Executive Resumes Atlanta

Heads Up -- New Opportunity for Senior Operations Execs

According to a recent article in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, international food retailer and discount supermarket chain ALDI is rolling out a 781,000-square-foot distribution center in Jackson County.

Thanks in part to the nation's economic woes, ALDI has grown significantly, adding 20 new Atlanta-area stores to its operation since it entered the market in 2001.

Now would be a great time to capitalize on this growth -- get your resume and cover letter ready to go!

Key company figures and contact information:

ALDI, Inc.
1200 North Kirk Road
Batavia, IL 60510
phone 630.879.8100
fax 630.879.8410

Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Vern Frazier
President: Mr. Chuck Youngstrom
Chief Financial Officer: Mr. Terry Pfortmiller
Administration Executive: Ms. Kimberly Shanner
IT Executive: Mr. Ken Moyner

Energize Your Job Search in Three Easy Steps

Create a LinkedIn profile or Facebook account.

Networking has long held the top spot on the list of methods successful in securing interviews during a job search. Social/business networking is the latest trend in executive job search, but don’t be too quick to wave off sites like LinkedIn and Facebook as a passing fad. These and similar sites are ideal for showcasing your career achievements and building vital network connections. Both sites are extremely user-friendly, quick to set up, and easy to manage. With LinkedIn, you can include the text of your resume in your profile and use its job search application to browse available positions across the U.S.

If you already have a Facebook account, consider creating a second one to focus on professional networking exclusively. There are hundreds – if not thousands – of anecdotes that hold up as definitive evidence for the necessity of keeping the “fun and frivolity” aspect of your Facebook persona restricted to your circle of friends and family. The likelihood of having inappropriate comments, photo tags, surveys, etc. linked to you can be managed by restricting your network contacts to those like-minded individuals seeking the exposure FB has to offer without the potential liabilities.

Know the companies you’re pursuing.

Your sales pitch (resume/cover letter) needs to be structured so that it appeals to your target employer. Learn about the companies you’re targeting, then demonstrate what you’ve learned in the body of your cover letter.

For an added touch, tailor the Profile of your resume to the needs of the target company. For instance, if you know that your target company recently acquired a competitor (i.e., today’s announcement that Toys ‘R Us has acquired rival FAO Schwarz), address the issues that are bound to require attention (e.g., integration of operations/personnel, repackaging/repositioning of products, consolidation of product lines, etc.) and highlight the experience you’ve had with that exact situation.

Write cover letters tailored to each position you pursue.

Let’s say, for example, that you’re aiming for an Executive Vice President of Retail Marketing position at Home Depot’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta. You have 15 years’ experience in marketing—all within specialty retail—but you’ve never worked in the building materials industry.

This level of position is the next logical step in your career progression; however, your biggest challenge will be competing against the rising young stars already positioned inside the company, along with outsiders ready to jump ship from companies such as market competitor Lowe’s and major suppliers such as BEHR Paint, Ryobi, or Vigoro.

You have no doubts you can do the job; you simply need to convince the hiring manager that your experience outside the industry really is relevant to Home Depot’s needs. As with the example in the section above, link the experience you DO have to the perceived needs of the company. This may take a bit of research on your part, but the Internet has made that relatively simple. You can search online magazines and business journals and tap into resources such as Hoovers.com and ReferenceUSA to uncover company profiles and keep abreast of news updates.

The bottom line – taking a personalized approach to your job search is VITAL to distinguishing you from your competitors in the job search market. Your ability to demonstrate your savvy of emerging networking technologies (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) combined with the time you invest in thoroughly researching prospective companies and positions will pay off quicker than you think!

Colleen Reyerson is an Executive Resume Writer in Atlanta, GA. She is one of only 12 Certified Expert Resume Writers (CERW) in the U.S., and the sole CERW in the state of Georgia. Colleen is Managing Director of Executive Resumes Atlanta (www.ExecutiveResumesAtlanta.com), an Atlanta, GA executive resume writing service specializing in career marketing documents for senior-level job seekers. Executive Resumes Atlanta is a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Salaried to Solo

If you’re considering making the move to self-employment, whether it be in a consulting capacity or a brick-and-mortar startup company, planning and preparation is critical. Here are some key tips and recommendations from Nina Ham, a certified business coach who specializes in programs and services supporting professionals transitioning to independent roles.

