certification | Career Musings

Monday Rx: What’s Scaring You the Most?

After I had dressed my 3-year old grandson in his Spiderman Halloween attire this morning, he went to the mirror and started to act as if he were climbing the mirror. I asked what he was doing and he responded, “I am Spiderman and am climbing the wall.” He said it with such authority and confidence that I knew he wasn’t scared. In his mind’s eye, he could climb that wall, at least, that mirror.

What about you? What’s scaring you the most? Just for today, what if you put on your Halloween costume or your mask, and ‘acted as if…’

Act as if you have received the promotion you know you deserve.

Act as if you have aced the interview and you are just waiting to receive the offer letter.

Act as if you have started the business you had put on hold because of lack of time or money.

Act as if you have written the book you always wanted to write but the negative committee in your head keeps saying you are not a writer.

Act as if you have enrolled in the certification program or the course you have always wanted to do.

Act as if you have accomplished that major goal you resolved to do back in January.

Act as if you have _____________________(Fill in the blank).

How does it feel? Just for today, Halloween Day, pretend you are 3 years old with nothing to fear, then act as if everything is possible!

To your success,

Need a résumé, interview coaching or career advice? Want to hear about our Tell Stories, Get Hired Movement? Contact me at info[at]thewrightcareer.com or 647-930-4763. You can also visit www.thewrightcareer.com

How to Address Gaps in Your Employment

Several of my clients are professional immigrants, aka Internationally Educated Professionals. While they are trying to navigate and understand the job search maze, they are either not working or they are working in survival jobs. Invariably, these jobs are not related to their professions, and some prefer not to mention such jobs on their resumes. Those who haven’t yet found a job face the same challenge – how to account for their time away from the job market.

In a recent survey, a group of Canadian HR professionals and hiring managers were asked “How should candidates address gaps in their employment history?” Nearly thirty-six percent (35.9%) said they should include a statement in the ‘work experience’ section and twenty-three percent (23.4%) indicated that they should give an explanation in a cover letter. Sixteen percent (15.6%) said that candidates should explain (in a chronological resume) where the gap occurred, or they should fill the gap with professional development. From this statistic, it is safe to conclude that 75% of respondents want you to account for the gap.

While keeping the hiring managers’ preferences in mind, here are some additional ways to compensate for, or explain gaps in your employment:

Prepare to tell stories about what you have learned in the survival job without focusing on the title
Register with employment agencies to get some short-term assignments, or look for freelance projects
Use the functional resume format to emphasize notable skills and accomplishments gained from a number of jobs
Arrange practice interview sessions with a family member or friend and make sure you are prepared to answer the ‘gap’ question
Reflect on some activities you have been involved in and see if you can link those activities to the company’s business strategy
Remind yourself that unpaid work is ‘experience’
Attend industry-related seminars, engage in professional development activities or gain an additional certification

Employers understand that there are various reasons why someone may have gaps in his or her employment history. Just be honest about it, and always steer the conversation back to the value benefits they would derive from having you on board.