Maintaining a successful career requires a thorough and ongoing analysis. Your success will be influenced by active networking, continued education and a professional online presence. Although all are key elements critical to ensuring your career advancement, there is one task that will have the greatest influence and provide the most important basis for making key decisions in the direction of your career. It is, “Staying Current”. The demise of many businesses, those “left in the dust”, is attributed to their failure to embrace new and innovative ideas and technological advances. New and evolving market trends have had the greatest influence on the success and failure of many business and career initiatives. Staying current with economic, industry and technological trends will afford you the opportunity to effectively manage your career. Competition is fierce and any inclination to hold onto old school ideas or resist technological advances will take you out of the running. An outdated mindset will have as negative an influence as an outdated appearance or an outdated resume.  

Are you prepared? “The mobile device will be the world’s primary connection tool to the Internet in 2020″ This is an excellent video on current and emerging trends. Will this have an influence on your current career path?

Everyone loves a good mystery and there are many who are intrigued by vagueness or anonymity. With Hallowe’en fast approaching the excitement is in the air for children and adults alike who are preparing to don their costumes and transform themselves into a totally new character.

Hiding who your really are at a costume party is acceptable but if you are interested in being noticed and taken seriously in your job search by a recruiter or an HR professional, you better come clean! The more open and honest and genuine you are, the further you stick your head above the water, the more opportunities will come your way. Hiding behind a facade or making a decision to omit pertinent details in your resume will only question your credibility.

The success of your career is dependent on being discovered and being seen as a viable candidate by employers and recruiters. It is critical that you invest in your presence, networking online and offline and develop your personal brand. You must “tell the world”, that you are an outstanding, performance driven professional adept at providing solutions! If you remain invisible what possibility do you have of being discovered?

For some it is easier to be a mystery and for most, selling yourself is a difficult endeavour but for those interested in succeeding in their career, it is necessary to develop a visible, marketable, personal brand!

Contact Elite Resumes for further information on building your Personal Brand from a Certified Personal Branding Strategist.

Don’t be complacent! The global economy has experienced unprecedented stress. Mass lay-offs, corporate restructuring, downsizing, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, business closures, unions walk out, company relocates to far away country; all are headlines that have become so prevalent that fear seems to have evolved into complacency. Make no mistake, the consequences are job losses, across all industries, levels and functions. Whether you have been employed for one year or thirty years, the days of job security have long passed. Are you ready if you are the next casualty? Is your resume ready?

As a career management professional, I see people every day lost in the economic turmoil and strife. They have no idea how to look for a job and little knowledge of how to write an impressive resume.

Your resume is the bridge between you and the employer. Built well, it will serve its purpose to secure an interview and potentially the job. Built poorly, it will collapse and opportunities in your job search will be lost.

Take advantage of the free, no obligation resume critique that I have been offering for over 17 years! As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, I will share my expertise in creating an enticing resume that will make you stand out from the competition!

Higher Bracket, a leading executive job board recently shared an article, “8 Questions To Ask A Headhunter”. It is common that the recruiter/headhunter will have lots of questions for you but are you aware of the questions you should be asking them?  It is important for the recruiter to discover if you will meet their needs as a potential candidate but equally as important for you to discover if the recruiter will meet your needs in building your career.

Prior to disclosing any information, it is suggested that you find out who you are dealing with, including the company name and how long they have been in business. By asking if they are the only recruitment firm working on the search you will discover if they have been retained to fill a specific position or are acting on a contingency basis.  How did they find you and if they found your resume, what is it that stood out and is it a current version? Ask for a copy of the job description and by asking about the company culture you may be able to discover if they have a good relationship with the decision makers.

Anthony Kaul, Founder and CEO of HigherBracket.ca, says “There are countless questions to ask when assessing a recruiter, but the above, ( “8 Questions To Ask A Headhunter”),will help you figure out if this is someone who you want representing you to potential new opportunities”.

Have you been active in securing professional recommendations from your boss, peers, coworkers, associates, clients, etc? Acquiring recommendations is an ongoing process, one which should be a consideration at every opportunity whether you are in a career search or secure in your current position.

Networking is the most successful tool in any job search so it is critical to maintain and nurture your network on a continuous basis, not just when you need a job. Be sure you do not burn any bridges upon exiting a job. By maintaining your network you will create a comfortable and positive atmosphere for obtaining professional recommendations.

Although your recommendations are not included in your resume, they must be available upon request. Online networking sites, such as Linkedin, Naymz and VisualCV are ideal for displaying your recommendations. A simple request could provide you with glowing reviews and prior to posting you have the opportunity to suggest any changes should there be something you would like noted or a typo that needs to be corrected.

Recently I heard of a request for a recommendation that resulted in their  boss asking them to write their own recommendation and forward it to them for their approval. Accept! It’s a win win situation. The recommendation still comes with the approval of the individual and the organization, saves them time and allows you to highlight your most noteworthy skills!

A successful career involves selling yourself, your talents, your skills and your accomplishments. Professional recommendations are a critical element in validating your expertise.

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.

Current affairs are offering little inspiration these days with the media focused almost solely on the current economic melt down. Few are not directly affected by the severe market downturn and resulting job loses. For many it will be a test of perseverance unlike any they have ever known. Throughout this test of time, it is imperative to focus on the positive. Inspiration and motivation are critical elements to success.

