I was recently asked, “What’s the best way to improve the odds of getting an interview when submitting a resume for an open position?” That’s a good question and the process starts before you hit the send button. By customizing your resume to the job posting, you significantly increase your odds. Most job seekers only have one “version” of their resume and submit that for every posting. We all know that “one size does not fit all”!

Start with studying the actual job posting. The job posting usually states the skills and knowledge that are being sought for the position. After knowing what the employer’s needs are, you can adapt your resume to mirror the posting. Make sure everything the posting asks for is somewhere on your resume. Also make sure your resume is “scan” friendly. By scan friendly I mean no funky fonts or heavily formatted resumes. Most companies today use computerized candidate-tracking systems.  Those elements on a resume will not scan well and can automatically decrease your chances of an interview since “non-human” eyes are screening the resumes for matches.

I would also include a strong cover letter summarizing your strengths and skills. There is so much competition out there for jobs today that hiring managers need to assess candidates quickly. A good cover letter will make it easy for the hiring manager to see what you are about and compel them to read your resume. Proofread your resume and eliminate all spelling and grammatical errors. If you are having a hard time understanding what you want to convey, so will the hiring manager. Have someone else be another set of eyes for you to catch any errors that you may have overlooked. This is the first impression a potential employer will have about you, so make it the best! Best of success in your journey!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.”  Saint Francis de Sales (1567 - 1622)

I hate waiting just as much as the next person. When I’m waiting for something to happen, that’s when my mind kicks into high gear and starts me down the slippery path of self-doubt. Would’ve, could’ve, and should’ve all become key words in my vocabulary and that sinking, anxious feeling settles right into the pit of my stomach. You know that feeling—don’t ‘cha?

I think Saint Francis de Sales has sage advice that applies even today. We are all quick to give grace to others; however we are our own harshest critics. Don’t accept the tempting invitation to the Pity Party.  Recognize any mistakes that might have been made, but ultimately move on and make changes. Do not lose courage in yourself, but strive to improve. Just take it one day at a time and you will have success in your journey.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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Our daughter is in the process of planning her wedding and she is realizing that she needs to make some tough decisions. She’s quickly finding out that her dream wedding doesn’t necessarily fit into her reality budget. Like with most everything else, weddings come with a price tag. So do job offers.

Just like our daughter and her wedding, you need to determine what your “non-negotiables” are—what it will take to make you happy—when examining a job offer.

Obviously salary is the huge elephant in the room. But if the initial salary offering is somewhat lower than expected, do the benefits (vacation, health insurance, stocks, retirement, perks and other incentives) make up the difference or come close? What about the culture of the company and the work environment? Does that jazz you or could you take it or leave it? Is the job your dream job, or will it put food on the table until something better comes along?

Here are just a few suggestions for getting you started on assessing an offer. Know what you are worth and have an idea of what the current salary ranges are for the position you are going for.  Make an old fashion “Pros and Cons” list, listing everything the new position offers. Visualizing each monetary or non-monetary benefit will help you to better evaluate what is being presented. This will be especially helpful when comparing two offers or trying to decide if it is worth making the jump to a new job. Sit down and truly weigh each point. What are your non-negotiables and your nice to haves, but not a show stopper?

Whatever the “total bundle” is, you need to carefully evaluate the package as a whole and decide what is best for you and your situation. Best of success in your journey.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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A mulligan, in a game, happens when a player gets a second chance to perform a certain move or action. The practice is also sometimes referred to as a “do-over.”  - Wikipedia

 
As crazy as it sounds, it may not be a bad idea to consider contacting a previous employer during your job search. Hear me out on this one. As long as you left your previous employer on good terms—even if you were fired—there’s absolutely no reason not to inquire about job openings.

By contacting a past employer you already have an advantage over other candidates because you can call straight to a previous manager or department—you’re able to network your way back into the company. In addition to having an inside contact, you’re already a known commodity.  They’re familiar with your skills and work ethic as well as know the value that you bring to the organization.

When you talk to your former boss, don’t bluntly ask if they have any job openings. Ask if they know who you should speak with about possible open positions. That way it doesn’t put them on the spot and it gives them an opportunity to refer you to someone else who does if their department is fully staffed.

Being fired isn’t necessarily a hurdle to being rehired as long as you can show marked improvement. If you can go back to a former employer with a year or two of good work experience, you could be in a position where they may be open to rehiring you. Be prepared to explain your growth and sell them on why you are a better employee now.

