What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand
Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’ along the way to help out. The following is an article written by Kelly Eggers focusing on the Ten Worst Things to Put on Your Resume -

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – The Ten Worst Things to Put on Your Resume written – By Kelly Eggers

According to a 2010 Accountemps survey, 28% of executives say the resume is where most job seekers make mistakes in the application process. But what exactly constitutes a mistake?

We talked with career coaches and resume writers to find ten gaffes that will guarantee that your resume never makes it past round one.

Related: Explaining Job Gaps in Your Resume | How to Gather References and Make Them Work For You

1. Unnecessary Details About Your Life

There are a few personal details you should include on a resume: full name and contact information, including email, phone number and address. But beyond that, personal details should be kept to a minimum. If the prospective employer wants to know more than the minimum, they will ask you or figure it out for themselves.

“Your age, race, political affiliation, anything about your family members, and home ownership status should all be left off your resume,” says Ann Baehr, a certified professional resume writer and president of New York-based Best Resumes. “What’s confusing is that [a lot of personal information is] included on international CVs. In the U.S., including [personal data] is a no-no because it leaves the job-seeker open to discrimination.”

The exception to the rule: If you’re looking to work for an organization closely tied to a cause, you may consider including your race, political party, or religious beliefs.

“Personal data may suggest a bias, unless what you want to do next is directly tied to one of those categories, because it shows aligned interest,” says Roy Cohen, a New York City career coach and author of The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide. So, unless you’re looking to work for a religious, political, or social organization, you’re better off keeping personal philosophies to yourself.

2. Your Work Responsibilities as a Lifeguard When You Were 16…

“Don’t include information that will not advance you in your work goals,” says Rena Nisonoff, president of The Last Word, a resume-writing and job-coaching company in Boston. “Anything extraneous should be left off your resume.” That includes hobbies and irrelevant jobs you held many years ago.

Unless you’re an undergraduate student or a freshly minted professional, limit your work history to professional experience you’ve had in the past 10 to 15 years (or greater, if it was a C-level position).

3. A Headshot

In some industries, being asked for and including a headshot is commonplace, but unless you’re a model, actor, or Miss America, the general rule of thumb is that photos should be left out.

“To many [hiring managers], including a headshot feels hokey,” says Cohen. It can give off the wrong impression, and isn’t a job-seeking tactic that’s customarily received well.

Furthermore, it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against job candidates based on appearance, so attaching a headshot can put employers in an awkward position, says Nisonoff. Unless it’s specifically requested, and it’s relevant to the job at hand, keep your appearance out of it.

4. Salary Expectations

Most job candidates feel uneasy discussing salary requirements. For good reason: Giving a number that’s too high or too low can cost you the job. You should keep it out of your application materials entirely, unless the hiring manager asks for it.

“If they specifically ask for it, you should give them a range,” says Nisonoff, but even still, that information should be reserved for the cover letter and not put on the resume. If you have the option, save that discussion for a later stage of the interviewing process, ideally once the interviewer brings it up.

5. Lies

This should really go without saying, but career coaches and resume writers alike report that the line between embellishment and fabrication is often crossed by job applicants — and that they’ve seen it cost their clients jobs.

One of the most common areas in which people fudge the facts is the timeline of their work history.

“A client of mine who worked for a Wall Street firm had moved around quite a bit,” says Cohen. The client, who was a registered representative, intentionally excluded a former employer from his resume, and covered it up by altering the dates of employment at other firms. “Registered representatives leave a FINRA trail, and when his resume was checked against his FINRA trail, [the company] saw he had left off a firm and they pulled the offer,” Cohen explains.

Whether it’s using false information to cover a blemish or exaggerate success, there’s no room to lie on your resume. No matter how miniscule the chance is that you’ll be caught, you should always represent yourself as accurately as possible.

6. Things That Were Once Labeled “Confidential”

In many jobs, you will handle proprietary information. Having inside information from your positions at previous employers might make you feel important — but if you use that information to pad your resume, chances are it will raise a red flag.

