Eleanor Roosevelt - Dream

Eleanor Roosevelt, what a remarkable women, born in 1884, she was the longest serving First Lady of the US.  Serving as First Lady from just before the start of WWII and ending in 1945, not an easy time for the US administration or for women in politics.  

She believed in following her dreams, something we can all learn from.  For more info on Eleanor check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt

My quote comes from Eleanor this week and it seems only fitting that it is paired with the Grand Canyon.  Enjoy

Never Give Up

Job Hunting getting you down, take a break but don't give up.  Switch direction for a day or two.  If you have been focusing on job boards, switch to your networks.  Join some groups on LinkedIn. Start a blog and share it across your Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.  Try researching companies directly to see who is hiring.  Take an on-line course to upgrade/update your skills.  OR just take a break for the day and you'll be rejuvenated and ready to go again.

Good luck job hunting!
   

Ability, Motivation, Attitude

Three important traits to have when either looking for a new job or thinking about changing your career.

Resume Spelling Mistakes

Spell check is an amazing tool, but it has made us all very lackadaisical about proofreading our resumes.  Here are a few of my favourite errors that spell check does NOT pick up.

• Implemented enchantments to the Customer Billing System.   As much as I would like to think that there are developers out there who use enchantments to update their systems, I am pretty sure the word was supposed to be enhancements
• After 2 years was put in-change of the ...  this one should definitely be in-charge.  
• Updated widows on 20 desktops.  Sounds interesting, hopefully they meant windows
• 20 years experience on Linus.   When doing a key word search for Linux this resume won't get picked up.
• Over night years of experience.  Yes this is supposed to be eight.

Some of my other favourite errors include:

• Preformed or Performed
• Manger or Manager
• Onside or Onsite 
• Senor or Senior
• Revolve or Resolve

It is especially important to go over your key words in the resume and cover letter.  Companies scan for these words, if they aren't correct then they won't get picked up by the ATS (Automatic Tracking System).  Humans might ignore some of these errors but ATS systems won't.  They just scan and reject.  

No one likes proofreading and it is easy to miss something you have written.  You tend to skim more than actually proofread so this is when family and friends come in.  Ask them to ready (oops read) it and if they aren't sure to ask you for clarification.  

Would love to hear about your favourite spelling mistakes.

Good Job Hunting O:)

First Impressions at the 1st Interview and hopefully the 2nd and 3rd

First Impressions can make you or break you.  They are so important in setting the tone for the whole interview process and helping you advance to the next level.  Where you will be starting all over and again need to make a great "First Impression".

A first impression is exactly what it says.  This is the image that everyone who meets you, from the receptionist to the executive's assistant to the interviewer gets at first glance.  And yes it is often the first glance that sets the tone, before you even open your mouth.  The first impression starts before you even leave your house:

• what are you wearing
• make sure it is crisp and clean, depending on the job you don't necessarily need a suit, but dress pants/skirt and shirt (tie) are definitely the minimum.  DON'T dress provocatively .  
• don't use too much perfume or cologne, it can be overwhelming and the interviewer may be allergic
• make-up again keep it to the minimum, this is not a date
• YES - clean your shoes up.  You don't have to be able to see your face in them, but they shouldn't be covered in dust or dirt.

One final glance in the mirror and you are on your way.  I hope you are on time, being late for an interview starts the whole process off with a negative tone before they have even seen you.  Right away you have to fight back to correct their first impression of you.

You approach the office, you puff up your chest, straighten your shoulders and you are ready to knock them off their feet !!:

• oh gosh I need a smoke - yes it's a bad habit, but a lot of people still smoke.  Don't have a cigarette before the interview, if you are nervous try the nicorette gum.  Whether you agree or not companies frown on smokers nowadays.  So don't blow your chances before you even get in the door.
• get there early enough so if you have to you can make a quick trip to the bathroom to straighten up, put your subway blown hair back together, re-tuck in your shirt.  Take a few calming breaths.
• remember your first impression starts with the receptionist and progresses to the executive assistant before you even get into the interview.  Truthfully be on your best performance as soon as you walk in the door, the person sharing the space with you in the elevator may be the person you are being interviewed by.
• stand tall, don't slouch, walk with confidence
• SMILE
• if you have brought a portfolio, file folder or your purse keep it in your left hand.  This leaves your hand open for that all important firm handshake

The chemistry between you and the interviewer needs to ignite right then.  Next step is to wow them with your skills.

Good Luck Job Hunting O:)

Hot Job - April 2, 2013

Account Manager

Permanent Position - As a member of the Business Development team you will be required to build lucrative relationships with Retail Bankers in North America and grow our software business.  

If you have the following experience and would like to work for a dynamic company operating in the global market then send us your resume as soon as possible:  

• Expertise in the banking industry – an absolute “must have” – and expertise in retail distribution channels would be preferred
• Experience selling complex technology solutions into technical/architectural teams and to business executives
• A post secondary degree combined with on-the-job experience

Does your list of abilities include:

• Proven ability in developing and maintaining major accounts
• Source leads and qualify high potential prospects
• Demonstrated relationship building skills at all levels of the organization, including senior executive levels
• Flexibility to travel in North America (perhaps some international travel)
• A creative and independent style for managing customer and partner relationships
• Lead contract negotiations and close deals in a timely manner 
• Enjoys delivering presentations to business and technical teams
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in developing and executing product marketing strategies a definite asset
• Strong drive to succeed and operate independently
• Ability to think on your feet and adapt quickly to the needs of customers
• Integrity and an ethical, relationship-based approach to selling 
• Work closely with the Director of Business Development & Client Services to develop appropriate sales targets and effective strategies to meet these goals

If you are interested in applying for this position please send your resume in WORD format quoting job reference code #18158 to:

Lynne Carlson - lynne@carlynservicesinc.com

Hot Job - April 1, 2013

Virtualization / Cloud Readiness Specialist

Contract opportunity, located in down town Toronto. The duration will include 
3-4 weeks to conduct assessment, and some (unknown) months to implement. The 
Virtualization / Cloud Readiness Specialist will have:

• Access to a small network of like-specialists that they have worked with previously.  Looking for a team!!!

Experience includes:

• Virtualization / Cloud assessment experience
• Citrix & VMware
• MS Exchange
• DR-BCP
• Ability to implement 

Tasks Virtulization / Cloud team must be able to do:

• Providing a timely, practical, and valuable analysis of current Windows and Linux systems readiness for and applicability to cloud based platforming; based upon business requirements and industry best practices
•  Create a tailored set of Enterprise Cloud criteria based on business need and cloud capabilities
•  Develop a focused, independent evaluation of individual systems and applications and how they conform to Enterprise Cloud criteria
•  Determine application dependency mappings of the current production environment in order to assess the feasibility, timing and scope of a migration to the Cloud.
• Identify access requirements, external workflows and other items which need to be accounted for in order to successfully prepare for an eventual cloud migration.  

If you are interested in applying for this position please send your resume in WORD format quoting job reference code #367224 to:

Lynne Carlson - lynne@carlynservicesinc.com