However, before reaching out think about this; you DID leave that company for a reason. If the company was a bad fit or if there was something else that made you unhappy; have things truly changed enough to warrant a second go with the employer? Also, if you left the company on bad terms, especially for disciplinary reasons, it’s best to move on. There’s no reason to take a step backwards career wise when you can start fresh with a new company. Best of success in your journey!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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I’m often fascinated by off-beat trivia. Did you know that July is National Baked Bean Month, National Blueberries Month, and National Horseradish Month? The list goes on, but I think you get the picture. As my wife would say, “Any excuse to throw a party”!

The one trivia snippet that caught my eye is that this week is Take Charge of Change Week. The purpose or focus of this week is to increase awareness of an individual’s ability to control his or her own destiny and examine the principles of taking charge of the changes that affect each of us. All I can say is, Wow!

On December 31st the vast majority of us will take stock of the previous 12 months and make resolutions designed to make the coming new year a better one. Why wait until the end of the year? I’m suggesting we all celebrate Take Charge of Change Week this year and take charge of your life now, making changes necessary to improve the quality of your life.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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Negative Self Talk
 We all know that if we keep telling ourselves that there are no jobs available, there’s no way we can make our way into a particular employer, or  we don’t have the right skills that eventually the bad mood with suck us in. We know better, but we still like to indulge ourselves and continue in this destructive pattern. STOP RIGHT NOW! Hiring managers can smell bad attitude miles away. Do yourself and your job search a favor and get those negative thoughts out of your head. I think Peter Pan said it best, “Flying is easy, “JUST THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS”.

Not Dressing for Success
 First impressions are often lasting impressions. Dressing too casual is a bad idea especially when working your search. No matter what the occasion—networking, interviewing, or just dropping off a resume—you need dress professionally. Business attire (yes, that means a suit), no extreme hairstyles, tats and non-traditional piercings either covered or removed, and light fragrances. If that scent you’re wearing reminds the hiring manager of an ex, do you really think you’ll get the job?
 
Waiting for that Internet Ship to Come in
 You’re feeling pretty good about your search since you have all of those job agents searching for you on all of those Internet sites. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the job offers to roll in, right? WRONG! Effective job searches are interactive! You need to actively participate which means you need to be networking, attending career fairs, going to workshops and conferences to generate leads. Those Internet job boards are a great tool and generate great leads but they should not make up the bulk of your search.

The Dog Ate My Homework Excuse
 Have you ever blown off the night’s homework thinking that watching TV was more interesting than doing algebra? You’re basically doing the same thing if you don’t learn as much as you can about a potential employer before you go in for the interview. The Internet makes researching a company and its leadership so incredibly easy, there is absolutely no excuse for not knowing something about a company that you’re interviewing with. By knowing something about the company, you can interact with the interviewer on a higher level and better demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate.

Throwing Away All of those Networking Contacts
 You grab your suit jacket and shove your hand into the outside pocket only to discover that pile of business cards from the last industry event you went to—a few years ago. It may be too late for some of those contacts to be of any use, but the next time you’re out and about meeting people, take a few moments after the event and organize the business cards that you collect. Whether you organize them in a box, or enter the information into your Outlook, make sure the information is easy for you to retrieve when you need it.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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No one likes to weed. I know it’s not my favorite thing to do. (Okay, so a few of you do; but for the vast majority of us it’s something on our delay until later list.) But much like a garden, your job search can get overrun with “weeds” that can choke the life out of your search. This can be especially true if you have been working your search for a period of time. It’s important that you just don’t go at it with a bottle of Roundup®; but carefully look at each area and decide what needs to be pulled so new growth can be given an opportunity to thrive.

Your Search Methods
Are they working for ya? Every good job search is comprised of many methods. Job boards on the Internet are a fantastic tool, but not the only one. Career fairs, association meetings, social media, networking events, and industry conferences are great ways to get out, get known, and get going! Be sure to do at least one positive thing for your job search daily!

Your Resume
Take a careful look at your resume. It should be up to date and accurate. Your resume’s focus needs to truly reflect your career goals. Check for key words and terminology—are there any terms or phrases that are outdated or newer concepts that need to be added? It’s an idea to read through current job openings and posting to get a feel for what is trending in your career field.

Your References
Approach this one strategically. You want references who can speak positively of your accomplishments, skills, work ethic and future contributions to a company. Past supervisors, co-workers and business acquaintances can be potential references in addition to personal friends.  Also, it’s not out of line to have different sets of references depending upon the industry or position. Be sure to ask for permission in advance before putting someone on your reference list.

