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Entrepreneurs are individuals who are inspirations; idolized and idealized because of the unique characteristics they bring to the table. They are on the outer edge of the standard business world. What makes a successful entrepreneur? Initiative, originality, creativity, and intelligence, all summed up in the often used clich?, “thinking outside the box.” In truth, nothing is more important to the success of the entrepreneur than his or her confidence.

Confidence is a strange thing to describe. It is an intangible thing. You can’t see confidence, can’t smell or hear confidence itself. And yet in every human interaction it quickly becomes apparent to an alert audience if a person is confident or not. In the narrow margins of the business world, confidence will frequently be the difference between success and failure. Success breeds confidence, and confidence leads to success. It is a benefit to one who has experienced success, but a cruel paradox for those left out in the cold; those who lack confidence or possess a limited track record of success in the given field.

So how does the new entrepreneur develop the confidence to build a successful business? Find your core; find that which you have had past success or satisfaction with and work from there. Obviously you would want to start conceptually as near as possible to your given field. Places you’ve seen past success are a great place to start. For example, if you are just starting out in the mortgage industry but you’ve had success in real estate or in rehabbing homes and flipping them, you would take that past success and connect the relationship between your successes in the past and how you can make that accomplishment happen in the new scenario.

If you are in a completely unrelated industry to your past, you can still apply this theory. Instead of looking at literally connected past successes, look at conceptual successes. Any places you received accolades or acknowledgment for past efforts can be core to your success on this new endeavor. Maybe you never bought or sold a property in your life. Does that make you predestined to failure when working with foreclosures? Not at all.

Were you successful in prior efforts or do you see a road to success in the future? Perhaps you have tremendous ingenuity or an ability to problem solve. Maybe it is the way you can evaluate a business deal and make it work for all sides. Remember, the reason for entrepreneurial confidence doesn’t have to be a majestic or even business related. Maybe your last job was just “passing time” and you always felt you had more in you that you could do and eventually become. That feeling of knowing and trusting your abilities, and the compelling urge to make “more” happen for yourself– that is the confidence in your core that you can build off! Remember it doesn’t matter where you generate your confidence, as long as you are fully committed to building upon your confidence to find success in your new field.

In 1995, Russ Dalbey founded DEI (the Dalbey Education Institute) to provide customers access to the highest quality of wealth-building products, services and networking resources for buyers and sellers of real estate notes.

The recent economic downturn has led to nervous times in the construction industry. Construction recruitment has been slashed as building projects are put on hold, whilst potential buyers slam the door shut on their finances and ride out the economic storm in the only way they know how – by not spending money.

Help, though, is at hand. The recent 1.5% interest rate cut by the Bank of England was designed to give the UK economy a shot in the arm and to get the wheels of industry turning again. Priority number one was the construction industry, which has a massive workforce and huge financial commitments to maintain. The interest rate cut, described as a ‘brave move’ by construction industry commentators, is seen as a direct result of intense lobbying by the construction industry and house builders, as well as the satellite businesses that depend on the buoyancy of the construction industry to continue trading.

The cut was in response to a marked deterioration in the economic outlook, with inflation no longer seen as a threat, but underlying trends still showing a continuing slide into recession. This is exactly what the construction industry doesn’t need right now, so pressure to cut interest rates was seen as the only way out of a downward spiral. Construction recruitment is a major contributor to the UK economy, which depends so heavily upon a well-functioning housing market. Without that housing market in place, jobs in construction drops as workers are no longer required for projects that have either been suspended or, in some significant cases, mothballed altogether. The interest rate cut could turn that situation around and get the construction industry back to work far more quickly than had been predicted just a few months ago.

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) called for an interest rate cut as early as May this year, but specified that this cut must be passed on to homebuyers if any positive effects were to be felt in the construction industry. Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of HBF said: “Action from the bank is needed if we are to break the vicious downward spiral of sharply lower mortgage lending, falling house transactions, falling prices, declining home buyer confidence and a worsening outlook.”

