Could you be the next Scott Thompson – fired for lying on your resume? Few people hold such high-visibility jobs as Thompson, until recently the CEO of Yahoo. So you might not think a little white lie – a stretching of the truth – will matter on your resume. You might think no one will notice or no one will check. You know you can do the job – so what’s the harm? Well, for one thing, it’s a lie. For another, it’s the beginning of a slippery slope. First you lie on the resume, then that lie gets repeated in a company bio and becomes permanently attached to your name. The more widespread, the easier it is to check, and the more likely it will be spotted by someone who knows it for a lie. The risk is not worth the potential reward – and it’s the wrong thing to do. Most people who think about lying on resumes are, in my opinion, insecure about their credentials. They are sure their “issue” – whatever it is (lack of a degree, lack of a specific degree, a gap in employment, a lower-level job title) – will make it impossible for them to get the job they really want. They want to be competitive against other candidates who – they are certain! – have all the right stuff. My advice: Focus on what you DO have, not what you don’t. Emphasize your successes and be able to tell a compelling story about your challenges and accomplishments. Be confident in your value! And find ways to make that “issue” less obvious on your resume. (Hint: Hire a professional resume writer!) No, you can’t make yourself qualified for jobs for which you don’t have the required credentials. But the key issue is not the credential, it’s the mindset and confidence. Did Scott Thompson really think a degree in computer science from 25 or 30 years ago made him more qualified to lead a technology company than simply having an accounting degree? Chances are, no. But when he first perpetrated that lie, he believed that he needed it to land the job he wanted. It was all downhill – down the slippery slope – from there. ... Read more

It can be a scary world for anyone who longs for the “good old days” of stable, long-term employment, and job seekers who are 50+ may fear age discrimination, especially in a tight employment market. But cheer up! Preparation and common sense will help you avoid the pitfalls associated with age issues.

• First, adjust your attitude. If you believe you’re being discriminated against, you’ll be looking for every possible sign that it might be happening. And you’ll be blaming others rather than taking responsibility for managing your career.
• Second, recognize that talented executives are always in demand – regardless of age. Show potential employers that you have the talent, experience, and expertise to accomplish important goals. They’re much more interested in that than in how old you are.
• Third, don’t make things worse by looking “old.” As I wrote in an earlier post, you do look your age – and that’s OK! You don’t need to look like a twenty- or thirty-something. But make sure your physical appearance, wardrobe, energy level, and enthusiasm say “high-performing executive,” not “senior citizen ready for retirement.”

In my Bluesteps webinar this week I’ll be sharing lots more ideas for career management at 50+. Join me! ... Read more

Most people’s Facebook profiles offer glimpses into the meaningful and mundane in their lives – family photos, likes and dislikes, conversations with friends. Others, of course, reveal inappropriate content that might demonstrate immaturity, questionable choices, or even illegal activity such as underage drinking. But even if your profile is benign, do you want your employer checking it out? According to an Associated Press story, some employers routinely ... Read more

The New Role of Resume Professional? Career Communication Manager.
While the traditional resume is often said to be “dying” there is a critical need for comprehensive, cohesive, branded career messaging and marketing as search, social media, and personal branding continue to skyrocket, coloring everything in job search and career communications, at every level, from student to CEO.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

Distraction Is the New Normal.
The effect of multi-tasking workers, smart phones, texting, short form web writing, and Twitter continues to transform resume writing. To fight for attention content is becoming shorter and tighter; conversely, there are more ways than ever to project the message. As resumes are contracting, the need for comprehensive communication is expanding.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

The Resume Is No Longer Your Calling Card.
The resume as a “first-strike” document is fast being replaced by Google searches of LinkedIn, Facebook, and on-line reputation aggregators like addictomatic.com, creating a critical need for strategic, managed career communication independent of the resume.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

The New Key Words for Career Documents? “Modular and Many.”
Careerists will need a modular career communication component library that can be strategically woven into multiple career marketing vehicles on paper and across the web. Brand, job history, Impact statement, CAR stories, testimonials, and more will be created in modules, ready to pull of the shelf at a moments notice to create an on-line profile, an employment proposal, a social media resume, etc.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

Personal Branding Becomes “Portable Impact.”
In a world of free-floating top talent looking to land, branded impact with portable value will trump traditional accomplishments. Creating immediate value is no longer enough…”What did that value enable?” is today’s question. Strategizing how that value can be communicated across industries and functions will become ever more critical as markets contract in one area and expand in another.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

Branded Bios Will Replace Dry Corporate Bios.
Personality and impact infused “good read” bios may even replace resumes as the document most used for first contact by job seekers and careerists. Bio suites of multiple bios from two-page narratives to 30-second pitches, to bio blurbs, to branded Twitter bios will be expected and needed.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

Video Will Become Acceptable as a Supplemental Job Search Tool.
Video is a growing and value-add to a strong on-line identity and paper portfolio. Clients will need scripting and guidance in creating strong and targeted value statements that project an irresistible value proposition. Clients will need to stand out from the many boring video resumes that will be flooding YouTube and the marketplace.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

“Virtual” Portfolios Become the Rule, Not the Exception, for Serious Careerists and Job Seekers.
Social media resumes and on-line portfolios will become far more common, and often expected in certain industries. They allow for deeper and more transparent career communication via links to other sites, downloadable files of work samples, video, testimonials, etc.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

There is Still a Place for Paper and Good Design.
In the off-line world, paper and PDF resumes will become more design-rich, with the judicious use of color, formatting, graphs, links, and font choice to quickly draw attention to critical components. Resumes that look like those of just a few years ago will appear aged, and by association, less than stellar.

