The lost art of handwriting

I recently read somewhere that we now spend an inordinate amount of time chained not to our desks (well that too) but to our smartphones. We're all texting away furiously - yes we do phone each other occasionally - but when was the last time we wrote anything by hand?

The reason I got thinking about this was that I recently had an interesting conversation with a friend who had gone to a job interview. He was informed that he would be sitting a written test but little did he realise that he would be given a pen and a pad of paper. Shock horror...no laptop provided!

I suppose there's nothing particularly unusual about this were it not for the fact that he went on to tell me that he couldn't keep his hand still, beset by the 'shakes' as he had almost forgotten what it was like to write by hand. Not to mention he felt ashamed at the poor quality of his handwriting.

Not sure how I would have reacted in his place, used as I am to tapping away at my keyboard. While picking up a pen isn't exactly alien to me, still, apart from signing the odd cheque or document and scribbling down the odd message or two on a Post-it, I can hardly say that a pen is my best friend.

No personality

And that's a Gen Xer speaking here, someone who still didn't know what a computer was until I went to university, so someone who was used to writing, from the lecture hall to the exam hall. In fact, I fondly remember buying many a blue Pilot pen (my favourite writing implement) always making sure I had a few spares so I wouldn't run out of ink.

How times have changed. Does anyone now, apart from the older generations, actually write letters? And yet a hand written letter or covering letter not only reveals a lot about your personality (organisations have been known to employ handwriting experts to build a picture of character traits) but actually makes you stand out, giving it that personal touch. Which a type written document will never do.

Right, I think I'll try and write a letter now to see just how confident I am, if I remember how to hold a pen and make sure that someone can actually read it. On second thoughts, maybe I should just stick to the keyboard, far easier and quicker. 

Like my friend, I may just get pen phobia and my writing may not be up to the task at hand. 

A CV that delivers a KO punch

From CVs and interviews to landing that dream job, John Lees an acclaimed author on managing your career. Here John provides some invaluable insight into what jobseekers need to do to produce a ‘Knockout CV’, which is in fact the title of his latest book. 

Does the popularity of professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn spell the end of the traditional CV?

JL: At the moment a hard copy CV is still important. You will still need a focused and clear CV to get onto some interview shortlists. In broader terms, a CV is no longer a door opener. However, anyone operating in the hidden job market needs a strong LinkedIn profile to back up their market impact and reputation.

What are the biggest mistakes jobseekers make when writing their CV?
JL: Relying on it as a job search tool (it helps firm up relationships but doesn’t create them) and failing to put the most important messages on page one. Using bland, undifferentiated adjectives in the profile that make you look like a school leaver and failing to understand the labelling effect of the first 15 words. Writing chopped up job descriptions rather than proper achievement evidence.

How much time should I spend tailoring my CV to the job I’m applying for?
JL: If your CV is already working, you probably only need to tweak the order of the main bullet points. Put the effort into tailoring the cover letter/email.

Don’t you need a covering letter or supporting statement to give you that extra edge?
JL: There is some evidence to suggest that cover letter/emails get detached, so go for a belt and braces approach. Write a cover letter/email that bullet points your top five matching pieces of evidence, but also make sure these are clear on page one of your CV.

What are your top tips and tricks to get your CV to the top of the pile?
JL: Take more time on the profile, avoiding clichés or empty language. Try to describe what you do in a generic job title (e.g. marketing professional) which helpfully pigeon-holes you. Try to find fresh language to describe your USP as a combination of skills and experience. Provide robust evidence. Don’t over-emphasise the ordinary. Keep distracting details (e.g. irrelevant qualifications) until page two.

And finally, what’s the best piece of career advice that anyone has given you?
JL: Advice when you’re thinking about whether to change jobs: “Make sure the attraction of the new is stronger than the repulsion of the old” – in other words, have a better reason for moving on that hating your current job.

John Lees has written a wide range of careers books, including his latest publication, 'Knockout CV: How to Get Noticed, Get Interviewed & Get Hired'. You can find out more at johnleescareers.com or @JohnLeesCareers.

How it all started

I should have actually started with this blog post to explain the other four articles that I recently published.

I've always been somewhat intrigued about what it takes to get ahead, to get promoted, to get more money. All the usual suspects. I guess it's because I've found my own career stagnating and despite my best efforts, it would appear that I've hit that infamous glass ceiling.

Undeterred by this, I started reading and researching the topic until I came across a book called 'How to get ahead in your career', written by top US executive coach, Joel A. Garfinkle. I thoroughly enjoyed Joel's book and found the insight and knowledge inspiring. Here was the first expert to actually specify the three key areas that you need to focus on, namely perception, visibility, and influence, which Joel calls his PVI model.

Having read the book, I decided to go a step further and contact Joel to see if he'd kindly answer some questions based on the material in his book and my own personal experience. I then turned his answers into four blog posts: the first an overview of his book and then a look in turn at all three key areas.

Joel was kind enough to answer and allow me to use the material so that it could reach many other people who find themselves in the same position as me, namely at a career crossroads and not knowing what to do to 'get ahead'.

Fulfil your true potential

And that was my aim to begin with, to publish some blog posts about career development and see where it takes me. I hope to generate some interest and discussion with like-minded individuals and to build a real knowledge base that will be useful to lots of people and actually make a difference to your careers. If that happens, I'd be extremely happy.

I can't do this myself of course but will dedicate time to continue to build on these my first five blog posts, share what I've learnt and hopefully hear your stories about what you did to get that elusive promotion or what you've found from your own experience has or hasn't worked for you.

What I know is that there are lots of talented and highly skilled people who are probably not getting the 'rub of the green' or the level of exposure that their talent merits. Maybe, like me, you'd like to get a bit more recognition, maybe like me you're trying hard, maybe like me you don't understand what more you can do. Or maybe (like me) you don't want it badly enough.

Whatever your own personal realities, one thing is for sure. You might be the most gifted and talented person in your department, with skills that are envied by your peers, but all that won't get you very far if people in positions of influence aren't aware of the fantastic work that you do. Of course, you need to make it happen.

PS
A personal note of thanks to my colleague Jon, who set me on the blogging path.