‍‍‍During an economic downturn, quality-of-life suffers.  In most cases, company cultures turn negative and employees are constantly reminded that they are lucky to have a job.  Employees are expected to work longer hours with smaller or no pay increases.  Benefits are cut by employers and workers have to pay more into their medical plans with high deductibles.  Employer loyalty is reduced and lay-offs occur more frequently.  Unemployment periods last longer because the economy is in decline and jobs are harder to find.  All of these facts are combined to create more stress and more financial hardships, which in turn, impacts quality-of-life.

       When the economy grows with a 3% to 5% GDP, job creation improves quality-of-life in many ways.  Companies treat employees better to avoid high turnover and associated costs.  Employers will use retention strategies including pay increases and promotions.  They will try to create a work-life balance in order to attract and retain talent.  Employees are presented with more job opportunities where they can shop for better pay, better career growth, better benefits, and positive work cultures.

The bottom-line is that this is a direct correlation between economic growth and quality-of-life.  

Want A Great Job?

I often tell my clients that they need to view themselves as a product.  So, it’s important to understand how a product is marketed.  First and foremost, the product has to have appeal.  If it doesn’t sell in a persuasive way, you won’t peak the consumers’ interest.  You need to know your target market.  What are their interests?  What do they want from this product?  What benefit will they receive?

A prospective employer is your target audience, and you are the product.  At Resumés Etc., we package and brand you in a way that is compelling and appealing to a prospective employer.  In other words, a resumé, cover letter and LinkedIn Profile can’t read like a job description or list of tasks performed.  It has to address what the employer is looking for.

Whenever an employer reviews a resumé, cover letter and LinkedIn Profile they are seeking answers to key questions.  What makes you unique?  What sets you apart from everyone else?  What value can you bring to our company?  Why should I want to meet you?

Resume E‍‍‍tc. Blog

Your Road To Success Starts Here.

Employers are now looking at resumés from a completely different perspective.  They are analyzing resumé language very carefully to see if they can ascertain the character and values of a job candidate.  Given this fact, Resumés Etc. has been creating resumés that bring out attributes that are missing on traditional resumés.  For example: a sales resumé can say "committed to total customer satisfaction".  This is a boiler plate line that says nothing to the reader.  If the same sales resumé stated "align products and services to the specific needs of clients to assist them with their business growth objectives".  This statement conveys an entrepreneurial spirit, a partnership with customers, a commitment to customers, and the ability to add value to customers.

    A Human Resources Manager may state "work closely with internal departments to resolve employee relations issues".  The resumé could also state "collaborate with business units, aligning our efforts with their needs, while serving as a catalyst for positive change and new ideas".  The second statement conveys an openness to new ideas, a desire to think outside of the box and recognition of the importance of organizational alignment.

The Character Resume

Why not start today?

What you need to know before
starting this process.

Once you are a customer of Resumes Etc., you are a part of our extended family. Therefore, you can call us at any time, a month or 5 years from now to ask for career advice. We take the time to guide you and it’s free.

Purchase a Product, Become Extended Family

Learn More...

Danbury: 
Hartford: 
New Haven: 
Norwalk: 
Stamford: 
Trumbull: 
Waterbury: 
White Plains: 
Long Island: 
Hampstead: 

203.730.0158
860.275.0909
203.562.1491
203.854.4596
203.353.1933
203.268.5636
203.419.0111
914.908.5232
516.629.5339
910.338.4198

Read more...

November 9th 2016

The Best Time to Search for a Job

You may find this hard to believe, but it's November and December, here's why. Since everyone else thinks it's the worst time to search, your competition is severely limited, and that's a good thing. Companies don't stop hiring in November and December. Budgets are usually approved for the next fiscal year (e.g. 2016) by October of the prior year (2015). If employers want to have new people on board as of January (via budget approval) they will interview through November and December. The idea that new hiring is on hold during this period is a complete myth. However, since many people believe that this is the worst time, it's the perfect time to search and land a job.

November 9th 2016

Trump Economics and New Jobs

Lets begin with a realistic assessment of the job market.  We know that for several past administrations, employment ratings are distorted by the fact that once unemployment benefits run out, you’re no longer counted among the unemployed.  If you take a position at a much lower salary, you are obviously counted as employed, but you are under-employed.

When I assess future job markets, I stay away from politics and ideology and focus strictly on economic policy.  The Trump administration is proposing several bold initiatives including capital gain tax cuts, which should inspire greater investment.  They are planning a corporate tax cut from 25% to 15% and repatriation of American companies to generate greater tax revenues. This should begin a process of paying down debt, which will enhance the appeal of the U.S. dollar in international markets.  Tax cuts to corporations should result in more corporate expansion, investment in capital equipment and greater job growth.  Tax cuts to the middle class and repeal of Obamacare will increase household disposal income, resulting in more consumer spending and more job growth within the next year.  We should see a GDP at 4%, which will result in millions of jobs.  The one threat is how the trade imbalance will be addressed.  If it’s diplomatic renegotiation it will be win/win.  If it’s an aggressive approach, we could end up in trade wars, which will have a negative global impact.  All in all, I am anticipating substantial job growth over the next two years, with some minor inflation and interest rate increases, which I believe the economy can handle.

November 15th 2016

What Occupations and Industries Will Benefit From the Trump Tax Plan

There is a general forecast that there will be some level of improvement across all occupations and industries.  When corporations have greater cash flow from tax cuts, they hire more, invest in expansion, modernize equipment, and enhance technology.  When we look at the specifics of the Trump plan, infrastructure modernization will create many jobs in the construction, engineering and architecture fields, along with industries that supply materials.  Cyber security will be greatly enhanced given the hacking of government emails.  Healthcare will expand due to the repeal of Obamacare, since insurers will compete across state lines, they will have to improve reimbursement rates in order to attract more healthcare providers, which in turn, will attract more customers for insurers.  Companies will capitalize on increased cash flow to take advantage of state-of-the-art information technology and social media.  The demand of the healthcare system from an aging population will increase jobs for Physician Assistants, PTs, OTs, and Nurse Practitioners.  As the housing crisis eases and Dodd/Frank is repealed, home sales will increase, new construction will improve and demands for trade skills will increase.  As corporate bottom-lines improve, traditional demand will increase for sales, marketing, accounting, and financial professionals.  Finally as more consumers increase spending, the automobile manufacturing and consumer electronics industries will experience a boom since consumers will improve their lifestyle.

November 21st 2016

Massive Job Growth Expected for 2017

Many CEO’s have indicated that they plan aggressive hiring starting in the new year.  They anticipate corporate tax cuts from 25% to 15% and reductions in costly regulations.  The combination of these savings will be used for business expansion and growth of the workforce.  Given this fact, NOW is the time to update your resumé so that you’re ready to launch on January 2nd.  If you procrastinate, you may lose out to those who are taking a more aggressive approach.  Reminder, when you snooze you lose.  So, be proactive not reactive.  Be aggressive, not timid.  Avoid the “wish I would have reacted sooner” response to losing out on a good job.

November 29th 2016

Now is the time to dust off the resume and get it up to date ... professionally.

8 Steps To your Perfect Job

When interviewing for a new position, how can you avoid a mistake and end up in a worse position than you have now?  The answer is simple, just follow the Resumés Etc. eight point checklist.

1. Salary – You don’t want to be overpaid or underpaid.  What you want is fair market value.
2. Nature of the job – You want to enjoy your job, be empowered, be creative and make a difference.
3. The occupation – You want to be in a role that is going to be in future demand.  For example, cyber security, nursing, social media are occupations with growth potential.  You don’t want a position as a Pressman in the print industry.
4. Industry – You want to be in a growth industry versus an industry in decline.  I would prefer a job in healthcare over nuclear power.
5. Benefits – Everyone is entitled to good healthcare benefits, a 401(k) and decent vacation time.
6. Culture – You deserve to work with an employer that values each and every employee.  Hard work and loyalty should be rewarded and mistakes shouldn’t result in punishment.
7. Location – No one wants a long and time consuming commute or be required to commute in dangerous weather. Keep your commute to 30 minutes or less, and work with a company that provides a work from home option.
8. Career Growth – You don’t’ want a job, you want a career. Each job should challenge you, expand your skills and increase your marketability, both within and outside of your company.

