Summary: 

In this episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole talks to Russ Wolf, the head of delivery at Irvine Technology Corporation. They discuss key aspects of job searching, focusing on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job application strategies. They discuss the importance of having a clear idea of desired job roles and tailoring resumes and LinkedIn profiles to showcase one’s capabilities and accomplishments. He compares a resume to a movie trailer, designed to elicit interest from potential employers by highlighting key achievements.

Nicole and Russ explore the specifics of resume writing, advising on the use of action-driven words and the inclusion of clear, quantifiable achievements. They stress the necessity of consistency between a resume and a LinkedIn profile, noting the importance of an active LinkedIn presence in attracting recruiters. Russ suggests that candidates should also include relevant extracurricular activities and internships, especially for recent graduates. He advises against overloading resumes with irrelevant information, as this can detract from a candidate’s genuine skills and achievements.

The conversation shifts to the etiquette of following up after job interviews, with Russ recommending a balance between persistence and patience. He advocates for taking initiative in the job search process, such as reaching out to connections or directly to employers, but warns against being overbearing. He also shares his personal mantra on taking risks and seizing opportunities, likening it to a baseball game where one must not let the fear of striking out prevent them from swinging at potential opportunities.

Enjoy!

What You Will Learn In This Show:

• Why a resume should captivate potential employers by succinctly highlighting key achievements.
• The importance of including relevant extracurricular activities and internships to compensate for limited work experience.
• Why maintaining consistency between a resume and a LinkedIn profile is vital to ensuring a coherent professional narrative.
• Keeping a balance between persistence and patience when following up after job interviews.
• Russ’ personal mantra about not letting the fear of striking out keep one from swinging.
• And so much more…

Quotes:

“Your resume is really nothing more than a movie trailer. It is a short highlight reel that is meant to elicit a specific response from a particular audience.” – (Russ Wolf)

“Put forward who you are, tell us what you’re good at. Tell us what your accomplishments have been. Tell us the skills and technologies you have worked with. Let yourself speak for yourself.” – (Russ Wolf)

“Thank you notes are a lost art… short, succinct, short summary of key points in that interview, those go a long way to helping create a longer lasting impression.” – (Russ Wolf)

“Taking initiative is a huge driver of being successful in your job search.” – (Russ Wolf)

“The length of your resume… the rule of it’s got to be one or two pages, that doesn’t apply anymore. It’s not the length of the resume, but the length of the experience you’re sharing.” – (Russ Wolf)

Resources:

Nicole McMackin LinkedIn

Podcast: