Most people think of Labor Day as the last day of summer fun… no more white after today…last day for barbeques and outside events before winter and the holidays.

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!

Listen to me on the radio tomorrow as I talk about International Update Your Resume Month! Sunday, 9/4 at 6:00 AM on Y-100.7FM (WHYI) I know it’s really early, so if you miss it, it will be available on my blog! Have a great day!

So here is how today went…I got up at 5am, got ready and went to my BNI meeting. I was one of the featured speakers and it was great because I was able to promote International Update Your Resume Month! My presentation went well, then I rushed off, went to the office and normally on Thursday mornings, after BNI, my husband brings my now almost eight month old baby to me and she come sot the office.  We hung out for a while, then I had to get ready for my call on with Tory Johnson’s Virtual Job Club!  This was so exciting.  Anyway, I had to take baby Emma to my parents, because, although very cute, her sounds had no business being on a national call with tons of people that was being recorded after it was live, to be put on Tory’s Women for Hire website…so on the way there, someone hits me from behind!  I could not believe this was happening! I immediately jumped to see if baby Emma was ok and thankfully she was… then I checked on my car…nothing… I got the person’s info because my head rests deployed (popped out)  so, I have to take my car to Mercedes and just in case, needed their insurance info…long story short…. I needed to get to my parent’s house so I can do the call!!! I could not miss this call!  SO, I did not call the police…I was thankful we were safe and no apparent damage on outside of car.

I was determined to make my call with Tory Johnson’s Virtual Job Club, and I did!  Thanks Tory and Michelle!

So, click here to listen to me!

PRESS RELEASE

Violet Nikolici Lowrey, MBA, CPRW, CEMC

A Plus Professional Resumes, Inc.

1000 E. Atlantic Blvd, Suite 117

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Broward: 954-839-8552 Palm Beach: 561-208-6468 Dade: 305-428-3877

Cell: 954-394-3040 Email: violet@violetonresumes.com

BLOG: www.violetonresumesblog.com

WEBSITE: www.aplusprofessionalresumes.com

PROFESSIONAL RESUME WRITERS CELEBRATE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL UPDATE YOUR RESUME MONTH

For Immediate Release –September marks the annual International Update Your Resume Month, officially proclaimed by Career Directors International (CDI). During the entire month, CDI members will dedicate their efforts to boosting industry awareness and encouraging the public to update their own resumes.

Violet Nikolici Lowrey of A Plus Professional Resumes will be available to local and national media to answer questions and offer expertise about resumes, cover letters, job interviews, and job search strategies. Violet will be doing various events, workshops in the community, and speaking to local universities. She will offer weekly, free teleseminars to the community on job search topics. Interested parties should email violet@violetonresumes.com. Violet will be speaking at events and job fairs in the community. The public is welcome to attend and advised to bring their resume and note pad.  Interview and Dress for Success tips will also be offered. Information will be available by connecting with Violet Nikolici Lowrey on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Face book.

Since most careers require a resume in order to gain employment, it’s important that job seekers take a proactive approach in order to be ready for any and all opportunities that crop up. Too often people try to write a resume at the last minute, which is the worst time to prepare a document that needs to be perfect. A well-crafted resume takes time and research, and Update Your Resume Month is a perfect reminder to be prepared for new opportunities.

Violet can be reached at 954.839.8552 or violet@violetonresumes.com.

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As you know, September is International Update Your Resume Month.  I will be talking about many topics, but today, I had t bring this up because someone called me today and asked if I would review their resume.  I said yes and told them to email it to me.  I reviewed the resume and wanted to call them because a recruiter called me today and asked me if I knew someone in a particular field and this person happened to be…when I called the number was not their number anymore! Yes, I had their email address, however, a recruiter or hiring manager may not take the extra steps to contact them.

Make sure you always update your contact information and actually dial the number you put on the resume in case you transposed a number.

That’s all for now…

V

Wow! Can you believe September is already here…my goodness, I just had my baby in January!  As fast as baby Emma is growing, so is the need for your to update your resume!

