Roberta Storey

Loaf of Bread $1.99
Gallon of Milk $3.99
Happy Meal $3.29
House $350,000
Car $32,500
Pizza $20
Pair of Shoes I don't need $100

Every single thing I am going to buy (whether I need it or not) starts off by telling me the price.

𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

✘Negotiable
✘Range
✘To Be Determined
✘Based on Experience
✘Based on Managers Mood
✘Based on Location
✘Based on the least amount we can get away with

People need jobs.
You need people.
Publish the damn salary.

#resumewriting #jobsearch #success

This is a salary range.
$155K to $175K

This is NOT a salary range.
$155K to $325K

That's it. That's the post.

#resumewriting #salaryrange #truth

I muted my Slack notifications for my office team (12 people who all work from home).

I was going to be out of the office for a few days.

Upon my return, I quickly scanned messages for anything I needed to address.

I didn’t find any issues or questions.

What I found was camaraderie.

Humor.

Engagement.

Someone said “I’m headed out to a doctor's appointment, be back soon.”

And people wishing them well.

Someone said “I’m going to shower, eat lunch, pick up my kid from school,” and the team responding with well wishes for a good lunch or drive safely.

One of our Client Managers was having a bad day.

I saw notes of encouragement, “you got this” or “you are amazing at your job, don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Someone started off the day with “Happy Monday” another “good morning fabulous ladies!”

I saw no one asking for permission to leave early, they know it’s fine.

I saw no one asking for permission to go to an appointment, put their kids first, they know it’s encouraged.

I only saw notes of “I’ll cover for you” or “have fun!”

In the 3 days I was out, there were over 300 exchanges.

Don’t let anyone tell you that can’t work from home and be collaborative.

It’s not true.

A fun, challenging, collaborative, and successful team can be anywhere.

Slack says it’s so.

#workfromhome #resumewriting #slack

Looking for the Perfect Candidate? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

No, seriously 😂😂😂. You are?

Hiring used to take 3 days, now it takes 3 months.

Great candidates are turning down your jobs because hiring is a nightmare and no one can make a frigging decision.

People used the be ‘teachable’ and ‘trainable’ now they need to be ready to ‘hit the ground running.’

People are not perfect. They never have been. So STOP looking for PERFECT and accept the fact that humans are messy, crazy, smart, funny, ambitious, shy, inspired, doers, followers, tech savvy, backward, troubled, scared, fabulous and imperfect in every way.

Job ads never say “the perfect candidate will be able to work 20 hours and manage their super, hands-on, narcissistic boss with a smile on their face.”

When in actuality, that’s what they are looking for.

There is NO perfect.

Let’s hire smart, funny, ambitious, messy, troubled, fabulous people because they are PEOPLE.

Capable, qualified and teachable.

Stop lying. Start HIRING. Get over yourself.

#jobsearch
#resumewriting
#linkedin

A promotion without a pay raise is not a promotion.

Your employer just got you to do more work.

For free.

#work #resumewriting #knowyourworth

If a candidate is interviewing with you, they are interviewing with other companies too. 
Your job is not the only game in town. 
A client of ours just turned down a job that she’s been interviewing with for 3 months. 
Countless Zoom calls, a sales plan presentation and chats with everyone from HR to CEO. 
Why did she turn it down? 
2 weeks ago, an old colleague reached out to her about a job with his company, a well established pharmaceutical company. 
1 Zoom call, 1 interview with the Sales Manager, an offer was made. She accepted. 
2 weeks. 
They made an offer in 2 weeks. 
She’s got a 22 year track record of kicking ass. 
They didn’t need 3 months of mind numbing exercises to see her value. 
When she removed herself from the interview process from the other job, the recruiter was genuinely flabbergasted. 
“We’ve got months invested in you” she was told. 
My client told her that she has 48 years invested in herself
😂😂😂

Life moves fast. 
Hiring decisions move slow.

Time to change your approach.

#ResumeWriting
#TimeForAChange
#Hiring

Enough Already! Unemployment is at 4.6%.

Stop making candidates jump through hoops to get a job.

You need people, people need jobs.

It is NOT that hard.

The ridiculous stories I am hearing are just that...ridiculous!

A client emailed me this week that he was on his 8th round of interviews for a management position. 8!!!

If it takes you 8 interviews to figure out if the candidate is right for the job, you should not be in a position to hire people.

It's that simple.

#makeadecision
#resumes
#successful

Stop giving candidates 24 hours to respond to your job offer.

If you were in such a hurry, you would not have taken 2 months and 10 interviews to make a decision.

It's not that hard.

#jobsearch
#pressure
#decisions

I gave up a $125K a year job.

To become a waitress. 😄

I left my last corporate job because I wanted to start a business.

After years of helping people with their resumes, I said to my husband one day, “I think I can turn this into a business.“

I tried working full time, working nights/weekends on the business, taking care of my 2 kiddos and everything else a wife and mother does.

After a year of burning the candle at ALL ends, I decided to quit my day job.

My husband was totally on board.

