Today I was shocked to hear from  one of our clients who had been informed by another  resume writing service that the cost to “re-brand” him and provide a new resume was $2K!!!

What the? He only wanted a re-furbished resume, not a full-on marketing campaign that costs a bomb and may, or may not, gain him that all important interview!

He also did NOT require re-branding. He had /has his very own unique brand! We all have! A good resume writing service does NOT involve changing your image so much that you are unrecognizable! It does not fake or run away from the truth.

A resume service should explore your background, as it pertains to the job you are applying for –  good resume writer should ask the right questions, get to know the real you. It finds out what your dreams are and most importantly, what makes you tick. In other words, it fleshes out your “best”image, your best skills, knowledge and experience and how that all fits with the jobs you are seeking. It does NOT design a resume without a holistic approach, nor should it cost the earth!

There are many options available to help you get the best resume. You could get on to Uncle Google and download a template. You could engage our resume writing service and for a small investment, get to that all important interview…..and when our service is successfully completed – feel terrific !!

Ivana Agapiou Resume writer and career advisor

The post … beware of the $2K costs for a new resume… appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Resumes generally don’t reveal much about the real “you”. Yes, it’s an historical snap shot of your work life.. but what does it say about your unique personality? What do you want it to “say” about you?

Want to stand out? Want your resume to get you to an interview? Then a simple  ELEVATOR speech or an “About me” statement is a great way to differentiate your resume from the rest!

Definition: An elevator spiel in job searching includes a 15-30 second overview of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. The term comes from the time it takes to complete a normal elevator ride from the top to the bottom floor. An “elevator speech” is an opportunity to sell you!

So it’s basically a spoken commercial that explains to people who you are, what you do and what kind of position you’re seeking. Most people don’t understand, though, that an elevator pitch should also be a crucial part of your resume.

Need help?

Then answer these questions in a “real” voice. Like you’re speaking to your mother, or a couple of friends (I even recommend that you speak into a voice recorder, or just go ahead and call your own voicemail, and answer these questions out loud. That’s the best way to get a conversational tone….)

• Why do you want to work in Retail/ Hospitality or Tourism?
• What is it that you find interesting about it?
• No, seriously, don’t talk to me like I’m your boss, what do you really find interesting about it?
• Why do you want to stay in this field?
• What do you like about this industry?
• When you’re in the shower in the morning, what types of challenges at work make you excited to get to work as soon as possible?
• When are you having the most fun?

It’s like establishing your very own personal brand allowing you to differentiate and position yourself from the competition and claim your job!

Here are some examples to help you get going!

A Marketing role

The Pitch: “I like to shine from behind the scenes. I am an office support professional with experience managing Marketing Programs and Initiatives for the manufactured consumer products industry. Being the people person that I am, I enjoy being hands-on in getting to know what the customer wants/needs and then working within company guidelines to make it happen. I’d be thrilled to share more about my background.”

A Sales Role

The Pitch: “A sales professional with solid track record of winning new and repeat business. I’d like to continue that success for a company that wants to generate more business. My background shows that I have exceeded sales targets and helped boost market share. I’m technological proficiency, particularly in web research. Being a great listener, helps me understand and address client needs. I’ve been fascinated by the sales process and am driven by the impact I can have on a company’s growth”.

A Barista

The Pitch: “Being a Barista is not just a job! I love serving customers and can operate various commercial coffee machines. I have speed and physical agility; I possess initiative and can think quickly on my feet. I’m creative and enjoy making each cup a work of art; I can distinguish qualities of a coffee such as body, astringency, bitterness, fruitiness, acidity, chew, under extracted, over extracted, and the texture of the milk, and last but not least – I love working under pressure!”

A Reception or front line role

The Pitch: “I like being the public face for a hotel. As the first person a customer sees or the first voice they hear, I know how important it is that I consistently act in a professional manner providing the customers with a great first, and lasting impression. I am also a great typist, and pride myself on my accuracy and administration skills. As well as this, I’m told that my smile is contagious!”

