• What services are you taking to market?

• Resume and cover letter(s)

• Establishing distribution channels for your resume

• Selling your services

• The interview process from preparation, execution, review and next steps

Step 1: Establishing Your Value

Whether you are a recent college graduates or a C-level executive, having the ability to clearly understand and articulate what value an organization would derive for hiring you is the greatest challenge facing most individuals when seeking their next opportunity. We all have services to offer any company, with the range, depth and breadth of those services varying with our personal levels of expereince, training and education. So how do we make our services desirable to a hiring company and what should we look to emphasize in today’s economy?

A good place to start would be for us to have clarity on what we mean by the word “value”. While the dictionary offers us 18 definitions; 8 of those definitions have a common theme: monetary, worth, represented by a figure. So as we start to understand our value and formulate our personal value statement or “elevator pitch”, we should review our career to date and take a hard look at every piece of training, education and experience in these terms. This will enable us to share how our services would be desirable or useful to the hiring organization. Remember value = money, for what you are ultimately looking to do is to enter into a financial agreement with the hiring organization – you deliver services, they pay for those services!

So here is my suggestion for a common value statement that you could use as a starting point: “I am looking to improve the profitability of the company by providing (insert your services) in the most cost effective & timely manner.” Here we have a clear one sentence statement that clarifies what you are offering and why they should at least look at your resume.

In conclusion, it is your ability to clearly and succinctly articulate in your elevator pitch, on your resume and throughout the interview process your value, that will turn the hiring manager into the champion or sponsor you need in order to start the job offer process.

Step 2: Creating Marketing Materials

Now that we understand our value and we have our elevator pitch, take a look at your resume and cover letter to see how you are positioning your services. Are you positioning for a “boom” economy i.e. you are sharing how you added new functions or features, or are you positioning your services for driving down costs or growing revenues?

Having difficulty putting a monetary value on the services you delivered to your previous employers? Then look at some of the other definitions of the word value and focus on highlighting the OUTCOMES or RESULTS of your efforts, rather than what you did in order to achieve those deliverables. Look at your career to date in the terms of how your previous employers have benefited for you being an employee:

• What was the relative worth, merit, or importance of the work you did?
• What was the monetary or material worth to the bottom-line that your job delievered?
• What was the impact, the magnitude; quantity; number represented by a figure resulting from your involvement?

When anyone reads your resume they should be left under no doubt as to your ability to make a difference to a company’s bottom-line. A clear resume that does not hint, infer or imply how you could be useful; rather a clear statement of facts that supports and justifies your elevator pitch.

Step 3: Marketing Material Distribution

Just as we do not buy what we do not value (hence the importance of determining our “value” and clear representing that value in the form of an elevator pitch, resume and cover letter), we do not buy what we are not aware of! Therefore, once completed it is essential that we distribute our resume to the widest audience possible as we do not always know where anyone involved in the hiring process will look when it comes to sourcing the sort of services that you are capable of delivering.

Step 4: Networking

Networking is where we are actively selling our services to viable business contacts. As we only have once chance to make a good first impression it I useful having an appreciation of the concerns of our audience. To help with this, consider looking at the recruiter or hiring manager as a "buyer" of your services. Meaning that buyers buy (hire) in order to solve a problem and to address a concern of their organization and in 2012 I would suggest that the profitability and the financial success of their company is a BIG problem or concern. So how do we address the concerns of the hiring manager in the context of their situation?

While value remains monetary, worth, represented by a figure the emphasis however does change with prevailing economic conditions and organizational focus. In a better economy, for example in March of 2000 when the NASDAQ hit an all time high – organizations had a strategic, external or forward-looking focus. Meaning that the organization felt confident about investing people in order to develop or provide new offerings, functions and features. Accepting costs today with expectations of high returns in the future. The hiring manager’s priorities in "better" economies:

• Increase functionality & features
• Increase capacity
• New equipment & systems
• Strategic focus
• Look to future
• Investment
• Price / Cost

In 2012 a lot of organizations are not looking to expand, to increase capacity or make significant investments, but they are interested in improving profits! Therefore, we are looking at approaching the hiring manager who is currently hyper-sensitive to costs with timeframes that don’t extend much beyond the here-and-now for assistance in making you a priority in the hiring process. So what are the priorities today?

