Resumes suck.

Not ALL of them, but way, way too many of them.

As someone who has worked as a professional CV writer in the past, I have a hunch as to why:

We don't actually THINK about our resume. We just sort of follow a template of telling people about us.

But here's the thing – many people don't care about us. They care about what we can do for them. And to that end, your resume isn't your story.

It's your print ad.

The "job" of a resume is to move a sales cycle forward, and get you an interview.

That's it.

And that's why you might want to re-think how you put that one pager together. On today's episode, I share The Playbook that once got a non-hockey executive interviews with actual NHL teams. Listen up...and make your resume (+ online presence) stand out.

Segment 01 – Get off of autopilot.
Do the same thing, get the same result – and in this case, that's not a good thing.

Segment 02 – Write a better resume.
Introducing the "matrix" approach to publishing your story.

Segment 03 – Write a better resume (continued).
An idea so big, it's going to take two segments to cover it all.

Segment 04 – Little things.
Cover letters. Humanity. And the importance of "asking for the business."

“Exactly what to do.”

I’ve noticed a problem with too much of LinkedIn’s content. It tends to sit in the broader “strategic” layer of thinking. We give advice like “Go out there and network” and “Take care of your mental health.”

But the devil’s in the details. What do you actually do to network (stand where people hang out) and take care of your mental health (do 2-minute instant mindfulness exercises throughout the day)?

That’s the focus of my all-new Season of The Playbook. This time around, we’re describing Exactly What to Do (EWTODO).

This week – How to Look for a Job. I’m getting into the nuts and bolts of resumes and the like in future episodes. This one is simply the little things you need to do to find that dream gig, and it’s going to take a bit of legwork to get you there.

Segment 01 – Get off of autopilot
Do the same things, get the same results. Here's a better way to look for a job.

Segment 02 – Think like a business
What's your brand plan? Do what businesses do, even if you're an employee.

Segment 03 – Build an epic network
Sure. You know you need a network. But do you know what you're doing?

Segment 04 – Create a presence
A resume and a cover letter don't cut it these days. You need do be something...more.

Everything you need to know about presentations in 46 minutes.

When The Playbook first began, the goal was to get past the “strategic layer” of thinking, and down to the very specific things you can do to succeed.

That’s what this BRAND NEW SEASON is all about. I’m calling it “Exactly What To Do.” Every week, I’m tackling one real world topic – How to get a job, How to build a brand, How to network – and telling you the specific things you should be doing to be successful.

This week – presentation skills (obvi). Starting Monday, I’m running the SUGR Instant Course with new content every day. The show’s live on Sauga 960 AM today at 3 – and available now to stream on your favourite platform, or from the speakupgetresults.com website. Come hang out. It’s like getting a killer keynote on what it takes to present.

There’s this great idea that just about anything can be transformed from a challenge into a gift and opportunity.

For Joleigh Sherwood, it’s not just an idea…it’s a way to attack and create every day.

It’s how she overcame tragedy. It’s how she started her own national Nanny-matching business, and it’s her ceaseless piece of advice for just about everyone.

On this week’s show, Joleigh gives the step-by-step to a life that’s jam packed with possibility.

Segment 01 — Brother’s Passing

Joleigh’s brother passed away too early — and she transformed the tragedy into a catalyst for success in her own life. If you’ve faced the trauma of a loved one’s passing, this is a powerful listen.

Segment 02 — Landmark Communications

Joleigh is a big fan of how the “Landmark” organization teaches and shares intentional communications. Lots of chat about commitment, listening, layers and understanding.

Segment 03 — “There is no such thing as common sense…”

Joleigh’s favourite professor hit her with this quote as a way to remind her that so much in life is learned and absorbed — it’s not innate. “People do things differently — we are in the world because of the way we were brought up.”

Segment 04 — Surfing

Sure, living in California has a lot of perks — but the ability to hit the beach at any given moment and meld with the water is Joleigh's perfect everyday opportunity.

