Getting Hired Starts By Staying Connected

Statistically speaking, you know your industry better than most people. It goes with the territory and it's why conversations that start with "What do you do?" are the worst part of any dinner party. Sure, you get to feel like an expert, but don't get complacent because of a few impressed in-laws. Something is changing in your industry right now and, whether you're actively looking for a change in your career or just open to the possibility, it pays to stay on top of those changes.

Timing and market knowledge are as important to advancing your career as what's on your resume. You may be the perfect candidate for a position, but if you never know that position exists it doesn't bode well for your chances. First, not every opportunity winds up on Workopolis or Monster. Second, you're denying yourself a competitive edge by waiting until a position is publicly available. There are a lot of tools at your disposal and investing a little time every week can pay off in the long run.

Industry News Sites and Publications

Virtually every industry in the world has at least one association, trade magazine and a news site dedicated to it. A lot of professionals make the mistake of unplugging from the industry news unless they're part of it. Staying aware of trends in the industry, moves by the competition and other high-level information increases your value within an organization and gives you signals about where the next-big-thing might be happening.

In a more immediate sense, you can also follow the money. Companies love to announce when they've secured funding, been acquired or had a great quarter. These are all signs of growth and there's a chance some of the new cash might be used to bring on experienced people to keep that growth going strong.

Social Media

Everything mentioned above also applies to social media, but in a much more intimate sense. With news sites, you're limited to news the company thinks is worth putting out a press release about; with a company Twitter feed, you get daily updates about everything that's going on. You also get a direct channel into the organization, rather than the contact info for the PR Manager listed on the press release.

There's also the advantage of following other professionals in your industry, whether they're the CEO's of your competitors or the new start-up down the block. You can indirectly have hundreds of people sifting all the content the Internet has to offer into a concise stream of mostly relevant industry information.

All of this information can be boiled down to one statement; Be aware of what's happening in your industry. It makes you more valuable, more competitive and more desirable when it comes to making a move. It also gives you the chance to be the first call a company receives about a potential opportunity, rather than the 23rd resume in the pile.

Cody Pierson is the Marketing Manager at Martyn Bassett Associates, Toronto's premiere executive recruitment firm. If you're working in the GTA and need help staying connected to your industry, get in touch with us at http://www.mbassett.com/

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Get Your Attitude Right!

In our outplacement and career coaching programmes we talk about the importance of 'attitude' for successful job searching. In our terms, 'successful' doesn't just mean getting a job, it means getting the right job for you in a timely fashion. It means not underselling yourself or taking a role that doesn't appropriately utilise your skills, strengths and values.

Approach and Attitude

The approach we take to job searching, i.e. what we do and when we do it, is extremely important in achieving a successful outcome. The attitude which shapes that approach is also hugely important but receives much less attention.

Each year we work with hundreds of people who are facing redundancy or who are already unemployed. Our experience working with these clients has confirmed the importance of having the 'right' attitude. Those with it get new jobs significantly more quickly than those who don't. So, what is the 'right' attitude? To illustrate let's look at the unhelpful attitudes we sometimes encounter:

1. Make little or no effort

2. Don't ask for support or help

3. Be rigid and inflexible in your approach

Interestingly we find that some clients are actually making little or no effort at all in finding a new role. For example, some come onto our outplacement programmes assuming that we will just find them a new job. There may be many different factors behind this. Some clients are still struggling with redundancy and are unconsciously expressing an attitude of "I shouldn't be in this situation so why should I..." Others are coming from a feeling of utter helplessness, i.e. they feel so out of control of their situation that there is little point doing anything. In career coaching sessions we help them to recognise these thought patterns so that they see that this attitude is only hurting them and is not moving them forward positively. With support, they are then able to start coming to terms with their situation and move on.

Others seem to have the attitude that it's all easy and doesn't require any effort, or worse, reveal a sense of entitlement which again suggests that no effort is necessary or warranted - at least on their part! Recently a client on one of our outplacement programmes asked me to get some feedback from a job interview which had gone badly. It became apparent that he'd performed extremely poorly in the interview and had been unable to give anything like adequate answers to the questions. In short, he hadn't prepared properly. When we met for the feedback session he complained that they'd asked him questions he hadn't been expecting, and yet which were entirely reasonable and pertinent to the role. When we discussed preparation, it became quickly apparent that not only had he done little more than glance at the job advert, he hadn't even read the comprehensive materials provided in his outplacement programme to help him.

Remember:

1. You are not owed a job. If you want to get the next job you are responsible for putting time, effort and intelligence into it. If your ex-employer hasn't provided you with outplacement assistance or you can't afford career coaching, there are still many excellent free sources of help and information available to help you (including articles like this one, websites and so on).

2. Don't make it harder than it needs to be. Do ask for help and support from family, friends and other social groups, and if necessary for professional help from career coaches and advisers. You must be willing and prepared to help yourself!

3. Be prepared to be flexible in your approach - develop a job searching strategy and plan, and keep it under review. If after a reasonable time you have not been successful, change your approach.

