Image by Donna Sullivan Thompson

What’s the fastest way to lose good will with people? If you are looking at my title, you might think that it is assuming too much or at least wonder what I mean by that.

A prospective client left a message yesterday. He said he needed a resume right away. And then proceeded to tell me that he was leaving his house and wouldn’t be available until the morning. I called him back and caught him before he left. After I explained who I was, he launched into his reason for calling.

Just a Quick Resume

“Oh, I am glad you called back. I need just a quick resume. Nothing big just a resume. But I need it by the weekend.”

It was Thursday afternoon. No mention of what my schedule was, no question about price. I explained that my projects typically take four hours to create though once in awhile I can do it quicker. I told him that I schedule 2 hour or less sessions because otherwise they are not productive and so if he needed it by the weekend, I would be hard-pressed to get him on the schedule with two appointments but we could compare schedule.

He replied, “oh, this is an easy job. You can probably do it in an hour.”

Now my reputation in the industry is that I am one of the fastest writers partially because I write with the client as part of the process. They are either in my office or on Skype for the majority of the information gathering process and I write the resume live while they watch it develop and provide input. It’s an interactive process that started in office and expanded to Skype when I realized that I could deliver the same process to clients across the globe if I used Skype’s screen share technology. But an hour, even for me, that would be very unlikely and probably yield garbage.

It’s internal so it is NO big deal

This prospective client went on to say, ” it’s for an internal position so it is no big deal.” Even that struck me as funny. I have had many internal clients before, several who have been in the position that they needed the resume for, bidding on a job that they were already doing. I have had police chiefs, vice presidents of colleges, and other professionals who recognized that even though they were already doing the job, it was just as critical to create a dynamic, accomplishment-filled resume that clarified to the employer that they were indeed the best person for the job. You should never assume that it is “no big deal.”

Finally, he asked what this would cost. I explained that my opening rate is $379 and that I let clients select their own packages from that starting point in light of the economy. I also told him I would waive the $100 rush fee this time because I could fit the project into my schedule. (Though I have to admit that at this point, I was thinking I should make the rush fee $500 just for him.)

Quickly he back-peddled. My prices are all listed on my site. But he had not done any research, he just assumed that I would be available and cheap. Since he had sounded so urgent, I had called this “assumer” back before returning a call to one of my favorite former clients who needed an update.

No, I didn’t write the resume for the assumer. Instead, I found the time to spend two hours with my former client, recreating his resume which has always gotten him the Sales Manager and District Manager positions he has wanted. We also started his LinkedIn profile and did some LinkedIn coaching. My afternoon was delightful. My former client has been the source of many referrals and will be again. He has never assumed that we should throw things together or assumed that you don’t need the best and most strategic documents you can create.

What happens when you assume?

In a job search, if you assume you can just give them a piece of paper, you probably will not give them a golden ticket. In a job search, if you assume you can just wander in dressed anyway you want, ripped blue jeans because you are the primo candidate and they should want you, you may be very surprised.

I find that people who play the “assume” game with me are the least prepared to change positions or land a new job. They don’t take it seriously and they think too much of themselves. Surprise, most employers don’t see their Superman emblems and have to be convinced that they are the right candidate for the job. My point, make sure you make the effort all the time and don’t assume.

image by Nazarene College

Every once in awhile, I get a call from a prospective client who tells me that after 15, 20, 25, or more years, they lost their job and they think it is because their company wants people with college degrees.

Though I think higher education is important and I think that there are some occupations that need a degree because of specific skill sets or knowledge base that you need to perform the job, I often wonder if the lack of degree is the only reason someone lost their job if they have worked there for many years.

Companies let people go for many reasons:

1. the first of which is simple economics. When someone is in a job for a long time, just by being there, the wages are higher than starting with a new hire. Most companies give cost of living increases even if you stay in the same position. Cost of benefits also go up as the individual is with the company. As we age, the cost of health care generally rises.
2. Then there is your attitude. If you start letting your attitude go sour such as asserting that you are always right, you may put yourself in a position of being let go.
3. One important reason some people are terminated is because they fail to take action to improve their skills. This is what I think about when I hear someone say they are looking for someone with a college degree. I have known many top executives who were a stunning success but they never had a degree. What they did have though is the ability to be a life-long learner. As I said above, higher education is important but even more important is the willingness to keep learning.

Critical Lifelong Learning Skills

The world is rapidly passing some people by because they are afraid to touch a computer. No matter whether you have that college degree or not, you need to keep current on cutting edge technology. In 5 Basics to help you make a career move, I gave you 5 things I think are essential for your career search. Four out of the five involved computers.

Let’s say you have a job that you have done well for 20 years but you have done it manually. Now the company has decided to put in technology to make the process work better. You don’t know how computers work and you certainly don’t think you are going to learn this new process.

