31 Days to your Career Portfolio: Day 2

A Resume Refresh.

Okay Peeps, get ready. Pull up your old resume. Print out a copy. See that was easy enough. 

If you haven't figured out already, I like things in print. It has a different feel and requires a different kind of focus. Our eyes are used to flying over words on a screen and it makes it more difficult to edit and dissect. Set the phone timer for 15 minutes. 

Now...

Mark it up.

Use that 15 minutes on the timer and really write in words. Check for silly mistakes and write in some updates. Rewrite anything that seems awkward to you. 

Here is something to think about. According to businessinsider.com these are the most overused words on LinkedIn (Don't worry, Linkedin lessons are in the works). 

1.    Creative 
2.    Organizational
3.    Effective
4.    Extensive experience
5.    Track record
6.    Motivated
7.    Innovative
8.    Problem solving
9.    Communication skills
10.  Dynamic

Oh, you used all of these in your resume - me too! Maybe take some of the 15 minutes and bring in some fresh verbiage. 

I feel like the whole job search process has become so void of emotion and real personality that people are just using those common words to fit in. Dare to stand out, one way is using more expressive language, but consider what you can do to stand out from the millions of resumes that are also applying. Look at your resume and use the So What method. Make sure you get across what makes you unique, amazing or invaluable to the company.  

Don't worry, I am not leaving any dream job seekers out. 

If you do not have a resume: Today is the day to start writing down your experience. It would be helpful to put this in chronological order from most recent on.

If you have nothing to write on your resume, no relevant experience – BULL! Add anything and everything that someone would/could/should consider useful. For Example: Volunteer work, PTA Projects, clubs you have chaired/coordinated, children you have raised, blog posts you have written (Careful here – we will be discussing that later in the month!) You have done valuable things with your time, it is a matter of believing that and articulating that skill.

See that wasn't so bad, I didn't even make you type the changes. That is for another day, Day 8.

31 Days to your Career Portfolio: Day 1

I am blogging Day 1 on October 16th. That seems about right. 

Today is going to be pretty easy. You get to do the dreaming side of the dream job equation. 

Take some unlined paper (I cannot be constricted by lines!). Set you phone timer for 30 minutes and starting writing. Just write without judgment. Write whatever you want: dreams, talents, educational background, your talents and your dream jobs. Obviously, try to keep it career focused but allow to write what comes up. I spend so much time editing (hello blogging) that it is cathartic to let your thoughts spew out. The main point of this exercise is to get you thinking about what you want and then having a hard copy to look at. 

Here's mine. Honestly I am all over the place but I think that is kind of the point. Hang on to this paper, you may want to refer back to it as we continue this process. 

I find it really important to set the timer. 30 minutes works well because it helps get past the surface thoughts and allows you to dive a little deeper without going overboard. Get what is in your head (and heart) out on the paper. Also, turn off distractions, unplug for a bit and do some dreaming.

So, what did you come up with? I would love to hear or see your dream sheet.

Tomorrow AKA Building your Career Porfolio: Day 2 we are going to work on your resume. You may want to pull it out and dust it off. 

31 Days to your Career Portfolio

Whelp, I am behind already.

I had planned to start Nesting Place's 31 day challenge where you blog about a topic for 31 days. I thought it would be good to have some structure as I start my blogging journey. 

I have a great one, a topic that I myself struggle with. Since graduating from college in 2008 I have been dreaming about an amazing job - something that fulfills me, something creative and exciting, something that makes a difference. Basically, I have been searching and searching for my ‘dream job.’

There is one small problem: I have no idea what that is. 

So I am taking the next 31 days to dream a little bit and then do the work behind it so I am prepared when opportunity comes a knocking. My series will be 31 Days to your Career Portfolio, stick with me there is some good stuff to come.

Here we go!