4. Remember that it is entirely reasonable for an employer to want to see support/evidence for your claims! Prepare appropriately - if you can't be bothered to prepare fully for an interview don't be surprised when that job goes to someone who can...

Good luck!

Sarah is an executive and career coach based in Cambridge, England. To learn more about our career coaching or our Career Transition programmes, or to make a one-hour consultation, contact Sarah on:

T: 01954 718037

E: sarah.jaggers@managingchange.org.uk

W: http://www.managingchange.org.uk/

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Freelance Curriculum Writing Jobs

When it comes to earning an income, there are several means by which income can be earned. Of course, educated people are willing to get themselves employed in organizations in some jobs based on their qualifications and some are willing to become entrepreneurs by engaging themselves in some kind of business activities.

When it comes to business activities there are varieties of positions available namely, medical practitioner, auditor, lawyer, attorney, human resource consultant, teacher, trainer, writer and many more. Nowadays many professions are related to internet technology and people are highly dependent on such technology for the purpose of promotion of their activities, learning and improving their knowledge through different education modules and many more. Freelance curriculum writing jobs are becoming more popular nowadays and a large number of websites are promoting such kinds of jobs in large numbers by which millions of educated people are benefitted by earning a reasonable income so that they can live a standard life.

In the above freelance writing industry the parties involved are; writers called as the article providers who are able to provide articles on various topics like history, geography, physics, financial accounting, finance, business management, corporate finance, technology and many more the websites through which freelance writing works like freelance essay writing jobs are undertaken and the buyers who are interested in buying the articles written by eminent authors.

While on the one hand the writers are able to utilize their writing skills thereby earning an income and on the other hand, the buyers who are in need of articles, books and many more are able to get the same done by eminent authors who are experienced in the field.

Of course, these kinds of transactions are taking place through the websites and the following are the major benefits through these kinds of exercises namely quality articles are available for students, faculty members, schools, colleges, universities and education centers. In fact, freelance curriculum writing jobs are boon to the writers and there is no need to visit any place or travel for long distances since the writing jobs can be very well done by sitting at homes and the writers simply need a computer with internet facilities and definitely through freelance essay writing jobs, writers can earn a considerable amount of income. For taking up these types of writing jobs, they should also possess the ability to research well in the internet with the help of search engines.

We were the world's most affordable and easy to use outsourcing service for for all freelance essay writing jobs. Students, Teachers, professionals and Small businesses post projects and receive free quotes from freelancers within minutes. HomeworkSociety.com is a fast growing community that will soon be part of our daily living. For more details about freelance curriculum writing jobs visit our website.

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Five Critical Elements For Getting Your Online Job Applications Noticed

Have you ever noticed how applying for jobs online just seems to waste so much time, and rarely, if ever gets you a response. If you need to see the response rate go up, and actually want to score an interview or more from all of the online job applications that you submit, these five critical suggestions will make that BIG difference for you.

The Job Search Field Has Changed

You have to know and understand that the Job Search tactics that worked 10 years ago, don't work today. Even the ones that may have worked a year or two ago, are now floundering. The Job Search environment has changed that much! The thing that has changed the most is how employers use the Internet to collect, sort, and manage potential employees. For many jobs the competition is extreme, there may be thousands or tens of thousands of job applications for the job or jobs you are interested in. While it is true that a good resume can make a huge difference in this endeavor, it isn't the only factor. Below are some elements that will make your application noticed and will get you more responses than you have ever had in the past.

Keywords

When you fill out an online job application, the application ends up in an online database. Employers pull applicants out of the database through methods that are much like a Google Search. They select specific criteria and "search" the database for the right applicants. If you understand this, you will understand that you cannot make much progress towards getting an interview with a generic resume. You will need to look at the job description and make sure that the keywords that describe the job can be found in your resume and application. The database robots will pull up the applications with the most keywords found. If the keywords aren't found in your application, then yours will not bubble-up to the top of the list of job applicants looked at for the job. It is really that simple. Insert the keywords liberally in your resume and application for the maximum opportunity of being noticed.

Currency

If the left-overs in the refrigerator are over a week old, do you eat them, or throw them away? Well, the same can be said of the online job profiles on Monster or CareerBuilder. Your resume and profile are sorted in order of newest to oldest in the database searches, after the initial keyword matching. If your is more than a week old, it loses its front page ranking and begins to slide down in the results. After a couple of weeks, it may not even be on a page that potential employers will look at. You want employers and recruiters to find your profile and resume, so you will have to update it weekly. The easy way to do this is select a sentence in the resume that is easy to rewrite. Save the original sentence, then create a rewritten sentence that says about the same thing. Once a week, pull up your profile, and exchange the sentence with the version that you rewrote, or go back to the original, alternating each week. This will have your resume updated each week and keep you on the top of the employer's and recruiter's search results.