The construction industry (and consequently construction recruitment) needs and wants to get back to work. The demand for housing is still strong, but in a bleak start to the winter quarter, potential homebuyers are still reluctant to take the chance of buying when the market is in decline. The interest rate cut will make house buying more attractive as the country battens down the hatches against an economic storm that just won’t vanish overnight.

Construction recruitment will continue, prompted by the interest rate cut, as homebuilders and construction companies decide that it’s ‘business as usual’ and start opening up sites again. This may be small comfort for those whose jobs in construction have been already hit by the downturn, but bodes well for future employment within the industry as confidence in the marketplace returns. Once the interest rate cut filters down to the buyers, the hope is that construction companies will start to see the demand for housing return, and the rush to re-employ or renew contracts will begin again, kick-starting the industry.

On a global scale, the fiscal policies that Gordon Brown has presented to the G20 summit may prove to be a system that can be incorporated universally, not just benefiting the UK construction industry, but worldwide construction as a whole. For once, countries are going to have to talk to each other to build a new post-2008 recession world.

Duncan freer - Director - Construction recruitment Jobs Search is a job site dedicated to the specific needs of candidates who work in the building services and construction industry in the UK. We also provide recruiters with an online service that is effective in terms of cost and ease of use. Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: John Roberts Marketing Manager Email: john@thejobsearchgroup.com

Cut the arteries of business and they bleed oil. Anything that interrupts the flow of this precious black liquid is likely to send the world economies into freefall. So as nervous investors watched the price of oil climb to dizzying heights earlier this year, the fear that it would lead to an implosion of the world economy looked certain to become a reality.

In fact, it was the world banking system that went into meltdown, not the oil industry. In the mist of a recession, when the price of everything else seems to be going up, oil has actually fallen in price to a more sustainable level. Ordinary consumers have noticed it at the pumps, with the cost of petrol and diesel dropping dramatically in what started as a price war between outlets. What this price war actually reflected was the fall in oil price per barrel in the commodities markets. So the oil industry is still there, and they’re still recruiting.

Jobs in the oil industry are highly sought after. True, the recession has hit here as well, but mainly in the back offices and administration departments, rather than on the ground or in rigging. Oil rig jobs are still available, and companies, in their continuing search for more of the precious black stuff, have upped the ante considerably.

If you are an engineer, rigger or driller, there are still plenty of oil rig jobs to choose from. Noble Corporation is bringing five new oil rigs into production between 2009 and 2011, meaning a total of over 1,500 vacancies that need to be filled. The 2007 merger between Transocean and GlobalSantaFe resulted in a $33billion backlog of work. All of that needs to be completed, meaning more jobs in the oil industry, despite the dire news and continuing economic downturn in almost every other industry. In its current position, the oil industry looks set to ride out the recession in style.

In recent years, the driving forces behind the high demand for oil have been the rising stars of China and India. As their economies power up, their appetite for oil has grown exponentially. While China’s third quarter growth has slowed, the slowdown has been negligible in comparison with the screeching of financial brakes heard in the northern hemisphere. It still managed to notch up an impressive 9% growth rate – practically all of which is dependent on oil. The International Energy Agency predicts that China and India will need 300% more crude oil for their economies by 2030. That figure means more investment in location and extraction of existing and new oil fields, which in turn means more jobs in the oil industry.

These figures bolster the promise of a continuing boom time for international oil companies, who will carry on investing in exploration and new oil rigs. That means only one thing – more oil rig jobs, oil careers and greater job stability for the workforce. Factor into this equation the number of workers hired in the 1970’s who are now coming up to retirement, and you can see that now is a good time to be looking for jobs in the oil industries.

Duncan freer - Director - Jobs in the oil industry is a job site dedicated to the specific needs of candidates who work in the Oil and Gas industry. We also provide recruiters with an online service that is effective in terms of cost and ease of use. Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: John Roberts Marketing Manager Email: john@thejobsearchgroup.com

With a Chancellor who thinks that the UK economy is in its worst crisis for 60 years, continuing news reports of recession and credit crunches galore, the job market has seen a sharp increase in the number of unemployed recently. But is it all doom and gloom? The simple answer is “no”. The public sector is still recruiting happily, with more than 55 pages of public sector and utilities vacancies in a recent national newspaper on one day alone. This plethora of public sector vacancies shows how buoyant the jobs market is, despite the depressing numbers reported in the news.

