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How Does Your Resume Stand Out? (in a good way)?  (No, really, we want to know!)

1.      Clean format with ONE FONT.

2.      List any awards, quotas, and metrics (to set yourself apart from others).

3.      No need for UNNECESSARY info. (No one gives a Sh%t, Helen, that you know CPR.)

4.      A Driver’s License is NOT a professional license.                                 

                                                                                                            –   Stephanie


1.      The resume shows and lines up exactly for what we are looking for (in a candidate).

2.     Has keywords that our system picks up in our search.

3.     Has a Statement/Objective section that shows what the candidate is looking for.

                                                                                                            –   Rob 

1.     Organization- Can I easily read through the resume? Does it look organized and follow a format all throughout? 

2.   Easily Recognizable Figures – The resume would have numbers, keywords, and examples outlining their success. I like to see your LinkedIn Profile URL, as well, it helps put a face to the name and verify their connections.

3.   Education/Certification – At the end of the day, you have to be able to fulfill the role. It helps if your resume is tailored to the basic requirements of the position. (You can have more than one resume for different roles you are applying for.)

4.     Evidence of Suitability to the Work Environment – I like to see some reference to your personality type, and how they have used that to their advantage in past roles.

                                                                                                          –   Catherine

1.     Neat and organized.

2.    (Show) Job Stability 

3.    Descriptive- I like to see what you actually did at your job, not just that you worked there. The more in-depth the better.

4.     Fit the job description of the position you are applying for.

                                                                                                           –  Jenn

1.      Easily read, one focus, one goal, and keep it simple.

2.     Use job titles that make sense: We know you think of yourself as a sandwich artist, which makes you feel more important, but if you are selling sandwiches, we aren’t buying.

3.      Your Objective/Summary should match what job you are applying for. “Help me, help you!” (I can’t help you apply for a sales position if your objective is to sell Miniature Crochet Turtle Hats on Etsy.)

4.      Don’t lie on your resume. We are like your mom, we always know.

                                                                                                          –   Christine

Like to improve, but not a clue where to start? We can help, ask us how.

Don’t assume that all industries have shut down. There are many industries that are now considered Essential Businesses and traditionally remote positions are recession proof. You need to attack the available positions with vigor. Many companies are still in the process of hiring, but are completing the interview process via Skype or Zoom. Many of us are gardening while in quarantine, so why not start sprinkling your resume, virtually, just like seeds? Sprinkle that stuff everywhere!

Make sure you have an action plan of what type of job you are hunting for and have a resume to match each position. If your most recent job is not on your resume, update it. Start a goal of applying to 5-10 jobs online each day. It’s a numbers game. The more positions you apply for, the better probability you will get an opportunity to score an interview. Don’t forget to answer the screening questions, because those who do not bother to answer are typically screened out. If you snooze, you loose!

Shed debt as you are able. Reach out to debt consolidators to help lower interest rates and consolidate your debt. The Apple card and other banks are allowing customers to skip a payment, but that only goes so far.

If there was ever a time to become the boss’ MVP, now is the time. Small business and companies are having to lay off employees. Make yourself indispensable so that you are Lay Off proof. Show up on time, perform your job well, be a team player and develop a reputation for being reliable, even if it is from home wearing your pajamas. A good track record makes it more likely that you will be kept on, when others are chosen for lay offs.

Get yourself a side hustle. Difficult times call for difficult measures. Find a remote part time gig that will give yourself a cushion to your paycheck or carry you through unemployment. There are plenty of freelance jobs you can do remotely. Who knows, you may like the 1099 world and not want to go back to the life of W2.

There is no point in having regrets that you didn’t plan better for a pandemic and it’s recession. An old African proverb says, “When you pray, move your foot”. Now is not the time to focus on what you could have done. The time is now to tighten up your budget and protect your family from contracting the virus. Prioritize what you need and cut out expenses that you don’t need. We understand that some governments may think Coffee Shops are essential business, but are they really?

If you have lost employment due to COVID19, you may apply for unemployment. Many states have extended benefits for those that typically have not qualified in the past, such as 1099 Independent Contractors. Check your local state unemployment website for the benefits that you may qualify for. Each state has varying COVID 19 relief.

There are small business loans that are being offered by the US Small Business Administration, such as Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDLEA) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Many small business think moving to a remote working model makes sense. We agree. There is much to learn, let us help.

1. 

   Times Square, NYC 3.19.20

   Who is moving to remote work?Facebook (FB), Google (GOOG), Twitter (TWTR) and Amazon (AMZN) have implemented remote working policies for many or all of their employees around the globe. Due to CV 19, more companies are sure to follow this trend to combat financial and socio economic hardships in the months to come. (CNN Business) Google, on Tuesday, asked North America employees to work from home through April 10, 2020. On Wednesday, a Google spokesperson confirmed that staffers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will also be asked to work remotely, until further notice. (CNN Business)
   Twitter, on Wednesday, updated its work-from-home policy from “strongly encouraged” to “mandatory” for all employees globally.

2. Will we lose productivity?

   A two-year study by Stanford University found that there was an impressive increase in work productivity among remote employees. The study included 500 people who worked both remotely and in a traditional setting. The study concluded that the productivity among home-based workers was equal to a full day’s work each week.

3. Will we lose employees when moving to a remote model?

   The same 2-year study concluded that remote employees were less likely to leave their company than traditional office employees. There was an overall 50% decrease in resignations amongst remote employees.

4. Does Remote Work increase absenteeism?

   The sick day is virtually non-existent for employees, when working remotely. Now, according to professionals, assuring the health and productivity of employees is a much more serious matter. With schools and businesses closing, parents need to be home to care for their children, while continuing to be a productive employee for your company. This benefit, now more than ever, translates to cost reductions and retaining a workforce. However, even during less trying times, employees who have more control over their schedules report finding more time to exercise more, eat better and have a higher morale and better outlook in general.

5. How will this save our company money?

   In 2018, there was estimated $5 billion in cost savings for U.S. companies that provided remote work for part time employees. The cost reduction covers real estate and operating expenses. The average company as referenced above is saving $10k per employee every year. (PGI News)

6. What is our competition doing about it long term?

   Remote work has grown amongst U.S. Companies by 91% over the last 10 years, and by 159% over the last 12 years.  It stands to reason that this percentage increase trend will rise exponentially in the US and Globally, due to the 2020 Pandemic. (Global Workplace Analytics and FlexJobs)

7. Will this remote model work for my company industry?

   Some industries have traditionally hired with the remote model for some time; however, more and more industries are joining the remote worker movement: legal, marketing, project management, real estate, insurance and nonprofits. Even if your entire workforce cannot work remotely, some can. (Business Insider)
   More and more companies think managing remote teams make sense. We do, too. We find experienced remote workers typically within 48 hours, ready to interview. Ask us how.