We were not rich, no rich parents to bail us out if I crashed and burned.

He said, “if you can do something part time and cover the groceries, I can float us for a bit.“

So, that's exactly what I did.

I worked at home during the day, took care of the kiddos, and at night, after he got home from work, I waited tables.

After having a nice corporate job, was it a ding to the old ego?

Of course, but I did not let that bother me at all. I actually loved it, except when I dropped shit or spilled something on a customer (which happened quite a bit).

I'm someone who trips going UP the steps, so carrying heavy trays was a bit of a challenge 🤣 .

So, after a few years, as the business grew, I gave up the waitressing job.

This year, in 2022, we have worked with over 12,000 new customers and I have a team of 60+ people.

Now I buy ALL the groceries.

Don't let your pride, ego, challenges get in the way of what you really want to do with your life.

I know I was fortunate to have a partner who believed in me, even on the days that I didn't believe in myself.

This isn't a post about hard work.
Or money.
Or marriage.

It's a post about you, your life and how you want to get to where you want to go.....Don't be afraid to take a chance, take an interim job or build the life you want to have.

I hope you figure out how to get there.

#business
#resumewriting
#partner

If you are hiring, you better be coming with your A game.

Candidates are getting....

Multiple offers.

Above average salary offers (some way, way above).

Flexible work arrangements.

Benefits/Perks out the wazoo.

Hiring Managers/Recruiters that show up late.
Offer lowball comp.
Allow disorganized interviewing processes.
And think that piss poor communication is okay.

Are all going to be left in the dust.

People have changed.

They are not afraid to quit.
Move on.
Start a business.
Work for themselves.

People have choices.

And they are choosing not to be treated like shit.

It's exciting!

#resume #people #jobsearch

Stop oversharing at work.

I read this advice in an article by a seasoned HR Executive.

She said that when we share our personal information, experiences or troubles, it can be “used against” us in the workplace.

As someone who overshares on a regular basis, I don’t think I agree with this.

This week alone, I talked about the size of my ass….

What I made for dinner….

The fact that my husband has no idea I have any LinkedIn friends (I have about a million)…

And countless other tidbits….

In the “office channel” on Slack, we talked about personal challenges, sick kids, new babies, one of our valued team members lost a loved one, and hundreds of other exchanges of personal information.

I was looking for someone on my team and didn’t see her “online” button lit up, so I asked Lexi (our operations manager and my daughter), “where’s so and so today?

She told me she was out sick. I asked her what was wrong and if she needed anything….

We are oversharers on overload.

I don’t think I want to work in a place that wants to use my personal stories or bad days against me.

I’d rather see the team rally around someone who is struggling….offer advice….or a kind word….instead.

How about you?

#resumewriting
#overshare
#workplaceculture

Laid off.
By email.
After 26 years of loyalty.

We started working with a new client in July of this year.

She worked for a large consulting company for 26 years.

Her job was terminated by email.

Bad?

It gets worse.

When we talked with her, she was surprisingly optimistic for someone who lost their job of 26 years.

She was anxious to start working on her resume, but also not in a huge hurry.

She said she needed a breather to come to terms with what happened and get caught up on some things she’d been ignoring.

Including sleep, family time and regular health checkups.

When we didn’t hear back from her for a few weeks, I let the team know she’d be slow in responding, and that she’d get back to us on her draft resume when she was ready.

I didn’t hear from her until this month.

During one of her routine checkups, her doctor found a problem.

Further tests revealed that she has kidney cancer.

After several nail biting weeks of tests and more tests, we were all relieved to find out it’s not terminal.

She can be treated, and is gearing up for the fight of her life.

Her latest note to me said, “I skipped a lot of things for my job. Including taking care of my own health and well being, and now I’m paying for it.”

She also added she’s scrambling to get her treatment plan finalized before her insurance runs out.

She’s moving forward, in her words, “eager to find my way back to a healthy work-life balance with adjusted expectations.”

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times…..

No job is worth your life.

In this case, the layoff may be the best thing that ever happened to her.

Update!!

I’ve received so many generous messages to help the “subject” of this post. She’s flattered and grateful for all of your good wishes. She asked me to pass this along to everyone who wanted to contribute to her or do something nice for her…

“Please ask folks to focus their kindness on those who have so much less instead. Maybe make a donation, volunteer, pay for someone's coffee, or let someone in front of you at the grocery store. I feel so flattered, yet my story is just one of many. So many people are trying to figure out how to buy food for their kids right now.

I am still getting full severance, and since the surgery, my medical expenses will now be fully covered through the end of the year. I really am blessed, regardless of the yucky parts. ❤️”


#Loyalty
#TakeCareOfYourself
#ResumeWriting

Every single person who wants a job should have one.

Everywhere you look, employers are understaffed.

Every pharmacy.
Every retailer.
Every airline.
Every manufacturing plant.
Every hospital.
Every call center.
Every restaurant.
Every hotel.
Every transportation company.
Every social service agency.
Every construction company.
Every warehouse.
Every school.
Every bank.

