4 Reasons You’re Still Un- (Under-) Employed (And What to Do About Them)
August 31, 2010
Discussions on one of the many LinkedIn groups dedicated to connecting job seekers and those in career transition are changing tone as it’s taking some job seekers longer than expected to land in their next position.
One in particular asks, “Job searching without success?” The reasons given by job seekers for being overlooked and remaining un-(and under-) employed are many but a few clear themes stand out. Here’s what they’re saying… and what to do about it… starting with your resume.
“I’m Not Getting Called for Interviews.”
IYRS… It’s your RESUME, silly. The sole purpose of your resume is to ensure you survive the automated keyword search, make it past the HR department screeners, land on the hiring manager’s desk and have her think, “WOW… I HAVE to call this one in for the interview.” Then, of course, the trick is to impress the hell out of ‘em in person.
If your resume reads like a job description of your current and past positions, you’re sunk. Likely the 100s (if not 1000s) of other applicants applying for the exact same position can claim the same experience in the same tasks. Sorry, but it’s true. What the potential employer actually cares about is whether or not you can produce results. Specifically results that will make or same her money. Demonstrate the VALUE you will bring to the next job by articulating results you’ve produced in the past while a showing a bit of your personality to help them understand if you’re a good cultural fit.
[Stay tuned for a follow-up post outlining How to Avoid 3 Big Resume Mistakes.]
“I’m Too Old.”
Ageism is alive and well in this economy despite what all my HR friends are saying. I know too many Boomer s(and older) seekers who complain about being overlooked. So, unless the dates of your education are recent and important (you just received your PhD in Organizational Leadership, your MBA in Marketing or your BS in Information Systems), leave dates off that point to your age or a professional career that is more than 20 years old. Same goes for certifications and awards. List them, leave off the dates.
“I’m Overqualified.”
Position your experience as a Unique Value Proposition to the employer. Show them that you can produce results the day you step foot in the door and connect those results to their future success.
You also do not need to give the history of your professional life back to the first job in high school, college or post-graduation. Dedicate the precious real estate on your resume and LinkedIn profile to the MOST RELEVANT experience. And, yes, it’s OK to tone down your past job titles. I know many a returning-to-corporate-American entrepreneur who list themselves as “Director of Business Development” or “Operations Manager” in companies they’ve owned.
“I’ve Had Too Many Jobs.”
Job hopping is somewhat expected for Gen X- and Yers though Boomer hiring managers still roll their eyes if you haven’t managed to stay in one position for more than 2 years. Minimize the appearance of job hopping on your resume by eliminating the months and taking out any insignificant positions you were in for only a fews months especially when that position has no relevance to the position you’re going for.
Try It And…
Report back. If making these simple changes continue not to get you noticed, I want to know so we can delve deeper and get you The Job, not just another paycheck. ASAP.
10 Commandments of Personal Branding
August 17, 2010
If “branding” for a company refers to how it differentiates itself as well as its products and services from the competition by articulating its unique selling proposition (USP), then what is this business of “personal branding” all about? You’ve no doubt heard the term and I hope to provide clarity around its meaning and, more importantly, about why you should care.
What Is A Brand?
A brand is so much more than your logo, your signage, your tag line. A brand is a promise… It is the promise put forth by a company, product, service or individual to key stakeholders as to what they can expect from said company, product, service or individual. In short, it’s the sum of all experiences a “consumer” has with the entity that produces the emotional and psychological relationships between the entity and its “consumers.”
So, that said…
Do You Have a “Personal Brand?”
The answer is always yes. Whether you have been intentional or not about creating it, you do have a brand. You have a reputation, something or several that you are known for whether you want to be known for them or not.
The key to effective personal branding is to be intentional. You must know who you are, what you stand for, what value you offer then demonstrate that promise to the world.
And as with company, product and service brands, your personal brand is best built on your UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION (UVP). That is, the unique value only you bring to any situation — on the job, in volunteer capacities, at home — that no one else can offer. What place do you own in the minds of your key “stakeholders?” What do you want to be known for? What promise do you make to your “consumers?”
Your UVP.
You add the most value when you are true to what you do best: your innate strengths, your natural talents, your unique instincts that make you YOU.
Once you understand these things about yourself and are ready to embrace them fully and shout your UVP from the mountain tops, the next step is to demonstrate that you are in fact already that person.
For a business owner, your UVP to your customers might be that you are easy to do business with, especially compared to your competitors.
For a leader or manager, consider creating your UVP for your employees as one who empowers your people to focus on their strengths to add the most value to bottom line results.
For an employee, your UVP ought to be that you are The One to turn to for those things you do better than anyone else on the team.
For a career changer 0r job seeker, focus your UVP on the value you will bring to a potential employer by doing what you do best naturally. It’s just what you do and you’re really good at it!
So What?
Why care about personal branding? In this day and age of faster-than-the-speed-of-light, reputation-demonlishing social media (did you hear about the fake BP Twitter account?), you have to own and manager your brand as fervently as you would your teenage daughter’s reputation. Seriously. Because if you aren’t intentional about it yourself, someone else will undoubtedly manage your personal brand for you. Why leave it to chance?
Here are some ideas on “how to.”
10 Commandments of Personal Branding
10. Own Your Brand
- Be intentional about developing your personal brand or others will create it for you.
9. Be Consistent
- Facebook or face-to-face, send the same message.
8. Appearance Matters
- Don’t dress for the position you have. Dress for the position you strive for. Same goes online, too.
7. Stand For Something
- The most memorable brands have a point of view. What’s yours?
6. Stay Focused
- Act in alignment with your values and your ultimate vision and goals.
5. Do Unto Others
- Demonstrate how you wish to be treated and do for others what they need from you. You go first.
4. Create Brand Champions
- Equip your network to advocate for your brand.
3. Keep It Personal
- Face-time and other personal touches earn the most points and show you care.
2. Don’t Tell. Do.
- Demonstrate your brand in your words and actions. Walk the talk.
And the #1 Commandment…Authenticity. Authenticity. Authenticity.
Be true to YOU: your strengths, your values, and the value only you can add.