“Confidential information should never be shared, it shows poor judgment,” says Cohen.

If you’re sharing the names of your clients, in-house financial dealings, or anything else that might be for your eyes only, it can backfire in two ways. The prospective employer will know that you can’t be trusted with sensitive information; and your current (or former) employer might find out what you have been sharing and it could be grounds for dismissal or even a lawsuit.

7. If You Were Fired From a Job — and What You Were Fired For

Your resume should put you in a positive light. Including that you were let go for poor performance, stealing from the company, or any other fault of your own will have the exact opposite effect.

“Leave out information about a situation that positions you negatively, such as ‘I got fired’ or ‘I mishandled funds,’” says Cohen. “Anything that suggests you used poor judgment in your current or former job.”

Following this advice does not violate the rule about lying (No. 5). If you’re asked to explain why you left a job, you need to bite the bullet and be straightforward, but until then, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

8. Overly Verbose Statements

There is a pretty fine line between selling yourself and overselling yourself. Too many resumes overstate the importance of job responsibilities.

“Job seekers with limited experience [try] to put themselves in a ‘management’ light,” says Baehr, using phrases like “‘Spearheaded high-profile projects through supervision of others, leading by example.’” Keep your flair for the dramatic to a minimum, so resume readers can get a picture of what your real responsibilities were with your past or current company.

9. “References Available Upon Request” and Your Objective

The age-old “references available upon request” has become archaic. You should have solid references lined up from the get-go, so when the hiring manager asks for them, you’re ready to share them.

“It’s not really an option,” says Baehr. “If they want your references, they’re going to get them.”

Also nix the objective statement. It’s not really necessary to explain your career goals unless you are a recent graduate or are switching careers. If necessary, work your objective into a summary of your qualifications, says Cohen.

“It explains what you want, which may not be readily apparent from the resume,” he says, “and it also tells a story to explain why you want to make the career change.”

10. TMI

Too much information is almost never a good idea. It’s particularly bad when it’s put in front of hiring managers who are busy, tired, and quite frankly, probably not going to read your resume word-for-word. If you put too much information in your resume, recruiters will likely not read it at all or just scan it quickly.

“Far too much detail is damaging because it won’t get read,” says Cohen. “It suggests that you get lost in seeing the forest for the trees and also suggests an attachment to information. It’s a burden to the reader, and these days, readers of resumes don’t want to be burdened.”

Write to Kelly Eggers

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall

Founder Professional Career Pathway

Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

Cover letters that demand attention | September 2011.

http://www.phoenixfocus.com/2011-09/cover-letters-demand-attention/

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand
Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – Cover Letters that demand attention…. it’s time to go Hallmark – ‘and Show Someone that You Care?’ – take your time to craft a cover letter that is going to show someone that you care enough about them, their company and the job – don’t send an address ‘To Occupant’ .

You’ve polished your Professional Brand Image, you’ve created your personal e-Folio Professional website, and you’ve found that the job of your dreams has just posted on LinkedIn, through a job board, or search engine now you are preparing your cover letter and resume for submission:

Cover letters that demand attention

The author Jane Hodges outlines six main ideas about crafting your cover letter in her article:

• Deliver the basics – In the first paragraph, state why you are writing or to which job you are applying. In the second, provide context for your skills and how they fulfill those sought in the job description. In the third, allude to next steps, such as your availability to talk or willingness to provide further materials such as references.
• Show you’ve done your homework – If you know someone in the company or have been researching the industry, layer that into your letter. But be careful: Make sure your contact knows you’ll invoke their name and are in good standing,
• Specify your accomplishments – she says, rather than talk generally about projects you led, think like an employer and get specific about your achievements and their scope.
• Kick it up a notch – rather than simply mentioning you were on a corporation’s wellness team, mention you fought seven years to get your company to institute a wellness initiative that wound up saving millions by slashing health care costs or halving sick days.
• Get down to brass tacks – In your letter’s closing, include additional basics such as your availability for interviews or to start work, your willingness to relocate and so forth.
• Borrow a pair of eyes – There’s more than one way to write a good cover letter. Often, getting an extra pair of eyes from friends or industry peers can help you skirt sloppy grammar or spelling mistakes and more effectively convey or highlight your skills.