Now, someone might ask, what if you get 6 out of 8.  Lets say I offer you everything, but under pay you and treat you with little respect?

Does 6 out of 8 really work?

What if I offer you 7 out of 8?  I’ll give you everything but the nature of the job will not be interesting or enjoyable.

If you want a great job where you will remain for years, it must be 8 out of 8.

December 6th 2016

If you are in search of the perfect job... This is the road map to get you there.

Many foreign investors have been sitting on the sidelines wanting to invest heavily in the United States.  Many companies here in the United States have wanted to reinvest capital back into their companies as well.  However, the prohibitive regulations and tax rates have discouraged companies form expanding, resulting in an anemic economy.  Most experts forecast approximately 1.5 million jobs for every 1% increase in GDP.  If, as predicted, new tax policies result in a GDP of 4% to 5%, we are looking at 6 to 8 million jobs.  Many of these companies are already gearing up to hire in January in anticipation of a much more favorable business climate.  So now is the time to update that resumé in order to launch your new career search on January 2, 2017.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

December 12th 2016

Get started on your new job before the new year and beat the rush.

IBM just announced the hiring of 25,000 more employees and a major Japanese entrepreneur wants to invest $50 billion in the United States.  These decisions are just the tip of the iceberg and clear indicators of a massive economic boom on the horizon.  At Resumés Etc., we have been contacted by Recruiters asking for resumés for job orders they are already receiving from employers. The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates in anticipation of major economic growth. These are all indicators that massive job growth will commence in 2017.  Take the time during the holidays to update your resumé so that you are prepared and ready to go on January 2, 2017.

Recruiters Getting Ready for Large Increase in Hiring

December 16th 2016

Get started on your new job before the new year and beat the rush.

The latest census bureau data reveals that adult children living at home is the highest since 1940, that’s nearly 80 years.  This is placing an increasing financial burden on parents along with tax increases, and record premiums on healthcare benefits.  So, what can parents do?  The answer is simple, invest in getting your children a real career that pays a good salary.  This gets them out of the house and off your payroll, while finally launching their career.

At Resumés Etc., we have had incredible success at coaching, packaging and marketing young adults.  We guide them towards meaningful careers, make them look great on paper, teach them how to interview effectively, and help them to find jobs.  It’s either invest a few dollars now, or continue shelling out thousands of dollars, year after year.

Record Number of Adult Children Living At Home

December 29th 2016

Get started on your new job before the new year and beat the rush.

At Resumés Etc, we consistently research hiring trends.  We focus efforts on learning what employers are asking.  What value do you bring to our company?  What makes you a cut above other job candidates?  What is your personal value system?  What about your character?

As employer preferences change, so does the way we package our clients.  We have come up with “Value-Added” and “Character” focused resumés.  Our LinkedIn Profiles are powerful and they tell your personal story in a compelling way.  Six months ago, we created the “Personal Values Statement” and 55% of our clients received interviews because of the value statement.

Jobs Through Innovation

January 4th 2017

We package our clients in a way that they get noticed by employers.

January 11th 2017

Everyone wants a great job, but do you know how to go out and get it?

TRUMP... What to expect...

The short answer is millions of jobs and a GDP of 4% by year end.  Here’s why!

1. Repatriation of foreign based U.S. companies, resulting in substantial tax revenues.
2. Use of additional tax revenue to modernize the country’s infrastructure, creating jobs across the country.
3. Reductions in corporate tax rates and the cost of government regulations.  More cash flow for companies to reinvest in themselves and to expand, creating more jobs.
4. A re-invigoration of the energy industry, resulting in many jobs.
5. Reductions in individual tax rates, allowing more dispensable income and increased consumer spending, resulting in more jobs.

We are already seeing the results of these plans in the stock market, even though these programs are not yet in place.  Wall Street is reacting to what they anticipate is a coming economic boom.  We are also seeing a rise in job orders from Recruiters and a growth in online job positions.

January 18th 2017

4% GDP by the end of the year...

Your Quality of Life &
Economic Growth...

January 25th 2017

Everyone wants to be happy with the job they have. Working to engineer this is not complicated if you have the proper skills to do so...

Imagine being a parent and investing $100K, $150K or $200K in your child’s education, only to see them working as a Waitress or Cashier.  There are a number of reasons why college graduates end up in these roles.  First and foremost, they rely on the career center of their college or university.  Career centers are not staffed with professionals who actually know how to assist college graduates with a job search.  The end result is a resumé that looks basic and ordinary.  Second, since their career centers are lacking in a broad-base knowledge of the job market, they will often guide students towards careers and industries that are in decline or have limited opportunities.  Third, they do not adequately prepare college graduates for the interview process.  They go over some standard textbook questions and answers that simply don’t work.  Finally, they don’t teach graduates how to conduct a strategic job search.

  At Resumés Etc., we have had outstanding results marketing college graduates.  We begin by using our extensive knowledge of market, industry and economic trends.  We use our research to guide graduates towards occupations and industries experiencing job growth versus decline.  We create powerful resumés and cover letters that are key worded for scanning and demonstrate their potential, character and value system.  We coach them through job interview skills that include questions specific to the occupation and industry they are targeting.  Finally, we coach them through successful job search strategies.  The end result is a career versus a meaningless job.

College Graduates are Desperate for good jobs ...

February 1st,  2017

Career centers are not staffed with professionals who actually know how to assist college graduates with a job search.  The end result is...

Most Economists are predicting a 4% GDP by year end, with a gradual increase each quarter.  History is the best barometer of economic impact.  As a general rule, a GDP of 4% will result in a “real” not fabricated unemployment rate of under 5%.  What this means in real teams is millions of jobs across all market segments.  When companies have additional cash they invest it in more hiring, marketing, technology enhancements and equipment upgrades, which also requires more jobs to produce products and services.  When consumers have more cash they invest it and they spend more.  When they spend more, demand for products and services increase and more jobs are created.  These historical facts will be combined with large increases in defense spending and infrastructure, resulting in more jobs.  So get those resumés ready and keep an eye on job boards.

How Will A 4% GDP Impact You? ...

February 8th,  2017

A GDP of 4% will result in a “real” not fabricated...

It’s a personal coaching and strategic planning process to help you to achieve your career and personal ambitions.  How does it work?  The process begins with a series of questions.  What kind of salary are you seeking?  What occupations inspire you most?  What industry would you like to work in?  Are you motivated more by salary, nature of the job, or both?  Are you exploring a work life balance?  Where would you like to be in three years, five years or ten years?  What financial responsibilities are in your future?

The answer to these questions allows us to establish goals that are on-target with your ambitions.  The next step in the process is a strategic plan.  It can be a few simple steps or a more complex multi-step process.  We lay out a plan with timelines and coach you through the process.  Ambition Management can also be more career focused.  How can I become a Supervisor?  How can I move into middle or executive management?  How can I excel in the role that I’m in?  We provide a coaching process that provides a strategic/how to plan, and skills development to help you to progress up the career ladder.

Your Ambition Management Coach is Alfred Mariani, MBA.  Alfred is an Honors MBA graduate with 25 years of corporate experience as an executive in marketing, operations, information technology, change management, and performance improvement.  He was an Adjunct Professor for twelve years teaching in MBA Programs.  Alfred has been an Executive Coach, working with C-level clients within diverse industries.  He has published over 100 articles and designed numerous executive training programs and management models, which he used to help reinvent companies.  As the President of Resumés Etc., he has been quoted in Forbes, Fox Business and he has been the subject of a featured article in the Connecticut Post.  He has made editorial appearances on NBC and FOX, and was a frequent Radio Guest on a show focusing on careers.

Ambition should be managed and here is why...

February 14th,  2017

What is Ambition Management?  

The biggest mistake a consumer can make is to assume that all resume writers are the same.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.

This is the equivalent of assuming that all auto mechanics, surgeons and lawyers are the same.  There are no licensing requirements for resume writers.  Anyone can hang a shingle and claim that they are resume writers.

Unfortunately, many of them are former school teachers or human resource generalists who never functioned in a corporate leadership role.  Therefore, they are completely unaware of the core functions within business units.