Chief amongst those public sector jobs are railroad jobs and employment opportunities within the rail industry. The railways are an integral part of UK business infrastructure, and they have to be maintained and run, no matter what the rest of the economy is doing. Rail employment has always been seen as a reliable industry to move into, offering job security, good pensions and good wages in comparison to other sectors. In an economy that is working hard to maintain momentum, the railways have to be running at optimum efficiency to allow freight and passengers to be moved around the country effectively. That takes manpower, and a lot of it.

Despite the fear of a deepening recession, London is gearing itself up to the 2012 Olympics by putting in new infrastructure across the whole of the capital and the East End in particular. That means more railways, and consequently more rail jobs on offer. The major overhaul of London’s transportation system is essential if the arteries of the capital are to remain free flowing and unclogged. Rail jobs include everything from platform assistants to highly qualified civil engineers, so the range of railroad jobs available encompasses a broad range of professions. Salaries for civil engineers can range from £40,000 to £60,000, depending on experience. Then there are the benefits, including pension plans, reduced rail fairs for family members and other perks. Rail job packages are some of the most attractive in the public sector, so it is unsurprising that they generate a big response when advertised.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has estimated that the generous pension schemes offered by the public sector make workers in these positions 12% better off financially than private sector workers on the same salary. So the benefits of working within the public sector (apart from greater job security) are obvious.

The UK has a rich industrial history, with the railways at the very heart of its success. As the UK moves into a new era, the railways are still essential to the profitability of UK PLC. If you include into that equation the promotion of the railways as an alternative means of transport for beleaguered car drivers, then the railway’s future looks assured. In an age where job security is seen as a thing of the past, rail jobs may offer the only, truly secure form of public sector employment available. People will always need the railways. And the railways will always need people. It’s a symbiotic relationship that benefits everyone, particularly those who choose to work within the industry.

Director - rail employment jobs Search is a job site dedicated to the specific needs of candidates who work in the building services and Rail industry in the UK. We also provide recruiters with an online service that is effective in terms of cost and ease of use. Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: John Roberts Marketing Manager Email: john@thejobsearchgroup.com http://www.railjobsearch.com

The winds of change are blowing through the UK economy, and they’re sending wind turbines spinning into overdrive. As beleaguered consumers face mounting energy bills, alternative energy and renewable sources are being taken far more seriously than ever before. The global financial crisis has made every country look hard at their books, and the figures just aren’t adding up. This time, it’s serious. Business knows that one of the biggest factors in the current crisis is the cost of energy, so for many economies, it’s back to the drawing board.

Luckily, that drawing board is littered with new forms of renewable technology that will contribute a significant factor to the reduction of energy costs, not only for businesses but for consumers as well. Faced with a choice of continually rising gas and electricity prices, the public is demanding that energy producers look to more sustainable methods of production, not only to stabilize costs, but also to maintain a dependable supply of energy into the future. However, consumers aren’t just depending on the providers to help them cut their energy costs. They’re being frighteningly pro-active themselves. Sales of insulation materials, for example, have risen sharply as people try to cut their heating costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

But looking at alternative forms of energy production isn’t just good for the planet or for the public’s wallets. It’s good for jobs too. Investment in green technology and renewable energy is essential if governments want to avoid recession, according to a report from Deutsche Asset Management (DeAM). DeAM published a recent study calling on all governments to prioritize green technology as a means to combating a continuing downward economic spiral. Rather than cutting back on the efforts to reduce carbon emissions because of the recession, DeAM sees investment in cleaner energy sources as a positive way to combat financial insecurity in the worldwide markets. Mark Fulton, Head of Climate Change Investment Research at DeAM, said: “The current crisis is making the necessity of tackling climate change an opportunity to stimulate growth through investment opportunities.”