Stop acting like you are hiring a Greek Philosopher, Super Secret International Spy or Rhodes Scholar when you create your job descriptions.......

You need good, honest, hardworking, trainable, teachable and enthusiastic people to fill your jobs.

Last I heard, there were about 11 million of them available.

#resumewriting
#jobsearch
#people #hiring

Where you live should have no impact on your paycheck.

Your salary should be based on the requirements of the job and your performance.

That’s it.

If you choose to live in a lower cost rural area, you’ll have more money to spend.

If you choose to live in a big city where you pay $5k a month to live in a shoebox, that’s up to you.

I’m so tired of hearing justifications for companies paying more or less based on location.

It’s exhausting.

Just pay people for the value they bring and the job they do.


And for shits sake, let them work from home if they choose.


Problem solved.

#job #people #workfromhome

Today I have 29,999 connections.

After this post, I will have less.

I recently messaged a connection to make an introduction. It was between one of our Resume Clients and someone who is in HR in a company he is interested in working for. She doesn't know me, other than being connected on LinkedIn.

She did EXACTLY what you are supposed to do. She responded politely, said she was happy to spend a minute pointing my client in the right direction and since then, they've exchanged emails offline.

Maybe not a big deal to her, but to HIM it was the response he needed. (If you have not heard, job searching is tough, even more-so now!).

So, if you are not willing to....
✿ respond to an inquiry
✿ make an introduction
✿ answer a message
☕️ buy me a cup of coffee, or let me buy you one
✿ wish me a happy birthday
✿ like something I post
✿ ask me for a favor or respond in kind when I ask you for one

.... we should disconnect.

Because, lets face it, relationships are a 2 ways street.

#resumewriting
#networking
#repostbyrequest

A $250K Marketing Exec client of ours refused to participate in preparing a FULL YEAR Marketing plan as a condition for a job interview.

The employer was a struggling online retailer.

She was actively interviewing with other companies and didn't want to spend the time.

The recruiter insisted.
She refused.

Again, the recruiter called her and said that this job was perfect for her career path and asked her to reconsider.

She refused.

She ended up accepting a different role.

She's leading a worldwide marketing team and working from home. She feels valued, supported, and the $$ was right where she wanted to be.

A few weeks later, she heard two things through the grapevine about that retailer.

First, they promoted from within.

Second, they had an almost non-existent marketing budget.

What better way to get some fresh ideas...by interviewing and asking seasoned marketers for their ideas.

For free.

There are NO RULES when it comes to interviewing.

If a potential employer wants you to stand on your head, jump off a bridge or “sell me that pen“, there is no one stopping them.

But you.

You can stop them.

By refusing to be part of this ridiculous cycle.

If you are interviewing for an executive level role, you've already damn well proven that you are entitled to be there.

#interview #job #resumewriting

A resume client of ours just accepted a $450K job.

An executive level role with a company that is very, very lucky to land him.

3 Zoom Interviews.

One with the COO - 37 minutes.
One with the CEO - 42 minutes.
One with the HR Exec - 30 minutes.

2 weeks from start to finish.

No test.
No assessment.
No in person interview.

The candidate (our client) was traveling. A lot.

The new employer wanted him, liked him and made the concession to do it all by Zoom.

Offer within 10 days. Start to finish.

If a $450K job offer can be made with 3 Zoom interviews totaling less than 3 hours, you can fill any job in the same time or less.

There are no amount of conversations, pre-employment tests or evaluations that are going to turn a candidate from a prince to a frog....or the other way around.

When you hire a candidate, whether it is a $50K job or a $450K job after a few conversations and within a few weeks, guess what?

It is still the same person.

But now, they start a job with the right attitude, the confidence that comes from being respected in the interview process and a willingness to do whatever is needed to make your company successful.

Seems pretty smart to me.

#jobsearch #resume #interview

I was standing in line at Macy's over the weekend....

Right in front of me was an older woman carrying a large, heavy rug.

She was flustered.  You know how hot it is in the mall, especially when you are carrying bags, packages, etc.

When it was her turn, she said to the Associate, 'did anyone turn a set of keys in here?“

The Associate told her that no one did, but she could check with mall security office to see if anyone turned them in.

I said to her, 'If you give me one second to return these jeans, I am happy to hold on to your rug while you go over to the security office.“

So she did.  She walked over to the bench near the register and waited on me.

I asked her what happened, and she told me that she picked up this rug, lugged it to the car, and when she got there, she could not find her car keys.

I told her instead of heading to the security office, we could just give them a call and see if anyone turned in the keys.

So, that's what we did.  Unfortunately, no one had, and she started cry.

“Is there anyone you can call?“  I asked.

She told me that she had 'no one.' 

She was recently widowed and her only daughter lived in Florida.

“No problem“ I said.  “Where do you live?“ I asked.

She lived about a 20 minute drive from the mall. 

I told her that when my husband came back from the shoe department, he'd carry the rug to our car, and we would drive her home to get her extra keys.

As we waited, I said 'are you sure your keys are not in your purse?“

Her purse was enormous, lol. 

