Using Visuals in a Way You May Not Have Considered (On Pinterest)

I've blogged before about "Using Pinterest In Your Career Services Business" and "Best Practices in Content Curation" and today I want to combine both of those topics and talk about using visuals in your content curation on Pinterest.

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One of the best ways to establish your expertise as a resume writer is by sharing content with your prospects and clients. When others realize your level of expertise, they will be more likely to recommend you to others, as well as patronize your resume writing services.

Using Visuals on Pinterest to Promote Your Resume Writing Business
They say that "seeing is believing." When marketing your resume writing business online, seeing is a big part of believing that your services can help your customers in their job search. To that end, using visuals on Pinterest can assist you.

You might be thinking that Pinterest is very focused on visuals. You're right. But Pinterest is not all about food and craft ideas. Here are some "visuals" for Pinterest you may not have considered:

• Tutorial videos. These "how to" videos show people ways to use technology in their job search (i.e., you may create a tutorial of a specific LinkedIn feature -- like customizing your profile URL) or talk about a specific job search technique (such as salary negotiation tips).

• Service demonstrations. This can be done in video form as well, but you can also do a slide show presentation board that shows prospective resume clients the evolution of a resume (explaining the importance of the different sections usually found on the resume, and how to build in accomplishments and visual interest). Another type of video would be an animated slide show. 

• Mix your media. Create pinboards that feature a mix of videos, slide shows, and grouped product images, all for a common theme. This gives readers several things to see on your board that can pique their interest.

Tips on Visuals

• Make them colorful ñ When images "pop," they are easy to see. Use a variety of colors. 
•  If you can't find an image, create one! You can create your own charts and visuals and then take a photo of them. Use clear writing and colorful pictures that are easy to see. 
• Make them informative! People want something pretty to look at, but they are mostly looking for information. Be sure that your visuals give lots of that. Don't forget to make great use of descriptions on Pinterest.

Visuals offer another type of media to help market your resume writing business online, so make the most of them on Pinterest!

Have You Heard of "Time Boxing"?

Resume writers are always looking for new time management strategies. One of these is called "Time boxing."

Does it seem like there aren't enough hours in the day to get all of your work done? That could be because you are working harder instead of smarter. Time boxing is one way to make the most of the time you have. It seems like a simple thing to do, so you may wonder if it really works. If you've never done it before, give it a try. 

What Is Time Boxing?
Like the name says, you are putting time into a box. Well, not an actual box, but a virtual one. Basically, you divide your time during the day into segments and use each for a specific task. These boxes can have a certain limit or maximum amount of time depending on how you work.

For most resume writers, the computer is our main business tool, so setting a limit on the time used per task can break up the monotony of the time we spend in front of the "small screen."

Start with a time limit, say 90-minute intervals. This is about the maximum amount of time that the brain will stay focused and creative before we get off our game. And for clients, you want to offer quality and your best work. Also, don't forget to schedule in distractions and free time. That is a big difference from what you might be doing now. When everything has its place within your day, it is easier to operate more efficiently.

Four Benefits of Time Boxing
1. Increased focus. When you know that you have a certain amount of time to devote all to one task, it is easier to get tasks completed. For 90 minutes, all you think about is writing the resume or answering all your emails. When the time is up, you move on to another task with the same fervor.

2. Curbs procrastination. When a task seems overwhelming, the result is often putting it off as long as we can. That only leads to a rush job and stress later on. With time boxing, you only spend a certain amount of time on a task and it makes it more manageable. With each box of time, you are closer to completing the goal. Even if you just start with 15 minutes in your time box to write the resume, you'll often find that once you get started, you find it easy to just keep going.

3. Time consciousness. Instead of wondering where your time goes, you can find out. If you want free time, schedule it in a box. Surf the Web or take some downtime, but within the confines of your schedule. It works the opposite way too: If it's not in your time box, DON'T DO IT. That means, if checking Facebook isn't in your time box for this block of time, don't look at it. But you can schedule a 15-minute period of time in your next time box to check it out. (It can help to use an egg timer, or the timer on your smartphone, to keep track of your time boxes.)

4. Motivating. When you see how much more energy you have for the tasks that need your attention youíll want to "box"everything up. When productivity increases, you can then look at big projects in a new way so that you are no longer putting them off.

How is your time spent during your business day? Time boxing may be the answer to plug those sink holes of time you have been encountering.

Get 'Er Done

"Larry the Cable Guy"

I hail from Nebraska, home of Dan Whitney, better known as "Larry the Cable Guy." One of "Larry's" signature lines is "Get 'er done!" and that's the topic of today's blog post.

As a resume writing business owner, it is your responsibility to see that nothing falls through the cracks, so to speak. When dealing with multiple client projects — and wearing all the hats required of a business owner — that can become a daunting task.

Project Management
Keeping everything straight can become a complicated proposition at times. Your responsibilities as a resume writer and business owner include:

* Communicating with clients to evaluate their needs (turning prospects into clients)

* Writing the resume, cover letter, and/or other career marketing communications (or managing the work of a subcontract resume writer to handle the writing)

* Answering client questions (at all stages of the project)

* Evaluating finished work at each stage of the project

* Handling delivery of completed work to clients

* Collecting payment and managing the associated paperwork (taxes)

How to Get Things Done
As the one who is tasked with making it all happen for the clients, what are some ways that your job could be easier? Here are a few tips.

