I am a big fan of Timothy Ferriss and have read both his books. His first book, The 4 Hour Workweek, helped me to cut my work week down by 20%.
Imagine how tickled I was when i saw on Amazon that my new book had outranked his. 
Atleast for a day….:)
Just want to say thank you again to everyone for your support and for spreading the word.
My new eBook is now LIVE on Amazon eBooks:
The Career Artisan Series: The 21St Century Resume Guide For The Perplexed
It comes with a link to downloadable resume templates – custom designed by me.
The best part is: the special introductory price is .99 cents.
I know, it’s crazy. You may want to grab a copy NOW before I change my mind!
Yes, I know this book is worth far far more. I tell you what – if you read it and love it – won’t you consider writing a short review of the book on Amazon? If you help me take this book to #1 on Amazon – that is the biggest THANK YOU that you could ever give me.
One of the major reasons resume writers—or any writer for that matter—are in business is because it’s simply so hard to be objective in writing about ourselves or our businesses.
For this very reason, if you are writing your own resume, it may be tricky for you to try and customize your resume for the position you are going after. To make it easier, here are three tips that you can use to “tweak” your resume properly—I call this “The Mirroring Technique.”
Tip #1: Get a Focus. This is an obvious one but there is a trick to it. So often, professions only think their resume is “focused” when, in reality, they are generalizing. I believe this is because many professionals believe (incorrectly) that they should not focus their job search goals too narrowly for fear of losing out on possible open positions. You can exacerbate this misguided belief by limiting your job search to job boards for executive jobs and positio ns. Job boards represent about 1 percent of actual jobs that are available and are awash with competition.
The first thing I do when working with my clients is have them complete my Career Success Blueprint™. This gets them hyper-focused on exactly what they want—really understanding where the low-hanging fruit is for them. This information, now on paper, also gets them out of “job board” headspace and helps direct their energies to thoughts of “what exactly is it that I really want and what are some of my primary job search motivators—such as money, geographic, and industry parameters?” When they get crystal clear on these important components, then and only then can they take the next step—which is to write their resume and formulate the right job search plan. The same is true for you.
Tip #2: Shift Your Perspective. You must approach the information contained in your resume through the eyes of potentia l employers. In other words, you are going to want to write some things about your career history that will probably not be applicable to your ideal position. Shift your perspective; look at things from your potential employer’s point of view—taking into consideration the position requirements that you know of and, most importantly, the results you can bring to the table . . . your quantifiable achievements. For example, if you have a background of experience in operations AND marketing—and you are focusing on a marketing director position, you will most likely want to minimize your operations experience and draw forth only the experience relevant to your goals.
Tip #3: Use “The Mirroring Technique.” This is an extension of shifting your perspective. Take an example of your ideal job off of any relevant job description using a job aggregator like indeed.com. Next, highlight ALL the keywords and phrases used in the job descriptio n to communicate the ideal candidate that also match your skills and strengths. Now weave those keywords into the first page of your resume . . . essentially “mirroring” what they are asking for.
So often we say to ourselves mentally, “Oh, this position fits me perfectly!” and yet we fail to take that next step—which is actually rather simple—and make sure we are communicating this in our resume. Now, using this technique “making sure that you are mirroring what a company is looking for” becomes quite easy!
Let me elaborate on the technique of using a sample position from indeed.com—and how powerful this little exercise truly is. Let’s say, for instance, that you are interested in a VP of Sales position for a mid-size technology company. You can go to indeed.com, use those search keywords, and in about 10 or 15 minutes you will have found three or four position descriptions that sound like a great match for you. It doesn’t matt er where these positions are located or even what companies they are with. You are looking for descriptions that excite and energize you—you will know you have found a great match by the emotions they evoke in you. You want to cut and paste each of these descriptions into a Word document and highlight all the keywords and phrases that match you. Most likely you will begin to see a pattern of keywords in each position. You simply take and use these keywords in your resume. You can use them in your showcase keywords at the top of your resume, in your opening statement, and in your bulleted list of core competencies.
