Resume “feature creep”

Ok – how many resumes have I reviewed, written, edited – not sure, but it feels like millions.  One thing I have to say over and over again is don’t let your resume end up with “feature creep”.

Feature creep is term for over doing it on product options.  I came across the term in a book I’m currently reading called Made To Stick, by Dan & Chip Heath.  They use a remote control as an example – sure, an engineer can make your remote do 12 billion things – but when is too many too much. When do we get away from ‘elegant design’ and into too ‘complicated’ for anyone to use.

It struck me that the same thing happens with one’s resume.  We want to add ‘everything’, all our features, including the kitchen sink to our resumes and we over do to the point of zero white space, eye exhaustion and complete boredom on the reviewers part.

The important thing for your resume in today’s marketplace is to get away from ‘generic’ -more is better- and focus on ‘targeting’.  Research, find a position you are interested in and target your resume specifically to that position so that everything on it speaks to how your experience and background match that particular job.  This will help you avoid ‘feature creep’ on your resume and will satisfy your reviewer.

And – don’t forget to get some opinions on your resume.  It is very easy for us to fall in love with our own resume.  Getting an outside opinion may be the best thing you do to help you create a winning resume.

You can also access our ‘free’ resume ebook.

New Grads At Home

Finishing school and heading out into the real world can be tough business these days – especially with the current economic climate.  Fortunately there’s loads of help out there for you.  Here are some links to great people who have a lot of experience and great information to offer you so you can hit the ground running with your career – check them out.

Blogger:  Andy Drish

Author, Blogger and ABC News on Campus contributor: Lindsay Pollack

Author:  Kristen Fischer

Author, Blogger:  Alexandra Levit

Blogger, Co Founder Brazen Careerist:  Ryan Healy

And of course, check out FiredUP Careers – we’ve got great resources…many of them free (so no excuses for a crummy resume or boring interview)!

Take a hike…

Literally – if you’ve been spending 99% of your time in ‘job search mode’, it’s time to take a hike. Sometimes you’ve got to get away from something to really be able to look at it clearly and taking a hike (or walk), getting some fresh air and enjoying the sun (or chill) on your face might be just what you need to get a fresh perspective on your search.

Exercise needs to be a part of your job search strategy…plan it in.

Here’s to your good walk!

He’s The Greatest!

It’s Saturday and I’ve been on the phone with clients who are looking for jobs.  I’ve been reading through all the job news (or jobless news) hearing Obama talk about the possibility of double digit unemployment if we don’t ‘act fast’, and basically just feeling a bit gloomy with all the down news.

So, I decided to clear up some paperwork and get ready for good ol’ tax season (wow, what a way to add to and already down day!).   I came across this paper that was handed out in a psychology class that I took some time ago.  After reading it again now,  I thought I would post it because it struck a cord in me of hope and possibility.  I wish I knew who wrote it because I would certainly give full credit and links, but there is no name on the paper (if you know who wrote it let me know).

He’s The Greatest!

Yesterday I overhead my son talking to himself as he strutted through the

backyard wearing his baseball cap and toting a bat and ball:

“I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced.

Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed.

“Strike One!” he yelled.

Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!”

He tossed the ball into the air.

When it came down, he swung again and missed.

“Strike Two!” he cried.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully.  He spit on his hands and rubbed them together.  He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!”

Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it.  He missed.

“Strike Three!” he yelled.

Then he exclaimed, “Wow! I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!”

——————-

What struck me (no pun intended) after reading this is that when we grow up and get out there in the world of ‘career’ we think of ourselves in only one way – as an accountant, or as an engineer, or as an administrator, or as a product manager.  We forget how many gifts we really do have and how transferable our gifts are into so many different professions and industries.

I think we need to think more like the boy in the poem – it didn’t end when he didn’t hit the ball (hence, it doesn’t end when we get laid off), he turned it into a success and another gift he was able to give to the world.  I think we all have that inside of us if we just start thinking differently.

Wow! What a job…

Who wouldn’t want this one:
“a six-month contract on a tropical Grand Barrier Reef Island where the person’s only responsibility is exploring the majestic land and then bragging about it.”

Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/8qlt2z