Me and My Space Heater

I've written before that my favorite spot for writing resumes is me, on the floor, parked in front of my space heater ... even if it's 98 degrees outside. Now I've got science on my side:

In a landmark study evaluating the impact of environmental conditions on productivity, Cornell University ergonomics professor Alan Hedge found a 74% increase in typing mistakes and a 46% reduction in typing output when office temperatures fell from 77 degrees (Fahrenheit) to 68 degrees.

Hedge says, "This study shows that when employees get chilly, at least in this case, they are not working to their full potential."

-- From a news release from Onset Computer Corporation, as reported in Fast Company magazine (1/05).

I could have told you that!

Publicity Opportunity: Lying on Resumes

Another celebrity has been caught using an embellished resume -- and this is a publicity opportunity for you!

Customize the following news release and fax or e-mail it to your local television news stations, radio stations, and newspapers. (Click on the highlighted text to download the Word document, or copy-and-paste: http://www.rwdigest.com/LyingonResume.doc)

JOB SEEKERS: LYING ON A RESUME WILL GET YOU IN HOT WATER

Job searchers can learn from the misfortunes of Robert Irvine, a British-born chef and presenter of Dinner: Impossible on the Food Network. Claiming credentials you don't have is a recipe for disaster, says [YOUR NAME], a professional resume writer.

"Job seekers are most likely to lie about things like their education or number of years they worked for a company -- and these are the easiest things to check," says [YOUR LAST NAME]. "If you're not caught when the company checks your references, you will likely get tripped up somewhere along the line. And many companies have a policy to fire employees caught lying on their applications -- even if that's several years later."

Lying on resumes is on the rise. An online survey conducted for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that more than 60% of the 373 human resources professionals who responded reported finding inaccuracies on the resumes they review. Inaccuracies aren't necessarily lies, but anything that brings the job seeker's character into question is likely to end his or her chances for getting the job.

Irvine admitted that he lied about being a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and exaggerated his role as a traveling chef for numerous heads of state.

"If the issue is the job searcher's insecurity about his or her qualifications for the position, there are ways to address the issue without lying," says [YOUR LAST NAME]. "It's just not worth the risk when there are perfectly legitimate ways to position your credentials -- for example, your lack of a degree -- and still win the interview."

- END -

[YOUR BIO HERE: For example: Bridget Brooks, CPRW, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with Image Building Communications in Omaha, Neb. She has been writing resumes since 1996 and is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches as well as Career Directors International. She is available for interviews on the topic of "lying on resumes" and how job seekers can legitimately overcome potential shortcomings in their work history and education. Call (402) 393-4600 or e-mail omahajobhelp@yahoo.com.]

Note to resume writers: If you use this news release, be sure to customize it. And be sure to include a phone number where you can be easily reached -- and monitor your calls. The biggest response to a story like this will come in the next 72 hours.

Other resources:
The Lying Game
Lying on Resumes
SHRM Survey: Resume Inaccuracies

Looking for Subcontract Writers?

I am working on updating the compiled list of subcontract opportunities in the "Making Money as a Resume Subcontractor" special report. If you are an individual or firm that hires subcontract writers and want your listing included in the report, please e-mail me (rwdigest@aol.com).

Also -- a reminder that my Subcontractor Survey is still open. If you are a resume writer who subcontract writes, please take the survey! (Because this blog is accessible to the public, you need to e-mail me to get the link to the survey -- I won't be posting it directly on here.)

Another Fake Career Association?

I came across another organization that I can't find publicly:



Note, this is *not* to be confused with CertifiedResumeWriters.com, which is a legitimate website for careers professionals.: