​Have you ever done something that surprised a lot of people and seemed to go against everything that you or your business promoted? 

Have you suddenly quit a job only to be asked why?❓❓

When I suddenly left a ‘good’ federal job for a higher paying (albeit not as secure contract job), my co-workers thought I was crazy which a capital C. I had 10+ years of tenure. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. I left a position with no upward mobility in the short term, to accept a much higher paying contract position that took me in a whole different career direction. I became a Risk Reduction Manager on a very large Army installation. I briefed Army military commanders on the ‘risk’ statistics of their units. That launched me into a career as an Employee Assistance Program Manager (back in federal government service) at a higher pay level.🎉  

🚀I’ve done that again with my new course – How to Write Your Resume in a Weekend for Busy Professionals that launched this week. 

Even students in the Beta program asked me, “Why would a professional resume writer create a course that could affect their own income?”

It doesn’t make sense. 👀
But it was the perfect decision. 

💻I am helping MORE people by offering a very affordable resume writing program for jobseekers, new graduates, return to work parents, and those determined to write their own resume. My resume business has actually increased significantly at the same time. And the blessing is that now I have something for everyone. 

Sometimes doing things the same old way does not lead you where you want to go or help you to impact more people. Sometimes you have to get off the beaten path. Take the road less traveled. Explore new opportunities.

I have these conversations with my clients all the time. While we are talking about their career direction I often ask, “Have you thought about this…?  Have you thought about using all that knowledge and experience to become a trainer?  Have you thought about applying your skills in a different way in a different kind of job?” 

Many of my clients have made successful and rewarding career changes. Sometime you need turn your challenge on its head and look at it from a new perspective. 🎯

I want to say thank you to everyone who asked me ‘why’ because it clarified MY WHY which is a big part of my Resume Writing program – helping you discover your why. ❤

I’ve priced the Resume Writing Program at $197 for a Limited Time and the 10+ years of value packed inside this course is easily 10x that price. But that’s not the point. The point is making a course that is available to everyone who is dedicated, passionate, and even nervous about writing their own resume. 

So, next time you are thinking about making a job or career decision – make sure to take some time and consider your ‘Why’ and then make the JUMP if it is right thing for you and the right time. 

Since you’ve stayed with me to this point – here is a little sneak peek inside the course. I hope to see you inside – you’ll be glad you made the investment in your future, or for your graduating kids, or even for a friend or family member. You ALWAYS need an updated resume.  📄

Click here to get immediate access to my FREE Workshop that gives you a sneak peak inside the program: https://www.karavarner.com/3StepsResumeworkshop 💻

Can't wait to see you inside!

All my best, 

Kara

💻I’ve noticed an increase in the number of clients who are coming to me asking to create/re-fresh/update their resumes because there is an internal job coming open. It’s always great to have the ‘inside track’!
🎯What I noticed is that these employees are beginning to realize that they still must be competitive and bring their ‘A-game’ even when the job opening is in their own backyard (so to speak).
It’s easy to think that you are a shoo-in for an internal position, just because you already work there; however, that does not always mean you are at the front of the line.
🔝If you find yourself eyeing an internal position, here are a few tips to be ‘top of mind’ for your coveted position.
1.    Update your resume with your current job, make sure to include your achievements (if you know me, you knew that would be #1) and TARGET your resume for the new position.
2.    Make sure to include a cover letter with your application even though you are already an internal employee. So many candidates skip this step thinking it doesn’t matter. As I ALWAYS say, when you don’t send a cover letter, you miss an opportunity. In this case, you would miss the opportunity to show how your experience, training, and current job align with the new job, how you won’t need to attend orientation or be onboarded and express your loyalty and commitment to the company by wanting to progress there.
3.    Schedule a discussion with your current boss around the topic of the job you are interested in. Find out if your company has explicit instructions on when you should tell your supervisor you’re applying for an internal position. Some even require that you your current boss has to agree to ‘release you’. I once worked for an employer that was able to keep me for 45 days after I had accepted an internal position before I could start my new position. Once you know the policy, it’s best to verbally tell your supervisor. It’s not good workplace etiquette to blindside your boss or have them feel betrayed. It may not create the most ideal situation for you with your boss, but it is better to be upfront and respectful. Hopefully, you will find a new champion in your supervisor.
4.    Start building or adding to your referral network. Ask for referrals or recommendations from other managers, peers, or mentors in your industry arena.
5.    Utilize your knowledge of the company’s hiring process and practices (or learn them) so that you are sure to apply correctly, professionally (with all the right documents), and in a timely manner.
6.    Schedule a short meeting with your Human Resources Department (even if it has to be a Zoom meeting due to distance) to discuss the specifics of the job posting and garner as much information as you can. (This is usually more difficult, if not impossible for external candidates).
7.    If it is allowed, and you are able, schedule a meeting directly with the Hiring Manager and be prepared with specific relevant questions. If you already have some knowledge of the innerworkings of the department, then makes sure to reference that information when you speak. For example, “I noticed that you have increased your training program for direct sales reps, is that something that this position would be involved in?” This shows that you pay attention and have ‘insider’s knowledge’.
8.    Prepare for the interview (it’s usually rare that an internal candidate does not get an interview). Use all your research and groundwork you conducted to craft 5 to 7 questions, to include – ‘What would I be challenge with or hit the ground running with in the first 30 days?”
9.   Follow up after the interview and send a Thank you letter/email. It’s good etiquette!
10.  What should you do if you don’t get the job? Although you may be disappointed, maybe even upset, don’t let it show. Stay positive (speak positive) and hold your head up high. If it is allowed, ask for feedback from the Hiring Manager who interviewed you, so you are better prepared for the next time you interview. Remember, they may have already had someone in mind before you even applied.
Whether you are the one chosen or not, continue to cross-train, elevate your own position, take on new responsibilities, and continue to seek out new opportunities. 🎉

