Maureen McCann's VisualCV - Maureen McCann

View My VisualCV Online: http://www.visualcv.com/mmccann

Maureen McCann

Award Winning Career Strategist

Ottawa
Canada

My Website:	http://www.mypromotion.ca
LinkedIn:	http://www.linkedin.com/in/promotion
Follow me on Twitter:	http://www.twitter.com/mypromotion

Maureen believes strongly in the law of motion - simply stated "...a career in motion stays in motion."

Maureen works with her clients to enlighten them on their financial, health, and the emotional side of career transition. She empowers her clients to plan their success, and successfully plan to become tomorrow's leaders.

She is a leading-edge career professional, optimizing conventional and social media to drive young professionals and six-figure executives to the finish-line.

Think you can handle a direct conversation with someone poised to challenge your conventional thinking?

Give Maureen a call today.

"Why not be the best in your industry?"

An inspiring, resourceful, and well-organized master certified resume, interview, and career strategist, Maureen McCann is passionate about communicating the value of business leaders. As a consummate career teacher, coach, and mentor, Maureen works with clients to develop the documents and interview skills required for success. Moreover, as an accomplished sales professional, she understands the power of words in increasing the marketability of a wide range of clients.

Maureen is a strategic thinker and writer who turns challenges into opportunities as she coaches and mentors clients, one-on-one and in groups. She is an expert in forging open and honest communication between clients and colleagues and engendering strong partnerships.

Maureen holds the role of senior advisor and member development chair for Career Professionals of Canada. A highly proactive professional, she instituted and moderates a tele-networking program for practitioners across Canada that provides professional development, strategic advice, and support for Canadian resume writers and career consultants.

As a testament to her leadership, Maureen has been honoured with more than 10 Career Professionals of Canada Awards of Excellence for five years running. Her most recent awards include:

*Outstanding Canadian Career Leaders*

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor (Career Change)

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor (Creative)

Outstanding Canadian Online Profile Developer

In 2011, Maureen was nominated for three Career Directors Internationals' Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) awards for Best Linkedin profile, Best International Resume, and Best Cover Letter. In 2010 she won in the Best Resume in the Career Change Category. It is a distinctive honor to win or to be nominated especially against the considerable global talent presented in this annual competition.

Maureen’s work has been published in The Twitter Job Search Guide, The Directory of Professional Resume Writers, Best Canadian Resumes (2nd Edition), and Best Canadian Cover Letters. She has also been interviewed as a career expert for the Globe and Mail, and Toronto Sun.

As your dedicated career strategist, Maureen will draw upon her in-depth knowledge, skill, and experience, to position you for success. Her passion will inspire, her ethic will convince, and her results will impress.

ProMotion Career Solutions

2006 - Present

Graham Management Group

Present

Andre Filion & Associates

Life Strategies

International Awards

Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Award winner, 2011

Best Cover Letter. Best Linkedin Profile. Best International Resume

Toast of the Resume Industry (TORI) Award Winner, 2010

Best Career Changer Resume

Canadian Awards

Outstanding Canadian Career Leader, 2011

Outstanding Online Profile Developer

Outstanding Resume, Creative

Outstanding Resume, Career Change

Award of Excellence Recipient, 2010

Best Creative Resume

Three-Time Award of Excellence Recipient, 2009

Outstanding Canadian Online Profile Developer

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - New Graduate

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Technical

Award of Excellence Nominee , 2009

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Career Change

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Executive

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Creative

Award of Excellence Recipient, 2008

Recognized for outstanding volunteer contributions to the development and support of Career Professionals of Canada. Exhibited exceptional devotion of time, effort, thought, and action with ongoing volunteer efforts.

Award of Excellence Nominee, 2008

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Career Change

Award of Excellence Recipient, 2007

The Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding achievements to the Canadian Careers community who demonstrates achievements through tangible and documented acts and who produces early-career contribution to the community, clients and profession.

==============

ONGOING ENGAGEMENTS
==============

Tele Networking Founder & Facilitator | Career Professionals of Canada

September 2007 to present

Senior Advisor / Social Networking Moderator and Ambassador | Career Professionals of Canada