7 Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to Solo

By Nina Ham

A 40’s something woman was talking to me the other day about her growing sense of frustration with “working for someone else” and her longing to “do my own thing, drive my own wagon”. But, she said with consternation, “I have family counting on me and a standard of living I don’t want to sacrifice.”

Everyone has to decide for themselves what level of sacrifice and risk they’re willing to undertake in order to enjoy the satisfactions of working independently. Knowing some strategies for managing the risk will allow you to make a well-informed decision.

Of the seven strategies included below, the first two suggest ways to gradually transition from salaried to solo, instead of diving off the edge. The second two are ways to stretch the dollar; and the final three are ideas for getting started without stopping.

1. Continue to draw a (reduced) salary

Leaving your current employment in order to develop your new business may look like the only option, based on an assumption that you won’t get approval for reducing your hours. While this may prove to be the case, asking yourself why and how your company will profit from retaining your skills and experience for a transitional period can provide the basis for approaching your employer. Be sure to do your homework first, however, and be able to back up your request with a solid rationale.

Also consider the issue of timing. You want to weigh informing your employer of your wish to leave with being prepared to leave if the answer to your request is no.

2. Develop another income stream

If you need to leave your present employment, is there a skill in your toolbag that you can resuscitate and put to work without a significant expenditure of time or energy? Is moonlighting or freelance work an option? Virtual e-lancing websites (such as eWork.com, Guru.com, and e-lance.com) may be worth looking into for short-term professional services opportunities.

Examples: A community mental health worker transitioning to private practice used his conflict resolution experience to sell a training package to public schools. A woman transitioning out of an insurance brokerage created and sold seminars on long term care financing at local retirement centers.

3. Reduce expenses

Apart from fixed expenses - mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc. –are discretionary expenses that make up the larger part of budgets. Doing a careful analysis of these expenses and choosing what you can forego for awhile can often save thousands per year.

Carefully analyzing hidden expenses – credit card interest rates, bank charges, late fees, auto debits, phone plans – or “lost money” from low interest rates on savings may generate several thousand more per year.

4. Borrow

It isn’t necessary to wait to borrow for start-up costs until you have a well-documented idea to submit for a business loan. Refinancing a home or taking a line of credit are relatively low-cost ways of generating capital. Depending on your credit rating, you can also get time-limited low-interest loans from credit card companies.

If you choose this option, applying for loans or refinancing packages while you’re still employed is strongly advised. Your rating as a borrower declines quickly once the regular paychecks stop.

You don’t have to wait!

Get started on your new business idea while you’re still employed. Several of the all-important first steps (below) can be started while standing in the grocery line or running on the treadmill. They involve asking yourself some questions and doing some informal research to get crystal clear about your idea. This can take weeks off your actual start-up time.

5. Identify your niche.

Think about the services you’re uniquely qualified to provide, as well as the ones you most enjoy providing. Be specific! Write them down! Then think about what group of people would get benefit from those services and have the ability to pay for them. Again, be specific: age, where they congregate, habits and values, how they define the problem your services are going to solve. If you don’t know, ask. Find someone who fits your “ideal client” profile (s/he may be on the treadmill next to yours at the gym) and get permission to ask some questions. People generally love to be helpful.

6. Create your marketing plan.

Don’t be intimidated by the term “marketing plan”. While what you need from a marketing plan will get more sophisticated as your business develops, for now it simply means answering the question, How is my business going to make money? What is the product or service you’re going to sell? How will you describe it so people quickly recognize the value? How will you package it? (fee for service? by the project? on retainer?) How will you price it? (What’s being charged for comparable services? What “feels right” to you?)

7. Manage fear!

For most people, anything involving money involves some level of fear. It’s important to acknowledge to yourself and to others that you are taking a risk, and you’ve decided it’s a risk you want to take. So consider the fear natural, and find ways to manage it.