Bonus tip: I like to use a lot of keywords at the very beginning of my resumes so that the reader can (at a glance) get a pretty good idea of what my client is all about in just a few seconds. By using very clear communication at the very top of your resume—which also can be called “good branding”—not only will your re sume clearly and powerfully communicate your career objectives and expertise, but you can subtly tweak your keywords to “mirror” a particular industry or position. For example, let’s say you have both start-up and turnaround experience. “Technology Start-Ups” might be one of your key word phrases at the top of your resume. If you are reaching out to a mid size technology firm that you know needs a turnaround expert, you can switch out your keyword phrases, replacing “Technology Start-Ups” with “Turnaround Expert.”
Using these simple techniques should increase your interviews and interest from potential employers.
***I always approach any tips I provide you from the perspective of going direct to employers (the hidden job market) versus waiting for the perfect job you found on a job board. Remember, almost ALL jobs (more than 85 percent) are not publically advertised—so no matter what your industry is or what stage you are at in your career, it makes total sense for you to get your information to the key decision-makers, companies, and industries that YOU are most interested in. You might be surprised at their show of interest in YOU and your initiative! If you are ready to learn more about how easy it is to tap into the hidden job market, you can check out my home study program at www.job-searchsystem.com.
If you type in “resume writers” into your search browser – you will see the first big sites to come up are fondly referred to by reputable resume writers as “resume mills”.
These are companies with a lot of writers who generally have pretty slick websites and offer cheap resumes. I have often seen resumes offered on these sites for $199 and even “executive level” resumes offered for $299. I can’t attest to the quality or authenticity of every one of these companies but if you are tempted to save a few bucks and go with one of these mills, here are a few things to think about and do before you take the plunge:
1. Generally in life, you get what you pay for. I like that my resume prices are not only a great value but I include a lot of “extras” and “bonuses” because I want my clients doing back flips about my services and I want to help them in a holistic way with their entire job search. I also offer a full money back guarantee if someone isn’t fully satisfied with the quality of my work (which to date I am happy to say I have never had to use). But I can’t and don’t give my services away for next to nothing. And I generally don’t invest in services that do because there is always a catch. I might not know where or what it is – but I know its there – either in lack of quality, lack of experience, lack of service or dependability etc…
2. Before you do anything CALL and talk to a live person. Some companies are involved in fraudulent business practices. Talk to a live person – ask some questions and trust your gut.
3. LOOK at their resume samples. Once you do that, go to Career Directors International and search for certified and/or award winning resume writers. Now look at their samples. I have so very rarely seen these samples look the same because when you are a reputable, award winning and certified resume writer your charges are in line with the market. A good – a really good resume is a critical piece of your job search pie. Its not the place to skimp. Its your career. Get the best writer you can afford. You are worth it.
4. Get realistic. Generally here is what I have seen as averages for good/great/excellent resume writers: $299 to $450 for a new grad resume, $550 to $800 for a entry to mid management resume and $800 to $3000 for VP to C level “executive” resume packages. If you are making determinations in this range – generally you are in a good spot.
If the resume service or writer seems drastically lower than the figures in #4, my suggestion to you is that you check with the major Career Services Associations, look up some members websites and conduct your own comparative analysis.
-I was honored to have recently been interviewed for an article that ran on The Wall Street Journal’s new finance site, FINS. You can check it out here:
http://www.fins.com/Finance/Articles/SB124715087851818333/Finance-Job-Lag-Explaining-Employment-Gaps-on-Your-Resume-and-in-Interviews
I was recently reading Joan Stewart’s “The Publicity Hound” ezine, and noticed a tip on how to set up email subject lines for small business owners to garner media attention.
Joan writes:
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3. Email Subject Lines
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When you email a pitch or press release to the media, you have one or two seconds to catch their attention with your subject line.
Publicist Michelle Tennant, of Wasabi Publicity, sometimes flags the media by using these phrases in her subject line, just before the actual headline:
–Last-minute:
–Look:
–Media alert:
–Local:
It works. Michelle, one of the first graduates of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, has an outstanding track record of scoring major media hits for her clients in top-tier media outlets.