March 2007 to present

==============

RECENT ENGAGEMENTS

==============

Interview Strategies for Job Seekers

Vanier Community Service Centre

November, 2011

Train-the-Trainer: Client Motivation and Return to Work Strategies

Train-the-Trainer: Advanced Resume Strategies - Information Gathering

Ometz

October, 2011

How to Apply to the Federal Government

General Dynamics Canada

September, 2011

Resume, Interview, Job Search & Salary Negotiation Strategies

SMART Technologies

Fall, 2011

Train-the-Trainer: Job Club Coach e-Learning Instructor

Life Strategies

May 2011

Get your Career Moving

Ottawa Carleton District School Board

May 7, 2011

How to Apply to the Federal Government

General Dynamics Canada

May 4, 2011

Job Search

Self-Marketing & Networking

Resumes

Interviewing & Salary Negotiation

Andre Filion & Associates

onging March & April 2011

Advanced Resume Writing for Engineers

General Dynamics Canada

March 10, 2011

Resume Writing for Government of Canada Employees

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

March 2, & 11, 2011

Winning the Selection Process with the Government of Canada

Department of Fisheries and Oceans

March 2 & 11, 2011

Advanced Resume Strategies for Mentors & Mentees

Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization

ongoing December 2010 to present

Train-the-Trainer: Advanced Resume Writing for Career Professionals

Community Employment Resource Centre

February 17, 2011

Train-the-Trainer: Advanced Resume Writing for Employment Consultants

YMCA - Merivale location

February 10, 2011

The Value of Social Media for Human Resources

Human Resources Professional Association of Ottawa

January 26, 2011

Train-the-Trainer: Integrating Social Media into an effective job search

Cannexus

January 25, 2011

Career Movement

Ottawa School Board

April 17, 2010

LinkedIn and Social Networking Sites - Tools for Executive Job Search

Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions

April 13, 2010

Resume 101

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)

University of Ottawa

February 23, 2010

Train-the-Trainer: Career Development 2.0

CANNEXUS

January 26th, 2010

Career Development 2.0

What Employers Want

The Ottawa Citizen Job Fair

November 5, 2009

Girl Geek Dinner Ottawa

October 26, 2009

Career Development 2.0

Experica, The Practice Firm

October 19, 2009

Resume Workshop Facilitator

National Research Council

October, 2009

Interview Strategies

Desjardins Financial Securities

September, 2009

Career Professionals of Canada

Employment Networking Group of Ottawa

September 2nd, 2009

Resume Workshop Facilitator

National Research Council

May & June 2009

Online Networking Strategies for Career Professionals

Career Professionals of Canada

May 2009

What Employers Want

Ottawa Citizen Job Fair

April 2009

Winning the Interview

Ottawa Citizen Job Fair

April 2009

Job Search Planning & Strategies

Ottawa Carleton District School Board

November 2008

Interview Strategies for Success & What Employers Want

National Career Event

October 2008

Interview Workshop & Resume Workshop

Dell Canada

April, May, and June 2008

Train-the-Trainer: Career Revival for Career Practitioners

Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects (ONESTEP)

April 2008

Job Interview Techniques & What Employers Want

National Career Event

April 2008

Work, Life Balance for Moms

HUSH & HUSH little baby

February 2008

Personal Branding using Social Media

Women 2.0

October 2007

What Employers Want

National Career Event - IT & Engineer Professionals

November 2007

Job Search Strategies

Kanata Kareer Group

October 2007

Employment Facilitator

HT Hospitality

September through February 2008

The MCRS designation is the exclusive standard reserved only for the top strategists in our industry. Only once you have been awarded your Certified Resume Strategist (CRS) credential may you apply for the prestigious Master Certified Resume Strategist (MCRS) designation.

The MCIS designation is the exclusive standard reserved only for the top strategists in our industry. Only once you have been awarded your Certified Interview Strategist (CIS) credential may you apply for the prestigious Master Certified Interview Strategist (MCIS) designation.

The MCCS designation is the exclusive standard reserved only for the top strategists in our industry. Only once you have been awarded your Certified Career Strategist (CCS) credential may you apply for the prestigious Master Certified Career Strategist (MCCS) designation.

A Certified VisualCV Creator is a credentialed resume writing professional who has also completed VisualCV's certification process.

Certified VisualCV Creators have demonstrated ability to create top-notch VisualCVs.

Athabasca University

Carleton University

St.F.X.

Six Things Six-Figure Executives Should Know about Social Networking

If you are a six-figure executive, you appreciate the power and influence business relationships have on your success. Imagine if you could enhance your professional network and referral system, tapping into it to win your next six-figure opportunity. You can - and it is not at all as invasive, or difficult, as it may first seem.

Social Media - the new cocktail party

Executive recruiters, human resources professionals, and business leaders are using social networking sites to engage and interact with wider, more diverse audiences. As a six-figure executive, you need to stay ahead of your competition. To maintain a leadership position, you must think strategically and leverage as many opportunities as possible.

