Find out what you can offer

Matching Your Qualifications With Their Needs


The number of resumes received by employers continues to be overwhelming as the job market begins to pick up this year. The challenge for you, as a job seeker, is to get your cover letter/resume noticed - to stand out from the crowd. More and more candidates are using a cover letter/resume that demonstrates the "match" between the employer's requirements (Your Needs) and the skills and experience that they have to offer (My Qualifications).



An example of this type of cover letter/resume is shown below. For some candidates this can be a very effective tool.



Your Needs - Marketing Experience



My Qualifications:



*5 plus years as a marketing consultant.



*Significant consumer-oriented technology marketing in the retail industry.




Your Needs - Product Management experience



My Qualifications:



*Led product marketing efforts for an online store.



*Spearheaded product management efforts for major retail chain as a product manager.



Your Needs - Analytical abilities



My Qualifications:



*Excellent qualitative and quantitative marketing analysis with high impact results.



Your Needs - Interpersonal Skills



My Qualifications:



Leadership qualities with the ability to lead projects and teams to highly successful outcomes.



Ability to communicate through presentations to all levels of management. Strong ability to influence others.



The more technically able you are the more creative you can be with boxes and grids.



Even if you decide not to use this type of document, this exercise will help you familiarize yourself with how close a match you are for the position you are applying for. A few steps will make it an easy task that can serve you well in the long run.



Begin by reading the ads/postings carefully. Notice that there are some of the same words included in every ad for your type of job. An example would be ads for an Executive Secretary where the word "confidentiality" appears consistently. If you were applying for that particular position you would want to include the word "confidential" in your resume and cover letter and show how you have used that skill in past jobs. These words are called the "key factors" or the "key competencies" required to do the job. (Your Needs) By reading job postings carefully and looking for the words that are repeated or stand out as being the most important factors to perform the job you will become familiar with the company or industry jargon used and what skills are being sought for the type of jobs you are seeking.



Practice identifying key factors in job postings or ads that are of interest to you. Go through postings or ads and use a highlighter to mark words as you read. What are the common words used in almost every description? What they are looking for? What are the qualifications listed? How do your skills match up against their requirements? Make a list of the key words and requirements to use in your cover letter/resume.



Next, make a template for your new cover letter/resume. On one side of the template type in "Your Needs." On the other side type "My Qualifications." Use this template to write an individual document for each job you apply for matching what they are looking for against what you have to offer. Be sure that your resume is as close a match as possible to the posting/ad that you are responding to.



As is the case with any cover letter or resume style it will depend on your resume reader as to how effective this style will be. Some resume readers like it because it "cuts to the chase." Others don't like it because it is too simplistic. If you are not experiencing the results that you were hoping for and need a new angle to get "your foot in the door" this may be the ticket for you. Who knows you just might get a surprise with a quick response? Anything is worth trying in this very competitive market.

Carole Martin, America’s #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by visiting Carole on the web at The Interview Coach

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What firms want

Companies Want Results from Employees

Jane and Bob have a problem. They want extraordinary results from their employees, but they also want to be seen as kind, caring managers. Sometimes they might actually ignore or water down negatives in performance discussions under the banner of concern and caring.



The problem with this Pollyanna-ish thinking is that it creates the exact situation you are attempting to avoid. When people become more important than results, it opens the door to excuse making. How do Jane and Bob find the right balance between excuses and people, and still get results?



We must be clear about employees' behavior, performance, and what we want changed.



For example, Jane and Bob had one of their team members, Marcus, consistently sending e-mail after e-mail on the same subject. People in the department were confused, frustrated at new e-mail after new e-mail, and overwhelmed with all the information.


It's not enough to say, "Marcus, don't send so many e-mails. It's confusing to others." Jane and Bob need to be much more specific: "Marcus, when you send so many e-mails, one after the other, people are confused and, frankly, don't read them. Instead of sending 20 e-mails a day, I want you to collect your thoughts about the subject and write one e-mail. This e-mail should be succinct with the points clearly stated. In addition, let the recipients know if this is for information or if it needs action, and if so, by when."



Thinking that they would hurt Marcus's feelings or make him think he's doing a poor job only continues to produce the same results. Asking Marcus to simply send fewer e-mails may mean to him to send one less a day. Or he may think the confusion is limited to certain people or the number of e-mails. Be clear, be specific, and be honest.



What could happen?



If Jane and Bob are not clear, specific, and honest, Marcus is likely to not produce the desired results, and this opens him up to excuse-making (with cause – he didn't know what Jane and Bob wanted).



Fast-forward two weeks. Marcus continues to send many e-mails on the same subject. He's also talked to people he thinks might have complained and told them to get over it and not be so dumb. By taking action, he thinks he's doing a great job. If Jane and Bob challenge him on it, he says he was doing what he thought they meant.



Now Jane and Bob have a bigger problem on their hands. Marcus is offended because he believed he was doing what they wanted. The problem has not been solved, and, in fact, it's escalated, and Jane and Bob are personally frustrated. All because they watered down what they wanted in Marcus's performance.



Let's try again...



Another example is of an employee who does a great job technically. However, she is often late for work and her attitude is annoying others. Instead of telling her that she needs to quit being late and put on a happy face, be clear, honest, and specific.



