I want to let you know that I am taking a break for personal reasons and I don’t expect to be back at work until at least June 28th.

Many of you already know what has happened and I want to thank you for your outpouring of love and support. It is helping me to cope.

This is a very difficult time for me and I ask for your patience and thank you for your understanding.

If you need something urgently please contact Anne at Clever Streak.

Kirsty.

From now until the end of June everyone who books in for my Resume Writing Service is automatically in the draw for a $200 voucher of your choice for either Myer, Target or Westfield to go towards a fantastic new outfit to wear to your next interview!

What I LOVE about this comp is that it’s always been important to me to provide you with a complete job application package - which is the same reason why I automatically include a complimentary cover letter with all my resume packages, as well as a Tip Sheet for emailing your CV. How great would a $200 voucher be to top this off?

To be eligible fall you have to do is book in for my resume writing services (including selection criteria) and you are automatically in the draw.

Email me or call me on 0425 297 069 to find out more about prices and services (resumes, cover letters and selection criteria)

A while ago, I was so honoured to be interviewed by Jade Craven whose blog focuses on interviews with successful bloggers and has drawn in such names as Chris Brogan and Sarah Prout.

I have to say though, when Jade first contacted me to be interviewed, I was hesitant because I’m often asked to be a guest blogger etc but always find the task a little daunting. But when Jade sent through the interview questions, I was so impressed. Not only does she have a knack for asking the really important questions but she does so in a way that just made it so easy for me!

You can read the interview here Thanks so much Jade for the opportunity and the thoughtful approach you took in preparing the questions.

Email me or call me on 0425 297 069 to find out more about prices and services (resumes, cover letters and selection criteria)

The other day I received an e-mail from a client thanking me for the “expectional” cover letter and resume that I had prepared for them.

Because I am a positive person, I like to think he meant to say “exceptional”. However, when I get e-mails like this, I don’t laugh, I don’t even cringe … I just worry!

I worry that he is going to take a fantastic resume and cover letter and blow any chance that he may have had, by messing up his application the second he writes the accompanying email.

Other clients that have me worried are ones that send emails through saying “Thx for ur email but I dekided to write it myself”

(And no, I’m not exaggerating. Both of these are genuine ‘cut and paste’ quotes from client emails.)

Even if she had written ‘decided’ correctly, the whole Text message spelling of ‘Thx’ and ‘ur’ will pretty much guarantee that your resume will not even be opened.

And don’t even get me started on how many emails I receive that start “Dear Kristy”!

Personally, I’m not that uptight about it but some people take great offense when you spell their name wrong.

The thing is though, that I truly believe that all of these clients know that they have problems with spelling and grammar. But that doesn’t excuse laziness.

Any of the following options would have worked for them:

1. Use an Internet browser like Mozilla Firefox that has spell check

2. Dictionary.com for any words they had even the slightest doubt about

3. Copy and Paste the recruiter’s name if it is particularly long or unusual (and don’t forget a quick phone call is always needed for a gender neutral name like Jo or Chris.)

4. Ask me to write a simple email that you can cut and paste to go with future applications.

When you are attaching a resume and cover letter, there is no need to write a lengthy email to accompany it. Something as simple as this will work well:

“Dear Mr/Ms Surname

Please find my cover letter and resume in application for the position of [job title] attached.

Kind Regards,
Your Name”

A while ago one of my favourite bloggers, the Bra Queen, wrote this post on 25 things about her and challenged me to do the same! So here goes ….

1. When people ask how I learnt to write so well my answer is always the same “From reading!” (I was the nerd spending lunch time in the library instead of out on the playground)

2. In 2003/04 I spent 12 months living and working in the Yukon Territory, Canada where I survived a – 60 degree winter, saw the northern lights, grizzly bears, dog sledding and ate moose meat

3. I bought home the best souvenir ever – my gorgeous Canadian partner who I’m engaged to

4. Other cool places I’ve been to include Vancouver, Japan, Washington D.C., Kentucky, Chicago, LA and Disneyland

5. The hardest resumes I’ve ever had to type would be for clients applying for jobs with ASIO because they aren’t allowed to tell me if they got the job!

6. I don’t have any children of my own but I have 3 adorable nephews who mean the world to me

7. My favourite band is The Cure

8. My favourite food is ice-cream!

9. This Christmas I asked Santa for Donkey Kong Country Returns on the Wii

10. I’m counting down the days until the midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - can’t wait!

11. My favourite quote is “Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted - one moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip?” (Eminem)

12. I came in at around 12,000th in the Bridge to Brisbane (I crawled the last 10 metres)

13. I sometimes think writing resumes would be a lot easier if I didn’t invest so much emotional energy into every single client’s job application. But for many people this is their best shot to land their dream job – how can I not take that seriously?

14. In high school I used to day dream about playing Netball for Australia (at 5’3 I don’t think I ever really stood a chance)

15. Every November I’m an official participant in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with a goal of writing 50,000 in 30 days (2010 I managed to make 23,000 words - not too bad!)

16. My favourite current TV shows are How I met your Mother, Castle, The Amazing Race and Criminal Minds

17. I rarely listen to the radio but have been known to sit in the car in the driveway for an extra 10 minutes listening to Hamish and Andy finish a segment

18. I think writing 25 things about yourself is a lot!

19. One day I hope to go and visit Roald Dahl’s writing hut in the UK

20. I am scared of Magpies, heights and not getting enough sleep

21. My favourite past time is Geocaching

22. If I wasn’t a Resume Writer my dream job would be a novelist or a graphic designer

23. My first job was reading picture books to kindergarteners while the teachers took their break

24. My favourite workout is Boxing

25. I’m left handed

I wanted to say a big Thank You to all my lovely clients who have emailed me to see if I was affected by the floods. Fortunately I was not in a flood affected area apart from some difficulties with phone connections, which have since been resolved.

