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Do You Know What it Takes to Succeed in a Job Interview?

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:31:47 GMT

What is the Likeability Quotient?

By www.ExpertResume.com - Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC

The truth is, people hire people they like. Yes, experience and education matter, however, the clincher is did you connect with your interviewer?

Some factors make people more likeable than others. However, the good news is that there are all types of people and all types of winning combinations. The first piece of advice is to know who you are and what makes you happy and then be yourself. That said - some characteristics are more favorable and in general more likeable.

Likeability includes many features. Some things you can control. Some you cannot. However, the following thoughts are concrete ways you express your likeability. You may say to yourself, that these things are just basic common sense. True, however you may feel affirmed as you read and remind yourself that yes, you are on the right track. Yes, you do these things. Yes, you are giving yourself your best chance to land the job you want.

Dress for success. For most jobs, a clean-cut look is best.

Arrive on time.

Be prepared and carry several copies of your resume with you. Hand each person a copy of your resume. You want everyone to feel included and to be literally on the same page…your page.

Be prepared and do your research. Know about your potential new employer. Think about who you are, and how you can contribute or benefit this new company. Think ahead of how to present your skills as solutions to potential or real problems. What can you do to help them?

Take note of the names of everyone you meet and make sure you have the correct spelling of their names. If you can - get one of their business cards. It never feels good to have your name spelled or pronounced wrong.

Send a Thank-you note to everyone you met in the interview process. Hand-write your Thank-you notes. Buy and use professional looking Thank-you cards. Write and speak directly to each person you talked with. Speak about something you discussed. Be sincere! Insincerity is a big turn off and never helps you.

Smile - Using your smile muscles increases your mood and the mood of the person with you.

Thank people in person for their time and then restate some of the positive things you talked about with your interviewer.

Many of these things you already know. This is just a gentle reminder. It is so easy to forget if you feel stressed in your job search. Even if you don’t get the job, the good will you are creating is character building. Who knows, you may get a referral or better yet, meet a new friend.

Even if you don’t feel like doing these things, if you take the time and effort to do them anyway, it has an amazing effect on the way you feel. You may find yourself feeling better, more positive and that in itself will boost your confidence and possibly create your own personal “hire me” atmosphere.

Make sure you want the job. Make sure you show how you helped your previous employers. State your achievements in tangible ways in your resume and other job search documents. Choose the right words and format. Your resume, cover letter and other documents represent you. They must shine - just as you do!

This is not a time to be shy. Present your work history in a polished, well-written and professional manner. Invest in your resume, cover letter and other job search documents. You are talking about your future. You count. Someone out there is looking for you. Help them find you. You must stand out from the crowd.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. Think about hiring Bob to write your resume, cover letter and other job search documents. Why? Because you matter and you deserve your best chance to land the job you want.

Consider calling Bob today (864-292-5288). Move toward your best future with your own professional, top-notch resume, cover letter and other job search documents.

Bob and I wish you the best in your job search. Make 2012 your best year ever. Call Bob today and get started with your professional resume, cover letter and other job search documents.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters Degree in Education-Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com
www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

www.OneHeckOfaResume.com

Take a Time Out and Listen for Your Inspiration

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:02:33 GMT

Are you Available When Inspiration Knocks on Your Door?

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com, www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com and www.OneHeckOfaResume.com, Greenville, SC, and Serving Clients Nationally and Worldwide

Sometimes taking time out to “let go” can feel like climbing Mt. Everest. A big challenge - especially if you feel stressed with job loss or job dissatisfaction! However, taking a time out may be just what you might consider if you want to hear the soft knock from your inner voice. When inspiration calls on you - Be open, ready and willing to listen. You accomplish this by sitting quietly and opening to what you feel and what you think. Gently be present with yourself.

I understand how difficult this exercise can be, especially during challenging times. You may find it difficult to let go and be present with how you feel, because your feelings may not feel so good. However, when you are present with how you feel, with all your feelings, you are opening and allowing inspiration to eventually inspire you.

Deep breathing, relaxing music, and stopping what you are doing - all of these techniques and avenues to letting go may help. Stopping may not feel easy. Stopping may feel like a waste of time. You may feel like you need to get into gear and get your job search going. Setting and achieving goals is part of your answer, however, a part of achieving your goals also includes a time for “letting go” and listening, listening to your own inner small and sometimes very quiet inner voice. There is a fine balance between work and letting go. Consider “letting go” as an achievable goal. Framed this way, letting go may feel achievable and you may find yourself more inspired to stop, and listen.

When you take the time to stop and listen, you may hear your inner soft knock of inspiration. Listen. You may get a small idea that turns into a right idea for you. You may receive a hunch leading you in a slightly new direction that is the right direction for you.

When your inner opportunity comes knocking - be ready, willing and waiting to answer the door! Follow even the smallest of inspired ideas and watch your life take on new dimensions. Ask yourself these questions:

“What do I have to learn right now?”
“What is best for those I love and me right now?”

Consider waiting to hear your personal answer.

If you feel overwhelmed with your feelings, be courageous and seek professional help. That is a sign of strength and can do you a lot of good. Make sure you find someone who is gentle, trained and feels right for you.

Make sure your resume, cover letter and all your other job search documents are professional. You must shine. You must stand out from the crowd.

Of course, you need to master your interviewing ability and you must have professional and well-written documents to help you get the job you want.