If countries rally to this call, it could mean a boon time for renewable energy jobs in particular and energy jobs in general. As energy companies seek out more left-of-field solutions, those with the qualifications and experience in environmental engineering will find opportunities for jobs in energy sectors opening up. This is backed up by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who made a commitment to promoting alternative energy sources at a recent British Wind Energy Association conference. He said that sticking to climate change goals would create 160,000 jobs and a renewables market worth £100billion. Suddenly, alternative energy careers seem more attractive, as both governments and the public begin to realise how crucial a role they will play in the economy over the next fifty years.

Long term investment in renewable energy is essential for a healthy and vibrant economy, and that investment will inevitably lead to an increase in demand for skilled workers looking for jobs in energy sectors. Whilst the traditional energy producers will continue to operate for a very long time to come, the new, environmentally friendly kids on the block are making significant inroads into an industry that’s ripe for change.

About the Author Duncan freer - Director ? Utility Jobs Search is a job site dedicated to the specific needs of candidates who work in the utilities industry including gas jobs, energy jobs, renewable energy jobs, nuclear jobs plus many more. Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: John Roberts Marketing Manager Email: john@thejobsearchgroup.com http://www.utilityjobsearch.com

I’ve been half-teasing lately with my career services colleagues that the banks and GM aren’t the only ones in need of a bailout. Job seekers should ask for one too. Why not? It seems that in today’s environment the more corporate leaders mismanage their businesses, the more attractive they are for getting bailed out by the U.S. tax payer.

So why should job seekers be any different?

It is no secret that most job seekers are ill prepared for their job search. They spend money in the wrong places. They pin their hopes on the wrong things. They have very little idea of what to expect (although they think they know it all). They try all kinds of tricks and shenanigans to make things work for them.

And then they are upset when they don’t have positive results. Or when they don’t land the career of their dreams.

I spent a great deal of time the other day trying to work with this woman in Jackson, Mississippi. She’s been searching for a job for a little less than 30 days, and she is looking for a sales position with an earning potential of about ~$150,000.

She’s frustrated. She wants the resume “fixed,” she wants the economy “fixed,” she feels victimized by her last employer, and she wants this job search over within 45 days or else…..she doesn’t know what “else” is exactly, but she really means it. It better be over in 45 days, or she is going to do something!

After talking her down off the ledge, I spent some time 1) discovering how she has been conducting her search so far and 2) figuring out where these expectations came from. As I suspected, kind of like the housing market, when people aren’t making 150% profits from their homes, then they’re suffering…

So you tell me, is my client from Jackson a victim of the economy or of herself:

When I explained to her that as a full-time job seeker, she should be sending out somewhere between 35 and 50 resumes per week (because she is only sending out ~5/week now), she told me that there weren’t 35 to 50 jobs posted in her area in Jackson each week. Her exact words were “Recruiters are telling me to wait until after the new year.”

Like most job seekers, networking and cold calling are foreign concepts to her. Instead, she is just planning on waiting around for that job to open up (within 45 days or else, of course!).

When I asked her how she was spending her 40 hours/week since now she is unemployed, she confessed that she has no idea how much time she is really spending (remember she is only sending out ~5 resumes/week). But again, there was little for her to do because Jackson, MS, doesn’t have many job postings…

When I told her the average job search time for someone making $150,000/year is about 4 months for ~40 hours/week of time spent searching, she simply recited to me all her stellar credentials. And then blamed Bush and the economy. When I told her that those stats are nothing new, and have been around for a while, she still blamed Bush.

Basically, no matter what I said, in her mind, if she didn’t have a job offer within 45 days, either her resume service ripped her off or it was all Bush’s fault.

So what am I to conclude here? You think maybe she is a rare case?

I’m afraid not.

Listen…is this a tough job market? Sure it is. I don’t think that is in dispute. But tough does not mean impossible, and too many job seekers give up without hardly trying. And most of the time, they went into the search with poor expectations in the first place.

Perhaps the oddest thing about my friend in Jackson is that, of all things, she is a sales person. She can tell you all about the sales life cycle, all about branding and product positioning, all about selling in a tough market. But when it comes to her job search, she cannot apply those same principles.

It never ceases to amaze me just how emotional the job search process is. It challenges you to move outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. Most people go into it kicking and screaming, on a good day. So as soon as there is something out there to blame, to latch onto as the reason for all our problems, we so easily take the bait.

