Resume Ideas

Integrity in Business: Why It Matters

Leave a Comment / Blog, Employers, Resume Ideas, Set Yourself Up For Success

Nearly everyone agrees integrity in business is important. It’s a buzzword you see in many corporate mission statements and on numerous resumes. But what exactly does it mean? How can we demonstrate integrity in business on a day to day basis? And is it really that big of a deal?

Yes. Integrity matters. In fact, to quote Alan K. Simpson, “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” Let’s talk about why.

Finding Integrity in Business

This month, we at Building Careers celebrate four years of inspiring people to succeed. And we would like to highlight one of the core values we believe has been crucial to our success. We’ve found integrity is a very real, governing principle that has real-life consequences in our personal and professional lives. We believe it can make all the difference for you, too.

You can find integrity in business in many places:

  • The employee who stands up for her co-worker when the boss mistakenly blames the co-worker for her failure.
  • The job candidate who gives straightforward answers about gaps in a work history.
  • The consultant who clearly explains why a deadline was missed.
  • The executive who sets clear expectations and doesn’t change them.
  • The broker who lives up to each promise made to the client.

We face integrity decisions on daily basis. And whether or not we make smart decisions determines how we are perceived, how we perceive ourselves, and even how we perceive others. Those who live out integrity in business often find others of like conviction to partner with. Ethical behavior tends to breed more ethical behavior.

The Challenge

But it can be challenging in the world of commercial real estate to consistently make the right judgment calls. Many situations can be confusing. How forthcoming should be brokers be about possible delays in closing time? Where do contractors draw the line regarding necessary and unnecessary expenses? How much of a third-party property manager’s time was allotted for working on the client’s CAM reconciliations versus busy work?

The nature of integrity in business is such that there is no policy manual to cover every contingency – it’s just plain tricky. And so working with people committed to integrity in business is all the more important. Because integrity isn’t a simple matter of following the corporate policy. It’s a philosophy – an attitude that governs every interaction.

Integrity Matters

The benefits of making honest decisions and doing the right thing in the workplace are significant. This isn’t a matter of ethics for ethics sake. Those who do the right thing and exhibit honesty and integrity in business typically enjoy the payoff.

  • Honest employees are more trusted by their peers and thus more productive team players.
  • Companies that always deliver on their promises build mutual respect with clients and are thus more likely to be forgiven or understood should a misstep or complication occur.
  • Businesses who have the reputation for integrity are well known and liked and thus more likely to get more and repeat business.
  • Firms known for their smart business dealings typically have a more loyal following.
  • Ethical companies often have more ethical employees who serve as excellent brand ambassadors.
  • Companies that clearly communicate and always do exactly what they say have fewer misunderstandings and more happy client relationships.
  • Trustworthy businesses often work on more sensitive projects dealing with confidential information yielding greater returns.

Integrity matters in so many ways. Companies and professionals who practice integrity in business are a joy to work with. They do not act based on the profit motive alone or sell out their convictions for a price. Working with people who have a reputation for honesty and integrity makes every step of the process more rewarding and productive.

In these relationships, commitments are paramount. Honesty dictates not only that no lies are told but also that the whole truth is disclosed. Integrity serves as an anchor that keeps all other ethics intact. Engagements are always respectful and considerate. And ultimately, success thrives in an atmosphere of trust.

If you would like to work with some of the ethical businesses and professionals we network with, contact us today!

Sources:

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How to Prevent Your Resume from Becoming Obsolete

Leave a Comment / Blog, Resume Ideas

Is the traditional resume becoming obsolete? The short answer is no. If we spent as much time on our resumes as we do on our social media profiles, maybe we would get as many likes from potential employers as we do from social connections. While this might seem blatantly obvious to most, it’s worth reiterating how important it is to take the necessary time to devote to continuously updating the best resume possible.

Update Your Resume Consistently

Take the Time to Review the Entire Resume and Ensure Proper Tenses Are Used

One of the most crucial things you can do to put your best foot forward is take the time to properly update your resume when it’s time to look for a new position. Many candidates have great content in their original resumes, however, it may have been years since they have looked for a job and therefore last updated their resume. One of the things I frequently see reflected in candidates’ resumes is a sense of urgency. They’re rushing through edits, only adding their most recent position, and forgetting to put the previous one in past tense. Take note, if you are no longer working in a current position at a current company, the associated bullets/description should be in the past tense. A lot of candidate’s older positions will be past tense, with the top two incorrectly being present tense. Only your current position should be in the present tense.

