GMG IN THE NEWS…

Graham Management Group and its principal consultants are regularly featured in the Canadian Media. We are renowned as a leading resume writing, interview strategy, and career management firm in the nation!

Here are some brief excerpts from some of our media interviews, appearances, and features…

 

The Globe and Mail – January 2008

Feature article discusses career horizon for 2008 and beyond. Sharon Graham is interviewed and quoted on her thoughts for the 2008 trends.

" BE TECH SAVVY - When it comes to the job hunt, technology - from on-line networking to video résumés and blogs -will continue to play an ever increasing role," says career coach Sharon Graham, president of Graham Management Group in Toronto and author of Best Canadian Résumés

...Because of that, it would be a good idea to post a strong biography on a personal website as well as on social networking sites such as LinkedIn.com and Facebook, Ms. Graham suggests.

Video résumés will also become more important in job searches this year as a tool for recruiters to present candidates to prospective employers, so it will be important to work on being photogenic, recommends Ms. Graham."

"BE A "CAREER-PRENEUR" - While 2008 is expected to bring career opportunities, many of these opportunities may be in new fields not widely known or requiring technical skills you may not yet possess. That's just one of the factors that makes it important for you to take charge of your career: Don't wait for a recruiter to call but become an independent agent responsible for your career success, Ms. Graham says.

The start of the year is the perfect opportunity to sit down and write a script of your career as you want it to play out rather than waiting for it to happen, she says.

"Think of yourself as being a business: What is your objective and what do you need to do to meet the target? Write down a description of where you want to be one year, three years and five years down the road and what experiences or skills you need to have to reach your goal," she recommends.

"By knowing where you want to go and taking advantage of opportunities as they come along, you can advance in your career, no matter what comes along in the economy in the next year."

 

The Globe and Mail – April 2007

Thinking small requires a lot of thought. Mentor Minute: Quick career advice from experts in the know – Sharon Graham

Sharon Graham provides advice to readers who are thinking about moving from a large company to a smaller firm.

"In the past, working in a large corporation was a stable and long-term option, but these days, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and downsizing might have you thinking about moving to a smaller firm. To penetrate your target market, you'll need to learn as much as you can -- especially if you have not been exposed to how small organizations work...."

 

The Globe and Mail – January 2007

Outlook'07 -- it's the year to roll the dice. Many signs point to a banner year ahead -- and an opportune time to seek that promotion – Wallace Immen

Feature article discusses expert predictions on where career trends lie.

"As companies become larger, more global and dependent on technology, there will be growing opportunities for people who are specialists in the security of people and data, says executive coach Sharon Graham, who is founder of Career Professionals of Canada, president of Graham Management Group in Toronto, and author of Best Canadian Résumés."

“Setting ethical standards is a high priority of management, so there are career-enhancing opportunities to become a part of the team that writes new policies, Ms. Graham says.

And if you are hunting for a new job, it's going to be doubly important that you are accurate and honest in your résumé, she says.”

 

The Globe and Mail – January 2006

Outlook: Opportunities and warning signs for 2006 – Wallace Immen

Feature article discusses tips from leaders in the careers industry on how to take advantage of a strong job market, while protecting yourself in a climate of mergers and outsourcing.

 “[There is] a window of opportunity for people who are thinking of retirement or want to shift into new roles, predicts Sharon Graham, president of Graham Management Group… Those who are prepared can prosper, Ms. Graham says. The biggest career threat in a merger is job redundancies… mergers usually come with staff cuts, so keep your resume up to date…”

 

ROBTV – January 2006

Workopolis TV Career Check Up with Kim Parlee – Sharon Graham

Kim Parlee interviews Sharon Graham, principal consultant of Graham Management Group on performing a 2006 Career Check Up.

Kim Parlee: You talk about a “strategic resume.” Tell me what is a strategic resume?

Sharon Graham: A strategic resume is probably the most critical part of your job search. You really need to design a resume that not only expresses you well and what you have to offer, but is targeted towards your employer and your target job search position. So, what you want to do is design a resume that is truthful to who you are and very honest, but just as importantly is going to work for the potential employer. To do that you really need to understand your Value Proposition.

Kim Parlee: What do you mean by “Value Proposition”?

