner. As wedding planners are to weddings so are Baby Coordinators to babies. They help moms and families prepare for the arrival of the new family member.

Apparently the demand for baby-planning services has grown. It seems that many older, professional moms-to-be, with income to spare, are hiring Baby Coordinators. Per the article in the Wall Street Journal, rates for a baby registry consultation can be about $100 and about $500 for baby shower preparation.

The reviews are mixed and still coming in from Wall Street Journal readers.

"I could have used their advice to determine what NOT to buy. So many people told me what i ‘had’ to buy that I wasted a lot of money - I needed a baby planner to help me get to the bottom line!"
Comment by New Mom - September 16, 2008 at 2:57 pm

"This is what makes America great! I salute these entrepreneurs, even though I cannot imagine ever using such a service, even with all the money in the world."
Comment by TND - September 16, 2008 at 11:45 am

“Baby coordinator” = ridiculous
Comment by Native NYer - September 16, 2008 at 9:46 am

As with any new career or new job think carefully about:
- the marketplace
- the need
- your skills
- your ability to build a sustainable business doing something you enjoy.

There are many existing careers for work-at-home moms that years ago would not be considered possible. I personally know a Scrapbooker and a Virtual Assistant who are doing really well.

Additional Reading:
Baby Coordinators to the Rescue

Baby Coordinators - Useful or Indulgent?

Visit - The Baby Coordinator website
What's your idea?

Considering Career ReEntry in a Scary Economy

With the unemployment rate of 6.1% and the much publicized job losses on Wall Street, it is a scary time for people who are considering going back to work.

Over the last few months job seekers have increasingly shared their concern that more layoffs have increased competition in the job market. With more qualified workers in the market for jobs, some career reentry professionals fear that competition will make it harder for them to find work.

No doubt that is a significant possibility.

In addition to advising career reentry professionals to stay positive and focus on the advantages they have to offer, here are some concrete actionable steps job seekers should think about:

Revisit and revamp resume writing
Get help with a free resume critique from a professional resume writer. This is not the time to get your career reentry resume tossed for mistakes and errors which can easily be avoided.

Sell current job skills and the need for less training
Employers looking to reduce costs in a tight economy may want to save time and money by hiring workers who need less training.

Be willing to take part-time hours and less benefits
Many career reentry jobseekers who want to reenter the workplace are willing to so on a temporary basis at first. Employers love part-time employees who offer the scheduling flexibility during difficult times.

Consider volunteering to gain new skills
If you were exploring workplace reentry into a new career, where you might not have all the experience you need, consider volunteering. Not only will the experience give you an advantage in your new career, you may parlay this volunteer work into a long term relationship when the economy improves.

Resume and Interview FAQs

Men's Wearhouse National Suit Drive

Kudos to Men's Warehouse on their National Men's Suit Drive in recognition of their 35th anniversary. I have been a fan of Men's Warehouse for years since they started offering discount cards for new college grads years ago.

Certainly to give the best impression in the job interview a business professional suit is necessary.

As their advertisement says, "For many unemployed men, a new suit is the first step toward a second chance." The donated attire will be distributed by local non-profits to benefit at-risk men and youth who are transitioning into the workplace. If you or someone you know is going back to work, one of these donated suits could help you.

To participate, simply visit one of 550 Men's Wearhouse stores to donate gently worn professional attire including suits, sport coats, slacks, ties, and belts. All donations are tax deductible, and participants will receive a 10% discount off their next Men's Wearhouse purchase as a special thank you. They will also contribute a new dress shirt for every donated suit they receive.

The program ends on October 31, 2008.

Older Worker Friendly Workplaces

If you are a mature jobseeker currently job hunting, you are not alone.

I discovered this great little assessment which I thought might be of some value to you. Even though the assessment is written for employers to evaluate whether their workplace is older-worker-friendly or not, a jobseeker can find benefits in knowing how employers are thinking.

The survey is based on older-worker-friendly characteristics that were identified by
older workers in Wisconsin, as something likely to attract and retain older workers to an employer.

Questions are classified in the following areas:
- Recruiting: Asking employers if they use the terms "Maturity, Good Judgement or Work Experience" in their job postings?

- Hiring, Retention, Evaluation and Promotion: Does the employer provide information on topics of interest to older workers such as flexible benefits and alternative work schedules?

Check out the entire assessment here.

Career Re-Entry Resume Tips

As you continue to strategize for an effective job search strategy to reenter the workplace, you should consider seriously what you want employers to know and think about you. Your resume and job interview are two good places where you get the chance to show a company why they cannot afford NOT to hire you.

Keep these tips in mind as you write your career reentry resume and prepare for job interviews:

1. Be cheerful and high energy in your in-person or telephone job interviews
2. Talk about the benefits of your experience, your professional maturity and the relevant expertise you offer
3. Make sure your resume content is current and include relevant information only
4. Speak to the long term value you can bring to the company
5. Share stories in the job interview about outstanding outcomes in prior assignments
6. Look at the benefits of a functional resume
7. A cover letter will focus your background on relevant, recent experiences
8. Talk about your ability to collaborate and work with diverse folks from Baby Boomers to Millennials.

Alabama College Helps Older Workers Find Employment

Northwest-Shoals Community College in Alabama started a free 'Ready to Work' program to provide career retraining ranging from soft skills such as what to wear to work, to other work skills such as math and critical thinking.

After 30 years of employment at a financial institution, Melody Austin, in her early 50s, lost her job. Austin wanted to go back to work and participated in all the activities typical of job seekers. She did resume coaching, visited employment agencies, searched the state's job boards, newspaper ads and followed-up on networking contacts from friends.

"I used all the resources I could think of," Austin said. After eight months of job hunting, Austin found work at CB&S Bank at Cherokee as a customer service representative.

Assistant Dean Brent McGill stated that approximately 140 people had graduated from the job training program that lasts around six weeks and requires three nights per week attendance. More than half of the program's participants have been middle-aged. The first class graduated in March of this year.

Baby boomers will continue to be a growing segment of the US workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics say that those aged 55 or older are expected to make up more than 90 percent of the projected increase of 12.8 million people in the work force by 2016.
Source - Montgomery Advertiser

Making a Smooth Transition Back to the Workplace

Check out this conversation on Blog Talk Radio that I had with Roxanne Ravenel of the Job Search Strategy Lab. Our discussion was primarily about career reentry tips for jobseekers who want to make a smooth transition back to the workplace after an absence.