General Hospitality and Retail customer service roles

The Pitch: “I deliver a high level of customer service and I understand the importance of presentation and great communication skills. I like to be efficient and to provide t timely service. I adopt a very flexible approach to working various shifts, and can work a variety of hours. I enjoy engaging with Guests and customers and building repeat business”.

Explaining why you for the role?

The Pitch: “Currently I am seeking work for my gap year. I am keen on a role within………..?because….. …?

I am a personable, naturally curious person who is keen to further develop my communication and work skills. I know I will be working when others are partying, however, I enjoy helping others have a great event. I am available for any shifts and for week-ends”.

NOTE- 25 – 50 words IS ENOUGH… but make sure you do make it 100% about you! NO lies; no made-up stories! Still stumped? Try this free career Quiz… the results may help you describe your self in more individual terms!

http://www.carecareers.com.au/page/career-quiz Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor

RESUME WRITING PORT MACQUARIE

Good luck!

The post Why you for this job? The elevator statement is a must! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

What’s your image? What do you want people to say about you? What would a typical business introduction of you actually sound like?

What this pic tells you about the lady with the martini, what would you say? Would you hazard a guess as to her personality?

Sometimes, even without realizing it, our first impressions would have automatically formulated an opinion and a character judgement. That’s usually the norm.

You make mental notes of their actions and behaviors along with both their verbal and non-verbal communication;  they way they dress, their accessories, where and how they are seated, make you think about their personality and you will often automatically stereotype or implant a lasting image that will make it difficult for you to ever change your first opinion.

Many speakers and authors in my field are happy presenting in their jeans and T’s. They may want to “connect” with a particular demographic. They may want to appear casual and relaxed.  However, when I’m seeking to add credibility, I believe I need to look more corporate and knowledgeable.

I have already taken into account my rather extroverted, loud personality type, so I may try to “tone” my first impression down. At the same time, I want to differentiate myself and develop my own personal brand to that effect, so I plan to look a certain way. I attempt to dress in line with the company code or the cultural norm. I may want to wear a plain business suit with shiny patent, black shoes. (girls and their shoes eh?) But I always like to add a focal, memorable, yet subtle item to my overall outfit. It may be the addition of a soft scarf,  or a vintage brooch, I may even wear interesting shoes – Yep, that’s as wild as I get!  I always include just a touch of added interest, perhaps an item that could be a topic for small talk during the interview. (not that I ever  It certainly marks my point of difference.

When did you last take a good look at what others may see when they look at your personal brand both online and off?

Give yourself an audit and see if there are any areas that could do with reviewing from the 8 points below.

1.Voice-mail message.

Do you have the same message as everyone else “I’m sorry I’m unable to take your call….” or do you change it regularly depending on what is happening? For instance, if you are at a conference in Toronto, you might say something like “Today I’m listening to Jordan.B.Peterson at a conference for business leaders in Toronto, so I will attend to your message in the next available break….” Do you think the caller will be impressed with your message and at you for taking the time to keep yourself up skilled? I think so. It’s also just more interesting.

Most importantly, when you’re expecting a call back from a job interview, you don’t  want your prospective employer hearing a poorly worded or poor taste message on your voice mail. YOUR VOICE and the way you speak, is an integral aspect of your communication, and helps to form your profile, your voice mail message therefore, needs to reflect the personality and perception that highlights the best in you.

2.Your email signature.

Make it easy for people to get hold of you, so think about including your telephone numbers, your address, your website url, and links to your relevant social channels such as your LinkedIn profile. Some like to include a small head and shoulders photo of themselves, which is particularly useful if/ when you meet for the first time. There’s a face to the name!

3.LinkedIn profile.

Having a link from your email signature to your LinkedIn profile means that you must have a robust profile on show. At the very least, have an up to date photo, a descriptive professional headline, and a great summary of what you do and why someone should use you. Not having a profile up, or only having a half-baked one, will make you look unprofessional, unfinished or like someone who is not adept with technology.