Are you internet savvy? Are you LinkedIn? We can help you with those online sources too.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter of other job search tools, call Bob at 1-864-292-5288.

Bob and I wish you the best in your career search. Achieve on! Land the job of your dreams.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Master’s in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com, www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com and www.OneHeckOfaResume.com, Greenville, SC and Serving Clients Nationally and Worldwide

Master Tough Experiences, Interviews and Land the Job You Want

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:29:10 GMT

Build Your Self Confidence with Self Knowledge – Master the Interview – Transform any Perceived Flaws into Assets

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com and www.OneHeckOfaResume.com

One of the problems of losing your job or feeling dissatisfied with your current position is that you may doubt your skills and abilities. Don’t worry, this is a normal part of the process, unless you are one of the very few, and I mean very few people who are devoid of feelings.

This is probably not you, so let’s look at your bank of skills and see if you or any one you know has possibly called one of your assets a problem. This happens occasionally, and it is important for you to reframe a false impression into a positive framework and positive skill you have to offer.

Let’s look at a few examples.

Cautious – reframe this attribute as your meticulous ability to gather information before you make a rash decision.
Confrontational – reframe this skill as your willingness to meet problems head on and find workable, mutually respectful solutions.
Perfectionism – reframe this sometimes-misunderstood skill and see you being conscientious, detail oriented with great follow through – Are you super accountable?
Not communicative – reframe this sometimes-misunderstood asset and see your ability to listen and observe.
Demanding – reframe your high standards as evidence of drawing the best out in yourself and your job.
Radical – reframe this judgment as possibly adventurous, creative, risk taking, open to new ideas and new ways of doing the same old thing. Most new ideas meet at first with dissent and are label as radical.

You are probably getting the idea. Sit down, brainstorm, and transform any negative experiences or labels into positive assets you or someone else may have falsely placed on you.

Yes, there are times to learn from your mistakes, and please do not miss out on that great opportunity, if this happens to be true. We all learn, and often learn our best and most valuable lessons from our mistakes. That is the attitude and agenda of winners. However, if you have misjudged yourself, or someone else misjudged you, it is important for you to reframe any label and see your assets in a positive light. When you have this kind of internal knowledge, you can more easily master any interview, even a tough one.

Make sure your resume and cover letter are the best they can be. Hiring is coming out of a slump, so you may have more competition. No worry, just make sure you put your best foot forward and land the job of your dreams. Make sure your resume, cover letter and other job search documents are the best they can be.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents like LinkedIn feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288.

Bob and I wish you the best in your job search. Our hope is that you land the job/position you want.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters Degree in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume and www.OneHeckOfaResume.com

Optimistic Executives/Managers

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:44:23 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed.(Master's Degree in Education - Vocational Counseling), JCTC(Job and Career Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com and www.OneHeckOfaResume.com

A survey indicates executives are cautiously optimistic. Manufacturers are choosing to cut operational costs rather than laying off employees. Many companies are looking for ways to expand their market with new product development. Reaching new customers and increasing product demand remain a challenge; however, companies continue to face the challenge. Companies are continuing to invest in research and development, capital improvement, skills training, green programs, and risk management. Executives also face the following challenges: loan and credit availability, business taxes, trade policy, foreign competition and complying with government regulations.

Research reveals that executives are more interested in finding companies that are a good match with their values.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. Make sure you shine in your resume. If you have any questions about your resume or cover letter, call Bob at 1-864-292-5288.

Bob and I wish you the best in your career development.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume and www.OneHeckOfaResume

A Great Asset in Interviewing - Listening

www.ExpertResume.com — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:53:30 GMT

Listening – A Genuine Asset in Interviewing
By Sandy Prock M.Ed., Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Are you one of the few people who really know how to listen? Great listeners naturally elicit good will and set a stage for collaboration. They set themselves apart. There has never been a more important time for you to stand out than now.

Good listeners know how to mine for the essential and important details in a conversation. They invite genuine communication, understanding and good will. People hire people they like.

The key to good listening and communication is curiosity and authentic interest. Show your interest with affirming behaviors and facial reactions. That comes naturally if you are authentic and you care. There is a side benefit to great listening; it reduces the stress of interviewing.

Focus on the company. Discover their goals and objectives. Learn how you can help them solve problems and reach their goals.

When you focus on something outside of yourself, you feel less stress, because you are thinking about something other than worrying if you get the job.

When the opportunity arises, ask open-ended questions. Ask questions that relate to what the other person said. To do that you must listen carefully to what the other person is saying. Engage in an ongoing conversation.

Dig for details in the interview. Important details give you more information about the job. Then, tailor your follow-up letters and later interviews with specific information related back to the initial interview. When you tie in your expertise with what the company needs, you place yourself in a much better position to land the job, no matter what your age. Show the company and the interviewer precisely how you will fit in and how you could benefit them. This promotes a genuine feeling of collaboration.

People hire people they like. Companies hire problem solvers and collaborators. Listening creates opportunities for great relationships. Listening and responding lead to connections that more easily lead to employment.

Be a great listener and help yourself cut through all the competition.

Make sure you have a top notch resume. You must shine. If you have any questions about the effectiveness of your resume, call Bob Prock at 864-292-5288. Bob is a national award winning resume writer. Put your best foot forward and land the job you want.

We wish you the best in your career and job search.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com (Creating Outstanding Resumes and Cover Letters for People Like You)

How Long Should Your Resume Be?

