As a career coach, I have first-hand knowledge of what recruiters and hiring managers look for when shortlisting applications.  I am sharing some of their secrets with you in today’s blog.  I have also included some tips on how to address the COVID-gap if you have been affected by the pandemic.  I hope you will find the tips useful.

The difference between a CV and a resume

Most organisations tend to use the terms interchangeably.  Traditionally, a CV is a comprehensive account of your professional life.  A resume, on the other hand, is a summary (up to two pages) of your education, skills, and work experience.  Hiring managers today are inundated by applications and they prefer to read a short and succinct summary to speed up the shortlist process.  Whether you call your document a CV or a resume these days have little bearing on whether you will reach the shortlist.  It is not the title that is important.  It is what you write in the document.   

What is the purpose of a resume?

The resume is a summary of your skills, experience, qualifications and achievements.  It aims to show the recruiter or hiring manager why you are suitable for the role.  Remember, you have only a few minutes of their attention to convince them.  The best way to do this is to present the information succinctly and to the point. 

What makes a good resume?

Your resume is your sales pitch.  It answers all the questions the recruiter or hiring manager has about you and your suitability for the role.  The degree of information you provide and how you present this information will help them make an informed decision whether to invite you for an interview.  To leave them with no doubt that you are the best candidate for the role, you have to present a strong case in the right tone. Check out the section below on what to include in your resume.  

How long should a resume be?

The average length of a resume is around 2 pages.    Write only the key skills, attributes and responsibilities from roles that match the job you are applying for.  Keep in mind that you are articulating your skills, experiences and future potential to the reader.  So, get to the point.  Don’t use 10 sentences to describe something you can say in two sentences.

What to leave out in a resume?

Sometimes less is more.  I don’t mean leaving out chunks of important information from your resume.  I mean using your common sense to determine the type of information to include.  If you have been in the workforce for some time, it is not necessary to describe all the jobs you have.  If you have been a successful manager, you don’t have to describe every single accomplishment.  Likewise, if you have a postgraduate degree, it is not necessary to list down the grades of every subject (unless otherwise specified).  Also, you do not have to include certificates, qualifications and references in your resume unless otherwise stated.   

I usually advise my clients not to include hobbies and interests unless these skills can advance the application.  Remember, you have only 2 pages to show the reader you are the best candidate so use information strategically. 

 What layout to use for your resume?

It’s not necessary to use a creative template unless you are applying for a job in the creative industry. 

Your resume must look tidy, clear and well-structured.  Use a simple font like Arial 10-point or 12-point.  Keep formatting like italics, uppercase and bold to a minimum.  Bullet points are extremely useful when you have an economy of words.  Use action verbs when starting bullet points.  Be consistent i.e. if you start with an action verb then make sure every line starts the same way.  Be consistent with punctuations.  Spell check and proofread the document to catch any errors before submitting it. 

A step-by-step guide to writing a professional resume

Here’s a standard resume structure you can use to craft a great resume:

1. Contact information

The basics including your name, address, contact details (email and phone) and LinkedIn profile link.  

2. Professional summary

Write a 50-150 words summary of your applicable experience and skills.  This summary shows your value add to the organisation and why you are different from other applicants.  Focus on what you have to offer to the organisation.  This section should be tailored to the job. Use keywords so the ATS match can pick it up.  (ATS or applicant tracking system is software used by most organisations in the hiring process.  ATS arranges a resume into categories and then scans it for specific keywords to determine the candidate’s suitability for the role). 

3. Skills

You have about a minute to show why you have the right skills for the role.  Be clear about what you can offer. Bullet points are effective.  Match what you can offer with what they are looking for by reading the job description and candidate attributes carefully.  For example, if the job asks for someone who can meet deadlines and work autonomously, these skills should be addressed in this section.  

4. Achievements

Show the prospective employer how you can contribute to the job beyond the expected responsibilities.  List key achievements that match the role.  Support your achievements with facts and figures.  