Getting support from people who believe in you and in what you’re embarking on is #1 in fear-management tactics. Don’t assume that you’ll get it from the people closest to you, or that if you don’t have it you shouldn’t proceed. They’re probably the ones most impacted by your decision and so may be least ready to offer support. Their consent – a willingness to go along with your plan – is helpful, but support may have to come later.

It’s also helpful to set a goal (and a date for completion) that’s key to your new venture – arrange financing by a particular date, or sign a lease – and announce it to at least one person. You’ll find that making that commitment, saying it out loud, and following through will in turn generate more confidence and more forward momentum.

To all of you who are tired of marching to someone else’s drum and are eager to go solo, these strategies should help you take prudent but positive steps toward realizing your goal. Good luck!

Nina Ham is an internationally certified women’s business coach and a licensed psychotherapist. Her company, Success from the Inside Out, provides programs and services essential for anyone making the salaried-to-solo transition, including niche identification, marketing fundamentals, and self management for solo professionals.

Looking Outside the (U. S.) Box

When the job market is more challenging than usual, as it is now with the economic downturn, many candidates look outside the normal scope of opportunities, including overseas positions. Executive Resumes Atlanta is pleased to share this article by Rhiannon Williamson, a freelance writer based in Cypress, whose articles on living and working abroad have appeared in expatriate publications around the world.

Planning To Work Abroad

by Rhiannon Williamson

Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening experience; and if you take the time to plan ahead carefully before you go, you will make your transition into the overseas work place a smooth and successful one.

So, if you’re considering relocating overseas to take up a temporary assignment or you’d like to move abroad permanently and find work there are basically three main aspects of expatriation that you need to think about before you make your move and this article examines them for you.

1) Location

Unless you’re being relocated by your employer to a fixed location you will quickly discover that it's a big wide world and you therefore have a great deal of choice when considering which country best suits your lifestyle and employment requirements. In an effort to narrow down your search a little consider any country you’re interested in in view of the following considerations: -

i) The location’s distance from your home country and your family and friends – remember that there will be times you want or need to return home and/or to catch up with old faces. How easy and affordable will it be for you to go ‘back home’ should the need arise and how simple will it be for your friends and family to come and visit you?

ii) The weather – some countries are more or less hospitable in weather terms and someone who originally heralds from Tropical North Queensland may find it a struggle to cope with the wet, grey winters in England for instance and someone from Canada may find is a shock coping with the searing summer temperatures in Spain. Thinking about your ideal overseas location from a weather perspective may well cut down your choices!

iii) Your family – particularly if you’re expatriating with children you’ll need to think carefully about the healthcare and education facilities available overseas and also about getting your essential insurances in place before you go. Some countries are more expensive and restrictive than others…bear this in mind.

iv) Language barriers – if you’re considering moving to a country where the mother tongue is other than your own will this restrict your employment prospects? Can you overcome this by learning the language before you go or do you need to reconsider your destination?

2) Employment

Are you a professional in a given industry or do you have a flexible skill set that will allow you to seek work in many different sectors? Do your qualifications translate favorably and transfer directly overseas? What sectors would you like to work in, in which countries can you find work in a profession that suits you?

These are all questions you have to consider carefully. Next, if you’re moving overseas permanently you need to be practical and realistic and consider the long term employment prospects for you, your spouse and any other family members accompanying you…if you can find employment today how easy will it be to change employer or advance your career later in life?

You should then examine your desired location carefully and determine whether or not you need work permits, residency visas and permission to work and live abroad, if so you should get the ball rolling and apply as soon as possible in case of any paperwork and administrative delays.

Also consider the taxation and financial aspects of working abroad…remember that if you’re moving to a low cost country the economy will likely pay lower wages than you’re used to, will these be sufficient to sustain your ideal lifestyle?

3) Accommodation

Last but not least is the thought of finding somewhere to live abroad. By now you’ll have a clear favourite in the location stakes but now you need to examine the property market and whether it’s easy and affordable to rent accommodation when you first arrive and whether, long term, it’s possible for foreign residents to purchase freehold property abroad.

If you’re planning on moving abroad permanently you’ll also need to think about moving your household belongings and personal effects with you, and what about transporting your pets overseas too?

