Career Success Partners

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Andy Robinson
Career Success! Blog Host

Create a "Headline" for Your Resume

In today's economic environment it is important to keep your resume current and up-to-date -- "ready to go" when you need it.  More importantly, your resume needs to "stand out from the crowd" given the fact that most resume reviewers spend less than 20 seconds reviewing a resume -- whether online or hard copy.

One way to help make your resume stand out is to include a compelling Headline.  Headlines sell magazines, headlines sell newspapers and a great headline can compel a hiring manager to really give attention to your resume.  Since hiring managers don't really read resumes but rather scan them for "fit", a headline can help make your value proposition, your area(s) of specialty and your personal branding elements much more obvious in a quick scan.  Your headline can be changed, as needed, depending on the opportunity your are seeking.

There are three components to an highly effective headline:

1. A one-line description of your area of expertise (i.e., what you do)
2. A personal branding statement (i.e., who you are and what makes you different)
3. A single-sentence quote directly from you to the resume reader (i.e., a glimpse of your personality)

A couple of examples of resume headlines follow:

Organizational Change Management Expert

• Fortune 100 Experience
• 5 Years, Top Consulting Firm
• Frequently Requested Speaker 
• Co-Author, "The Complexities of Change"
• Stanford University MBA, Top 5%
  
• Willing to Travel 100%

"I have a passion for working with people and helping them navigate and ultimately embrace the process of organizational change.  I thrive in complex and highly challenging situations, and love the management consulting profession."

Wealth Management Specialist

• Wealth Management Practice Leader-5 Years
• Top Sales Person-2008, 2007, 2006
• Fully Licensed and Certified
• Duke Fuqua School MBA
• Financial Planning Expert

"I thrive on building long-term relationships with clients and consistently
exceeding their service delivery expectations.  I thoroughly enjoy the process
of helping to enrich the lives of my clients.  I love what I do for a living"

Place your headline directly beneath your name and contact information on the first page of your resume. 

Additional Tip:  Look for opportunities to use and display your headline in other places to create consistency of message and "gravity" -- in your email signature, prominent in your LinkedIn profile, prominent in your Facebook profile, on the back of your "personal calling card" (used in lieu of your business card), etc.

Book Review: "Smart Networking"

Yesterday, my Career Success Radio Show co-host, Carrie Robinson, and I interviewed networking expert Liz Lynch.  Liz writes frequently on the subject of networking, she publishes a popular e-Newsletter, is a frequent speaker at conferences and for major corporations and has been featured in a number of media interviews.  Her latest book, “Smart Networking” has received excellent reviews.  She is the founder of the Center for Networking Excellence which develops products, programs and seminars that help entrepreneurs and professionals get clients, build their businesses, and accelerate their careers through networking.

Liz had wonderful insights and tips that she shared with us on how to effectively incorporate networking into your work life, career management and job search.  Her interview will air on the Career Success Radio Show channel of Exceptional Wisdom Radio in February.  The Career Success Radio Show launches officially in February with a great line up of excellent guests, all of whom are experts in fields pertaining to career planning, career development, career achievement, career management and career transition.

We strongly encourage you to visit Liz’s blog site – The Smart Networking Blog, for excellent tips and to get the inside scoop on business networking.

Liz’s book, “Smart Networking,” can be found at Amazon.com by clicking through on the book cover below.

Special thanks to Liz from both Carrie and me for a wonderful, content-filled interview on the subject of networking.

Book Review - "Little Teal Book of Trust"

Trust is a combination of the value that others perceive in you, and their willingness to harmonize with and accept your advice to help them succeed. It's people seeking and taking your advice both as a counselor and a confidante. Someone who trusts you to a point where they call at some critical stage, because they know you are the ONE who can help them in a way that others cannot.

But how do you develop trust? Follow the advice of Jeffrey Gitomer, bestselling author of the Little Books, which have now sold more than two million copies worldwide.

From the Back Cover....

Trust is the basis for all relationships.

This book will help you:

• Tell the truth. This is the number one element of trust AND relationships. 
• Do what you say you will do. This is a test for being trustworthy and reliable. 
• Communicate in a timely manner. This shows you are responsible, on top of it, and that you care. 
• Bring value beyond your product or service. What you do to help others be more successful is a true reflection of your character. 
• Be on time. Being on time shows you respect the other person’s time. 
• Be friendly. Smiling people are the gateway to open communication. 
• Be sincere. This can only come from belief in what you do, loving what you do, and caring for others. 
• Show and say genuine thanks. Be grateful for the opportunity to be of service. 
• Be consistent. I believe this element of trust is the most difficult to master because it combines all the other elements. 
• Give trust. You become trustworthy by giving trust.

Online Career Management Resources

Actively managing your career development and career planning is absolutely critical to your career success.  It is ultimately up to each of us to take control over our career direction and take personal responsibility for our career success.  Consider these excellent online resources dedicated to helping you actively manage your career development and planning:
 
MindTools.com
Online management, leadership & career training.  Each year, MindTools.com helps more than 6,700,000 visitors learn the essential skills they need for an excellent career. Learn hundreds of essential career skills, FREE of charge and develop yourself on an ongoing basis.

Areas of content include:

• Leadership skills tools and techniques
• Time management tools and techniques
• Stess management tools
• Decision-making tools
• Project management tools
• Problem solving tools and techniques
• Practical creativity skill development

 
The Personal Branding Blog
The Personal Branding Blog is the #1 resource for personal branding online.

The way we manage our careers is changing, due to the rise in competition and the introduction of "Web 2.0." In order to extend our reach, visibility and networking capabilities, we must turn to personal branding as our savior. In the digital age, our name is our only currency and by taking the first step reading this blog and consuming the information provided, you will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The content on this blog includes podcasts, interviews with experts, insightful articles, research reports, games and much more.

Topics covered reflect the Octopus Model of Brand Relevancy: Career development, recruitment, marketing/branding, public relations, social media, entrepreneurship, search engine optimization (SEO) and relationship networking.
 

The Smart Networking Blog
The key to unlimited opportunities for your career or business starts with Smart Networking.  Business strategist Liz Lynch demystifies the process and offers excellent content for building connections and attracting business opportunities 24/7-without the 24/7 effort.

Packed with powerful strategies, Smart Networking describes how to integrate face-to-face techniques with a strong online presence to expand your professional circle exponentially.

Learn how to:

• Identify the gaps in your network and develop a plan to fill them
• Tap into existing contacts and master the art of the ask
• Increase visibility through speaking, e-zine publishing, and blogs
• Expand your reach with social networking tools
• Develop a winning mindset to guide all your networking activities

Whatever your profession, relationships are a key driver of your success. It's not too late to start networking smart.


LinkedIn.com
Your network of business, professional and personal contacts is the most valuable and transportable asset you have. A properly nourished and up-to-date network can truly work wonders for your career. It is MUCH easier to maintain and nourish your network on an ongoing basis rather than play "catch-up" when you find yourself in need of help from others.

LinkedIn.com is the leading web-based tool for business network development and communication. LinkedIn is an online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries.

When you join LinkedIn, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments, background and areas of specialty. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners. You can add more connections by inviting trusted contacts to join LinkedIn and connect to you.
 

JibberJobber.com
JibberJobber started out as a job search spreadsheet to track and organize a job search, and quickly evolved into a long-term relationship manager for your personal career management.

Whether you are looking for a job, working towards a promotion, starting a business, or managing clients and gigs, it's all about relationships.
The JibberJobber team has grown and includes experts that are dedicated to helping you make the most of your career.