Job boards and social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter have collapsed candidate search time giving managers quick access to the industry’s best, brightest. A high unemployment rate, off-shoring, company down-sizing and cost-cutting is making competition fierce for the available jobs. With a candidate surplus and technological and cultural advances, hiring managers are now riddled with hundreds or thousands of resumes for even one position. Crisp, compelling, “at-the-ready” resumes are essential for every professional in this competitive job market. Will your target hiring manager find you among thousands in the stack? Take a look at the research on these resume stats: - 10-200 resumes are generated per want-ad - 80% of candidates are screened solely with the resume - 1 in 245 resumes result in an interview - 3 seconds make-or-break a positive 1st impression - 10-30 seconds are spent to review 1 resume - Less than 1% of the managers keep or respond to unsolicited resumes Join us for a free online workshop to discuss “Top of the Stack Resumes: 5 Ways to Break Through a Noisy Job Market.” We'll discuss methods for building high-impact resumes including personal branding, self-assessment, resume messaging strategies, and a step-by-step approach to upgrade your resume for immediate impact. Presenter: Christine Farmer, Founder/Principal Consultant Resumes.for.Results@verizon.net Since 1999, our expert, Christine Farmer, has professionally coached executives and professionals on career strategies, resume messaging, interviewing and job search skills. With fifteen years in high-tech marketing, finance & product management, she offers her clients a business-minded, numbers-based approach to resume development. She holds degrees in Finance and an MBA from Boston University.

1. Top of the Stack Resumes Webinar Presentation July 8, 2009 Presenter: Christine Farmer, Resumes for Results

2. About JCSI JCSI is a recruitment consulting firm working with emerging companies and Fortune 1000 organizations CareerAssist initiative to offer guidance and information to the candidates we work with Twitter Facebook Page Blog twitter.com/CareerAssist JCSICareerAssist.wordpress.com

3. Top of the Stack Resumes 5 Ways to Break Through a Noisy Job Market Christine Farmer Founder/Principal Consultant Resumes.for.Results@verizon.net

4. Agenda Break Through the Noise Job Search Challenges Branding YOU, Inc. 5 Ways to the Top Resume Components Resume Goal and Purpose Content and Format Market & Self-Assessment Writing for Impact Ready for Hire!

5. Job Search Challenges Economics of supply & demand Stand-out in a noisy job market Avoid the “black hole” Employers seek best-of-the-best The most important document in your career

6. Interesting Facts… 3 seconds to make a positive impression 10-30 seconds to review a resume 1-in-245 resumes result in an interview 80% are screened solely with the resume < 1% keep or respond to unsolicited resumes 84% say <5years experience for 1 page 80% say a cover letter is important 100% expect Thank-You notes 80% of jobs landed through networking Source: Association for Job Search Trainers., Charlotte Community College

7. 8 Laws of Personal Branding Specialization Leadership Personality Distinctiveness Visibility Unity Persistence Goodwill Source: Peter Montoya - http://www.petermontoya.com/mt_who_and_what/index.asp

9. Know yourself, your competition and your value-proposition

10. Create a compelling story about YOU

11. Experiences, talents, attributes, skills

12. Passions, values, work ethics

13. Your message communicated consistently

14. Across multiple venues, vehicles and media

15. Resume – hard copy, on-line, modified versions

16. Social networking – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc..

17. Elevator pitch – personal/professional networking

18. Success is achieved when it…

20. Resume Goal and Purpose Get to “Wow!” 3 seconds for a GREAT 1st impression Convince the reader to TAKE ACTION Get the call and in the door NOW! An “Ad” about YOU… Make YOUR story come alive! Not an autobiography or job description Unique and quantified qualifications, skills, expertise RESUME - “U” before “ME”… Convey how you “perfectly match” the job/company needs Professional virtues, style and company “fit” Format type reflects job targets

21. Content Truthful Honest, accurate, verifiable Tone Action words, your “vernacular” & personality Expertise and Experience Industry standard disciplines, practices, tools, methods Your innovative solutions, strategies, tactics Differentiation How did you made a difference? What value did you create? What YOU did that NO ONE ELSE accomplished? Accomplishments – S-O-A-R (S)ituation (O)pportunity and obstacles (A)ctions taken (R)esults - size, scope, depth, reach

22. Format Choice Chronological vs. Functional vs. Combination Clean Easy to read Check Spell and Reality Concise 2 pages (CV/Technical+ and Legal -) Consistent Text, titles, bolding, underlines Copies Hardcopy - MSWord, Adobe Online - ACSII Text, Scannable Internet Presence -LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook

23. High-Impact StructureChronological/Combo Name Headline Summary Expertise Accomplishments Experience Education, Prof. Development, Training Certifications/Licenses Honors/Commendations/Awards WOW ZONE

25. Maximized owner’s net worth by 20%. Realized more than $10 million in savings and efficiencies.

26. Researched and identified oversight in charge-back expenses to Fortune 500 customer. Recouped $4 million to the bottom-line.

27. Advised and managed $5 million loan repayment in only 6 months. Ensured proper financial reporting and integrity of operations.