Then what are we left with? Demotivation? Looking for that genie in a bottle?

No worries. The government is into redemption these days.

My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional r?sum? writer (CPRW). I have been a career consultant since 2002 with an additional 8 years of corporate hiring experience. You can check out my website that offers tools such as the No Nonsense Job Search Strategy guide and other Job Search Tips.

A federal resume is a tool for gaining or advancing one’s career in the government arena. At its core, it is similar to the standard private sector resume. However key differences exist in the type and amount of information provided. Therefore, in order to be successful with federal employment, it is necessary to be mindful of these differences.

Unlike the private sector, federal resumes are reviewed by people rather than software. Further, these individuals are seeking information that demonstrates that the application has direct knowledge or experience of the position he/she has applied for. Therefore, it is necessary to review the specific job announcement for the skills and knowledge required. A resume that speaks directly to the skills and duties of the position and uses key words related to the position is most effective. It should use previous experiences, often accompanied by quantifiable results and accomplishments, to directly show that a candidate can perform the duties of the position being applied for.

Information in a federal resume is most commonly presented in chronological format. However, a candidate’s educational history should be listed prior to the individual’s work history. The highest level of education attained should be listed first followed by earlier schooling including high school. If college coursework has been completed, but a degree was not received, the number of course hours completed should be indicated. Further, the work history should be listed in reverse order with most recent experience listed first. Finally, the resume should cover the candidate’s work history for at least the last 10 years.

Once the content of the resume is drafted, it is necessary to ensure that it is properly formatted. The resume is usually in a commonly accepted font such as Times New Roman or Arial with the main text in 11 point type. The margins of the document should be no less than 1 inch. Given the amount of information to be conveyed, a federal resume, which averages 3 to 5 pages in length, is typically longer than the private sector resume.

There are several key pieces of information that must be included on a federal resume that are not typically utilized on a private sector resume. The first of these is the placement of the announcement number, title, and grade of the job being applied for at the beginning of the resume. Additionally, it is necessary for the candidate to include his/her social security number and veteran’s preference. For each position listed on the resume the number of hours worked per week and the hourly or annual salary of the position should be indicated. Further, if it was a government position, the GS numbers and grades for current or past federal jobs. Finally, the supervisor’s name, phone number, and address for each position on the resume should be provided; whether the recruiter has the candidate’s permission to contact the supervisor must also be indicated. If a candidate specifies that a recruiter does not have permission to contact a supervisor listed on the resume, it is suggested that this issue be addressed in the cover letter that accompanies the resume.

In addition to the formal resume above, candidates for federal employment typically need to address knowledge, skill, and abilities (KSA) factors indicated in the job announcements on separate attachments submitted with the resume.

By observing a few stylistic and information differences, candidates for government employment can create a resume that speaks strongly to their abilities to perform the duties of the job to which they are applying.

Jason Kay recommends visiting KSADoctor.com to learn lots more information relating to federal government job applications. They can assist with federal resume writing, KSA writing, and more.

In addition to providing a resume, federal job applicants are typically required to complete narrative statements on specified knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) factors. These statements, which accompany an applicant’s cover letter and resume, are required to be considered for employment. This portion of the selection process is based on the premise that past behavior is a predictor of future performance and behavior. Therefore, in order to successfully compete for a federal position, an applicant must be able to relate relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through education, experience, and past employment to the relevant position.

Although the KSA process may seem daunting at first, much of the information you need to complete these statements is in job announcement. This announcement provides the KSA factors must be addressed as part of the application process as well as specific clues about what language and examples you should use in your response. By selecting and using key terms from the announcement in a KSA response, you can demonstrate a fit for the position to which you are applying. Tailor the terms you use in your response to the job announcement and position being applied to and not the vernacular of a previous employer. Further, when possible address a KSA factor with an example of a time when you successfully resolved a problem or worked on a project that is the same as the position of interest. This approach will make it as easy as possible for a recruiter/hiring manager to see a direct connect between you and the position for which you are applying.