“Hiring managers would rather choose someone who lacks specific skills and has the right mindset, than someone who has the skills sought and the wrong mindset.”

Paul Stolz, author of Put Your Mindset to Work

Jane Hodges is a freelance writer in Seattle who has written for Wall Street Journal, Seattle Times and MSNBC.com.

for the entire article – http://www.phoenixfocus.com/2011-09/cover-letters-demand-attention/

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall

Founder Professional Career Pathway

Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand
Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – Take a moment to Stop! Look! and Listen…. Listen to what the employer is saying in their Job Posting

You’ve polished your Professional Brand Image, you’ve created your personal e-Folio Professional website, and you’ve  found that the job of your dreams has just posted on LinkedIn, through a job board, or search engine – you hit reply and click the apply now button….. But before you do that you need to Stop! Get everything ready before you take the next step. Now is not the time to step off of the curb into traffic with everyone else.

Look… look both ways, take your time to print out or copy the job description into a word document for reference, open up and visit the company’s website and look for recent press releases and company background information.  Did you write down key words and phrases from the job descriptions? Do you capture required skills and technical expertise outlined in the posting? Did you find their annual report? Do you have something important, relevant and current to include in your cover letter about the company? Did you check to find out if any of your contacts or friends know anyone that works there? Do they work there?

Listen Take a moment to catch your breath – listen to what the employer is looking for, key words, technical expertise, transferable skills and create a personalized and well crafted a resume & cover letter specific to the job and company you are applying for.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – Stop… Look… and Listen when Reviewing Job Descriptions

Stop and Look at the job description/post and Listen to what the Recruiter, Human Resource Managers or Hiring Managers is asking for.

Don’t post the same generic cover letter and resume for every job – Is there anything more frustrating than telling someone exactly what you want or specifically what you need only to have them give you something totally different? What kind of message are you sending to a potential hiring manager – that you can’t follow directions and pay attention? Do you need constant direction and to have things explained over and over again? Did you even bother to read the job description?

Let your audience tell you what they want by reviewing their website, reading the job description – show them you care and that you are listening by making the appropriate updates to your resume with keywords, job titles, contacts on your cover letter and how you have performed these  objectives/requirements and solved similar problems in your previous work/school experience.

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall

Founder Professional Career Pathway

Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

A great article from Derek Thompson -  Derek Thompson is a senior editor at The Atlantic,where he oversees business coverage for the website.  It is important to understand what employers are saying…. he shares about personal Professional Brand Image, e-resume, resumes and learning about the company that you are interviewing with and more….

What You Don’t Get About the Job Search: The View From Employers

By Derek Thompson posted Aug 20 2011, 10:20 AM ET

The Atlantic asked our readers to share with us the one thing most  people don’t understand or appreciate about looking for work. We got a surprising number of responses from employers with advice for the unemployed. Here are  some of the most enlightening and entertaining of the bunch.

If you have something to add, you can leave your response in the comment section below or send a note to our private email  account aboutmyjob1@gmail.com.

“I’m on the  lookout for anything at all that shows you don’t take this seriously.”

Look, it’s a lot easier to not hire someone than to fire them. Someone  who doesn’t take their job seriously can really be a pain in the  workplace, draining energy away from other tasks. But firing that person can also be a pain — it can take weeks of HR meetings, establishing a  paper trail, etc.

So if I’m trying to hire someone, I’m on the  lookout for anything at all that shows you don’t take this seriously.  That includes how you dress and how you carry yourself. Yes, it’s  unfair, and in an ideal world you wouldn’t have to worry about it. But  it’s the way it is.