Contributed by Deb Dib, CPBS, CCMC, CCM, NCRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, Certified 360Reach Analyst, Certified Online Identity Strategist

Resumes Will Continue to Become Shorter, Tighter, and More Laser-Focused
The three- or four-page executive resume has given way to a standard two-page document, and resumes for people at all levels are by necessity becoming crisper and more to the point. Factors influencing this trend include the proliferation of smart phones and other hand-held devices with minuscule screens; the explosion of the social media site Twitter that condenses all messages to 140 characters; and the bombardment of multimedia messages and advertisements that constantly entertain, distract, and shift focus. Readers quickly lose interest in wordy resumes that don’t get right to the point.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Resumes are Morphing Into Online Profiles
While the traditional paper resume is still alive and well, it is no longer enough. Smart professionals are creating and maintaining online profiles whether or not they are actively searching for a new job. In fact, LinkedIn has become the executive recruiter’s “passive database,” a method for trolling through potential candidates before they become active job seekers. This trend is expected to continue as individuals post more and more information about themselves, their careers, their passions, and their personalities so that potential employers can select candidates based not just on qualifications but on the more elusive “fit” factors.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Personal Contact Information is Limited
An inflexible rule for resumes for the past several decades was to list your home address and multiple means of contact—email address, home phone, cell phone, pager, fax number, and any other information that would help people contact you. That trend is shifting, for two reasons: the prevalence of online resume posting and the ubiquity of cell phones. In response to identity theft issues, we now recommend that individuals not include their home address on resumes that are widely e-mailed or posted on the Internet. It is enough to indicate just city and state if you want to give readers an idea of your physical location. And because more and more people are reachable at all times via cell phone and email, it is sufficient to list just one cell number and one email address rather than cluttering up the resume with multiple data points that force readers to choose how to contact you.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Lengthy Cover Letters Are Evolving to Crisp E-Letters
Email and online applications are now the dominant methods for communicating with employers, sending a resume, and applying for a job. Of necessity, then, cover letters have evolved to keep up with this trend, and this evolution is expected to continue. Replacing traditional cover letters that were detailed “career stories,” today’s e-letters are crisp, high-impact messages that combine short sentences, brief paragraphs, and perhaps a few concise bullet points to quickly communicate a few key facts that will be most meaningful to the reader. Like modern resumes, today’s cover letters cater to the short attention spans and multiple distractions that are commonplace in today’s (and tomorrow’s) fast-paced business environment.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Documents Become More Distinctive
In line with trends in personal branding, electronic job search, niche marketing, and all aspects of career management, career marketing documents have evolved from bland “career summaries” to one-of-a-kind marketing documents with messages that clearly communicate unique value rather than cookie-cutter qualifications. This trend supports the creation of multiple vehicles—online profiles, web portfolios, tweets, e-letters, blogs, and more—that all share the distinct voice of the individual yet are tailored for the specific medium. As a result, even in a sea of media and messages, individuals can become recognized and sought out for their unique expertise.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Start with the End in Mind
Before writing a word of your resume, it is essential to form an accurate picture of “who,” “what,” and “where” you want to be in your next career role. Without a specific goal, it is virtually impossible to craft a clear, strong, and meaningful marketing document—your resume—to help you achieve that goal. And just as critically, with a clear goal you instantly have a “lens” through which you can filter all of your career, personal, and professional activities, experiences, and qualifications and include on your resume only those that are relevant and meaningful. The result is a resume that positions you appropriately, clearly showcases your expertise, and doesn’t confuse the reader.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Make It Easy on Your Readers
People don’t read resumes for enjoyment. Recruiters, HR reps, and hiring managers are looking for specific information and a promise of value. Network contacts—even your closest friends and colleagues—seek to learn enough about you so they can help you with your job search, refer you to appropriate people, and recommend you for specific opportunities. So when writing your resume, make it easy for your readers to quickly grasp key points: who you are, where you fit into an organization, and what you have done. Create a structure that allows them to easily skim through the resume to understand your career chronology and educational background. Keep your paragraphs short and break up information into easily digestible “bites” that will encourage readers to keep reading.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Sell It, Don’t Tell It
Your resume should be designed to “sell” you into your next position. Thus, it must entice your prospective “buyers”—employers—to want to know more about you and to believe that you can bring value to their organization. A great technique to accomplish this goal is to “sell” what you’ve done rather than simply “tell” it. Extensively detailing your duties and job activities is a “tell” approach. Instead, keep job descriptions to a minimum and include meaningful details through energetic accomplishment statements that “sell” how well you’ve done your job. You’ll keep your readers interested and communicate information that is unique to you and cannot be duplicated on the resumes of other candidates.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Be Specific
It is much easier for hiring authorities to recognize and appreciate your value when you provide specific details, facts, and results. Saying you “increased sales,” “boosted customer satisfaction,” “cut costs,” or “improved profitability” sounds nice, but without precise dollar, number, or percentage amounts, your resume seems vague and fuzzy. Make the effort to uncover the specific and measurable results of your key job accomplishments. Your resume will be stronger, more credible, and much more distinctive than resumes that are full of broad, general accomplishments.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Convey Context
One of the best ways to pump up the impact and meaning of your resume is to include context details that help readers fully understand what you have accomplished. For example, “increased sales 10%” is a specific accomplishment statement, but “increased sales 10% while industry declined 20%” packs a lot more punch. Think about the challenges you faced in each job. What were you expected to do, and how did you perform? How does that compare to others in your company or in the industry? Briefly explain the context of each job and/or each challenge to give readers the background information they need to understand your achievements.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Answer the Unspoken “So What?”
Every organization in the world has a purpose. For corporations, the purpose is usually to make money (revenues and profits). In nonprofit arenas, the purpose might be to educate students, save lives, disseminate the arts, improve health and well being, or any one of a number of noble causes. Similarly, every job exists to perform particular functions and also to advance the goals of the organization. When you write your resume, look for the specific things you accomplished that are pertinent to your job and also that relate to larger goals. Show that you understand—and contributed to—the organizational mission.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Express Your Personal/Professional Brand
What makes you unique? How do you do what you do? How are you different from other candidates with similar qualifications? Delve into personal/professional branding to succinctly communicate—in your resume and all of your career marketing communications—your “unique promise of value” to future employers. Defining your brand is not a quick nor easy process, but it brings enormous benefits and keen insights to you during your job search and throughout your career.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Understand Resume Scanning and the Importance of Keywords
Electronic scanning and “applicant tracking systems” are commonplace in today’s world of job search. It might feel discouraging that your resume is first read by a machine, but don’t despair! You’ll maximize your chances of being found for appropriate jobs if you include in your resume all of the appropriate “keywords” for that position. Keywords are the terms that employers and recruiters use to search and screen resumes for strong candidates. Keywords might include hard skills and specific credentials along with less tangible abilities. Before submitting your resume online, scan the job description to see if your resume includes all of the right language.

