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!

The Apprentice Week 1 Recap!
By now, you know I love the Apprentice!  This show has so much value and relates to my business, that I can’t help but watch and  give my opinion.  If you are a job seeker, you will definitely gain some insight in how people work or not work together, how people react in the real world (ok I know it’s TV, but humor me), what scenarios are thrown out and how people react, what strengths and weaknesses people have, who has or does not have the power to be #1, and ultimately, what it takes to be the Apprentice.

I will be tracking the show, commenting on various aspects from the candidates interaction with each other, individually, with Mr. Trump, the tasks, and more. Being a Career Services Professional, I want to offer my expertise to what is happening on this show and what you can take away to apply to  your siutaion.
I welcome comments and feedback.  If you have questions, please feel free to ask! I will be happy to respond.

Need resume help…go to www.violetonresumes.com for a free video download and next Wednesday, September 29, at 1pm I will be doing a free teleseminar with a job seeker success story to wrap up International Update Your resume Month! I’ll blog about that tomorrow as well!
So stay tuned to the Violet Apprentice Comment Show! Below you will find my Face book comments as a recap. I’m still hoping Masha will survive, but she needs to tone it down!  Follow me and interact with me.

Have a great day!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: wow I am in shock…men won! Congrats Gene! It will be a cat fight with the women….stand by! Nicole be prepared!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Oh my God!!! Donald!!! Sluty! Oops!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: You know I love the Apprentice by face booking then blogging later with a fever, start of a sore throat…etc. Go away cold! I need to be productive! Work, weddings and more thus weekend!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: hey Mr. D I love you but come on…. Nicole was wishy washy …

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: I think women won based on their design… Who’s going home …men will throw PM Gene under the bus…. Let’s see

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: Boardroom time! The Donald “I didn’t like either space very much” should be interesting.

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: David stepping up after realizing what’s on the line… Gene is trying to be a leader but offending others… The women… Ugh, need I say more…

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: David, you are not the only one on this earth unemployed or struggling… Tip: yes it’s ok to be upset and breakdown, but you must get up, focus and stay positive… David you already won!!! You are on national TV with The Donald! Not to mention your five children! Chin up!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Apprentice: what is Tyana thinking with that painting?

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Just for clarification until my blog after the show… I’ll reference my comments.
Apprentice: David is out of control…I see him facing the “D”!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Ok, one major observation… The frustration of finances, no job, family etc have taken a major affect on David…I’m thinking he won’t be on long… I like Masha she takes no BS

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Anand, James, Tyana, and Masha trying to position themselves…. Already PM’s Gene and Nicole are being thrown under the bus! Where are all the others?

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: The claws come out!

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: Men vs Women on the first task…..I Octane vs Fortitude..Project Mgrs Military vs Beauty Queen…first impressions…I do like Steuart the entrepreneur… More comments later….

Violet Nikolici Lowrey: The Apprentice!!!! Here we go! Follow my blog



Are you frustrated at work? Underpaid and overworked? Are all of your co-workers idiots and you are the only one who knows what’s going on?  This may be the case for you, however, in an interview…this is a big mistake to trash your previous employer or place of employment.  If you are unhappy, MOVE ON!  You can do this in a professional manner.

Nailing the interview after your winning resume is reviewed and you get the call back is key to getting the job!

Teri Karst, a Communications Specialist will be joining me on Wed. Aug.4 at 1pm to tell you how to Nail the Interview! Sign up today at www.askvioletnow.com with your interview questions.  Get the tips that will help you succeed in your interview and land that dream job!

Today is National Lasagna Day!  What do lasagna and resumes have in common?  Layers….When I make a lasagna, order it, or see it somewhere, if it does not look appealing, chances are I will pass on it… On your resume, you have many sections, in this case ‘layers’, and if the information is not presented well or is appealing to the reader, chances are they will pass on it.

So what do you need to make a winning lasagna?  Great ingredients that will make you come back for more, make the recipe again, or order it again!   Your experience, qualifications, skills, and most importantly, the measured results on your resume are the ingredients.  Take the time to list all of the items that will sell you and make you stand out.  Think of yourself in a cooking contest and you are the judge… what would  you look for?  You can relate this to your job search… what will the reader, hiring manager, or recruiter look for?  Always make sure your resume is error free…just like your recipe…if  you make an error, nine times out of ten, it will not taste good or look appealing.

So let’s get cooking…put on  your chef’s hat and take charge of your resume!

1. Recipe: Get your action plan together

2. Ingredients: In a crisp, clear, and concise way, gather your experience, skills, qualifications, accomplishments (measured results), relevant information, creative items that will make you stand out like: quotes, charts, etc.

3. Once you have that all together, making sure to present the layers in an eye catching, relevant way:  Bake and serve!

You want to make sure once they see it, they will take one bite and ask for more!

Happy National Lasagna Day!

Today, one of my friends that is a franchise owner of Liberty Tax came to share with me that Liberty Tax is offering the Liberty Tax Class where you can learn how to prepare individual tax returns in a few short weeks! Next classes start in September… This is a great time to get started and ready for tax season! If you are interested contact: Susan Gingrich at 954-783-5353 or Email: pompanobeach@libertytax.com

How about working with New York Life?  They have great careers and they really focus on women. If you are interested in learning more contact: Raul De Castro Tel.  954.772.5200 Tel.  305.263.1400 Dir.  954.958.4234  or via Email: ldecastro@ft.newyorklife.com

And of course: Reminder: My Summer Series of Free Teleseminars “Putting the Sizzle back into your Summer Job search” go to: www.askvioletnow.com …. this week NURSES!!!!