• Get organized from the beginning. Utilize project management tools that help you to stay on top of your projects. At any time, you can just check up on a project and see exactly what is going on and who is working on what. Online project management software (like Basecamp) allows you to create projects, upload information for the client and any subcontract writers, assign writers to a project (if needed), and communicate client needs. There are also ways to set milestones for each part of the plan.

• Communicate effectively right from the start. Let your client know what to expect at each stage of the process (information-gathering, writing, and project approval). If you encounter problems along the way, let the client know as soon as possible so the situation can be handled.

• Create a contingency plan. You never know when "life will happen" to you. Have a "plan B" in place in case something happens to you, or disaster strikes. Also, if you don't already have a resume buddy or professional will in place, get 'er done!

• Lead your client. Let your client know what you expect from them at every stage of the process — especially the information-gathering stage. If your client needs to meet deadlines for getting you information in order to have their project delivered on time, make sure they know this! A good writer/client relationship involves you leading him/her to where you want them to go!

When it comes to project management the best defense is a good offense. Set yourself up for success. And "get 'er done!"

Seven Things Jobseekers Say That Drive Me Crazy

As a resume writer for the past 15+ years, I like to think that I've heard it all. Certainly, I've heard certain things over and over again from jobseekers that absolutely drive me crazy... and I've listed seven of them below.

1. I don't care what kind of job I get, I just need a job. In most cases, if you don't care what kind of job you get, the job you get isn't going to be the one you want ... or the one you are best suited for. If you're frustrated with the job search process and decide to look for a different type of job, you are giving up the momentum you've already built. Instead of starting over from scratch, is there one small change you could make that might make all the difference? After all, success is not a straight line.

2. "I had my (mom, sister, neighbor, teacher, best friend, second-cousin-twice-removed) look at the resume and they said..." Opinions are like resumes. Most everyone has one, and some are better than others. Something that works for one person's job search won't necessarily work for yours. You wouldn't ask Aunt Edna's advice on how your accountant did your tax return ... why would you take her advice on your resume? (And yes, that counts even if Cousin Ted is a recruiter. Unless he is the recruiter or hiring manager for the exact position you're applying for, the advice he's giving — while industry-specific — might be off target as well.) Your resume writer gets to know you and your specific circumstances and has created a resume that addresses the specific qualifications and challenges in YOUR job search.

3. If I'm on LinkedIn, everyone will know I'm looking for a new job. One of the primary reasons to be on LinkedIn is to make professional and career connections. But yes, if your profile springs up overnight and you suddenly add 200 connections, yep, it's a solid bet you're either in job search mode now, or shortly will be. Think of your involvement on LinkedIn as a marathon, not a sprint. As author Harvey Mackey says, "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty."



But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be on LinkedIn. In fact, there's no reason why you shouldn't be on LinkedIn right now, even if you're not looking for a job. Start digging your well now. (Check out my 8-day guide to getting started: "Leveraging LinkedIn For Your Job Search")

4. I know I just lost my job, but I'm going to take a break before I start looking again. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Even if you're getting severance and/or unemployment benefits, you need to start looking for your next job as soon as possible. The longer you are unemployed, the harder it is to find a job. And your network is much more likely to be responsive to requests for help when you're newly unemployed. Not to mention, if your job search takes longer than you think, you might run out of money. A better way to handle it is to find your next job, and then negotiate a starting date to take a short vacation to celebrate before you start the new job!

5. Related to #4: "I can't stand my job anymore. I'm going to quit." My mom's number one rule is: Never quit your job until you have a new one. The biggest reasons for this is: It's easier to get hired if you have a job. Like it or not, if you are not working, an employer has to take a bigger "chance" on you than if you're currently employed. So yeah, if you can't stand your job anymore, use that as motivation to ramp up your job search! Treat your job search as a full-time job (or at least a part-time job) and get cracking! But don't just quit. You're going to need the income to invest in your job search — new interview attire, a resume, maybe some interview or salary negotiation coaching. Which leads me to #6.

6. I can't afford to spend $XXX on my job search. There are certain things that you will need in your job search (like a professional email address, and the minimum qualifications for the job) ... and some things that will help you stand apart from everyone else applying for the position. Professional interview attire, for one thing. A professionally written resume is on that list too. You can spend anywhere from $100 to $10,000 on your resume. The cost varies greatly, although the national average is $508 for a resume and cover letter. It just depends on the writer ... and on the client. Will a professionally written resume get you the job? It's not a guarantee. But it can certainly make you a stronger candidate, and can provide you with the confidence to advance in a competitive search. You may need to cut back on some of your other expenses (cable, eating out, entertainment) in order to shift money to your job search.

7. "Can't you just do it for me?" I've had wives call for their husbands, and parents call for their children. Some resume writers don't mind that. I do. I want to know that the person who I'm working with is going to put in the effort. (Julie Walraven has an excellent blog post on this.) No one should be more motivated to work on your job search than you. Yes, you're hiring a professional resume writer to assist you, but that doesn't mean that it won't involve hard work -- and an investment in your time -- from you. You're the one who needs to think through your accomplishments. The resume writer will take it from there -- but he or she needs something to work from. So if the resume writer asks you to do homework assignments, take them seriously. The end product will be much more impressive if you invest the time in the process.

Help me add to this list. What are some of the other things that jobseekers say that drive you crazy as a resume writer? Post your comment below.