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:34:34 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Master’s in Education/Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Career Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

That is an easy answer. Your resume needs to be as long as it needs to be to represent you in your best light.

Job seekers sometimes worry too much if a resume should be one or two pages. Forget that worry. Focus on what you have to offer and finding a great match for both you and your new employer. That starts with an excellent resume and ends with you and your new employer agreeing that you are the one for the job. Words do matter and how you present yourself both on your resume and in your interview matter. Make sure you shine. Then go for it. Land the job that is best for both you and your new employer.

A resume is a sales tool…selling you. It is not just a piece of paper listing where you have worked. You need to sell yourself. You must present what you have to offer in an eye-catching way that is also sharp, concise, and informative. You must grab the attention of the person reading your resume. They may read hundreds, thousands, or resumes. You must stand out. You must generate an interest and a reason for your potentially new employer to want to interview you. You may be exactly the person they are looking for. Help them find you.

If a product just listed their ingredients, would you necessarily buy the item? Most people pay attention to how the product or service will benefit them first.

You must present what you have to offer your potential employer first. You do that by presenting your accomplishments, skills, abilities, education and experience. You must stand out. Everyone is unique and has a different combination of skills, abilities, accomplishments, education and experience. Most people have more to offer than they realize.

The old idea that a resume must be one page is outdated. First and foremost, you must have a resume that captures the interest of the person reading about you.

Think win/win. Think in terms of finding a great match. Then go for it.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions and are considering hiring a professional to write your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com.

Your resume and other job search documents are important documents. You matter. You must shine.

Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Job Search Ideas

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:28:31 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Career Transition), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Last week I met Patty, a young woman who told me about her job search experience (she gave me permission to use her first name). She said that she really wanted to work for a particular organization. Every week Patty would go in and check the job board in the office of the place where she wanted to work. She also talked to people and let them know how much she wanted to work with them. Patty’s consistent effort paid off. It took awhile, but when a job opened, she was the first person they called. Unfortunately, it was too late, because Patty and her husband were in the process of moving out of state.

However, Patty applied the same effort when she arrived in her new location. She walked into places where she wanted to work. She succeeded. She found a new job. Congratulations and good job Patty!

This takes courage and it works. If you are out of work, consider following in Patty’s footsteps. Go out, and seek the job or jobs you really want. Choose a time when they are not busy, introduce yourself, express your interest in their company. Ask if there are any job openings in your area of interest. Ask if you could leave your resume.

It helps to do your research first. Be prepared. You never know when an opportunity may present itself to you for an interview. Be prepared to talk to them about their needs. Be prepared to talk with them about how you might help them meet their goals. Look for a win/win.

Before you leave, find out the name of the person you talked with - ask for correct spelling if you need to - it is OK to take notes. Send a handwritten “Thank You” after your visit. Thank everyone you meet for his or her time and consideration.

Make sure your resume represents you well and that you stand out from the crowd.

Make sure you are up-to-date with LinkedIn and your other Internet online tools. If you have any questions about your resume, your cover letter, your Internet online job search tools or your other job search documents please feel free to call Bob Prock at 1-864-292-5288 or email Bob at ExpertResume@yahoo.com.

Give yourself your best chance of landing the job you want.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer.

Make sure all your job search tools are up-to-date, and outstanding. Then go for it. Land the job you want.

Bob and I wish you the best in your job search!

Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Transforming Your Executive Job Loss into Knowledge and Opportunity

www.ExpertResume.com — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:01:26 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed. JCTC, www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com (Co-Owner)

You are a leader, an executive, a CEO, CFO, or manager and you lost your job. As a leader, you may be used to the bumps and bruises of business; however, losing your job can be a different ballpark.

Even though you made many good decisions and were an effective leader, losing a job can and does happen. This is a part of many successful career trajectories.

You are entitled to feelings of loss, depression, shock, anger, or remorse; these feelings often precede positive change. Allow them to have a life and a voice. Your feelings, even the difficult ones, can deliver good and useful information for you and lead you in directions that can be even better for you.

In the title of this blog, I mention “opportunity.” That is true; however, first you must feel your very real and authentic feelings. Even you, the executive or manager, with all your experience, education and success need to permit yourself and commit to experiencing your deepest feelings. Feelings of shock, anger, remorse and depression are normal and healthy with any loss, including job loss. These feelings are a necessary part of your successful transition.

You may feel the pain will never end. It will – especially if you commit to feeling your feelings. Look to understand and learn from your experience. Like a lotus blooming in a pond, understanding will blossom for you from the muddy waters of pain and feelings of loss, if you commit to the process of feeling your feelings. Commit valuable time and energy to this work and you will feel energized and ready to create new opportunities based on your new outlook.

Take the lead in your life and ask yourself what you have to learn.

Write – Write in a journal or on your computer. Be honest. Honestly, express your feelings and thoughts. This will help you to untangle your confusion and help to release you from your difficult and negative feelings. The act of writing begins to distance you from your personal feelings and places you in a problem-solving mode. When you are in a problem-solving mode, you gain back your power and control. When you find a way to express your thoughts and feelings, you will eventually gain a new perspective. Honest sharing and exploration of the meaning of your experience increases your health and immune system. For more research and information on this, read “Opening Up, the Healing Power of Expressing Emotions” by James Pennebaker.