If you think about it, it wasn’t the lack of the degree, it was the lack of the desire to continue learning and this can happen whether or not you have the degree. My advice? Make computer learning a goal. Buy a laptop or PC or MAC if you prefer and consider it an investment in your continuing learning. Your career success may depend on it.

Image by LifeSupercharger

Yesterday I refocused a resume for a returning client who landed her new position in July 2010. Her new company’s rule is that you need to be employed with them for 1 year before you can apply for any internal positions. She has met this goal!

Capture your success stories

She now is targeting a trainer position to use training skills she built in other jobs. My client knew that though she had a successful resume which worked last time, she needed help in capturing her new success stories and re-focusing her resume to match her new internal target.

Clients who work with me at Design Resumes know they participate in an interview-based, mainly real-time writing experience either in my office or via Skype. As I asked her questions and she answered, it was very obvious she knows what she is talking about. Since her particular position and department is new to me, I role-played with her to get her to demonstrate the calls she makes in her current position.

As we finished the update, I not only grasped the details of her present position but I understood why she was successful. Her answers exuded confidence and enthusiasm! The clarity of her answers coupled with her obvious caring nature had made her a natural. I have no doubt she will be able to translate this experience to the new role as a trainer and be an asset to the company as she teaches others the job.

Do you have a career plan?

As we continued our appointment, I asked, “You’ve always had a career plan, right?” Enthusiastically, she answered, “Yes!”

I have worked with other clients like her before and I have to say that they are my favorite type of client. Here’s what differentiates them from the average job seeker:

• They don’t necessarily have a specific job target with each step but they know even part time jobs and internships will build specific skills can tie into your end career goal.
• They are dedicated and willing to work hard to achieve their career goals and typically they also understand the key role fiscal management plays in this economy. She has not only a career plan but a financial management plan and to reach it, she doubled up at one point and for 9 months worked 80 hours a week. She said it was tough but it built skills and helped her reach some financial goals.
• They follow a path much like stepping stones or building blocks using each step to get closer to their goals.
• They see each step as another way to grow specific skills so when opportunity knocks, they are ready.

We hear stories every day of people who are unemployed for two to three years and who claim there are no opportunities. This young lady has no gaps on her resume. In fact, she has overlaps but she has put in her time, is not afraid of hard work, and learns from every experience including challenges, problems, and set backs.

She loves her current company and believes in their mission. This attitude adds to why she may very well succeed in achieving her next target. Do you have a career plan?

Image by flik

Everyone can have scheduling conflicts and those of us who live by a calendar know that there will be cancellations and postponed appointments. Even doctors and dentists run into people who cancel or reschedule so it is something that goes with the territory. But many professionals charge a fee for a cancellation or at least require 24 hour notice so they can fill your slot with another patient or client.

We all run into scheduling issues. With my new puppy, Buddy, I have unexpected delays every day but I try to let my Design Resumes clients know if I am running late.

I’m venting a little because I had a pro bono client no show on me this noon. I take on pro bono clients now and then to help someone in dire need of services and am happy to do so but you do have to respect my time.

How do I define a no-show?

The no show is the appointment that is scheduled but never shows up and doesn’t call to cancel or reschedule. I always call to follow up because there is always the possibility that I have the appointment wrong on my calendar. Today the call was an hour ago and the client has not replied to my voicemail. If he does call, I will reschedule but since I have a high volume of clients, his appointment will have to fit into my schedule.

What if you no show in job search?

In job search, if you have to cancel or postpone an interview you run the risk of losing the opportunity but it can happen. Let’s examine the possible reasons:

1. You are sick — the common courtesy is to cancel if you are contagious or are too sick to go to an interview. Most employers will understand and if you are valuable enough to them, they will reschedule. If there are many applicants, you may lose the opportunity. Write a letter apologizing and re-expressing your interest in the job and the company.
2. Your child is sick — sometimes you are the only child care option. If you cannot find someone else willing to watch your child, cancel. However, the potential consequence is that the employer may not have a flexible child care policy and may wonder what you will do as an employee. Again, write the letter.
3. You have car trouble — if you breakdown on the way or your car won’t start, go ahead and cancel but realize that the employer may wonder how you will get to work if you are hired. Try for alternative transportation or make sure you have reliable transportation on the day of your appointment. Worst case scenario? Cancel and write the letter.
4. You forget. This is probably a no show. Call as soon as you realize it. Most likely you have now lost the opportunity to be interviewed but at least be respectful and call. Oh, and write the letter!

You get the idea. If you have to cancel an appointment or reschedule, as long as you are aware that it can possibly cost you the position, you have some options. But be respectful of other people’s time. Many of them place high value on their time.