• Profitability
• Timeframe: Here & now
• Operational focus
• Optimize existing systems
• Increase efficiency
• Operate cheaper
• Consolidate

Now take a look at how you would look to engage an individual with whom you would like to network. Are you positioning for a “boom” economy i.e. you are sharing how you added new functions or features, or are you positioning your services for driving down costs or growing revenues?

As a job seeker, we enhance the desirability for people to network with us by addressing the concerns of our audience in the context of their situation. We are looking to change a hiring initiative into a profitability initiative.

Step 5: Closing The Deal

CONGRATULATIONS!! You have been called in for an interview as the company believes from what they have seen and heard to date, establishes you as a viable candidate for the role that they are looking to fill.

Frequently, individuals spend many hours creating resumes and cover letters, searching through the job boards and postings on the internet, reviewing classifieds and networking -- all in order to get an interview. Yet few of them spend anytime developing the most crucial skill of interviewing.

In today’s economy, it may take 5 or 6 interviews in order to secure a position versus the 2 or 3 interviews that was more of the “norm” in healthier economic times. So by developing your interviewing skill’s you will develop the ability to “out sell” your competitors and land the job.

Preparation

Anyone who has ever been through the job hunting process has probably walked away from at least one interview knowing right away that they botched it or even if they feel confident about the interview, they know that they still could have answered one or two questions much better than they did.

Remember that any activity that we value creates a certain degree of angst or anxiety which is a natural human emotion. The only way to remove this “pressure” and to perform in a way that we know that we are capable of is preparation!

Industry

Question: What is happening in the hiring companies industry?

Resources: Major news outlets, stock market reports etc.

The Market

Question: What is happening to other hiring companies in the local market (Twin Cities)? How is the hiring company perceived in the local market?

Resources: Local news outlets and community or philanthropic annual reports. Unlike the standard annual report, which focuses largely on financial performance, many companies produce a second publication that highlights "soft topics" like culture or community outreach. This will give clues about how the company lives its image or brand. This can help you decide if there's consistency between what the company says it is and what you observe.

The Company

Question: What is the "tone at the top"? Is there a strong, positive workplace culture? The leadership team (CEO, CFO, Chairman or President) sets the standard for workplace culture.

Resources: The company website will typically reveal the names of senior leaders, and a broader Internet search using those names will often turn up revealing media coverage about executive actions, providing insight on the team’s values, which have the greatest impact on a company's culture.

Question: What is the company’s mission or vision statement?

Resources: Again, the company website will provide these statements which will reveal what a company wants everyone to believe about its culture and values. This is a good way to discover if the stated characteristics align with their personal values system.

Question: What is the workplace environment like?

Resources: The physical location! Is the interviewee brought in for an onsite interview, the physical environment can provide a snapshot about the workplace culture i.e. fancy offices near crowded cubicles can illustrate cultural norms about rank and power. Similarly, a polite, respectful interview process - rather than one that is seemingly rushed or poorly coordinated - offers valuable cues about the overall environment.

The Job

Question: What are the roles and responsibilities for the position? What are the expectations for the role? What does good look like?

Resources: The job posting. The HR / recruiter contact.

Competitors

Apply the same rigor to one or two of the hiring company’s closest competitors.

Questions

"Do you have any more questions for me?" may seem innocent and simple enough to answer, but candidates who give a weak response are usually the ones screened out of consideration for the job.

Utilizing the research results, create a series of questions that will help you fill in the blanks and assist in your determination if both the company AND the job are a right fit for you!

Please be aware that every question you ask is an opportunity for you to sell yourself as the most outstanding, must-have candidate for the job.

Logistics

All of the above preparation is for naught if you fail to show up at the right place or on time, so plan accordingly.

