The More I Learn, The More I Don't Know

Have you ever attended a professional conference and learned a lot ... but then realized that there is so much you still don't know?

Things have changed so much over the past couple of years in the resume writing industry. In talking to colleagues over the past few days, I've learned I'm not the only one who feels this way. The introduction of personal branding into the resume development process is just one example. I've also heard over and over again that coaching is a must for working with resume clients, with few exceptions (and not just because it's an opportunity for extra revenue). Is that really true? What if you are a resume writer who doesn't want to coach?

These are all issues we'll be exploring in future issues of Resume Writers' Digest. Do you have a topic you'd like to see us tackle? Let me know. I started the newsletter to get answers to questions I had...and guess what? I still have questions. E-mail me at RWDigest@aol.com.

You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Validation for Resume Writers

On a day when resume writing was under attack as becoming increasingly obsolete (I'd tell you more about it, but I'm under a professional gag order being enforced by the board of a prominent not-for-profit resume association), it was refreshing to return to my hotel room today and find a link to the Brazen Careerist blog, written by Penelope Trunk. Looking through her archives, I found this gem, written in December 2006, about hiring a professional resume writer, and how it is "so totally worth it!"

I got the link from the ERE daily e-mail, which focused on "Some Thoughts on Blogs and Networks" in an article by Kevin Wheeler. If you work with Millennials, Kevin's article will give you some insight into how they are networking.

I'm looking for some good blogs written by resume writers that are targeted at consumers. If you have one you'd like me to showcase, e-mail me.

Converting .docx Files

(This post is for you, Tessa!)

I was talking with a resume writing colleague today, and she suggested I write an article in Resume Writers' Digest about the new version of Microsoft Word (Word 2007) that creates the .docx files. Specifically, she was wondering if there was a converter for the Macintosh that would allow you to open the files. The answer is yes!

With the Office Open XML Converter, you can convert Office Open XML files to a format that is compatible with Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac and Microsoft Office v. X for Mac. You can choose to convert and open one file, or convert a large number of files. You might lose some data, but it's better than not being able to open the files at all.

Also, this is a beta release, and will expire Dec. 31, 2007, but Microsoft is expected to issue a permanent solution early in 2008.

If you are using a PC, you can download the Word Compatibility Pack to convert the files to be opened in an earlier version of Word.

Publicity Ideas from TV Shows

Sometimes you can generate publicity by tying your concept into a television show. With the new season of television underway, there are new opportunities to find this connection.

Back in 2003, I wrote a news release based on "Cupid," a television show airing that season. (The press release website I submitted it to no longer exists, unfortunately.)

Called "Looking for a Job is a Lot Like Looking for Love," the news release highlighted the similarities between the resume screening process and the television show.

The show was designed to help single gal ("Cupid Girl") Lisa Shannon find and marry her perfect mate. Helping her screen out "the losers" were her two friends, Laura and Kimberly.

In the first two episodes, Lisa and her pals auditioned hundreds of prospective suitors. Each had just 30 seconds to make an impression and advance to the next round. I pointed out how the same mistakes that sunk some prospective suitors would also hurt job seekers trying to make a good first impression.
Look to the media for current themes and trends you can piggyback onto for your news releases.

Wondering about Lisa?

MSNBC had an update: She picked a mate on the final show (Hank Stepleton), but the pair declined to be married live on TV, turning down $1 million. Instead, they said they wanted to get to know each other off-camera, and from what we’ve heard, they followed through with that.

In 2003, after the show aired, they moved to Chicago — Hank’s hometown — together. In August of 2004, they were still together, having moved to LA, although they weren’t yet married or engaged. But the summer of 2004 was the last we’ve heard of them.