​PRESS RELEASE
 
Kara Varner, MAOM, CARW, CPRW, CRS-MCT, CEIC
A Platinum Resume 719-339-2659
www.APlatinumResume.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER AWARDED INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW CERTIFICATION
 
Kara Varner, President/CEO of A Platinum Resume, LLC has been awarded an international certification as a Certified Employment Interview Coach (CEIC) by Career Directors International (CDI). She is one of only 38 professionals to hold that distinction in the United States.
Kara has demonstrated her proficiency in employment interviewing coaching by completing an intensive interview coaching program and participative modules; gaining innovative concepts and practices that have honed her interview coaching skills and techniques for today’s competitive job seekers. 
Recognition as a CEIC sets Ms. Varner apart from industry peers, and positions her to better assist her clientele by providing additional valuable services as an Interview Coach for her clients. CDI is an international association that provides proactive resources and assistance to empower its members in the undertaking and application of career development, résumé writing and employment practices. 
 
A Platinum Resume, LLC offers expert resume writing and interview preparation to entry-level through executive clientele, transitioning military members, and government employees  in the global marketplace. Ms. Varner's expertise is in empowering clients who wish to transition either within their existing career fields or to another industry by clearly articulating their value proposition.

​She is a recognized, and highly-referred resume writer, speaker, author, federal resume writer, and workshop facilitator with over 8 years of experience assisting clients to meet their career goals. She has been published in national résumé and cover letter compilation books, online articles, and local/regional publications.

To learn more about A Platinum Resume, visit their website at www.APlatinumResume.com

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Imagine a commute that only took 5 - maybe 10 minutes, if you stopped at the Keurig to make a cup of coffee before heading into your home office? It is estimated that 70% of professionals across the globe work remotely at least one day a week.  Some are full time!
Some companies will absolutely not let you work from home, and there are some industries and occupations that do no enable you work from home to include law enforcement, health care, emergency responders, etc.
​

​You can work from - just about anywhere - which includes waiting to pick up your kids from school or practice, Starbucks, Spain, Hawaii, or the ‘hopefully’ serene atmosphere of home.

1. There are even co-working spaces that enable you to somewhat socialize, while still working.
2. If you are not feeling your best, or need to care for a family member, you can still get work done.
3. Scheduling - domestic chores, contractor appointments, and family support burdens may be eased by a shorter commute.
4. Family time may increase due to a shortened commute.
5. You may be able to travel - see the world - while working and earning a paycheck.​

Maybe you like your boss, maybe you don’t - but suddenly finding out that your boss just quit can catapult you into the deep end of the pool. Do you float, sink, or joyously splash around - whatever you chose, undoubtedly, you may have some questions:

1. Is someone new coming in? Are they internal or from ‘the outside’?
2. Is my position secure? Am I next?
3. What’s going on that he/she knows that I don’t?
4. Should I consider leaving too?

Will you sink or swim when the dynamics change at work? First, don’t panic - when the dust has settled - ask clear concise questions and make some strategic moves.

1. Is there an interim process that is going to happen and what is that - how does it relate to you?
2. Is your boss leaving immediately? If not, will you be cross-trained on any new elements or will you be expected to take on new responsibilities.
3. If you are not targeted for cross-training or to pick up the slack - identify some extra responsibilities that you could take on at this time - this will not go unnoticed by your (former) boss’s boss.
4. Find out if you have an opportunity for promotion to the (now) vacant position.
5. If you are not tapped for promotion to the position - make sure to help the new boss settle in successfully. Next, schedule a meeting with your new boss to discuss (team/individual) priorities and expectations. Relay the projects that are on your plate and the status, so your boss has a good situation awareness. Make sure to have a list of accomplishments ready to hand/email to them.
6. This is a good time to suggest new processes if you see room for improvement.
7. After some time with the new boss, evaluate your current role, your opportunities for growth, and your job satisfaction. If you are not making progress on your career path; your relationship with the new boss is not working out, or you just don’t feel like you ‘fit’ anymore. Consider leaving and getting a new job/career, starting a business, or going back to school. If you do decide to leave, make a strategic exit plan.

Most of all, see this transition as a time of growth for you - a time to take inventory of your career. It may be a wake up call or just the ‘kick’ you need to make some new or different decisions for you.
 

Did you know - have you heard …

September is International Update Your Resume Month!
The month of September has been designated International Update Your Resume Month by Career Directors International and the National Resume Writers’ Association.
Now that you know… why not dust your resume off - open up that file folder on your computer marked ‘Resume’ and take another look at it? You may not be looking for a job right now, or anytime soon; however, it is always beneficial to have an updated resume. Promotion and job opportunities usually come up when we are not as prepared as we would like to be, and then find ourselves scrambling for information to put on our resume. Unforeseen company changes can happen to anyone. Be prepared with a resume that speaks to your ‘value add’ to your company…or a new company.
Let me help you here…if your resume still has an ‘Objective’ statement at the top - or “References provided upon request’ at the bottom… then it is past time to update your resume.
Here are 7 tips to help you update your resume….

1. New Job: do you have a new job or two to list? Add in your new jobs with titles, dates, and 3-4 accomplishments. Review your entire resume to make sure all jobs are relevant - it may be time to take off that entry level job from 1993?
2. Make a list of new skills that you have learned. Have you increased your social media skills; learned new computer programs or software; become proficient at handling a new piece of equipment or mastered a process?
3. Have you attended workshops, webinars, podcasts, or conferences where you learned new skills or were taught a new way of doing something? This can include interpersonal skills such as ‘communicating with customers’ or ‘conflict resolution’? Make sure to annotate the title of the event, the dates, and the sponsoring organization or agency.
4. Have you been asked to speak or represent your company at an event or conference? Did you create a presentation or briefing? Have you contributed to a company/national/international publication or written an article on an industry-related topic? Or perhaps, you were part of a team that wrote/developed/created something. You may do these tasks and not realize the value they represent to a future employer.
5. Include any new honors, awards, certificates, or licenses. These are key elements that set you apart from your competition.
6. Did you get a ‘glowing’ or ‘excellent’ evaluation? Add a supervisor’s quote or reference ‘excellent evaluations’ in your resume.
7. Were you asked to lead a project or team? Highlight your leadership roles to demonstrate increased responsibility. Remember a leadership role can also occur outside of work.

 
Save Time: Keep a running list of your accomplishments, new skills, certificates, achievements, and kudos throughout the year. You are then prepared to update your resume at any time! In the industry, we call this a ‘brag book’.
Moving Forward: Take this time not just to review your current resume for updates, but to take stock and reevaluate your career growth.

1. Learn a new skill to add to your resume in the future. Consider earning a new certificate that develops or enhances a skillset. Even outside interests such as photography, blogging, or coaching demonstrate personal development.
2. Updated resumes are a great tool for discussing a salary increase. If you are like the majority of employees who did not negotiate an initial job offer, an updated resume helps provide ‘talking points’ to discuss future raises.  
3. Start a part-time ‘gig’. Consider consulting as a ‘side job’ if you have a very high level of expertise in your field and do not have a non-compete clause in your contract.

 
Don’t forget to add all of your newly discovered information to your LinkedIn profile!
I’d love to hear from you. How often do you update your resume?