She said she had checked everywhere....but couldn't find them. 

I asked her if she minded if I looked. 

So here we are, 2 perfect strangers, and I am rooting through her purse, checking all the pockets, zippered areas, and guess what?

I found the keys. Right in a tiny pocket on the outside of her purse.

We both whooped and cheered, then we laughed. 

She grabbed my hand and just as my husband was coming over to meet me, we were hugging.

You might be surprised to see your significant other hugging, holding hands or laughing with a stranger.  

But my husband is NOT 🤣.

The true magic of the holidays lies in the connections we make and the kindness we share.

So, let's embrace the opportunity to spread joy, love, and goodwill. Hug a stranger, extend a hand of support, and be open to the unexpected moments of connection that can brighten both your day and theirs.

Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with warmth, compassion, and the joy that comes from making memories.

Hope you make a lot of them this year!

🎄 🤶 ☃

#strangers
#holidays
#resumewriting

“Why should we hire you?“

I had a client recently complete a 7 step interview process for a VP Level role, with an accompanying salary of $250K plus bonus.

After an exhaustive process (3 months), including a full business plan, interviews with everyone from the HR team to the COO, this is what he said.

“If you don't know why you should hire me, then I don't know what else to tell you. You either think I can do the job, or you don't.“

Yes, it was a bit snarky, but after fulfilling every request, every interview, every test, every presentation and every ridiculous questions, he was not feeling generous.

He got the offer.

Stop asking candidates this question.

If you have interviewed them, that is a question YOU need to answer.

If you are not intelligent enough to know why you should hire a candidate after 7 interviews, you should not be asking questions. Or hiring.

It's really that simple.


#ResumeWriting
#Hiring
#HotMess

A female sales executive, a top ranked National Account Exec, just turned down a counteroffer for DOUBLE her existing salary.

When she came to us, she’d recently found out that her base salary was $22k less than her male counterparts.

When she learned that she was being paid much less, she didn’t ask for more money, go to HR or complain to her boss.

She simply had her resume and LinkedIn profile updated and started looking for a new job.

Which she found fairly quickly.

Upon giving her notice, the company immediately offered to double her base salary. “We don’t want to lose you” (or the millions in new revenue you’ve brought in) they told her.

She declined. Took the new job without a second thought.

“It wasn’t about the money” she told me. She made well over $200k in commissions.

It was about the treatment. The inequality.
The unfairness.
The idea that someone thought she was “worth less.”

Standing on principle is a zinger most employers aren’t prepared for.

In this market, it’s hard to buy your way out of “bad behavior.”



#resume #money #job

I have no sympathy for employers who cannot find staff.

Outrageous and totally irrelevant requirements.

Interview processes that go on 4X longer than they need to.

And no one qualified enough to make a decision without 7 skills tests and 'what is your favorite color' assessments.

There are millions of qualified, teachable, ambitious, hard working and 'willing to learn' candidates who need jobs.

Want jobs.

But can't get jobs because companies are unwilling to change, adapt or evolve to this new world we live in.

If you are involved in the hiring of HUMANS, it should scare you to learn that in the past year, there were more Google searches for....

“How to start a business“ than there were for 'How to find a job.“



#jobs #people #change #resumewriting

A $250K Marketing Exec client of ours refused to participate in preparing a FULL YEAR Marketing plan as a condition for a job interview.

The employer was a struggling online retailer.

She was actively interviewing with other companies and didn't want to spend the time.

The recruiter insisted.
She refused.

Again, the recruiter called her and said that this job was perfect for her career path and asked her to reconsider.

She refused.

She ended up accepting a different role. She's leading a worldwide marketing team and working from home. She feels valued, supported and the $$ was right where she wanted to be.

A few weeks later, she heard through the grapevine 2 things about that retailer.

First, they promoted from within.
Second, they had an almost non-existent marketing budget.

What better way to get some fresh ideas...by interviewing and asking seasoned marketers for their ideas. For free.

There are NO RULES when it comes to interviewing.

If a potential employer wants you to stand on your head, jump off a bridge or “sell me that pen“, there is no one stopping them.

But you. You can stop them.

By refusing to be part of this ridiculous cycle.

If you are interviewing for an executive level role, you've already damn well proven that you are entitled to be there.

#interview #job #resumewriting

My top job description red flags 🚩

🚩Wide or vague compensation ranges

When you see “pays $80k to 200k,” the company has no idea what it wants.

Also, can companies stop with this “competitive” or “extremely competitive” compensation language? Just tell us what it is. Or don’t. Thanks.

🚩Cutesy titles

You’re not a “guru,” “wizard,” or “superstar”—this isn’t a Marvel movie.

🚩Urgency language

This comes in many forms.

It’s usually in the “thrives in a fast-paced environment,” “roll up your sleeves,” and “deliver top results under pressure” vein.

But it can also sound like “high-energy” or “self-starter.”

These phrases are often just code for being overworked and underpaid.

And usually have ageist undertones.

🚩Exhaustive job descriptions

If you have to scroll to read the whole job description, it’s too long.