“It turns out most resumes aren’t very good. People aren’t very good at answering interview questions.”

Earlier in 2011 I put out an offer to help people who were looking for  work. I offered to review resumes. I gave guidance about answering tough interview questions. I coached people on how to market themselves and I pointed out some ways people could expand their searches.

The response was overwhelming. It turns out, when it comes to looking  for a job, most people understand very little. Their resumes aren’t very good. They aren’t very good at answering interview questions. They  don’t know how to find opportunities, their networks are terrible etc.  It goes on and on and on.

I’m a hiring manager and have spent a few years seeing good and bad  resumes, listening to great interview responses and terrible ones (I’ll  always remember the candidate applying for a sales job who told me that  he wasn’t social and didn’t have any friends…What?!).  The things people don’t understand, in no particular order:

– You HAVE to be positive, enthusiastic and high-energy in ANY interaction with a potential employer
– Always list achievement over responsibility. “I did X and it led to awesome result Y.”
– Looking for a job IS a full time job
– Apply for any job for which you meet at least 70% of the qualifications
– You need to tailor your resume to EACH job posting

The things employers don’t understand, in no particular order:

– Be clear about your process with the candidate
– Anyone with whom you’ve had a conversation deserves a call to let them know if you aren’t going to hire them
– Be excited to talk to people. You may just be talking to your next employee. Be excited to speak with them
– Adding to your team is the MOST important thing you do

“Sanitize your online presence.’”

Folks need to realize they have to sanitize their net presence. Those  drunken spring break pictures have got to go, and they have got to go a  few years before you plan on getting that job so that they’ve made their way out of caches and/or can be explained credibly as “well that was  then….”

“Dress conservatively and act conservatively.”

        When going for an interview, always dress up. This means  changing not just your physical appearance but also your personal  appearance. Dress conservatively and act conservatively. I’m an out gay  man, but one thing I worry about is my bearing, how I appear to others.  It’s challenging meeting your employer’s expectations especially when  these expectations stem from their religious or political persuasion. I  wouldn’t want to work in an environment in which I’d be discriminated.  However, as the job market gets more competitive, and as my options  become slimmer, do I have to forsake my emotional security in order to  earn a buck? I shouldn’t have to feel any concern over this. But I can’t dismiss this as a private insecurity. I believe that many minorities  including people of color and ethic minorities might feel the same way.  Many companies comply with anti-discrimination policies (and must comply with anti-discrimination laws), but these don’t protect people from  being judged by their employers or coworkers simply for who they are.  Prejudice is internal, unconscious, a part of our psyche. How do you  interpret “No?” Is it a response to your qualifications, amount of  relevant experience, the pitch of your voice, the color of your skin?  These questions are even more relevant now that issues of discrimination in the work place are being taken more seriously. I’ll go further:  These questions are even more relevant now that the economy is in the  tank, and some people are being screened for who they are. Are we  returning to the Dark Ages now that our economic situation is becoming  more and more desperate?

“‘There’s a wreck on 495′ is a perfectly  acceptable reason to be late.”

Show up on time.  If you can’t, call ahead to let them know you’re late, and why.  Here in the DC area “There’s a wreck on 495″ is a perfectly  acceptable reason to be late, or reschedule.

A place I hang out at  online had an actual debate going  over that until it was noted that the
“show up on time” camp was gainfully employed and the “why  does that matter?” camp was not.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/08/what-you-dont-get-about-the-job-search-the-view-from-employers/243868/

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall, MBA

Founder Professional Career Pathway

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand
Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – Cell phone nightmares to avoid

You’ve polished your Professional Brand Image, you’ve created your personal e-Folio Professional website, and you’ve personalized and crafted a
fantastic resume & cover letter specific to the job and company you are applying for now you are anxiously waiting for the call. Some people will tell
you only to take a call or give your landline or home number down as a contact. Well not everyone has a home phone or landline anymore – if you have a phone appointment use good judgment. Now the phone rings and….

