Why I Ran Away from Home – You May Relate

March 4, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Job Search Success, Personal 

[Job Search Success | 2010]

Did you drag yourself to work today? You feel kinda trapped? You wish you could just escape? It’s a lousy feeling.

I Ran Away Once

I ran away from home once. It was 7:15am. Summer. And I didn’t want to go to school. I was 5 years old. School was a drag. I hated the routine. I had a feeling of dread in my gut. It’s still vivid in my mind.

And in my career I’ve felt the same way a number of times. But now I’m big, running away isn’t really an option. There are responsibilities.

1 Strategy to Cope

So how does one cope? Well, for one thing, one can make a planned escape. But this is for another post.

Short term – today – the strategy with the best results – you WILL be surprised – is the one where you just do the next thing you have to do, and you do it right.

Forget the pressure. Just do one thing right. Get the satisfaction of doing something right.

Switch off the phone. Shut down your e-mail. Just for an hour. And do something right. Plan something. Complete something. Cross something off your list.

You may well need to change jobs. But for now … your short term goal should be to develop positive momentum.

Changing job or career is tough. Rather do it off a base of strength than off a base  of being disgruntled, weak and slow. And here’s the kicker: you may find that a new mental approach helps you be happier, even
now.

Personal Reason for the Topic

The reason for this topic – my daughter Zoe (7) although top of her class, is waking up every day saying: “I don’t want to go to school.” And I’m reliving my experience.

Interesting Links

1) See a copy of a CV I wrote that got the client (who had no qualifications and patchy experience) 3 job interviews immediately, a choice of offers, and the highest seniority position (Group Procurement Manager) he’s ever had. Go to www.wowcv.net/johnjonas.pdf

Just remember – EVERY CV is different. This one was right for him. Something else may work better for you. That’s why in my CV writing I take a personal approach.

2) There’s nothing quite like feeling fit and strong to pep up one’s performanace at work or chances of coming across ‘switched on’ and bright in an interview. I recommend this, it gets results and doesn’t take more than 15 mins. Click here. [Funny link, I know, but perfectly safe.]

Over the last 4 months I’ve completed my new book – being edited as we speak. It’ll be like nothing else you’ve ever read in terms of practical, step-by-step job search tactics. Will let you know more soon.

Tags:

Launching into 2009

January 5, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Personal 

Ok, so maybe this is a personal post – but at least you know you’re dealing with a real person here – who had a fantastic December. After ‘burning out’ toward the end of 2008 was great to spend a little time getting something back … here: www.eightbells.co.za, www.fairyknowe.co.za and www.countryclub.co.za.

Something interesting: never saw myself as a hotel person. But man, when you have kids like us – Zoe and Ethan, 6 and 3 – hotels with all their facilities and food laid on are cool, cool, cool!

So what are your goals for 2009? I never achieve mine. So I don’t have any. BUT … what I do have is an overall philosophy or approach that I know, if I put it to work, it’ll result in big benefits. The approach is based on 3 things:

  1. Knowing what’s really important to me – what I value most, what I really want for my family and me, what I want my business to be about, what I want for my health and wellbeing, etc – this underpins any decision making I have to make regarding what to do with my time/resources/energy.
  2. Drawing up a basic schedule of activity – booking blocks of time for things that are of real importance, whether personal – like exercise – or family – like doing something like walking in the woods every Tuesday late afternoon – or work – like writing CVs, marketing, or writing blog posts, etc.
  3. Being ruthless. “ruthless: hard hearted, showing no mercy”. I won’t always feel like doing stuff. But I know that if I don’t do ‘stuff’ I can expect a frustrating year of little or no progress. I’m excited by what I could achieve. But discipline has to keep me on track, when all hell is breaking loose.

So, that approach is nothing new, but it helps to have something in place, huh?

Please share your ideas and approaches below.

Tags:

Travel · Weight loss · Girl · Insurance · Car

  • Follow Me

  • About

    Gerard le Roux

    [Updated Nov 2011]

    Hi, I'm Gerard le Roux, a CV writer and job search coach - published in The Star and Financial Mail and heard on Radio 702 and SAfm. I help people get more interviews and job offers.



