1) Is Your Resume a Powerful Marketing Tool or a Chronological Obituary?
Abridged: 101 Best Resumes to Sell Yourself, by Jay Block, CPCC; McGraw-Hill Publishing

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡V In order to attract outstanding jobs you need an outstanding marketing tool that communicates your value. Most people have resumes that are unexciting, poorly organized, and so general in content and presentation, it looks like thousands of other resumes. Employers want to know just one thing from your resume - ¡¥what you can do for them.¡¨ Employers want to know how you can contribute to their goals and how you can improve bottom line performance. Quite simply, they want to know how you can benefit them.
So when you write your resume, keep in mind that employers are NOT interested in your biography and they won¡¦t read it. Always begin creating your resume with the employer in mind. Be sure to emphasize your skills that will produce results. Can you improve efficiency, productivity, customer service levels or sales? Can you reduce expenses, turnover, and inventory without compromising quality of service? And once you have determined what your skills are that determine your value, be sure to include precise achievements for each job you list on the resume. Include specific accomplishments because a resume without achievements is a like a report card without grades. Remember, your resume must SELL you quickly and effectively ¡V and it must differentiate you from all other candidates.

2) Profits are Better than Wages
Jay Block, CPCC, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - " ¡§I teach kids to buy two bicycles; one to ride and one to rent,¡¨ says business philosopher Jim Rohn. Entrepreneurialism is a natural human phenomenon and today, with job security as secure as airline flight schedules, the only security is the security you create for yourself.
One of the best ways to start your own business is to do it while working for someone else. Start it part-time. Who said it¡¦s best to put all your eggs in one basket? Whatever happened to diversification and multiple streams of income? Everyone should have a business, even a part time business, for three main reasons: 1) To build a safety net, 2) to pursue your passions, and 2) to use as a tax write off.
Here are eight principles for successful entrepreneurs:

1) Identify a business opportunity that gets you excited
2) Develop a name and logo for the business
3) Read books on starting your own business
4) Work an hour on your business every night before turning on the TV
5) Select 3-5 people to be on your board of directors ¡V to advise you with your business
6) Write a business plan with strategies and deadlines
7) Be prepared to overcome all adversity and enjoy the journey of starting your own business
8) Visualize and feel success today ¡V to manifest it tomorrow

3) Don¡¦t Go North to Catch the South Pole
Jay Block, CPCC, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡V If you are working hard and are a positive thinker but are running north to catch the South Pole ¡V you never will. You see, when it comes to successfully securing a job, starting a business, or pursuing any goal, for that matter, strategy is everything. What good is an outstanding resume supported by a weak strategy? What good is it to have a dream with no formal plan for achieving it? The dream simply becomes a wish, then dust, in the wind.

Strategy means you have a ¡¥written¡¦ road map for attaining your goals. Strategy means you have a way to measure the results of your efforts so if you are not achieving the results you want, you can change the strategy, not the goal. Strategy means you have identified how you will invest your resources of time, money and energy to get the results you desire.

Here are the six key steps to developing an effective strategic plan:

1) The plan must be in writing
2) Set specific goals and attach deadlines to the goals
3) Consider all obstacles and identify ways of overcoming them
4) Include a budget and expenses needed to achieve the goal
5) Monitor your progress and adjust the plan as needed
6) Seek out the help of others and ask for their constructive input

4) If You Think You¡¦re too Old ¡V You Are !
Jay Block, CPCC, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡V You are what you think. Henry Ford said, ¡§If you think you can or if you think you can¡¦t ¡V you¡¦re right!¡¨ There are 78 million baby boomers who collectively make up a significant part of the labor market. Many people in career transition feel they are too old to attract good jobs. The fact is that most employers are looking to hire employees who can make significant contributions to their companies, regardless of age. Those people who are in the midst of making a job transition will be able to compete for just about any job if they can better showcase their skills and abilities to be able to contribute to organizational goals and bottom line objectives in a highly professional way.

Here are some tips on how to overcome the ¡§I¡¦m too old¡¨ factor so you can confidently attract the job you want at the pay you deserve:

1) Display youthful energy with seasoned professionalism
2) Know your value and how you can deliver results
3) Exercise and manage your image
4) Build relationships and nurture them
5) Think youthful and positive thoughts; remember, you are what you think

Everyone has to grow old but you don¡¦t have to grow up. Think young and then integrate your vast experience with this youthful energy - and you¡¦ll attract the opportunities worthy of your abilities.

5) Are You Putting ALL Your Eggs in One Basket?
Abridged: Develop Multiple Sources of Income, by Jay Block, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡VThe average job last just over 4 years. The average American will change jobs 15 times and careers 3-5 times during her working life. There is as much job security in the American labor market as there are unicorns roaming the countryside.
Today, job security means taking matters into your own hands. It means creating income streams from two, three, or more different sources. Your primary income source may be your employer and that¡¦s fine. But today, you need a second and third source of income. You cannot put all your eggs in one basket because it is a dangerous strategy to depend solely on your employer for your financial well being. What if he fires you, sells the business and goes bankrupt?
Consider starting your own enterprise or working at different jobs. Janet works as a loan officer for a bank but sells real estate on the weekends. Cheryl works for a retailer to get her 40 hours and benefits and sells Melaleuca evenings and weekends. Bob works as a second shift appliance repairman but repairs antique cars on the weekends. Marcia teaches science during the day and Ti Kwon Do at night. Be creative; be innovative; and be courageous. Take control over your financial future and develop multiple streams of income.

