It’s grad season! High school, college and university convocations are on the horizon. After you’ve found the perfect graduation outfit (for both you and your loved one), the next item on the “to do” list is finding a PERFECT GRAD GIFT

Some of the typical gifts are nice pen sets, grad 2023 coffee mugs or notebooks, maybe even a giant wine glass or beer mug. Yawnnnnnnnnnnnn. (And they all end up at the thrift shop.)

Sure, they’re fun gifts for a nano-second.

But they do NOTHING to help your new graduate with what they need and want most after completing their education…

A gift to help them land meaningful work.

After all, that’s why they went to school...to GET A GREAT JOB!

That’s where I can help you. Here’s some amazing gift ideas for your new grad:

1.     A signed copy of the 2^nd Edition, “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.” 

It’s jam-packed with new content on how to create a resume that WILL get their phone ringing for interviews. I wrote five new chapters and added loads of examples. It’s not your average boring, dull resume book. Your grad will feel like they’re having a chat with me. 

Grad gift special: $20 (including GST) plus $5 for shipping in Canada.

2.     Webinar & Book Bundle:

My new 60-minute pre-recorded “Hired!” webinar is action-packed with a TON of ideas to jumpstart their job search. It’s based on my new 2^nd edition book. 

This bundle adds MAJOR oomph to your new grad’s job-search. I guarantee they’ll grin ear to ear as I break down how to create a resume filled with shiny results AND I completely demystify how to prepare for and deliver an exceptional interview! (Plus, so much more.) They’ll get 7-day access to the webinar.

I’ll also include a signed copy of the new 2^nd edition, “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.”

Grad gift webinar & book special: $99 + GST. 

3.     One-to-One Resume Power Hour: The gift they’ll never forget!

In a recorded hour-long 1:1 session via ZOOM, I’ll break down every detail that needs to be changed and updated on their resume. (Your grad will send me their resume ahead of our session.)

We’ll dissect each and every one of the bullets and I’ll dig to help them uncover their amazing shiny results. (This is something new grads really struggle with!)

I’ll help them create a succinct statement for each of their roles that easily describes their jobs.

We’ll cover education, volunteer work, even interests to make sure their resume is a stand-out. I’ll give them word tracks on how to highlight their resume in a job interview and we’ll cover any burning questions your grad has about their job search. 

The recording is sent to them right after their session. They’ll then work on the resume edits and send it back to me for a further review. I’ll track changes and send the final version back to your grad!

BONUSES: Your grad gets 7-day access to the HIRED webinar along with a signed copy of the 2^nd edition, “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.”

Power Hour Session Package + Bonuses: $247 plus GST. 

[email protected] to order/book your sessions! 

I recently did an interview with CTV Winnipeg to talk about my newly released Ukrainian version of “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.” 

I’m originally from Shoal Lake, a little town in Manitoba. The television anchor was delighted to mention that I was a former Manitoban.

Shortly after the interview, I got a DM via Instagram with an out-of-the-blue question,

“By chance, was Mrs. Fiel your grade 1 teacher?”

I smiled. And, sent a note back, “She sure was!”

The conversation was with my grade 1 teacher’s daughter. Such a small world!

She gushed and said, “I’m on the phone with my mom right now…she wants to know if you remember what you did before going on stage at the spoken poetry festival, when you were in grade 1?”

I laughed and replied, “I sure do!” 

So, what was it that I did???

Well, my mom-Betty was a modern woman back in the day as she was both a full-time mom and also a working mom & entrepreneur. She was working the day of the festival and couldn’t be in attendance. So, the night before and the morning of, she reminded me….

“Sheila, be sure to pull up your tights so they aren’t sagging at the ankles.

And, don’t yank on the waistband because that won’t work.”

Now, I’m sure you all remember what your little grade 1 hands looked like. 

Mine were a little pudgy. I bet yours were too! 

And, little pudgy grade 1 hands aren’t the nimble for precision tasks like painstakingly pulling up your tights. GRIN.

It was time. 

My name was called to go on stage. 

Having my mom’s direction top of mind. I was back stage, bent over and slowlyyyyyyyyyyyyy pulling up my ankle-saggy tights.

I was oblivious to how long this was taking. Mrs. Fiel appeared behind me.

“Sheila, what are you doing??”

My reply was, “My mom told me to pull up my tights…starting at the ankle…”

I recall her big smile, as she appreciated my mom-Betty’s sage advice. 

I then took my place in the middle of the stage and delivered my poem. With nice straight tights. GRIN.

Remembering this story about my grade 1 backstage prep made me think of you!

Your MUST-DO pre-interview (on-stage) checklist:

1.     Check the LinkedIn profile of the person(s) you’re interviewing with. It shows you’ve done some research on the person. You’ll learn if you have some key contacts in common or maybe you’ve gone to the same college or university. 

2.     Attire – plan out the day before what you’re going to wear. Ensure your outfit is clean and ready to go. OH, and have a backup plan, too! Hems fall, zippers break. Heels crack. Be ready with an alternate.

3.     Do a dry run to the interview location. How long did the commute take? Where is the closest parking and next best alternative? Be sure to leave time if you need to walk from the transit station, too!

4.     Bring two copies of your resume with you. One for you and a backup for the hiring manager, just in case. Printers go on the fritz, so you’ll look like a superstar if you bring an extra copy.

5.     Print/write out your clever end-of-interview questions and tuck in your portfolio. (Remember, asking about the salary, benefits and vacation time are NOT clever questions to ask.)

6.     Double-check the interview time. Nerves can do funny things to your memory. Just to be sure – double-check the time. 

You’ve got this!  

Yes, of course I sent signed copies to my grade 1 teacher. Delightfully, I received a beautiful thank you card in the mail from her. And, she shared how the books arrived on her 90^th birthday! How fun is that?

And, in case you're wondering....yes, the photo is the little kid version of me. GRIN.

Till next time,

Sheila

PS. I love the enthusiasm of many of my readers who are coaching other job seekers in using my material and ideas. Please note that all content is copywritten. If used, the following must appear on your printed or electronic material: 



Copywritten material from “Hired! How To Get The Zippy Gig. Insider Secrets From A Top Recruiter.”, by Sheila Musgrove, 2022