Follow Up

I'm reminded of a story of a man who bought a lottery ticket. He was scolded by his wife, derided by fellow workers, and so he put the ticket away in a safe place and forgot about it. After his death, his children found the ticket, and found that his number had hit, and that he had left thousands of dollars unclaimed. Now, I don't condone buying lottery tickets, but, if you have already gone through the trouble of doing the work--you might as well follow up and see what the end result was! This is the piece of the job search puzzle that most people leave out. It can be the one thing that actually gets you noticed, the one thing that changes everything in your job search. After submitting your job application online, in a few days, call the main desk of the hiring company. Ask for the person that accepts the job applications for the job that you applied for, and ask them if they received your application. Take one more step and tell them that the job application engines haven't always been kind to your resume, ask if you can send a resume by email directly to this person that is in charge of receiving the job applications, and be sure to get one to him or her immediately. You are getting to know someone who is involved in the hiring process at this company, and you are getting your name and perhaps your resume in front of that person. You will have made great strides in this new job search environment just by getting to this point. But, don't stop here. Follow up in a week or so, ask if the job has been filled. If it has, ask if another one like it is likely to open up. You may not get the job that you applied for, but you may be on the top of the list for the next opportunity.

Network Support

Do you want to drastically improve your odds of being hired? It has been estimated that people who have contacts within a company, that will recommend them, are four to ten times more likely to be hired. But, finding someone in the company to recommend you might seem difficult to impossible. However, a social network that caters to job seekers and employers, may be of help in this particular endeavor. The network is called LinkedIn. If you aren't on LinkedIn yet, you need to get there. If you are there, you just may be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat. Do a people search, and search for the company name in the search bar on the LinkedIn site. Perhaps filter your results to your surrounding area so there aren't too many to sort through. You will see a list of people in LinkedIn that work at the company you have applied for. Hopefully, one of them are in your network. Perhaps they aren't on your first level, so you don't have direct access to their email address, but use the LinkedIn tools to contact them through the people that you know. If you have a friend that has a friend that works for the company, that is proxy for knowing someone that works there, and if the friend of the friend wouldn't mind passing your resume along, or turning in your name to HR, then you have improved your odds of being considered for the job by leaps and bounds.

Incorporate the above elements into your online job application process today and see what a difference it makes.

For Job Search Rules and Natural Laws that cut through the digital clutter of today's competitive environment and land you your next great job refer to JobSearchLaws.Com.

Visit HiredNow.Org for even more hints for getting hired.

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Finding Nursing Informatics Jobs

Once you've gotten your nursing informatics certification, the next step is finding a job. Nursing informatics jobs are growing rapidly in number across the Nation, but because this is a relatively new field, the number of available jobs is still fairly low. Finding a job in this industry may seem daunting, but with a little bit of luck you can find the job of your dreams and make a positive difference in your patient's lives.

The first thing you need to do is make sure the school you got your certification from or are planning to get your certification from is accredited. A degree or certification from a non-accredited school is usually not as well received by employers as degrees or certifications from accredited schools. You will open up more opportunities to yourself by simply choosing the right school for your education.

If your school has a career center, they can be extremely helpful in your job hunt. Career centers usually have listings of job fairs or area employers that are hiring new graduates. If your school doesn't have a career center, you can still find job fairs and employers looking for new graduates, it will just take more work on your part.

Look online at popular job posting websites like Monster.com to find employers that are hiring. You can usually learn about job fairs through the newspaper, or postings in community areas. Make it a point to attend as many job fairs as possible during your job hunt, as this greatly increases your exposure to a variety of employers you may not otherwise know about. Also, companies that are attending job fairs are usually looking to make an immediate hire.

If you're currently a nurse who went back to school to get a nursing informatics certification, you may already have a job lined up with your employer. In this case, you won't have to attend a job fair, but you should still negotiate the terms of your new role with your employer before beginning the new job duties.

Since nursing informatics is still a relatively new field, some smaller hospitals may not have the budget to implement the necessary equipment and tools for a nursing informatics specialist. Because of this, it's best to focus your efforts on larger institutions unless you know through some channel of knowledge that the smaller hospital you're applying to has a department in this field.

Because the field of nursing informatics is growing so rapidly, graduates of a nursing informatics certification program can expect a relatively good job outlook. You may have to go to the larger cities and hospitals to find work now, but in the future you will have your choice of workplaces, as you will have the experience smaller hospitals will require to establish their nursing informatics departments. Getting the education you need now will help you find the job you want later.

More info about Nursing Informatics Jobs, can be found at nursinginformatics.net

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Find Your Federal Job Fit: How to Determine If You Meet the Qualifications for a Federal Job

Once you have identified the significant aspects of what you have to offer the federal government as an employee, you have the necessary information to demonstrate that you are the most qualified applicant for an identified position.

1. Conduct a job search on USAJOBS. USAJOBS is the federal government's primary source for federal job postings, although it is not the only source. It is probably the best place to begin your search because of the sheer numbers of job postings located there. Conduct a job search, using words that characterize your inventory of skills (obtained from your self-exploration in Part 1 of this series). On the search page, enter your primary skill or job title in the search box that indicates "what" and the geographic area in which you are interested in the search box that indicates "where". Note that the "what" box can be a job title (such as nurse) or a job activity (such as counsel). Clicking the "search jobs" box will reveal a list of jobs matching your criteria, with your search terms highlighted in yellow.