28. Investigated and secured $1 million in overdue sales taxes from commercial rental property. Repayment saved 5% annually.

29. Served as Commander in U.S. Army National Guard. Directed 35-soldier Medical Evacuation unit in Bagdad, Iraq for 12 months

31. Managed general ledger accounts and reconciliations, monthly closing schedule.

32. Led cash management operations, fixed assets, loan covenants, accounts receivable/payable and payroll.

33. Prepared for executive review monthly, quarterly and annual forecasts, budgets, reports and financial statements.

35. Directed accounting management for $10 million real estate (commercial and residential) and leasing company operations.

36. Provided real estate investment analysis and coordinated purchase transactions with owner, property managers & legal counsel.

39. Planned, organized and served as in-charge accountant for $200M corporation.

40. Analyzed and prepared interim and yearly financial statements. Forecasted and reported profit-and-loss and cash flow.

41. Compiled comprehensive reports for submission to state agencies.

43. Deployed as Commander of 35-soldier MedEvac unit in Bagdad, Iraq in support of Operation Steel Curtain Mission.

44. Trained as black-hawk pilot. EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York, 1997. Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Union College, 1996.

45. Get Started…or Re-started Homework Research your target companies and jobs Content: Strategic inner work Professional inventory strengths and weaknesses By section, ask questions to reveal answers Format: Choose the optimal format for your message The Pay Off… Builds your confidence in the mission Prepares key messages for resume and the interview Primes “your” differentiation in “company’s” terms

47. Job boards

48. Company websites – Direct and Agents

49. Network with companies and employees via LinkedIn, Facebook, TwitterWhat titles and job descriptions interest you? www.occupationalinfo.org What is the job description terminology? Convert company specifics to new target Find examples of resumes with same targeted job description Skills, talents, accomplishments, experience Market Research

51. are your goals – short and long term?

52. new or existing responsibilities will you experience?

53. skills do you have vs. need to develop?

54. makes you unique or extraordinary?

55. Inventory of your skills vs. job requirements

56. “T” account and map 1-for-1

57. Maximize your job prospects

58. Step out of your comfort zone

59. Transfer your skills into jobs available

60. What job titles are you targeting?

61. Exact

62. Modified

63. New

64. Will this job be at the right level?

65. Next position – and long term?

66. Short-term win – long term obstacle?

68. Write for Impact Name Headline Summary Expertise Accomplishments Experience Education, Prof. Development, Training Certifications/Licenses Honors/Commendations/Awards WOW ZONE

69. Headline Your marquis to attract a hiring manager/agent May match job description title exactly, if qualified Use industry standard titles vs. internal company titles Objectives are less popular -“Me” vs. “company-centric” Sub-Head Directs reader to your key areas of expertise 3 major areas may be re-prioritized based on job sought Powerful impact if “spot on” MARKETING MANAGEMENT Industry Innovation • Turn-Key Execution • Achieves Results

70. Summary A short paragraph about your “fit” List 2-3 major functional areas of focus and experience. How many years in this area? What are the major transferable skills? Knowledge, methodologies, tools, techniques Who did you work with, engage, support? Customers, partners, vendors, executive clients What personal virtues best describes you? Determination, perseverance, enthusiasm, drive, collaboration, innovation, dynamism, clear communications, analytics etc… Action Word List - http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/543/02/ Senior marketing leader • Big-picture thinker with creative, recurring, results-driven tactics • Innovates break-through, “first-in-industry” campaigns • Passionate execution and precision • On-strategy, on-time, on-budget • Pragmatic acuity in business, financial, project and management • Articulate, fact-based negotiator, decision-maker, influencer across management levels.

71. Key words to match up with requirements List 2 or 3 columns with strategic major headings Left column is usually the highest priority List models, methods, procedures, standards, functions, tools, techniques, processes, models, metrics, industry standard practices, protocols, systems, technologies Areas of Expertise

72. Big, bold career-making achievements 3-5 major efforts – in scope, depth and numbers Success stories despite obstacles and road-blocks Bottom-line value - revenue, savings, productivity, efficiencies, expansion, consolidation “Attaboys” and any other testimonial “quotes” Example: (S) Field needed technical training. Only 1 in 3 techs receive proper training from Corporate (O) $250K funding eliminated for travel & materials (A) Suggested and developed web-based training (R) 300 field techs trained. Customer satisfaction increased from 60%-95%. Revenue increased 20%. Other areas interested. Proposed and created company’s 1st web-based training series – 48 US; 4 in AMEA; 12 in Europe in 3 months. Preserved $250K in expenses. Revenue increased by 20%. Customer satisfaction ratings increased by 58%. Accomplishments

75. Who benefited? With whom did you support, leverage, engage, optimize? How was this managed, communicated, resolved?

77. Ready for Hire! Branding …in review Develop and execute your job search strategy After you land the interview … Touch-base and prep your references A marathon – not a sprint – but perseverance pays off!

78. Your Questions Submit your questions in the box on the right of your screen Thank You! Christine Farmer Resumes.for.Results@verizon.net