Sharon Graham: Value proposition is what you have to offer that is better and different than what other people can offer…

CLICK HERE TO SEE  THE FULL PROGRAM

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – January 2006

Develop your value proposition – Sharon Graham

“As a professional resume writer and employment interview strategist, I often encounter individuals in career transition who have much to offer, but don’t know how to represent their value. I advise my clients that the best way to make a positive impression is by presenting their unique offering in a consistent and a compelling message – their Value Proposition.

Every job seeker has a distinctive blend of skills, qualifications, expertise, and accomplishments to offer potential employers. The challenge is to reveal this value in a way that makes the individual stand apart from the competition. By creating a strong Value Proposition, a candidate can gain an advantage over the rest of the applicants…”

 

The Canadian Champion, Burlington Post, The Oakville Beaver – February 2006

Developing a great cover letter – Sharon Graham

“A cover letter is an introduction, a sales pitch and a proposal for further action all in one.

Your cover letter demonstrates to your prospective employer, that you can organize your thoughts, and express yourself clearly and appropriately. It reveals clues to your personality and your level of professionalism. A well-written cover letter persuades the reader to pay special attention to your resume….”

 

National Post, September 2005

Professionally written CV can be a career investment – Gigi Suhanic

Feature Article discusses the importance of a professional resume in the current job market. It discusses the Career Professionals of Canada accreditation, which Sharon Graham was instrumental in launching.

“The association believes accreditation will increase credibility. They have launched a resume writers’ certification program offering the designation certified resume strategist.

 “Canada has a history of having the resume-writing business as an underground business. We wanted to bring that to the forefront and have people understand this in a credible business you can get value out of,” Says Sharon Graham, the association’s executive director. Hiring an accredited resume writer, she adds, is an important job-hunting strategy...”

 

 Globe and Mail, September 2005

Curveball job questions: How not to strike out – Katie Rook

The feature article discusses unexpected curveball questions and how an individual can address them.

Career coach Sharon Graham warns… Curveball questions are generally designed to catch candidates off-guard and see whether they can think on their feet and how well they’ll do, says Ms. Graham, president of Graham Management Group…

In her practice, Ms. Graham and her team of career coaches have encountered some seemingly bizarre queries, such as: “How would you move Mount Fuji?” or “How would you find a needle in a haystack?” …

 

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – December 2005

Internet job seekers beware! – Sharon Graham

“With advances in technology, identity theft has become an increasingly popular crime in Canada and worldwide. In recent years, job seekers have become the target of depraved scammers. Users of popular job boards such as monster.ca and careerspan.com have fallen prey to these insidious criminals who target innocent people looking for a job.

In this information age, it is no wonder that job seekers are eagerly marketing themselves through the Internet. However, this has created a new means for criminals to easily obtain and exploit personal information. Unsuspecting individuals are preyed upon and left emotionally and financially devastated – often with a bad credit history that is sure to follow them around for many years…”

 

Adventa Job Post – December 2005

Dealing with the job search blues – Sharon Graham

“Searching for a job can be extremely frustrating in the best of times and especially during seasonal slowdowns, when opportunities are scarce, or simply when the process itself is drawn out. The job search blues can invade you without warning at any time and can completely drain you of your self-confidence. Before you know it you may find that you have lost your energy, efficiency and effectiveness in the search process…

Everybody needs help from time to time. If you feel your confidence slipping, ask for help. Be honest and explain how you are feeling. Sometimes, all it takes is an understanding person to listen to your concerns, provide you with support and help you to regain your momentum…”

 

Adventa Job Post – November 2005

Case Study: How Julie’s Value Proposition landed her the job offer – Sharon Graham

“Let’s face it, there is only one reason that you are in a job search — you are looking for a great job offer. In order to reach that goal, you are likely to go through a process which includes distributing resumes and interviewing for positions until you secure that ideal placement. Unfortunately, many others are doing just that. So, how do you stand out?

