North Texas LEAD Blog

I was surprised recently when a candidate applied for about eight positions with two employers in a matter of 5 minutes.   Even though we advise candidates to tailor each resume for each job application….we really need to stress that advice with greater impact.

When I see applications being logged with great rapidity, I will ask a candidate to “send me your resumes of submittal along with each job description” so we can determine if LEAD will send a heightened endorsement.  Even though a candidate has been endorsed by his/her panel of interviewers, HR Manager Stephanie Valadez will only send a personal endorsement when she sees the match between the job description and resume that was submitted.

This week, one candidate emailed me two resumes that were submitted for six job applications.    I asked for the other four, but they did not exist.    The highlight of the week came when another candidate who had applied for multiple positions with one resume wrote back:  “…after doing a resume modification specific to the job description I can clearly see why I have not even received a phone screening.  I am grateful for this assignment you asked me to complete.  This has been an excellent training for me.”

I will never forget the young man who (within 30 minutes) applied for 124 positions at Lockheed Martin a few years ago.    The jobs were so varied requiring skills ranging from legal to aeronautical engineering.  I called him and advised him there was no way he could do EVERYTHING at Lockheed.

Always remember, one resume does not fit all.  Unless the job descriptions are identical, applying for five jobs with one company will likely require five different resumes.

Job-seeking has changed in recent years.  We are all familiar with the housing industry’s description of buyers and sellers’ markets.   For us, we find ourselves in an employers’ market.  Improve your chances to get noticed by submitting resumes conveying impact.  A resume that conveys proven effectiveness will win out over one that conveys hope and dreams any day of the week.

What a wonderful season we have before us as we count down the days of 2011.   North Texas LEAD enters 2012 with significant impact.  Two new partners are joining our vision and I know LEAD candidates AND applicants will peruse their websites with vigor.   It is no surprise the executives who generously shared their time during LEAD’s Decade of Service luncheon also met with a group of Dallas CEOs to share the LEAD vision.  Two company leaders committed to joining on the spot.  Every candidate and applicant of North Texas LEAD would have been moved to see Jeff Fegan (DFW International CEO), Ralph Heath (President of Lockheed) and my landlord Matt Rose (Chairman and CEO BNSF Railway) tout the benefits of partnering with LEAD.  Office space has been provided to LEAD since the doors opened on August 11, 2001.

Trinity Industries’ CEO Tim Wallace attended the Dallas meeting and is bringing his Dallas-based company into the LEAD consortium.  We await word from the second Dallas company whose general manager committed to joining as well.  As the Dallas talks were winding down, other LEAD advocates were sharing the story with a major university.    University of Texas at Arlington President James Spaniolo embraced the LEAD vision and we now have our fourth institution of higher learning to join LEAD.   Both employers have impressive openings.  During the last reception of the year, candidates were delighted that Omni American Bank’s job openings are now on the company’s website!  Positive change is all around.

Prayers are always sent ‘up’ for all candidates, but there is much to be said for on-going preparation on the part of candidates.   The most important job-tip I’ve heard in recent months came from Lockheed Martin’s Robert Buck.   As most of you know, we conduct monthly briefings before selecting the applicants who will be considered for LEAD candidacy.   During the October briefing Robert carefully dissected the typical resume.  Anyone who knows Robert knows he is a very passionate guy.  People who don’t know him will appreciate his passion for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.   Robert drives from Allen, Texas every morning to the defense contractor located in west Fort Worth.  That’s passion.

Robert told job-seekers to pay close attention to the next job description that spoke to them.   Too often a resume can highlight the achievements a job-seeker is proud of—–but those achievements are often not in sync with what is stated as a requirement in the job description.   I actually saw faces light up when Robert told the group of nearly 40 to make sure their resume……well, you can email Stephanie and I for the REST OF THAT STORY.   It’s not intellectual property—-but it is worth a personal conversation.   If you are a job-seeker and you want to hear what we think is the best advice we’ve heard all year —-email us.

In case you missed the luncheon, please take time and click on the video tab on our website:  http://northtexaslead.org/photos-videos/.   Whether you find your next job with a LEAD partner or non-partner, you will be pleased to know you are a part of a vision that is supported by corporate giants.    Because of the support of the partners of North Texas LEAD, people all across the nation are changing the way they view North Texas.   Every applicant who uploads a resume to the LEAD database contributes to that change.

Don’t let the holidays lull you into an aura of inactivity.   You must update your profiles with the LEAD companies.  You must structure every resume with critical consideration.  You must continue to improve your delivery….your presence….your outlook.  I truly believe the only way to conquer the future is to start with the now.

-Gyna Bivens