It’s not a weekly grocery list for a family of 10—it’s a job description for ONE person.

🚩Excessive education requirements

Raise your hand if you’re sick of things like

“Master’s Degree required. Pay $45k.”

Needing a Bachelor’s degree even if you have 15+ years of experience.

✋

If you want more, let me know.

Remember, you don’t just want to find any ol’ job.

You want to find the right fit for you.

Not this toxic junk.

#ResumeWriting
#RedFlags

Salary should be based on the job.

Not the location.

Not if it’s WFH or Office.

It should be commensurate with output, performance and results.

Paying a salary based on someone’s location/cost of living is the same as paying someone more because they want caviar for lunch instead of a tuna sandwich.

Stop making things harder than they have to be.

Or looking for ANY excuse to pay someone less.

It’s exhausting already.

#payfair
#wtf
#logicisyourfriend

Employer: Please fill in your work history.

You: My work history is on my resume.

Employer: Upload your resume in an ASCII, ATS, Keyword Rich Doc

You: Huh?

Employer: Upload your resume

You: Done

Employer: Fill out Application

You: All work history is on my resume.

Employer: You MUST fill out the application

You: It's on my resume.

Employer: Fill in all dates, beginning and ending salary, graduation years (don't worry, we won't judge you by your age), job titles, job responsibilities, supervisors, phone numbers, compensation, commissions, perks, vaccination status and references (including phone numbers, emails, how you know them), etc.

You: Done. What is the salary range and hiring timeline for this job?

Employer: .....

You: Hello, anyone there?

Employer: ....

You: Are you hiring for this job? Is anyone going to contact me?

Employer: .....

You: Forget it, I am not interested if no one can call, email or acknowledge my time/energy/application status.

Employer: You don't have the right temperament for this job. We will be pursuing other candidates.

#resume #realstory #holyshit

Wonder what would happen if you answered interview questions honestly???

😂😂😂

1. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Politically Correct Answer: “I see myself growing within this company, taking on new challenges, and contributing meaningfully to the company.

Real Answer: “Ideally? In a role where I don’t have to job hunt every two years because of ‘restructuring’ or ‘budget cuts.’ Also, making enough to justify my overpriced degree.”

⸻

2. “Why do you want to work here?”

Politically Correct Answer: “I admire your company’s mission and values, and I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my skills to a team that’s making a real impact.”

Real Answer: “Because I need money to live….or I hit the ceiling at my current job, your recruiter messaged me first, and—let’s be real—I need a better salary before inflation eats the rest of my soul.”

⸻

3. “How would you describe yourself in three words?”

Politically Correct Answer: “Dedicated, adaptable, and results-driven.”

Real Answer: “Underpaid, overqualified, and exhausted.”

Every job seekers has to “put on a show” during their search….yet we live in a world of TMI, where we post our secrets on social media and can’t eat lunch without taking a picture of it.

Wonder what would happen if we just all spoke our minds….and answered these inane questions honestly.

I’d love to hear about a time where you lost your cool or threw caution to the wind in an interview.

Comment below!!

#jobsearch
#resumewriting
#letsgetreal

Someone has to be the janitor.
Or truck driver.
Or housekeeping staff.
Or waitress/waiter.
Or garbage collector.
Or gas station attendant.
Or clerk.
Or fast food worker.
Or retail worker.
Or barista.
Or delivery driver.

Maybe it’s a college student.
Maybe it’s a single mother.
Maybe it’s a father of 5.

There is honor in hard work.
Period.

I blew a kiss to the UPS Driver today. He laughed.

I’m just as friendly to the gal handing me my coffee at the drive thru as I am to the Fortune 100 Executive who calls my office for Resume Services.

People don’t want service jobs not because they aren’t honorable, but because they don’t get paid enough to put up with jerks.

Be nice.
Don’t be a jerk.

#resume #people #jobs

Stop looking for someone 99% qualified, when 75% will do.

Our obsession with the perfect fit is mind boggling when there are so many open positions.

Take a chance, believe in transferable skills, and a persons ability to learn, grow, thrive and deliver.

When you are 100% perfect, you can demand 100% fit.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

#candidate #jobsearch #resumewriting

Our dog, our beloved Coop died today.

Known by many names, Coopie, Coop De Loop, Cooperman, Pooper (the little neighbor) and Cooper, he was a good boy.

A fierce protector.
A champion beggar.
A dramatic cuddler (100lbs on your lap).
A friend to Gigi the cat.
And a the best co-worker a girl could have.

He will be missed.

Dog's represent many things....

Family. Home. Loyalty. Love.

We were lucky to have him for 13 years.

His passing is difficult, but he was suffering.

As he leaves us, I will pack away his things......his dog toys, his favorite lambchop, his bowls, tags and collar.

I will not miss the constant messes, the doggie diapers and the 1 AM, 2 AM, 3 AM and 4 AM trips outside to go pee.

I will miss the way my husband yelled “hey Coop“ each day as he roused him from his afternoon nap to take him for a walk to the woods.

That walk did them both good.