They are limited to dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s and making certain that your bullet points are in the right place and that your resume is grammatically correct.  This approach will not get you a job.

Your resume must be prepared by a professional who has a wealth of corporate leadership experience and can create a marketing piece that appeals to key decision makers.  When you view our credentials you will see why we stand out among the amateurs and pretenders.

AVOID Resume Mistakes

February 21st,  2017

Resume mistakes can cost you a great job. Learn how to avoid these mistakes and put your best foot forward

resume-etc-online-job-searches

1. Job Hopping - less than three years per position over a protracted period of time.
2. Staying In One Place Too Long – This can be just as bad as job hopping because it demonstrates a fear of change.
3. Dating Yourself – Your resumé should only go back 15-20 years, especially since most of the experience you had in the far past has been superseded by higher level positions.
4. An Ambiguous Resumé – Your area(s) of expertise should be clear to the reader. You don’t want a resumé where the reader can’t quite figure out who you are and where you fit structurally in an organization.
5. Little or No Progression – resumés should reflect promotions and/or increasing levels of responsibility.
6. Education – There is a danger in experiencing steady career growth with one company and then suddenly losing your job, and then trying to market yourself (at a similar level) without an education.
7. Overdoing Your Format – It is a mistake to assume that powerful graphics work in your favor. Many employers view overdoing graphics as a means to compensate for weak resumécontent.
8. Having a Friend or Relative Do Your Resumé – They may be well intended, but they can cause more harm than good.
9. Overspecialized – If you remain in a role where your skills are limited to a very narrow market (i.e. Quality Assurance Analyst for design of helicopter blades).
10. A resumé that reads like a job description instead of a marketing piece.
11. Typos and grammatical errors.
12. Exceeding Two Pages – No one wants to read a novel.

Top 12 Resume Killers

March 1st,  2017

Make sure your resume has the best chance at getting read the entire way through. In many cases it won't ... read why.

1. Never cancel, never show up late, unless there's a 20 foot snow storm, major earthquake or major family emergency.  Do not expect an employer to give you a second change.
2. Dress the part.  Never assume that because the employer has a casual work environment that you can dress casual for the interview.  You will never be criticized for wearing a suit.
3. Greet the interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake and look them square in the eye.  Begin the interview by thanking them for the opportunity to interview with them.
4. Take notes during the interview.  Don't be a scribe, but note key points.  If you do not take notes, the message you're communicating is that the interviewer said nothing of interest.
5. Be prepared to respond to questions with confidence and with detailed examples of accomplishments.  Interviewers like it when statements are supported by facts.
6. Be prepared for situational interviews where you will be asked a lot of "what if" questions.  What would you do if sales dropped by 10%?  What would you do if employee productivity fell by 7%.
7. Keep your answers to one minute or less.  In other words, practice how you can convey your point without a long winded response that eats up the clock and bores the interviewer.
8. Be prepared to tell the interviewer why you are an ideal fit for the position and give specific reasons why.
9. Do your homework on the company so that the interviewer believes that you specifically selected them.
10. Never say that you have no questions for the interviewer.  Be prepared to ask questions and keep them to five well thought out questions.  Do not ask questions concerning salary, benefits, time off, or self-serving questions.
11. Maintain eye contact throughout the interview process
12. Always send a thank you.  Email is acceptable.  However, employers seem to respond favorably to an actual hand written card went via mail.

12 Job Interview Killers to Avoid at all cost

March 7th,  2017

Interviews are the first impressions that always matter.

Well, let’s begin by agreeing that there’s no such thing as a perfect resumé.  But, there sure is a thing called a “powerful resumé.”  Unfortunately, many job seekers are mis-lead about what a resumé should actually do.  They are led to believe that it has to look nice and be grammatically correct.  If I created a physically appealing resumé targeting an occupation or industry that’s in decline, I wouldn’t really be helping you.  If I tried to target you towards a career where your skills truly fall short, and make the resumé look appealing, I wouldn’t really be helping you.

There’s so much thought that goes into a really powerful resumé.

1. Are we targeting a growth occupation and industry?
2. Do you truly have the skills and experience for the job you’re seeking, or should we look in another direction?
3. Have we gone back too far and dated you?
4. Is the resumé worded to position you at your true market value and salary range?
5. Does the resumé include qualitative and quantitative accomplishments?
6. Does the resumé have language that clearly demonstrates the value you bring to an organization?
7. Is it keyworded so that it is picked up on scans?
8. Do you need to be reinvented, and what career direction will work best?
9. Do you have special issues like age, lack of education or having to re-enter the workforce after a career hiatus?
10. Are you being directed towards a career that you are passionate about?

“And the list goes on”.  In other words, a resumé is the final product of a very thoughtful process that is designed to use our wealth of knowledge and experience to the benefit you.

What exactly is the Perfect Resume?

March 16th,  2017

The help you think you need may not be the correct Resume for you. Ask an expert and you will find this is usually the case

Whether you agree or disagree with the Trump Economic Plan, employers always react positively to tax cuts, less regulations and lower healthcare costs.  Consumer confidence builds because of stock market performance, proposed tax cuts and lower healthcare premiums.  It all adds up to more disposable income, and consumer spending is 67% of GDP.  Companies also react to increased consumer confidence, knowing that spending on goods and services will increase.

All of these factors contribute to job growth.  The unknowns include projected tax revenues to the Treasury with reduced corporate taxes and repatriation of overseas companies. Will the estimated tax revenue live up to expectations?  Another concern is whether or not rapid economic growth will result in higher interest rates due to inflation.  Only time will tell.  However, in the near term, expect surges in job growth over the next four quarters.

Is the Job Market Really Improving?

March 21st,  2017

The Short Answer is "YES!"

It really comes down to a combination of things. The first is to have a very powerful resumé and cover letter. It should be a “wow” document, not a job description. The next step is to maximize your exposure through Recruiters, job boards, networking, and LinkedIn. The more people that know you exist, the more calls you get, it’s that simple. Good interviewing techniques are important. It’s one thing to get the interview, it’s another to close the deal. It is also important to link your resumé and cover letter to occupations and industries experiencing a growth versus decline. This may require that you reinvent yourself to match up with opportunities. In many cases, working with a Career Coach can provide you with a big advantage.

The BEST way to find a job.

April 3rd  2017

Its a combination that makes sense"

There are many factors that go into a decision to ask for a pay increase.  How is the company doing financially?  If there are financial issues, you may be viewed as selfish and not a team player.  What is the corporate culture?  If negative, any request can be risky.  How long have you been on the job?  If less than a year, you may be viewed as impatient.  There are several tips we can pass along that may assist you in deciding when and how to ask for a raise.

1.    Make certain that you have a track record of proven accomplishments to demonstrate value to your employer.

2.    Be in the position long enough to establish a track record.

3.    Earn the respect of your supervisor, peers and other associates.

4.    Closely observe the results of others, with a good reputation, who have asked for a raise.

5.    Be mindful of the company’s culture and financial situation.

6.    Never demand a raise, ask for one.

7.    Begin the conversation with how appreciative you are for the opportunity to work for the company and the positive experience you have had.

8.    Do not compare yourself to anyone else.  You’re there to take about you.

9.    Do not ask for a raise, for the sake of a raise.  Discuss the rising cost of living, tax increases and other factors affecting your disposable income.

10.    Talk about your accomplishments and the additional responsibilities that you have assumed, as well as any additional skills you have acquired.

11.    Discuss your wish to remain with the company because it’s where you see your future.

12.    State that you will accept any decision that is made, and that you would appreciate any consideration you may receive.

13.    Express a willingness to take on more responsibility.

14.    Thank your supervisor for his/her time.

The key to success begins with diplomacy.  Diplomacy is supported by facts.  Never, ever use threats or ultimatums.  For more information, give us a call at (203) 268-5636 or visit us at resumeetc.com.

How do I ask for a raise?

April 11th  2017

Asking for a raise can be difficult... when is a good time... will I get what I want ... is there a strategy...  

The more of these signs that apply to you, the more likely that your career has hit the ceiling.