We all know that an effective resume will produce interviews and that a successful interview will lead to a job offer. Your objective is to get the offer by delivering a unique, powerful, and consistent message. You must “sell” yourself to your potential employer by telling him why he needs you. This is your “Value Proposition…”

 

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – October 2005

Closing the deal: Leveraging superb employment references – Sharon Graham

“I don’t understand it.” John remarked, “I performed wonderfully in the interview. I was able to answer all the questions, I was prepared with a list of references, and the way the boss shook my hand at the end of the interview, he practically gave me the job on the spot. So why in the world did they choose the other guy?”

John’s issue is not unique and it could have easily been avoided. He had produced a list of references for his prospective employer, but he forgot one cardinal rule – ensure that the people you select for references are going to close the deal.

Reference checking is quickly becoming a standard procedure for many companies, large and small. Employers do this to check details that applicants present and ensure that the person selected is the best candidate for the job.

As an employment interview strategist, I regularly advise my clients that they must take great care in selecting and preparing their references to represent them superbly. Do not underestimate the power of your references. Most people assume that their references will speak well of them. In fact, some will speak positively, others will offer little of value, and a few will actually damage their chances…”

 

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – October 2005

Demystifying the behavioural interview – Sharon Graham

“Behavioural interviewing is not a new concept. It has been around for about 20 years. The theory is based upon the premise that the candidate’s past behaviour will predict his or her future performance on the job. Although large organizations and recruitment firms commonly use the approach, an increasing number of smaller employers are starting to recognize its value…

Here’s the good news: Knowing that you are going to attend a behavioural job interview gives you the edge. Both you and the employer are looking for the same thing – to determine if there is a good match for the position. If you understand the requirements of the job and match them up to your accomplishments, you can prepare yourself well in advance…”

 

 Adventa Job Post – October 2005

Unemployed for a while? You can overcome this obstacle in your resume – Sharon Graham

“As a professional resume strategist, I often come across job seekers who have been out of the workforce for a period of time. Many of my clients are highly experienced professionals, who suddenly find themselves unemployed and looking for work. With loads of qualifications, most start their job search anticipating a quick shift into a new organization. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months drag into years. In the early days of the job search, the resume produced a few interviews; now the same document is no longer working. Something drastic needs to be done to jump-start the interview activity again.

Whether you've been unemployed, raising your family, or in retirement, the good news is that you can address the gap in your resume. The key is to re-write your document thinking strategically to address this obstacle. There are many things that you can do to minimize this issue. First, let’s talk about some ideas that don’t work. Then we’ll get into some proven strategies that will start to produce some results…”

 

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – August 2005

Career consultants: Helping you achieve career success – Linda White

Article discusses the importance of selecting the right kind of professional to help achieve career success.

“Successful people know they need to leverage professionals to achieve their goals,” says Sharon Graham principal consultant with Graham Management Group….

Take a resume for example. If yours is going to land you an interview, it needs to stand out from the hundreds of others that may land on a prospective employer’s desk. “An individual may have a homemade resume that is quite nice and follows traditional formulas – reverse chronological or functional – but is not producing results,” Graham says. “A professional resume writer would look into the individual’s background and accomplishments in depth and create a strategic marketing document that t is much more likely to produce actual interviews for the right kind of job…”

 

Sun Media Toronto Sun Career Connection – August 2005

Handle interview questions with finesse – Sharon Graham

“Having passed the screening interview, Margaret was glad to be meeting with the hiring manager. This second interview was going smoothly and she was feeling quite confident. Suddenly, Margaret was caught completely off guard when her interviewer abruptly asked, “how old are you?” She quickly became flustered, mumbled her age and the interview went downhill from there.

In Canada, discriminatory questions are clearly illegal for interviewers to ask. Still, we live in a real world, where inappropriate questions do come up from time to time. As a professional interview strategist, I advise my clients to determine questions that they might find offensive in advance of the actual interview. Then practice responding to various unsavoury, but possible questions …”

 

The Globe and Mail – July 2005

Summertime, and the workin’ ain’t easy – Wallace Immen

Feature careers article discusses expert tips for strategies to deal with summertime distractions and improve productivity.

“…But that doesn’t mean you should feel free to sneak out of the office on a whim, advises Sharon Graham, president of Graham Management group in Toronto...

