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"Resume Action" Newsletter
A newsletter brought to you by Aussie Résumés http://www.aussieresumes.com
Aussie Résumés offer résumé writing services, a résumé critiquing
service, covering letter and selection criteria editing and writing, The Aussie
Résumés Cover Letter Software, in addition to The Australian Résumé Writer
software.
April 2004 : Issue 22
Editor: Tara West
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In This Issue
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> Welcome
> Article: Secrets of Successful Teams by
Chris
Widener
> Free Competition: Your Own Personally Written Cover Letter!
> Quote
> Writing Your Résumé - Part 8 – Voluntary Involvement
> Subscribe / Unsubscribe Information
> Contact Information
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Welcome
----------------------------------------
Welcome!
In choosing an article for the Résumé Action
Newsletter
I spend hours upon hours reading article upon article… trying to discover
something in tune with the “flavour of the month” – i.e. a topic which
seems to interest my clients and readers that week, or that month.
Of course, this isn’t easy! There
are so many great articles which authors share… and I am often guilty of
spending a fantastic hour or two engrossed in some wonderful articles of wisdom.
This often leads me on an inspiring journey of discovery.
I hope very much that the articles you read in Résumé Action
Newsletter
inspire you too.
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Until next time, keep smiling.
Tara West.
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ARTICLE:
Secrets of Successful
Teams
by
Chris
Widener
============================
To be a success is not always to be
a success individually. In fact, most of the time we achieve our successes as
part of a team. That is why I want to devote this issue to the secrets of
successful team.
We are all part of teams. Our
family is a team. Our place of work is a team. The community groups we belong to
are teams. Sometimes we are the team leader or “coach,” while other times we
fulfill the role of follower, or “player.” It is so important then for us to
understand teams and how they work, especially those who achieve success – the
achievement of their desired goal.
In my life I have been on some
successful teams, and some not so successful teams. This includes both
athletically as well as professionally. When I was growing up, I worked for
seven years with the Seattle Supersonics, our local National Basketball
Association team. They were at times unsuccessful, and, in 1979, my second year
working there, the most successful team in the league, winning the World
Championship. I have been able to see firsthand what makes the difference
between the unsuccessful teams and the successful ones.
Here are some principles that I
know, when implemented on a regular basis, can turn any lackluster team into an
outstanding one! These principles can be applied to your family, your business,
your organization, and yes, your sports team. Enjoy.
Communication Leader
The leader needs to communicate the vision. If they are setting the pace, they
need to let people know where they are going so that the team can follow. The
coach always does a pre-game talk, laying out the vision.
The leader communicates the vision
frequently, so as to always be updating the team as to where they are at and
what changes need to be made. The coach doesn’t relegate the direction he
gives to the pre-game, he coaches and communicates all the way through the game.
Team
Watch a good basketball team. They are talking to each other all of the time.
Helping one another out, encouraging one another, praising one another, and
telling each other how they can make changes so the same mistakes aren’t made
again. The same is true of successful teams in the professional world and in
life in general.
Excellence
The truly great teams are teams that are committed to excellence. In everything
they do, their goal is to achieve at the highest level. And this commitment is
held throughout the team and at every level. A successful team cannot have
members who are not committed to excellence because in the end they wil
l b
ecome the weak link.
Followership
If you want a fascinating read, pick up The Power of Followership, by Robert
Kelley. The author basically makes the point that the secret to getting things
done lies not only in great leadership, but in how well the rest of the people,
99% of the team, follows the leadership. Good teams are filled with people who
are committed to following and getting the job done.
Understanding Roles
Pardon the Chicago Bulls analogy, but it is so clear. When the game was on the
line, with only one shot left, everyone, the coaches, the players, the 20,000
people watching in the stadium, and millions watching on TV, knew who would
shoot the last shot. That was
Michael
Jordan’s role.
Every team works best when the
members of the team have clearly defined and understood roles. Some do one
thing, others do another. One isn’t better or more important than the other,
just different. When teams operate out of their strengths and their roles, they
win.
Strengths and Weaknesses
This brings me to strengths and weaknesses. Every team member has strengths and
weaknesses. The successful teams are those who on a regular and consistent basis
enable the members to operate out of their strengths and not out of their
weaknesses. And what is one person’s strengths will cover another’s
weakness. This is teamwork, enabling all of the bases to be covered.
Fun
The team that plays together stays together. Is your team all work and no play?
If you’re smart, that will change. Get your team out of the office once a
month and go have some fun. Enjoy one another. Enjoy life. It wil
l b
ring a sense of bonding that can’t
be made even in “winning.”
Common Goals and Vision
I have found that these need to have three aspects. Short, simple and clear.
