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There was a duck in the road - well technically it was a Canadian Goose. A few days ago, as I turned the corner about half a mile from a pond where the geese tend to gather and swim (for you Colorado Springsters - the corner of Chapel Hills and Jamboree across from the 21C Library), suddenly there were at least 20 Canadian Geese in the road and on the side of the road. 🚙

I was able to maneuver around them; however, I noticed that most cars did not slow down as they passed. It seemed there could be a very bad accident here. My youngest daughter was VERY concerned about the geese. We fretted for a few minutes, went up to the stoplight and I did a U turn to go back and figure out how to get the geese out of the road.

On the way back we discovered 2 geese had crossed the street and now were on this side again in traffic. I immediately started honking my horn until they got up on the curb and onto the lawn in front of the library. I did another U turn and started honking my horn, pulled over onto the shoulder and honked until every single goose had stepped up onto the curb and into the grass, while cars swerved around me.

Once our mission was successful, we slowly pulled away. Now, I had no way of ensuring that they didn't go back into the street or try to cross again, however, I had played a part in letting them know that they should not walk in the street. This particular day, I had to have patience, I had to acknowledge my fears of what could happen, I had to think on my feet (so to speak) and I had to make a deliberate effort to communicate through action and then I stayed the course until the mission was complete. Every goose was on the grass, at least for now.

This effort is a lot like your job search - You see a challenge - getting the job.

You feel you've done all you can do, and then you realize - maybe you can do more.

Maybe you should do a U turn and go back and revisit the situation.

Can you do more?

For example,

✅Do you modify your resume for each job?
✅Do you modify and target your cover letter for each job?
✅Do you follow up with HR?
✅Do you check the company website for jobs not posted on job boards?
✅Do you identify key players in the organization and connect with them on LinkedIn?
✅Do you schedule Informational Interviews - if you don't know what those are click here: ✅Do you ask for letters of reference?
✅Do you prepare for virtual and in person interviews?
✅Do you utilize all the services your city/state has to assist with job preparation?
✅Do you understand your Value Proposition?
✅Do you have positive energy and enthusiasm?

The situation I came upon required me to acknowledge the situation (geese in the road), for you, think - job you applied for.

Make sure all your ducks are in a row (pun intended).

Is it time to circle back and see if there is more that can be done?

Until next time,

Kara

📄Have you ever made the list?

It’s a hidden list, not many are privy to it.

Some don’t even know it exists, but I’ve seen it.

I’ve even been on it. ‼

Sometimes it’s just a mental list that one or two people keep track of. Are you intrigued?

🎓🎓🎓It is a list of employees in the organization (or that have applied for a job) that are ‘overeducated and/or overqualified’. I had never heard of the term overeducated before; I didn’t even know it was a thing. But I had made the list at an organization where I was already working below my value, my credentials, and my contributions. That happens a lot to military spouses, as we move around and must find a new job, rarely do we walk into a promotion.

When a position came open at this organization, some careless supervisor had left a list laying around of internal employees who had applied. The list had about 10 names on it, all with one or two words next to each name such as… not dedicated, no degree, annoying, and next to my name was written ‘overeducated’. It was not lost on me that I hold a master’s degree and the person doing the hiring had a bachelor’s degree.

So, the question begs to ask, and has been asked of me many times by clients with advanced and multiple college degrees – “Should I dumb my resume down?”

Personally, I don’t care for the words ‘dumb down’, I think it insults both the candidate and the employer. I refer to modifying education and credentials as ‘reworking and precise targeting’. This process does not just apply to education, it can also include progressive career experience, skills, and certifications. Why would anyone want to do this, you might ask. Well, as is the case with many things, sometimes there are reasons, but are they valid?

Here are some thoughts around ‘reworking and precise targeting’ your resume to consider:

✅Omitting job experience that is not relevant, short-lived, and does not create a large gap in employment on a resume that is constructed in reverse chronological order, dating 10 years back, would be acceptable. Rather than leaving off ‘gap filling jobs’ you can also just list the title, the company, and the years of experience with one or two context sentences or achievements.

✅Leaving off unrelated certifications may leave space for additional hard-hitting accomplishments.

✅You may consider taking a Ph.D. off a resume so that you are not considered ‘overeducated or overqualified’, however, you will need to list the degree on any official application. I’ve worked with many clients who have advanced degrees, are entering the last chapter of their professional careers, and no longer want to maintain all of the responsibility across the whole organization (Golf anyone?).

Another way of positioning this information would be to leave the degree on your resume and state in your cover letter any type of career transition you may be making. For example, if you are a VP and wanting to make a career shift to less responsibility or a servant driven role, or even become a consultant, you can relay this in your cover letter.

Keep in mind that your resume is a marketing document, so you are free to express your experience however you like. However, an application for employment is a legal document that you sign and that requires full disclosure.

❓What are your thoughts about reworking and precise targeting?

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Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

8/5/2022

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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

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Get your Geese in a Row

August 12th, 2022

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

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