Scott Thompson, the now former CEO of Yahoo in a recent article published by CNN Money, lied about what his degrees were in on his resume.  Even though he was very powerful and had a prestigious job, he should have stuck to his professional experience and accomplishments, as he has several, instead of adding something false. Yes this may seem trivial or may be addresses as a mistake…but a mistake that cost him a CEO position for a very well-known company.

I recently had an executive level client, much like Scott Thompson…he was six credits shy of his degree and thought to list it as completed… I advised him NOT ON HIS LIFE, and told him I would refuse to have him as a client, he agreed. My solution to his problem…I told him to contact the school and provide them with real life work experience that is actually of an executive nature and see if they can work it out to compensate for those credits. DO you know it worked!!! There are minor other details he needed to sort out, but now he has his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and it is a fact to put on his resume.

No matter what experience or education you have for your resume, know that it must be true. Do not lie… it will come back to haunt you. Sell yourself to what you bring to the table.. show measured results…what are you known for…and if you are lacking qualifications, then set some goals and achieve them.

Good luck and do not lie

Violet

Many of my friends are corporate moms, single moms, business owner moms, and of course the stay at home moms. All of us have value and contribute more than anyone can comprehend, however, today, I would like to talk to the stay at home moms that may have worked right before they had children and those moms or soon to be moms that will stay at home with your children and plan to go back to work.

Regardless of your situation, if you ever plan to go back to work whether it is in one year or ten, here are some tips to help you keep up with your skill set and your resume.

When you are out of the workforce because you had children, some employers may view it just as if you are unemployed because you have been out of the market.  The most important tip I can give you is stay active by volunteering. Whatever your profession…for example if you were an attorney and you chose to stay home and raise your children, collaborate with a non profit organization that may need pro bono legal work.  Now you can keep up to date in practicing law, give back to the community, and have a sense of interaction with adults…believe me… babies are cute and I love mine to death…but human/adult interaction is important.

Another tip is to make sure you stay active with your network.  Many moms I know lost touch with everyone when they decided to stay home.  This makes for a tough transition back to the workforce.  Get on LinkedIn.. the professional networking site to help you keep active.

Join organizations that directly relate to your profession.  Volunteer on a committee and make sure to keep up to date professionally with professional development courses or trainings.

All of these tips will help you keep up to date and make sure you keep a resume journal to track your history. Be sure to keep track of your measured results.  What did you contribute? What have you learned?

And if you have a desire to start your own business…DO IT!

Happy Mother’s Day 2012!

Violet

Yes, we all have issues or face problems, but if you stay focused and positive you can overcome them.  Imagine what Shawna had to go through?  Think of her as your daughter sister, best friend, wife, or girlfriend… imagine what her days were like? I always talk about this when I am speaking in front of job seekers or students… you don’t know what you don’t know about anyone.  You have no idea what someone is going through on a daily basis even if you see them everyday…just like Shawna, no one at her school knew. Be compassionate towards people…smile, be kind…and remember, that if you have a dream or goal, you can get there…stay focused and positive.

Violet

Please remember to thank them for their service and for what they do for us, for our family, and community everyday!

I can tell you story after story of all the teacher’s I remember from all my years in school.  All of them wonderful and helpful…and yes, there may have been a sour apple in the mix too! As for nurses… recently, I have had my fair share. Since 2007, I went to Memorial Regional Hospital to give birth to, two beautiful children, Jimmy in 2008 and Emma in 2011.  The nurses at Memorial’s Birthing Center are top notch! The care they gave our family was wonderful! Thank you!

Teaching and nursing are careers that involve much compassion and patience. They involve many skills that need continuous education. These are fields that require resumes to be constantly updated.

So if you know a nurse or teacher, have them contact me for a complimentary resume review or have them visit

www.violetonresumes.com or www.nurseresumetips.com for information to help them with their resume!

Thank you to all the teachers and nurses out there!

Well, it’s back! At least for one night! This event will take place on Wednesday, May 9 from 6 to 8pm at Tap 42 located in Fort Lauderdale 1411 S. Andrews Ave 954-463-4900. $20 donation.

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

I hope you will join me! If you want to network and help your community, come out to this fun event!

SO, if today is the day to take charge of your career goals, then, write it down and go for it and do not settle! (by the way, there will be someone out there that says, the economy sucks and you better take what you can get…)

You only have one life to live, so live it!

Open your mind and think of what you want and have an action plan to get there…

Set your Goal, wrote it down… if you are not sure, then write things you like to do or your hobbies and branch out form there.  What past experience do you have that may relate to a new profession?

You have to balance what you want to do, what you like, your experience, how long will it possibly take to get there, and then make an action plan.

Seek out people you can network with in your new job goal. Get involved in organizations that pertain to that new job. Put your self in that job already… you know, I told you I love the SECRET! Volunteer… talk to people in that job, how did they get it… do you need additional experience or training?

Research, Be specific as to what you want to do…list five people that you can call today to help you.

Surround yourself with positive people…

Take action now!

Make a daily to do list and start chipping away at your new opportunity! Remember, you only have one life to live, so live it, and love it!

Don’t forget it’s Update Your Resume Month!

For me, of course I think of family and get togethers, but since I am in the business of helping people end their job search frustrations, Labor Day makes me think of what I can do different to help people find their next job.  So next Tuesday, I will be doing a free event in conjunction with the Hollywood Junior Chamber of Commerce.

An event to help you with your resume, interviewing, networking, and dressing for success! So, if you are in this situation, come out on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the Hollywood Jaycee Hall 2930 Hollywood Blvd, on the SW corner of 95 and Hollywood Blvd at 1pm.  We will be doing all kinds of workshops until about 4pm.  Then at 5:30pm, join the Hollywood Jaycees for their monthly meeting and network! Find out how you can get involved!

Also, we will be doing a PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING EXCHANGE!  Yes, bring in your professional clothes that you would like to trade for something new.  All item left will be donated to Women in Distress and Broward Outreach.

Happy Labor Day!

How can you overcome the executive at your company whose buddy comes in, does nothing and gets promoted?  Well, sometimes you can’t do anything except chart your own way.  Maybe it’s time that you seek an organization that you will have more opportunities with…maybe conspire to stalk them until they do something bad, everything blows up and they all get fired and then you get promoted…NOT! Just kidding!

Stand out in your own right… do what you do best and keep doing it.  You will get recognized and besides… you are the one that can sleep at night. You can always become friends with the executive too …. hahaha… anyway, continue to do your best, network your way to a better position based on your performance.

Remember, you must have an up to date resume when that executive asks for it!