"Jennifer, the quality of your work is first-rate. You deliver what is expected and on time, and it is of the highest quality. However, in the last three months, you have been late for work ten times. This is not acceptable. If you are late once more, I am going to have to write it up, and if you are late three more times, you will be asked to leave. Is there any reason you can't be here on time regularly? Also, folks are complaining about your attitude. You aren't acting as part of the team, but more of a lone ranger. When people ask you questions, you need to be gracious in helping them. If others are behind in their work and you aren't, you need to chip in and help them. Now, Jennifer, tell me what you think I mean by attitude adjustment."



It's honest, clear, and specific. While Jennifer might not enjoy hearing that her tardiness and attitude are unacceptable, she's been given a specific framework in which to act. Now she knows what to expect and can perform accordingly.



Final thoughts from Jane and Bob



Watered-down discussions under the guise of caring only get you more of the same performance. You show caring by being honest, specific, and clear. Then, people have the opportunity to succeed and give you what you want.

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Linda Finkle, CEO of INCEDO GROUP, works with innovative leaders around the world who understand that business needs a new organizational growth style. These innovative leaders know that powerful cross-functional communication is the highest priority and the strongest strategy for building organizational effectiveness. To find out more, visit: http://www.IncedoGroup.com

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Route to success

Shine by Dressing for Success


Dress for Success. Is that irrelevant in today's business world? How much importance do we place on "dressing up"' for work? Well I think in some instances - not enough.

What message does your image send? Do you feel confident in the way you present visually through what you wear? It seems that there is still a lot of confusion in the work place about how we should dress. I read a posting recently on small business website Flying Solo which detailed one guy's dilemma about what to wear to a client interview and possible photo shoot. To wear a tie or not to? Well the reaction from the comments posted were varied, from "I wear a funny bowtie to break the ice"' to "my best suit"' to "who cares?"'



How well do you understand the image you put across? Image is created by a lot of different ingredients acting together. Physical appearance, dress, voice, manner, the views you express or the fact you don't express any and the way you react to the people around you. These impressions are made instantly. Images are so powerful because however little you may like it they do say something true about your personality. It's no accident that you dress, talk and behave the way you do.



So what is your visual appearance like? Do you grab the first thing you see in the morning or put some thought into what is the most appropriate outfit for that day? Having an extensive wardrobe of all the latest fashions isn't really necessary. Establishing your own image and a strong sense of individual personality and style is the key. You may only need a few quality, signature pieces that reflect your individual style and that you can mix and match. You don't have to look different every day, you just need to look good and look professional.



Let's look at the scenario of work from home.



Get up and get dressed! Ditch the pj's and trackie daks. Put on something smart and comfortable. I've often read that it helps to have a separate work place in your home, a dedicated office phone line. Well it's the same with your personal brand. To be making calls, sending emails and acting in a professional way to run your business, means dressing in a professional way too. Now I don't mean you need a shirt and tie or a corporate outfit but choose clothes that make you feel like you're working. You must look smart not only in the eyes of the people you're around but your own as well.



Going out to meet a client? Dress appropriately for the occasion. Do your research. You wouldn't go to a client meeting without knowing something about the company. Find out how the boss dresses, that's a start, or the code of dress in that organisation and take it up a notch. After all you're there to win the client's business and that won't happen if you dress inappropriately or look like a slob.



Think about what they're looking for. If you're in finance, law or other professional services they want you to look like a credible, successful business person. You might be in IT or a creative service. Your potential client wouldn't expect to see you in a 3 piece suit. However does that mean you need to wear jeans and scruffy sneakers? Think about it, plan it out. You are part of the package that you're presenting to the client. People shouldn't judge us by our outward appearances, but of course they do.



I know a number of professional speakers, it's the industry I'm in. Let me share an example of two men, both $10,000 speakers. One works mostly with creatives yet has invested time and money into developing his image, finding the right cut to suit his body shape, wearing flattering colours, and choosing smart casual outfits. He looks like a $10,000 speaker. Another with a great reputation for the work he does with leading entrepreneurs still chooses to wear the tried (or maybe tired) and trusted jeans and black jacket. Mmmmm.



This scenario should be considered also by those that work in a slightly more casual workplace environment or have to endure casual work days. Jeans just don't cut it. They are what you wear when you are out and about at weekends or going out with friends at night.



Your appearance does label you; therefore it is crucial to get the right label! If your appearance shows that you care, people will recognise this. If you look like a slob, they begin to question your professionalism. It's not trivial to concentrate on your outward appearance. When you carefully select your wardrobe and create your look and personal style, you propel yourself forward by having a unique self brand.



Let's take a look at the corporate workplace.



Each workplace usually sets its own standards. However in the corporate environment there is an underlying code of dressing which is smart and professional. Suits have been the most acceptable form of dress in most industries with a trend today toward more casual wear particularly in IT and advertising and similar industries. Men have it easier than women in the matter of image. They at least have an example to follow. If everyone in the office wears suits there's no question they will do the same.



I think if you have one good working outfit for every day of the week that is all you really need. The idea is to mix and match and choose good, quality pieces. You can update with shirts, ties and accessories. What your clients or bosses want is someone who looks speaks and acts like they think someone in that position should speak or act. I think a woman or man who dresses smartly, elegantly and looks neat has a clear image of his or herself and what they are presenting to the outside world.



What do you think?

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Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace - your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. Sign up for free monthly tips on personal and professional PR at

http://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfm

and learn more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine.

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Internet Business Tips Ezine

This week's edition will be published on Friday 19 January and I am inviting quality articles for submission. Please do not submit multiple articles as we only accept one item per author. Last week's issue was packed with great internet marketing ideas and we look forward to another interesting read this week. Just follow the link from this post.
Tags:blogging, internet+marketing,

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