15 Signs it May be Time to Leave Your Job

Like any job, there are positives and negatives. Good days and bad days. Some days you might ask yourself, “I wonder if I should start looking for another job?”, but other days you tell yourself, “No, I think I’ll stay put.” If this describes you, and you’re constantly going back and forth with what to do, here are 15 signs it may be time to move on:

1. You dread going to work
2. When you come home from work you’re irritable more often than not
3. You have trouble falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night thinking of work
4. Your job is making you feel down and somewhat depressed
5. You dread Sunday nights and the thought of going to work on Monday
6. You have no energy during the work week
7. You live for the weekend
8. Your employer or company doesn’t have the same values as you
9. You don’t find fulfillment in your job anymore
10. You have tried to grow in your career, but your job (or your manager) is not letting you
11. You contributions are not valued
12. Your colleagues or others at work are rude to you
13. The work environment is very negative and/or toxic
14. There have been several layoffs and/or turnover is high
15. You have a gut feeling something may be happening to your job

If you’ve checked off several of these signs, and you’ve even tried to remedy some of the situations, then it may be time to dust off your resume and move on. Change is always scary, but there comes a time when you need to look out for your well-being and for the future of your career.

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5 Important Reasons Your Resume Should be Up-to-Date

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If you're like most individuals, you do not have an up-to-date resume; however, by not doing so, you may regret it. Here are five important reasons why you should update your resume sooner rather than later.

1. If you suddenly lost your job, you have a resume ready-to-go. Case in point: a family member (and his coworker) were laid off unexpectedly. This family member had an up-to-date resume, and that same day, started applying for positions. Within one week, he had a job!

2. If you heard about a great job opportunity, but found out the deadline was only one day away, you would not panic and would not have to scramble to update your resume. 

3. Updating your resume regularly (at least once a year) will allow you to better remember facts, accomplishments, trainings, etc. The longer a person waits, the greater the chances of forgetting something important; something that could actually set you apart from the competition. You don't want to risk it.

4. With an updated resume, you will be documenting your career accomplishments on a yearly basis. These successes can be valuable tools in a performance review and could set the stage for a larger pay increase or possible future promotion.

5. Updating your resume will allow you to better assess and manage your career. Is your career headed in the direction you want? Are you still doing the same thing you did a year ago, but want to eventually move up the ladder? What do you need to do to reach your career goal?

Even if you really like your job and have no plans of changing careers, you just never know. Things happen. Companies get bought out. Bosses and coworkers change. Having an up-to-date resume is good career management, and if something unexpected happens, you'll be prepared. 

A Career Management Mistake Many People Make

Throughout the years as I've worked with job seekers and career changers, I have found there is one career management mistake that many people make: Not having an updated resume. Now you might ask, "Why is this a career management mistake, if I'm not looking for another job and have no plans of leaving?"

Career management is being forward thinking. While you might plan on staying in your current position for a long time (or forever), here are some important reasons to always have an updated resume:

1.  A sudden opportunity.  Sometimes the best time to look for a new job is when you're not looking. I cannot tell you how many times I have received calls from individuals who needed a resume "right away" for a great job opportunity they just heard about, but the deadline was only a few days away.

2.  It's easier to recall important facts.  If you update your resume once or twice a year, it is much easier to remember accomplishments (a large project, an initiative that saved money, sales numbers, a large problem you resolved, a training you attended, etc.). Note: when you attend trainings, seminars, etc., always save your certificates. They serve as documentation that you attended the event.

3. Your company may downsize.  Even if you love your job, things happen. With the downturn in the economy a few years back, I worked with many people who were laid off. I also worked with individuals who were not laid off, but the result of other people losing their jobs highly impacted their workload. The stress of managing all of their new responsibilities, plus the uncertainty of their own job security, prompted them to start looking for employment elsewhere.

4.  Your company could be bought out.  When there are mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, etc., in many cases there will be some positions that will be eliminated. While the elimination of these positions may not happen right away, it is not uncommon for some changes to take place after 6 months.