There are many relocation companies who specialize in relocating individuals and families abroad, these companies have a fantastic skills base to assist you with every single aspect of the process. If on the other hand you’re on a budget or looking to work abroad for a shorter period of time use the internet to find forums and information sites dedicated to expats, working abroad and the particular countries you’re interested in and you’ll quickly be amazed at the wealth of invaluable information out there.

Three Elements of a Successful Job Search

“The purpose of a resume is not to land a job.” Clients are understandably a bit confused when I make this statement – and some may wonder if perhaps they’ve signed on with the wrong resume writer!

I clear up the confusion by explaining that the resume is but one of three critical components in a successful job search: 1) the resume, 2) marketing the resume, and 3) the interview. Of course, a candidate’s ultimate goal is to secure a job, but the true purpose of a resume is to land an interview, which can then lead to a job offer. In between Point A (the resume) and Point C (the interview) lies Point B (the marketing).

The resume is the initial star of the show as the “door opener” that introduces the candidate, but like any performer, it must be seen to be appreciated. Once the resume has received exposure and arrives at its destination – the Hiring Manager – and has done its job generating an interview, then the candidate becomes the star performer.

THE RESUME: Selling the “Product”

An effective resume is a persuasive sales tool that “pitches” the “product,” in this case, the candidate. A resume that merely tells the what, where, and when – common in self-developed resumes – is actually nothing more than a job description that lists the position responsibilities. By contrast, a high-impact resume is a powerful marketing document that sells a job seeker by making a strong argument as to why the candidate is the best person for the job.

To capture attention, a strong “selling” resume must pique the hiring manager’s interest during an initial 15- to 20-second scan. Therefore, the top one-third of the first page of the resume – the introduction – is critical. Title headers, a compelling qualifications summary that “brands” the candidate, and key functional areas of expertise – also called competencies – are commonly used and highly effective tools to draw in the reader.

An interview-generating resume provides “proof” of the job seeker’s stated strengths and expertise in the form of accomplishments. Strong quantifiable achievements clearly communicate the candidate’s contributions in driving organizational goals. For example, “Led a 15-member business development team to generate a 32% increase in revenue in the first 18 months” provides the size of the team, the amount of increase and the timeframe.

A winning resume does much more than simply lists facts; it relates the story of a candidate’s career, gives the reader a sense of the person behind the words, and positions the job seeker as a top contender.

MARKETING THE RESUME: Maximizing Exposure

A diligent, focused marketing campaign entails a comprehensive, diversified search that utilizes all of the resources available to a job seeker: recruiters/headhunters, networking, Internet-based sources/tools, and “cold calling.” This broad approach is particularly critical in today’s challenging economic climate.

The increased unemployment rate has resulted in a greater pool of candidates available to employers, which means it has become a “buyer’s” (employer’s) market. An Atlanta-based recruiter spelled out what this competitive environment looks like in 2009: “Many employers are now hiring candidates who meet 90% of their criteria. Two years ago that number was closer to 70%.”

“Cold calling,” a term familiar to sales professionals, can be a valuable strategy for the proactive job seeker to venture “outside the box” and gain an advantage over other candidates. Using this approach, the applicant contacts employers “cold” rather than in response to a known open position, e.g. posted online or via a recruiter.

The Internet can be particularly useful in researching companies and sourcing related information. Press releases or other online marketing documents often identify the names and titles of executive decision-makers. The candidate can then multiply his or her potential exposure – and stand out from the crowd – by submitting a letter of introduction and resume to both internal contacts, e.g. an Executive Vice President as well as the “official” channel, the Human Resource Department. This approach requires persistence and often-repeated submissions to a number of companies, but it can be successful.

THE INTERVIEW: Closing the Sale

Preparation is key to wowing a potential employer. A successful job candidate should do his or her homework, be armed with the proper tools, and be mentally primed for the interview.