6) Covering the Four Bases for a Successful Job Transition
Abridged: Jay¡¦s CD, Living Life on YOUR Terms, by Jay Block, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡V To make a successful job transition, you must first understand the strategies necessary to make such a transition. So let¡¦s cover the four bases for making a successful job transition. As you leave the batter¡¦s box and head for first base, you have to want to run the bases. So the starting point is to have a passion for what you do. Without enthusiasm, the process will be significantly compromised.
First base is the base for developing exceptional tools. You must create an exceptional resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of references to attract exceptional jobs. Second base is the tactical base where you will develop a comprehensive and measurable marketing strategy to leverage your tools. Strategy means developing a written plan that includes the number of hours a week you will work on job transition, how best to use your network of contacts, and the number of resumes you will distribute weekly.
Third base is where you aggressively market yourself. Thirds base is simply ¡¥taking action¡¦ and promoting yourself ¡V taking advantage of the tools and strategies you created. And if you slide into home plate and are ¡¥out at the plate¡¦ (you fail to get the job), simply get up, dust yourself off and run the bases again and again. Yes, you may want to tweak the tools and strategy, but you must maintain a positive attitude and keep running the bases until you succeed.

7) It¡¦s All in the ¡¥Right¡¦ Message
Abridged: Jay¡¦s Block¡¦s Best-selling Book by McGraw-Hill: Great Answers! Great Questions For Your Job Interview. By Jay Block, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

WEST PALM BEACH, FL ¡V Why should we hire you? How can you benefit our company? It is critical to communicate the ¡¥right¡¦ messages that employers¡¦ want communicated - on the resume and in the interview. It all comes down to what you can do for the employer. If hiring you can help solve employer¡¦s problems or meet organizational needs, then you are in the running for the job. Hiring authorities must believe that you can benefit their bottom line or contribute to their goals and objectives. For instance:

„X I can be a contributing team member in increasing sales, marketshare and profits
„X I can help collect outstanding money to improve cash flow
„X I can improve efficiency and productivity
„X I can improve student test scores and enhance academic curriculum
„X I can improve customer relations and enhance customer retention
„X I can complete commercial construction projects on time and on budget ¡V avoiding cost overruns

If you are confident that you have identified the ¡§right¡¨ messages, you will be confident in communicating them both on your resume and in the interview. You¡¦ll have pushed the right ¡¥hot buttons,¡¦ and win the job.

8) Don¡¦t Wish Things Were Easier ¡V Wish You Were Better
Abridged: Jay¡¦s Block¡¦s Keynote Presentation: It¡¦s Not the Wind that Matters, but the Set of the Sail by Jay Block, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

It seems that most people want more and more out of life but are willing to do less and less to achieve that goal. They want to push the ¡¥easy button¡¦ and have everything fall into place. If you were to speak to successful athletes, entertainers, business leaders, and anyone happy in their job, you¡¦ll find that ¡¥easy¡¦ is not part of their vocabulary. And when it comes to career management and job search, ¡¥easy¡¦ shouldn¡¦t be a word you embrace either.
Today¡¦s competitive job market requires that you work harder and smarter to secure the job you want at the pay you deserve. Here are 5 job transition tips that will help you to accomplish your career / job goals.
1) Network more effectively and don¡¦t be shy to ask for help from people you know
2) Don¡¦t count on recruiters ¡V use them but don¡¦t depend on them.
3) Target organizations you want to work for and contact them directly
4) Keep a record of your job search activities and push yourself to do more not less every day
5) Improve yourself every day in every way ¡V and make rest a necessity not an objective

9) Turn References Into Powerful Testimonials
Abridged: Jay¡¦s Block¡¦s Best Selling Book: The End of the Job Search.
By Jay Block, Best-selling Author / Executive Coach

References attest; testimonials promote. One of the most powerful and innovative tools you can use to advance your job search efforts is the use of testimonials. Testimonials create excitement because they validate achievements, accomplishments, and contributions. Testimonials from those who have, in the past, benefited from your performance are effective in assuring prospective employers that you have indeed accomplished what your resume indicates you have achieved.

Identify 4-6 people who are wiling to provide you with powerful testimonials and ask them write a strong paragraph that indicates you can produce results! Because many companies won¡¦t allow testimonials to be printed on their letterhead, place all 4-6 testimonial paragraphs on a single page (see sample below) and include this portfolio with your resume when you send out your resume.

John Smith (555) 222-3344
The ABC Company

Diane Jones has worked for us for 5 years and has been a consistent top producer. Her ability to build rapport with customers is unparallel and her retention rate is 100%. Anyone who is fortunate enough to hire Diane, has a special asset that will produce stunning results.

Author's Bio: 

Leading Career & Empowerment Coach
Best-Selling Author
Motivational Speaker
Profile

15-year record of success in re-engineering the career management industry and developing life and empowerment coaching technologies to enhance the quality of life for individuals as well as the bottom-line performance for corporations and organizations.