4.Email content

Is your spell check turned on? Sending out an email with spelling mistakes, letters the wrong way round, along with  bad grammar could make you look less intelligent. Always read your email through slowly, and thoroughly before sending it to double check everything is in order. I always add the email address right at the very end so I don’t accidentally send it before I’ve checked it.

5.Email address

myfamily@gmail.com or mail@yourhugelongpersonalname.com all give the impression of a micro business when in fact you are probably not. Use your company domain name email address even if you don’t have a website behind it and make generic email address more personal. Instead of mail or info@ try hello@ or team@. Better yet, use an actual person’s name.

6.Business card.

Does it feel like good quality fabric or cheap and papery? It’s part of your first impression so be confident when you hand them out. Print your name, title, contact details, social media links and anything else you wish to include. Don’t be afraid to use both sides, it’s prime brand real-estate so use it but keep it professional.

7.Your outward appearance

“Always dress just a little bit better” is great advice for any situation. If you are interviewing at a tech company and you know they will all be wearing jeans and T-shirts, then going in a suit and tie might not do you any favours. Instead, dress just a little bit better and wear a great shirt with your crisp jeans and polished footwear. Wear the best footwear you can afford and polish them regularly, people do notice.

8.Car Signage 

Once you drive a sign written vehicle, you have to behave differently if you want to protect your brand. Not only do you need to keep your vehicle clean, but road rage when someone “cuts into you” is a big NO NO.

In summary , there are many more areas that form your personal brand such as the way you interact with others, how you perform at work with your bosses and colleagues and what you share publicly on Facebook, they all add up to formulating “you” and your image. The trick is to remain authentic and whilst being yourself, decide how you want to be seen, how you want to be perceived; what you want to be known for and remembered for,  and plan to move your personal brand in that general direction.  It’s a gathering of all your personal data and information to form a united and uniform impression to the outside world. You will want to align your values so that the combined image you project is the image that others interpret accurately about you. It leaves no room to question your integrity or your intent.

“There are some games you don’t get to play unless you are all in.”
? Jordan B. Peterson

 Who would you say has a great personal brand? What do you do to work on your personal brand? Do you think it even matters?

as long as you’re thinking about it..that’s the first step

#resumes #resumewriter #FIGJAMresumes,

Ivana Agapiou Career and outplacement Advisor 

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 Let’s get real. If detective agencies and the FBI (along with Hackers) use Face Book to find stuff out about you… why wouldn’t an employer do the same?

YES! Face book is used by prospective employers to help them assess the character or personality of a candidate.  Sorry, it’s a fact that many employers do get on there and search around for your name and make all sorts of judgements on you.

These judgements may often be wrong, but we are all human and judging is what we do! If in your resume, you have written that you are a professional with a strong work ethic,  along with some hobbies and interests..etc.. do these details align with what you have entered on your FB page? or would a casual observer see a significant difference.. Dr Jeckell and/or  Mr Hyde??

Here are just 3 questions for you to consider when you are next visiting your own page. 

1) is your profile pic nice? what would your mother say about it?

2) Check your FB cover pic – is it a mainstream, and a non-offensive type shot – for example, not one of you half naked, with alcohol spilling down your chest?

3) what groups are you associated with? ( make sure that they are not outlawed!)

Your Facebook should align with the image you want to portray… it should speak volumes about your personality and character without highlighting the “seedy and sordid”. Facebook is NOT the platform for nasty complaints or for rubbishing others… it needs to remain in sinq with the branding and image you want others to think of you… especially prospective employers –  ASK yourself…..

• what is it that you want others to think about you?
• what statement best describes you and is this resonated on your page
• can you  develop a statement that speaks volumes about who you really are?
• MOST importantly – this will help you devise your SOCIAL Media strategy – yes you do need one!

Suggested SOLUTIONS?

• Add super-security settings to your page NOW!
• Maintain quality and some professionalism on your posts
• Guard your image as if your life depended upon it!
• remove any potential offensive posts and photos if you can

All the best in your quest to maintain the image you want… best advice.. think before you click!!

Ivana Agapiou

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