5. Work experience

List positions in reverse order beginning with the most recent.  Include employer names, positions and quantify primary responsibilities. Focus on the value you can add to the organisation.  Support with facts and figures.  Avoid writing job descriptions.  Write strengths and accomplishments instead.   Action verbs are useful. Avoid cliches. Do not leave gaps in this section.  If you have taken a gap year, say so.  Focus on the positives and value add you can offer to the prospective employer.  

Read my section below on addressing COVID-gap below

6. Education and qualifications

List academic qualifications obtained, year and institution.  This section can be brief.

7. References

Unless otherwise stated, you do not have to give references in your resume.  You can write a caveat: References are available upon request.

Additional information on resume writing

Get into the habit of regularly updating your resume and your social media.  Employers today are on the grid so be sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date and you do not have any controversial posts on your social platforms. 

How to address COVID gaps in your resume

Here are some useful tips that can help:

1. Be honest

Honesty is the best policy.  Everyone understands the difficulties COVID poses so there’s no need to hide things.  Include instead a reason why you had to leave your position.

2. Close the gap

List any work experiences and opportunities during this period for example volunteer work, pro bono or casual employment.  The reason you do this is to show the employer you have not been sitting idle at home. 

3. Upskill

If you have used the time to upskill, your resume is a good place to introduce this to a prospective employer especially if the skills you have acquired are relevant to the role. 

A winning resume could be the difference between getting an interview and getting a rejection letter.  Resume writing need not be a daunting task if you know what to include in your resume.  Tailor your resume to every job.  Use facts and figures to support your claims.  Pay attention to detail.   Good luck with your job hunting! 

Thai Ngo

As a business, HR and career strategist, Thai Ngo has worked with some of the biggest businesses in Australia to help people fulfil their professional potential. Thai firmly believes that the biggest barrier to success is often ourselves, but with the right guidance and the right perspective, that barrier can be overcome. Now he works with businesses, leaders and individuals to tap into their existing talent to create the professional and personal life they desire.

youwantgroup.com

The post How To Write A Professional Resume appeared first on You Want Group.

Going back to school is not easy – even in normal times. It requires sacrifices which many of us may not be prepared to make. But what if I tell you that upskilling may be important to help you keep your job?  

Here are some reasons why you should upskill in a pandemic: 

1. Jobs are not secured in a recession

COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely destructive.  An invisible virus that kills, it has caused major cities in the world to go into lockdown. Many businesses have shut their doors – some permanently.

Australia’s government recently announced our economy has shrunk by 0.3%. Economists define a recession as two consecutive periods of negative GDP growth.  Josh Frydenberg, the Treasurer,  in his announcement of the March Quarter performance, warned that Australia is heading towards an ‘Economic Armageddon’. 

In a recession, jobs are casualties. So far, more than 800,000 Aussies have lost their jobs to the virus.  More will follow as a result of the second wave that has struck Melbourne. The government is now saying that the unemployment rate may rise as high as 10% and this situation is likely to stay grim for a long time. 

A recent ANU study found that 28% (1 in 4) Australians today think they have a 50% chance of losing their jobs in the next twelve months. Aussies are already experiencing fewer hours of work because of the pandemic. Between February to April, weekly working hours have declined from 35.1 to 31.1 hours. The decline is most evident amongst women workers because many of them work part-time or as casual workers. 

The decline in work hours is costing families. The average household is facing a 9.1 per cent drop in the average household after-tax income. Per person income has also increased because households have inevitably become larger due to the quarantine.  Australian households now have less money to spend on the family. Now is not the time to gamble with your job.  

2. Generation Z needs a competitive advantage

Young Australians between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most affected. According to news.com.au, 44% of the people who have lost their jobs in Australia are under the age of 25. Teenagers and young workers are the generations that will be forced to pay for the largesse of the COVID-19 handouts through higher taxes that may continue for years.  