2. Learn about the job. Job titles are hyperlinks, which, when clicked, will open the specific job vacancy announcement. This is where you will discover the specifics of the position (salary, location, duties, qualifications, how to apply, etc.).

3. Study the vacancy announcement. A federal job posting is organized into five sections. Thoroughly read each section to determine whether this is a position that you wish to apply for and if you meet the qualifications.

a. Overview: provides a summary of the job, including salary, location, job title, who may apply for the job.

b. Duties: lists the performance expectations of the position.

c. Qualifications and Evaluation: lists information relative to an applicant's qualifications for the position. An important part of this section is "Specialized Experience" which defines the background an applicant must have.

d. Benefits and Other Information: describes federal benefits and other information not included elsewhere in the announcement.

e. How to Apply: this section provides step-by-step instructions for how to apply for the job. The name of the Human Resources professional who serves as the point of contact for the particular position is listed for applicants to contact with questions about the job.

4. Apply for the position. Upon completion of your analysis of the vacancy announcement, and you have determined that you are:
(1) eligible to apply (in the Overview section);
(2) meet the qualifications for the position (in the Qualifications and Evaluation section),
(3) are willing and able to perform the job duties (in the Duties section) then you can
(4) follow the instructions to apply for the job (in the How to Apply section).

In Part 3 of the series, we will explore the steps to create your federal resume so that you present yourself as the most qualified applicant for the position.

Janet M. Ruck is a career consultant who has co-authored two federal job search books "Find Your Federal Job Fit" (Jist, 2011) and "Guide to America's Federal Jobs" (Jist, 2009).

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Don't Play By The Rules If You Want Results

Everyday, millions of people follow the job search rules. They send a standard cover letter, which doesn't say much and send a generic resume to an unknown entity in the Human Resources Department via the internet. And then, they play the waiting game, because almost every ad asks that you do not call. A few of the places that you applied to have an automated response, as generic in nature as the cover letter and resume you sent. It thanks you for your interest and sets a time frame that they "may contact you" if you have "the proper qualifications." Most employers, however, do not even have the courtesy to say "don't call us, we'll call you." And you wait, and apply for other opportunities, and the "game" continues.

But most successful people are risk takers. They look for new ways, innovative ways, to do what others do better. They look at opportunities in a different light. There are ways to stand out, that many job seekers overlook because they are too busy playing by the rules of Human Resources, who are, by virtue of their position are rule makers, not risk takers.

Here are calculated risks that today's job seekers can take, which can lead to unexpected, positive results:

Risk #1: Send a letter to the President, not to Human Resources, via snail mail. See, when a letter goes by the internet to Human Resources, there are programs which search for key words. If you do not match the key words, your resume is placed into the "no" pile. You want your letter read. You want your resume read. So why send it in with the rest of the herd, looking for the same opportunity as you? Send a letter of introduction to the President of the company you're applying to.

This is not your typical, understated cover letter. The letter you send describes your qualities and skills. Now, you ask, will the President read the information you sent to him. Probably not as carefully as you'd like, but he WILL take action. He will put a note on it (with a sticky note saying handle it and get back to me) and get it into the Head of Human Resources' hand. Now, I ask you, if your boss, walked up to you, and gave you something to do, outside of the normal scope of your job, what would you do?

Remember, this guarantees you nothing, except that your documents will be read carefully, not glanced over. And if your communication skills are as sharp, this should lead to an interview. The rest is up to you.

Risk #2: Research. Research the company to make sure you're sending the letter to the right person. Use the internet to study the company web site, call the Chamber of Commerce, talk to someone at the Better Business Bureau, and learn about the company from the competition. The more you learn, the more you can personalize the information you send. It will help your information stand out, because it will be different from everyone else's, in a way a businessman can appreciate.

You also want to research the position that is available. Make sure you use the key works that the ad used. And use the job description as a jumping off point. The company is seeking certain skills; to insure your candidacy, make sure you tell them you have those skills, and give specific, concrete examples.

It is your job to sell your skills and abilities. It is your job to communicate how you can make a difference, how your background and skills stand out. By doing this, you will already be focusing on the interview. They will ask you about your background and skills. You have accurately covered that in your letter of introduction; repeat it back to them, with confidence, during the interview, over and over again. This is your commercial; make sure they hear it in no uncertain terms. They want to see your drive, your determination, your ability to perform under pressure. You will have given them the answers they are looking for. Now you have to sell it.

Frank J. Giudice is a graduate of Gannon University. I am an educator who has taught a variety of subjects to students from 16 to 60, including Job Readiness Skills. My first book, "The Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide For The 21st Century", is currently available at http://www.createspace.com/3710544.

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Do Job Search Websites Work?

If you find yourself looking for a job or a change in career, then you need to make the numbers work for you. In today's economy- and technology-driven world, you need to give yourself the best possible chance of finding a job and you can do that by learning more about the way in which present-day job seekers are finding their jobs. In other words, the days of perusing the want ads are over.