Once the key terms and relevant examples to utilize in KSA factor responses have been selected, the information needs to be organized and a strong statement drafted. The statement should be approximately one to two pages in length, and each KSA factor should be addressed in a separate response. Begin your response statement by providing a context for the situation, task or problem that you dealt with. Provide details around what your job was, who you were working for, and why the situation was significant or problematic. Next, explain the action you took to address the situation. If applicable, highlight initiative or actions above and beyond the call of duty that you took to resolve the situation. Finally, describe the outcome or resolution of the situation. To the extent possible, make your explanation of the situation and its resolution quantitative. If you saved an employer time or money, ensure that your statement clearly highlights this important outcome. By making your statement as descriptive and quantitative, you assist the recruiter in putting the situation you faced and the outcome in context.

Although the KSA statement process can be time consuming, it can make the difference between being viewed as a qualified or unqualified candidate. Therefore, take some time to review the job announcement and reflect on your background. You will then be in a good position to craft KSA statements that demonstrate your proficiency in several key skill areas for the position to which you are applying.

Jason Kay is a professional resume writer who specializes in providing guidance with federal job applications. He contributes to career magazines and websites such as KSADoctor.com, which provides KSA writing services and KSA samples.

Career seekers face the mounting dilemma of trying to improve their skills in an ever changing job market. They also have to compete with hundreds of thousands of other people who are trying to locate quality work.

A job hunter who has someone with the proper connections on their side can improve their chances of not only obtaining a job, but locating one in a place they will enjoy working at. This is why looking for employment through temp agencies is a great idea.

A recruiting agency has access to a database of jobs that may be offered exclusively through the agency. This exclusive job bank will significantly edge out competitors increasing your odds of obtaining the job you want.

Other benefits include:

Skill matching - There is nothing more frustrating than working at an organization where your experience and knowledge are not being applied. By looking for work through recruiting agencies, you can find an employer who actually wants to utilize the skills you possess.

Assessment and Training - HR consulting companies often test prospects to see how they rate in regards to their given skills. They also offer training for people who wish to learn new computer applications or software. This is a particularly priceless too for work at home mothers who may be rusty after years away from the job market. Training courses can also enable people to increase their earning potential and job market value.

Job variety - People who enjoy flexibility and variety will thrive at a temp agency. Not only will they have the ability to work in various companies and environments, they’ll diversify their career portfolio. There are of course, businesses that are looking for long term employees if someone wants something more permanent and stable. If you want a more secure job status, you can ask the human resource consulting representative if they have clients that offer temp to perm contracts.

Temp to perm contracts - with a temp to perm contract, an employee agrees to work for a period of time for a company so the business can see how well they fit. The contract is usually for ninety days (3 months) after which the company makes a determination as to if the employee is well suited for the job. If they are, the worker is hired on permanently and released from their contract with the temp agency.

Placement at hard to get into companies

The greatest benefit to job seekers who use temp agencies is the fact that these placement firms have access to companies that are often difficult to get into. Even certain fortune five hundred companies may utilize a human resource consulting firm in their bid to locate quality employees. If there is a company in particular you would like work for, your best bet is to call their internal HR department and find out what temp agency they utilize. You can then visit the recruiter’s office to see if there are any available vacancies within that organization.

A word of caution — while it may be tempting to apply to several different temp agencies, it is far better to find one agency you like and work through them. The reason being is temp agencies look for employees that are reliable. If you prove yourself to be someone who consistently shows up to jobs on time and performs well, you may be considered for a job that offers permanent employment. However, if you sign up for more than one hr consulting facility, you may have to turn down one job to get another-the agency that is continuously put off will they will see you as unreliable and cease to use you. In time, you may run out of job pools to utilize.

If you are smart, and honest, a human resource consulting firm could end up landing you an entry level position at a great company!

Temp agency provides temporary staffing, permanent recruiting, and human resource consulting. When looking for information on temporary staffing, consider Drake International.

I’ve been hearing a lot said lately about bypassing a resume completely in your job search. Many of the proponents of this idea have some valid points to consider:

1. A resume sets you up for rejection with employers. They see your resume, assess you in 30 seconds or less, and place you on one of two piles (call or don’t call).