If you are a Millennial or a Generation Z worker, this is the time to equip yourself with skills that can help you find a better paying job post-COVID-19.  

3. Employees and employers need skills to deal with the unusual

The COVID-19 health emergency was unprecedented. The last time the world was hit by a deadly virus, it was more than a century ago. Our generation does not have any prior experience dealing with a global pandemic.   

Australian businesses were forced into total digital transformation when strict social distancing regulations were enforced back in March. While many of us have learned to cope, some of us are still firefighting because the virus is so unpredictable.  

Increasingly, businesses are looking for people who have new skills. Traditional management skills like leadership, coaching and mentoring, problem-solving, communication and creativity are still important. But many of the known ways of working have to be adapted to the new WFH environment. New skills are also in demand. These skills include gamification, online engagement, effective communication, video presence and remote trust-building.  

7 great ways to upskill in a pandemic

Upskilling is a smart way to future-proof your career. Fortunately, technology has made it possible for us to study remotely. Most of what you want can be found online. If you know where to look, you can find some amazingly high-quality courses on the internet – including courses by Ivy League institutions and global brands. 

Before you begin your online studies, identify the skills you need, check your finances to see what you can afford, and plan your studies so you can dedicate time to completing the course. 

Ready to start upskilling?  Check out my top 7 tips below: 

7 ways to upskill:

1. Podcasts

Podcasts offer endless variety and options for the listener.  Podcasts are free and many of them are conducted by industry leaders.  You can tune in to your favourite platform while walking the dog, preparing dinner or gardening.

If you would like some idea of where to find career talks, check out Feedspot Top 20 Career Podcasts here.

To access podcasts, use any of the following:

• iTunes
• Spotify
• Android
• Globalplayerapp
• PlayerFM 

2. Reading

If you read as a hobby, lockdown is the perfect time to indulge in good reads. Most management and self-help books are available on Amazon, but you don’t have to limit your reading to just these genres. There are plenty of non-fiction books that have life lessons you can adapt to the workplace.  

Three books I have read recently: 

‘Outliers: The Story of Success’: Malcolm Gladwell’s third book explores the secret of successful leaders. 

‘Intimations’ by Zadie Smith is a wonderful collection of essays that deals with life in lockdown.  

‘What It Takes’: Blockchain’s wizard – Stephen Schwarzman’s keen eye for detail read like career tips we can all use in these challenging times.    

3. Self-directed learning

Now is the time to upskill.  If technology is not your strong point, there are plenty of things you can do to change that. Microsoft Outlook is not hard to master if you dedicate a little time to it each day. Likewise, Zoom is user-friendly and quite self-explanatory. All you need is some time to explore its features. Items like a ‘waiting room’, ‘screen share’ and ‘annotations’ can make your Zoom meetings more engaging.   

Looking for high-quality web content? Try my favourites here: 

• Harvard Business Review is a general management publication by one of the world’s leading management school – Harvard Business School.  
• Wharton Knowledge is famous for leadership and one of the best sites to read on the latest trends.
• McKinsey Global Insights offer the latest global research and trends in economics, health, and public policy.  
• Your Career Magazine offers you career coaching and career counselling tips.  

4. Online courses

The internet has a plethora of online skill development courses you can take to improve your employability.  Online courses are offered by top universities as well as industry leaders.  There is a comprehensive range of topics and you can reskill in just about any area these days.  I’m writing an extensive blog of what online courses are available so please keep an eye out for that soon!

5. Webinars

I participate in webinars because they are extremely informative and experiential.  Choose carefully so you can learn from the best. 

Here are some webinars I recommend to my clients: 

• www.business.gov.au 
• www.cpaaustralia.com.au
• www.austrade.gov.au
• www.publicsectorsa.gov.au
• www.mckinsey.com
• www.deloitteglobal.com
• www.talentank.com.au

6. Skills coaching

My co-founder Iris Du and I have a new collaboration called ‘Your Future Career 2.0’ which is a personalised career coaching programme that helps individuals make positive changes about their careers. Your Future Career 2.0 combines a range of tools (including resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles) with behavioural changes to meet career goals. The core virtue of the programme is empowering individuals with the ability to access their professional situations with honesty and confidence.  