Do you clearly understand:

• The location of the interview?
• The amount of time it will take you to get there?
• The start time?
• Who you are interviewing with?
• Expected duration of the interview?
• Do you have a copy of your resume?

As with most professional’s today – everyone is busy, hurried and subject to the same delays and roadblocks in their day-to-day activity. So being where you are supposed to be at the right time with the ability to be “flexible” will go a long way to establishing you as an easy individual to work with and a good “fit” for the company.

Attire

Smart, formal business attire even if the interviewer is in jeans.

Communication Style

Interviewers will form an opinion of you within the first 5 minutes of the interview and this opinion is not always based on what you actually say, but on something you are doing i.e. your "body language”.

85 percent of what you communicate is not with words, it is through the tone of your voice, the way you sit and a wealth of other messages that your body involuntarily sends.

1. Be natural. Greet the interviewer with a smile that engages your eyes, and offer a firm handshake. Say something like, "I'm pleased to meet you" to provide a positive anchor. Maintaining good eye contact shows respect and interest.
2. Watch out for excessive energy. The more energy you have, the more will need to be vented. This often results in fidgeting i.e. repeatedly touching your face, throat, mouth or ears, a definite sign that you're nervous or ill at ease.
3. What to do with those hands and arms. Clasped hands are a signal that you are closed off and palm-to-palm gestures with one thumb over the other thumb sends the signal that you need the interviewer's reassurance. To come across as confident, receptive and unguarded, have your hands open and relaxed on the table. When your body is open, you project trustworthiness. Avoid crossing your arms over your chest. When you do, you signal that you are close-minded, defensive or bored and disinterested.
4. Crossing those legs. Don't cross your legs as this posture creates a wall between you and your interviewer. It can also become a distraction when you keep crossing your legs back and forth. Crossed ankles are a "no-no" because you are signaling that you want to be elsewhere.
5. Posture. A straight posture is imperative during an interview. Pull your shoulders back and sit up straight. You'll give yourself a burst of confidence and allow for good breathing. This can help you to avoid, or at least reduce, feelings of nervousness and discomfort.
6. Finger gestures. Never point your index fingers like gun barrels as these are the types of aggressive messages you want to avoid sending.

While body language is a very important component of your communication style, no one ever received a job offer purely on the strength of their handshake or posture; regardless of what was actually said.

Interviewers will often rely on questions that start with "tell me about a time when?" or "give me an example?" To provide meaningful answers to those questions, you must prepare and have some stories in your pocket. As human beings, we love a good story so practice your ability to paint a good picture around your experiences.

Painting a Picture

Stories to prepare in advance of the interview should include good examples about how you've interacted with team members - what kind of team player you'll be.

Interviewers also frequently ask how you have dealt with a difficult problem. Being negative is a pitfall, so describe the situation succinctly, focusing on what you were thinking when handling the situation. The interviewer’s goal is not to learn about the company you were working for or the people you were working with, but about how you maneuvered through difficult situations.

Don’t forget to ask early on, "Please let me know if this is not what you're getting at or if you need more detail?"

Interviewees can also create dialog by asking questions like, "Tell me about the characteristics of the people who are most successful in this department or role. What kinds of people or experiences have worked well? What won't work in your group?"

Rehearsal is key so talk out loud to yourself, family or friends. Listen to how it sounds. When the right answer doesn't come to you fast enough, you miss the golden opportunity to share your best story.

Answering the Tough Questions

While the questions detailed below may not be asked at every interview, having the ability to answer each one in a confident, sincere and natural way will differentiate you from the other interviewees.

Question: Tell us about yourself?

Meaning: What makes you special? Why should we hire you?

Response: Prepare several selling points about yourself. Give a quick "elevator speech" that overviews your experience and achievements.

Question: What are your greatest strengths?

Meaning: How do you perceive your talents and abilities as a professional? Will you be an asset to our organization?

Response: Sell yourself. If you don't promote your strengths, nobody else will. Prepare six or seven responses. Be "confidently humble."

Question: What are your greatest weaknesses?