I will miss the built in doorbell.
The good natured swagger.
The way he greeted everyone with a lick and a paw.

I will miss how every time someone said his name, his tail wagged.

As he leaves us, he will also be taking the last vestiges of my sons childhood with him.

I will miss that too.

RIP Cooper

#goodboy
#dogsarelove
#hugyourdog

Ghosting is just another word for chickenshit.

No other excuse.

If someone takes the time to go through your interview process, just let them know they didn't get the job.

Don't tell them “we will get back to you in a week“ or “we will let you know“ and then NOT let them know.

Don't be a chicken. Or a shit.


#resumewriting
#hiringbyhumans
#jobsearch
#repostbyrequest

Sometimes the grass is greener.

I talk/message/text and hear from hundreds of people a week.

Yesterday, a young(ish) resume client took a job that bumped his salary from 85K to 138K.

This morning, a follower who listens to my preaching about knowing your value, dumped her shitty employer and toxic boss and took a job at 22K more than she was making.

A retired CEO client of ours accepted a private equity assignment for a $300K comp. It is a 6 months job. Not too shabby.

A Regional Sales Manager client of ours just got a new job as a VP. $60K salary bump. He was totally underpaid and underappreciated in his last job. It is good to see him get an opportunity to show his awesomeness.

I could go on and on and on....but you get the picture.

Salaries, growth, promotions, opportunities are out there.....if you are willing to run barefoot in the grass.

Go get em tiger.

#grassisgreener
#opportunity
#jobsearch

It's time to cut the crap.

A client of ours just messaged me that he passed on an interview opportunity.

Why?

They wanted him to agree to a 7 step interview process, over a 2 month period.

Interviews - Assessments - Presentations.

He knows hardly anything about the company, they have not provided a description.

Twice he asked the salary range for the job, twice they declined to tell him.

He has 4 other interviews lined up.

Ones where the employers are forthcoming about salary and the interviewing process.

Wake up employers!

Candidates are asking questions.
Valuing their time and mental health.
Not going down your 14 interview process rabbit hole.

Stop treating people like they are desperate or dumb.

They are not.

#jobsearch #resumewriting #successful

Today I have 29,999 connections. After this post, I will have less.

I recently messaged a connection to make an introduction. It was between one of our Resume Clients and someone who is in HR in a company he is interested in working for. She doesn't know me, other than being connected on LinkedIn.

She did EXACTLY what you are supposed to do. She responded politely, said she was happy to spend a minute pointing my client in the right direction and since then, they've exchanged emails offline.

Maybe not a big deal to her, but to HIM it was the response he needed. (If you have not heard, job searching is tough, even more-so now!).

So, if you are not willing to....
✿ respond to an inquiry
✿ make an introduction
✿ answer a message
☕️ buy me a cup of coffee, or let me buy you one
✿ wish me a happy birthday
✿ like something I post
✿ ask me for a favor or respond in kind when I ask you for one

.... we should disconnect.

Because, lets face it, relationships are a 2 ways street.

#resumewriting
#networking
#repostbyrequest

Laid off after one week.

Yep, you heard that right.

One week.

An executive in the aviation industry accepted a VP level position, which required him to relocate from the North to the South.

So, with 2 kids and a wife, they uprooted their lives in Chicago for the promise of a great job and sunny skies.

It turns out that despite a 3-month intensive interview process, a job offer, a relocation package, and a designated office, someone along the way did not get final approval for the hire.

The HR person who delivered the news was mortified.

He was shocked.

His wife was pissed.

And his kids, well, they were fine, because they are kids and are adaptable.

They were living in a condo as they were searching for a new home, and thank goodness, they did not yet buy one.

We quickly developed a new resume/profile, so he began applying again, revisited a few opportunities he had passed on, reached out to a handful of headhunters in the industry, and was able to land a new gig within a month.

So they moved to Texas.

It ended up alright, but the lack of professionalism is astounding.

Personal accountability is EVERYTHING.

Let me repeat that.

Personal Accountability is EVERYTHING!

If you offer someone a job, you should not let them go in a week, a month, or 2 months.

This is someone's life.
This is someone's livelihood.
This is someone's family, career, and stability.

If you don't care about those things, then you should not be in a position to hire anyone.

Period.

#personalaccountability
#resumewriting
#jobsearchnightmare

I think companies are missing the mark on remote work.

All they see is lack of control, lack of 'collaboration,' lack of butts in seats and big money going out every month to pay rent on offices that are empty.

Here is what they should be focused on - work from home strengthens families.

Work from home builds loyalty (and that has been missing for a long time).

Work from home builds communities.

Work from home IMPROVES productivity (it's been proven time, and time again).

Work from home reduces sick time, days off, snow days, childcare costs, etc.

Which all allows people to live better, buy enough groceries and pump money back into the economy.

Aren't all these things enough to show why working from home, when possible, is a good thing? 

You can think what you want...but we talk to at least 400 new job seekers/resume clients a week, and you know what?

Most of them still want WFH.


#resumewriting
#jobsearch
#wfhjobs

I don’t get it.