1. No pay increases or very small pay increases.
2. Performance reviews that are subjective and leave out significant contributions.
3. No promotions over a protracted period of time.
4. Increased responsibility with no compensation.
5. Gradual reduction of responsibilities.
6. Never assigned critical responsibilities or projects.
7. Never invited to key decision making meetings.
8. Folks who do less are getting more promotions and better raises.
9. Never invited to social gatherings attended by power brokers.
10. Consistently being reminded that if you don’t like it here, you can always leave.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

When is it time to start looking for a new job?

April 18th  2017

There are a number of tell tale signs that make it clear that you are not valued by your employer.

GET STARTED HERE

As a general rule, about every 3 to 5 years. However, there must be a pattern established that does not cause concern among prospective employers.  First, each move should be a move up.  This provides justification for leaving every several years, stating in a job interview that upward progression was limited with your former employer.  If your moves are all, or mostly lateral, it could come across as someone who changes jobs for the sake of change.  Second, the moves could also be justified for reasons including career change, new industry focus, or physical relocation.  In some cases, remaining with one company, or in one position too long, can be a negative and indicate a fear of change, or inability, or unwillingness to assume increasing levels of responsibility.  Third, staying with one company for a protracted period of time is acceptable if your career demonstrates consistent promotions with the same employer, indicating a justifiable reason for long-term loyalty.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

How often should I switch jobs?

Is there a general rule or pattern that should be followed when changing jobs?

April 25th  2017

First and foremost, never state anything negative about your current employer; it’s a career-ender.  There are a number of good reasons for leaving your job that a prospective employer will not view as a negative.

1. Career advancement is limited at my company.  Why?  The industry is flat, the workforce is young and there’s little turnover.
2. They restructured their bonus/commission system which will reduce my compensation substantially, and I need to meet my financial obligations.
3. The company is in the process of downsizing and restructuring and I don’t know how vulnerable my position may be.
4. The company is relocating some/or all of its business operations and I prefer to remain in the area.
5. We have just been purchased by another company, and in most cases, they usually like to bring on their own team.
6. I have been with the company a long time and it may be time for a change.
7. There is a pattern of consistent outsourcing and I may be vulnerable.
8. Although I enjoy my job, the industry is in a state of decline.
9. My entire department is being centralized to another state.
10. They have drastically reduced our healthcare benefits.The idea is to make it clear that your reason for leaving has nothing to do with ill feelings towards your employer.  Instead, you reasons are primarily economic and family oriented.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

What are the Best Reasons to give for leaving a job?

When interviewing there are some questions that are better left in a positive light. It's bad form to speak ill of a former employer and ...

May 3rd  2017

When states keep raising taxes and fees, and towns keep raising property taxes, disposable income keeps dropping.  When sales tax and property tax go up by 5%, you need to gross 8% in order to net the 5% you need to pay all of these increases.  How many people are getting annual pay increases of 8%?  The reality is that a pay increase of 4% is a net 2.5%.  So if your tax liability is net 5% a year, and your pay increase (if you get one) is net 2.5% a year, you’re losing 2.5% a year in disposable income.  Over five years that’s nearly 10%.  If you factor in an annual inflation rate of 2.5%, any net pay increase becomes flat.  So, over a five year period, your disposable income can drop by 20+%.  How do you survive under these circumstances?  It’s easy, you have to move out in order to move up.  In other words, if your employer keeps giving you marginal or no pay increases, you need to seek new employment every several years so that you can negotiate a better salary.  When your employer is not taking care of you, then you need to take care of yourself.

For more information,
give us a call at 203.268.5636

How Do I Offset Constant Tax Increases?

Most people lose 2.5% in income on average per year because they do not factor in Tax increases ...

May 10th  2017

Your immediate Supervisor (at any level) can make your work life tolerable, or a living hell.  Before considering doing battle with your Supervisor, you need to assess their political position.  Is your Supervisor highly respected?  Does he/she have strong political allies? If the answer is yes, then you should avoid a scenario that you can’t win.  If the answer is no, you’re better off waiting it out to see of your Supervisor fails based upon performance.  The best approach is to buy time.  Your only choice is to hope that your Supervisor leaves or fails on their own, and your strategy is to survive and play out the clock.  If your Supervisor is highly respected and supported, then you are playing out the clock while pursuing employment elsewhere.  Either way, you need to buy time.  The best way to do this is to have discussions with your Supervisor, convince him/her that your role is to help them achieve their goals and begin to take steps in that direction.  The end result may be a better relationship, or at least the possibility of buying time.

For more information,
give us a call at 203.268.5636

What should I do if my boss doesn't like me...

You need to assess their political status before going to battle with them ...

May 16th  2017

One of the biggest challenges in a work environment is dealing with co-workers that are either hostile, lazy, non-contributing, politically motivated, and/or untrustworthy.  This is particularly challenging, especially in a work culture that encourages teamwork.  The solution to this problem is not to fall into the trap set by this type of co-worker.  We often become frustrated and begin to mirror the behavior of these co-workers.  This is a critical mistake.  The goal is to consistently rise above these obstacles by being the consummate team player.  You should consistently support team efforts and those peers who are true team players.  If the difficult co-worker is not carrying their load, then take on more responsibility with other team leaders and get the job done.  More often than not, financial projects are presented to senior management, where each team member is expected to present a portion of the final project results, followed by a question and answer session.  If this individual was not an active participant in project implementation, this will become self-evident during any question and answer sessions.            

The objective is to never bad mouth a fellow co-worker.  Your goal is to always project an image of cooperation and collaboration.  Always assume that there are enough co-workers that will get the word to the right people about difficult co-workers, just make certain it’s not you.  Remember, the cream always rises to the top.

For more information,
give us a call at 203.268.5636

Dealing with a Hostile Co-Worker

You should consistently support team efforts and those peers who are true team players...

May 23rd  2017

There are telltale indications of what constitutes a negative work environment.  Listed below are key indicators that should help you determine if you need to move on.

1. Employee Turnover Rate – It should be 10% or less.  The more above 10%, the worse the culture.
2. Average Employee Tenure – In a positive culture, the average tenure per employee should be at least five years.
3. Promotions From Within – A positive culture will have employee training programs and succession planning to promote largely from within.  Companies with a negative culture have no dedicated programs to address the career growth needs of employees.
4. Benefits – A positive culture provides many employee perks including stock options, 401(k), medical/dental with low deductibles, and tuition aide tied to succession planning.  Negative cultures cut benefits to a minimum.
5. Physical Environment – In a positive culture, employees are provided with offices and/or very professional cubicles and workstations.  In a negative culture, everyone is thrown into an open space with little or no privacy.
6. Work Life Balance – A positive culture promotes and encourages family time and does not expect employees to become workaholics.  In a negative culture, the company owns you and controls many aspects of your life.
7. Diversity – A positive culture is a diverse culture and does not favor any specific category of employees.  A negative culture many not celebrate diversity.
8. Job Security – No company can guarantee you a job and will often link security to performance.  However, a positive culture will make ever attempt to avoid layoffs including expense reductions, wage freezes and early retirement packages.  Negative cultures will often do what is expedient without concern for families of employees.
9. Salary – A negative culture will pay below market value because they are not concerned about employee turnover.
10. Nature of Your Job – In a positive culture, you are challenges and you are empowered with input into the decision making process.  In a negative culture, your job is routine, you are micro-managed and your opinions are not valued.

The objective is to never bad mouth a fellow co-worker.  Your goal is to always project an image of cooperation and collaboration.  Always assume that there are enough co-workers that will get the word to the right people about difficult co-workers, just make certain it’s not you.  Remember, the cream always rises to the top.

For more information,
give us a call at 203.268.5636

10 things to know about Negative & Hostile Work Environments

A positive culture will have employee training programs and succession planning to promote largely from within...

May 31st  2017

Corporate professionals exist in a world where job security, career advancement and financial security are far from certain.  The goal is to be proactive, not reactive, and the following basic rules that can minimize your risks.

1.     Company Finances – How are your company’s finances including cash flow, market-share, sales results, secured contracts, and a position within the industry?

2.     Career Progression – Does the company promote from within?  Do they train employees and prepare them for advancement within the company?

3.     Valuing Employees – Do you receive annual performance reviews?  Are they fair and objective?  Do merit increases adequately compensate you for your efforts?