Meaning: How honest are you being about yourself with us? How realistic are you? Do you have the ability to "self-audit" your behavior and adjust accordingly?

Response: Present your weakness as a positive i.e. do you have the ability to learn from your mistakes. Clearly state the situation, what happened, the outcome and then what you learned from the experience. The word "experience" does not mean the ability to get it right the first time, every time!

Question: Why are you interested in working here?

Meaning: How dedicated are you? Do you have a passion for this type of work?

Response: Keep your answer simple and to the point. Stay away from such responses as, "Many of my friends have worked here." This response isn't very impressive.

Question: Why should we hire you?

Meaning: Can you convince us you're "the one?" Can you sell your "services"?

Response: Make a powerful statement about the value you'll bring to their organization. Toot your own horn, but be wary of sounding arrogant.

Question: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Meaning: Will you be here for only year a before moving on, or are you committed to staying here for a while? Are you a stable person? Can you set goals for yourself?

Response: Be aware that they might not want to hire someone who will be round for only a year or two. Feel free to say that you have one goal at the moment: to be the very best employee for that particular job.

Question: What are some of your hobbies?

Meaning: How well-rounded are you? What do you do outside of work that might transfer positively into the workplace?

Response: Emphasize any hobbies or activities that may relate to the job. Help the interviewer learn more about you and perceive you as a person, rather than a job candidate. Therefore, don't just answer questions, respond to them.

Question: Would you be willing to pursue an extra certificate or credential?

Meaning: What they're really asking: How is your attitude? How flexible are you?

Response: Tell the interviewer how important professional growth is to you. Understand that the person who will impress the interviewer the most is the one willing to do the extra work.

Question: What were you hoping we'd ask today, but didn't?

Meaning: What they're really asking: Is there anything special about yourself that you want us to know?

Response: Consider this a "show and tell" opportunity. Use materials from your portfolio to convince them how valuable you'll be to their organization.

Question: Do you have any questions for us?

Meaning: Are you prepared to ask questions? How interested are you in this position?

Response: List five or six questions on an index card. Ask at least one question, even if all of your prepared questions have been answered. Never say, "No, you've answered all of my questions."

Finally, it’s important to sound natural and thoughtful when replying to each question, so don't let your responses sound 'canned' or rehearsed. Make the interviewer feel as though you've given serious thought to their question and are genuinely interested in the job.

The Close

The key is to have a great interview, where the interviewer actually pictures you doing the job.

If you want to be that person, utilizing and practicing the steps detailed above will allow everyone who interviews you - the recruiter, hiring manager to picture you filling the position and to visualize actually hiring you -- ASAP.

Diligent preparation will guarantee that you will stand out from the crowd and shoot straight to the top of the "must hire" list.

Finally, KEEP SELLING your services and the value that you would bring to any hiring organization, with the same vigor and enthusiasm all the way through to signing on the dotted line.

Please check back frequently as the job search and career management resources are being continually updated!

Creating Value

• Back-2-Work.com
• Global Gateway Recruitment - Services
• 3 Smart Cubes - Career Tests
• Resume Rabbit
• JOBehaviors
• O*NET Resource Center
• iseek

Resume Writing

• Back-2-Work.com
• The National Resume Writers Association
• Sample Resumes
• Resume Blaster.com
• Professional Resumes
• JobMetrix

Marketing Material Distribution

• Back-2-Work.com
• ResumeBlaster.com
• ResumeRabbit.com
• ForwardYourResume.com
• post.ResumeMailMan.com
• ResumeDeliver.com
• post.ResumeDirector.com
• JobsByFax.com
• ResumeArrow.com
• GorillaBlaster.com

General Job Sites

• CareerBuilder.com
• Monster.com
• Locanto Jobs
• Jobs.com
• NationJob.com
• Indeed.com
• QuintCareers.com
• Job-Hunt.org
• MegaJobSites.com
• CareerJet.com
• AllJobSearch.com
• MRINetwork.com
• BestJobUSA.com
• JobMag.com
• Job-Applications.com