You don’t need a separate keyword section on your resume—the scanners will pick up the keywords no matter where they appear—but sometimes the easiest way to modify your resume for specific jobs is to create a separate list of “core competencies” or “areas of expertise” toward the top of your resume.

And never forget that humans, not machines, do the actual hiring and your job search activities must focus on ways to put yourself in front of “live” hiring authorities. Review Best Practices in Job Search to be sure you are investing your time wisely and not relying on online submissions and electronic scanning systems as your only job search strategy.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Write Tight
Tight writing is powerful, meaningful, and energetic. It eliminates wasted words, tightens flabby language, and pares your resume to its essential core—so that readers will not get lost in a sea of meaningless words and nonessential details. Take the time to edit your resume so that it includes just what’s needed to tell your story, convey your qualifications, and communicate your value—and no more. It’s hard work, but the results are worth it!

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Write Crisp, Meaningful Cover Letters
Continue to “write tight” in your cover letters! There’s no need to recap your entire career or detail all of your qualifications. Touch on a few highlights that will entice readers to your resume. Whenever possible, reference specific challenges or opportunities related to the position, the company, or the industry. Show that you know what they’re up against, what they’re trying to achieve, and how you can help.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Go Beyond the Resume
A well-written and strategically focused resume is a concise presentation of your career, your successes, and your capabilities, and it is your initial introduction to hiring authorities and networking referrals. But your resume certainly does not tell the whole story, and often it is to your advantage to create additional career marketing materials that will more fully express who you are, what you have done, and what you can do for your next employer.

For example, a one- or two-page expanded explanation of several of your most notable career achievements will help employers understand how you do what you do and differentiate you from other candidates. An online profile needs to be even more concise than a resume yet must convey essential information. A web portfolio allows you to “show” as well as “tell” the highlights of your creations and successes. An executive bio is more subtle than a resume and can be used for countless networking, public speaking, and other professional activities.

Start with the resume and expand, adapt, and create new documents as needed for your various activities and audiences during your job search and throughout your career.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM

Best Practice: Communicate a Consistent Message in All Career Marketing Communications
You’ve gone to all the time and trouble of crafting a powerful resume that clearly communicates your value and expresses your personal brand. Now take those key messages and extend them to every letter, email, beyond-the-resume document, networking introduction, and interview throughout your job search. Your clarity and consistency ensure that everyone you reach understands who you are, what you’re good at, how they can help you, and what you can do for them. Clarity and consistency constantly reinforce your messages and mean “no surprises” for employers. Clarity and consistency keep you sharply focused on the activities, contacts, and opportunities that are the best fit, now and throughout your career.

Contributed by Louise Kursmark, MRW, CPRW, CEIP, JCTC, CCM