Resume “feature creep”

firedupcareers2 — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:00:33 +0000

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

firedupcareers2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:49:24 +0000

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…

firedupcareers2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:14:18 +0000

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!

firedupcareers2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:58:02 +0000

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…

firedupcareers2 — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:35:27 +0000

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

2009 Hiring Predictions – Straight from Cheezhead

firedupcareers2 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:27:20 +0000

Just finished reading 2009 hiring predictions on Cheezhead – here’s a brief:

“The industries set to see the most number of new jobs are professional and business services and information technology, as 28 percent of IT employers and 23 percent of professional and business services employers plan to add full-time jobs. The transportation and utilities industry will increase by 20 percent, sales by 16 percent, healthcare by 14 percent, financial services by 13 percent, retail by 7 percent and hospitality by 5 percent.”

Read the rest here…

Posted by Robin Ogden

$10,000 Referral Bonus

firedupcareers2 — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:41:22 +0000

Who wouldn’t want that? Do you know someone who might be a fit for a job opening? Well…earn $10k if they get hired! Really, here is a site that is set up strictly to help employers get their candidates via personal leads and social networking and you can reap the benefits (well some of the benefits anyway). That could be helpful right now for some of us…right? Take a look at how it works and decide for yourself.

Posted by Robin Ogden

Hiring and Thriving?

firedupcareers2 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:04:53 +0000

In today’s economy we aren’t often seeing the words ‘hiring & thriving’, but according to CNNMoney.com’s article “Where the Jobs Are” there are industries and are in fact hiring and thriving. As the article points out – despite our year to date job loss of 1.9 million (yes…1.9 million!) industries like education, accounting and health services are rock’n.

You probably have transferable skills that will fit right into one or more of these industries. Check it out and see if there are any spots that might be a good fit for you.

Keep in mind that just because they are hiring that does not mean you won’t have some stiff competition during this time. Be sure to prepare a winning resume and ‘never’ wing your interview…prepare, prepare, prepare and practice, practice, practice. That should be your motto before your interview.

Posted by Robin Ogden

Visit us, we’ve got lot’s of free help for you…

Career Blunder Recovery

firedupcareers2 — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:48:04 +0000

Are you home licking your wounds from a career blunder? Late for an interview, a horrifying typo on your resume, rude to the receptionist or forgot your interviewer’s name? These are all things that can happen when you least expect them, so be prepared on how to handle a blunder before it happens.

Here’s a good article that may help to ease your pain.

Good luck on your interviews and remember the one most important thing you can do for yourself before the interview is “prepare” – never wing it.

Posted by Robin Ogden

Job Search Talk

firedupcareers2 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:39:22 +0000

You may be off to a lot of holiday parties this season and if you’re in job search mode it can be a tough subject – always being asked “have you found anything yet” and then trying to come up with how to say “no” and keep a positive frame of mind. Here is a good article with some suggestions you might want to think about.

Posted by Robin Ogden