Professional 3rd Party Recruiters

• McKinley Group Inc
• Deare Recruiting Solutions
• Grad Staff
• The Mazzitelli Group
• Wyatt & Jaffe
• The Wood Group Inc
• Keystone Search
• M & A Executive Search
• Corporate Resources - Tech Net
• C. Anderson Associates
• Spencer Stuart
• Atlantic Research Technologies
• Executive Direct
• Association of Executive Search Consultants
• Future Step
• CSI Executive Search LLC
• Gulf CV Specialists
• dRecruits
• Stanton Chase
• Camoore

Web-based Networking

• LinkedIn - Business Networking
• Plaxo - Business Contact Management
• Care 2 - Environment, "Green" Organizations
• Orkut - Google International Social-Networking
• Ryze - Entrepreneurs, Business Contacts
• Twitter - Business Networking
• Xing - International version of LinkedIn
• Ziggs - Online Brand Management
• Give Back Get Hired - Business Networking

Role / Industry Specific Job Sites

• DICE.com - IT
• Technical-Resumes.com - IT
• ComputerWork.com - IT
• NRCols.com - Sales
• SalesCareersOnline.com - Sales
• Williams-Exec.com - Senior Executives
• FrontLineSearch.com - Senior Executives
• KuttNauer.com - Senior Executives
• GrnPleasanton.com - Staffing, Prof. Services & HR
• AgroQualitySearch.com - Agriculture & Food industry
• AwardStaffing.com - Technical, Manufacturing, ScientificM
• MaxRecruiting.com - Engineering, Manufacturing
• BizWiz.com - Technology
• GloCap.com - Executive Financial

Job Hunting Support Sites

• Salary.com
• RileyGuide.com
• MinorityExecSearch.com
• JobHuntersBible.com
• KevinKermes.com
• GetBackToWorkFaster.com

Business Research Resources

• Hoovers.com
• OneSource.com
• Business.com
• Manta.com
• CorporateInformation.com
• Money.CNN.com
• Google.com

Tools for Career Changers

• Candidate's Chair - A practical guide to job search and networking built from the experiences of your fellow candidates.
• Career One Stop - Find jobs, compare salary data and get resume writing tips.
• Career Development Help - Because life is too short for an unfulfilling career!
• College - Learn how a great education can help you achieve your dreams.
• Career Planning - The site will query your information relating to education, employment history and other factors, to give you helpful compensation and employment guidance.
• Metro Wages - How much does your career earn in different areas? Compare wages in up to ten different local metro areas.
• Minimum Wage Laws - Choose any State to find out about minimum wage laws.
• My Job Path - Networking resource that includes: informative lessons and videos, a notebook to store contact and event information, and a volunteer database filled with professionals ready to support your job search.
• Sloan Career Cornerstone Center - Resources for anyone interested in exploring career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computing, and medicine.
• Hanover Executive - Executive Coaching
• bizCompare - Compare to Peers. Evaluate Better.

"Back-2-Work" offers both workshops and presentations entitled "Maximizing the Effectiveness of Your Job Hunting Process" to networking groups or associations and customised to the specific requirements of the audience.

Attendees will come away from the session with:

1. A framework for approaching the job hunting process
2. An understanding of how they can present and market the "value" of their services to hiring managers and organizations
3. Identified resources that will assist them in their job search

Here is what others have said about attending a "Back-2-Work" workshop:

Thank you for taking the time today to present Maximizing the Effectiveness of your Job Hunting Process. The insight you provided regarding the job hunting process was very valuable to me. I believe your advice to write down my job heading and what I enjoyed the most is going to help me in the job interview.

Tom D

I wanted to send you a note to thank you for a very informative session today.

Michael L

Thank you for sharing your "5 Step Methodology" at the McKinley Group Career Clinic this morning. I think this is a great plan to maximize the effectiveness of my job search. My favorite takeaways were "Netowrk with Purpose" and "Networking is a Team Sport"!!

Lisa J T

I attended a career clinic where Mr. Riley gave a presentation. It was great! For job seekers in this challenging market, the valuable insights and advice he shared was most compelling information of the day. Thanks!