5.  Your company could go out of business.  Companies go out of business for many reasons: the economy, changes in the industry, technology taking over, fires, etc.

6.  You could get a different boss. Let's face it. There are some bosses out there who make your work life miserable. While you might have the best boss in the world right now, this can change. 

7.  You could get different coworkers. It's not always bosses that can make your work miserable. I've worked with people who have decided to look for a different job because of coworkers.

8.  If you're self-employed, one day you might not be.  Even if you are currently working for yourself, you might not always be. During the sluggish economy, I worked with several self-employed individuals whose businesses were impacted. The result? They decided to work for somebody else. Another time, one of my clients, who had been self-employed for 25+ years, decided he was tired of the self-employment world. He wanted to just got to work for somebody else, without having to worry about everything that goes into running business. Another client of mine who was self-employed, lost her husband due to cancer. She needed more income (and wanted health insurance), so she decided it was time to update her resume and look for employment with a company.

Career management is important. It essential to your overall career success. While it may be hard to think about updating your resume when there is no current need, it's important to be prepared, because you just never know. 

The Myth About Resumes

What's wrong with this statement, "I just need to update my resume and make it all shiny and polishy so I can get a job." 

As a career practitioner for more than 10 years, I have heard statements like this many, many times, but do resumes actually get you the job? The truth is, no matter how great you look on paper, if you don't interview well, chances are you won't get the job. Don't get me wrong. A strong resume is very important, because it will land you an interview, but it's the interview that will get you the job.

So, how can you increase your chances of acing your interview and landing a job? There are many components that comprise a strong interview, but based upon informal surveys I conducted in 2010 and 2013, there were four interview pet peeves that appeared in the Top 5 in both of these surveys. Here they are:

• Not prepared / not research the job or company
• Not asking any questions
• Promptness -- too early or late
• Being vague -- not giving specific answers

As mentioned, a strong resume is important, but it won't get you the job. It's a strong interview that will do that.

About the author: As a certified interview coach, Connie Hauer coaches clients on interview preparation, provides strategies on how to stand out from the competition, and helps clients polish their interviewing skills so they feel more confident. (Learn More) 
 

A Tip When Applying Online

Recently, I was one of three professionals who was invited to be part of a panel discussion at a professional development conference at a local university. During the discussion, we were asked to give some Dos and Don'ts during the application process. One of the panelist members stated, "If you are applying online and uploading your resume, be sure to 'clean up your resume' before you  hit submit."

The problem that often arises when applying online and uploading your resume is that words, spacings, tabs, etc. can be strewn about, making it difficult to read the resume. A suggestion I often offer to clients is after their resume is "ready to go," save the resume in a text format: a Plain Text, ASCII, or Rich Text format. Once it's saved, review it and clean up any extra spacings, tabs, etc. Save it again. Then, when you apply online, all you have to do is upload or copy that "text" resume into the system. Doing so will save you the time of having to clean it up each time you apply for a position with that particular resume. And, be sure to follow this procedure for each version of resume that you have. Good luck!

Should I list references on my resume? Three Reasons Why You Should Wait

As I've reviewed resumes throughout the years, I've noticed many include their references on their resumes. But, unless the job posting specifically asks you to list references, here are three important reasons why you should wait:

1. If you are applying for different types of positions (or in different industries), it's best to tailor your references for the type of position for which you are applying. For example, if the job you're applying for requires grant writing, and you wrote a lot of grants in a former position, then it would be important to include a reference who can testify to your grant writing skills.
2. It's important to give your references a heads up so they are not caught off guard, but if you list your references on your resume, you risk the chance of your references being called without you knowing it (or them being prepared).
3. It's also important to tell your references a little bit about the position. Decide what past skills/experiences you feel would be applicable to the new position and coach your references on what skills/experiences you would like them to focus on.

Timing is key when it comes to providing references. Wait until the potential employer asks for them. It will give you more control and will hopefully result in a stronger reference.