4.     Performance Versus Politics – Does the company promote and provide pay increases based upon actual performance versus politics?  Does the company reward those who are good at internal politics versus performance?

5.     Political Savvy – Are you in good shape politically within the company, or are you persona non-grata?  Do people of influence within the company have your back and appreciate your efforts?

6.     Outsourcing/Downsizing – Are you a person with a job function that can be easily outsourced or eliminated/consolidated if necessary?

7.     Industry – Are you in a growth industry, or in an industry that is in decline?  

The answers to these questions will be very telling in terms of our future career, compensation and security.  If the answers to these questions are negative versus positive, you will want to explore options before you are caught by surprise.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Corporate Survival Skills

7 Key Questions That Need to be Answered, if you want to be certain of your current position and forward advancement within your company ...

June 6th,  2017

One of the biggest fears of employees at all levels is their job being eliminated.  The question is how can you tell if you position is vulnerable?  There are a number of indicators that you should look for.

1. Outsourcing – Can your job be easily outsourced, or does the performance of your job rely upon a local presence and/or the relationship you have cultivated with customers?
2. Consolidation – Can your job be consolidated and dispensed to other employees?  Can other employees be easily trained on your job duties, or is your job technical, complex or specialized?
3. Pay – Are you paid over your market value, where the company will try to hire someone who can do it as a much lower rate?
4. Mergers/Acquisitions – Is the company in the process of a merger or acquisition where your job may be a duplication of effort, or may be centralized or decentralized due to a corporate restructure?
5. Technology – Will new and advanced technology eliminate some or most of your job functions?
6. Job Complexity – Most of your job duties are routine and not very complex where replacement can be easy.
7. Value-Added – Is there a direct correlation between your job and broader strategic objectives including cost efficiency, productivity and revenue growth, or is your position viewed as overhead without any certain value?

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Will my Job be Eliminated?

There are indicators ... know what they are, don't get caught off guard  ...

June 13th,  2017

The number one career mistake is job “specialization”.  Let’s say you work for a bank and for ten years your job has been quality control audits of returned checks.  An employee will often make the mistake of allowing an employer to place them in a specialized role, where their skills are not transferable to any other job or industry.  Employees with allow this because they are comfortable in their role and they assume that their job is secure.  If they are let go, they will have extreme difficulties finding a position.  Prospective employers will determine that they are not a match for any of their open positions.            

Employees should always try to maneuver into positions where they can acquire universal skills.  Examples include human resources, accounting, IT, finance, sales, and marketing.  If your employer places you in a specialized role, try to move within the company to another role, before you are stereotyped as a specialist.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

The Number One Career Mistake

Never just assume your job is secure, especially under the following circumstances... always have your guard up...

June 20th,  2017

Many companies want to avoid the firing of employees because of the cost of unemployment claims and potential law suits. To avoid these situations, companies will take steps to encourage employees to quit on their own. These steps can involve any one or more of the following:

1. Redefine your job duties without a pay decrease or title change. In most cases these duties involve unimportant and boring tasks.
2. Change your title (same pay and level) to “Manager of Special Projects” where none of the projects are important.
3. Transfer you to another location that doubles and triples your commute and tell you that your expertise are desperately needed there.
4. Move you to a less prestigious office in order to humiliate you.
5. Never involve you in any important decisions or projects.
6. Provide mediocre performance reviews and no career advancement.
7. Move you into a role that has nothing to do with your education or expertise and claim that you are needed there.
8. Restructure the organization and have you interview for your own job.
9. For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636‍‍‍

Does my company want to get rid of me?

There are warning signs, know them to stay ahead of the curve...

June 27th,  2017

We need to become accustomed to constant change and uncertainty.  There are many factors affecting the job market that did not apply decades ago.  These factors include frequent mergers and acquisitions, global competition, outsourcing, the role of technology, government oversight/regulations, company relocation's, and more.  Some of these changes result in job loss, others create opportunities like cyber security, the virtual marketplace, advances in healthcare, social media, and more.

This can be very confusing to working professionals, which is why you can benefit by working with a Career Coach.  At Resumés Etc., we stay on top of trends and provide you with advice on the skills and training you may need for the future, and we also help to reinvent you and direct you towards occupations and industries experiencing growth versus decline.  The idea is to be proactive, not reactive, and this can only be achieved by partnering with Career Co‍‍‍aches.

‍‍‍‍‍‍JOB Market Watch!

What Will the Job Market Be Like In The Future?

July 5th,  2017

It’s a complex answer involving many variables.  It began in the 90’s with global competition.  Many countries in Europe and Asia needed a generation to rebuild their infrastructure.  The reality of global competition was combined with increasing labor costs, high taxes and regulations, making it difficult to compete in the new global marketplace, the end result was outsourcing.  In order to survive and prosper, companies began looking at mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their positions.  Some companies began relocating to states that could provide a cheaper labor pool and lower taxes.  The combination of these factors created an environment of volatility, change and uncertainty.  Given these facts, no one should go at it alone.  That’s why smart professionals work with a Career Coach who can help them navigate through turbulent waters and consistently guild them in the right direction‍‍‍

Why is Job Security a Thing of the Past...

A new global marketplace makes everything more competitive.

July 11th,  2017

The short answer is to be proactive, not reactive.  Unfortunately, most people react to situations after they are let go and walked out the door.  This is because human nature often relies upon hope that all things will be alright.  We have a tendency to get comfortable in our positions, because change can be scary.  Unfortunately, this is the approach that leaves us vulnerable.  The key to success and survival is to remain vigilant at all times.  Look for tell tale signs that your company is having problems or your career has hit a dead end.  Always explore opportunities, research jobs and don’t let the moss grow under your feet.  Remember that complacency can be your biggest enemy.  We have been in this business for 26 years, and professionals who are proactive have the highest success rates.

How Do I Survive in a Volatile Job Market?

Getting comfortable in any job position is a thing of the past...

July 19th,  2017

The short answer is yes, whenever you are interviewed for a new job, do not lose sight of the fact that you are also interviewing the employer.  Our advi‍‍‍ce is to use the Resumés Etc. checklist before accepting a position.

1.     Salary – you want fair market value for your skills and experience.

2.     Career Progression – You want a career, not a job, where effort equal upward mobility.

3.     Industry – You want to be in an industry experiencing growth versus decline.

4.     Culture – You want to work in a company that values employees.

5.     Work Life Balance – You don’t want to be expected to work 60 hours a week.

6.     Benefits – You don’t want a medical plan with a $10K deductable.

7.     Nature of the Job – It should be challenging and rewarding.

8.     Increased Market Value – The position should expand your skill base and increase your future market value.  

Some might argue that requiring all eight is unreasonable.  My response is to select any one or two you’re willing to forego.  If any of these factors are missing, happiness is highly unlikely.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Can I be happy with my job...

You are about to interview for a job... always remember, you are interviewing the employer just as much as they are interviewing you.

July 25th,  2017

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍The most important thing is to turn the interview into a conversation versus a question and answer interrogation.  The best way of doing this is by demonstrating your diversity of skills and competencies.  This impresses the interviewer who wants to know a lot about you so that the interview soon becomes a conversation.  Impressing interviewers begins with demonstrating excellent knowledge in your field.  This should be followed by using language that demonstrates team work, collaboration and consensus building.  You also want to demonstrate your core values and how they are consistent with the culture of a prospective employer.  The next goal is to show solid results and accomplishments to demonstrate your ability to contribute to the bottom-line.  The idea is to use language that conveys to the interviewer that you are multi-dimensional.  You have knowledge, values and a strong sense of accountability for results.  You are a collaborator, a team player and you strive to achieve win/win outcomes among all stakeholders.  The ultimate goal is to get “your personal story” across to the interviewer by integrating keywords into your conversation.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

January 23rd,  2018

How to Nail a job interview...

The main reason that companies are hesitant to hire people over 50 is the increase in healthcare premiums.  In addition, there is a perception that professionals over 50 demand much higher salaries.  Let’s clarify a few issues and discuss why hiring over 50 provides many benefits.

The idea that people over 50 will require greater salaries misses the point of “cost benefit”.  One of the greatest costs to employers is employee turnover.  The fact is that younger employees are seeking accelerated career growth and are much more inclined to move out, in order to move up.  Employees over 50 are much more inclined to stay.  When you compare the cost of turnover to higher wages paid to 50+ employees, one off-sets the other.