Turn your job loss into your personal and career development. Explore and discover more precisely the environment and work especially suited for you. Create a new definition of what does and does not work for you.

If you run into difficulty in this process, give yourself the gift of seeking professional help. Look for a caring and empathic therapist or counselor and get the help you need. You are worth it!

Feelings have a life of their own. Either you deal with them directly or they will deal with you and burst out at the most inconvenient times.

Here are a few additional tools to help you transcend your loss, and gain a wider and new perspective:

1. Recognize that dealing with loss is not easy. However, it is manageable.

2. Talk to a trusted colleague, friend or therapist. Make sure this person is trustworthy and will provide you with a safe and understanding environment. At first, you need a sounding board, rather than advice! In the process of your exploration, if you discover you made a few mistakes, no problem, use that information to create a new and better life experience. As you may already know, mistakes are a part of every successful life adventure, even for executives and managers. No one is perfect. Perfect is not real, and is not a part of healthy life and growth. “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.” Carl Jung

3. Take time for yourself – Meditate, pray, or do both. Research shows the effectiveness of both prayer and meditation to calm the mind. A calm mind clears the way for clarity.

4. Treat yourself to a massage, or a hot bath. Relaxation is a great healing and transformative tool. Let your worries go and just “Be." This invites your intuition to deliver personalized answers.

5. Deep breathing initiates relaxation; take a long 5 second breath, hold it for 5 seconds and then slowly release it for 5 seconds.

6. If you find your feelings are unbearable or you find it too difficult to recover from depression, seek professional help. You are worth it.

You are a valuable person. You are a valuable leader. This is a temporary transition in your life. Learn and move forward when you gain a positive perspective and when you are ready. This change is a part of your life adventure. Good things sometimes arrive in what look like negative packages.

Take the lead in your career development and commit to learning what this job loss is here to teach you. Be patient, be gentle with yourself, be open and your answers will appear. The best is yet to come. We wish you the best in your career development and advancement.

Sandy Prock M.Ed., (Master's in Education with an emphasis in Vocational Education and Guidance),
JCTC (Job Coach, Transition Coach)
www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com (Co-Owner)

Manage Difficult Feelings of Change and Loss - Create New Opportunities

www.ExpertResume.com — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:02:24 GMT

Manage Your Feelings during Change – Emerge with New Possibilities.

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

As “Pink”, the pop singer said – “From Heartbreak comes Inspiration”.

Change can feel like a death. The stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining,depression and finally acceptance) are normal. Embrace change. Embrace your feelings. Make change your ally and friend and you will discover new strengths within yourself. Change and challenges can bring out our best, including the discovery of new potential, both within ourselves and in our careers. One key is to learn to manage difficult and sometimes tumultuous feelings.

Tools to manage your difficult emotions during times of change:

Allow yourself 15-30 minutes a day to feel your feelings (grief, anger, sadness).

o If you feel like grieving for longer-set aside a longer time.

§ When you feel overwhelmed with your feelings:

Manage your feelings - allow yourself to dive into your feelings at your appointed time.
Allow your feelings to be, without taking over your whole life.

o If you still feel overwhelmed – Seek Professional help!

§ You are worth it!

Discover the meaning of your current challenges.

o Ask yourself what you have to learn from this experience.

o Consider your challenge an opportunity for growth.

o Consider change as an opportunity for your new inner genius and greatness to bloom.

Discover the golden nuggets of meaning within your current feelings.
Set aside 15-30 minutes to brainstorm ideas.
Set aside time each day to relax.
Set aside time to distract yourself. Play, have fun, work, be productive, organize, be with your family and/or friends, and nourish yourself and others.

o When you distract yourself, you allow for creative ideas to emerge.

o Keep a balance.

o Nourish yourself, your family and other relationships.

§ Don’t let stress and worry crowd out important relationships.

o Fun stimulates creative ideas.

o Organizing sets the tone for balance and order.

Consider new ideas and new opportunities - something you have not thought about before.

o New ideas come in different, sizes, shapes and packages.

o Be open to synchronicity and life’s surprises.

Change

Most people don’t change unless they have to. Crisis is usually your first stage of change.
Change can feel like a death. Stages of grief (denial, anger, sadness, bargaining and finally acceptance) are normal. Feeling emotional turmoil is normal.
After change, comes inspiration and new opportunity.
When one door closes another door opens, often something even better.
Sometimes less is more. New and better opportunity comes in many shapes and sizes.
Be open to what is best for you.
Be open to the idea that life sometimes has a better idea for you.
Listen, Observe, Be Aware.
The only constant in life is – change. Change offers you opportunity for growth into your full potential. Change can be your friend and ally.

As “Pink”, the pop singer said – “From Heartbreak comes Inspiration”.

If a tool resonates, try it. If not try something else. The choice is yours. Hang in there. Embrace change. Be the person you want to be. Land your dream job.

Bob Prock is an award winning resume writer. He won a national resume writing award. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email Bob at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Now is the time to make sure your resume and all of your job search documents make you stand out from the crowd.

Bob and I wish you the best in your job search.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Vocational Counseling), JCTC (Job and Career Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.Com

How to Make the Most of your Career Transition/Job Search

www.ExpertResume.com — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:06:52 GMT

Ask Yourself Questions – Lots of Questions

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Change - it is hard - no doubt about it. Change also transforms your life. Whether the change was your idea, or someone else’s idea - something new is on the horizon for you.