Sheila F.

Many thanks for giving me feedback on my resume and for your wonderful presentation to the group this past Wednesday. I think you made quite an impression on the group!

I will definitely look for opportunities to promote your career consulting services.

Again ... thanks!

Doug G.

It was a great pleasure to meet you yesterday after such lengthy correspondence. Thank you so much for speaking to our group, doing the resume critiques and arriving early to meet with the resume volunteers! Your presentation was very helpful and informative -- particularly regarding the resume hints you shared. Although I only have one version of my resume, I've often wondered if multiple versions shouldn't be created. Now, know I'm doing the right thing.

Thank you again!

Kathy B.

Thank you - SamsNet. I went to your web site to "pick off" your mailing address so I could mail you an old fashion thank you card. But I don’t think you list a mailing address, so…….Thank you for your presentation today at SamsNet. I feel it was very well done and received. Warmest Regards,

Shane S

Thank you for the informative presentation at the SamsNet meeting. I appreciate your time and expertise.

Bonita H.

I had great feedback on your follow-on session with the group from the Manufacturing Employment Connection. BTW, I reviewed your Linkedin profile and found it to be the right length, articulated well and enough information to help me understand the value you bring. Have a great week!

Jim N.

Graham, Excellent presentation at today’s Mfg. Alliance Networking Group Meeting! I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. I spoke briefly with you at the end of your presentation. Best Regards!

John M.

Graham, I like you're presentation's focus on getting people to understand their personal value proposition - I don't think enough job seekers take the time to know that, and I don't think enough professional resume writers take the time to help them figure it out. The net result is that a lot of people are resorting to questionable tactics such as "dumbing down" their resume instead of "smartening up" their job search strategy.

Karen S.

Hi Graham, I know exactly what you are referring to when you suggest that often a job seeker's resume and job search approach will impact negatively on their overall results. As a professional resume writer myself I'm amazed at what people are using as their personal marketing documents. Regards!

Annemarie C.

Graham, Thanks so much for the information! Very nice presentation. I borrowed some of your info (web sites) and linked to some of the groups on your profile.

Bill M.

Thanks again for your great presentation at River Life Church on Tuesday morning. Although I heard it before - which I hadn't realized until I got there, it seemed fresh and very poigant and put me on the right track. Hopefully something will come of it. Thanks Graham.

Barb M.

Thank you for your time and presentation to the Employment Alliance Job Club on Tuesday afternoon. You offered many valuable ideas to those attending, especially where to refocus our attention if things are not working. I heard from several members that ‘it was good to hear some of these points from another perspective’, and for your encouragement to try a new strategy to re-energize our job search. Personally speaking, you provide an excellent framework on the interview process, in an area where many of us are struggling. Thanks again for your valuable insights to help in our job search and get back to work faster.

Susanne N.

Thank you very much for taking the time to come to my class this week. I asked the students what they thought and they were unanimous that they really enjoyed your presentation and enjoyed hearing your background and experiences.

Dr. John P.

I am so grateful for the time you gave us yesterday and offering your expertise and wisdom about the job search. Many folks thanked me afterwards saying you were "excellent". I know how difficult it is to accept the changes that have occurred in the job process, especially those who are older. I also know there is no way around it. I appreciate the advice you gave and the recommendations you suggested. I think a few walked out of the room recommitted to their career path. I wish you success in all you do.

Marilyn R.

As many of us that are unemployed have found, it's not just one group that makes a difference it is many people and groups put together working as a team that helps us in our job search. It's great to know that you have made a huge difference all over the Twin Cities at the many and many networking groups and you do on your own time and it's not your paid job you do it for free beyond your own job and that others want others to hear what you have to say. This is awesome that you take your own time to make the difference in the lives of others. Sometimes hearing from someone else can make a huge impact and people can learn to block out the same thing heard by one person over and over. Being part of many different groups and speakers are what I'm hearing from my many connections that is making the job search difference. Thanks Graham for making the difference in my life as well as so many others.