The advantage of hiring employees over 50 is continuity of workforce.  This is very important for two reasons.  Not only is turnover costly, but there is learning curve when training new employees, which results in a dramatic loss in productivity.  In addition, customers like dealing with the same people and get a negative feeling about working with someone new every year.

Employees over 50 are extremely reliable and are more likely to take less sick time, come in early and stay late.  Employees over 50 are natural coaches and mentors and can impart their knowledge and work ethic on others.  This is an invaluable investment.

Employees over 50 have personal financial obligations including a mortgage, college tuition and care of elderly parents. With these obligations comes a much higher level of responsibility.  People over 50 cannot afford to lose their jobs, so they can’t move back home with their parents.  Last, but not least, is a core value system that comes with maturity and responsibility, which can contribute to a positive work culture.

For more information,
give us a call at 203.268.5636

Many professionals feel nervous and uncertain about their future job security. There’s no magic formula to preserve your security, however, there are steps you can take that may help.

1. Assume responsibility for tasks/projects that no one else wants to do because it’s tedious, technical and/or complex, but vital to the department and company.
2. Be flexible and assume greater levels of responsibility, so that replacing you would be very costly to the company.
3. Be a team player and make every effort to support your immediate supervisor and peers.
4. Avoid political discussions and the temptation of marking negative comments about the company and any employees.  Also, claim that your role is to be a team player and to do what is best for the organization.
5. Capitalize on every opportunity to learn new technology/software to increase value to the organization. Although there are no guarantees in life, these tips will be helpful.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

How Can I Hold on to My Job in a Very Volatile Climate?

There is no magic formula... but there are steps you can take that may help.

August 9t‍‍‍h,  2017

How Can I Avoid Anxiety in an Interview?

Treating an interview more like a business meeting Q & A makes things less stressful on you... but be prepared.

August 16th,  2017

The answer is to understand that the role of an interviewer is not to intimate you, but to insure that you are relaxed.  Human Resource Recruiters want to recruit the best available talent, and they realize that the only way to achieve this goal is to place the job candidate at ease.  Once you realize this fact going into an interview, you will be much more relaxed.  Just tell yourself that you are going to meet some highly professional people who want to have a discussion, it’s not an interrogation.  As a former Human Resources Executive, my role was to create a positive experience for each job candidate, so that I could see who they were in a relaxed setting, not in an intimidating setting.  So don’t fear interviews, they are designed to make you feel very comfortable.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Being Fired/Let Go Has Shaken My Confidence.

‍‍‍‍‍‍However, we live in an era where job loss is very common place. Knowing how to deal with this reality is best known before it may happen...

August 22th,  2017

If this was twenty years ago, I could understand this reaction.  However, we live in an era where job loss is very common place.  There are so many factors that result in job loss including economic conditions, more competition, mergers/acquisitions, company relocation, typical corporate politics, and a constant pursuit on the part of companies to downsize.  One typical cause is salary and age.  If you’re making too much, you’re a target of the bean counters.  An older workforce drives up healthcare premiums, so companies try to reduce the average age of their workers.  Ironically, your job title, career advancement and salary are often a result of promotions, in recognition of hard work and achievements.  Therefore, you’re being let go as a result of your accomplishments.  The bottom line is that you simply do not have control over certain situations, and blaming yourself is just a waste of time and energy.  I’ve seen people let go that were super achievers, team players and very loyal.  None of this matters when you’re a statistic on a spreadsheet.  So pick yourself up, stop with the woe is me reaction, and have confidence in your ability and value to another employer.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

If I'm let go, should I work with a career coach?

A career coach can take an objective look at your skills, experience occupations , position level and ...

August 25th,  2017

Absolutely!  

There are a number of reasons to work with a Career Coach after being fired.  The most important reason is to have a source of motivation, so that you’re not spending your time licking your wounds and blaming yourself.  A Career Coach can take an objective look at your skills, experience occupations, position level, salary and industry experience to determine your marketability.  A Career Coach can also determine whether you need to be reinvented to maximize your marketability and market value.  Once this process is complete, a Career Coach can package you on paper including all key/scanable words to define you in a way that demonstrates the value you bring to an organization.  Once you’re motivated, defined and packaged right, a Career Coach can work with you on job search strategies and interviewing techniques.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636‍‍‍

GET STARTED HERE

GET STARTED HERE

How Do I Change Careers Without a Salary Cut?

‍‍‍‍‍‍If we make a dramatic shift in career, we can end up back at an entry level salary... How can this be avoided...

August 30th,  2017

Let’s face it, we all have financial commitments and need to maintain our lifestyle.  If we make a dramatic shift in career, we can end up back at an entry level salary.  For example, if I am a sales Account Executive who’s tired of quotas, making a change to human resources will bring me back to a beginners salary, because these skills are not transferable to my new role.  However, if I leverage my skills into a position that views my sales experience as a plus, I can maintain or even increase my salary.  So, if I’ve been in sales my entire career, I can shift to customer relationship management or sales support/sales administration.  Each of these roles would benefit from my experience in sales and the skills used in sales are similar to those I will need in these new positions.  The goal is to find a role where an employer will view your prior history as an ideal match for a new career.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

How D‍‍‍o I Get My Resumé to Stand Out?

Statements that convey value are key... using the correct value added keywords and phrases is the key...

September 6th,  2017

The vast majority of people construct a resumé like a job description versus a marketing piece.  Given this fact, they fail to answer a question posed by a prospective employer.  Most employers want to know what value you will bring to their company.  Let’s say you are a human resources professional and state that you are involved in policies, procedures, employee relations, and benefits.  How does this statement convey value?  Don’t all human resources professionals perform the same functions?  What if you talk about your role as a change catalyst and transformation professional with active participation in reinventing your company?  If you’re a School Teacher and state that you develop lesson plans, no one will be impressed with the obvious.  What if you state that you develop lesson plans and activities to encourage creativity and critical thinking?  Language is powerful and it tells a story of who you are, and what value and attributes you can bring to the table.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

GET STARTED HERE

Am I still marketable after 50?

‍‍‍However, you must first consider the obstacles to hiring someone over 50 and address each of them...

September 12th,  2017

The short answer is absolutely.  However, you must first consider the obstacles to hiring someone over 50 and address each of them, while emphasizing the benefits of hiring a mature professional.  Let’s begin with the obstacles.

Healthcare Costs – Employers do not want to increase the average age of their workforce, which will result in higher insurance premiums.

Age Discrimination – Employers are fearful that if they had to terminate an employee over 50, they could face an age discrimination suit.

Salary – Most people over 50 come to the table with a wealth of experience and a price tag that goes with it.So how do we get around these obstacles?

Healthcare – If you are covered, or can be covered under a spouse’s insurance, state so in your cover letter.

Age – If you are willing to work on a 1099/contractor basis, it eliminates the threat of a law suit.  If you expect employment on a 1099 basis, you can negotiate salary and build in increases that cover insurance premiums.

Experience – Emphasize the many advantages of experience.  Focus on the cost/benefit of your skills and experience to offset any concerns about salary and benefits.  In many cases, a more productive and experienced employee can achieve greater output and results, which will more than offset any salary or benefit concerns.

The goal is to be creative and mitigate risks to employers while effectively selling advantages.  

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Ironically, many of the employees with the highest salaries have been the most productive and...

September 20th,  2017

The short answer Absolutely...

We live in a time when companies are trying to run lean and cost efficient operations.  Ironically, many of the employees with the highest salaries have been the most productive and results-driven.  This is the reason why their salaries are higher.  In many respects, one can say that these employees eventually become the victim of their own success.  So, how can this problem be avoided?  The key to termination avoidance lies in an understanding of your company’s salary structure.  Every job title has an entry level, mid-point and maximum salary.  Mid-point is fair market value for the position.  When your salary begins to exceed mid-point and move towards maximum for that range, you are being overpaid, and companies realize this fact.  The goal is to get promoted within your company before or soon after mid-point.  You go to a higher level salary range and remain below or at mid-point.  If you can’t get promoted within your company, then try to obtain a higher position outside of your company.  Another problem with pay beyond mid-point is that your salary becomes harder to market on a lateral move, since prospective employers do not want to over pay you either.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

‍‍‍‍‍‍GET STARTED HERE

Simple answer is yes... but first know the common errors made when changing careers is your goal...

