Friday, September 24, 2010

Best of Today: 9/24/10


Doug McIsaac Blog Post on “Finding Your Writing Voice
Includes a link to Paul Meyer’s article “How to Communicate Authentically in Print or How to Find Your Voice” – worth a read!


Catch the sessions from today’s International Freelancers Day
– free training!


Quote of the Day:

Via Doug McIsaac: “No matter how fast we click from place to place, it will never replace face to face.” –– Joel Bauer

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Best of Today: 9/22/10

Sorry. I took yesterday off from blogging. It was my birthday.

  --  Read the comments for even more great ideas



– Quantity does NOT equal quality.

- Tim is quickly becoming one of my favorite career bloggers.


Quote of the Day

Via @InterviewAngel: “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never scoring.” – Bill Copeland

An Argument in Favor of Client Interviews (over Questionnaires)

Industry giant Wendy Enelow wrote a fabulous article in the Summer 2009 issue of Resume Writers' Digest in response to the 2008 Resume Writers' Digest Industry Survey. She was particularly disappointed that the survey found that questionnaires are increasing in popularity as a way to collect information from resume clients.

This was her response to this subject:

For those of you who know me or have read some of my other articles, you know that I am a staunch supporter of doing client interviews to collect the information you need. Although questionnaires can give you some basic factual data, they can never replace the one-on-one interview (done in person, on the phone, or via e-mail).

The interactivity of the interview is what makes it so special and so valuable. A client's answer to question #1 impacts what I ask as question #2, his answer to question #2 impacts how I formulate question #3, and so the process goes on. I learn so much more about my clients through interviews -- things that I remember that are reflected in the tone, style, and presentation of the client's resume.

Clients always ask me, "How did you know that?" My answer is straightforward...I listen hard and I listen well (and I write it all down)!

In turn, I believe that the quality and richness of each resume I write is stronger and more powerful than if I had worked from a questionnaire only. Note that a combination of questionnaire plus interview is great, if that works best for you.

Wendy goes on to say that prospective clients find the interview method to be easier than filling out a lengthy questionnaire, and the easier it is for them to work with you, the more likely they will become clients.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Best of Today: 9/20/10

“Facebook Job-Hunting App BranchOut Raises $6 Million from Accel and Super Angels”

Thanks to Mike Ramer for bringing this web resource to my attention – Ragan Communications publishes a daily newsletter for HR executives/managers – find the top headlines on HR Communicator


--   I’m a sucker for good business advice

Build a Better Blog – Denise Wakeman: “Contests and Causes Drive Blog Traffic

The EEOC on Video Resumes (compliance):
-       Found after seeing this article circulating on Facebook: “Create a Visual Slideshow Resume to Avoid the Slush Pile