Professional Independent Communicators Present:

Location: Metro Hall View Map

Are you happy and successful in your career? Do you know how to uncover jobs, contracts and freelance opportunities? This presentation, designed for both freelancers and employees, will provide you with answers to take charge of your career.    

By attending this presentation, you will learn:

• To develop an outstanding performance-based resume
• What search strategy will provide the best results on your time investment
• How to use social media to find key influencers

Speaker: Martin Buckland, founder of Elite Resumes

Martin Buckland is one of North America’s top career management professionals. Martin is a resume and career management expert for several associations and leading MBA schools. His peers recently voted Martin as one of the “Top 22 Career Management Professionals” in the world.

Register HERE

Inspiration, motivation, determination, drive, confidence! All are necessary components of a successful job search. In today’s economy we are dealing with record high unemployment rates, a fiercely competitive job market and an average of 10 months to secure a senior executive position! It is not always easy to stay positive and sometimes all we need is a Time Out, even it’s just for a few minutes, to gain a little inspiration.

Double click on this image and enjoy a Time Out:

If you are in need of more than a “Time Out”, contact Elite Resumes to receive professional advice on managing your executive career.

If  you see yourself as a rising star and have clearly laid out your career path, you may already understand that your successful career will rely on the support of many other individuals. No one gets to the top without an extensive personal and professional network. As a rising star you must be driven, focused and continually earn respect as a leader. Any delusions about doing it all on your own may cause you to lose your footing while climbing the ladder of success.

It is important to recognize within your personal network, those supporters who are close to you with a genuine and vested interest in your success but equally so, is to steer clear of those who can be a negative influence. Expanding your professional network will be a critical component throughout your career, building relationships in a reciprocal manner by asking what you can do for them and in turn benefiting from what they can do for you.  

Sir Richard Branson accredits many colleagues throughout his autobiography for his renowned success. Executive Recruiter, David Perry, dubbed the “Rogue Recruiter” by the Wall Street Journal, speaks often on his accomplishments but never without attributing his success to the support of his wife. Also in the career industry is Paul Copcutt, an expert on Personal Branding who acknowledges his father in every speaking engagement with respect and admiration for his positive influence contributing to his success. And finally, Barack Obama, President of the United States. Driven, focused, respected as a leader and with the personal support of his family and the professional support of thousands, won the votes of millions.

Do you see yourself as a rising star? Who are your cheerleaders? Your success will be directly attributable to the support of your network of family, friends, colleagues, professional advisors and mentors.

For professional advice from a career management expert contact Elite Resumes.   

The decision to retain the services of a Career Coach is a positive move towards a successful and fulfiling career. The following questions will help you to decide if it’s the right move for you:

Are you confident in the direction your career is going?
Are you involved in an industry that has future growth protential?
Are you considering changing jobs or switching careers?
Are you facing a layoff or downsizing?
Are you unable to get a job interview?
Are you getting the interview but not the job?
Are you frustrated in your current position?
Are you finding it difficult to develop a clear vision and objectives?
Are you feeling lonely at the top?
Are you having difficulty inspiring your team?
Are you in need of professional support and guidance?
Are you interested in discovering a career you are passionate about?

Are you ready to make a positive move? Contact Martin Buckland to inquire today.

Wallace Immen writes, “JOB HUNTING 101… A Guide For The New Realities of These Tougher Times” for the Globe and Mail. According to career coaches, Ward Garven, Stanton Chase Int’l; Wayne Pagani, WP Consulting Assoc; Sharon Graham, Graham Managment; Molly Fletcher; Heidi Allison, Allison & Talylor Inc and Cassandra Gierden, Profit Coaching, it is safe to say times have changed when it comes to your job search!

It’s out with the old and in with the ”new” reality tips from these career coaches:

Old – “Stick to what you know”.
New – “Convince them there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Old – “Call or get together with everyone you can.”
New – “Use technology, especially social networking sites , to spread the word and even let employers find you.”

Old – “A resume is a document for the records, not a requirement for getting in the door.”
New – “A resume must scream your value or it will hit the trash.”

Old – “Don’t be a nag.”
New – “Remind them over and over of your value.”

Old – “Former employers can only confirm basic facts, so references are really a formatilty.”
New – “References are a make-or-break essential.”

Old – “If they want you they’ll pay up.”
New – “The lid is on salary offers, but you should still negotiate for extras.”

Old – “Hold out for your dream job.”
New – Jobs are tight. You may have to compromise, but you don’t have to give up your dream.”

“Ten Steps to Find a New Job”, by Alison Doyle, About.com provides more excellent tips and stategies for today’s job search.

Contact Martin Buckland for further information on career coaching and additional job search strategies.

More than ever before, the competition in today’s job search market is fierce! In order to be competitive, you must know yourself! You need to have the ability to clearly identify your hard skills and your soft skills. Why should you be considered as a candidate for the position you are seeking? What skills do you have that will bring value add to a future employer/company?

Can you clearly define your dream job? How do your skills, strengths and weaknesses measure up? What is the significance of your background and do you fully understand the relevance of your experience?

