tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112118082010-02-23T18:24:39.356-05:00<b><i>Reflections of an Executive Resume Writer</i></b><br><br> Welcome to this newsletter or "blog," your source for authoritative and creative executive resume writing and career transition strategies. Here you will find timely articles and insightful commentary on the latest issues and trends.<br> For information on executive resume writing assistance, visit<br><a href="http://www.creativekeystrokes.com">Creative Keystrokes™ Executive Resume Service</a>Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-11585820880567946242010-02-10T16:07:00.004-05:002010-02-10T16:29:36.565-05:00

I received yet another executive resume for review today that for reasons that are completely a mystery to me was prepared using a functional format. The candidate is a highly experienced CFO with a solid work history showing increasingly challenging and responsible positions. His current resume falls so short of doing his career justice that I was shocked to learn that he had paid a professional

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-89520898126839166912010-02-02T23:14:00.005-05:002010-02-02T23:39:30.383-05:00

In a job market where it can be hard to keep a positive attitude, a little detour to the lighter side is good for the soul. It can bring a some much-needed cheer to your day and give you renewed enthusiasm for your job search.So I couldn't resist passing along this clever list that an executive client forwarded to me today. (Whoever wrote this enjoys working creatively with words as much as I do.

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-23943759036743934952010-01-27T20:02:00.003-05:002010-01-27T23:32:43.478-05:00

An interesting discussion has been underway among members of the Career Management Alliance's e-list/forum this week. The question surrounds whether, given the chance to choose, one is better off scheduling a job interview at the beginning, middle, or end of the screening process.One member who is a former recruiter observes that the first and sometimes the second candidate interviewed rarely

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-86917000065644182472009-12-22T10:25:00.006-05:002009-12-22T13:42:37.231-05:00

I find my work helping clients put their best foot forward with compelling executive resumes very rewarding in general, but it can also be distressing to see people suffering from the stressful, confidence-crashing effects of job loss, especially when unemployment has continued for an extended period. This is why Nick Corcodilos' Ask the Headhunter column this morning especially struck a chord.He

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-12381592444197286442009-12-09T01:22:00.005-05:002009-12-09T01:44:01.145-05:00

As a member of the Career Thought Leaders Consortium, I have been following and participating in an ongoing discussion of the obsolescence or continuing relevance of cover letters. The overwhelming consensus has been that they are necessary and in no way obsolete, and to pay no attention to career counselors who say they are not worth the bother because HR doesn't read them. Of course, if you are

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-15165593720020560762009-11-03T19:21:00.004-05:002009-11-04T00:03:15.902-05:00

A recent article in the PARWCC (Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches) monthly newsletter discussed the definition of a resume, and some of the key benefits of creating a powerful one in today's job market. My colleague, Jay Block, put forth some excellent observations in that article, to which I have added my thoughts.Firstly, what exactly IS an executive resume? As I

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-89229668011648164092009-10-22T18:31:00.005-04:002009-10-22T18:46:15.880-04:00

I had yet another client ask me this question today. Here are my thoughts:Regarding the efficacy of contacting recruiters or using recruiter sites and job boards in general, I do not think these activities are a waste of time and would not recommend them if I did. I can think of no more efficient way of getting yourself “on the radar” of a large number of recruiters and companies. However, I must

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-21710294346821376142009-10-08T12:34:00.000-04:002009-10-08T12:34:00.935-04:00

According to a Society for Human Resource Management report, The U.S. Recession and Its Impact on Employee Retirement, 68% of human resource professionals have observed an increase in employees extending their planned retirement date due to the current economic conditions. This agrees with ExecuNet observations from their research, indicating that executives as of 2008 planned to retire at an

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-41169577996220823472009-09-29T17:54:00.003-04:002009-09-29T18:14:00.527-04:00

A new book by Jim Brown entitled The Imperfect Board Member is getting raves from a variety of reviewers, including Ken Blanchard (co-author of the classic, The One-Minute Manager). The book talks about the principles of effective governance in our current business environment, where Sarbanes-Oxley has made it necessary for boards to become more active. Brown describes 7 keys to effective

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-50527626281985002592009-09-11T13:21:00.002-04:002009-09-11T13:21:00.658-04:00

Business Week's CEO Guide to the Tech-Job Outlook raises hopes for an industry turnaround by 2010, with senior executives reporting that hiring at small, VC-funded firms is increasing.According to the article, these are the 10 best and 10 worst cities for salaries in the Tech Sector (averaged across at least 15 reports from each company surveyed).BEST CITIES: (1 being the highest average salary)1

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-39788171539369263602009-09-08T16:13:00.001-04:002009-09-08T16:13:00.785-04:00

I wrote the following as part of a Career Thought Leaders Consortium discussion that is ongoing regarding "Can You/Must You Write Your Own Resume." Hopefully my observations will provide some perspective on the subject for any of you wrestling with whether to write your own executive resume or delegate that process to a professional.Consider the scenario of a brilliant inventor who has developed

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-59182584584241813622009-09-04T15:08:00.003-04:002009-09-10T13:36:49.853-04:00

If you're not a "Tweeple" yet (someone who posts "tweets" on Twitter.com), you may wish consider becoming one. As you probably know, Twitter is one of the many social networking tools available online today (examples of other major sites that are relevant for executive job search are LinkedIn and Facebook).Twitter was designed initially for personal socializing and a stream-of-consciousness type