September 26th,  2017

The answer is yes.  Let’s first discuss common errors in judgment as it relates to changing careers.  One big mistake is targeting a career that you simply do not match.  Another mistake is targeting a career where you could possibly match, however, your resumé is not written in a manner that sells you as a match.  Another mistake is failing to leverage your core strengths so that you maintain your market value during a career change.  So, what’s the best way to change your career?  

First and foremost, do something you will like.  What’s the point of going from the frying pan into the oven?  Second, look at your salary needs.  If you’re very flexible and willing to take a pay cut, it opens you up to many possibilities.  Companies will consider you for a new role, so long as they can pay you an entry level salary, where your skills and experience are not a match.  Third, if you’re looking for a career change and want to maintain your salary, then the best approach is to leverage your skills and experience.            

The way this process works is by looking at careers where your skills are highly transferable.  For example: if you’ve been in sales and want to get out of sales, you can consider customer relationship management (CRM), because the skill sets needed for each job are similar.  If you are a Computer Network Engineer and want to move into technical sales, the move will be viable.  You can leverage your technical skills to be a much more effective salesperson, as long as you can also develop good selling skills.  If you are a human resources person, you may be able to move into corporate compliance.  Each role relies upon strict adherence to policies, procedures and relevant regulatory mandates.            

You can benefit greatly by working with a Career Coach who can look at your skills and experience and guide you towards a viable career change.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.563‍‍‍6‍‍‍

GET STARTED HERE

Is‍‍‍ There a Smart Way to Change Careers?

You may be looking for a job that is meaningful...

October 3rd,  2017

There are three primary reasons why companies are concerned about a job candidate being over qualified for a job.  The first deals with salary.  If you take a job that is below your market value, will you leave as soon as an opportunity develops where you will receive more money?  Second, if the job is below your abilities, will you be bored because the position doesn’t challenge you?  Third, will you be able to take orders from someone who is not your experience and skills equal?  So, how do you get around these issues?  If you are of mature age, you may be able to convince a prospective employer that career advancement is no longer your primary mission.  Instead, you are looking for a job that is meaningful.  If the position may not fully challenge you, claim that you would be willing to redefine the job and add additional responsibilities.  Communicate the fact that you’re not motivated solely by salary.  Instead, you evaluate a job based upon many factors including the strength of the industry, the nature of the job, the culture of the company, physical location/commute, and work/life balance.          

The idea is to be creative in you rationale and provide credible reasons why you would take a specific position.  

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

GET STARTED HERE

What If I’m Over Qualified for a Job?

There are strategies that work and fail... know ‍‍‍which to use.

October 11th,  2017

Corporate employees will sometimes play the political game as a means of securing their position and improving their chances for future advancement.  They will align themselves with a specific team in the hopes that this group will ultimately hold political power within the company.  I have seen this strategy work, and I have seen it fail.  On the success side, this strategy works if the group that you align yourself with holds power for an extended period of time, allowing you to advance, increase your compensation and increase your market value.  On the other hand, if those that you are aligned with should fall from power, there is a strong likelihood that the new leadership team will purge all of those associated with the losing side.  The real issue is whether or not you want to roll the dice and take your changes.  I believe in a philosophy of non-alignment.  It is better to be trusted by all sides by not speaking negatively about anyone.  You security and advancement should come from a reputation for hard work and positive results, working on behalf of the company, no matter who is in charge.  This approach will gain you a reputation as a competent, neutral and loyal company employee.  On the downside, your advancement may be slower (but it will come), but it will be steady and secure.  When new leadership teams assume power, no one will be looking to terminate you.  Instead, you will be viewed as a safe, competent and trusted employee.

The path you choose is entirely up to you.  You can play it safe and secure, or you can roll the dice.  

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Will playing corporate politics help or hurt me?

‍‍‍‍‍‍GET STARTED HERE

October 17th,  2017

How Do I Crea‍‍‍te a "WOW" Resume

GET STARTED HERE

Most people don’t write resumés for a living.  So, they usually construct a resumé that looks like a job description with a list of tasks.  This approach fails to appeal to the reader in almost every case.  A prospective employer, when reading your resumé, wants to see the value you bring to an organization.  They are asking themselves, why should I want to meet this person?  I am going to list some before and after resumé statements.  Before statements are task oriented, and after statements are “wow” statements that demonstrate your value and convey why an employer should meet you.

Teacher:
Before:  Develop lesson plans.
After:  Develop lesson plans and activities that encourage creativity and critical thinking.

Salesperson:
Before:  Conduct cold calls.
After:  Link products, services and resources to the needs of my customers.

Manufacturing Manager:
Before:  Oversee production, scheduling and logistics.
After:  Manage a lean, self-directed and goal driven team with a focus on cost efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

Each of the after statements demonstrates a results-driven approach to your job, the value you bring to an organization and your ability to go above and beyond.  

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

There are approaches that fail to appeal to the reader in almost every case, always remember you are trying to sell yourself, the correct words matter.

October‍‍‍ 24th,  2017

The first thing you do is discount any false information about not being marketable after 50.  In fact, 50 and over employees are the fastest growing segment of the population.  It is anticipated that by the year 2024 (just 7 years from now), that employees over 50 will be the largest segment of the workforce.  This is due to declining birth rates among Generation X and Y.  Companies are also seeking employees that are reliable, steadfast, intelligent, and loyal.  These are attributes that are consistent with the 50+ age group.  So, just forget all of the stories you have heard about the market for 50+ professionals.  The goal is to create a resumé and cover letter that clearly sells your experience, skills, education, work ethic, character, and values.  This approach markets you as a true renaissance person, that can wear many hats, multi-task and fill diverse roles.  At Resumés Etc., we work with our over 50 clients to package them in a way that maximizes their appeal to employers, and we have achieved very positive results.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

It is anticipated that by the year 2024 (just 7 years from now), that employees over 50 will be the largest segment of the workforce.

Helping Professionals Wh‍‍‍o‍‍‍ are Let Go and Over 50.

October 31st,  2017

How Good is your LinkedIn Profile?            

Most people think that their LinkedIn Profile is adequate, and in almost every case th‍‍‍at I have seen, it’s just a rehash of their resumé. The purpose of a LinkedIn Profile is to “wow” the reader and give them a reason to call.  I have included a sample of one prepared for a Resumés Etc. client.  

LinkedIn Profile:

Andrea Cervelli
Medical Practice Manager          

The healthcare industry is going through incredible change, including managed care, capped rates, more regulations, and increased competition.  Given these facts, a Practice Manager must be multi-tasked with the ability to apply various core competencies.  While in this role, I have combined marketing, community outreach and social media, with cost efficiencies, productivity improvement, leaner operations, and process improvements.  I created an operational infrastructure with the talent and resources needed to reinvent our practice and improve our clinical services.            

This approach has been combined with the establishment of collaborative working partnerships within our community to promote our brand and communicate a powerful message.  Each of our employees serves as an ambassador of the practice, living our values and contributing to our image.            

We have improved our clinical team and programs, resulting in enhanced levels of care and improved patient outcomes.  Our improved results have expanded our referral network with physicians, discharge planners, home care agencies, and other sources.  The end result, has been a 25% increase in our patient base, cost reductions of 12% and improved profitability of 14%.  My wealth of experience is complemented by a Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration from Quinnipiac University.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

The purpose of a ‍‍‍LinkedIn Profile is to “wow” the reader and give them...

LinkedIn Profiles are extremely important in the digital age.

Unfortunately, nearly every recent college graduate relies upon their schools career center that mass produces cookie cutter/boiler plate resumés.  This approach results in jobs as a Cashier, Telemarketer or Waiter.  Getting a good job out of college requires working with a career expert, who knows the market, how to package you on paper, how to coach you through the job search process, and how to interview effectively.  At Resumés Etc. we have an extremely high success rate helping graduates to find careers verses a job.  We educate our clients, apprise them of occupations and industries experiencing growth rates, and we define them in a manner that maximizes their appeal to prospective employers.  After investing a fortune in an education, it’s smart to make one final investment that completes the circle.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

90% of College graduates rely upon their schools career center that mass produces cookie cutter/boiler plate resumés. To stand out you need a professionally written resume.