Six-Figure Career Check up

With the recent changes to our economy, many $100K+ professionals find themselves needing to evaluate their careers and prepare a job search strategy for the first time in years or perhaps even decades. If this sounds like you, the key to success is to perform a career check-up. Prepare yourself for the turbulent times ahead, assess yourself critically and honestly, then build a plan that will stabilize and strengthen your career objectives.

Did you make the right career choice

"...Some choose the wrong career based on their desire for social status or prestige, rather than playing to their own interests and skills, adds Maureen McCann, a career strategist who runs Ottawa-based ProMotion Career Solutions. "A lot of people feel that you are what you do. They think: 'If I'm not a financial adviser but a childcare worker instead, then for some reason that's not as valid.' "

Executive Job Loss, Now What?

Our economic environment is volatile and many six-figure executives are finding themselves out of a job with little notice. While there may not be many good news stories about the labour market these days, now is the time for you, the executive job seeker, to shift your thinking from “doom and gloom” to prospecting and the future.

Simplify your Job Search

Justin Riem wanted to cast as broad a net as possible in a competitive job market, so over the course of an eight-month search he ended up contacting 230 potential employers and more than 300 networking contacts.

Four steps to your next Six-Figure position

Save your money by reducing the time it takes you to get back to work by remembering the four simple steps:

Stop. Think. Plan. Implement.

Changing Expectations for Six-Figure Executives

In the face of looming job cuts, general career insecurity, and today’s volatile economy, many six-figure executives are contemplating their future.

Knowledge is Power - Online Research for Six Figure Professionals

There is no question – times have changed.

Recent studies have shown there will be over 2.2 billion internet users by 2013. Whether it is how we receive our news, how we download data, how we share files, or how we correspond with others - access to the worldwide web has changed the world around us.

Jump start your job search: answer unasked questions

When the results of Graham Management Group’s Outlook 2010 survey were revealed, it did not surprise me that almost 83% of the participants did not feel that they understand how to do a six-figure search.

How to Ace Your Second Interview

Bravo! You’ve demonstrated that you’re a qualified candidate and have been invited to a second interview. The odds of being hired have increased but it’s by no means a slam dunk. Questions will be tougher and you’ll likely be expected to meet — and impress — a longer list of people.

What every executive should know before writing their resume

How do you avoid looking like other job seekers? Here is my list of top five don’ts when it comes to your resume:

The Secrets of the Six-Figure Interview

Clearly, the employer likes you. You’re invited to the executive interview and you stand an excellent chance of being offered the job. Before you pop the champagne to celebrate your new six-figure position, there is just one thing left for you to do:

ProMotion Career Solutions Blog

Archived Comments:

“I just want to thank you for a Great Job! As a result of your fine work, I landed a job as Surgical Chair and Professor of Surgery and Anatomy, (a "six-figure" position ), Thanks for your help!” – May 29, 2009

“[After] finishing my Career Assessment course, I have identified a potential job that seems to match my skills and values... Maureen you were a great coach, and really kept prodding me to focus on what I wanted as a job, without letting myself get wallowed down in self-doubts.” - May 20, 2009

“I've had many compliments about the resume you put together for me. The process was quite productive and definitely worthwhile.” – May 13, 2009

“Thank you for the wonderful working sessions together. You were great at figuring out where I was and moving at a pace comfortable for me. Your advice was always direct, clear, and important. You have left me with an enormous amount of excellent personalized materials and strategies for improving my marketing and job search efforts. The program you lead me through is packed with useful suggestions and instruction and I will return to it continuously. The GMG service was packed with value and I will recommend it to all of my colleagues needing a boost in their career development.” – May 13, 2009

“You have nurtured my enthusiasm. Thanks for helping me grow!” – May 11, 2009

“I want to thank you for the great work that you have done with my resume portfolio, and the assistance and instruction provided in searching for a job and online networking. Every person that I have spoken to about my documents is extremely impressed with them. They have definitely opened some doors for me and I have been able to approach the job search with much more confidence.

“Last week I met with a recruitment consultant who was so impressed she introduced me to a consultant that deals only with the highest level positions. By the time I left we were speaking seriously about a President position. I am not sure where it will go at this time, but tell you this to illustrate how much you have helped me in presenting myself in the job search. Thank you for the work that you do.” – May 9, 2009

“Thanks for everything you have done. You are an inspiration and natural motivator.” – May 8, 2009

April 22, 2009 - "Very happy to advise I have secured employment.Thank you so much for your efficient, friendly and professional, service. It is exactly what I was looking for. It would not have happened without your services. In closing I extend a very sincere "Thank You".