Online Job Search Websites

There are a number of different kinds of job search websites that you will find online, from those that let you list your resume for free, to those that charge you for having them shop your resume around. The type of website you use to get a job will likely depend on the field you are working in, how high up the corporate ladder you expect to be, and whether or not the career or job you are seeking is industry driven.

How Are People Finding Jobs?

It is currently estimated that one in 10 people will find their next job online. That could be because they are looking through job search websites such as Monster.com or Craigslist.com, or because they find an opening on a company's website. Although that is a remarkably high percentage, it is even more important to understand that nine in 10 people don't find their job online, so you can't avoid increasing your network.

Most people who are looking for mid-range (approximately $50,000 per year) jobs tend to spend more than half their time looking for jobs and applying for them. While this is something that is relatively easy to do, job search websites are often out of date and the jobs you are applying for may have been filled a long time ago. There are indeed better ways to utilize your time if you are willing to put a little more work into your job search.

How Else Can You Find a Job?

In addition to using job search websites, you should also spend more of your time networking with people who could find you a job. You can do this by using a service such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or some of the other social media networks. This often requires a little more work, but the quality of job leads that you will get from contacts is almost always much better than applying for a simple listing for a job that you see online.

Improve Your Chances?

Did you know that four out of five employers will do a search for you online when they are going through the application process? Employers find this to be an easy way to weed out people who have clear issues, so it is a good time to look through your own Google results. Feel free to Google your own name and see what comes up. If it is a lot of negative or suspect information, then you might want to spend some time cleaning up your online reputation before you hit the job search websites.

Jenna Pearson is a personal branding expert and a contributing writer to Career Rocketeer, specializing on the subject of job search websites. Save time and money by getting FREE in-depth information on personal branding, as well as insightful tips and tricks on turbo-boosting your career, at this website: http://www.careerrocketeer.com/

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Crafting the Right Resume

Part 1 - Write a resume that generates results

There is no point in putting out a resume that is so weak that it is guaranteed to get little to no results. Why bother? Do you really want to find employment? These absurd rhetorical questions are meant to explain that writing your resume is serious business. If you want a position that is best-suited for you, then you have to get your way in through still the most legitimate way of doing so-get your excellent resume in before the right people. The longer Human Resources sits on your resume, the more likelihood you are not going to be invited for an interview. It's like jury deliberation. If they know you are not guilty, they will return a verdict quickly. If they have to spend too much time deliberating over your resume, you are probably not the most perfect match. You will end up in File 13 with a nice "we were able to find someone who better fits our company's needs at this time" letter. The Human Resources department has looked at thousands of resumes. They know their company's culture. They know if you'll be a good fit. So how do you set yourself up for having the best chance of getting noticed and an invitation to be interviewed? Following certain steps, including adding seemingly unimportant credentials, can produce amazing results.

Part 2 - Use clever phrasing that is unique, but not ridiculous.

One of the best ways to choose clever words and phrases is to get a hold of a marketing book. Marketing books have all the magical phrases that can be turned in to meaningful metaphors for who you are or that explain your talents. Are you "value-added" because your skills offer a prospective employer more than the next person? Are you experienced in an organization's "target market?" Have you moved from "good to great" by virtue of your accumulated experience? These catch phrases can serve as simple explanations of how you have advanced in your skill or talent. Move away from traditional wording, the mundane, or reeks-of-sameness type of resume.

Part 3 - Be succinct.

Only certain professions call for more than a two-page resume. You can always state that "additional information is available upon request." In a case such as that, make sure that additional information is, in fact, ready. If invited to an interview, you'll want to take it with you to the interview in a nice folder tucked in your brief case or satchel. Sometimes, only a one-page resume will suffice, but it better be good because that's likely your only shot. Positions that require a great deal of skill easily could run past two pages if training is required to be revealed in terms of currency in your field.

Part 4 - Find out if the prospective company requires a credit check.

If you know your credit isn't anything to brag about, don't bother applying to the company. They will turn you down. Some states don't allow this practice because it disproportionally hurts single women with children. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is checking into this practice to determine if it creates a disparate impact on protected groups. Check to see if you're in one of those states where credit checks aren't allowed. Then, determine if the position you are seeking has a requirement where you deal with money. If it doesn't, take a run at it anyway because you just might get lucky based on how strong your credentials are-exceptions can always be made, especially in the hiring process. If you're really having trouble with your credit, you might just have to move to a state that doesn't allow credit checks.

Part 5 - If you can't put together a resume, let someone else do it.

If you don't know how to put a resume together or don't really know how to write one, then hire someone. There are plenty of organizations who do this service or individuals that are wordsmiths and know exactly how to put down on paper what you have difficulty stating. Have them make it just generic enough so you can apply at various companies and for various positions. You'll get more bang for the buck this way and always have one ready when you spot an opportunity.

Dr. Rosalie Lopez is an attorney and president of The Savvy Latina, a consulting practice for Strategic Planning and Career Strategies for Individuals, Small Business, and Corporations. Learn to deal clearly, rationally, and creatively with a diverse workforce. Coaching in this area is designed to teach you the effectiveness of critical thinking and decision making that will enhance your career opportunities with the ability to identify and solve organizational issues. Focus is on career direction and strategies to achieve success in the national and global business worlds. For those starting out, a business plan can be designed specifically for your company. Need a mentor? For more information, visit http://thesavvylatina.com/.