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…This got me thinking about applying the same strategies when in a job search. To grab a decision makers attention, you could state:
Local:
Attention:
Operations expert:
Candidate:
Available for interview:
…just a few ideas off the top of my head. Can anyone think of additional attention catchers?
What happens if you are a professional who has a great job history, lots of accomplishments, but you have a mediocre resume?
Well, often it means you hold yourself back from reaching your full career potential so that your compensation, level of responsibility and overall job satisfaction suffer.
Think of it this way: even securing interviews with a resume that just doesn’t cut it puts you in the challenging position of having to try to “sell up” from the “just okay” first impression your resume has already created for you in the eyes of the interviewer.
A smarter plan that will ultimately save you time, money and frustration is to start off on the right foot and create the best first impression possible. Here are ten steps to get you started:
Tip number one: start with a great heading
No, I don’t mean a one sentence objective or your current title. I mean two or three words that closely match your key skills, key industries or a combination thereof.
These grab the readers attention right away, so they need to be powerful, crystal clear and targeted. Check out my website for several samples.
Tip number two: make it stand out
A good design is eye-catching and professional. If you know basics in MS word (like how to create a shadow or a border), this should be easy for you to incorporate into your resume and cover letter. Be careful no to go overboard, though!
Tip number three: add lots of keywords
Keywords at the top of your resume that demonstrate both soft and hard skills help the reader separate out your strengths from your current and past employers. This makes it easier for the reader to connect with you and mentally “picture” you working with them!
Keywords also ensure the document can be quickly read or scanned to find a match between your skills and the target position.
Tip number four: bullet point your quantifiable achievements
Right at the top of the first page you should, if possible, lead with three to six bullets – each with a crystal clear sentence outlining your strengths.
Tip number five: spell out and BOLD your academic achievements Rather than writing MBA, write Masters of Business Administration (MBA), and BOLD your degree.
Tip number six: add the extras
Memberships, volunteer activities, certifications and training programs that are relevant to the position and industry you are seeking, should all be listed in your resume.
You can leave off personal information, such as family status, personal hobbies and statements such as “references upon request.”
Tip number seven: create an accomplishments summary
Under your professional experience, you should always call out your key accomplishments.
You can do this at the top of your professional experience (just group your accomplishments all in together) or as key points under each of your positions.
Don’t forget to BOLD your key accomplishments.
Tip number eight: create the right resume for you
Are you changing industries or building on the one you have been in for some time? Are you a legal professional or in academia?
Resume styles for these professions are all different, so make sure yours is the right style for your industry and/or position of choice.
Functional resumes are generally best for industry or position changes, chronological for staying in your industry.
Tip number nine: sell your present and past employers
Add a favorable sentence or two about each employer as you list each position (ex: ABC Company is a 50 million dollar provider of award-winning widgets with three divisions and 450 employees).
Tip number ten: quantify your accomplishments
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is communicating a menu of responsibilities without completing the story.
Employers want to know “WHAT HAPPENS” when you do what you do, so help them understand why they should hire you by telling them the results of your responsibilities.
Granted, these tips are just the tip of the iceberg, but making sure they are incorporated into your resume can make a difference in the quantity and quality of interviews you get!
If you have been considering having your resume professionally designed, then you might be interested in something special I am offering right now:
I am gifting my next 10 clients with a 20% discount on my resume/cover letter package. What makes this even better is that I am including at no charge, a 60 day membership in my Job Search Success System Coaching Group. The coaching, eBooks and bonuses you get with the group are valued at over $1000. But if you are one of my next 10 clients…you don’t pay a thing.
This is an incredible offer and you can check out the details and purchase your package here:
http://www.maryelizabethbradford.com/resume.php
***When you check out just key in coupon code: preferred, to get your discount.***
This is a very common question I receive from new clients. There is no one right answer, but there are some quick and easy steps you can take to make sure you are assessing your situation correctly.
Usually when a professional isn’t getting responses or quality interviews from their resume, the reason falls within one of these categories:
• The resume is poorly written
• The resume hasn’t been distributed widely enough to generate interest
• The methods with which the resume is being distributed are generally poor methods
Let’s take a look at each category:
The resume is poorly written
The problems I see with resumes are too extensive to go into too much depth here, however basic reoccurring problems include resumes that are too wordy, resumes that are not laser focused on the preferred industry and resumes that aren’t loaded with quantifiable achievements.