Employ Proper Grammar and Punctuation and Have Another Set of Eyes Review

On that note, whether you’re applying for a new position or simply wanting to give your resume a fresh look, it’s always a good time to proofread your resume for grammatical and spelling errors more than once in more than one way. Have a peer read through it, read through it yourself a couple of times, and/or enlist the help of a professional resume consultant to, at the very least, give your resume a once over for basic spelling and grammatical mistakes. You’d be surprised at the number of periods mistakenly following incomplete sentences!

Tailor Your Resume to the Job You Want

Your current resume may not be properly tailored to each job you’re applying for. Take the time to read through the job description of your desired position and make notes of the requirements and skills with which you have experience. Ensure that those are clearly spelled out and exhibited in your resume. Having the right key words in relation to the job description is critical!

Quantify, Quantify, Quantify

Be clear about what you have contributed to past and current employers in definitive terms. For example, how much did you save the company in operating expenses on their assets by implementing a new vendor proposal system? What is the magnitude of assets you have sourced, underwritten, and closed? The more specifics you can offer on your resume to a potential new employer, the more they will recognize your value.

Your resume represents you and your qualifications and is essentially seeking the respect of hiring managers and potential employers. Don’t rush through a quick revision and send your resume to the hiring manager of your dream job without giving it some TLC. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

If it’s time for you to give your resume some much needed attention, please feel free to connect with me at JETurpitConsulting@gmail.com to see how I can help.

By: Julia Turpit

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How to Avoid These Common Resume Mistakes

Leave a Comment / Blog, Resume Ideas

There are a lot of misconceptions about how professional resumes should be written and what is and isn’t acceptable. I have reviewed thousands of resumes as a recruiter in the technology and real estate industries, and, what I have found is that the biggest concern most job seekers have is that they keep their resume to one page, when in fact, assuming a certain tenure and that the experience is relevant, a two-page resume can be equally as effective. It’s simply not worth removing critical and beneficial information or making your font so tiny it’s unreadable, just to fit a resume on a single page.

As you go to create or refresh your resume and look to highlight your strengths and what makes you the right candidate for the job, here are some helpful tips based on common mistakes I often see. And remember, if done right, a pop of color or changing up the font just a little to emphasize your skills doesn’t hurt.

  1. One size doesn’t fit all: There is no one right way to format a resume and the style can differ depending on the industry you’re in. Are you a marketing and branding professional or designer? Then try creating a more graphics focused resume, using colors and less traditional fonts that showcase your creativity while highlighting your experience and hirable qualities. If you are in the real estate (or similar – law, medical, corporate business) industry, take more of a conservative and conventional approach. Focus on clean lines, content over aesthetic, and traditional fonts and formats.
  2. Bullets are best: When writing the responsibilities associated with each position, use statement bullet points, not full-sentence paragraphs. Hiring managers are looking at hundreds of resumes and don’t have the time to read through paragraphs to pull out important information. Each bullet should be a summary of a particular skillset, responsibility or task that you perform/performed at your position. These bullets should include “keywords” that will easily stand out to hiring managers and should align with the keywords in the job description associated with the job you are seeking. Quantifying the impact that your responsibilities had on the companies you work for will also allow your resume to resonate with the company you are applying to.
  3. Past versus present tense: If you are no longer in a current position, your bullet points should be in the past tense. The only bullets that should be present tense are those listed under your current position.
  4. How personal should you get? I do not recommend putting additional personal information on your resume (i.e. years you’ve been married, where you have traveled, that you enjoy scuba diving, etc). Let these topics come up in conversation during the interview. Keep your resume clean and focused so as not to detract from your skills and accomplishments.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to craft your resume or if you’re in need of a resume makeover, please reach out to me at jeturpitconsulting@gmail.com

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Insights and Tips For Job Seekers in 2017

Leave a Comment / Ask An Expert, Blog, Job Search, Resume Ideas

It looks good for job seekers exploring employment opportunities in San Diego this year and the news comes from some of the best recruiters in town – Brett Wayne, Managing Director at Cypress HCM, Jeff Prekker, CEO at BioPhase Solutions, Kat Zorko, Director of Business Development at Sayva Solutions, and Nicole Sutton, Founder at Nexus Search Group, LLC. A big thanks to these impactful recruiters for taking the time to share your expert insights and advice…

How does it look for job seekers in 2017?

Brett: It should be a great year to search for a new position. The demand for top talent far outweighs the supply, which makes for a good situation for job seekers. This is especially true in the technology sector where companies are putting a premium on identifying talent to build out their teams.

Jeff: Definitely a candidate-driven market out there currently.

Kat: In regards to accounting and finance, employment outlook is positive for 2017. Unemployment remained low at the end of 2016 in San Diego, and skilled professionals remain in demand. San Diego’s larger employers continue to hire at a steady rate through growth, special projects, and movement while small to mid-size companies continue to provide opportunities. Potential challenges this year include shakeout from the election and how that impacts funding and IPO potential for employers as well as the continued effect of employers moving headquarters out of San Diego.