1) Be ready and look at your caller id – unusual area code, private number, name….

• Make sure you can talk, pull over safely if you are driving and park. Take a deep breath before answering and SMILE when you talk.

2) If you have an appointment for a phone screen make sure you are ready to go before the phone rings and be where you are
supposed to be

• Dress business professional – look professional, feel professional
• Have a copy of your resume at hand
• If you know who you are interviewing with open their LinkedIn page and review before the call
• Review the company’s website (news articles, about the company, annual report) and jot down a few notes and
  comments
• Close the door if you can and turn off the radio, television, or any other distracting noises

3)  Answer your phone professionally – Good Morning/Afternoon this is ……, how are you today (remember to SMILE when you talk)

•  Please don’t start off with “It’s your dime start talking..” or “Yo, what’s up dude…” or “What…” or “Who is this..”

4) Be sure to remove inappropriate call waiting songs and ring tone

• Nothing else needs to be said here…

5) Make sure your phone is charged and that you have a phone and electrical charger easily accessible

•  This isn’t the time for ‘Houston we have a problem…’

6) Confirm their number in case you get disconnected for any reason

•  Just in case we get disconnected for any reason what number should I call you back at…

7) As you close confirm next steps, confirm contact numbers

•  Ask for the job – that’s why you came let them know
• Confirm next steps
• Check your call log on your cell phone and save the number – if it comes up private be sure to confirm a call back number for next steps

Follow up                        

Don’t forget to forward your calls if you are going to be out, get call forwarding or set it up. If at all possible make sure that someone is picking up the phone when someone calls your contact number.

Don’t have inappropriate or unprofessional answering messages, or call waiting music or ring tones. People who call your contact number want to talk to a live person – ‘You’, they don’t want to hear, ‘Shake your groove thing’ or ‘Honky Tonk by Donky Donk”. Smile when you are talking people can hear it in your voice!

Turn off your phone during face-to-face interviews – you can still hear it vibrate in your pocket – and if the job you are interviewing for isn’t the most important thing right now… well you shouldn’t be interviewing for the job because you don’t want it.

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall

Founder Professional Career Pathway

Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

A great article that I wanted to share with everyone that was prepared by Alina Dizik and posted August 10, 2011 on Career 4 You.  As we have discussed the importance of your Professional Brand Image the usage of Skype brings everything to light or at least to a video screen near you.  Your resume,  cover letter and professional e-Folio website got you the call/interview, now you are going to be face to face with your potential hiring manager over the internet using Skype.

Lights…. Camera…. Action… Scene One of Your Skype Interview… Take One (becuase it might be the only take you get)… so make it count!

8 important tips for Skype interviews

 

With video interviews becoming more common during hiring, not being prepared can easily keep you out of the running. While meeting via video is time saver, getting past the technological barriers of not speaking face-to-face can be difficult. Be sure you’re prepared and use Skype to your advantage, experts say. For one, use your computer screen to refer hiring managers to your achievements or provide explanations. “Prepare a digital portfolio that you can link to during the interview or show the interviewer your screen, which has a sample of your work,” says social media expert Marian Schembari, who adds that you can also send relevant links through the chat function.

Looking for more ways to impress? Here’s how to handle a Skype or video interview:

1. Look at the camera, not the screen

It can be confusing, but when you’re looking at your monitor it actually makes the interviewer feel as if you’re looking away. Instead, look directly at the video camera you’re using for your interview. And although you’re not making eye contact in the traditional sense, this is the way that the interviewer perceives that you’re looking straight ahead.

2. Be aware of interruptions

Since you’re used to living in the house, it can be easy to forget to turn off a phone or not warn family members to give you some privacy, Schembari says. Have a plan for whatever distractions you have in your house, including children and dogs. “Too many people don’t take [Skype interviews] as seriously as in-person interviews, but you need to be just as professional here,” she says.