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Cover Letter Logic - Does a Single Mom Re-Entering the Workforce Need a Cover Letter?

In this day when it's so easy to attach and send your resume to the next employer where you're applying for a job, you'd think a quick email would do it. And to be honest, it could. If your quick email message makes a statement, an email could be considered to be a cover letter, and I've accepted many messages as cover letters. But, if you're really wanting the job, and you know how important that job is to your future, you're going to make the extra effort to write a high-impact, quality cover letter that impacts the reader, invokes emotion and drives the hiring agent to the telephone to schedule an appointment to interview you.

Yes, your cover letter can have that much impact.

A Single Mom Re-Entering the Workforce -

She's got a full plate, raising her children, living a life that matters, and finding purpose and direction for her professional career. She's got it. She understands the power of having a career, working for a living and raising children in a world where she isn't the accepted norm. So, what difference can it make whether or not she writes a cover letter to the reader of her resume?

The person reading her resume may not know that she understands the value of having a well-paid career, if she doesn't tell him.

Dear Prospective Employer:

It is an honor to know that you're looking for an employee such as myself to fill this position. I understand the importance such an employee holds in your company and I realize the care you're taking to select the right person.

My life experience tells me, I'm that person. You see, I felt becoming a parent was so important to my life that I took a little time away from my developing career to have my children, because they deserved my undivided attention. Now that my children have started pre-school, I'm ready to step back into the work force and give my job 100% of me. Because this position is well paid, I'm able to afford great child care, so I won't be worried about my children while I'm working, and I'll be even more willing to do what is required while I'm working.

I've taken a few classes recently, in expectation of my return to the professional field, and I'm so excited to let you know that I am reading and willing to learn whatever is required to fill this position.

Thank you for your consideration.

New Employee

A new mom, re-entering the work force not only NEEDS a cover letter, but her cover letter should tell a prospective employer the strengths she brings to position. It should appeal to the professional and grab the emotional attention of the hiring agent, by letting him or her know the value she brings to the business.

J. D. Verhoeff presents knowledge, know how, and action for your job search. Nothing in your life more strongly affects your life as a whole than your successful career choices. Learning the importance of each step you take and how to apply those steps to your career success is what J. D. does best. Take the first step toward success and click this link to http://denverprofessionalsnetwork.org/ so you can learn how to be a better employee, find a better position and network appropriately for a better career.

Copyright 2012 - J. D. Verhoeff

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College Students: Easy Steps to Building Your Basic LinkedIn Profile

1. Get your custom URL. Put this URL on your resume and online profiles, it's part of your professional identity.

Go to Settings (a drop down item at the arrow to the left of your name, in the upper right hand corner) and click "Edit your public profile."In the "Your public profile URL" box on the right, click the "Customize your public profile URL" link.Type the last part of your new custom URL in the text box.Click "Set Custom URL."

2. Upload professional looking head shot. This photo should be close in and of just you. Do not use a group or whole body shot.

3. Input educational history. This is an easy one because you already have it.

4. Input your job history. Include entrepreneurial business, sports, volunteer work, community work, etc. You already have that as well.

5. Write your summary paragraph. What is it that you offer a potential employer? What's your desired career direction? Take a cut and then ask others to review. Keep tweaking it as you go.

6. Be sure to Include any bilingual capabilities in your summary section.

7. Include your contact info right on your profile, this makes it easy for recruiters to reach you without going through the LinkedIn email system. Put a phone number as well. Use a Google Voice number and forward to your phone, if you don't have to disclose your phone number publicly.

8. Determine your keywords in "Skills and Expertise." Use this based on your strengths, and also ask others what they see as your strongest assets. Look at jobs that are interesting and include these keywords if they apply to you.

9. Connect to people you already know! This includes parent, parents of friends, neighbors, university staff and faculty, etc. You'll be surprised how many people you already know.

This will give you a great basic profile. For additional enhancements:

10. Ask for recommendations. When you request a recommendation, tell people what you'd like them to say or what attributes you'd like them to highlight. Recommendations from managers or supervisors are the most highly valued.

11. "Follow" companies that you have targeted in your job search.

12. Install the LinkedIn JobsInsider toolbar. See the apps section to download this. This will highlight your LinkedIn contacts when you click on jobs posted at Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, Craigslist, SimplyHired, Dice, and Vault.

13. Upload any work product you are proud of or link to any websites/portfolio work you have.

14. Join groups such as professional associations in your field of study, alumni, special interest, young professional. Look at the comments, "like" comments, and post your own comments.

15. Comment on and "like" updates you see from your connections.

16. Be a consistent visitor, commenter, content deliverer.

Generally speaking your updates will be broadcast to your contacts. If you want to suppress this function while you are getting your profile set up and may be making lots of changes go to:

Settings (a drop down item at the arrow to the left of your name, in the upper right hand corner).Under "Privacy Controls" select "Turn on/off your activity broadcasts."Uncheck the box, and save.

