Hello everyone,
Here are my next three seminars; all are free to attend:

Top Secrets of Expert Resumes, at:

Poplar Creek Library
1405 S. Park, Streamwood, IL 60107
Thursday, Jan. 26th, 7-8 pm

Job Fair by State Senator Bob Kotowski
Elk Grove Park District Pavillion
1000 Wellington Road, Elk Grove Village, IL
Thursday, Feb. 16th, 12-1 pm

The Chapel in Libertyville
1200 American Way
Monday, Feb. 27th, 7-8:30

Book Signing and Resume Review:
BAM: Books-A-Million
144 S. Clark Street, Chicago, IL
Friday, Feb. 10th, 12-2 pm

This is Steven Provenzano, CPRW and President of ECS: Executive Career Services & DTP, Inc.

With the release of two new books in the last six months, I’m offering a free, 10 minute resume and career consultation. Check our website at: Execareers.com. You’re welcome to send your resume in confidence to: Careers@Execareers.com

My most recent book to hit the stores is Top Secret: Executive Resumes, Second Edition. Also, I’ve just completed Blue Collar Resumes, Second Edition; it’s being printed right now, and will appear at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. in about 3 weeks.

Best regards for the New Year,

Steven
Phone: 630-289-6222

By Steven Provenzano, CPRW / CEIP
Author, Top Secret Executive Resumes and Top Secret Resumes & Cover Letters

It seems no matter how good we have it, we all want a better job.
That means keeping track of job listings, networking, tracking down leads, analyzing potential employers and scheduling interviews. But these depend on other people, word of mouth, and the quality and quantity of job postings available at any given time.
Only your resume gives you total control over how you’re perceived by potential employers. It doesn’t have to be a passive job listing with subjective information on why you think you’re a great and wonderful person (which of course you are).
You need a high-impact career marketing piece that takes full advantage of the paltry 10-60 seconds of attention most resumes receive.
Perhaps you don’t think of you’re a very good writer, and just don’t like “writing about yourself.” You’re not alone: even published authors and top-flight executives who visit my office tell me they have trouble writing a decent resume. They also tell me, “My resume isn’t perfect, but I’ll explain myself in the interview.”
However, you may be the perfect candidate for a position and still not get the interview, for no other reason than your resume. Resumes are typically used to exclude people from positions more often then include them; whomever is left in the ‘potential’ stack gets called for an interview.
The bottom-line? What employers want to know from each person “sitting” on their desk is: What can you do for me? How can you fill this job effectively? Why should I talk to you?

Use a Profile to Focus on Keywords
Pre-digest your information; boil it down to keywords related to essential skills and abilities. These can be as basic as sales, marketing, client relations, target marketing, project management, budget planning or forecasting.
Once you have these items, group similar words together and list your level of proficiency, for example:

> Skilled in sales, marketing and new business development, including full responsibility for account acquisition and management.
> Proficient in total project management, from technical staff training to product design, development and rollout in major national markets.
> Comprehensive experience in finance, accounting and C-level audits, including strategic planning, team training, quality control and client relations.

This gives you total control over how you’re perceived by employers. Without this section, you’re basically a victim of your work experience and education, and what if your most recent experience isn’t related to your current career goals?

Consistently Market Your Skills and Abilities
Steer clear of fluff words such as “Self-motivated, hands-on professional with an excellent track record of…” Let’s face it. The first two items in this sentence could be said about almost anyone. As for your track record, let the employer decide if it’s excellent by reading about your abilities (on top) and your duties and accomplishments (under the Employment section).
This can be the most difficult task on any resume, and it has to be written just right. If it’s subjective or contains ideas that can’t be verified through education or experience, then don’t include it, or you’ll lose your credibility. Consider getting advice from a Certified Professional Resume Writer who typically won’t charge for a review.

A Title or Objective?
Think of a basic Title or Objective for the top of your resume.
This is typically very brief, just one or two words: SALES / MARKETING or ACCOUNTING / FINANCE, or something as simple as EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. Give the reader some idea of where you’re coming from, and generally where you want to go, without blocking yourself from consideration for other positions.

Employment and Education sections.
Now your writing must consistently verify, support and quantify what you’ve stated in your Profile section. Help the reader actually see you at your last position by spelling out daily duties most relevant to your career goals. Quantify how many people you supervised or trained, explain types of clients you work(ed) with, computers utilized, and most important, results.
What are/were your achievements? Give facts and figures like budget amounts, how much you’ve saved the company over how long, awards, recognitions, etc.
Avoid the ubiquitous “References Available upon Request” at the bottom of your resume. If employers really want references, they’ll ask you. Consider “CONFIDENTIAL RESUME” at the top of your resume, and/or stating this in your cover letter. Always respect the reader’s intelligence!
Research the company’s brochure, annual report and job advertisement, if any, and tailor your resume as much as possible to the position.

Final Thoughts
Although personal networking is the best way to get a job, an excellent resume can open doors all by itself, and is still required in many networking situations. Of course, a brief cover letter should be targeted to the hiring authority whenever possible.
Tell employers what you know about their operation, and why you want to work specifically for his/her company. Make them feel like they’re the only person getting your resume. Consider this: a resume that’s only slightly more effective than the one you have now could help you get a job weeks, or even months faster than your old resume.
Resume writing is an art form in itself, and there are few hard and fast rules. You need a complete, professional job search strategy, and your resume must be a key part of that strategy. When you implement these ideas in the next update of your resume, you’ll almost certainly get more interviews.

For your free resume analysis, send in confidence to Careers@Execareers.com or call toll free: 877-610-6810 or 630-289-6222.

Steven Provenzano is President of ECS: Executive Career Services, a former corporate recruiter and author of six career books, most recently Top Secret Executive Resumes. He has written more than 4000 resumes and will analyze your resume free of charge and provide feedback.
He has appeared on CNBC (four times), CNN/fn, WGN, ABC/NBC in Chicago, on numerous radio programs and in major newspapers such as the WSJ.
Steven is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/CPRW and Certified Employment Interview Professional/CEIP. His work is endorsed by Chicago Tribune Career Columnist Lindsey Novak, and top executives at such firms as Motorola, Inc.
Website: www.Execareers.com.

From: OutofworkChicago.com; I attend their meetings, and conducted a seminar there.

10 Tips for Successful Business Networking

Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

Be fully present.Be fully engaged and fully aware of the people you interact with. You can break this down into smaller, somewhat mechanical pieces — listen well, respond promptly, maintain eye contact, etc.

Come Early and Stay Late Inexperienced networkers come to meetings late and leave as soon as the speaker has finished. The best opportunities for networking are before the start of the formal program and immediately after the program.

Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

Have a clear understanding of what you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate to others.

Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and no immediate answer comes to mind.

Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will grow.

Give before you get.