3. Practice in front of a mirror

During the interview, you can see yourself in the video camera, which can be startling if you’ve never seen yourself speak. “It’s important to get familiar with your own facial expressions when you talk,” says Colleen Aylward, chief executive of InterviewStudio Inc., a company that offers video interview capabilities. “It also gets rid of some of the camera shyness.”

4. Mind the background

 

Your surroundings can say a lot about how you’ve prepared for the interview, so it’s important to put your best foot forward. “Shoot your video against a blank wall or a warm one-color background,” Aylward suggests. “Clear off your desk, or have only awards and certificates in the background.”

5. Avoid patterned clothing

Wear a shirt that’s business casual and complimentary to your skin tone. Avoid patterns that come across as too loud on screen, such as anything floral or bright stripes. Clothing can distract the interviewer from the information conveyed during the conversation, so it’s important to plan your outfit carefully.

6. Conduct a mock interview

Being comfortable with the technology prevents the added stress from a tech malfunction. Find a person you trust and use Skype or other video conferencing software to conduct a mock interview. You’re bound to make mistakes, so it’s best to practice with someone who can provide honest feedback.

7. Test audio and video

Just because your laptop has a built-in video camera and microphone doesn’t mean the quality is up to par. Instead, test out the video and audio capabilities on your computer and decide whether you need to buy a headset with a microphone or an attachable video camera. Before the interview, some companies may send their own video devices to applicants.

8. Add extra enthusiasm

Any news announcer will tell that your reactions translate differently when on-screen, so it’s important to compensate with extra enthusiasm and concise answers. Additionally, speak succinctly and remember that speed is important, Aylward says. “Practice speaking more quickly than you normally do,” she says.

——————

Alina Dizik

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=686879535&gid=1789016&type=member&item=65135542&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Flnkd%2Ein%2FB8JY3R&urlhash=jrGt&goback=%2Egde_1789016_member_65135542

 

8 Rules For Good Customer Service by Job Seeker Part II – Rules 5 – 8

Good Customer Service Made Simple

By Chris A. Marshall, MBA – Founder Professional Career Pathway

5) Be helpful – there doesn’t need to be an immediate profit in it.

When you have the opportunity to help others, provide appropriate support and guidance about your industry, share transferable skills and alert them to jobs or postings that you may know about both in and out of your industry. Get to know and help people on LinkedIn, Professional Networking Groups, Clubs and organizations. While you are working with them provide honest feedback, share best practices, coordinate introductions and provide real encouragement.  The use of Social Media and introductions in person shouldn’t be under estimated.

The Golden Rule does apply ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you…’  

6) Make sure that you are ALWAYS helpful, courteous and knowledgeable.

Be sure that you are keeping current with your reading and studying current industry articles, and staying abreast of breakthroughs in the industry allows
you to be knowledgeable. Keep current with Trade & Industry Groups and Association blogs, trade journals, your College Alumni Association, “I don’t
know, but I know where to find the information…”

Contribute positively to blogs and discussions when appropriate… never contribute negative or confidential information.

When someone helps you be sure to say ‘Thank You’. Keep blank plain Thank You notes in your brief case or planner so that you can sit down and scribe a personal note before you leave. Don’t forget to make your notes personal, because people remember personal ‘Thank You’ notes and ‘Thank You’ e-mails. Don’t send group thank you notes or group e-mails because they also remember you being lazy – make sure that you address each one personally and capture something brief and specific about your interaction or what you discussed.

7) Take the extra step.

For instance, if you are applying to companies that are local put on your interview clothes and drop a fresh copy of your job specific resume and cover letter (remember Rule 3) and ask if you can introduce yourself to the HR recruiter.  Introduce yourself to everyone you interact with and offer a professional handshake, ask them their names, take notes, ask about next steps and ‘Thank’ them for their time and assistance.

Think about walking into a store and no one comes up to you to help. You see someone walk over to them, how does it  feel when they don’t take
the time to even look up when you speak to them and they reply offhandedly, “It’s in Aisle 3.”  Now think about the employees that ‘Smile’ shake your hand, introduce themselves and lead you to the item.