Maintaining a consistent start and end time to your office day will prevent procrastination and give you a daily sense of accomplishment and, at the same time, win you points with management for being there while others are mysteriously missing, she says…”

 

Toronto Star, December 2004

Web’s a too, not a crutch: Good searches require varied tools – Sharon Graham

 “I’ve posted my resume on all the major sites and I’ve e-mailed hundreds of recruiters and companies.” lamented Jamie, “I’m getting very frustrated. My job search just seems to be going nowhere.”

Jamie is not alone. This is something I hear more often than not from job seekers at all levels. From my experience as a professional resume writer and career consultant, it seems that most of us today are generally technologically savvy. But, although the Internet has given rise to more creative ways of finding jobs, it also has stunted some people in their quest for employment. The danger arises when we tend to rely on technology as a crutch rather than a resource...”

 

The Globe and Mail, December 2004

Put holiday cheer in your career – Wallace Immen

Globe Careers feature discusses how to expand your career potential by leveraging seasonal office parties.

“..Don’t forget clients who may be invited to the office function, either. You can be assured that your boss is looking at how you interact with them,” says Sharon Graham...

It’s extremely important that your customers are kept comfortable and feel involved with the event. “It is likely that they do not know many people, so it is helpful if you introduce them to key people in the organization….”

 

The Globe and Mail, August 2004

How the executive job interview has changed – Wallace Immen

Feature article discusses the effective executive interviewing strategies provided by career expert, Sharon Graham.

 “Executives hunting for a new position should be aware of a shift in what interviewers are looking for in candidates for management jobs, says Sharon Graham, executive director of the newly formed Career Professionals of Canada, and organization of career coaches and resume specialists.

 “Things have changed. Even a few years ago, leaders were hired for their abilities to build solid teams and strategies that would produce long-term value for the organization,” says Ms. Graham, principal of Graham management Group, a consulting firm specializing in resumes and management coaching.” Now, executives are more likely to be brought in to rebuild and re-define an organization so the skills an executive-level person should be portraying are flexibility and the ability to make change happen quickly,” Ms. Graham says.”

 

The Globe and Mail, August 2004

How the executive job interview has changed – Wallace Immen

Feature article discusses the effective executive interviewing strategies provided by career expert, Sharon Graham.

 “Executives hunting for a new position should be aware of a shift in what interviewers are looking for in candidates for management jobs, says Sharon Graham, executive director of the newly formed Career Professionals of Canada, and organization of career coaches and resume specialists.

 “Things have changed. Even a few years ago, leaders were hired for their abilities to build solid teams and strategies that would produce long-term value for the organization,” says Ms. Graham, principal of Graham management Group, a consulting firm specializing in resumes and management coaching.” Now, executives are more likely to be brought in to rebuild and re-define an organization so the skills an executive-level person should be portraying are flexibility and the ability to make change happen quickly,” Ms. Graham says.”

 

Press Release, July, 2004

New Canadian Organization Serves Career Professionals and Job Seekers

Introducing Career Professionals of Canada (CPC), an innovative organization that has been launched specifically for both Canadian job seekers and career professionals. CPC provides leading-edge services and resources designed to enable individuals to succeed in their career or business.

For job seekers, the CPC website provides a searchable listing of résumé writers, career consultants, and a wide variety of other career professionals. Individuals can easily research organizations, compare offerings, and select the service that suits their particular needs. Additionally, CPC offers an extensive selection of tele-classes, resources, and articles on career related topics to help motivated members of the public achieve their career goals.

CPC offers membership to career professionals across Canada. The organization provides proactive resources, assistance, education, and leadership opportunities to empower members. Membership is maintained based on adherence to high standards of professionalism and ethical practices with clients.

CPC Executive Director, Sharon Graham, brought together a team of 12 Canadian industry leaders to assist her in initiating this exciting new venture. According to Ms. Graham, “We are a pioneering Canadian member driven career services organization. This is an important event because this is the first organization of its kind, specifically developed for career practitioners and job seekers, alike. As the Canadian labour market demographics continue to transform, there will be a stable resource to enable our members and clients to succeed in their career aspirations.”

 

Graham Management Group is known for excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. We are the leading Canadian firm specializing in progressive solutions for executives, managers, and senior-level professionals.

Our service is confidential and by appointment or arrangement only. To obtain further information or to schedule an appointment contact Graham Management Group.