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-18017045242645892502009-08-31T14:31:00.004-04:002009-08-31T14:52:46.299-04:00

A survey conducted recently for The Ladders job site of 500 executive recruiters reveals what recruiters consider to be the three greatest mistakes made by job seekers in these tough economic times:1. They are too desperate and willing to take anything.(Even if you feel desperate, make sure others cannot see it! And think twice before you take a job that does not seem right for you.)2. They are

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-39050449913830358122009-08-24T13:48:00.002-04:002009-08-28T14:27:17.417-04:00

Consider the following executive interview disaster scenario:Jack submitted his carefully crafted executive resume as a candidate for his dream position and, to his delight, won an interview.Sitting in the hiring executive's office, he is congratulating himself that this job interview has been going really well, and observes to the hiring manager on the other side of the desk: "I don't know what

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-53587748024568440292009-08-17T14:00:00.003-04:002009-08-20T13:42:53.305-04:00

This is one of the most contentious topics regarding resume writing (second only to the "How many pages?" question). I have received an unusual number of inquiries lately regarding the pros and cons of chronological versus functional executive resumes, so I have updated and reprinted one of my previously published articles here.How Recruiters and Hiring Executives View Functional and

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-6729724951504091002009-08-15T11:29:00.001-04:002009-08-15T11:29:00.533-04:00

Most executive search firms report that they have experienced a double-digit decline in search assignments during the first half of 2009 in comparison to the same period for 2008. According to a recent ExecuNet poll cited in their RecruitSmart Today newsletter, more than 33% say that they received 50% fewer assignments during the first 2 quarters, with the average dip being 27.4%.On the other

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-4604496544325074892009-08-12T13:48:00.002-04:002009-09-10T13:40:16.099-04:00

A recent article in myResumeAgent's e-newsletter for job seekers explores the tactics used by today's executives in conducting a job search during the current steep global recession. Lauryn Franzoni of ExecuNet quotes statistics from ExecuNet's 2009 Executive Job Market Intelligence Report indicating that 71% of executives have updated their online networking profiles in the last 3 months, versus

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-67381268959976987282009-08-03T14:23:00.003-04:002009-08-03T14:52:41.399-04:00

I've seen this story in a number of variations over the years, and it always helps to bring me some perspective when times are tough. Running across it again in the PARW Spotlight (one of my executive resume writing professional association newsletters) this morning, it really struck a chord as I witness my executive clients and potential clients in distress every day with the realities of the

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-45721231902842269772009-07-30T12:11:00.003-04:002009-07-30T12:30:04.828-04:00

A recent ExecuNet poll of executive recruiters and search consultants reveals that they believe healthcare and green technology will be the industry sectors with the highest growth in executive and management jobs over the next six months. Other fields that are expected to afford significant opportunities are the life sciences, energy, and environmental. Hiring in retail, distribution, media,

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-41273521415626751522009-07-28T17:44:00.004-04:002009-07-28T18:43:06.868-04:00

An interesting topic has been under discussion on the NRWA's professional resume writers forum this week: Is it advisable to list or to exclude your street address on a resume, particularly one that is going to be posted to the Web on job or recruiter sites?With the increasing incidence of identity theft nowadays, omitting at least part of your contact information would seem to be a wise move.

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-31286222109119386992009-07-23T02:22:00.005-04:002009-07-23T02:56:22.754-04:00

I've been reading a series of articles based on research a colleague Katherine Hansen has been conducting with great interest. The data she gathered regarding executive interview peeves of hiring decision-makers for her upcoming book Top Notch Executive Interviews is fascinating, and I am sure the book will be an excellent resource for executive job candidates.I find it particularly amazing that

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-33207948852810081162009-07-08T12:47:00.007-04:002009-07-08T13:02:40.392-04:00

I received the following question from an executive resume client today:"I notice the spacing after a period is one space...is that standard for resumes?"The answer to this question is an emphatic "Yes!" A single space after a period is standard in resumes, as well as most other documents today.Most typeset text, both before and after the typewriter, used a single space at the end of sentences.

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-50468067123919730872009-06-30T16:06:00.007-04:002009-09-10T13:40:16.099-04:00

Up to now, I've frankly been exerting a somewhat half-hearted effort to use LinkedIn, and only just in the past week started to explore the potential of Facebook and Twitter. I intend to change that, and after what I've heard today, would encourage executives, professionals, and managers who want to proactively manage their careers to do the same.For some highlights from a seminar I attended

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-79969575107690694022009-05-19T17:15:00.006-04:002009-05-19T17:40:14.069-04:00

As a followup to my recent post on video resumes, some information I just received today confirmed my growing conviction that they are an idea whose time has not yet come, and maybe never will.A colleague and Certification Chair at the National Resume Writers Association Cliff Framer noted in his article in today's newsletter entitled "Video Resumes. Yea or Nay?" that when this question was

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11211808.post-25720109266731828762009-04-24T19:21:00.005-04:002009-09-10T13:40:16.100-04:00

Nearly 40% of all positions filled within a company result from internal transfers or promotions, according to the latest Source of Hire Study from CareerXRoads. The study (8th in a series) also affirms once again that for the remaining hires originating from external sources, referrals from current and previous employees, customers, and vendors are the number one external source, accounting for

Laurie J. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502062794015068850noreply@blogger.com0