Will dropping off my resume in person improve my chances of being interviewed?

The landscape of job seeking has dramatically changed over the years, but even when most job postings ask you to apply online, will dropping off a resume in person improve your chances of being interviewed? 

This is one of the questions I asked when I conducted a survey of hiring and human resources professionals in the St. Cloud, Minnesota, area. Specifically, the question was, "If a candidate dropped off his/her resume in person, but the instructions were to apply online, could dropping off the resume in person increase the chances of being interviewed?"

Here were the results from the 61 people who responded:

• 67% -- No
• 18% -- Maybe/Unsure
• 12% -- Yes
• 3% -- Other 

Of the 12% who answered "Yes" it would help, a couple of their comments were:

• "If they are dropping off the resume to go with their application, that is fine and could be beneficial"
• "The best procedure would be to apply online AND then drop off the hard copy"

One who responded "Yes" had a "mixed" comment about dropping off in person:

• "If you have already applied online and given it a few days to a week, follow up in person by dropping off a resume can be helpful for the recruiter to put a face with a name. I know I don't mind that, however there are some recruiters that do not prefer in person because it catches them off guard."

Finally, there were several comments made from people who chose "No" ... dropping off your resume in person would not help:

• "It could backfire if the applicant doesn't follow the instructions, shows a lack of attention to detail"
• "Because they didn't follow directions"
• "I prefer the candidate to follow the procedure outlined in the job posting"
• "Our postings specifically ask to apply online"

So, if you're thinking about dropping off your resume in person, you need to consider the comments made and weigh the pros and cons for your specific situation. According to this survey, it could be a roll of the dice ...

Job Search Tips When You're Relocating

Every once in a while I work with a client who is relocating to another part of the country. One of their concerns is that their resume will be overlooked because they are currently residing in a different geographic area. Here are some suggestions to overcome this concern:

• Consider just using your name, email address, and phone number on your resume and omit the mailing address.
• Another option: If you have a relative or know someone in the geographic area, ask if you can use their address as a temporary mailing address for your resume. 
• If you do not know of anyone in the area, do some research and see if there is a business such as Mail Boxes, Etc. By using such a business, your mailing address will consist of a street address, along with a suite number that is associated with your mail box number.
• Consider purchasing a track phone from the area where you would like to move. This will allow you to use a phone number with an area code that is local to your desired new geographical area.

Finally, if you're looking to relocate, brush up on your telephone or Skype interview skills.  Many companies use these methods during preliminary interviews for candidates who are not in the area.

References vs. Recommendation Letters

Occasionally, I'm asked, "What is the difference between a reference and a recommendation letter?"

A reference is the name of an individual you provide to a potential employer, and the employer will contact this individual to find out more about your skills and experience if they are considering hiring you.

A recommendation letter is a letter written on your behalf by a former supervisor, business associate, professor, etc. The letter addresses your character, skills, and experience and is not addressed to any specific person or company; therefore, the salutation is generic, such as, To Whom It May Concern. 

Hint: Excerpts from recommendation letters can be placed in cover letters and resumes, and can be a strategic way to set you apart from other candidates.

Emailing a Resume

Question: When I respond to a job posting that says I should email my resume and cover letter, what should I write in the body of the email? I don't want to repeat what I've written in my cover letter.

Answer: That is correct, you don't want to repeat what you've written in your cover letter. It's important to be brief. Here's an example:

Dear Hiring Manager:

Attached please find my resume, cover letter, and references in response to your opening for a Sales Executive. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

janedoe@email.com

555-555-5555

P.S. Please visit my LinkedIn profile for a quick glimpse of my accomplishments and to view my recommendations: www.linkedin.com/in/janedoe

Two Ways to Benefit from LinkedIn Recommendations

Don't let your LinkedIn recommendations sit in your profile hoping that somebody will see them; use them to your advantage and market yourself! Here are a couple ways to set yourself apart when applying for jobs:

When Emailing Your Resume:
Be one step ahead of your competitors and use LinkedIn recommendations when emailing your resume. In the body of your email, state something like this: “Attached you will find my resume and a link to my profile on LinkedIn which contains recommendations from previous managers and coworkers.”