How do you transition from where you are now, to where you want to be in the future? Start with something you mastered when you were a little kid - ask questions - lots of questions.

Why do we quit asking questions? One reason is that we may have a fixed mindset. Check out Carol Dweck’s (world renowned Stanford Psychologist) book called “Mindset” for more life changing ideas. Carol researched and discovered that people have two basic mindsets, one is fixed the other is a learning mindset.

The people in a fixed mindset believe they must protect who they are and what they know. They must keep their status as “smart” or whatever particular way they have chosen to describe themselves. The people who are in a mindset of learning, love challenges and even welcome criticism because it leads to greater understanding of a problem, or themselves.

If you are stuck in a job you don’t like, or you were let go or fired, your environment is telling you it is time for something new. New is good. New means you now have an opportunity to ask yourself some significant and important questions.

- The number one question to ask is “What do I have to learn right now from this experience?”

- The answer to that question will lead you to new opportunities in your life.

Explore other questions such as:

What have you secretly been longing to do?

What do you like and dislike about your job, or your past job?

What did you dream of doing when you were a kid, but gave up long ago?

Where do you really want to live?

What part of your life are you unhappy about right now?

What part of your life are you happy with right now?

What did you dream about last night?

What are you daydreaming about when you let your mind go free?

Answer those questions and keep asking more questions. Allow yourself to answer these questions in a journal or with a trusted associate. Do not discuss your dreams or explore new ideas with anyone invested in you being your “old” self. Explore what new things are clamoring to enter your life.

As an executive, you are used to managing people and policy. Turn your executive function toward yourself and explore your new possibilities.

Here is the key to answering and asking good questions. Keep at it. One answer leads to another. This is your self-discovery treasure hunt. This takes time. Just like a plant taking root and blooming, you cannot yank out of yourself your new direction. Allow your exploration process time to germinate and push through the soil. Allow your mind and potential to change, bloom and then flourish.

· What interests you right now?

Allow yourself to follow your interests, even if right now they do not make logical sense. When you do this, you are preparing the ground for new ideas to sprout and for synchronicity to bring you surprises and unexpected answers.

Happy hunting, find your new and better direction. When you are ready to move forward, put your best foot forward with a top-notch resume, cover letter and all the other documents you need to transition into your new life.

Bob Prock is an award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288, email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com or stop by our office for a free consultation. Our address is 2704 E. North Street, Greenville, SC 29615.

Bob and I wish you the best in your career development and job search.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Career Transition Coach, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

New Life, New Environment after Executive/Managerial Job Loss or Career Transition

www.ExpertResume.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:55:40 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

If you are looking to change jobs or make a transition in your career, even if you lost your job, now is a great time to start thinking of the kind of person and leader you want to be.

Now is a great opportunity to take some time to sit and reflect. Consider asking yourself these questions.

What works for you?
What does not work for you?
What is important to you in your leadership style?
Even if you lost your job, look at the reasons why.
Often, with a closer look, you will discover the source of misalignment.
What values are non-negotiable to you?
What type of leadership style and environment fits your personality?
Check out the latest management and leadership books.
Remind yourself of who you are.
Look to see if there are new characteristics, you want to develop in yourself.

There has never been a better time than now, to rethink and ask yourself if you want to make some changes, changes that will serve you and your potential new employer better and more effectively.

Write your new mission statement. Include anything new that you discovered. What is best for you? Then go out and find a new and more compatible environment that will nourish you. Utilize your leadership style. Create a win/win for everyone concerned.

Your environment participates in shaping the results in your life, positive or negative. Find the environment that is best for you.

Look at your job loss or transition as an opportunity to re-evaluate. We wish you the best in your executive and managerial career transition.

Bob Prock is an award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents please feel free to call him at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Bob and I wish you the best in your career development and job search.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Career Transition Coach), Co-Owner of wwwExpertResume.com and if you would like to check out more samples of Executive or Managerial Resumes, check out www.ExpertExecutiveResumes.com

Nurturing New Ideas for Your Career Development

www.ExpertResume.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:44:28 GMT

Inspiration – Be Ready – Then Act On It

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

You may be used to making decisions.

How comfortable are you taking a time-out and waiting for an inspired decision to present itself to you? If you are not comfortable with this idea, reconsider for a moment and consider trying something new.

Inspiration or intuition is not just for artistic types of people. Inspiration is there for us all, if we are open and willing to hear when insight may softly present itself to you. If we are not alert, inspiration will leave as quietly as it arrives.

Artists understand the delicate nature of inspiration. They often go to great lengths and nourish rituals to invite this delicate and polite muse.

Even if you operate more from your rational mind, if you are looking for a new career direction or a new job, flashes of new bright ideas cannot hurt. Although most often it feels more like a gentle nudge.

Consider letting go, and occasionally stopping – taking a time out from worry and left-brain thinking. True, this is not necessarily easy. However, it is achievable. Set your mind to it. Sounds like a paradox to set your mind to “letting go” - However, as you may know there is great power in focus. With focus, you are alert. When you are alert, you are more open to recognizing and hearing the soft knock of inspiration, new ideas, insight or intuition.

When you “let go” you are cultivating soil for synchronicity and happy accidents to bloom. Great movie directors often rely on happy accidents. Are you open to happy accidents?