Kelly K.

Just wanted to let you know how much you are appreciated! The information you gave us on Monday at the WFC was very useful and relevant. Thanks so much for taking the time to make a difference. Hope to see you again soon.

Fredi K.

I GOT A JOB THANKS TO YOUR GUIDANCE!!! Just wanted to send a quick note and THANK YOU for taking the time to teach me how to find a job. It took a little while but using your techniques I am now moving to MA to work as a writer for xxxxx. You are my employment angel and helped me when I need it most. Thank you and I am so appreciative of the skills you taught me. Hope I don't have to use them again anytime soon (LOL) but if I do, I know I have the knowledge to make things happen!

Thank You,

Serena L.

Thank-you for all of your help through my job hunting process. Today I signed a contract as the President and Operating Director at xxxxx, Inc.

Thank-you again!

James P.

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Graham last night and thank you for bringing him in. He was a very dynamic speaker and I believe he provided excellent advice/information. I'm looking forward to exploring his website more.

Judy B.

I have found my next opportunity. I'm doing small business social media consulting for a 9 month old start-up owned by someone in my network. It's the right fit on so many levels and I'm excited about it. Keep doing what you do as it is making a real difference.

Mic J.

You are the reason that I have my xxxxx connections. I am forever grateful to you for sharing this with me.

Kelly L.

Dear Graham,

I wanted to sincerely thank you for your assistance with my resume preparation. I initially created my resume roughly ten years ago and have been steadily adding experience.

Unfortunately, this approach did not provide me with much success in the job hunting process. I have ten years of solid outside sales experience matched with great success stories. I just could not understand why I wasn’t getting the response I was hoping for while job hunting.

After you and I reviewed my resume, I realized that I needed to drastically change a few key parts within the resume. It is so easy to get comfortable with what you have been using for years. Having a second set of unbiased eyes, paired with your experience in reviewing resumes, has proven to be an invaluable tool for me.

After your review and quite a few edits, I immediately sent the revised resume to every opportunity that was of interest to me. I even sent it to the same opportunities I sent to before and received no response. This time around was completely different. I started receiving calls within days and accepted a final offer in just three weeks.

Again, thank you for your assistance in revising my resume.

Sincerely,

Jamie McL.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to Graham Riley.

He is one of the most "business" connected men that I know. When I was looking for work, he looked at my resume, made suggestions in where I should make changes and who to contact. He was sending me contacts and job referrals on a daily basis.

When a friend of mine was looking for work again, Graham went right to work in forwarding contacts and getting his resume in to the right hands.

Graham is also well educated in personal finance which was a help to me in getting my life a bit more organized when I was not employed. Not sure he will extend this offer to everyone but, that is Graham. He wants all bases covered when helping you find a job.

I was incredibly impressed with the people he knew and their job titles within their companies.

Graham is caring and extremely professional in what he does.

I would consider hiring him when looking for a new position.

Best Regards,

Nicole R.

Dear Graham,

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your professional assistance in my current job search.

I mentioned to a good friend of mine in August that I needed to get out of residential Real Estate sales. He told me about you and how you had recently helped his daughter, a college graduate; get ready to market herself in the job market. He said you had done a great job with her throughout the whole process. I hadn’t had my resume updated in seven years and I really needed some help in getting started.

I called you and the process began. I liked the fact that right away you seemed to have my best interests in mind. You set up a schedule of times and task’s that needed to be done and what you expected. The resume content had changed since I last did one and you explained thoroughly why and what each change was meant to accomplish. We worked on each step one at a time and you allowed enough time in between appointments so it wasn’t stressful. It was a seamless process and when I got stuck a couple of times you helped out greatly. I am now in the middle of an intense job search and when I have questions about something, big or small; I feel I can call you for advice. I really appreciate that.

I wish you continued success as you help those of us who are fortunate enough to work with you and get your astute guidance during this important time in our work lives.

Continued success!

Sincerely,

Mike M.