The programme is suitable for professionals of all levels and abilities because it is tailored to the individual.   Each client is assigned a private career coach who will guide them towards success.  If you would like more information on the programme, please contact our expert coaches here. 

The future remains uncertain. Experts are saying the recession could last at least a year or two.  In the past, being in the top 5 per cent of talent was a privilege.  Now, it is survival. If you want to keep your job in a recession, aim to be the top 1 per cent talent.  There is no time like the present to start.

Disclaimer: The events and characters depicted in this article are fictitious. Any similarities to actual persons, dead or alive, is purely coincidental.

Thai Ngo

As a business, HR and career strategist, Thai Ngo has worked with some of the biggest businesses in Australia to help people fulfil their professional potential. Thai firmly believes that the biggest barrier to success is often ourselves, but with the right guidance and the right perspective, that barrier can be overcome. Now he works with businesses, leaders and individuals to tap into their existing talent to create the professional and personal life they desire.

youwantgroup.com

The post 7 Great Ways to Upskill in a Pandemic Crisis appeared first on You Want Group.

Australia’s economic future remains uncertain with a second coronavirus outbreak in Victoria and growing hotspots in other states.

The latest data from the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) shows the unemployment rate has jumped from 6.4 % to 7.1% in a month. Nearly a million Australians have now lost their jobs because of the pandemic. More will follow as a result of the harsh second wave restrictions that the Victorian Government has introduced.

If you want to stay employed (and employable) you may need new skills.

 

The benefits of acquiring new skills during a lockdown

There is a range of online courses you can take to upgrade your skills while you self-isolate.

Everyone’s got free time on our hands these days. There’s only so much Netflix you can binge on before you say: ‘Enough is enough’. Instead of vegetating on your couch, why not use the additional time to improve your mind and develop some skills that can help you become more employable? Engaging your mind keeps you productively occupied. You will have less time to indulge in worry and anxiety. When you complete the course, you will feel a sense of satisfaction, gain new knowledge, and develop confidence.

 

What to study online in a lockdown

In my line of work, I deal with employers all the time. Believe me when I say the pandemic has altered the way employers are choosing candidates today.

 

The top skills every employer is looking for now: 

Leadership

Employers want managers who can recognise and respond to change and still maintain a positive outlook that can motivate others to stay engaged and be productive in their roles. Do you fit that role?

Communication and Emotional Intelligence 

Communication – COVID-19 work from home demands excellent communication skills in the digital sphere. Employers are looking for candidates who know how to use technology smartly. New skills in demand today include a good video presence and strong writing skills.

Candidates with good emotional intelligence are in high demand today. Remote working means staff are not physically in the office for managers to manage and control. The manager of the future must be able to demonstrate the ability to empathise with others’ behaviours and feelings. How strong are your communication skills? Do you look awkward on camera?

Adaptability and Flexibility

Employers are looking for staff who can easily adapt to change. A good candidate is someone who can pivot between office work and remote working from home if lockdowns become commonplace. Are you afraid of change? Can you multitask?

 Organisation

Changing working conditions mean employees must be organised with good time management skills. Remote working suits workers who can work independently with minimum supervision and those who can find the right balance between professional responsibilities and domestic commitments. Do you procrastinate? Are you productive?

 Creativity

There is nothing predictable about the coronavirus. Employers want candidates who can look at things from a different perspective and contribute innovative ideas and concepts that can help the business grow. Do you have ideas?

 

 Intrapreneurship 

The ability to solve problems remotely is in demand during a pandemic crisis. Effective problem-solving skills mean a candidate can easily grasp a situation and produce strategies to solve problems. It is also about having an entrepreneurial spirit to identify opportunities in difficult situations. Do you like challenges? Can you think out of the box?

 

 

The best online courses to upgrade your skills

The global pandemic crisis has seen an uptake in online learning platforms. Learners have a wide range of courses to choose from. Many of these courses are MOOCS (Massively Open Online Courses) and are affiliated with universities and/or industry leaders.

Depending on the provider, courses can vary in lengths – from a few hours a day to weekly commitments over several months. Most platforms will use some form of video lectures, texts, and regular assessments to test progress. Some of the courses are free but others may require a tuition fee.

 

Choosing a course can be daunting because of the wide choices available. The summary below can help you make a better decision on the best course to enrol in: 

1. edX

Harvard Business School and MIT collaboration that has grown to include 140 other universities and partners. The platform offers over 2,500 online courses. Most courses provide a certification on completion but not all the courses are run by Harvard.

Some Harvard courses I think may interest you: 

Professional development: 

• Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
• Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster
• Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

Personal interest: 

• ChinaX: Five Authors, Five Books, Five Views of China
• Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You
• Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (Physics) 

2. Coursera

An American-based online learning platform that offers free and paid courses.  Coursera has partnered with the world’s top universities and brands to offer high-quality content that is suitable for vocational training, professional development, and skills acquisition.

I browsed the website recently to find their top online courses in lockdown and here is what I found:

AI for everyone

• Foundations of Everyday Leadership
• The Science of Wellbeing
• Managing Innovation and Design Thinking
• Learning How to Learn

3. FutureLearning

A popular online learning platform that uses content created by top universities and industry leaders.

I examined the platform’s Australian contributors. Here are some interesting courses I think you will like:

Professional development:

• Monash University – Mindedness and Wellbeing for Peak Performance
• The University of Newcastle – Transitioning from Friend to Leader
• Deakin University – Becoming Career Smart: How to Sell Yourself

Boredom busters

• The Open University – Start Writing Fiction
• Wollongong University – The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling
• The Open University – Moons 

4. Udemy

A distance learning platform that contains content that is created by partners as well as private individuals who are practitioners and specialists in their fields. The platform is useful for individuals who are looking for niche development and specific skills.

If you are an expert in your field, this is a good platform to increase your internet reach.

 

5. Others

Last on my top five list are two digital platforms. The first is a top-tier international university and the second is a local Melbourne executive leadership and coaching specialist. Both have specific and niche programmes that can help you gain skills to become more employable.

Udacity –Stanford University’s not-for-profit online learning platform delivers superior quality teaching and learning for IT professionals. Subjects taught include AI. Blockchain, Digital Marketing, Robotics, Programming, and Information Technology.

You Want Group Academy – A Melbourne-based leadership and coaching specialist running online courses that are highly relevant to current working from home environments. Their workshops include career coaching, resume building, video presence and others. 

Life after COVID-19 is not going to look like what it is today. Deloitte Access Economic Report suggests the future workforce will comprise of soft-skill-intensive jobs. Are you ready to meet this challenge?

 

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Thai Ngo

As a business, HR and career strategist, Thai Ngo has worked with some of the biggest businesses in Australia to help people fulfil their professional potential. Thai firmly believes that the biggest barrier to success is often ourselves, but with the right guidance and the right perspective, that barrier can be overcome. Now he works with businesses, leaders and individuals to tap into their existing talent to create the professional and personal life they desire.

youwantgroup.com

The post The Best Online Courses To Upgrade Your Skills Today appeared first on You Want Group.

Thai Ngo

As a business, HR and career strategist, Thai Ngo has worked with some of the biggest businesses in Australia to help people fulfil their professional potential. Thai firmly believes that the biggest barrier to success is often ourselves, but with the right guidance and the right perspective, that barrier can be overcome. Now he works with businesses, leaders and individuals to tap into their existing talent to create the professional and personal life they desire.

youwantgroup.com

The post Applying for a leadership role? This article is for you. appeared first on You Want Group.