CMS Career Blog

In a recent post we discussed the difference between the old resume style and the new resume style. The new resume style focuses on key, quantifiable accomplishments to show a prospective employer what you are capable of and willing to do for them.  The new resume focuses on the ROI (Return On Investment) that your new employer can expect when they hire you.

One tool that we recommend our clients use to identify key accomplishments and show their ROI is the CARS (the Condition Activity Resolution Statement).  Here’s how they work.

• First you identify a specific condition (problem, situation, need) you worked on in a prior job or career position.  What was the need?  What was happening that needed your attention?  Whenever possible, use numbers to define the scope of the situation. Write two or three bullet points to identify the condition you encountered.

• Second you describe the activity or action you took to address this condition.  What did you DO to address the problem?  Describe it in a few bullet points.

• Third you describe the resolution that came about as a result of your actions.  What happened?  Be sure to use quantifiable results – how much money did you make or save?  How many people were involved?  How much time was saved?  How did you reduce waste or increase efficiencies? One or two bullets ought to do it.

• Finally, write one to two sentences that pull the 5-9 bullet points in the first three steps. These two sentences should pull all of your points together in a concise statement.  A simple format for this is: “did what”, “for whom”, “resulting in . . . “ Be sure to use numbers to show how the results were measured.  This is important because managers use numbers to measure the success or failure of just about ANY business activity.  When you quantify your results you are speaking their language, and that is more likely to lead to an interview for you!  Numbers make the accomplishment “pop” off the page.  They allow you to stand out among the competition.

We recommend you come up with 3-4 CARS for each key accomplishment area in your career.  Use different times, jobs, and situations to show a variety from throughout your work history.

You can use the CARS on your resume, in other marketing materials (i.e. blog, LinkedIn profile, portfolio, etc), and in interviews.  CARS are a helpful and important way to let your prospective employer know that YOU are uniquely qualified to solve their business problems.

The new style of resume focuses on the results you have had in the past to prove to your prospective employer that you are both capable of and willing to do something similar for them in the future.  CARS will help you get that point across in a clear and concise fashion!

This is frightening and disturbing news. For those of you who are currently unemployed, I’m certain this adds to the frustration and fear that you must be feeling. For those of us who still have our jobs this continuously bleak economic news gives us cause to look over our shoulder and wonder, “might I be next?”

But what if there is something POSITIVE that could come out of the economic meltdown? Is there ANY way we could take this opportunity to re-evaluate and improve the quality of our lives? COULD this be a good thing?

Please comment, and let’s get a discussion going on this topic. Perhaps there IS a silver lining. . . or perhaps I’m just a wild-eyed optimist. . .

Here’s a link to a recent Forbes.com article with predictions about jobs in 2009: http://is.gd/cWiZ.

Basically, the author says, “If you’ve got a job you like, hold on to it with all your might.”  Sound advice, IF you can follow it. But what about those who have been recent casualties of the economic crisis facing our nation/world?  If you’ve recently LOST your job, you need more advice than simply, “hold on to what you’ve got.”

Here are some resources that will be helpful in your job search:

• Career Crossroads 2.0 - a social network for job seekers.  It’s free to start an account.
• LinkedIn - A social network for professionals.  Build your network and find opportunities within it.
• O*NET - An online research database provided by the US federal government.
• Resume Bear - “Advance Your Career. Empower Your Resume.”
• “Brand You” - An article by Tom Peters in Fast Company magazine discussing the importance of self branding.

With the new economic stimulus package being proposed by President Obama in Congress, I believe that there will be a significant amount of money being poured into the alternative energy, healthcare and highway/infrastructure sectors.  If you aren’t prepared to enter either of those areas, perhaps this is a good time to get some additional training.  Some state workforce development departments have funds to re-train people through their dislocated workers programs.  It’s worth checking out with your state employment department.

Folks, the news we get is that the economy continues to slide.  DON’T let that discourage you!  People are still finding work.  Develop your network, build a personal brand, and embark on a career marketing campaign.  These things WILL make a difference in your job search.

Best wishes.

. . . and what is YOUR dream?

The economy has been shrinking for over a year now. We are officially in a recession. Unemployment is highest in the nation it has been in nearly 2 decades. Is there a bright spot in this economy? Well, yes. Actually, there are several bright spots in this economy! We are seeing opportunities in a several areas, but it may require you to think differently about who you are and what you do. Today I want to share some of those with you, gentle reader, with the hope that you will be able to capitalize on these opportunities to enhance your career.