Your input was invaluable to me. I do have a new position and believe the clarity and counseling you provided were integral to my success.

Joe T.

Over the years, I have greatly appreciated career mentoring from Graham. Besides having excellent skills, Graham is great listener, and always offers practical and thoughtful advice regarding challenges I face. It's nice to work with someone who so thoroughly enjoys helping others.

Ellen K.

Your site is not only easy to use, it is a one-stop-job-hunting-shop. I had NO IDEA where to find business research resources and I did not know about Philanthropic annual reports. You will save me tons of time because I have a very important final round interview next week and I did not have time to go poking around looking for research sites.

Tara C.

Thank you for your help with my job hunting process. Yours was the first number I called when I learned that my position had been eliminated. I'm glad I did. Your tested and successful approach has inspired confidence in these challenging times. Already it is producing results.

I've capitalized so far on your values assessment, your marketing materials expertise and I've been introduced to your network. I especially appreciated your coaching on interview skills and have felt well prepared and comfortable in my interviews. You've put me well ahead of where I'd be without your services.

I recommend Back-2-Work without hesitation to anyone who finds themselves in career transition.

Larry F.

I was at a point in my career where I needed to explore other opportunities and in the course of my networking, a former colleague referred me to Graham at "Back-2-Work".

I had been in B2B sales for 15 years, then started my own lakeshore development company which I'd been running for the past five years. Due to the economy and its effect on real estate, I needed and wanted to move back into B2B sales. Graham helped me think through how to position my entrepreneurial experience so it was an asset vs a gap in my corporate-world journey. He also helped me brush up on my interview skills so I was comfortable, relaxed, focused, and prepared.

I have recommended Graham to my friends. He offers great insight and practical suggestions. He offers exceptional value for what he charges. And most importantly, you can tell he truly cares about you, your journey, and helping you land in the right career. He is a valuable asset to anyone in transition!

Kevin S.

Today, I decided to accept a job offer even though it wasn't the most "exciting" job that I interviewed for. The company is the most stable of all the companies I interviewed for - according to resources that I found on Back-2-Work. Thank you again!

Charter T.

Hi Graham,

Things have been going good, very busy. Good news is that I been offered a position at a place downtown called xxxxxx. I will be heading up the car dealership ERP division. Better news is that I have also been offered a full time position at xxxxxx where I am contracting right now.

Both of these places contacted me. The later one found my info on LinkedIn and I was offered the job at the end of the interview.

All this time with nothing and then 2 offers in one week.

Craig L.

Graham just wanted to let you know that I have finally found a new position. I will be Director of the commercial markets (non-federal government) country wide.

Thanks for all of your assistance and support during my search.

Best regards

JT

Hey Graham, Hope you are well. Things have been improving for me. II have associated with a local practitioner who is looking to (over the next 4 years or so) retire out of his practice. He has taken me on while I get my license back as a paralegal and will work me into the practice after that. It’s not perfect but it’s better than what was happening. Your help was/is invaluable. I will keep you updated.

Pat N.

Hi Graham; Hey guess what? You know the old saying it's always darkest before the dawn. Well, I say that, that is a very true statement. Several interviews this month alone and I had three phone interviews today alone - all very promising. One interview was outstanding. This particular interview went so well that the hiring manager stated that he was "placing me on the top of the new hire list for four different positions". Don't get me wrong, I don't have an offer in hand yet, but I do have that nice warm fuzzy feeling ! ! !

Greg L.

Back-2-Work Donations

All of Back-2-Work's workshops, printed materials and web resources are provided FREE by a group of professional people who were looking for a way to help others and to give back to the community.

Everyone associated with Back-2-Work is fully employed so they can provide honest feedback and advice without the sub-plot of trying to sell anyone anything. We believe in good things happening to good people, especially during these times of economic hardship.

Back-2-Work's #1 objective is to help the job seeker secure employment in the shortest possible amount of time with the MINIMUM amount of money spent.

Therefore, please consider donating any amount so that we are able to continue to provide these support services for FREE for as long as possible to as many people as possible.

Thank you!