How do I get my recently graduated college Child a job, and out of my house...

November 7th,  2017

A number of key indicators point to massive hiring in January 2018.  First, the stock market rally is a rel‍‍‍iable predictor of future economic trends and security.  Second, the GPP grew at 3.1% in the third quarter and is expected to reach 4% by the first quarter of next year.  Third, the tax bill with large corporate and individual tax cuts, is expected to pass by the end of the year.  Fourth, current job boards show lots of opportunities and will continue to do so in November and December.  Companies will be hiring the last two months of the year in order to get new employees on-board by January.  If you lay low in the next two months, you will lose out on these opportunities, because employers want to have new people in place in January, so that they are positioned for rapid growth.  Remember, if you snooze you lose.  This November and December will be very active, so take the bull by the horns, update your resumé and capitalize on opportunities.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Get ready for Mass Hiring in January

If you lay low in the next two months,
you will los‍‍‍e out on....

Nov‍‍‍ember 14th,  2017

November 16th,  2017

Could your Credit Score be hurting your job chances?...

Your Credit Score could play a very large role in what job are going after...

Having a professionally written Resume and Cover Letter is paramount for your job search. However, companies are also checking credit scores as part of there hiring process. More and more employers are reviewing the credit ratings of their job candidates. Given this fact that we have researched companies that specialize in improving credit ratings. We recommend Mercedes Enterprises. Resumes Etc. has referred several clients to Mercedes Enterprises and they were extremely pleased with the results. If you are concerned about your credit rating, give them a call at 1.516.323.7860 for a free consultation to evaluate your credit report. Call or email them at info@creditmercedes.com to request a consultation. You can also visit their web site at www.creditmercedes.com.
Just ask for Bladimir Mercedes or Roberto Campusano.

www.AmericanCapitalExpress.com

Tel.   1.877.433.4241

Fax:   1.888.866.5470

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

November 22nd,  2017

Should I Postpone My Job Search until after the Holidays?...

The quick answer... Not This Year. Clean up your resume and start job hunting now!!

Not this year!  Companies are in a mass hiring mode for January, 2018.  In order to fill these postings, they are hiring through the holidays to have people in place by the first of the year.  To prove my point, just search the major job boards to see all the available postings.  If you decide to lay low for the holidays, these positions will be filled when you begin your search at the beginning of the year.  We are also getting numerous calls from Recruiters looking for job candidates, further demonstrating that this is a very active hiring season in spite of the holidays.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

November‍‍ 28th,  2017

Why is the unemployment rate dropping?...

Cuts are happening in all of the right places and that means...

Companies have more money in their pockets due to the reduced cost of regulations.  They anticipate a major cut in the corporate tax rate before the end of the year.  They also anticipate cuts in individual tax rates, which will drive consumer spending.  All of these factors are contributing to job growth.  If you look at the major job boards you will see many more postings than in the recent past.  Believe it or not, you will see many postings from Thanksgiving through Christmas.  This is because employers are looking to fill positions by the first of the year.  This will allow them to be fully staffed to meet with increased consumer demand.  This year unlike many years in the past, the holiday season will be very active for jobs.  If you follow the traditional approach and lay low for the holidays, you could lose out on great job opportunities.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

December 5th,  2017

Why are there so many jobs being posted to Job Boards...

Jobs by the boatloads are being posted to job boards - NOW IS THE TIME ...

This has been the most active holiday season for job postings that we have seen in ten years.  There is no doubt that companies are aggressively hiring to prepare for strong economic growth, and they want more talent in place by January 2018.  There are numerous indicators to prove our point including a GDP of over 3%, a forecasted GDP of 4%, a very likely and massive corporate tax cut, repatriation of American companies, a record stock market, major reductions in government regulations, and massive expansion of the energy sector.            

All of these factors equal jobs, jobs and more jobs.  This is truly a great time to dust off the resumé and capitalize on jobs, where employers want people in place by the beginning of the new year.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

December 12th,  2017

Get your Resume ready for January 1st, 2018!

Jobs are being posted now. Get ahead of your competition and have your resume ready for January 1st, 2018 ...

There are many jobs posted now and there will be even more at the start of the year.  This is due in large part to major corporate tax cuts, regulatory cuts and a record stock market.  It’s a great idea to prepare your resumé now, so that you can launch your search right after the holidays.  When these jobs post, there is usually a two week window before they expire.  You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute to get your resumé updated.  It is a far better strategy to get it done now, so that you are ready to go by the new year.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636‍‍‍

December 19th,  2017

Avoid these top 12 interview mistakes at all costs.

1. Not showing up on time; this is a fatal error.
2. Not being adequately prepared for interview questions.
3. Dressing too casual. You won’t be criticized for looking too good.
4. Not maintaining eye contact with interviewers.
5. Inability to support skills and accomplishments on your resumé.
6. Not taking notes, it implies that the interviewer didn’t say anything meaningful.
7. Talking with your hands.
8. Talking way too much or way too little.
9. Not appearing confident.
10. Failing to send a thank you to each interviewer.
11. Not having good questions to ask.
12. ‍‍‍Asking self service questions (i.e. salary, benefits, etc.).

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

We also provide interview ‍‍‍coaching as a service. Give us a call and be prepared and get the job you deserve.

December 22nd,  2017

The Character Interview

Employers are conducting interviews to assess a candidate’s ability to do the job and exceed expectations.  However, they are now going beyond skills and experience to determine a person’s character.  Given this fact, a job candidate should integrate the following keywords/terms into their response to interview questions.

1. Team work.
2. Establishment of collaborative working partnerships.
3. Ownership and accountability for assigned goals.
4. Supporting the ideas of others.Cross-functional communication.
5. Consensus building.
6. Change/transformation management.
7. Coaching and mentoring junior employees.
8. Willingness to wear many hats.
9. A commitment to performance excellence.

When using these terms, the interviewer walks away with a sense of who you are as a person, and character is 50% of the hiring decision making process.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

Resume is the first step; interviewing is the first impression that your employer gets form your dem‍‍‍eanor and actions. Your character is being judged and is a large factor in getting the job.

January 2nd,  2018

The Many Advantages to Hiring People Over 50

At Resumés Etc. we estimate that 90+% of all resumés read like a list of tasks, or a job description.  Employers always ask themselves a question, why do I want to meet you and what makes you a cut above the rest?  A list of tasks does not answer this question.  A resumé has to be “panoramic”.  It has to sell you on many levels.  It needs to communicate your values, you work ethic, your philosophy and other attributes that provide insights into you as a person.  Let’s say that you are looking at the resumé of a School Teacher and it reads “develop lesson plans”.  That statement will probably not result in job interviews.  But what if it reads “develop innovative lesson plans and classroom strategies to encourage creativity and critical thinking”?  This statement provides much more insight into the value you can bring to an organization.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

January 9‍‍‍th,  2018

Why Your Resumé Doesn’t Make it to the Top of the Pile...

If you have a very basic and vanilla resumé, there is good chance the interview will go the same way. For example, let’s say that you are in pharmaceutical sales and your resumé states that you call on healthcare providers.  This statement is obvious and would lead to a boring and basic question like how do you reach decision makers (which is obvious).  On the other hand, if your resumé states that you use product knowledge to add value to clients.  It will generate questions on your value-added approach, which is much more compelling for prospective employers.  Resumés Etc. creates resumés that lead the interviewer in a direction you want so that you are controlling the interview.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

January 17th,  2018

Your R‍‍‍esumé Determines How Your Job Interview Goes...

1. Poor performance.
2. Tardiness and absenteeism.
3. Resistance to change.
4. Unwillingness to learn new skills and take on more duties.
5. Not being a team player.
6. Criticizing the company, co-workers or Managers.
7. Not behaving in a professional manner.
8. Taking too many risks.
9. Never sharing credit.
10. Always pursuing power.

For more information, give us a call at 203.268.5636

January 30th,  2018

Most common reasons for being fired ...