In the throes of a major downsizing, I’m not just cleaning out a few drawers in the house, or a closet or two. It’s an all-encompassing initiative that starts with the clearing-out of both physical + intangible clutter and reprioritizing the items that are left. While unleashing from the weight of things, it’s about simultaneously […]
Articulate Your Unique Value Proposition Without Being Pushy
Have you ever connected with someone new, enjoyed the brilliancy of their smile, the ebullience of their voice and the mutual passion for a hobby? Have you experienced such instant-connections abruptly taking a nosedive? That was me last night as my husband and I sat at the bar in our boathouse, basking in the glow […]
3 Words for My 2019 Story
Each stroke of the new-year drum gains clarity, beat by beat. I look forward with hope and three words to shape my 2019 story: 1 of 3 Words: FAITH Faith is the foundation. Without daily nurturing and cultivating of faith, the other two words will wither. At best, they grow, but in the wrong direction and/or […]
Why Do Career Storytellers Charge So Much, and Who Even Cares About My “Story” Anyway?
Why Do Career Storytellers Charge So Much? When an executive-level prospect contacts me, some of the inevitable, “What’s in it for me? Why do you charge more than many other resume writers?” questions pop up, mostly to untangle the angst of investing in themselves at that level, and that deeply. To assuage their concerns and […]
Are You Faithful to the Complexity of Your Resume Story?
“Make sure your message is clear, yet that you are faithful to its complexity.” — Michael Dirda Simplicity is overrated. While it is imperative to craft a concise synopsis of who you are and what you do, it is equally crucial to elaborate the specifics. Career stories that are faithful to their complexity activate emotion: struggle, fear, boldness, […]
Resume Story – How to Emote Tenacity
How to Write Who You Are Marjorie Liebert, a former dancer, said, “We dance who we are.” Similarly, when writing your career story, you must, “Write who you are.” As who you are evolves, so does your story. While being authentic in expressing who you are is important, it is equally essential to be selective in what you parlay versus […]
Making Beautiful Noise With the Stories of Your Career
What inspires you? It took me decades to be inspired by Neil Diamond – his pure, crystalline lyrics, his voice that is “gravel and potholes.” Diamond’s music feeds the soul and inspires; you connect to it; you’re compelled to sing along, with conviction. He sang the marquee song in one of my favorite movies, Here Comes the Boom, where “Holly Holy” is […]
Maximize an ‘Ordinary’ Job to Bolster Your Career Value
By Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter During a recent trip to North Texas, Rob and I collected several customer service stories that inspired this post. When employees get lax in their jobs, perhaps thinking certain duties seem mundane or not all that important, their performance, and ultimately, the customers they serve, are impacted, negatively. Rest assured, though simple […]
Piecing Together Your Resume Puzzle
Akin to constructing a jigsaw puzzle, preparing your interview-cinching resume is a perplexity that requires intricately connecting hundreds, even thousands, of small pieces. Most resumes, however, resemble jumbo-piece starter puzzles that are elementary and unsatisfying to the reader, derailing your job-search efforts. Please read more on this topic via my newest Glassdoor.com post, Does Your […]