Better yet, they wait and see if you have any questions about it, or need any further assistance. Whatever the extra step may be, if you want to provide good customer service, take it. They may not say anything, but people notice when people make an extra effort and will tell other people.

Throw in something extra.

Here’s where you have your personal business cards ready, your LinkedIn Profile web address, your QR Code with your contact information, your Professional e-Folio Website address and your top Google Search results ready for them.  Don’t forget the importance of making sure that recruiters, Business Owners, Human Resource Managers are looking for someone special that will stand out from the crowd to be a part of their company. Be sure that your QR code, LinkedIn address and that your Professional e-Folio Website web address are all on both your resume and your business cards . 

If you apply these eight simple rules consistently, your efforts will become known for its good customer service. And the best part? The irony of good customer service is that over time it will bring in more contacts, introductions and job offers than mass mailings and blindly applying to every job posting ever hoped too!

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall, MBA

Founder Professional Career Pathway

www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

A More Strategic Approach to Applying for Jobs – On Careers (usnews.com).

A great article by Tim Tyrell-Smith regarding the importance of protecting your Professional Brand Image as you apply for multiple positions. How do you maintain your integrity and Professional Brand Image when applying for multiple positions? When you are looking across other industries – I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall,

Founder Professional Career Pathway

A More Strategic Approach to Applying for Jobs

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’. The importance of a good e-Mail signature when responding to job inquiries, requesting additional information, requesting a reference or creating a contact should not be underestimated.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – was created by Candice Abrams, eHow Contributor

Read more:  How to Create a Personal Email Signature for Students | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8443583_create-personal-email-signature-students.html#ixzz1U6NaN3VV

It is important for college students and  graduates to have a professional looking email signature. The signature should  relate to the academic or professional career that you want to pursue. Having an  email signature will also make your email stand out from the rest, especially  when they are responding to job ads. Email signatures may differ by each career,  but the following guidelines will help you to set up an appropriate personal  signature. Using your personal and contact information will help potential  employers and schools figure out how to reach you.

Read more:  How to Create a Personal Email Signature for Students | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8443583_create-personal-email-signature-students.html#ixzz1U6NrQ9PB

Tips &  Warnings

•  Add a link at the bottom of your email signature to your professional website  or LinkedIn account where you have your resume.
•  Your phone number should include a professional voicemail message for times  when you cannot answer. Otherwise, set up a free voicemail account with Google  Voice.
•  Your email signature will be seen by everyone you email. Take extreme caution  when sending emails.

Read more:  How to Create a Personal Email Signature for Students | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8443583_create-personal-email-signature-students.html#ixzz1U6P7UhqX

*Note be sure to add your link to your personal e-Folio Professional website

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall
Founder Professional Career Pathway
Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com
www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’?

In today’s competitive environment and crowded market of qualified applicants it’s more important than ever to maintain your Professional Brand Image. We’ll provide some helpful ‘Spinach helpful tips’.

Spinach Helpful Tip of the Week – Spell Check and Proof reading

Whether you are sending an e-mail, responding to a job board, posting an application or working on your resume and cover letter you have to use spell check. But don’t stop there – take a moment copy your content and paste into a blank Word document and check again. Do a spell check again and Read your document out loud – find the managment when you mean management – or ‘fondation’ instead of ‘foundation’ that will cause your document to be overlooked by an ATS system and drop you out of consideration by a human reviewing.

If you don’t care enough to spell check and proof read your resume or cover letter then why would I want you as an employee.

What is a ‘Spinach helpful tip’? Have you ever walked around with something in your teeth, and no one tells you. A real friend takes you to the side and tells you. It may be embarrassing at first but not as bad as finding out at the end of the day when it is too late to do anything about it.

Best regards,

Chris A. Marshall
Founder Professional Career Pathway
Chris.A.Marshall@professionalcareerpathway.com
www.ProfessionalCareerPathway.com