Leanne Velky’s LinkedIn profile reads “I build reg sites.”

But it should probably read, “I give great advice to anyone in transition.”

A couple of years back, Leanne decided to make some changes in her life, including taking the leap into a brand new business (for those of you in events, her colleagues call her “The Reg Queen.”).

If you’re starting your career, changing jobs or moving through any major transition in life…you want to listen to Leanne on The Playbook this week. She’s got some great advice for how to find the courage to take the leap — plus the one thing that you should do to your LinkedIn profile RIGHT NOW.

Segment 01 — Why Not Me, Why Not Now?

The one question Leanne asked herself to get out there and start a business — and why you should do it too.

Segment 02 — Change Your LinkedIn Headline to the Simplest Thing You Do

Leanne changed her LinkedIn profile headline on a whim — and then things got SERIOUSLY interesting.

Segment 03 — Permission Granted

Sometimes we all need the nudge of a little external validation to take the leap.

Segment 04 — Decide on Who You Want to Be

“I can’t keep milk in the house…” How being the worst at grocery shopping became a moment of empowerment.

My pal Jen Febel just published a new book — it’s called: “How to set boundaries (without feeling like a dick).”

Awesome topic, great twist.

Jen joins The Playbook recently for one of the best conversations ever. Here’s what you’ll learn to apply to your own career:

Segment 01 — My Coach

“Coaching” is “how.” “Therapy” is “why.” Jen describes what a good coach can bring to your life.

Segment 02 — My Choir

Belonging to “something” is something we all know is important and gratifying — but here’s how you can connect with people to change your life.

Segment 03 — My (NewNewNew Book)

Jen says a boundary isn’t the inflexible wall you think it is — and talks about how you can set, reset and understand boundaries for everyone’s benefit. Then I derail her, and we start talking about all sorts of stuff.

Segment 04 — My Husband

What is a partnership for? How do you connect? What can you give one another for a better life.

Possibly the most touching, most harrowing, most inspiring episode we have ever done.

I hit the floor at a massive conference in October, and go the chance to talk with two incredible leaders in the event space. Both Debbie Garcia and Nelia Nunes brought a showstopper insight for your career and your life.

Here’s what we learned:

Segment 01 — Debbie Garcia — The Pandemic
So many entrepreneurs took the Pandemic as a time to rethink, reshuffle and restart. Debbie shows how it’s done.

Segment 02 — Debbie Garcia — Emotional Regulation
It’s a tough world out there — but Debbie chose to start meeting it with a massive smile os possibility. Here’s how you can do it too.|

Segment 03 — Nelia Nunes — Supporting Her Daughter
When she was 11-years-old, Neil’s daughter had a seizure out of the blue. The journey forward was challenging, hopeful and full of learning. Nelia shares the experience, and lots of tips on how you can succeed in an impossible situation.

Segment 04 — My First Event
Think back to YOUR first job. What did that look/feel like? What did you learn? If you’re about to start something new, Nelia shows you how to look for the right things with which you can succeed.

Imagine you get the chance to install software on Prince’s laptop — Prince, as in the greatest musician of all time Prince.

In a situation like that you have to wonder, “how on earth did I get HERE?”

Marc Stevenson has the answer to that question — and more than a few stories about the world’s best musicians. This week, he shares his four Gamechangers to help you level up you career and take on the world.

Segment 01 — Expectations
This one’s a bit of a jaw dropper — Marc and his family are expecting a big inheritance. The plot twist fuels an extraordinary career.

Segment 02 — Beyoncé
Yes, there is a real Beyoncé story in this story, but it’s how Marc put himself in the position to hang with her that’s important.

Segment 03 — Getting Bought
Be a sell out — in the very best way possible. Marc talks about what it means to be attractive to buyers, and how you can keep learning.

Segment 04 — Corporate Adventures
What happens once you’ve spent your career on your own, and you go “inside” for a corporate gig? Marc shares the whole story in this extended segment (complete with TWO stories about Prince).