On Your Resume:
In the profile/summary of your resume, include a small subheading at the end of your profile. Here's an example:

Selected Excerpts from LinkedIn Recommendations:

"... well versed in customer service and office management ...
... grateful for her dedication to the department ...
... plays an important role in improving departmental policies and procedures ..."

LinkedIn recommendations are a great way to distinguish yourself. Utilize them to your advantage!

College Grads ... Is this you?

Recently, a 2008 college grad contacted me. After she graduated she secured a job, but it was for a position that was not related to her major (which was communications/public relations). While she was glad to have found a job during the sluggish economy, none of her current work experience relates to communications/PR, and she was concerned that since it had been two years since she graduated, she would not be very marketable.

My response to her was that there are steps she could take to gain more current experience. These were some strategies I suggested:

1. First, in your current job, are there any types of PR/communications duties you could initiate that would not only benefit your company, but enhance your skills? Examples: write a newsletter for your department's customers/clients, create signs/flyers, or develop a satisfaction survey and use some of the comments on your department's website. Think of other website content you could develop. Perhaps your department receives a lot of "frequently asked questions." Create a section on the website that addresses these questions.
2. Leverage social media and start blogging. You can create your own blog to write about industry-related topics. Then start a Twitter account and link tweets to your blog.
3. Join a community organization and volunteer to help out with PR/communication-type jobs such as writing articles for the newsletter, helping with the website, designing flyers, or planning events.
4. Volunteer for a nonprofit agency and specifically ask if you can help out with their PR/communication projects.

It's important to remember that taking on volunteer duties with an organization or with a nonprofit agency can open doors and lead to new opportunities. Not only will your resume be enhanced, but other people will see first-hand your skills and talents.

If you gain additional PR/communications experiences through volunteering, create a new section called "Communications/Public Relations Experience" or "Related Experience." Then list these experiences as you would a paid position. Include organization/agency name, title (e.g. Volunteer PR Assistant), and a list of accomplishments.

Don't feel trapped ... go out and find the experience!

Funny and Wacky Resume Blunders

It's hard to believe, but some people include some pretty wacky things on their resumes. When I asked hiring and HR professionals on LinkedIn to name a few of the worst resume mistakes (or strangest items) they've seen on a resume, here were some of their responses:

• When an applicant misspells "accurate" or "detail-oriented" on their resume
• The strangest thing I have seen was on the application form submitted with the resume. One question was: Have you ever been convicted of a crime? The answer: "No. I did steal a sports car once, but I was never caught."
• A candidate who in "other interests" listed live role playing and went on to describe, in minute detail, a particularly vicious battle where he killed a dragon.
• The worst typo was a candidate once gave an engineering shift manager as a reference but missed out the 'f'.
• The strangest thing I have seen was someone describing a jail sentence as a Government funded project!
• Had a 10-page, single-spaced, paragraph-form resume. First line on the resume talked about the person's attention to detail, so I thought I'd hit "spell check." Yup ... 11 misspelled words.
• I once received a resume with a picture of the gentleman in the top corner in his bathing suit, stretched across a rocky beach!
• I once had a guy write down his make and age of car, type of guitar he owned, type of music he liked to play, make of camera and types of photos he liked to take.
• The worst/strangest item I've ever seen on a candidate's CV was a dynamic picture that linked to a girl's faceparty page which contained a detailed description of how she hates work, loves taking drugs, and also had numerous pictures of her topless on the beach and in various bars.
• Had a recent college grad cite perfect attendance on her resume. Wouldn't have been so strange, except she was referencing elementary school!

The morale of this article: Always have someone proof your resume!

A Great Tip for Using LinkedIn Recommendations

Be one step ahead of your competitors and use LinkedIn recommendations when emailing your resume. In the body of your email, state something like this: “Attached you will find my resume and a link to my profile on LinkedIn which contains recommendations from previous managers and coworkers.”