1. Healthcare, Education, and Government.  The unemployment figures from December 2008 show that nearly every sector was effected.  However, as pointed out in an AP news article last Friday, the three sectors that held steady were Healthcare, Education and Government.  They most certainly will feel the crunch in the months to come, especially government with lower tax revenues, but for now, there appears to be opportunity there.
2. Construction (infrastructure) and Alternative Energy.  My hunch is that the new administration is going to do everything possible to pour large sums of government subsidies into these areas in order to jump-start the economy.  It may take some time, but that’s good news if you don’t already have experience in these areas.  NOW may be the perfect time to get some additional training so you can position yourself for the wave that is most certainly coming.
3. Contractors and Consultants.  Last week I met one-on-one with more than 40 people who have been laid off within the last 3 months.  10 of them told me that they are getting phone calls from their former employer asking if they would be willing to provide consulting services for some of the projects they were working on before they left.  One man told me that he is going to be hired as a temporary contractor to manage a project he bid on 6 months ago.  Since he knew exactly what the contract was going to pay, negotiating salary was a breeze.  It appears that some companies cut there workforce out of a sense of fear, and without considering their longer term obligations.  This is certainly NOT an option for everyone.  But perhaps a few of you may find it could work for you.
4. Temp-to-hire.  We are also noticing that companies are a bit fearful about bringing on additional staff — even when they have positions that need to be filled.  Some of them are hiring temporary staff (at ALL levels - including Managers, Directors and even VPs) to fill the positions temporarily.  Sometimes there is a promise (or at least a hint) that the temp person will have first shot at the job when the economy picks up.  The good news for job seekers is that you can test drive a position, earn a paycheck, and you don’t typically have the major stress of a full time employee.  Companies like this arrangement because they can often pull the funds from an account other than employee expense and they aren’t as locked in to long term employment commitments should things not work out.  [note - this "hired gun" strategy may actually become a more standard means of employment in the future, as both sides come to appreciate the flexibility it offers. But that's another post.]
5. Niche markets.  The jobs may have gone away, but the needs being filled by their products and services are still there.  Maybe NOW is the time for you to consider starting your own company to address those needs.  Small business is the backbone of our economy and the government may have start up funding to assist you.
6. Go back to school.  A down economy is often a good time to go to grad school or complete your degree.  A colleague says that she often suggests to clients that “hide out at grad school” during a recession.  If you have been thinking about enhancing your educational credentials, this is the time to take that opportunity seriously.
7. Small companies.  Small companies are typically more agile than large companies.  They are oftentimes more ready to jump into an opportunity when they see it than the larger employers who need time to ramp up.  If you’ve always worked for a larger company, now may be the time to think small.

There are ALWAYS opportunities, even in difficult economic times.  If you want to respond to those opportunities you might have to think differently about who you are and what you do, but that’s not a bad thing either.  Keeping your eyes open and knowing what value YOU bring to the marketplace will help you take advantage of the opportunities presenting themself in this difficult economy.

According to a recent NY Times article, President Elect Obama has upped his goal of providing new jobs in the first two years of his presidency from 2.5 million to 3 million. Many of these jobs will be in areas that will enhance our current transportation infrastructure (roads and bridges) and help us cut our addiction to foreign oil (new energy sources such as solar and wind power).  My fervent belief is that Mr. Obama and the new Senate will want to get started on this project within a few weeks of his taking the oath of office.  New jobs should be coming online within the next few month.  Are YOU ready?  Here are some things you can do now to be prepared when those new jobs come around.

1. Build your network.  You have heard that it’s not what you know, but who you know.  The saying is even more true today than it ever has been.  Statistics say that
2. Enhance your skills.  What do you need to know that you don’t currently know?  Do you need some training in a specific skill area or with a particular software program?  Now is the right time to take a class or return to school for a program that will enhance your skills and abilities.
3. Develop a strong, compelling, memorable, and inspiring Unique Selling Proposition.  Here’s link to a recent article on developing your “Elevator Pitch” that will be helpful for pulling together your USP.
4. Create a winning resume.  Make sure you focus on developing a resume that highlights that which you are both capable of and willing to do in your next position.  It should include a strong USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and clearly quantified results of your accomplishments.
5. Explore growing industries. Some of the industries sure to grow in 2009 are healthcare and alternative energy.  What skills do you have that might be transferable to either of these industries?
6. Clean up your Internet presence.  Do you have an account on Facebook? Plaxo? LinkedIn? Career Crossroads 2.0?  Have you updated them recently?  Do so now.

Obama’s innaguration is just 2 weeks away.  Are YOU ready for the new jobs this new administration plans to create?