Your Appearance
By all means, don’t go out and buy a new wardrobe (although my wife would beg to differ), but do go through your closet and make sure you have something appropriate and in good condition to wear to interviews and professional networking events. Conservative suits for both men and women are a must have. Make sure that any non-traditional piercings or body art are easily removed or covered. No extreme hairstyles or strong fragrances. Also remember to smile and be upbeat. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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Most people agree that the hardest part of the job search is the interviewing process. Sometimes it may feel like you’re being grilled under a hot light by Detective Jones of the Major Crimes Division; but by turning the tables and asking some essential questions of your own, you can engage the interviewer in conversation and address any unspoken concerns that they may have about you. But wait! There’s more! By asking questions of your own, you will be able to gather additional information that you need to evaluate the suitability of a position for you!

You don’t need to wait until the end of the interview; ask your questions throughout the interview as they fit into the flow of the conversation.  Focus your questions on the position at hand—leave any salary and benefits questions you may have for a later time.

Here are a seven sample questions to consider:

• What are the main responsibilities of the position?
• Can you review the history of this position?
• What are some of the biggest challenges I might encounter?
• What do you think I need to accomplish to be successful in this position?
• What are you personally looking for in the successful candidate?
• Am I sharing the kind of information you need to make an effective evaluation?
• Do you have any concerns regarding my abilities to get the results that YOU want?

Use these questions as a guide. In the course of the interview, you may come up with a few of your own that are relevant to the position. Remember, if the interviewer does express a concern, address it and reassure them as to why you are the best person for the job!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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He’s abrasive, potty-mouthed and arrogant, but he’s also tremendously successful. His shows are angst-filled, f-bomb dropping, train-wrecks waiting to happen—otherwise known as Reality TV that we love to watch.

But also in a warped way, they are mini job interviews for the contestants involved.

Now hopefully the next hiring manager you come across will not be quite as volatile as Chef Ramsay, but you can take some clues from him as to what the hiring manager will be looking for.

Be passionate.  Focused passion is contagious. There is nothing better that getting the hiring manager engaged in your vision and passion for the job at hand. Now is not the time to talk about your vision for world peace, but to share with him your ideas for solving his concerns.

Be confident.  If you know what you’re doing, then show it to the hiring manager, but don’t be conceited about it. Being  wishy-washy won’t cut it either.  Having confidence in your skills and abilities will go a long way in making the hiring manager comfortable in hiring you. 

Be truthful.  If you don’t know what you’re doing or make a mistake, admit it. Don’t try to cover it up or place the blame elsewhere, it will just make matters worse and make you look bad. Besides, a good hiring manager will know when you’re bluffing.

Be teachable.  See “Be Truthful” above. Be willing to learn new things and—most importantly—be willing to learn from your mistakes.

Don’t argue with the Chef.  Repeat after me, “Do not argue with the hiring manager.” He could be wrong about something, but he’s also the one with your fate with that company in his hands—which in the end makes him right. The interview is not the venue for a debate. After the interview is the time to mentally go back and decided whether you can agree to disagree or decide that a particular workplace is not going to be a fit. Don’t allow the hiring manager to make that decision for you.

Be appreciative.  Be sincere in your thanks for the opportunity to interview. Even if you’re not their first choice, you never know when or where a new prospect will pop up.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

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I was channel surfing on the radio the other day when a conversation caught my attention. The speaker said, “I was misunderstood. But I was misunderstood because I misspoke.” He then continued on about taking responsibility for your words. Wow.

We’re all guilty of putting our mouths in gear before the brain is fully engaged. This quite often happens during the job interview process. We get excited or nervous and then let our tongues take over in the passion of the moment. Sometimes with great results; sometimes not.

So how do you avoid the runaway mouth during an interview? By far—no guarantees, now— the best way is preparation. Do your homework. Research the company you’re going to interview for and, if possible, the different departments. Make sure you understand the job description and the direction the company is taking so you can address the company’s strategy, successes and challenges.

Also, practice, practice, practice! Although you probably won’t receive the interview questions ahead of time, there are some pretty standard questions and variations! Answers to how you think you will contribute to the company, your past work experiences and others can be thought out in advance. Practice in front of a mirror, out loud. Consider doing interview prep with a career coach who can give you objective feedback and tips for various interview scenarios.

Most importantly, be yourself and be sincere. Answer the questions honestly and be sure that you’re not misunderstood because you misspoke.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.