Also because I’ve had a few enquiries about assistance for those who’ve lost their jobs as a result of the floods, I have decided that while I’m donating $20 per resume (for as long as needed) I would ask you to email me directly if you need help with a resume if you have lost your job as a direct result of the floods. If you have not been affected by the floods, you might want to ask about my DIY package as a great alternative to my full writing service for those looking to save some money.

Email me or call me on 0425 297 069 to find out more about prices and services (resumes, cover letters and selection criteria)

It’s Melbourne Cup day and I’ve just placed my bets. Personally I like to play the odds by choosing a favourite, but not the favourite, and increasing the odds of not only winning but getting a higher return for my money. Of course, it’s still gambling and for me, just a bit of fun.

When it comes to your job search how do you play the odds?

Consider the initial (and at times the only) contact you will have with a potential employer is how you present yourself on paper. Do you:

A) Quickly type something up and send out to hundreds of employers and play the odds?

B) Take a considered approach, work with someone who can help draw out your best qualities, make sure your presentation is immaculate and then target applications to suit the company you want to approach?

Of course, I can’t guarantee success for any one particular job because there are too many external factors - employers can change their mind and go with someone in-house or  recruiters might not be willing to budge on one small skill where you lack experience - but I sure as hell can increase your odds!

“If we do what is necessary, all the odds are in our favor. ” - Charles Buxton

Side Note: Turns out my Melbourne Cup strategy is as effective as my resume writing strategy! Thank you Americain for the extra $120 in my pocket

I have many Resume clients who felt they had aced an interview until they got to that awkward final question when the recruiter asks “Do you have any questions for me?”. Here is some great advice from Scott Ginsberg (aka That Nametag Guy) that I wish I had heard years ago!

In my last post I shared my gratitude to Jade Craven for her interview with me on my Resume Writing services.  Since I wrote the blog and posted the link to her interview, I have had a huge increase in the number of requests for resumes.  Naturally, I wrote a short email to Jade to thank her.  I was then pleasantly surprised to find a message from her on Twitter to let me know how my thank you note had brightened her day and had inspired her to create a video on the ‘Art of Saying Thank You’.

This got me thinking about how saying Thank You can help YOU in your job search.  Three simple, but powerful, ideas came to mind.

1.  After an Interview: If you have just finished a particularly successful interview and know that this is a job you would love to get, sending a personalised, thank you email to the interviewer can be just the thing to separate you from the other interviewees.  It doesn’t need to be long but it does need to be immediate and should be sent as soon as you return home from the interview.  Don’t forget to mention any key points that came from the interview that you would like to reinforce.

2. On Recommendation: When you meet someone who says they might know someone who is hiring in your field you will most likely exchange email addresses.  Rather than just sitting back waiting to hear from them (and then sending an aggressive and pushy email when you don’t) you want to make sure you send them a thank you email them straight away.  Always mention who you are, where you met them and what sort of work you are looking for rather than assuming they remember.

3. After Cold Calling: Cold calling can be hard work but in some industries it is still one of the most effective job search techniques.  However, knocking on door after door and hearing ‘No thanks’ time and again, it’s always great to finally hear someone to agree to read your resume, even if they don’t have anything on offer right now.  Whenever this happens always make sure you ask for a business card so that you can email them as soon as you return home.  Remember business owners often network with others in the same industry and a Thank You email may be just the thing that will cause them to recommend you to another employer who might be looking for someone with your skills.

REMEMBER: Texting and job searching NEVER go hand in hand, always send an email, never a text message.

Last week I had a call from a new client, who wanted to use my Resume Writing services, not for himself, but as a gift for his newly-engaged daughter, and her fiance. In his words, he wanted to purchase this, as an engagement present, “for their new lives together”.

I was so touched by his thoughtfulness, I couldn’t help but ask him where he got the idea from to do this and he told me that he never forgot, when years ago, one of his favourite Uncles paid to have his resume written, when he was starting his career, and what a difference it had made to his life.

In my last post, I blogged about ‘Savvy Aunties’ day, and offered a discount for Aunties everywhere. Not only for Aunties themselves, but as a great graduation gift for their nieces and nephews.

These two events combined got me thinking about what a truly, amazing gift this is. I don’t know about you, but before I worked in recruitment, the only place I had learnt how to write a resume was from my high school English teacher. While he was great at Shakespeare, teaching resume writing was really just another job he was ‘lumped’ with. I’m sure he did the best he could, but knowing what I know now, I can tell you that he really didn’t have any clue.

If you are reading this, and thinking this could be a great gift for someone in your life, I am more than happy to help out. Ideas could include:

1. A graduation gift
2. For a friend who is having a hard time getting out of bed to go to a job she hates
3. For your friend who has just lost his job and is feeling down
4. If you are grateful for your own opportunities and want to give to someone who is in need (I do provide free resumes to charity organisations - especially job seekers with a disability and am always happy to receive to donations. E-mail me to find out more)

and, of course,

5. One of the best gifts you could ever give yourself!

One thing I can tell you about my resume writing service, is the look of total CONFIDENCE in job seekers, when they receive their new resumes. More than anything else, this gets me every time.

Confidence, IS the hidden secret between successful and non-successful job seekers.

Why not give me a call today, or send me an e-mail (contact details to the left) and find out how I CAN help you, your loved ones …. or even a total stranger, in a time of need!

You’ve probably heard the saying “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime”

This truly is, one of the greatest gifts.