|
|
|
ResumeCorner.com Newsletter
March 2007
In this issue |
|
E-mail suggestions and questions to
support@resumecorner.com
Important
Please add
support@resumecorner.com and
newsletter@resumecorner.com to
your e-mail provider's address book and "safe list". This will
prevent the filtering of our e-mails.
Has your e-mail address changed? Please enter
your new address on our
website or send an e-mail to
support@resumecorner.com |
|
Featured article: Step up or step out |
|
Quick tip: Networking Cards |
|
Ask the coach: How long should I spend with each employer |
|
Featured resource: Finding Industry Associations |
|
Book of the
month: The Brand You: 50 by Tom Peters |
|
|
|
Featured
Article: Step up or step out |
|
By Nimish
Thakkar |
|
Recently, I
got the opportunity to work with, Nick Smith, a fascinating
client, in fact, one of the most intelligent and talented
professionals I have ever met. Yet, despite the abundance of
natural talent, Nick was unemployed for a very long time -- the
few jobs he managed to find did not last very long. After a
series of setbacks, he knew something was wrong but couldn’t
unravel the mystery cause that was foiling his career goals
repeatedly.
During one of our coaching sessions, we finally hit the
life-changing eureka moment, not just for Smith, but for the
many who are guilty of the same [professional] crime: knowledge
stagnation. In his career spanning over two decades, Nick had
paid very little attention to his professional skills and
expertise. He was so focused on the work he was doing, he rarely
paid attention to the changes that were shaking the very
foundations of his chosen profession, a bitter truth that came
to his attention after his long-time employer closed operations.
Envision the future: think growth, think cutting-edge.
Avid business readers may be aware of the case of the word
processor giant. The company had invested billions of dollars
into its word processing product, but had made the fatal mistake
of underestimating the impact of personal computers. Much to the
manufacturer’s disappointment, the product was rendered obsolete
when PCs became accessible to common consumers.
Since we work with the same employer for a number of years, it
is too easy to close our eyes to what is happening around us and
think “I am doing my job well; I am never going to need that new
innovation.”
In my past articles, I have always emphasized on the fact that
“you are in charge of your career, not your employer.” Set aside
a professional development budget and ask yourself “what
professional competencies will be in demand a few years from
now?” Use this information to create your annual professional
development and training plan.
The tools
Books, e-groups, newsletters, professional associations,
conferences, seminars, webinars, training programs, graduate
degrees, peers, competitors -- opportunities exist in abundance.
Do I practice before I preach?
It may come as a surprise to many, but even to this day, I spend
the first hour of my work reading over a dozen professional
newsletters, articles, and books that make their way to my desk.
In addition to professional reading, I regularly interact with
peers, participate in numerous webinars and training programs,
contribute toward more learning and networking groups that I can
count, and maintain membership in key professional associations.
In addition to the theoretical learning, I regularly float my
own résumé in the market and attend interviews to keep up with
what is happening.
The truth is that we are knowledge workers in this Information
Age, an age where knowledge becomes obsolete faster than
fashion. Not keeping up is like building a house with cards; the
slightest breeze of change or innovation can shatter the
construction to pieces.
Staying current is the ideal way to build a successful career --
and the best hedge against uncertainty.Nimish
Thakkar is a certified career coach, outplacement consultant,
and resume writer with
Resume Writing Service
and
Sai Strategies. He also serves as the chief
editor of
SaiCareers.com, a site that provides free
information and resources on a wide range of career topics, from
resume writing and career management to networking. Thakkar has
worked with thousands of clients and has authored over 100
articles. He holds two graduate degrees, including an MBA.
Nimish can be reached at
nimish@resumecorner.com. |
| |
|
Quick Tip:
Top universities post free course content online |
|
|
Consider creating
networking cards that you can carry with you at all times. In place of
title, you can use creative branding statements, such as Award-Winning
Marketing Professional, Certified Executive Recruiter, Chair of Geek’s
Club …. |
| |
|
Ask the
Coach: Questions from readers |
|
|
Dear
Nimish,
How long should I
stay with each employer? Staying too long would raise red flags and too
many short term jobs would get me classified as a job hopper. What would
you recommend? --A concerned job seeker
Response:
Long enough.
I admit the answer is very subjective and each hiring manager would have
her or his own perception about the “right duration” of time.
I am not overly fanatical about the number, though. For me, the minimum
would be the number of years I would take to make positive contributions
(translation: powerful resume material) and the maximum would be the
point where I feel I lack opportunities or am not growing
professionally. This range could be 4-6 years for some, while for others
it could be 5-7 years.
You could also research norms within your profession and geographic
location. I wouldn’t recommend following the trends blindly, but the
information certainly helps.
Do you
have a quick question for our career coach? Send in your queries to
nimish@resumecorner.com. If selected, your question will be answered
in the future issues of our newsletter.
Note: Due to large volumes, we cannot respond to individual e-mails. |
| |
|
Featured
Resource |
|
We have compiled a
list of resources you could use to find industry associations in your
profession.
http://www.saicareers.com/job_search/industry_associations.html |
| |
|
Featured
Book |
|
|
|
|
Click the above link to
order from amazon.com |
| |
|
Tell a friend to subscribe to our free newsletter at:
http://www.resumecorner.com/newsletter_subscription.html
Get $30 for referring a friend to our services:
http://www.resumecorner.com/refer.html
Tell a friend about our site:
http://www.resumesnapper.com/resumecornerfriend.cfm
|
|
You may forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues as
long as it is done in its entirety.
The newsletter or parts thereof may not be republished without
written permission. This is copyrighted material.
|
|
Read past issues |
|
Email suggestions and questions to
support@resumecorner.com
Important
Please add
support@resumecorner.com and
newsletter@resumecorner.com to
your e-mail provider's address book and "safe list". This will
prevent the filtering of our e-mails.
Has your e-mail address changed? Please enter
your new address on our
website or send an e-mail to
support@resumecorner.com |
|
Copyright
(c) 2007, Resume Corner, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
|
|
Resume Corner,
Inc.
Powering career success
Resume Writing. Outplacement. Career Coaching.
P.O. Box 528127
Flushing, NY
11355
Toll Free: 1.888.873.7863
Corporate: 1.718.539.7771
Fax:
1.718.228.8457
info@resumecorner.com
www.resumecorner.com
www.saistrategies.com
www.saicareers.com
www.resumesnapper.com
|
| |
|
Time
to update resume?
Special
prices for past clients
Call Us: 1.888.873.7863 |
| |
|
Refer a Friend, Get $30
Call 1.888.873.7863 |
| |
|
Is your
employer considering a layoff?
Choose us as your outplacement
service provider. Call for details. |
| |
Our services
*
Resume Writing/Posting
* Resume Distribution
* Career
Coaching
* Job Search Support
* Interview Preparation
* Career
Marketing
* Admin
(We answer job ads)
* Career Growth/Promotions
* Salary Negotiation
* Outplacement |
|
|
|
To save on
credit cards,
long distance,
Internet access,
insurance,
loans,
mortgages, and more, visit
DontSpendMore.com |
|
|
|
Forward newsletter to friends & loved ones |
|
|
|
Click here to subscribe to our free newsletter |
|