“The future depends on what we do in the present.” - Mahatma Gandhi

The resources that are available today are infinite. All you have to do is ask. Martin Buckland at Elite Resumes thrives on the opportunity to answer any questions you may have with respect to your career. He offers free  resume critiques and is happy to provide potential leads. Another critical element to success for everyone is expanding your network, whether socially or professionally.

The following videos are  two that are sure to offer:

Inspiration – “Playing For Change: Peace through Music”
and
Motivation – “Are You Going to Finish Strong?”

Enjoy and aspire.

Are they who they say they are?  Today’s global recession presents a prime environment for many organizations that prey on the misfortunes of those who will be affected by it.  The increasing loss of jobs will leave some desperate and vulnerable, willing to believe promises of a new and successful career and gullible enough to invest $$$’s in order to get it.  The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it is”, should be a constant reminder especially during tough economic times.  Some executive recruiters and career management organizations may not be who they say they are.  If during your job search you find yourself working with a recruiter who asks you for money, they are not a recruiter.  If you are seeking a career management organization, be sure the individual you are dealing with possesses a variety of certifications.  They may be out to sell you more than you bargained for.  Rip-off Report is written by consumers for consumers and I strongly advise you to check it out before engaging the services of any company that you do not have a reliable reference for.

Here are some questions that may help you in choosing a reputable company when looking for professional services:

• Does the company have a professional website, free of typos and grammatical errors?
• Does the website contain detailed information/photos of the individuals involved in the organization?
• Are there any clearly recognizable certifications?  Does it include the logos of the associated institutions?
• How detailed is the contact information? Is there a complete address, phone, cell, email, etc.?
• When you Google the company and individuals within the organization is the information positive?
• Is the company associated with other reputable organizations?
• Are you sure the company is not listed on sites such as, www.ripoffcomplaints.com?
• Has the company been in business for a number of years?
• Are you able to acquire references for the company from your business contacts, friends, family or online networking sites?

Wallace Immen provides some insight into business owners and how they are responding to this frightening economic downturn in his article, Scary times?  Try being on your own, in the Globe and Mail.  Amy Casson, Principal of Polished Image Inc. says she is wrapping up contracts and finding potential new sources of business unwilling to make any commitments.  With  three children to feed, she’s pulled out her resume and is actively seeking a full time job.  Ms. Casson is one in seven; one in the more than two million people in Canada who are self-employed and finding themselves at a career crossroad with the current decline in business.  The services, projects and programs that have been available to many working on their own, are being eliminated by companies in an effort to cut costs.

Despite current market trends, a recent survey from The Association of Management Consultants found 75% of self-employed remain optimistic expecting as much work in six months as they have today.  The industries that have significantly slowed employment of independent workers include mining, manufacturing and retail and those fields seeing little effect so far are health care, utilities, energy, education and environmental consulting.

Robert McCulloch, President of management consultancy CYOR Inc. in Toronto and chairman of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants said, “I thing you’re going to see extreme reactions to the economic downturn. At one extreme, projects are being put on hold, budgets are frozen and consultants are being terminated or asked to take a pay cut”.  On the other, “there will be some companies that will decide to downsize permanent staff and bring in contractors that are easier to let go if things get even tougher”.  Considering the uncertainty, Ms. Casson says, “I’m not going to give up my own business because I’ve trained for it and I have a track record.  I plan to keep up my presence on the Internet and keep networking with clients letting them know I am available as a self-employed coach”.

Career Coaches, Paul Copcut and Nina Spencer, offered tips to survive in tougher times, which included, market yourself, work your network, prospect for opportunities, focus on your expertise, offer added value and create a buzz, to name a few.  Paul Copcutt is the founder of Square Peg Solution and says organizations may be reigning in expenses but they still need solutions for their problems and will invest in those who can offer them.

It’s no surprise that most people agree the major cause of stress in Canada is financial pressure and it is unlikely that these results would be any different in the United States. What is surprising, even shocking, is the financial cost of stress on the Canadian industry. According to Dr. Kenford Nedd, it is approximately $51 billion annually – more than the profits of all Fortune 500 companies put together, adding, “If you really look after stress, you’re looking after your business”.

Be well – Money and Stress, is a special information series on wellness at home and in the workplace, sponsored by Desjardins Financial Security. Ms Nowski, director of disability claims and management for Desjardins Financial Security, says “Unmanageable stress and unmanaged worry can have long-lasting effects on mental and physical health, quality of life and productivity in the workplace, so it is in the best interests of both individuals and organizations to take a proactive approach to managing financial stressors.”

Ongoing stress in the workplace and at home can severely impair our immune systems with the potential to result in long term illness or even death. Although this is a critical issue, there are some simple steps that anyone can take to prevent serious negative effects and help in maintaining a healthy immune system. Make a point of reaching out to others. Decide if you are in need of reaching out for help. Eat healthy and nourishing food. Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast. Get a full night’s sleep and maintain a regular exercise program. If you can’t make it to the gym, go for a walk. Think positive. Take the time to smile and laugh with coworkers. Dr. Kenford Nedd, says, “Happiness in the workplace triggers the release of chemicals that strengthen the immune system…”.

In Japan, 34,000 otherwise healthy men, die every year of stress-related heart attacks. Nutritious meals, regular exercise, sleep, happiness and reaching out can increase your ability to manage stress. You have the choice to take control of your personal life and stay healthy! Your physical and emotional health impacts your family, friends, business and our country. It starts with you! Do you really have a choice?