Nicole: Continue to be a demand for those with experience in bio-tech, health care and real estate. More opportunities for advancement as baby boomers continue to retire. More opportunities in San Diego’s strong and thriving start-up community.

What would your #1 piece of advice be for someone looking to change jobs in 2017?

Brett: Although it is a great time to be a job seeker, simply applying to online posts is not the best approach and should be a last resort. A better option is to network and utilize former colleagues or connections to introduce you to hiring managers and/or internal recruiters at the companies you would like to work. Another good option is to go through recruiting firms because they will be able to get your resume to the top of the pile and ensure the right set of eyes are reviewing the resume. If discretion is important and you don’t want to post your resume on Dice, Monster or Indeed, you can build out your LinkedIn profile and savvy recruiters will take that as a sign that you might be interested in hearing about new opportunities.

Jeff: Put a lot of thought into what your ideal position is and try to find something as close to that as possible. Put a good amount of thought into how you articulate why that particular position and organization are a great match for both the employer and for you.

Kat: Network! Do not rely on online applications to be the source of your next job. Build relationships and find ways to partner with people that will be mutually beneficial. Do not wait until you need a job to initiate this as well. Networking requires an investment of time and energy that can yield long-term results. I also recommend finding ways to differentiate yourself on your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your interview style, etc. San Diego in general is a competitive, saturated market given that it is an ideal place to live, so it requires a constant effort to stand out to be considered amongst your peers.

Nicole: Find a mentor in your particular field. Spruce up your social media presence – make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated and professional. Get out there and meet people! Networking is still the key to finding your next position. Work with a recruiter who not only knows your industry but your town too!

Any tips on how a job seeker can make himself/herself stand out

amongst the hundreds of 2017 resumes?

Brett: Building out a clean resume that is easy to read and highlights your most relevant skills is a great place to start. Recruiters and hiring managers spend about 15-30 seconds scanning resumes before moving on to the next one so it needs to be clear and concise. Once getting to the interview stage, it is important that you are prepared and do a lot of research on the company, position and interviewer.

Jeff: Find an internal employee that you know and have him/her talk to management and/or HR about you. Ideally mention that connection when applying.

Kat: Customize your resume to whatever job you are pursuing. Draw attention to related skills, experiences and accomplishments. Use powerful, strong wording and make your resume show what value YOU bring to an organization. Complement the resume with a strong LinkedIn profile and of course make sure there are no errors on either.

Nicole: Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Get as many buzz words in your resume as possible.

Meet the Experts – Some of the best recruiters in San Diego:

Brett Wayne, Managing Director at Cy
Jeff Prekker, CEO at BioPhase Soluti
Kat Zorko, Director of Business Deve
Nicole Sutton, Founder at Nexus Sear

Check back next month for additional insight from our experts in our February Blog:

Tips for companies looking to hire quality employees in 2017

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25 résumé mistakes you need to fix right now

Leave a Comment / Blog, Resume Ideas
Résumé Writing

25 résumé mistakes you need to fix right now

  1. An objective
  2. Irrelevant work experiences
  3. Personal Stuff
  4. Your hobbies
  5. Your age
  6. Too much text
  7. Time off
  8. References
  9. Personal pronouns
  10. Present tense for a past job
  11. A less-than-professional email address
  12. Any unnecessary, obvious words, like, “Phone”
  13. Your current business-contact info
  14. Your boss’ name
  15. Company-specific jargon
  16. Social-media URLs that are not related to the targeted position
  17. Salary information
  18. Outdated fonts
  19. Fancy fonts
  20. Annoying buzzwords
  21. Reasons you left a company or a position
  22. Your GPA
  23. A photo of yourself
  24. Opinions, not facts
  25. Short-term employment

The space on your résuméis precious. Consider applying some of the tips in this article to create an effective résumé.

While the article describes certain things to avoid, there are also some must-dos that will make your résumé more appealing to employers. I would suggest tailoring your resume to every different position you are applying for. Incorporate applicable keywords from the job description into your résumé to demonstrate that your responsibilities from previous roles have prepared you for this next role. I would also encourage job seekers to make sure to describe your accomplishments in statement that begin with action verbs. Previous responsibilities should be described in the past tense. Finally, shop your résuméto others in your life and in the industry that you are seeking employment in. Having another person review your resume can give you tremendous insight and perhaps even lead to the reviewer creating a job for you or pointing you in the right direction.

Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/bCp_4jE

Originally published by Jacquelyn Smith and Rachel Gillett in Business Insider on July 9, 2015

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