Sunday, September 30, 2012

Guest Blogger on BlueprintJD: Top Ten Tips for Legal Cover Letters




Below is a link to the the second of four posts I wrote as a guest blogger on BlueprintJD, a new website focused on building diversity in the law. 

This post gives 10 cover letter tips, the last nine of which are universally applicable to all job applicants.  



Tip Number 8 lists these Cover Letter Don'ts:
  1. Don’t repeat your work history from your resume.
  2. Don’t lie or embellish your credentials.
  3. Don’t present yourself negatively.
  4. Don’t write about how the employer can help you – talk about how you can add value.
  5. Don’t be too informal or include personal information.
 
Randi S. Lewis, Esq., CEIP | Resume Boutique LLC
Professional Resumes & Cover Letters | Strategic Interview Coaching
Office: 410.602.2500   ~  Cell: 410.340.3511  ~  rlewis@resumeboutique.com
 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Guest Blogger on BlueprintJD: Appearance Matters – Dress for Interview Success

This is a link to the first of four posts I wrote on Blueprint JD's new blog focused on building diversity in the law.  This post was directed to lawyers and law students but is universally applicable to all job applicantshttp://www.blueprintjd.org/recruiting/appearance-matters-dress-for-interview-success/. 

During late August through October each year, second and third year law students learn to balance classes and studying with interviewing.  This post focuses on appearance and first impressions.  The lead sentence would seem obvious:
 
"First impressions make lasting impressions. The first thing an interviewer notices is your physical appearance, followed by a friendly greeting with eye contact and a STRONG handshake." 
 
But not everyone gets it.  Here is a recent example:  two young partners just completed a long day of on campus interviews at a top tier law school.  Both reported separately that one, thirty-minute interview stood out as the "worst interview I've ever experienced!"  The WHY had nothing to do with substance.  They weren't able to get beynd the student's appearance and presentation.  She wore a buttoned down shirt with the buttons open below that which was reasonably appropriate.  What's more, she used the word, "LIKE," after almost every word she spoke.  The student's resume was relatively strong but she did not get a call back. 
 
Remember that interviewers are thinking about how you would present to clients, colleagues, and others.  You have control over your appearance and presentation.  So, please, follow the basics outlined in the blog posting above so that the focus is on substance, where it should be!!

Randi S. Lewis, Esq., CEIP | Resume Boutique LLC
Professional Resumes & Cover Letters | Strategic Interview Coaching
Office: 410.602.2500 | Cell: 410.340.3511 | rlewis@resumeboutique.com

www.resumeboutique.com | http://resumeboutique.blogspot.com/

Friday, June 29, 2012

Another Grammar Tip - When to Use "All of" vs. Just "All"

Here is a simple tip to help you remember when to use the words "all of" or just the word "all" while writing descriptions on your resume.

Use "all of" ONLY before pronouns like "us," "them," or "it."  BUT use just "all" if it precedes a noun.

Examples:

Conducted training with all of the new personnel in the region. D (incorrect)

Conducted training with all new personnel in the region. C (correct - personnel is a noun)

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Prepare for Your Interview with a Certified Employment Interview Professional

Our tag line: Look your best on paper. Show your best in person.™

Randi Lewis, CEIP
How you present in your interview is as important, if not more important, than presenting a polished, impactful resume.  That is why the more you prepare, the better you are likely to interview. 

We can help you be your best in person.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you.


=============================
Randi S. Lewis, Esq., CEIP | Resume Boutique LLC
Professional Resumes & Cover Letters | Strategic Interview Coaching
Office: 410.602.2500 | Cell: 410.340.3511 | rlewis@resumeboutique.com
www.resumeboutique.com | http://resumeboutique.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The 10 Most Common and Uncommon Career Paths for New Law Graduates

Mary Russell, writes articles for http://www.mastersinlegalstudies.com/, a website dedicated to providing students with the information and tools needed in order to pursue their Masters in Legal Studies.  You might find her posting in November 2011 interesting.  http://www.mastersinlegalstudies.com/the-10-most-common-and-uncommon-career-paths-for-new-law-graduates.html.

Randi S. Lewis, Esq.
Resume Boutique LLC
Professional Resumes & Cover Letters | Strategic Interview Coaching
Office: 410.602.2500 | Cell: 410.340.3511 | rlewis@resumeboutique.com
www.resumeboutique.com | http://resumeboutique.blogspot.com/

Look your best on paper.  Show your best in person.™

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Resume Boutique Blog: Interview Tips for Millenials - Thoughts from a Harvard Business Review Blog Posting

Resume Boutique Blog: Interview Tips for Millenials - Thoughts from a Harvard Business Review Blog Posting

Interview Tips for Millenials - Thoughts from a Harvard Business Review Blog Posting

The Harvard Business Review Blog (HBR Blog Network) posted an interesting article on March 16, 2012, "Digital Natives Are Slow to Pick Up Nonverbal Cues." In a word, the article posits that people who have grown up using digital media (referred to as "digital natives") may lack the interpersonal skills to perform certain jobs AND may have a more difficult time interpreting non-verbal cues in interviews.

