Your Definitive Guide to Resume Writing (Value of $500)

Are you a seasoned professional looking for a transition in your career? Are you a young professional looking to accelerate your leadership development opportunities? Or, are you a recent grad or soon-to-be graduate seeking to work at your dream job?

If you find yourself in any one of these categories, this is a MUST-READ! I assure you’ll find the content of this blog post of inestimable value. My objective is two-fold: provide specific, practical, high-impact tips on how to immediately enhance your resume and demystify what it takes to build an effective resume.

In fact, in the last month, I have invested around $500 worth of value to initiate this resume makeover project (which included a personal interview, purchase of his new ebook on resume writing) with Steven Provezano, a leading resume expert who has more than 20+ years in career marketing and resume writing. Not only has he been featured extensively in WSJ, CNN, CNBC, Chicago Tribune, he has written more than 8 publications, personally writing more than 5000 resumes thus far. In another words, there is no leading authority than Steven Provezano. Now, let’s see if this will lead to an interview!

Let’s start with one inconvenient truth about resume writing from Steve: “The best person doesn’t always get the interview. Rather, it is the person who markets their abilities in the most clear, concise and professional manner.” Also, remember that a resume cannot get you a job, only you can do that. But a resume can certainly help you get decent interviews. … Continue Reading

Taking a Sabbatical to Focus your Career and Calling

If you’re a young professional, taking a Sabbatical is a crucial part of growing your career and focusing your calling in life. What is a Sabbatical? It is an extended rest from work, or a hiatus, in order to achieve something.

The concept of a Sabbatical came from God in the Scriptures, when He gave the commandment to stop working the fields in the seventh year. According to Wikipedia, Sabbaticals are growing trends in the United Kingdom with 20% of companies having a career break policy for employees and a further 10% considering starting one.

For young professionals in their twenties, I highly recommend taking a Sabbatical to reflect on and clarify your calling and career direction in life.

When I was a student in university, I didn’t know what I wanted to do in my career or with my life. Once I graduated, I took the first job I was offered in my field. 3 years passed by quickly. Many times I had thoughts about switching jobs or finding something new, but it was much easier to stay put. As with many other things in life, it is easier and safer to stay with what you know than to move into the unknown. I knew I couldn’t stay at that job forever, but I wasn’t sure what to move towards. There was an unsettledness that I felt that I couldn’t quite explain. … Continue Reading

CEO Library: What CEOs are Reading for Summer 2012

The summer finally has embraced us with its wide open arms. For most people, this means planning for extended vacations, hitting the beach, and relaxing poolside. For CEOs, summer becomes the perfect time to retreat to a remote island or escaping to exotic places unknown to many. At least for several days, C-suite executives are using some downtime to catch up on their reading.

Since 2004, Samsung Economic Research Institute (SERI), a leading Asian think tank, has conducted a survey of CEOs on their reading habits and recommendable books during the summer vacation. The key theme for the books in 2012 were around humanites, self-examination, learning to read others etc. In terms of the most sough topics, the top three were finding wisdom in life, capturing business trends, discovering new management ideas.  SERI found that, the number of CEOs reading more than three books a month has increased for the past seven consecutive years but decreased this year 1.9%. It’s a well known fact that “Leaders are readers, and readers are leaders.” I hope this list challenges you to check out a book at a nearby bookstore and start reading and nourish your mind. FYI: Here’s a breakdown on the monthly reading habits of Korean CEOs:

• No time to read: 2.3%
• 1-2 books: 54.5%
• 3-4 books: 22.8%
• More than 5 books: 6.9%
• More than 6 books: 13.6%

… Continue Reading

Pereunt et Imputantur: The Hours Perish and Are Reckoned to Our Account

Critical Decisions

“Would the boy that I was be proud of the man that I became?” Many a times, I wonder how the old Solomon would advise his younger self. Our knowledge of this world will mean little when we stand before God one day. Shall it not be more profitable if we were to spend our days reading the Scripture? Wisdom of the world does not know God, but life in Christ enables us to know that He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Resolve, therefore, to pursue things of eternal value. While taking a stroll at Steveston one night, I entertained four critical decisions.

I. Following Jesus: Amidst idolatry of self-centeredness, this decision (to deny ourselves and bear our Cross) anchors our priorities in Christ. Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Live in the second mile of endurance. His grace is sufficient for us to make choices aligned with His will. Seek God first, not gifts. Resolve to become a vessel for Christ, neither in pursuit of rewards nor in fear of punishment.

II. Choosing our Friends: We tend to adopt the values held by close friends. Ensure that they are God-fearing. A wise friend is one who critiques in love and who listens to counsel. They know our flaws and vulnerabilities; yet, they still appreciate – even fight for – us as we are. Treasure our friends also as they are, never our idea of who they ought to be. Their wisdom will shape critical decisions, including our choice of life-partner.

III. Selecting a Career: Human understanding assigns significance to rank and prestige in our degrees and careers. While these pursuits are meaningful, the more significant aspect is how God will do amazing things, regardless of our rank or prestige. Worldly standards mean little to God. The only qualifying factor is the depth of our cooperation with Him. How would this career impact my relationship with God?

IV. Seeking a Spouse: Love is a decision. Commitment must not be based on emotions alone. Never make a permanent decision with a fleeting state of mind. Love needs to be a conscientious choice, especially when our spouse seems unlovable. Be vulnerable. Our closest ones will inevitably hurt us (and vice versa). See who will enrich our spiritual life. Our degree of happiness – including our children’s welfare – is dependent on a Christ-centered marriage. Realise that the only One who can truly satisfy our heart is the One who created it.

Let’s pray for wisdom to choose as God wills. Amongst these decisions, the underlying theme is to live with an eternal perspective. What is seen is only temporary; but what is unseen is eternal. Our conduct in this world will echo in eternity. … Continue Reading

How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything

I am giving away one a copy of Dov Seidman’s book How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything. To enter to win, please do two things. Please LIKE my Facebook Salt+Light page (Click here) and COMMENT on this blog post and I’ll be randomly selecting and announcing the winner on Tuesday, July 10th.

The following is a great book review of Seidman’s book from Great Lakes Geek. 

In the Preface, author Dov Seidman states, “This is a HOW book, not a how-to book. What’s the difference between how-to and HOW? Everything.” The premise is that what you do can quickly and easily be copied, reverse-engineered and commoditized by others. The author suggests that it’s how you do what you do that makes the difference.

He says there is now a “rare opportunity… to outbehave the competition.” … Continue Reading