    CV Writing by Gerard le Roux


  • CV Writing Testimonials

    "Dear Gerard, You trully are special! This has far exceded my expectations, to prove it I have a interview scheduled this afternoon from a agency who called me back 5 minutes after sending it off with a covering letter."
    -Ravil R, Supply Chain Specialist

    "Hi Gerard, when the relevant HR departments got my CV I eventually ended up having two interviews on the same day for two separate jobs at the same company. I always said that all I need was an interview to get the job and your CV made that possible. I will refer to you as the CV whisperer from now on. Thank you for the effort you put in."
    -Chris P, Marketing Manager

    “Good day Gerard, A bit of feedback … this email serves to thank you for your help, as I have been successful in the first job application that I made. I don’t think I would have stood a chance of being short listed if it wasn’t for your creative genius in laying out my CV. I have recommended many friends to make use of your services. All the best and many thanks.”
    -NC, Durban

    “Gerard. A month ago you wrote my CV. Up to then I’d sent out more than 1500 CVs and got 6 responses. I sent out my new CV 16 times, got 6 responses, and was offered a great Senior Management job which I’ve accepted. Thanks. You did a great job.”
    - Mike V, BSc MBA, Engineering Project Manager

    “Dear Gerard - You drafted my CV - rather you created my “value-add profile”. Since replacing the old CV with your masterpiece I did indeed get many more reactions. I have finally landed a job and I know your CV got my foot in the door. The job is the Senior Legal Advisor for a large Medical Insurance company and the package is higher than I ever expected where I had R500K in mind - I was offered R750K per annum. I cannot thank you enough!”
    - Angie B, Attorney

    “I just wanted to let you know that I have managed to get myself a new job! As a Key Account Manager at the end of this month! I’d just like to say a special thanks to you.”
    - Helen, Key Account Manager

    “I wanted to drop you a note the say thanks, for not just getting an interview recently, but immediately getting a new job which I start on 1 Sept. So I’ve been bragging around the office about my fantastic CV which landed me this new job and of course I have 3 colleagues who will be in touch with you shortly. I’ve done nothing but sing yr praises as I believe that you most certainly had something to do with my good fortune.”
    - Julie B, Project Manager

    “The first comment I had in my interview was that I had a very impressive CV, I think the interview was just to check me out, they had made up their minds already who they wanted for the job!”
    - Karin, Admin Manager

    “Thank you, thank you for the best new year’s present ever. Now I have two more interviews lined up for this month, but the difference is that I’m in the driver’s seat. I have referred some of my colleagues to you, the results that I got from the CV that you drafted were excellent and within 3 days I got results- my first interview, within 6 weeks - a new job. Keep up the good work - the results are definitely guaranteed when using your service.”
    - Ingrid C, General Manager

    “When I sent my CV I went straight onto the shortlist. And after only 1 interview I was offered the job! I really believe that the CV made me more positive and impressed the employer by being so clear and selling me”
    - Kirishnee N, Financial Manager

    “Within a day of sending it out I was contacted for a higher position than what I was actually looking for. I will be lined up for an interview next week. Thanks to you I am now more marketable and have a very high hit rate. I was amazed at the quick response I received.”
    - James, IT Engineer

    “Hi there - Just briefly to let you know that I am having a fantastic response after making use of your advise and writing my CV! Many thanks for assisting me with getting my confidence up to speed and my focus in place as to tackling the job/contract hunt. Thank you!”
    - Sarah, Business Analyst

    “I referred a friend to you some time ago. He’s now got this “dream job” at Toyota in and has already been made 2 other offers. He has attributed most, if not all of his success with regard to the offers and interest shown in him by prospective employers to YOU! And now I want you to help me in the same way.”
    - Errol, OHS Specialist

    “Gerard - I just wanted to thank you sincerely for an awesome CV. It was one of the tools that helped me get a dream job with an obscene salary in the elusive software development field. I have resigned and are in transit between my previous employer and the new one and thought I need to give credit were credit is due. I received numerous complements from recruiters and organisations in the search period. I pitched very high i.t.o. position, salary and international relevance and we competed against people from here and first world countries. Thanks for your help, you made me look good.”
    - David, IT Manager

    “Thanks for all the help. The CV is brilliant! I am very happy.”
    - Andrew, Clinical Psychologist

    “Dear Gerard - Thanks for the CV you drafted for me last month. I just wanted to let you know I submitted it to one company last week (the first and only application, a networking intro, not an advertised job) and went to an interview this morning where I was offered a position at the interview.”
    -Shelli, Sales Representative

    “Hi Gerard, I received the draft CV and it looks fantastic. I couldn’t beleive it was about me. I don’t beleive it needs anything else done to it. Thanks a lot. I will recommend you to many others.”
    -Sumaya, Attorney

    “Hi Gerard, Thanks for your help, I send my C.V out the day after receiving it from you. Within two days I had four interviews lined up and I’m glad to report I got three offers. I picked my favourite and I’m starting at Console glass on Monday. Its a great offer and more than I was expecting. Thanks for your help once again”

    -Lloyd, Engineer

    “Hi Gerard, Well I put it to the test. A prospective client, I have never met, requested a CV from me 2 days ago and after sending your composition to them they called me back within an hour and arranged a meeting. At the meeting they mentioned that it was the power of the CV that did it. One Page! I am amazed. Wow, it really worked. It was the first company I sent it to. Thanks. I really appreciate your input. Money well spent.”
    -Francois, TV Editor

  • Meta