Key tips for a job seeker:

1. Become intimately familiar with the information outlined in your resume, as it’s often used as the source of interview questions. Be prepared with additional supporting details to expound on your accomplishments.
2. Research the prospective employer. Learn about the company’s culture, background, products/services, customer base, and short-/long-term goals, as well as recent changes in the organization or market. Ask knowledgeable questions that let the interviewer know you’re familiar with and interested in the company.
3. Review the common questions asked in a typical interview. Prepare two or three scenarios in response to open-ended questions such as, “Tell me about a time when…” Use this opportunity to sell yourself by relating a time that you solved a problem, advanced a company goal, took the initiative, innovated a new process, improved customer satisfaction, etc. Match your responses to the expectations for the position.
4. Rehearse the interview. Practice responding to the interview questions, or better yet (particularly if it’s been a while since you’ve interviewed), role-play with another person acting as the Hiring Manager.
5. Observe established interview protocol. Be on time, dress appropriately (solid conservative colors, or one level up from the company dress code, if known), shake hands with the interviewer upon arrival and departure, maintain solid eye contact, listen carefully, and respond fully to questions (but don’t overtalk).
6. Close the sale! No self-respecting salesperson would extol the wonderful features of a product and then shake hands and walk away. He or she attempts to cement the deal. A job candidate must do the same. Clearly and enthusiastically express your interest in the job. Ask the interviewer how soon the decision will be made, and make it plain you will be eagerly waiting to hear from them. Be persistent and continue attempting to close after the interview. Send a thank you letter and follow up at reasonable intervals.

A candidate armed with the knowledge that a well-written resume is but one of three key tools in a strong job search arsenal is an empowered candidate who increases his or her odds of success!

What is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)?

Certified Professional Resume Writers are the career industry's leading experts in the development of strategic resumes and the CPRW credential is recognized as the industry standard of excellence. Offered exclusively through the Professional Association of Resume Writers (PARW/CC), certification is awarded to writers who have met industry standards for achieving client strategic goals and have mastered the craft of resume preparation, using the most current information and techniques.

A resume writer possessing the CPRW credential must pass multiple examinations that test the writer's industry knowledge, comprehension of the resume writing field, command of grammar, punctuation, spelling and proofreading, and skills in strategic thinking on resume related issues. In addition, the writer is required to develop a resume and cover letter based upon background information provided by the PARW/CC on a hypothetical client to demonstrate the highest level of skill in resume writing.

Certification examinations are reviewed and graded by three CPRWs who are members of the Certification Committee Board. PARW membership is required to maintain the CPRW designation. My CPRW credential can be verified by contacting PARW/CC at 800-822-7279 or visiting their web site by clicking on the PARW/CC logo on the left (www.PARW.com), selecting "Find a Certified Professional Resume Writer" and scrolling to US-GA.

What is the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC)?

Established in 1990, PARW/CC is the nation's oldest professional resume writing organization and premier professional association dedicated to elevating the skills, credibility, and visibility of specialists in the fields of resume writing, career coaching, and career counseling. PARW/CC created the career industry's first certification program for resume professionals in 1991. Today, the Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) credential is the respected industry standard. As a member in good standing of the PARW/CC, Access Resumes pledges strict adherence to the PARW/CC Code of Ethics.

PARW/CC CODE OF ETHICS

Provide clients with products and services that will enhance their ability to achieve their goals and objectives, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, income.

Be sensitive to client needs and compassionate in providing advice, products, and services in meeting the client's specific career goals.

Deliver to the client what was promised and be truthful in guiding, advising, and counseling clients in all aspects of the resume writing / employment industry.

Maintain strict confidentiality with each client, revealing information to others only upon written authorization from the client.

Stay abreast of employment market and hiring trends that will affect his / her clientele, providing up-to-date advice, counsel, products, and services to most effectively meet clients' career objectives v Comply with all legal obligations in providing professional services.

Be aware that contact with the public as a PARW/CC member promotes the organization, specifically, and reflects on the entire resume writing / employment industry as a whole.

Be responsible to the community and be a contributing part of this environment through participation in community activities. Offer professional advice and information pertaining to the resume writing / employment industry as appropriate.

Emphasize the professional spirit of the organization by encouraging and promoting good relations among members.

What criteria should I consider when researching professional resume services?

