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. 🚙
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📄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? 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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