Employers are laying off people in droves…..

But their “careers pages” are filled with job postings.

Why aren’t those roles being offered to staff impacted by layoffs?

If you work in recruiting for a company that you really love, wouldn’t you like to stay and migrate into a job in L&D or HR?

If you are in sales and losing your job, wouldn’t you entertain moving into a role in operations or something else?

That way, when employers discover the recession is going to be ridiculously short (clears throat), you can just move people back into their old jobs?

Just my 2 cents.

#beenherebefore
#weneverlearn
#hiring

I recently closed a credit card I was no longer using.

It was a business credit card.

I went online and tried to close the account online, but it said I had to call in.

Since I have zero patience (why the hell can’t I just close this account online)….

I was irritated.

But I called, expecting a long wait and the runaround.

Instead, I got an incredibly pleasant older gentleman who was as chatty and friendly as could be.

He asked me why I was closing the card, and I told him I didn’t use it and was just streamlining expense management.

He closed my card, thanked me for being a customer for 24 years, and told me he’d send me a link for a personal card if I was interested.

While he typed away, we chatted about the holidays, our families, and he told me he’d just celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary.

I wished him a heartfelt congratulations and asked his secret to a happy marriage.

He told me he finds 3 things to compliment her on each day. 💕💕💕

He was so sweet, so charming and so kind, that I DID end up signing up for a personal credit card with them.

Moral of the story….

We are all sick to being relegated to “automated” systems, push 1 or push 2 for this or that…..

We get angry at companies and services for treating us like we don’t matter.

My new bestie is a retired teacher, working from home, and an asset to his employer.

He loves people, loves his job, and they’ll make boatloads of money off me for using their credit card.

Business isn’t hard.

Customer service isn’t hard.

Building good vibes, loyalty and trust isn’t hard.

You’ll never get those things when you are using AI or automation.

You only get that when Chuck answers the phone.

#Chuck
#CustomerService
#ResumeWriting

Forget the Great Recession.

We are now in the era of “I don’t give a shit.”

Employers lay people off by Zoom.

Politicians care more about ratings that people.

Workers don’t show up.

Offers get rescinded (sometimes after people move or quit their current jobs).

Candidates interview endlessly and exhaustively and jobs get put on hold.

It’s 2022 and there’s no baby formula because of a clerical error.

Everyone seems to have no filter.

People troll, fight and spew vitriol everywhere you look (or read).

You can’t take a flight without someone getting drunk, stupid or putting their chair in your lap.

Is it everyone? If you watch the news or read a newspaper, you’d believe it.

I don’t believe it.

I think people are good.

When I look around me, I see happiness.

I see people who care about their families, friends and neighbors.

I see helpers.

I see generosity and kindness.

Yes, priorities have changed.

And that’s a good thing!

But nearly every interaction I have from the grocery store to the pizza delivery driver, people are gracious, nice and kind.

Of course there are still jerks.

I’d like every politician to be more Winston Churchill and less Pee Wee Herman, but I’d like to believe that we still care.

About ourselves and each other.

Let’s publicize that.

#people #happiness #kindness

Tit for tat.

Want a candidate to give you 3 references?

Give them the names/phone numbers of 3 employees of yours they can talk to.

Want to see the candidates w-2 from last year?

Be prepared to show them yours.

Want a candidate to take a personality test?

Be prepared to show them the results of the personality test of the person who will be their boss. (This should be interesting).

Want a candidate to prepare a business, marketing or sales plan?

Be prepared to share your vision for that candidates professional growth, career plan and how YOU will ensure their success.

Hiring is a 2 way street.

Knowing everything about the candidate is your requirement.

Shouldn’t they, in turn, know everything about you?

I think that’s fair.

#resumewriting #hiring #titfortat

My daughter moved into a new apartment recently.

This Thanksgiving is the first time I’ve been here.

We just finished carving the turkey and making the stuffing.

Enjoying coffee and each others company.

I went through the Thanksgiving prep, step by step, so in the future, she’s prepared to make the feast on her own.

As I was putting the dishes in the dishwasher, I noticed this picture.

I feel like I spent most of my life in the kitchen, lol.

I cooked endlessly. Baked non stop.

I always, always had music on.

Sinatra, The Eagles, Elvis, classic rock, pop, country and jazz filled the air.

Turns out, we did a LOT of dancing in the kitchen.

I taught them the slide, the twist, the jitterbug, the foxtrot and the Macarena in that kitchen.

Turns out, it made an impression.

Life lessons don’t need to be serious all the time.

In addition to teaching your kids how to be good humans, learning the chicken dance with cookies baking in the background is pretty important too!

Today I wish you a kitchen filled with love, good food, bubbling gravy and dancing.

XxOo

Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m standing in line at the deli on Saturday morning at my local Italian market.

There are at least 15 people in front of me.

So, I start scrolling through my messages and a recent client has sent a note asking for advice on salary negotiations for an offer he just received.

I respond with a note about asking for the customary 15% above the offer.

Problem was, I didn’t have my glasses on, so instead of saying 15%, I type 35% instead.

