Tandem Resumes

Discrepancies Between LinkedIn and your Resume

Kent Nolen — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:39:56 +0000

The debate as to whether or not one needs both a resume and a LinkedIn profile continues, despite the fact that each serves a distinct and important purpose. But let’s set that discussion aside and simply assume that you have both (as I recommend you do). I can’t even begin to count how many LinkedIn [...]

It’s All in the Process

Kent Nolen — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:04:41 +0000

Q. I really enjoyed your post on the value of the resume writing process. I am curious as to why you focused on the process and not the value of the resume itself. I mean, it’s the resume that gets you the job. A. I don’t claim a resume will get you a job. In [...]

Figuring Out Your Next Big Thing

Kent Nolen — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:52:37 +0000

“I need to change careers. What should I do?” I can’t answer that question. That is heavy lifting that you have to do. But that doesn’t mean I can’t help. In a recent post on the value of the resume writing process, I wrote about the clarity that a new resume can provide and how [...]

More on Listing Incomplete Education On Your Resume

Kent Nolen — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:24:25 +0000

Q. You recently wrote a post about not listing incomplete education on your resume. What if I only have a high school diploma or didn’t finish my degree. Isn’t it better to have something listed rather than no education at all? A. It depends. In many cases, I recommend not listing any education over listing an [...]

The Resume Length Cycle

Kent Nolen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:19:24 +0000

I say it often, but it is always worth repeating: regardless of your level of experience, the goal of a resume is to establish qualifications, pique interest and create some curiosity gaps – those questions that make readers want to learn more via an interview. In almost every case, a page or two is enough to [...]

A Powerful Question For Change

Kent Nolen — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:00:18 +0000

Change is difficult. As people, employees, family members – you name it – we’re conditioned to settle into a role and to stay put. Of course, this can be a recipe for disaster. If a particular role is not authentic, months and months of dissatisfaction can quickly turn into years and years of unhappiness. Then, [...]

The Value of the Process

Kent Nolen — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:26:18 +0000

I write a lot about the power of an outstanding resume. What I don’t frequently write about is the power of the entire resume development process. I strongly believe that the process can be as valuable – and possibly more valuable than – the resume itself. So why don’t I go on and on about [...]

Speaking To Team Accomplishments On Your Resume

Kent Nolen — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:29:48 +0000

“I am surprised you chose not to include ‘216% department revenue growth in 2012’ on your resume. Can you tell me your thinking there?” “I was afraid that listing that achievement would make it look like I am taking credit for the department’s success…” This is an example of a very common back-and-forth I have [...]

Career Booster

Kent Nolen — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:29:09 +0000

I am very happy to announce the arrival of my Career Booster package! The foundation of the package is my popular new guide: Beyond an Outstanding Resume. The guide provides clients with specific, actionable tools and steps for executing a multi-faceted career management approach that goes far beyond simply submitting resumes and crossing fingers. I provide support, ideas [...]

Listing MBA Next To Your Name On Your Resume

Kent Nolen — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:50:15 +0000

Q. Should I list my MBA next to my name on my resume? A. It depends. If doing so is common within your field or among your colleagues, yes. If not, leave it off. There are some academic designations that are almost always listed – MD, PhD and JD fall it that category. Listing an MBA [...]

Tell Me What I Don’t Know

Kent Nolen — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:29:02 +0000

I ask my clients a lot of questions. “How did the system you implemented impact the business?” “Do you have metrics to back up the statement that you grew the business over two years?” “Would you say the site redesign enhanced user experiences? Do you have analytics that support this?” As a professional resume writer [...]

Big Brother Employer and LinkedIn

Kent Nolen — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:48:49 +0000

I used to tell clients that it was a good idea to be on LinkedIn. Now I consider LinkedIn to be a core component of a comprehensive career management strategy. Having said that, there is a dark side to using the professional networking site – it can be very easy for your current employer to [...]

Listing Foundational Education On Your Resume

Kent Nolen — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:39:01 +0000

Q. I recently earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto. However, many of my credits were transferred from another school. Do I need to list all colleges on my resume? A. The standard is that you simply list the school from which you earned your degree. Easy! It [...]

5 Ways To Tell If Your Resume Format Is Tired

Kent Nolen — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:38:47 +0000

I’ve written many posts about the pitfalls of designed resumes, infographic resumes and other disruptive approaches to getting noticed. What I haven’t talked much about is the flip-side of the coin – a much more pervasive issue...

Listing Travel On Your Resume

Kent Nolen — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:06:01 +0000

Q. I’ve travelled a lot for work and pleasure. Does listing travel on my resume make me more marketable? A. Anything you place on your resume should be professionally focused, so if you are considering listing an extended vacation to Santorini, think again. However, speaking to professional travel and working with diverse audiences can be [...]

Resume or Marketing Document?

Kent Nolen — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:22:08 +0000

There are a lot of similarities between a resume and a client-marketing document, both are meant to establish your qualifications, pique readers interests and get you a chance to sell yourself in person. I work with a lot professionals who may be looking to secure a full-time position, but may also choose to look for [...]

Do You Have a Win File?

Kent Nolen — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:52:32 +0000

The New Year confetti has long settled and the turkey comas are a distant memory. So if you haven’t started a win file, you’ve no more excuses.

Position or Company First on a Resume?

Kent Nolen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:34:39 +0000

Q: Should I list my position or the company I work for first on my resume? A: Position first. Company second. Like so many resume “guidelines,” that is not set in stone. However, it’s the approach I recommend because while your employers are important, they do not say as much about your qualifications as your [...]

Never Too Late

Kent Nolen — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:25:11 +0000

It's never too late to start something new. Never.

Three Ways To Make Yourself Indispensable in 2013

Kent Nolen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:14:15 +0000

The term “job security” is so quaint that it could practically be the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting. In this new economy, if you want any semblance of job security, you’ve got to make yourself indispensable. Here are three things you can start to do to move closer toward that goal. Stay cutting edge [...]