Unfortunately it’s not uncommon for me to see resumes that were “written professionally” by a resume writer or outplacement agency that just don’t cut it.
In short, if you can’t afford a resume writer, look for up-to-date resume samples via print or online media and do your best to use them as a template. Read several how-to articles on resume writing basics so you know what to emphasize.
Finally, if you hire someone to write your resume for you, make certain they are certified through a reputable association (CMI or CDI for example) and that they have ample experience. Prices can range from as little as $300 to $3,000. Hire the best you can afford. You are worth it.
The resume hasn’t been distributed widely enough to generate interest
It’s a common error to feel that a submission of 10 to 20 resumes via a job board is a good call to action. Unfortunately most people will find that this produces little, if any results. Yielding slight higher results (optimistically 5 %+) include niche job boards, paid job boards, association job boards and direct-to-company websites.
The methods with which the resume is being distributed are generally poor methods
Do you want to see better than a 5% response rate? Then you are going to want to learn basic techniques to tap into the unadvertised job market.
Many people mistakenly believe this means “networking”. It does not, though learning basic networking techniques (that don’t involve calling everyone you know to ask them if they know who is hiring) will both boost your confidence, lower any contact-anxiety you may have and increase your overall results.
A final word about professional help
A certified resume writer and/or job search coach isn’t just for the 6-or-7 figure professional with money to burn.
In fact, a good resume writer and job search coach can save you a substantial amount of money, and that’s not hype. A few of the results a professional can help you achieve include:
• More interviews
• Bigger offers
• Shorter job search
If you are in between jobs, then the sooner you land your next position, the sooner you can regain your monthly income. Just saving one month of wasted effort in a job search can easily translate to savings of thousands of dollars.
A good job search coach knows how to help you identify and reach your goals. They have a goody bag of resources you probably would be hard pressed to find on your own and don’t forget that this help is often tax deductible (check with your CPA for details).
You can take what you learn and apply to your long term career strategy and future career transitions. Bottom line, an effective and meaningful investment in yourself and your career.
Before you decide what your next best step is in your career search, take a few minutes to apply the points in this article to your current situation. This will help you determine the solutions right for you so you can move forward with confidence.
Have you heard all the buzz about branding yourself? Are you wondering how to make sure your resume is reflecting your brand? Here are three quick tips to brand your resume so it really reflects you at your very best.
Tip Number One: Understand Your Brand
What is your brand? I believe your brand is simply the promise of an experience that a company will have by hiring you. That promise shows itself through the tone and content of your resume – which your reader garners their impressions of you from.
Tip Number Two: Define Your Brand
A couple ways to define your unique brand is first to think about what you are doing when you are at your best. Brainstorm on keywords and phrases. You are going to want these in your resume!
Another powerful technique is to ask three different people (let’s say your spouse, your co-worker and a friend) to describe you using only three words. As them to be boldly honest and say the first three words that come into their mind!
Tip Number Three: Sell Your Brand
Your brand should weave throughout your resume in words and phrases that best reflect you “doing what you love.” Are you struggling with what information to include in your resume? If you are having trouble with a particular area, just compare it to your branding statements. Does it illustrate you in action using your branding keywords? Is it an important component to the position you are seeking? If the answer is no, delete it!
As you build your brand here’s one additional tip: always track your accomplishments. It’s really hard to go back and remember the goals you’ve reached and the challenges you have overcome, especially if it’s been over a twelve month span of time. Make an effort to track your accomplishments as they occur.
Follow these three tips and you will be on your way to a crystal clear, compelling and unique brand.
P.S. - Your name and email address will never be sold, rented, or given away. You have my word on it!
Mary Elizabeth Bradford
P.O. Box 298 * Boerne, TX 78006 * ph (830) 331-9398
maryelizabeth@maryelizabethbradford.com
© 2012-2014 Mary Elizabeth Bradford, The Career Artisan. All Rights Reserved.