March 22, 2009 - "Working with Maureen was just what I needed at a time of significant transition in my work life. She helped me to see my career path and personal business style clearly and accurately. She kept me focused on finding a position that would not only leverage my skill set but one that would be a great personal fit and provide me with the professional challenge and satisfaction I require. With great humour, keen insight and genuine interest, she was able to keep me true to myself and to my aspirations; she talked me out of settling for anything less on more than one occasion. I highly recommend Maureen to anyone who needs a motivating, insightful and brilliant career coach."

March 21, 2009 - "Maureen is a very personable individual that always takes the time to understand your immediate needs but also helps you to see the big picture. She gives valuable, bite sized steps that you can implement immediately and empowers you at each consultation to reach your goals quickly and effectively."

March 20, 2009 - "I am very pleased with the documents. Maureen was great to work with, very professional, attentive and not to mention the excellent and accurate profile of my achievements and personal strengths. Thank you so much."

Best Canadian Resumes & Cover Letters

BEST CANADIAN RESUMES is Canada’s first and only resume sample guide for professionals and job seekers. Written by Graham Management Group’s principal consultant, Sharon Graham, it provides over 130 sample resumes. Each sample has been carefully crafted by a professional resume writer.

The Twitter Job Search Guide

No Canadian Experience, Eh?

No Canadian Experience, Eh?, 2nd edition just published, is a handy companion for every professional thinking of moving to Canada or those who have already arrived and need guidance.

Don't balance. Blend!

“Many women struggle to find a balance between their family and their career.”

Yikes! Even as I write that sentence, I cringe. What is this elusive ‘balance’ that people refer to?

In his book Who’s Got Your Back, author Keith Ferrazzi writes about the idea of living a blended life, not a balanced one. “The elements you see in [your life] aren’t individual territories or fiefdoms. They should, and will, overlap!”

Outstanding Canadian Career Leader

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Canadian Career industry as a prominent leader within the profession.

· Executive Resumes

· Career Transition

· Career Assessment

· Branding Strategy

· Online Networking Strategy

· Job Search Strategy

· Interview Strategy

· Career Transition Support

· Executive Coaching

Radio Interview with Chris Lawrence December 31st

Radio Interview with Chris Lawrence November 3

Your friends out of work?

The economy is not doing too well....

How can a career strategist help you?

Toast of the Resume Industry Award, 2011

Each year, CDI hosts the resume writing industry's most prestigious Toast of the Resume Industry™ (TORI) resume writing competition.

CDI introduced the TORI™ Awards to the industry in 2000 to celebrate a new standard in excellence through rigorous criteria requirements. While award standards have always been demanding, never before has the resume writing industry embraced the concept of a standardized criteria for resume judging.

Keep up with my activites via twitter

Client Testimonials

Most Recent Comments:

Workshop Facilitation: "Great speaker, very engaging and interesting. Content was excellent and extremely helpful. Makes me want to run home and re-write my resume right now! :-)" Government of Canada Employee, February 2011

Resume Writing: "I completely agree that it was a great collaboration and want to thank you for that. You are one of the most personable people I have had the pleasure to work with as well as very professional and knowledgeable. Although we never met in person It was very easy opening up and candidly talking to you about my past experience and personality. To me this part was very important because I really do think I have a unique skill set which is sometimes difficult to articulate and openly market. After our sessions I feel very comfortable that you will come up with great draft documents harnessing all this information. I also want to thank you for getting me to relive all those great things that I have accomplished in my work life. It really is easy to forget over time so thank you. I will definitely let you know where I end up and the result of all this." Channel Manager, February 2011

Interview Coaching: "I felt that I was really well prepared this time. I started off with five things that I wanted them to know about me and I saw a lot of head nodding! I wasn't as nervous as I usually am. At the end I even asked them what the ideal candidate for the job needed to have! They said they've never been asked that before! The person they described sounded a lot like me... all in all, I think it went really well. I'm glad I met with you ... that was one of the smartest things I've done in awhile!" - Government of Canada Communications employee (IS-05) July 5, 2010

Career Exploration: "I just wanted to let you know that the cheque is in the mail and that you ROCK! Well.. that and the resources you provided were excellent! It's just what I need for all those questions I know I have but don't know what they are yet." - Entrepreneur May 16, 2010

Resume Revamp: "...well, what can I say - let me try.... this is amazing - beyond any expectation I could have. This is actually a gift you have. Taking what people do throughout their career and presenting it in a way that captures it all... helping people to realize that they have made a difference. The best is truly what you are and what you do. I am thankful we found you and for what you did for me." - Registered Nurse May 2, 2010

Resume Writing: "I can attest that her resume writing service exceeds expectations of even the pickiest of clients. I think anyone who wants to amount to anything in life should hire you." - Government of Canada Communications employee (IS-06) April 2010 -