Consider following your small still voice, even if it feels unusual and see where it takes you. Maybe in some surprising place you will meet a long lost friend who knows of a new start-up company and they are looking for someone just like you. You may read of an opportunity in a journal or online. You may have an inspiring dream. Ideas are born from every conceivable place you can think of and surprising places, you may not normally think of. Consider being open and see what happens.

When you are looking to create a new life, find a new job or make a new career move, it can pay great dividends to open yourself to new ways of thinking, even small adjustments in your perception or small ideas can pay off. After all, you are looking for something new. Stepping into anything new often arrives with new ideas, new ventures and new ways of doing things and sometimes in surprising places.

Listen deeply to your small still voice within and see what new ideas arrive on your doorstep. Consider being on alert for your inspiration and then take action.

Make sure your resume, cover letter and other job search documents make you shine and stand out. Now is not the time to be shy. Present and be your best and land the job of your dreams and the job that you want.

Bob Prock won a national resume writing award. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Bob and I wish you the best in your career and job search!

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Master Your Executive/Managerial Job Search - Master Your Interview

www.ExpertResume.com — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:26:55 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

As an executive or manager, you are used to handling tough problems. Use that same skill when you approach your job search. You understand that defining a problem is half the solution. The same applies to your job search.

When you find a company, you are interested in dig in and do your research. Understand the company and their potential problems and then design potential solutions using your key skills and abilities, especially those skills and abilities driven by your passions.

Passion comes across in interviews. If you can tap into your passionate answers to their issues, you are well on your way to landing the job. You will also help to create for yourself a better position for negotiating your salary and benefits.

You want to be in the position where you are by far the best candidate and the company wants you! The more prepared you are and the more facts and figures you have about the company the better able you are to present your answers to their problems.

Executives and managers are visionaries and problem solvers. Visionaries often are great observers. You can be a great observer when you do the research. Yes, this takes time, but its time well spent! You did not get to where you are without effort.

I heard an advertising executive say once that there are very few talented people in advertising. Sometimes talent is overrated. Hard work is rarely overrated. Often, the person who puts in the time and effort is the one who shines.

If you put in the time and effort to understand your potential employer, it can benefit you in terms of new employment and place you in a better position to negotiate the salary and benefits you want.

Part of a successful executive/managerial job search must include a great resume and cover letter. Make sure you shine and stand out from the crowd!

Bob Prock won a national resume writing contest. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Bob and I wish you the best in your executive/managerial job search!

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-owner of ExpertResume.com and www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Are You Feeling Dissatisfied? Re-Imagine Your Job Potential

www.ExpertResume.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:23:25 GMT

What do you do when you have lost your passion for your job? Consider re-imagining your work potential.

What would happen if you paid attention to your dissatisfaction? What if your dissatisfaction was prompting you to reach out and find or create a new job?

What if feeling dissatisfied was a gentle nudge to help you fly out of your comfort zone and into new territory and new challenges.

Change is sometimes initiated with dissatisfaction or loss of interest and passion in your job. After all, why would we change if we didn’t have to?

It is never too late to change. Brain scientists have discovered the plasticity of the brain. They discovered that just about anyone could change if they want to. You can change no matter how old you are.

Re-imagine your life. What do you find no longer works for you? What do you want your life to look like in five years? Do you want to work more or less? Do you want more time to travel or time to pursue other interests? Do you want to downsize your life to open up time for other things? What would your best day look like? Where would you be working? Whom would you work with? When would you start your day? What days would you work? What would your duties be? What are your strengths? How can you work more hours using your strengths? Start asking questions. What comes up for you? Explore and see what may want to emerge.

In our culture, we are used to the idea of moving up the ladder - What if you wanted to change ladders.

People are starting to re-evaluate always wanting bigger and better. Listen to your heart and hear what it is saying to you now. Dissatisfaction can be a signal from a wise part of yourself knocking on your door. Open the door and begin to re-imagine your life from the new potential that may be waiting to reveal to you new ideas if you will consider listening, looking and learning.

Make sure your resume, cover letter and other documents reflect your change of heart. Go after what will bring you happiness and career/life satisfaction.

Bob Prock is an award winning resume writer. Feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 if you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents. Or if you prefer, email Bob at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Bob and I wish you the best in your career development.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Master’s in Education –Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Job Search Strengths

www.ExpertResume.com — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:22:19 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

In a job search, we can learn from the strengths that great entrepreneurs embrace and utilize on a daily basis to succeed no matter what the economic conditions. Leading entrepreneurs keep plugging away proving the old adage that where there is a will there is a way.

What can we learn from entrepreneurs about persistence while looking for work?

Try different approaches and think outside the box.

Refuse to give up and persist even when things are tough. We can learn from these mavericks about going through as many doors as needed until we succeed.

How can you use your imagination in creating a new job opportunity?

How can you be active and inventive in your job search?

What unconventional paths could you take in your job search?

How can you take informed and proactive risks in your job search?

What lessons did you learn from your past employment experience that you can take forward with you into your next position?

For an entrepreneur and anyone looking for work, imagination, risk taking, unconventional thinking and courage are essential ingredients for greatness and for success.

Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives.
Viktor Frankl

Misfortunes often sharpen the genius.
Ovid

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein

Make sure your resume is sharp and represents you well.

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume or cover letter, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Bob and I wish you the best in your job search.

Sandy Prock, M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Managing Change and Job Loss

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:20:22 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

If you are out of work, you may feel the need to accomplish something every day at the same time you may most likely feel feelings of loss and grief. When you lose your job (whether it is your choice or not), feelings of loss are natural, even healthy. Losing a job can feel like a death.