We help young professionals find the confidence and stamina they need to excel in any workplace. Join us on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/degreesoftransition

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College Students and Recent Grads: Include Complete Contact Info On Your Resume

College students and recent grads: Is your resume working as hard for you as it could (and should)?

In this article let's take a look at essential contact information you need on every resume. Recently I've seen some that didn't include phone numbers, even though they did include email addresses.

Here three points of contact you should have -at minimum- on every resume, and why they're important.

1. Phone number

Your resume should always have a phone contact number. Your email isn't enough. Give a potential employer or recruiter every possible way to contact you possible. Be sure to include area code.

On your voicemail be sure to leave a professional message acknowledging the caller, and indicating a time frame by which you'll return the call. Do not leave the generic mobile phone service-provided voice mail. It doesn't confirm to the caller that they've reached the person they are looking for.

"Hi, this is Jeremy Smith. I'm not available to take your call right now, but please leave a brief message and a phone number where I can contact you. I'll return your call as quickly as possible."

Note if you are working on cross border job search:

If your number is a non-US number, be sure to include the specific country code dialing information.If you're in the US working with recruiters outside the country, be sure to include the (+1) country code in front of your US phone number.

2. Email address

Be sure to also include your professional email address. Using a school-provided email may lead employers to question how they'll get a hold of you once you leave school. Plus, as you launch your career you want to present your new professional identify with an equally professional email identity.

Get a Gmail, Yahoo, me.com or other ISP address that presents you in a professional light. Use a first name.lastname@provider.com so employers know exactly whom they're corresponding with.

Once you've got it set up, be sure to put a professional signature block that reflects your new young professional identity. Here's a suggested example for a college student in the job search. Customize for your needs.

Jackson Martin

Oregon Statue University, Class of 2012

Major in Accountancy, with Minor in Finance - 3.5 Core GPA

Voice (+1) 123-345-6789

www.linkedin.com/in/firstnamelastname

3. Your LinkedIn URL

When you build a LinkedIn profile, you can generate a URL link that allows you to tell people exactly how to find you on LinkedIn. You can see how it's clear who the profile owner is.

To create your own LinkedIn Profile URL:

Log in to your account.In the upper right hand corner to the left of your name, click the drop down arrow. Select "Settings."Under Helpful Links, click "Edit your public profile."Under Your public profile URL, click "Customize Your Public Profile URL". Select your URL name and LinkedIn will advise if it's available. If your intact name is not available, use some version of your first, middle and last name.

Once you've got your LinkedIn URL, use that as an additional contact point on your resume. Because LinkedIn allows potential employers to send you messages, it provides another option for them to do so.

If you have your email and phone clearly delineated in your LinkedIn profile as well (use a Google Voice number and forward it to your phone if you don't want to publish your personal number) you won't miss any potential connections.

Find the entire video series for college students and recent grads entitled "Should You Fire Your Resume?" You can find it on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/DegreesOfTransition. See you there!

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Changing Your Resume for Each Company

A recruiter once gave me an excellent tip when she said to change my resume every time I applied for a job. Why I asked? She told me that company recruiters will often use a keyword search to select the candidates that they feel matches the position. This keeps them from having to sort through the hundreds of resumes they receive. She said that if the resume does not have the keywords that they look for, then they typically go into the rejected pile.

Depending on the position you're applying for, you should use words that will notify HR managers about your qualifications. For example, if you're looking for a position as the Vice President of an accounting company you might want to include words such as:

- Tax Accounting

- Reconciliations

- Profit and Loss Statements

It can be very difficult to find a job in today's economic climate, and looking for high level or executive work requires a keen eye, and often, knowing someone whose already in the organization. After updating your resume, send it to your friends in the industry and see if they are able to direct it to the appropriate HR managers.

If you're looking for a job as an administrative assistant you should use the following words when updating your resume:

- Ability to type 80 wpm

- Microsoft Office

- Mac office

- Reception

- Phone support

No matter the type of work you're looking for make sure you ask past colleagues or friends if they know of any open positions within their companies. It's always an excellent decision to put your feelers out and see what kind of work is available. And always change-up your resume to meet the requirements of the job. It may be a entry-level position, but as long as you can turn it into something down the road, it may be worth looking into.

Tips for Working with Keyword Search Software

Many companies will use a type of software that identifies keywords in resumes. But what can you do to beat these machines?

Revise your resume so it includes keywords included in the job description during your opening. Take for example, if the job description says, "Coordinate and develop websites and blogs," your resume must include keywords such as "websites" and "blogs". But only if you have the experience, of course...

Update your multipurpose resume with frequently used keywords so that you do not have to revise it every time you have another job interview. One idea is to revise it every six months in order to stay current. Newer keywords may be used in the future, so stay current with them.

Add the most important keywords to your cover letter. Don't over do it though. You just want to have a few of the choice words that HR managers are looking for.

Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional & Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 12 best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations and wins of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals.