2. You’re just one of the herd; you don’t stand out. The resume makes you look like everyone else, no matter how well written it is, because you are essentially doing the same thing everyone else is doing…seeing a posting online and submitting your resume for that posting.

3. A resume cannot capture the essence of who you are. A resume is meant to capture your work history as well as your accomplishments within that history. So unless all you are is your work, it is only going to describe a snippet of your life.

By and large, I agree with these points. As you will see later on, though, I’m still not sold on bypassing the resume because of them. My position is that the resume is not the problem; it is how the job seeker uses the resume that is.

Nevertheless, the main thread behind the “bypassing the resume” argument, and the one that really gives me pause, is that really great people do not need resumes. So if you want to be a really great person, then you don’t need one either.

Huh?

First of all, what does it mean to be “really great” or “really spectacular”? In the eyes of these professionals, it means to be different, to stand out. Now I personally would debate that a bit. I think there are a lot of ordinary people who have done really spectacular things without really trying to be different or to stand out.

And I would also argue that there are a lot of unique people out there who stand out that don’t seem really great to me. So while I would agree that a job seeker needs to differentiate from the crowd, I would not agree that the main aim of the job seeker should be to be as unique as possible.

Maybe it depends on the goal. Most seekers out there have one aim: to find a job. And many of them want that job to be within corporate America. They aren’t looking to be the next online marketer extraordinaire or infomercial star.

Let’s face it…if ever there was a place that wasn’t keen on unique, it’s corporate America.

So writing a really cool blog or putting together an innovative presentation may definitely get you some notice; it may not get you the job. Remember that most of the people doing the hiring have all jumped through the hoops and earned their stripes. They aren’t always receptive to those who don’t.

Therefore, a job seeker needs to be astute and tactful…know when to take that risk and be that breathe of fresh air but also know how to empathize and fit in. Boy, if you can do that well, you are really spectacular!

Once you get past the “really great people” portion of their argument, however, what it all comes back to is, typically, networking and self-motivation. And on those two points, I would most definitely agree.

A resume doesn’t get you a job. That’s not shocking news, I hope. It’s the job seeker. You determine whether you get a job.

The strategy, the effort, the knowledge, the commitment, and the follow-through you place on the search are what help determine the outcome.

Someone who uses his or network of colleagues and friends, who diversifies his or her approach (not just relying on recruiters and online job postings), and who recognizes that they need to make their target audience feel as if he or she can come in and solve the problems the company faces is the one who will get the job. And you know, it is possible that he or she could do it without a resume.

Here’s an example:

Jon calls up his old colleague, Joe. He tells Joe that he is looking for X position in Y industry. Joe says he happens to know someone who might be looking for that. Joe suggests that they all go to lunch next week to discuss the opportunity. They go to lunch. Jon meets Joe’s friend, Suzy. Suzy is impressed with Jon because he comes prepared. Joe tipped him off to some of the issues that Suzy has been dealing with. So Jon brainstorms a few ideas that might help Suzy out. Suzy likes them, and tells him to call her office to set up another meeting to discuss a working relationship.

No resume needed.

But that’s just one scenario. All of Jon’s job search tactics aren’t going to go that way. Someday, sometime, someone is going to ask for a resume. He can’t very well say, “gee, I have this great blog you can read.”

My real beef with the “bypassing the resume” thing is that it is kind of like the whole “miracle job hunting pill” concept that some people want you to swallow. “Just do this, and your problems are solved!” “You know, if you were really something special, you wouldn’t be a schmuck like everyone else.”

Although job seekers need to understand what a resume can and cannot do, they really need to focus more of their energy on developing a strong strategy for their job search than on trying to get away with not using a tool that can come in handy to them.

I’m not sure I understand the logic in turning your nose up at something that is meant to help you. And although I agree that most job seekers don’t have a clue about how to wield that tool effectively, I think they are capable of learning how.

(But, then again, what do I know, I’m just ordinary like everyone else!)

My company is called No Stone Unturned, and I am an MBA and certified professional r?sum? writer (CPRW). I have been in the career consulting business since 2002 with an additional 8 years of corporate hiring experience. You can check out my website that offers tools such as the No Nonsense Job Search Strategy guide and other Job Search Tips.