I met Joe at my BNI networking meeting! He is a NSU student.  This is what I mean when I say network and stand out from the rest!  Go Joe!!!  Got a job for him? Call him!

Here is the article!

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/20/1739494/laid-off-but-working-hard-its.html

I recently read a book that says most people live their lives on “Someday Isle”…Someday I’ll be happy. Someday I’ll have a job. Someday etc… Life is here and now… go out and sieze it! Your challenge today… List five things you’ve been procrastinating about and plan to take action! Yes, this also means take action in your job search!

For Jobsearch….

1. Work on resume

2. List companies I want to work for

3. Narrow down position I want to apply for

4. Go to three networking events this week

5. Call three people everyday for one week to help me in my job search!

You know you’ve made it in show business when you get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But the Walk of Fame is not just for movie stars.
Celebrities from numerous entertainment fields are honored every year at an average rate of two per month.
So what does this have to do with my job search… plenty!  What is your Walk of Fame?  On your resume, this is very important.  You need to be able to show what you have done! Measured results.

Today is a great example.  I posted on face book that two friends that have companies here are hiring administrative professionals, forward resume if interested.  I received so many resumes and almost all of them have no accomplishments.  Also, everyone was so quick to response, which is great, however, they neglected to check spelling and some of them were not even updated!

Remember, it is very important to close gaps on your resume… volunteer and close the gap.

Why did Little Richard get his star?
These are just a few of his accomplishments that in this industry credits him to receiving his star. So, now you need to get to it… get a piece of paper out and brainstorm as to what you have done.
Created, spearheaded, pioneered, developed, etc.

Little Richard Awards and Honors
•    In 1956, Cashbox awarded Little Richard the Cashbox Triple Crown Award for his second hit single “Long Tall Sally”.
•    In 1986, Little Richard was one of the first group of recording artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
•    In 1990, Little Richard was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
•    In 1993, he then received an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
•    In 1994, Little Richard was the fourth recording artist (the others being Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown) to be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
•    In 1995, he received two Keys to the City of Providence, Rhode Island; one was awarded spontaneously, on stage, by Mayor Vincent “Buddy” Cianci
•    In 1997, he received the American Music Award of Merit.
•    In 2002, BMI, during the 50th Annual BMI Pop Awards celebration, Little Richard, along with Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry, were awarded the first BMI Icon Awards in recognition of their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.”
•    In 2002, Little Richard received the NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award for having “distinguished himself as not only an unparalleled musical genius, but also as a unique and innovative performing artist—fusing pure vocal talent with exhilarating showmanship.”
•    In 2003, Little Richard was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
•    In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Little Richard #8 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
•    In 2006, Little Richard was inducted into the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame, at the same time as Ella Fitzgerald (who was one of the first winners of ‘Amateur Night at the Apollo’ in 1934) and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
•    In 2007, Little Richard’s 1955 original hit “Tutti Frutti” topped Mojo’s The Top 100 Records That Changed The World.
•    In 2009, Little Richard was formally inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Just FYI- History on the Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame began as a beautification project for the city of Hollywood in 1958. It was created by artist, Oliver Weismuller as a tribute to honor celebrities in the fields of motion pictures, t
elevision, radio, theater and music. The Walk of Fame originated with 2,500 blank stars made of pink and charcoal terrazzo. As stars were inducted into the Walk of Fame, the blank stars are
removed and replaced with a star bearing the celebrities name and area of show business. The stars run down Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and LaBrea Avenue.
They also run up Vine Street between Sunset Boulevard and Yucca Street.

Symbols on the Stars
Each star has a different brass symbol representing the category in which the celebrity received his or her star. The symbols are:

1. Movie Camera – for contributions to the motion picture industry
2. Record – for contributions to the recording industry
3. Microphone – for contributions to the radio broadcast industry
4. Television – for contributions to the television broadcast industry
5. Theater Masks – for contributions to theater
Criteria for Getting a Star on the Walk of Fame
The criteria for getting a star on the Walk of Fame are fairly simple. For consideration, a nominee must:

1. Have a record of professional achievement within the nominated field.
2. Have worked in the entertainment industry for a minimum of five years.
3. Have made contributions to the community, typically through charitable activities.

Father’s Day is upon us once again.  What are the things that come to mind that your dad did for you when you were growing up or now as an adult?  My husband always jokes around and says that dads are known for knocking out the rent… as opposed to dear old mom who does everything! Well if dad is knocking out the rent, then he has a great job, right?  How did your dad make it at his job all those years?  Have you ever asked him?  Maybe it’s time to ask dear old dad who knocked out the rent for his advice for job search.

So here’s a tip:  DAD= DECIDE | ACTION | DETERMINED

DECIDE: What you want to do, be specific

ACTION: Take action… make a plan for your job search including: resume, research companies, practice interviewing, network, and follow up

DETERMINED:   Stay focused… you are determined to find the job of your dreams….stay positive

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!