A personal note from Annemarie...

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 Friday, 3rd August 2007

Hi,

Welcome to another edition of Career Communiqué x-Press. I hope you have had a productive and successful fortnight.

Well, I’m an extremely proud parent this morning. Last night was my youngest daughter’s school production, in which she performed the lead role of Cinderella. Seeing her on stage in front of a crowd of over one hundred people, singing at the top of her voice without any hesitation, brought tears to my eyes (I have to admit). The entire cast was just amazing – they all have done themselves proud! My hands were sore after clapping so hard when each cast member (of which there were over 40 children) got up to receive their award. Hearing the applause, the whistles, and the congratulatory comments from the crowd, thrilled each cast member, beaming from ear to ear as s/he walked over to the teacher on stage to receive his/her award.

Receiving praise for a job well done certainly makes the time, effort and dedication all the worthwhile, don’t you think? While we may be quick to praise a child for their hard work, I wonder when the last time was that you took a moment to praise someone for a job well done at your workplace. Imagine the impact those 5 seconds (the time it takes to say well done) could have on the person you are congratulating in terms of self-esteem, confidence and ongoing motivation. If this is not something you normally do, how about taking the time today to thank someone for a job well done – you’ll be surprised just how much this can brighten up someone’s day!

Remember, we always welcome contact and feedback from our subscribers and visitors, so pop across to our Ask Annemarie site and submit your topic of interest, question or comment. Or pop across to our Career Communiqué blog. We'd love to hear from you!

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Are you a mature age job seeker struggling to secure an interview?

If so, then you are not alone. This fortnight we identify some tips and strategies on how to enhance one of the critical items you have in your personal marketing repertoire – your resume. We also list some resume blunders that you should be avoiding at all costs!! Does your resume currently measure up? Read this fortnight’s article BEFORE sending out another application.

In this issue...

Coach's Corner:   Are you a mature age job seeker struggling to secure an interview?

Ace that Interview:  The impact of communication: Just how important is what you are saying within an interview?

Resources & Tools to Catapult Your Career

 

 Coach's Corner

Are you a mature age job seeker struggling to secure interviews?

After speaking with a number of mature age job seekers, many of them, it seems, are still faced with what almost seems an uphill battle trying to convince employers to give them an opportunity of employment, despite the current shortage of skilled workers.

Fortunately, the ever-increasing skills shortage (and statistics that predict this will only continue to escalate) has employers across the country recognising the need to change and adapt their thinking and subsequent HR policies to ensure they can leverage a population of aging workforce. Our partner, www.adage.com.au - Australia’s leading career centre and job board for mature age workers - have recognised the top 20 companies that are progressive organisations pioneering age management solutions and practices recognising their recruitment methods, flexible work, training opportunities, knowledge transfer, phased retirement programs and retirement assistance. It is encouraging to see savvy companies adopting their practices within their organisations. I only hope that many other companies follow suit in adopting age management solutions and practices in their organisations as well.

While employers continue to adapt their thinking, polices and practices to cope with an ageing workforce, it is also important for the mature age job seeker to put their best foot forward in terms of their marketing document (their resume) and their interviewing skills, in order to enhance their marketability. Don’t be fooled that while we are currently experiencing an employees’ job market (meaning that many companies and industries are struggling to recruit staff therefore giving the upper hand to the job seeker), you will still need to highlight your skills, expertise and the value you bring to the table.

Generally, there are a number of reasons that a mature age job seeker’s resume will be screened out of the running (listed below). The resume:

• Portrays them as being overqualified for the role.

• Is too broad and fails to focus specifically on the job target.

• Focuses on features (tasks and accountabilities) rather than benefits (your achievements and results).

• Uses a one-style-fits-all template (very boring).

• Uses an incorrect format.

• Contains grammatical / typing errors.

If you are a mature age job seeker it is extremely important that your resume not include the above blunders, as it will do little to capture the attention of the reader nor compel them to invite you to interview with them.

Here are a few suggestions to enhance your resume to ensure that as a mature age job seeker, you position yourself as a strong, marketable candidate:

• If you are looking at downsizing your role, ensure your resume doesn’t present you as being overqualified by focusing too heavily on your senior level expertise. This may cause the reader to believe you would soon become bored in the role, and therefore leave.  

• Make sure your resume is focused specifically on your job target, and portrays the relevant information that qualifies your candidacy for the job/company requirements.  

• Identify your achievements, results, contributions, challenges overcome (relevant to your job target), and how you impacted on your employer’s success! Sell your skills and expertise!  

• Avoid using template-based resume styles, such as the templates in MS Word or downloadable from career/job boards, or resume software. These do not take account of your unique circumstances and fail to enhance your candidacy.  

• Use a resume format that enhances your particular situation. Similar to my above comment, as you bring your own set of unique circumstances to the table, use a resume format that positions your experience in the best possible way. I recommend the combination (hybrid) format. Steer clear of the reverse chronological format.  

• Edit, edit and edit your resume. Have a family member read through your document - a fresh pair of eyes can pick up spelling errors so as to avoid sending out your resume with glaring errors.  

Remember, your resume is a marketing tool and should sell your skills, experience and expertise in a way that demonstrates you can fulfil the needs of the job and can continue to deliver value for the entire organisation. You can also leverage your cover letter to strengthen your application by highlighting the additional value you bring to the table while also minimising any concerns the recruiter/employer may have
 

Once you have rewritten your resume I’d be happy to review it for you. My email is annemarie@annemariecross.com  All the best!

Have a great fortnight everyone!

 Ace that Interview!

The impact of communication: Just how important is what you are saying in an interview?

While it is important to research both the job and company requirements so that you can develop, practise and respond with examples to support your ability to fulfil these needs, you may be surprised to learn that what you are saying only plays a small part when it comes to making an impression, in comparison to how you say it

According to studies conducted by Hehravian (1971):

55% of the impact of communication comes from visual elements such as your body language and mannerisms – the how

38% of the impact of communication comes from auditory elements such as your tone of voice, speedy, volume and articulation – the how

7% of the impact of communication comes from the words you are speaking – the what

The factors that are going to be most memorable to an interviewer are not what you are saying (which is only 7%), but rather how you are coming across in terms of body language/mannerisms and how you are saying it.

So while you may be thinking and practising your responses, make sure you also take some time to consider how you are going to come across in terms of your visual (mannerisms) and auditory (tonality) approaches.

If you want to learn more about how to enhance the impact of your communication (as well as other critical rapport building techniques) grab your copy of 10 key steps to Ace that Interview! today Send me Ace that Interview today! 

Need to get your hands on 10 key steps to Ace that Interview! immediately for an unexpected interview? Get a copy of our new e-Book version delivered to your inbox today! Send me Ace that Interview today! 

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