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September is Update Your Resume Month!

by Sean Cook | Sep 5, 2025 | job search

This September marks the seventh annual International Update Your Resume Month, officially proclaimed by Career Directors International (CDI). During the entire month, CDI members will dedicate their efforts to boosting industry awareness and encouraging the public to update their own resumes.

Since most careers require a resume to gain employment, it’s critical that job seekers take a proactive approach to be ready for any opportunities that arise. Too often, people try to write a resume at the last minute, which is the worst time to prepare a document that needs to be perfect. A well-crafted resume takes time and research, and Update Your Resume Month is a perfect reminder to be prepared for new opportunities.

To encourage job seekers to update their documents, I am offering a $50 discount on all resume writing services. If you are a previous client, you can refer a friend or family member to me, and if they purchase my services, I will give you a referral credit equal to 10% of the new client's purchase.

If you have questions about my Writing Services, check them out using the "Writing Services" tab at seancook.net or email sean@seancook.net.

What to Do When the Boss Doesn’t Like You

by Sean Cook | Feb 10, 2025 | Workplace Dynamics

This week, I checked in with a past client to see how he was doing. He replied that he had started a new job and thought it was going well. The pay was good, and he was learning a lot in his new role. He did mention one concern: He thought his boss didn’t like him.

Ugh. I’ve been there before. Honestly, who hasn’t? If you get your first job as a teenager and retire at 65, you will work 50 years, give or take. Odds are, this will happen to you.

Starting a new job can be stressful.

Most of us try to be friendly and display confidence in our knowledge and experience. We take notes, ask questions, and do our best to figure out how to use the company’s systems, who to talk to when needed, and how to perform the expected work tasks and get them done on time.

If you ask too many questions, colleagues may find you needy. You may rub people the wrong way if you display too much confidence. They may find you annoying if you don’t get your work done correctly and on time. The upshot here is that you have to find a balance. Ask the big questions, but be sure you use the advice you receive. Be confident, but be quiet about it. Praise others before you praise yourself. Thank people effusively. And avoid unnecessary interactions with individuals who don’t seem to like you.

You can do your best in all these areas, but you might still lose.

Candidates are hired because they are qualified. However, they are kept if they fit into the company culture. If you don’t, you better get every other aspect of your new role as quickly as possible, or you might find yourself out of a job.

So, what can you do if your boss doesn’t like you?

I found some good advice in the articles below, which I shared with my client. If you are worried your boss doesn’t like you and need ideas on what you can do, read on.

What to Do If Your Boss Doesn’t Like You (Harvard Business Review)

Ten Things Never, Ever To Tell Your Manager (Forbes)

A Tactical Guide to Managing Up: 30 Tips from the Smartest People We Know

Use Your LinkedIn “About” Section as an “Elevator Pitch”

by Sean Cook | Oct 25, 2023 | LinkedIn

Two professionals in an elevator. Illustrates the idea of an "elevator pitch."

Are you using this section effectively?

When I work with clients on their #resumes and #LinkedInprofiles, I spend a decent amount of time helping them with their resume Summaries and LinkedIn About sections. I always tell them to think of these as elevator pitches.

When I explain how to construct one, I tell the client to include three main parts:

1. Describe WHO YOU ARE (professionally)

2. Explain WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT (related skills and accomplishments) and

3. WHY THE READER SHOULD CARE (What impacts have you had on your company, clients, industry, or the world? Or what contributions will you make to a new employer?)

Once readers know the WHO, WHAT, and WHY, they can read further for relevant details on WHERE, WHEN, and HOW. As such, the summary is a "reading guide" to the rest of the resume or LinkedIn profile. You start with the "big picture," and then you reinforce those critical takeaways through the bullets for each job. In those bullets, you can also explain WHAT you achieved, HOW you achieved it (skills you used), and WHAT your specific achievements were. (Quantify everything you can and qualify everything you can't!)

This approach incorporates the "5Ws and an H" elements of a good story. If you include all of the elements, the reader will gain a comprehensive view of what you can offer.

Connect with Sean Cook on LinkedIn!

Photo licensed from BigStockPhoto.Com.

#jobsearchadvice #careers #networking #elevatorpitch