You may think you need to get yourself into gear and start to kick yourself in the rear. Talk with that voice in your head that wonders what you are doing. Your first goal is to feel your very real feelings of loss and grief. If you do not deal with your feelings, they will deal with you. Painful feelings of loss and grief are normal and inescapable. Commit time every day to deal with your feelings. In the beginning of your transition – it is important to feel your feelings. This is the wise way to move through your grief and loss. When you make it a goal to feel your feelings and gain understanding – you are more likely got get on board with transitioning from your job loss and into your job search.

Here are some tools you can use you to work with and through your feelings:

Talk or share with a trusted friend or colleague about your thoughts and feelings. In the beginning stages of loss and grief, it’s important to choose this individual wisely. Choose someone you trust. Choose someone who will provide a safe environment. Choose someone who can handle your difficult feelings. Choose someone who will let you talk and not give you advice. The time for advice is later, not at first. Feelings of loss and grief are painful, difficult and uncomfortable. However, stick with your process. It will pay off for you. If you don’t have a trusted friend or colleague, or you feel overwhelmed - feel free to find a therapist. This investment in yourself is wise. Feelings have a life of their own and if you don’t deal with them, they will deal with you.

Write in a journal or on a computer your thoughts and feelings. The healing and restorative aspect of journaling requires you must write with the intention of understanding and learning. Research proves the act of self-expression, with the intention of learning and understanding your experience, eventually creates clarity, understanding and boosts your immune system. For more information read, “Opening Up – The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions” By James Pennebaker.

Exercise - This is probably not new information for you. Exercise creates hormones that soothe and help you literally feel better.

Do mundane tasks such as organizing, cleaning, and yard work – anything that you can physically accomplish each day, while allowing your mind to rest, and wander. Letting go of intense thinking allows you time and space for your intuition to jump on board and generate ideas and insights.

Have fun – schedule in some fun time every day. Be with your friends and family. If you schedule these activities, you can cross them off your list when you accomplish these invigorating goals. Meet your achiever needs while enjoying others and having fun.

When you are ready, start organizing your job search campaign. Review your accomplishments. Update your resume and other job search tools. There has never been a more important time to create documents (resume and cover letter etc.) that put your best foot forward. Set timelines for your goals. Make your job search your full-time job (most people don’t do this - take the reins of your job search). This way you increase your chances of landing a job. You may even land a better job. Read books and hone your interviewing skills.

Meditate or Pray or do both. Meditation and Prayer are two more resources proven to heal and calm you during times of stress.

Enjoy a Massage or Take a hot bath. Relax, relax, and relax. Relaxation is not only healing during times of stress, it activates well-being and allows time and space for your innate intuition to arise.

Change is a necessary part of healthy growth, development and life. Most people dread change. Manage your job loss and change. You will achieve results. Learn from your experience. Commit to the process of feeling your feelings. Learn from your experience and you will move forward stronger - with greater self-knowledge.

Go for it; utilize your innate talents. Move forward in the direction of your choice. Create an even better life experience for you and your family.

We wish you the best. Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter, or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Goethe

Sandy Prock M.Ed (emphasis in Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Success in Your Job Search

www.ExpertResume.com — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:33:50 GMT

Growth Mindset – Success in Your Job Search

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Carol Dweck’s (Stanford Social Psychologist) book, “Mindset-The Psychology of Success” might change the way you view your life.

Carol’s research changed her life and countless others who have read her work or were lucky enough to be one of her students.

What she discovered is that intelligence and talent is not innate. Intelligence, genius, and talent are learned skills. The exciting thing about this is that if you adopt a “growth” minded mindset you can learn any skill you set your mind to…including the skill of successful job hunting, and it is a skill!

Carol discovered that you have either a “fixed” or a “growth” mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that intelligence and talent is innate. If you have a growth mindset you believe that intelligence and talent are learned skills. There are multiple advantages to a growth mindset. For one, view failures as a chance to learn and improve. The surprising result of Carol’s research revealed that if you have a fixed mindset you avoid challenges and you eventually sabotage success. The reason fixed mindset individuals sabotage their success is that they do not learn from failures and they do not take on challenging risks for fear of losing their status quo. Genius is not innate; you build genius lesson by lesson.

What does this have to do with your job search? Maybe a lot. It means that if you adopt a growth mindset you feel significantly less stress because failure is no longer a comment on your talent or intelligence but a sign that you have something important to learn that will carry you closer and closer to greater and greater success. Consider failure as a learning tool.

You cannot control some situations. In that event, consider that closed door a blessing and move forward toward the position that is perfect for you.

We have heard so many stories from clients who were so glad they did not get certain jobs because the one they eventually did get was so much better.

We wish you the best in your job search. Make sure your job search documents, and your resume and cover letter are in top form! Adopt a growth mindset and land the best job of your career.

Bob Prock is an award winning (national) resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call Bob at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters Degree in Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling, JCTC (Job and Career Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Land the Job You Want

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:28:24 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be fish. (Quote by Ovid)

So often life offers us just what we need if we are willing to do the ordinary in new ways, creating extraordinary experiences.