If you are not able to define the ideal job, or clearly articulate, “YOU”, you are not alone. However, you may feel like you are all alone when you are left behind the competition in your job search! By seeking the advice of a Career Coach, you will receive the direction necessary to steer you along the stepping stones of your career.

Call now and find out more about “YOU” and how you can succeed in your career!

Whether you are building a house or managing your career your success will be determined by a strong foundation.  In your career, your resume is your foundation. Your career can take you in many directions but your advancement, your success, will be directly related to opportunities.  By maintaining a professional resume you will ensure your opportunities for job interviews are secured and not lost.

Your resume is the tool that opens doors for you and every door it opens is another potential opportunity.  Consequently, you could be missing out on many opportunities if your resume is not well written. Do you remember The Price is Right? Imagine Bob Barker, (or Drew Carey), saying to you, “Come on down!”, and instead of giving you an option to bid on one item, he gives you the opportunity to bid on everything! You can be assured of increasing your opportunities in your job search with a professionally written resume! And with more options, you have a better chance of making sure, ”the price is right”, for you.

Martin Buckland is currently providing career coaching for a client in need of turning down job opportunities!  Since he is responsible for preparing the resume that has successfully provided the opportunity of multiple job offers, this is coaching he is pleased to accept.

Even if you choose to write your own resume, take advantage of a free resume critique! If you create a good foundation with a professionally written resume, it will provide you with the opportunities needed on your path to a successful career.

Job searching is challenging, emotional, time consuming, stressful and depressing. It can be a rocky road that plays out within the family environment and all persons in the house can be affected in some way or another. It’s a time for active support and guidance to open up new job search channels and travel from unemployed to hired in the fastest time.

As a Certified Job Search Strategist, a major component of my work with a client is emotional support, keeping them active and exploring all options in a competitive environment with checks and balances. It’s a turbulent time, well up there on the stress scale and made even worse if you have been terminated. Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t hunker down in your house all the time. Get outside, come rain or shine, for at least 30 minutes each day. Fresh air helps to re-energize you.
• Look for volunteering opportunities, preferably not political, or not religious. Although time consuming, you can gain valuable knowledge. It also shows a potential employer that you are willing to give your time for free, that you are caring, sharing and willing to assist others in need. Also, you never know who you will meet, perhaps a person who can be influential in your career. Networking is an integral element of a job search. Your contributions for free are always appreciated.
• Stay clear of alcohol and other depressants. If in need of some psychological help, seek it fast! If you feel tired, angry or lonely give yourself permission to take a break from the arduous job search.
• Return to college or university; life is one continuous learning exercise. Develop new skills, something that a future employer will applaud. The more trained and knowledgeable you are, the more opportunities for employment. Continuous education is great to show on a resume.
• Celebrate triumphs. After each interview, invite your friends to a party and have fun. With each party you host, you are closer to the big job success celebration where you can really relax.
• Bypass miserable, negative, pessimistic people. Instead, connect with positive, supportive, driven and energetic people who strive for success and are willing to provide proactive guidance and support throughout the job search process.
• Network, network, network. This should be a prime focus. Get out there and introduce yourself to others within your defined area and with other unemployed professionals.
• Do inspirational and energetic things: join a gym, play sports, participate in your community.
• Ask your friends to provide some inspirational things about you; these will inspire you to pursue the job search through thick and thin.

Finally, be realistic about a job search; it takes patience and determination. Make it fun!

CareerBuilder.com has released a new survey of unusual (and fun) jobs. With so many serious issues in today’s turbulent economy, it seems a break from the norm is in order. For the top results from 8,700 workers reporting unconventional jobs held during their career go to http://tinyurl.com/6fyx4y to check out the full list from A to Z.

These are my favourites:

• Cat Nanny
• Elf at Santa’s Workshop
• Quality control/taster for chocolate factory

And these are my not so favourites:

• Autopsy Assistant
• Grave Digger
• Parachute Tester
• Yawn counter at a sleep clinic

What do you think? Anything here that may inspire you to consider a career change? On a more serious note, if you are interested in a professional résumé or require some professional career coaching during your transition give us a call.

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, just to name a few, are websites that are available for anyone to share information online.  The following blogs, also just to name a few, have been written about sharing information online and the consequences, positive or negative that can result.  The basic message really is, use a little common sense when you post information to your online sites.

The Influence and the Power of Your Words

Online Posting and Your Reputation

Social vs. Professional Online Networking Sites

Hundreds of articles continue to show up regarding the demise of individuals who are not using common sense when posting information online.  Virgin Atlantic sacks 13 staff after Facebook criticism!  Yes, 13 of Virgin Atlantic’s cabin staff were sacked after they made a conscious decision to go online and criticize the company that employed them and the customers that support the company!  A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said, “There is a time and a place for Facebook.  But there is no justification for it to be used as a sounding board for staff of a company to criticise the very passengers who ultimately pay their salaries”.

Using a little common sense when sharing online information will help to serve your best interests, especially if consideration is given prior to posting it for the world to see.  News travels fast.