Elizabeth Pagano and Your Sabbatical

I recently had lunch in Atlanta with Elizabeth Pagano (www.yoursabbatical.com) co-founder along with her mother Barbara Pagano, of Your Sabbatical. These two ladies know a thing or two about sabbaticals having undertaken a life changing one themselves.  You can read all about it here:  http://yoursabbatical.com/people/my-sabbatical/

I came away with many wonderful insights from Elizabeth---including two very timely ones that I want to share with both  employers and employees.

One of the hardest things about the recession for any employer is having to let someone go.  While the immediate pain is hard enough-----the long-term pain is even worse.  In my search practice, my clients retain me to find the perfect match for their vacancy--the perfect skill set, the perfect attitude and the perfect match for their corporate culture.  So when they have to let that person go, they already know how hard it will be to replace them once the economy turns around (and really now, regardless of all the headlines---we know it will).  But Elizabeth and her company provide the perfect solution---a win-win solution.  What if you could offer your people a sabbatical (partially paid or unpaid) during this economic crunch time?  What if they could renew themselves, freshen their skills and be ready to return reinvigorated, grateful and ready to help you grow now that they have had a chance to do so?  

Or, they could walk out the door with the proverbial "pink slip" and perhaps end up at your competitor when the tide turns.

And for those of you who are worried about gaps on your resume, I suggest you visit Elizabeth's Blog post for some inspiration(http://yoursabbatical.com/blog/2009/03/08/resumes-turning-employment-gaps-into-sabbaticals/).  I couldn't agree more with her premise--turning employment gaps into sabbaticals. I think everyone in transition should reframe the time as a “sabbatical” ---- a time used for renewal and study.  While I know most of you hope for the shortest of sabbaticals---if you frame it as one no matter how long it is, it adds another purpose to your time----an intentional purpose. 

Thank you Elizabeth and Barbara for offering a fresh and innovative approach just when we need it most.

The One Resume Tip You Need

I am always asked about what resume format is best, how long a resume should be, how much work history should be included.  In short, it seems that most of the time when I am asked about resumes, it is all about format, but I think that is the least important ingredient to make your resume stand out in a crowd.  

War and Peace was a mightly long book---- but it was widely read and respected.  The Gettysburg Address was short and powerful and still studied today.  And there were plenty of books of varying lengths in between those two that were barely opened.  Why----because it is really about content.

So the answer to make sure your resume stands out is to focus on content.  It is really fairly simple:  When you write your resume, just be sure that it clearly tells the story of how you made a difference for every employer and how you left your unique mark on each position.  How do you do that?  I suggest you write the story of your career---as if you were writing your journal. Write about the highlights---where you solved problems, challenged the status quo, mentored and grew your people.  Write it all out-----then create bullet points for your resume that will best convey that story. 

Go over every bullet point and reread every entry and make sure that the take-away for the reader is that you have something completely unique to offer-----that what you do and how you do it cannot be done by anyone else in quite the same way and with quite the same impact.  Now, you'll stand out whether it is short or long, chronological or any other format.  Because substance is what matters---always.