Clint Eastwood learned this kind of wisdom from his father. It served him well. Here is a quote from an interview with Clint in the “Costco Connection” magazine:

“When I was a kid, I remember going out looking for jobs, and I would ask him how I could figure out much I would make. He told me to not worry about that, tell them what I could do for them and that I wanted to learn everything about their business and become a great asset to the company. It’s an old fashioned, Mark Twain approach: Show them what you can do. The rest will take care of itself. Not many people live by those words today. I was fortunate to be raised in that era.”

Clint Eastwood followed this advice in his career when he wanted to direct a movie. He landed the job by offering to work free – this launched his directing career. Not only was this a great move, this was casting his hook in a pool and this time where others least expected there was success…his! He showed them what he could do.

You may be thinking, well that is okay for a young guy, just starting out…however, the great news is that Clint did this again, much later. He wanted to direct the movie Mystic River and ran into so much opposition. He again, offered to work free because he really wanted to do the film. He ended up receiving the minimum Directors Guild pay, and a percentage, so if the film did well, he would come out OK, and if not he said he would just go on to the next film.

Great advice if you ask me. Do you have a favorite company, where you would love to land a position? Consider taking Clint’s experience and his Dad’s advice to heart. It worked for Clint Eastwood, why not you? Consider casting your hook in the pool of your choice. Consider volunteering your expertise for a time and work free. Show them what you can do, while learning the ropes from the inside. Consider taking an entry-level position, gain insights into the company and grow your expertise. “Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be fish. (Ovid)”

Consider taking full charge of your career and consider Clint Eastwood’s masterful approach to achieving the job you want and reach your long term goals, while learning along the way and expanding your knowledge of the company and growing your skills and abilities. What could be better than that!

You may even land a job more quickly than others who take the standard job search path. We wish you the best in your career development. Remember to give yourself your best shot when you interview. Present to your potential new employer what you can do for them – make sure your resume, cover letter and other job search documents make you stand out from the crowd and are in expert form! Give yourself the gift of the best!

Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. If you have any questions about your resume, cover letter or other job search documents, feel free to call him at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters of Education – Vocational Guidance and Counseling), JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com

Do You Know How to Find Joy and Strength in Your Career?

www.ExpertResume.com — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:12:53 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

Do You Know How to Find Joy and Strength in Your Career? Pursue what you enjoy. When you are engaged in tasks you enjoy, time flies. You feel energized. You feel strong. To succeed in anything you do, you need persistence. Do you drag yourself to work every day, or would you rather fly? The wings of joy are what you need to fly.

If you are out of work, or you can’t stand your job, then it may be hard to bracket those feelings and move toward what you enjoy. However, the journey is worth it. Most people don’t love what they do. Become one of the few people that do love their work. Receive all the benefits in health and well-being when you pursue work you love and enjoy.

What would you do if money were not an object? What tasks are you doing when you lose track of time? What are you doing when you feel strong? The answers to these questions are clues to your passions.

Passion is the fuel you need to pursue your career goals.

Follow the trail of your natural abilities. Build your day utilizing your strengths. How do you know when you are tapping into a strength – you feel strong. You know you are tapping into a weakness, when you feel weakened.

Notice and write down on a pad of paper when you feel energized doing a task. Write down what you love to do. Write down when you feel strengthened. This will give you clues to your innate gifts. In the book “Now, Discover Your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham, you will receive access to a test and descriptions of different strengths. He also wrote a new book called “Find your Strongest Life.”

Bob and I wish you the best in your career development. Bob Prock is a national award winning resume writer. Feel free to call him if you have any questions about your resume or cover letter or other job search documents. You can reach him at 1-864-292-5288 or email him at ExpertResume@yahoo.com

Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

After a Job Loss-Take Back Control of Your Career Development

www.ExpertResume.com — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:11:30 GMT

By Sandy Prock M.Ed., JCTC, Co-Owner of www.ExpertResume.com

“Sometimes problems have to be faced from different perspectives in order to find solutions.” This is an anonymous quote from a little book by David Baird called “A Thousand Paths to Happiness.”.

You may already know the truth of this statement. However, if you are facing job loss you may temporarily forget to apply this wisdom to yourself and your job search.

One of the problems of either being out of work is that it can cloud the minds of even the best thinkers; in fact, this is true for almost all human beings when faced with change, whether it is radical or planned. So don’t feel alone, just recognize you are normal and consider your problem from a different perspective.

Consider hiring yourself and working full time at your job search. You will feel empowered, lift your spirits and beat the competition. Very few people put that kind of effort into their job search. Place yourself in the top percentile of job seekers who commit to their job search and treat it as a full-time job. Bone up on your interviewing skills, master your Internet search, research companies you want to work for, design your best life, deal with your feelings in an effective manner (don’t shove them under the rug - they just pile up and one day you will trip over them), and go for it.

Hire yourself right now and work full-time at your job search - consider going for the job of your dreams – go for it. Some studies indicate that an individual that is out of work gives 4 hours a week to their job search process. Increase your chances by working more hours at the job search. Just think - if you give 30-40 hours per week to your job search, you multiple your chances of landing the job you want.

We wish you the best in your job search and do not forget to make sure you stand out from the crowd with top-notch job search documents. Make sure your resume and cover letter help you stand out from the crowd. A resume and cover letter represent you. It is imperative for you that they shine, as you do.

Sandy Prock M.Ed. (Masters Degree in Education-Vocational Guidance and Counseling, JCTC (Job and Transition Coach), Co-Owner of www.ExpertExecutiveResume.com