One day I received a phone call from a young man that asked me if he could meet with me for 10 to 15 minutes. He went on to say that he wanted to ‘interview’ me and find out how I liked being an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Manager and discuss what the work was like, and what credentials were required for the position. He had a great pitch. He explained that he was making a career change and a little information would go a long way in his journey.

I said yes, but that I only had 15 minutes. One and a half hours later, we had discussed everything and more about what he wanted to know about becoming an EAP. He had his questions ready and, I’m sure we digressed a few times, however, afterwards he thanked me, and I asked him to stay in touch. He later became an EAP.

This process has an official name, it is called an Informational Interview, and ever since I met with him over 10 years ago in my office in Virginia, I have been talking to my clients about the POWER and LEVERAGE of an Informational Interview. Surprisingly, very few people ever take advantage of this networking and R&D path that can garner them HUGE rewards.

So, let’s break it down:
What is an Informational Interview? Basically, it is talking to people and asking them about their job. Formally, it is a meeting between a person who wants to investigate and learn more about a career field and a person actually working in that career field.

What can be learned:
What the interviewee likes and doesn’t like about the job; how they got the job; what credentials were required for the job; what do they see being the next natural progression in their career, and how they go about doing the job. That is a lot of information to gain in one meeting don’t you think?

What’s else can you gain from an Informational Interview?

• Students can explore various occupations before committing arduous studies to a particular field or find just the ‘right fit’ for converting their interests into a paying job.
• Some people find that the job requires much more education, time, or labor than they expected.
• Sometimes, people discover that a job that looks ‘golden’ or ‘glamorous’ from an outside perspective is a bit more lackluster and intense. This happened to me when I was studying to become a Fashion Buyer/Merchandiser. I soon learned that most of the Fashion Buyers spent endless hours in offices with mounds of paperwork for orders and inventory sheets, while the more established buyers traveled to the shows in Paris. It seemed to be very stressful, with little upward mobility.
• Still others, find that their career goals are reaffirmed, and settle into their respective career path, having secured a mentor, friend, or networking contact in the process.

How else does an Informational Interview benefit you?

• You may find out more about the day to day (the grunge or highlights) of working in particular field.
• You may be able to focus your career goals now, switch paths if needed.
• You may discover careers you didn’t even know existed.
• You may get offered and internship or externship.
• You may get offered a job.
• You may make a networking contact that is invaluable to your career success in the future.
• You may gain experience in interviewing.
• You may gain an additional professional reference.
• You may gain a friend.

 
So, is it just as simple as picking up the phone or sending off an email? Well, no. There is some thought and strategy that should go into planning your informational interviews.
Here’s a few tips:

1. Make a list of the occupations that you would like to learn more about.
2. Research what companies have those types of positions.
3. Research who is in those kinds of positions at those companies (LinkedIn is a good source for this). You can also Google professional affiliations and associations that have professionals in your chosen career field (they usually have a list of members).
4. Research the type of job thoroughly and compose a list of about 7 to 10 questions that you REALLY want to know about the job. Don’t list salary at the top, but it can be on the list. A good way to ask this is, “What kind of entry level salary do you usually see for this type of position?” That way the interviewee and share what they want, if they want.
5. Reach out through LinkedIn or email or you can bravely use that older invention (the phone). Have your ‘pitch’ ready and keep it short. Ask to speak to them about their careers (do not ask for or allude to getting a job). You can explain that you are a student, career changer,  or leveraging your current career for your next career.
6. Make sure to tell them that you only need about 10 to 15 minutes. Truthfully, as I mentioned, I’ve seen these turn into hour long conversations and lifelong friendships being made. Now, that is not an expectation, but having a new contact in your life can never hurt.
7. If they need to get back to you, follow up once or twice and move on. When they agree, make sure to be prepared and ready to have a conversation about your career.

This is one of my favorite networking tools, though I know it can take a little more courage, once you have completed your first Informational Interview, I promise they will get easier!