Can you say it in less than 30
seconds? Is it simple? Can you and others understand it? Does the team all know
what they are working together for?
Appreciation
All through the “game,” successful teams appreciate one another and show it
in a variety of ways. The coach shows it to the players, the players show it to
the coach, and the players show it to one another.
Here is a “Successful Teams”
Checklist for you to evaluate with.
Is there communication between
coach and players and from player to player?
Is your team committed to excellence?
Do those on the team know what it means to follow?
Does everyone on my team know their specific role?
Do the individuals on our team regularly operate out of their strengths as
opposed to their weaknesses?
Does our team take a break from time to time to just have fun together?
Do we understand our common goals and vision? Can we all state it (them)?
Is there a sense of and communication of genuine appreciation among my team?
****************************
Chris
Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the
President of Made for Success and Extraordinary Leaders, two companies helping
individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in
every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Join subscribers in over
100 countries around the world! Get
Chris
' FREE weekly Made for Success Ezine
by sending a blank email to success-on@mail-list.com.
Get his FREE daily SuccessQuote™ with action point by sending a blank email
to SQ@infogeneratorpro.com. Get
his FREE monthly Extraordinary Leaders Ezine, one of the world's most widely
distributed leadership newsletters, by sending a blank email to leaders-on@mail-list.com
or visit his websites at http://www.madeforsuccess.com
and http://www.extraordinaryleaders.com.
Copyright 2002 Made for Success. Used by permission. All rights reserved
worldwide.
=================================
FREE COMPETITION: Your Own Personally
Written Cover Letter!
85% of employers rate your cover letter as a high or very high priority –
don’t overlook this important aspect of your application!!
Get ahead of your competition by entering this free giveaway.
We have two cover letters to give away – personally written for your
particular circumstance; whether it be for an advertised or non-advertised
position.
To enter, just hit reply, put your name in the subject line and you’ll go in the draw.
But don’t delay – we need your emai
l b
y Monday the 26th of April. The
two lucky winners wil
l b
e announced in the next issue.
GOOD LUCK!
* Note: prize includes a one-page covering letter only, valued at $35 each.
This does not include a statement addressing selection criteria.
================================
QUOTE
==============================
“Yesterday is history, Tomorrow's
a mystery. Today is a gift; that's
why they call it ‘the present’.”
~ Unknown ~
==============================
WRITING YOUR RÉSUMÉ - PART 8 –
VOLUNTARY INVOLVEMENT
Each month we'l
l b
e providing specific tips on what information you could be
including in your résumé.
**********************************
I have previously written about the benefits of volunteering, of which you
can find in our June 2003 issue: http://www.aussieresumes.com/newsletter/Archive/june2003.htm.
When including voluntary experience, it is best to include current
involvement only. Of course, this
may be dependable on the positions you are seeking, and whether the involvement
relates to those roles.
For instance, let’s say you were an ambulance volunteer for 20 years; 1981
to 2001. A super-duper position as
Administration Officer has arisen at St
John
Ambulance; in fact, the job advert and your skill-set seem to be tailor made!
In demonstrating your interest in St
John
Ambulance itself, in addition to the other skills which may be of benefit /
interest to the hiring panel it would, in this instance, be advantageous to
include your past voluntary commitment.
From another angle, you may be applying for a position within a company which
makes bandages; or you may be applying for a position where knowledge of First
Aid is required; or you may be applying for a position whereby the CEO is a big
campaigner for St
John
Ambulance.
I’m sure you can see where I’m coming from.
Look at everything from a different angle, and see if it “fits” with
the position being applied for.
It also pays to look at everything objectively.
You may be very proud of the fact that you are a staunch Magpies
supporter, and you proudly state this fact on your résumé; along with the
detail that you actively promote the club and attend fundraising efforts.
What happens when the hiring manager is a Blues supporter?!
Just think about things from a different perspective.
If you have experienced stages of unemployment and have volunteered your time
in these periods, it would be best to list this detail – even if it was five
years ago! It demonstrates to the
employer that you are willing to advance your skills and contribute to the
community in times of change. In
some instances, I would consider listing this information within the Employment
History section itself – this can then explain any “gaps” you may have in
your employment.
Of course, I will once again reiterate: what we state isn’t a hard and fast
rule. Everyone is unique with their
own differing circumstances! And
if you are proud of something you did six years ago, then include it.
Find a happy balance which works for you.
To find out what to include and how to structure your résumé, visit Aussie
Résumés at www.aussieresumes.com
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http://www.aussieresumes.com/careercentre-newsletter.htm
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Contact Information
Editor: Tara West
Résumé Action published by Aussie Résumés
Email: admin@aussieresumes.com
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