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Building your First Resume

As a tech executive, I’m frequently asked by soon-to-be college graduates about how to make their resumes stand out. Crafting your first resume is crucial, and having a strong foundation ensures that both its format and content can evolve effectively over time.

First, if you are going into an IT career and you’ve done an internship, that’s a big plus. Second, if you’ve attended on campus career fairs and met big companies who are doing campus recruiting, you’ll have received some good exposure to what companies are looking for in talent. If you have not done these things let me help with some thoughts.

Adapt your resume.

For your technology major, professors often discuss how your skills apply to industry. Research key companies and explore their main web pages. Uncover their initiatives to gain insight. When applying for jobs, carefully read the job description and adapt your resume accordingly. Be honest to avoid issues during interviews. Look for jobs that align with your education, emphasizing the projects and specific skills you learned on campus to compensate for lack of industry experience.

Factor in soft skills.

Once you have the technical part of your resume worked up, lace in the soft skills. Soft skills are the communication, presentation and people management skills that technical people tend not to be the best at.

Yes, understood, you want a technical job. However, many employers are looking for well-rounded technology professionals. If you can emphasize and prove that you have outstanding communication skills, it’ll put you ahead of many of your peers who are relying on their technical skills alone. Also, if you have aspirations to lead and make your way up the executive ladder, having the soft skills are going to be a must.

Click here for a post on building and maintaining your resume.

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It’s Okay to Ask Questions

I was reading a funny story about Henry Kissinger that highlight why it’s important to ask questions. If you don’t know who Dr. Kissinger is, you are probably too young. He was the Secretary of State during the Nixon Administration and considered one of the smartest SoS’s ever.

Henry Kissinger’s speech writer handed Kissinger the latest speech for him to review. Kissinger wrote on the paper, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer rewrote the piece and handed it to Kissinger for his thoughts. Kissinger wrote the same thing, “Is that the best you can do?” The speech writer did two more revisions with the same responses. Finally, frustrated, he told Kissinger that it was the best he could do. Kissinger said, “Okay, now I’ll read it.”

This anecdote shared by Kissinger’s speech writer highlights the importance of constant and thorough review in creating quality content. In today’s digital world, with rapid information sharing, we often overlook the need to review our work.

To stand out online, prioritize content quality over quantity for businesses and individuals alike. This means taking the time to carefully craft and review each piece before publishing it.

Similar to Kissinger’s speechwriter, we may undergo multiple revisions before reaching a final product we’re proud of. Like Kissinger, who read the speech only when it was perfect, we should publish when confident in our work’s quality.

Reviewing our content helps us catch overlooked errors, maintaining credibility and professionalism. Errors can damage our reputation.

Furthermore, by thoroughly reviewing our content before publishing it, we give ourselves the opportunity to refine and improve upon it. We can add more clarity, strengthen arguments, and make sure each point is effectively conveyed to our audience.

In conclusion, prioritizing the review process when creating content is crucial for success in today’s digital landscape. It ensures high-quality, engaging content that meets audience needs and reflects positively on your brand. Don’t forget to set aside time for review and revision when creating content – your readers (and reputation) will thank you.

And… moral of the story:

Unless you like doing a lot of unnecessary extra work, make sure you understand what the boss is saying. It’s okay to ask questions. That’s what meetings are for. Don’t just nod and agree without fully comprehending the task at hand.

As a tech executive, it’s easy to get caught up in the fast-paced environment and numerous tasks that require completion. However, it’s important to remember that understanding your boss’s instructions is crucial in order to successfully complete your work.

Sometimes, to seem competent or avoid looking ignorant, we nod along with our boss without fully understanding their requests. This can lead to confusion and wasted time as we try to figure things out on our own.

Click here to see a post on questions to ask when building a technology strategy.

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Avoid Blind Spots as a Leader

As a tech executive, it is crucial to avoid blind spots concerning your employees. Staying aware of performance and motivations can be challenging, especially for those skilled, ambitious, and eager to please. Blind spots can arise when you rely on individuals who excel at their tasks and consistently deliver results. In your presence, they might appear to be the most respectful and intelligent people you’d encounter. Yet, among peers, this individual may transform into a different persona: a condescending jerk who fosters negativity in the workplace. No one wants to be on a team with them, but no one speaks up because they notice how much you like and favor that person. You may have promoted this high performer based on satisfaction with their work, inadvertently sending the wrong message to your staff. As a result, more team members might start mimicking this behavior, thinking it’s the way to get ahead. But actually, the person beside you is a significant obstacle to team morale, behaving like a cancer that erodes team spirit and collaboration.

To avoid blind spots, cultivate open communication and feedback in your team.

Encourage your employees to share their thoughts and concerns, whether positive or negative. As a leader, you should also be open to receiving constructive criticism from your team members. This will help uncover blind spots and foster trust and transparency within the team.

It’s vital to engage with all team members regularly, not just high achievers. This will give you a better understanding of each individual’s personality and behavior in different situations. It will also let you address any worrying behaviors or attitudes before they spread.

Another way to avoid blind spots is by seeking outside perspectives.

