Need to be convinced that a career change makes sense? Consider  Salman Khan, a 33-year-old, who quit his job as a financial analyst with expertise in hedge fund management. Today, Khan  has a thriving business, creating video lectures on algebra, calculus, valence electrons, the circulatory system, and hundreds of other topics. He has turned his passion for knowledge into the Khan Academy, a popular educational website.

None other than software industry billionaire, Bill Gates, spends hours with his 11-year-old son watching Khan’s videos. Said Gates at the recent Aspen Ideas Festival, “It was a good day his wife let him quit his job.”

Having Bill Gates endorse the idea of career change may help a lot of us feel better about making a change. After all, Gates left his job as head of Microsoft to focus on his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest private foundation in the world. If you haven’t  changed careers a few times, you are the exception. It is becoming common at any age. AARP has reported that many over 50 are reconsidering their careers. To do so entails careful thought and perhaps guidance from a career change expert. You may need a career change resume. But consider the success of Khan and Gates and tens of thousands of others. If the economy forces change upon you, sometimes it just makes sense to embrace it.

Debrahlee Lorenzana, a successful and attractive New York City banker, is suddenly out of work and needs the help of a professional resume writer. I am offering the assistance and expertise of Shimmering Resumes to help her revive her career during these difficult economic times.

Lorenzana, 33, a Business Banking Officer with Citibank since 2008, claims in a lawsuit that the financial giant fired her because she is attractive, too attractive.  Lorenzana typically wore turtlenecks and pencil skirts to work, appropriate professional attire, she said, adding that Citibank said her “shapeliness” was too distracting to her male colleagues, so she should not dress like other women. The bank claimed that Lorenzana was terminated due to poor on-the-job performance.

“Maybe she should wear a burka,” her attorney told a local New York TV news program.
She could pay an attorney thousands or more. For a fraction of that, I’ll write her a professional banking resume, help her look for a job, and train her to interview. She should be drawing a salary in no time, making a difference at a company that appreciates her special skills.

I confess that I see a career change in her future.

Too sexy?

There’s no denying that the job market for New Grads is still tough. But there a few signs of improvement. CareerBuilder’s Annual Job Forecast reports that 21 percent of companies hiring New Grads will hire more than a year ago. And 16 percent plan to offer higher starting salaries. Neverthless, there’s a long way to go as the number of firms planning to hire recent college graduates is basically unchanged at 44%, down from a high of 79% in 2007. Companies planning to hire list the following activities as pertinent experience to include on resumes:

• Internships - 62 percent

• Part-time jobs in another area or field - 50 percent

• Volunteer work - 40 percent

• Class work - 31 percent

• Involvement in school organizations - 23 percent

• Managing activities for sororities and fraternities – 21 percent

• Sports activities - 13 percent

This list of activities is encouraging. There are techniques to make these most effective on your resume as well as in a cover letter. Be certain to learn how to include as many of these activities as possible. They are the evidence that you can get a job done. In addition, you want to be prepared to discuss them in detail during job interviews. Figure out strategies to describe them so they resemble tasks in a job. Employers are looking to see that you undertake challenges and meet them effectively.

(Note to blog readers: I am issuing the following press realease immediately.)

President of Shimmering Resumes Offers Professional Resume To Bush Speechwriter, David Frum

SAN MATEO, CA — “If a Conservative Think Tank can terminate George Bush’s speechwriter, then I will write a resume to help him in his reputation battle,” says Paul Freiberger, president of Shimmering Resumes, a nationwide resume writing and career counseling firm, based in San Mateo, California.

Frum was fired today from his job at the right-wing American Enterprise Institute after criticizing the Republican Party’s lack of willingness to take any action to reform our health care system.

“I will write a professional resume that does everything possible to present the virtues of a Republican willing to recognize the ineptitude of his party,” said Freiberger.

“In the coming weeks, the results of the healthcare reform will begin to take effect, resulting in curbs on insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, and an expansion of prescription drug coverage for the elderly,” said Freiberger.

It’s usually not a good idea to criticize a former employer, added Freiberger. “But in this case, Frum will look smarter each day and every time he points his finger at the failings of the Republican strategy.

“David Frum spoke his mind and lost his job. When I write his executive resume I will point out that he can help others speak their minds, without causing them to lose their jobs,” said Freiberger.

“This is a resume challenge of the first order,” Freiberger says, “and not just because it must demonstrate the speechwriting talent of a Bush speechwriter. “It’s the chance to right a wrong, and I look forward to it.”

About Shimmering Resumes

Shimmering Resumes is a nationwide resume writing,, career counseling, and outplacement business, with its website at www.ShimmeringResumes.com. Paul Freiberger, President of Shimmering Resumes, is an award-winning author, business writer, and communications specialist.

Contact:

Paul Freiberger

President, Shimmering Resumes

1-877-796-9737

Paul@ShimmeringResumes.com