Take advantage of your LinkedIn recommendations and get noticed!

Help! I'm not getting any interviews.

When you're not getting any interviews, it's time to take a closer look at your resume. The job market is very competitive, so your resume needs to be as strong as it can be. When job seekers come to me for assistance, I almost always find that they have listed their basic job duty, but never showcased what they accomplished in that job duty. I can't stress this enough, and I say this in many of my blog posts--accomplishments set you apart from the competition. When you write down a job duty, ask yourself, "So what? Did I save money? If so, how much? Did I streamline procedures and boost productivity?"

There may be other reasons you're not being called for an interview: not enough experience, too much experience, an ineffective resume format, or a resume that does not use compelling language (or one that's lengthy and hard to read). If you feel you may be overqualified or if you feel your resume format may be ineffective and hard to read, then you may benefit from seeking the advice of professional resume writer. If you're a new grad and have a limited amount of experience, then stay tuned for an upcoming post on ways to gain more experience.

Students: How to Get Experience When You Don't Have a Job

You need experience to land a job, but how can you gain experience when you don’t have a job? As a student you most likely have secured “related” experiences without even knowing. Here are two ways to pinpoint those experiences:

1. CLASS PROJECTS. Throughout your coursework, you undoubtedly worked on individual projects, group projects, or conducted research. These types of experiences can be included on your resume under “Related Experience.” Here are a couple examples I wrote for students:

Marketing Product Analysis, College Name – Fall 2008
*Researched student market and pinpointed buying patterns/preferences for well-known energy drink; developed a marketing strategy that would boost sales to the student market.

Tourism Development Plan for Small City – Spring 2009
*Collaborated as a group of five to analyze and develop a tourism plan for a small city.
*Interviewed business officials, examined seasonality of attractions, and developed a 35-page report to improve marketing efforts and increase tourism dollars.


2. INVOLVEMENT WITH ORGANIZATIONS. As I’ve worked with students throughout the years, I’ve found that most students only include the name of the student organization, but fail to showcase what they accomplished while a member of the organization. If you were active in student organizations (or even volunteer work), many of these skills are transferrable. Here is an example I wrote for one student:

Organization Name – Title – Fall 2008
*Raised over $4,000 over summer/fall semester by supervising fundraisers and motivating volunteers; developed an improved method of tracking inventory to boost future food fundraisers.
*Increased membership by 12% during fall semester; executed recruitment campaigns including presentations, designing brochures, interviewing candidates, and overseeing membership requirements.

Dig deep and uncover those hidden experiences!

Keep Those Performance Reviews!

Part of career management is to keep copies of your performance reviews. Excerpts from these reviews can be strategically placed in your resume and provide an immediate testimonial of your skills and talents. What an excellent way to distinguish yourself from the competition!

Keep Your Resume Current

In a recent interview Reesa Staten, a Senior VP at Robert Half International, stated, "A current résumé is an essential career tool - the longer it remains untouched, the harder it is to update, since specific achievements are not always easy to recall.”

I echo Reesa's comments. I cannot tell you how many times I have met with a client and am trying to uncover his/her accomplishments. I'll ask, "Think of a big challenge that you've faced, what action did you take, and what was the result?" Too often the response is, "Oh, I know there are some, but I can't think of any." Or, "That was so long ago. I can't remember." Keep track of your achievements and keep your resume updated. That way, if you hear of a job opportunity or if you become suddenly unemployed, your resume will be ready to go.

What greeting should I use in a cover letter?

Recently, a client contacted me with the following question, "If you are unsure of the hiring manager and only have the HR email and/or address of the company, who should you direct the cover letter to?" My response was that in situations like this, I address the letter to "Dear Hiring Manager." Another option is to contact the company and ask the administrative assistant; however, for larger companies the administrative assistant may not have the inside scoop on all positions. Therefore, my recommendation is to use "Dear Hiring Manager" to ensure no mistakes are made.

How Professional is Your Email Address?

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