The search for a qualified, professional resume service can seem daunting. However, there are several screening "red flags" that can help you weed out the amateurs.
First of all, it's important to find a career industry specialist certified by a professional organization. Avoid jack-of-all trades generalists, such as print/copy or secretarial services that provide resumes as one of numerous menu items. These services may provide either only typesetting or fill-in-the-blank cookie cutter resume templates. But keyboarding by an untrained clerk is vastly different from strategic writing by an experienced professional resume writer.
Another type of service to avoid are the low-end "resume mills." Impersonal resume factories focused on quantity and a fast turnaround, these Internet-based companies often appear professional with sophisticated websites and credible verbiage. However, these services employ low-paid and often inexperienced subcontractors to mass produce mediocre-to-poor template-based resumes.

Key Questions to Ask:

• Does your business provide only resume development services?

• Do you offer a free consultation or critique?

• Who will write my resume (a credentialed professional and service owner or a contract/salaried writer)?

• Is the writer a certified resume writer?

• How many years of experience does he or she have?

• Can I see sample resumes written by the writer who will develop my resume?

• Will I be able to talk with the writer on the phone?

• Is your company a member of the Better Business Bureau?

Why should I use a professional resume writer?

Quite simply, to gain an advantage over your competition! Most people have a difficult time looking at themselves, their career, and their achievements objectively and are uncomfortable "tooting their own horn." As a result, the tendency is to downplay accomplishments. A professional resume writer knows how to position you for maximum impact based on your background, experience, accomplishments, and unique situation. Multiple factors must be considered, including presentation of critical information and what information should be showcased and what should be eliminated or diminished to avoid potential obstacles.

An experienced resume writer approaches the process from the critical perspective of a hiring manager, and understands the subtle nuances involved in the selection or placement of a single word or phrase. A professional is also an expert in industry "buzz" words and strong action verbs relevant and appropriate to your profession and career level.

The below questions provide a sampling of the issues a professional resume writer addresses when developing a resume-writing strategy. There are no "one-size-fits-all" solutions when developing a high-impact, accomplishment-based resume!

Do you know the answers to the following questions?

• Which section of your resume is considered the most important during the initial scan by a hiring manager, and why?
• When should an objective be included on your resume?
• What criteria determines if your resume should be developed in one, two, or three pages?
• If your career encompasses more than 20 years, should all of your experience be included, or only the past 15 years?
• Should your resume be written using a reverse chronological, functional, or combination format?
• Why is a functional resume potentially viewed as a "red flag" to hiring managers?
• What is the single area that career industry surveys have determined hiring managers tend to agree on regarding what they like to see on resumes?
• What is the most effective method to incorporate core competencies?
• What key information is often lacking in quantifiable accomplishments?
• How should position functions and accomplishments be differentiated?
• In what unique circumstances can personal information such as hobbies be included on a resume?
• If a prospective employer requests salary information, what percentage of hiring managers are likely to consider the applicant if this information is not provided?
• What percentage of candidates fail to send a thank you letter following an interview?

Why you need a professional resume writing service

A powerful, compelling professional resume that generates interviews and leads to job offers is much more than simply an outline of your experience and job functions. Similarly, a qualified professional resume writer is much more than merely a word processor or typist.

True professional resume writing is a fine art that must be honed over a period of time by professionals dedicated to excellence in their chosen field. Regardless of your career level, an employer must see your potential value to their organization. To accomplish this goal, you need an experienced expert in resume writing and career marketing who will effectively serve in many roles to develop a professional resume that does more than tell...it SELLS your value to prospective employers:

Information Miner: Asks the right questions to obtain critical information related to your background, strengths, soft skills, and accomplishments.

Strategist: Emphasizes, diminishes, or eliminates information aligned with your target, which is key in developing high-impact professional resumes.

Writer/Creative Designer: Leverages the "tools of the trade" while adhering to key rules to highlight your expertise and showcase your successes.

Why you need us!

When you partner with Access Resumes, you're teaming up with certified professional resume writers who have the knowledge and expertise required to help you succeed in today's highly competitive job market.

Our experienced resume writers have developed literally thousands of job-winning resumes for all levels, including executive resumes for senior decision-makers, professional resumes for mid-level managers to technical professionals, and entry-level resumes for students and new graduates.