Consider bringing in an external consultant or advisor who can provide unbiased feedback on your team dynamics and individual performance. This can help uncover any hidden biases in your team that may cause blind spots.

Be fair to your team members.

The key lesson is to cultivate an open mind and treat all members of your team with fairness and respect. Strive for equality in assigning tasks, ensuring that everyone has opportunities for growth and development. While standout individuals are inevitable, take the time to genuinely know each team member and avoid overt favoritism. An effective method is to use your top performers as mentors, promoting a harmonious team dynamic. By embracing this mentoring mentality, you can nurture a more comprehensive and fulfilled team overall.

As a leader, maintaining a certain level of professional distance with your team members is essential.

Building trust through personal connections is valuable but beware of favoritism to prevent disrupting team dynamics and causing resentment. By understanding these dynamics, you can effectively lead your team, creating a positive and productive work environment for all.

In conclusion, it’s vital to be mindful of blind spots and work to reduce them for a positive, productive work environment. Foster open communication, engage with team members, and welcome outside perspectives to prevent negative behaviors and ensure overall team success. As a leader, it’s your job to foster a safe, inclusive environment for your employees to thrive. So, stay alert and address any blind spots that may arise before they become a bigger issue.

Click here for a post on how to deal with negative feedback.

Book: The 48 Laws of Power – Tech Executive Power

I was reading the book, “The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.” And although this is a really good book that a budding tech exec needs to read, I’m also saddened by it.

The book presents a very realistic view of how power operates in the world, and it’s not always pretty. It talks about strategies and tactics that people use to gain and maintain power, often at the expense of others. As a reader, you may find yourself feeling uncomfortable or even disturbed by some of the examples given in the book. But that is precisely why this book is so important for anyone looking to succeed in their career, whether in tech or any other industry.

A key lesson from the 48 Laws: Power dynamics affect our personal and professional lives, whether we acknowledge them or not.

By understanding these dynamics and learning how to navigate them effectively, we can become more successful and influential individuals.

But beyond the practical lessons, this book also sparks important conversations about ethics and morality in the pursuit of power. It challenges readers to reflect on their own values and intentions when seeking power, and to consider the impact their actions may have on others. In that sense, it serves as a cautionary tale for those who might be tempted to manipulate or exploit others for personal gain.

In today’s highly competitive tech industry, books like “The 48 Laws of Power” offer valuable insights for handling complex dynamics with mindfulness and ethics. This book underscores the importance for executives to master these 48 laws to achieve success. Although some techniques, such as manipulating a fellow leader to diminish their influence, may seem unpalatable, they shed light on strategies that effective leaders employ.

To climb the ladder of a successful tech executive, understanding these principles is crucial.

While these methods have demonstrated their efficacy, it is not necessary to apply them precisely as illustrated in the historical examples. Instead, adaptability is essential.

The reality is that many leaders ascend to their positions by wielding power effectively. These techniques can be ruthless, posing challenges for inexperienced leaders to implement. However, even if you choose not to use them, awareness of their existence can help you avoid potential pitfalls.

In summary, as we strive for success, let’s not forget to also consider the impact of our actions and decisions on those around us. In the end, true power is not just about having control or influence, but about using it responsibly and with integrity. So, if you haven’t already picked up “The 48 Laws of Power,” I highly recommend adding it to your reading list. You may find yourself feeling uncomfortable at times, but ultimately you will gain a deeper understanding of power dynamics and how they shape our world. And armed with that knowledge, you can make more informed choices in your own pursuit of success in the tech industry (and beyond).

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Why do we need Employee Appreciation Day

As a tech executive, it’s crucial to consistently recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of your employees every day. Acknowledging their dedication boosts morale and fosters a positive work environment. Interestingly, today is National Employee Appreciation Day, a great time to celebrate their hard work. Take this chance to thank your hardworking team with a small event, personalized notes, or a heartfelt conversation.

Recognizing their efforts not only motivates them but also strengthens your team’s cohesion and productivity.

I find it strange, but here’s the explanation from the website: “National Employee Appreciation Day“, on March 3, reminds leaders, including us technology executives, that strong employer-employee relations are at the core of any truly successful business. Maintaining a good relationship with employees is key for managers, and appreciating their efforts helps workers feel valued.

On National Employee Appreciation Day, take the chance to connect with your employees, offer genuine praise, and listen to their experiences.

Is it necessary to remind managers of the importance of fostering relationships with their team?

Reality is your success is largely due to the dedication and efforts of the people who work for you. Understanding your team on a deeper level lets you match their skills and passions with roles where they can excel. It’s beneficial to take the time to learn about their strengths, challenges, and professional goals. When employees feel appreciated and trust you have their best interests at heart, they’re motivated to achieve great results. This creates a thriving workplace where goals are met, innovation flourishes, and everyone feels valued.

Every day should be Employee Appreciation Day because consistently recognizing your team’s efforts is vital for their motivation and job satisfaction. Regularly engage with your team to understand their needs and aspirations, fostering an open relationship that encourages feedback and collaboration. Celebrating their achievements and addressing concerns promptly can create a positive work environment that promotes growth and success.

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