I wish him good luck and go back to waiting on line.

Monday, he messages me “thanks for the advice, it was bold, and they offered me 30%.

I look back at the messages and laugh.

I tell him what happened and he says “wow, I thought you were just giving me some aggressive advice!”

I came home with some fresh mozzarella and prosciutto, and he got $27k more than the original offer.

I’m totally sending him my deli bill. 😂😂😂

#resumewriting
#salarynegotiation
#bebold

22 years with the same employer.

Ranked #2 nationwide.

Ranked #1 in his tri state region for sales.

22 years.

He held 6 different roles.

Trained countless sales reps.

Built their partner network from nothing to 200+ distributors.

Helped grow the business from small potatoes to a MAJOR player in the commercial parts industry.

Unceremoniously dumped 2 days after a heated argument with his boss.

After the initial shock (and in his words, embarrassment) wore off, he was PISSED!

He thought he’d retire from there.

When we were working on his resume package, we asked him to send us a few job targets of interest (we ask all of our clients to do this).

He said “oh, I’m not applying for any jobs, I’m using my new resume and LinkedIn profile to start my own independent rep business.”

He’s going to take EVERYTHING he’s learned about the industry, his thousands of contacts and clients to work for himself.

Good for him. Bad for them.

Customers don’t do business with companies. They do business with people.

I bet he gives them a run for their money. 💲💲💲

#resume #business #fired

“Why should we hire you?“

I had a client recently complete a 7 step interview process for a VP Level role, with an accompanying salary of $250K plus bonus.

After an exhaustive process (3 months), including a full business plan, interviews with everyone from the HR team to the COO, this is what he said.

“If you don't know why you should hire me, then I don't know what else to tell you.

You either think I can do the job, or you don't.“

Yes, it was a bit snarky, but after fulfilling every request, every interview, every test, every presentation and every ridiculous questions, he was not feeling generous.

He got the offer.

Stop asking candidates this question.

If you have interviewed them, that is a question YOU need to answer.

If you are not intelligent enough to know why you should hire a candidate after 7 interviews, you should not be asking questions. Or hiring.

It's really that simple.

#success
#jobsearch
#dumbquestions

The Instacart delivery girl was in my son's bed this morning.

He was in the guest bedroom.

Turns out, they are old High School friends.

They met out last night, both decided it wasn't safe to drive home, and took an Uber to our house.

He gave her his room.

When they came downstairs (after smelling coffee brewing), I said to her, you look familiar.

She said, “I delivered your groceries today“, lol.

She's in college, and says it is the best money she's ever made.

“Most people are really generous“ she told me. “I've worked waitressing, retail, and restaurant jobs, but with this job, I don't have to deal with rude customers or unruly drunks.“

She's graduating this week.
Going off to Veterinarian school in the fall.
Told me she prefers the company of horses vs people.

My son agreed with her.
I don't think he has actually ever been in the company of a horse in his life.

We have an entire generation of kids who have only known rude customers, being abused at work the norm and prefer animals/video games/social media to being with people.

Do you think that is a problem?

#people #socialmedia #work

Interviewer: “Tell me about yourself.”

Me: “Well, I love donuts. I have a new puppy named Nero that I can’t stop talking about. I love ❤️ him so much. Sometimes I pee a tiny little bit if I laugh or sneeze too hard. I am passionate about buying shoes. But I never actually wear them. Sometimes I just stand in the closet and look at them and it makes me happy. I love Mondays but think everyone should quit working on Fridays at 2 pm. I love pizza, the only vegetables I eat are corn on the cob and carrots. And I believe the best movie ever made is The Godfather. Part 2, not part 1.“

Interviewer: 🙄

Me: “Oh, you mean professionally?“

See how these open ended questions can go south?

Let’s have real conversations.

Ask meaningful questions.

Stop trying to trip up candidates.

They are exhausted and tired of the games.

Plus, if you keep asking dumb questions, you might find yourself the recipient of waaaaay too much information.

#resumewriting
#tmi
#jobsearch
#interviews

Ghosting is just another word for chickenshit.

No other excuse.

If someone takes the time to go through your interview process, just let them know they didn't get the job.

Don't tell them “we will get back to you in a week“ or “we will let you know“ and then NOT let them know.

Don't be a chicken. Or a shit.


#resumewriting
#hiringbyhumans
#jobsearch

Can't run an airline without pilots.

Can't run a restaurant without servers.

Can't run a gas station without cashiers.

Can't run a tech company without technicians.

Can't run a hospital without nurses.

Can't run a trucking company without truck drivers.

ALL companies run on people.

Not policies.
Not stakeholders.
Not Board Members.
Not stock prices.
Not stances, requirements, programs, or politics.

The PEOPLE have spoken.

Maybe it's time to listen.

#people #success #resumewriting

Me on LinkedIn: Let’s help each other, make introductions, be kind, and use our connections to help job seekers, tell stories, inspire others, treat humans like humans.

Me driving in traffic: I hate every person on this planet.

#linkedin #jobseekers #resumewriting