Whether or not you agree with the post, the interview tips listed in the article are sound. Here is my spin on the three tips mentioned:
  1. Eye contact is key. It starts at the moment you walk in the elevator. Say hello to people you meet there. They could be your interviewers. Continue the eye contact with the receptionist, when you shake the interviewers' hands, and during the interview.
  2. Emotional intelligence is powerful. That includes checking your audience and understanding the impact of your posture, hand gestures, and manner of speech.
  3. Face-to-face communications still rule the day. The clear majority of the "digital natives" we have counseled through the interview process would rather communicate by text or email rather than by telephone or in-person.  That is the way you are wired.  In an interview, however, you should demonstrate you understand that face-to-face communications are the most important way to be in relationships with colleagues, particularly when a difficult issue needs to be resolved.
Below is the link to the HBR Blog posting:

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/03/digital_natives_are_slow_to_pi.html?referral=00563&cm_mmc=email-_-newsletter-_-daily_alert-_-alert_date&utm_source=newsletter_daily_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert_date#.T2SINawEDYU.mailto

Randi S. Lewis, Esq.
Resume Boutique LLC
Professional Resumes & Cover Letters| Strategic Interview Coaching
Look your best on paper. Show your best in person.™

Thursday, January 26, 2012

More Information For Parents of College-Bound High School Students

On November 28, 2010, I posted blog entry, "Blogs and Websites for College Applicants - The Ivy-Bound,"  http://resumeboutique.blogspot.com/2010/11/blogs-and-websites-for-college.html

Today a "Harvard Mom" commented on the post.  Grace Sullivan has worked as teacher and tutor in "some of the best private schools in the nation," and her daughter attends Harvard.  Ms. Sullivan wrote a book, "Advice from a Harvard Mom," and she is promoting it on her website:  http://www.harvardmomadvice.com/

I think it is worth taking some time to review the website and her blog. 

Randi Lewis

Sunday, January 01, 2012

There is No Such Thing As LUCK in Landing a New Job

By Randi S. Lewis
Founder, Resume Boutique LLC
info@resumeboutique.com

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."  Ancient Roman Stoic philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca.  Successful job seekers own the process.
In 2011, we worked with many people who were laid off or otherwise terminated from their positions.  The most successful of them took full ownership of the process, maximized their resources, and never gave up.  Each of them landed positions they wanted. 

Some successful job seekers will tell you it was just luck.  But landing a job happens only when you work hard to achieve your goal.  Here is one example of preparation + opportunity:

From Account Executive to Business Manager

This twenty-something professional (Dave) began searching for new employment in February 2011.  He was gainfully employed at the time but believed he needed to make a move to advance and began making inquiries of his mentors and contacts in the industry. 

One of those contacts referred him to Resume Boutique for a resume, cover letter, and job pursuit/interview/post-interview strategy.  We drafted the resume and several cover letters immediately.  In May, after learning about a position he coveted, Dave went into full gear.  The position was a stretch for someone with his experience.  But that didn't deter Dave.  He leveraged every connection to put in a good word with this prospective employer.  Dave also began utilizing our consulting services to help him navigate this position.  He had great instincts, including the knowledge that he should run his thoughts by those of us who were more experienced.  He regularly relied on a coterie of mentors during what turned out to be a 2 - 3 month process that culminated in a job offer and acceptance. 

We quickly recognized that Dave knew his strengths and understood how to compensate for his weaknesses.  His strengths were many, including:
  1. Client Relationships - established rapport with clients; temerity and raw ability to ask connections for assistance (remarkably, he was able to secure a personal letter of recommendation from a high level executive of one of his major accounts - also a major account of the potential employer)
  2. Industry Knowledge - keen knowledge of his industry
  3. Emotional Intelligence - high level of emotional intelligence and ability to read people
  4. Strong Personal Qualities - kind, genuine, outgoing personality, great sense of humor
  5. Goal-oriented - tenacity in pursuing his goal with the understanding it was his responsiblity to manage the process 

Dave didn't have many weaknesses but writing wasn't his strong suit.  He knew it and made no apologies about it.  So, we drafted and revised all communications during the two-month interview process.  We also worked Dave to refine his "elevator speech."  Dave was mature for his age but, understandably, was not experienced in the employment process, particularly at the middle management level.  He consulted with us on communication strategies for each interview and follow up, including salary negotiations.   Dave prepared for every interview and every communication.  We worked as a team with Dave and used the advice of his mentors in the industry to refine our discussions. 

Dave always owned the process while leveraging his assets.  Congratulations to Dave and all of you who took control of your lives to land great positions in 2011.  

For those of you who are beginning your job search, we urge you to think about what is reasonably achievable, how you might begin your search, and how you can take control of your success. 
There is no such thing as luck in the employment process.  You have to use all available resources, including limitless patience, to achieve your goal.