"I had the privilege of seeing this resume! Wow! What a fabulous job! You are indeed ' The Best'." - (friend of client)

"Maureen all looks good and you did a fantastic job in a short time." - Government of Canada Analyst (6-3) employee - May 28, 2010

Job Search Support: "Thanks for all insightful support; the positive push; the motivating comments; the positive validations; and the introduction to our Canadian world "out there"! I've thoroughly enjoyed being mentored by you and look forward to going back to all the tips you've shown me. Thanks also for your patience." Teacher and Educator - March 31, 2010

"I am just writing to let you know that I have landed. Your help in directing my search and focusing me on what I had to think about were crucial...it is exactly what I was looking for, a smaller organization where I could come in and wear a lot of hats. I am definitely at the senior table, directly below the CEO, and am taking the leading role in the development of our future strategy. Thank you for your help". GMG client, Spring 2010

"... the resume service you provided was outstanding to say the least. Have had several interviews however have yet to find the perfect company. All the best in 2010 and note that I have passed along your contact information to many of my colleagues who are looking to have their resumes updated. - GMG client, VP Marketing - January 5, 2010

" Xmas came early for me this year... When opening the various documents, I was like a kid opening his Xmas gifts! I have to congratulate you for creating an amazing package. You have really integrated the various inputs (old resume, questionnaire and verbal) and came up with best-in-class executive level material. I want to sincerely thank you for pulling this material much earlier than originally planned." GMG client, CFO - December, 2009

"Maureen. I've followed your advice to the letter so far and I will do so this time again. Reading through the questions you sent, I can't articulate most of the answers clearly at first glance ... so this will be a useful exercise. One thing that I can say right now is that I invested my prep time better for this interview than in the past. You've inspired me and please pat yourself on the back from me for this progress! Like my cv, I have lots of work to do on my "stories" and it will take time to work through each. - Director of Human Resources, Government of Canada, December 2009

"Maureen is a powerhouse! I met with her several times before taking the plunge into business coaching. Ladies...if you need a boost, come out and listen to Maureen. She won't steer you wrong." - Entrepreneur (Ottawa)

"I must say that going back in time to look for 'nuggets of gold' that we can use was both an unusual and enjoyable experience. Thank you for guiding me through the process. The methodology you use is very solid and time tested, and with your experience putting it in writing ... I can't wait to look at the final result." GMG client, CEO, October 1st, 2009"

"Thanks for your comments! And thank you for opening the world of online networking to me. Without the help you provided, I would likely have not even heard the name Linkedin, visualCV etc. The best thing that has happened is the breaking down of the paradigms that I had built as a result of staying with one company for 20+ years. That somewhat restrictive box has been removed, or as Tom Peters would say, "...been run over by a speeding 16 wheel truck!" It is a big world out there with lots of opportunity". - GMG client, Operations Manager - September 2009

"I've reviewed the draft document and am extremely impressed. Overall, it seems to me that life has been breathed into my rather stodgy and unnecessarily dense document. My compliments to you, as you had to deciphered what was meant by many of the euphemisms in my pre-existing document. As an aside, I provided a copy of the draft document to a company who was in receipt of the pre-existing version. I advised them that I had just received at it ...At the interview, their feedback was immediate and very positive. They observed that they really didn't understand what my contributions to previous employers were, i.e., after reading my document. The commented further that new version was coherent, functional in its orientation and more targeted to the skills they were looking for. Thanks." - September 25, 2009

CPC Award Recipient 2008

CPC Award Recipient 2007

Outstanding Canadian Online Profile Developer

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - New Graduate

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Technical

Career Professionals of Canada is a uniquely Canadian member-driven association. Our members represent all sectors and regions across Canada and include employment consultants, career coaches, resume writers, interview coaches, outplacement consultants, recruiters, and a wide variety of other career professionals. We are working together for career success!

CDI was originally founded in 2000 as the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association (PRWRA) to provide a venue for global career professionals to access educational, networking and personal / professional development opportunities in the careers industry.

Since its inception, the association has continued to grow from a resume association to that of an innovative and comprehensive, multi-discipline career association that has embraced all types of career professionals from around the world.

Contact Information

Value Proposition

Executive Profile

Current Engagements

Andre Filion & Associates

Awards & Nominations

Professional Speaking Engagements & Contributions

Professional Resume Writer

Formal Education

Recently Published Articles

More client testimonials

Book Contributions

Guest Blog Post

Key Areas of Expertise

Outstanding Canadian Online Profile Developer

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - New Graduate

Outstanding Canadian Resume Contributor - Technical

Executive VisualCVs