September is a great time to do this because the mood is changing in the air…school is back in session…the lazy days f summer are gone, and people are ready to get back to work and focus!

September is the spark needed to get back on track…It’s right before the holidays, just before fall, and right before the last quarter where businesses ear mark their HR budget for the following year as to if they will add people or not.

September is far enough from New Years, that you can actually set a goal and achieve it! Finding a new job, perfect, now is the time to update your resume.

Follow me this month, as I will be doing free calls, events, reviewing resumes, posting blogs, and most importantly, giving you vital information!

Here’s to you September and International Update Your Resume Month!

Is this a dream? NO! This is a real job and the Seminole Casino is searching for the right person! Get your resume ready, pictures, video, and positive attitude! GO FOR IT! Make sure you read the requirements. Application deadline coming quick.  Go to:  http://www.faceofclassic.com

Good luck!

Yup, I am sure you have seen them too…the numerous profiles without pictures….ghosts!

If you have already ventured out into the social media world, take the time to update your profile.  Linkedin in is a professional social media networking site, so put a professional picture in your profile.  There are many photographers out there and if you need recommendations, I can help you!

I will go one step further and say…if you are completely against putting your picture on your profile, then update your profile picture with a famous quote, picture of the industry you are in, a logo, etc.

If you are looking for a job and think that you do not put your picture on your resume…yes, that may be the case, but this is not your resume...yes, you can put your resume on Linkedin, but if they chose you based on your resume from your Linkedin profile and called you for an interview, they will eventually see you…yes, maybe you can win them over with your charming personality, but do not hide your self online…after all…it is online…social media…not shy media.

Ultimately, it is your choice to put your picture on your profile, but, I have seen many profiles that are incomplete, even with their resume information. So, today, I am the Ghost Buster of the Linkedin profile pictures…so get to it…update your profile!

Former Broward County Supervisor of Elections Miriam Oliphant lost her $75,000 job as a Broward County Guidance Counselor partly because of inconsistencies in her job history on her resume.

Could you imagine losing a $75,000 a year job with great benefits, time off, and great hours because you added extra time to the length of service you were at your previous job?!   Let me ask you, have you ever lied about the dates on your resume?

I can tell you it happens on a daily basis and when I speak to a new client, I immediately tell them, TELL THE TRUTH!!!!  It will come back to haunt you!

Consider the case of George O’Leary who lost his dream job as the head football coach of the University of Notre Dame when it came to light that he lied on his resume about receiving a master’s degree from a non-existent college.

These are just two examples of what can happen when you lie on your resume. I wish that Miriam and George would have contacted me…I would of been able to give them the right advice to help them present their true and factual information…they may have still been employed!

So, remember, that lying can come back to haunt you and possibly ruin your career, not to mention damage your reputation.   My suggestion is, if you are having trouble presenting information on you resume, contact a professional to assist you. For more information about resumes, go to www.violetonresumes.com

In the Sun-Sentinel yesterday, the front page article was jobs open but, but workers need matching skills.  I can not stress this enough.  When you are looking for a job, be sure to read the job description.  I am sure that if you read it, it will indicate what they are looking for, especially skills, possibly a certification or license, even a specific technical skill.  Do you have these skills?  My clients know that I speicifcally add keywords or buzzwords that apply to what their desired position it.  You must be crips, clear, and concise as to what you want to do.  Target the position you want, tell the reader what you want, then show them what you have!

There is a need in the market place, can you fulfill it?  This is why it is so competitive.  Employers are cherry picking the candidates that fit what they are looking for.  You must be willing to acquire the skills you don’t have to fit the job you want, if you really want it.  can you volunteer? yes…can you go to school? yes…can you get on the job training? yes

Technically savvy people have an edge over those that are not.  If you are unemployed, this is your chance to inprove your skills, learn new skills, and volunteer to network and meet people.

Again, Stay positive, keep up with what is going on in your industry and focus on industries that are up and coming.  Make sure to keep your resume current and relevant to the position you are applying for.  Stay busy and remember, volunteer to close the gap on your resume!