As a proud member of CDI, NRWA, PARW, and AORCP, Erin also sits on CDI's Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDI's Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites. Reuse of this article is encouraged but must include a link to http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com/.

Want to know more about Erin Kennedy, CPRW? Read her LinkedIn profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/erinkennedycprw

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Changing Dynamics of Jobs Today

As a career counselor, career guidance professional, and HR professional who has hired or placed 1,340+ professionals, my source for many articles come from clients.

This article is generated by personal observation in the marketplace. It shouldn't surprise you that one of my focuses is staffing and placement. From both a corporate and professional services acumen, I've observed the market and changing trends.

In a corporate environment, I directed hiring for departments with specific titles and specific responsibilities. For example, a Financial Analyst II did specific tasks, performed specific functions, and had defined outputs. A Financial Analyst III had other tasks at a higher level and functioned within specific job functions. To be hired in a specific position meant the individual functioned in the specific position.

This scenario was evident in technology, engineering, and most other fields: Employees with the same title performed specific area of tasks.

With the down-turn in the economy, departments lost budget and lost personnel, but still the department had to maintain a certain level of output.

The solution that firms are utilizing today is combining several positions into one job. If the company can fill two positions with one hire, this is a bottom-line improvement.

Today, several firms will combine three functions into one new hire and new hire consideration will only be given if all three requirements are met.

This makes a job search more difficult that ever before. It's doubtful this "combining of positions" will change in the future. In fact, research indicates this trend will only intensify. No one will go back to old-hiring practices

How should you combat this trend? If you are still employed and your department is using this scenario, request training for the new technology / demands are offered. You also may go to a job board and see if other companies are doing the same with job requirements. You must be pro-active and you need to update your background.

If you are seeking employment and are not getting any traction in your area of specialization, go to job boards, ask recruiting firms, find people in the industry and determine if job-dynamics and "piling on responsibilities" is keeping you out of a job.

If this is the case, show your defined expertise, take an introductory class or training, modify your resume and get on with your job search. Then be able to share your knowledge with the correct hiring manager in a target company.

If two things stand out in job searching today, they are tenacity and adaptability. Tenacity will be defined for not being discouraged, and adaptability for taking the needed training to fit the new requirement.

If you need further assistance please call (248) 630 - 5555 or visit www.careers-in-transition.com

Jim Carlson
Senior Consultant
Careers-In-Transition
(248) 630 - 5555

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Career Reset

Are you looking to re-enter the professional world or make a transition into a new career path? Maybe, you are satisfied with your career, but how can you advance in the company or improve your performance? No matter where you are in your professional life, career pathing is the perfect tool to help you evaluate your current position, develop a strategy, and make plans to assure you have a successful and fulfilling future.

When planning your career, you must first establish your current position and how you got to the point you are currently. While reflecting on the past, you should also consider what decisions led to your happiness, where you could have made improvements, and what you could do differently in the future. In addition, the experiences you have encountered and what skills you have learned will be your tools to help you through the path to your goal. The next step to career pathing is to pinpoint your destination. Where do you want your career to be at the end of next year? To do this, you have to consider the changes that have occurred throughout your career and life thus far. Where do your passions lie? What makes you happy? To best answer these questions, make a list of your likes and dislikes and then compare that to your current job.

This will help you understand if your job is currently or if it has the potential to bring you fulfillment, happiness, and lead you to your career goals. If this is not the case, then you should begin exploring other career fields and job positions that are fitting with your goals, needs and wants. Once you have decided where you want to be in your career, you must develop a strategy to achieving that goal. Explore the opportunities that lie beyond your current employer or job field. Throughout your career, you have developed skills that can be transferred to other job positions. There are also several opportunities to learn new skills or continue your education to help you find reach your ultimate career goal. Developing a career path also involves preparation and a solid understanding of the challenges and adjustments that lie ahead of you.

Making a career change or changing your performance in your current position will involve adjustments in your lifestyle. Therefore, it is important that you are able to adjust your spending habits and increase your savings so that you are able to make the choices and decisions to reach your goals. In addition to your finances, your relationships and family must be willing and able to adjust to the changes that will occur. If you are re-entering the professional world, your family must adjust to your new schedule and limitations. In addition to adjusting to your new path, you must also be prepared for disruptions and "speed bumps" that will occur. More than likely, your plan will not unfold exactly as you thought. You might not get the specific position you are looking for or you might not be completely prepared for some of the consequences of your decisions. If you have prepared yourself to be flexible and are focused on your ultimate goal, then you will be able to address these difficulties with confidence and overcome them successfully. If you are confident in your goals, you will be able to respond to difficulties and proceed to your goal destination. Career pathing should be performed annually, as it will help prepare you for the uncertainties and difficulties that you will encounter, and give you a sense of security in your choices.

Consider making it a regular part of your New Year's Resolution process. There is no better time that the beginning of a New Year to create a new career path and reset yourself for a successful career- just as you reset for the New Year!

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Bouncing Back When You're Unemployed

It can be difficult when you've recently lost your job. Whether you've been laid off or quit your job for any particular reason, finding new work while you're unemployed can be a full time job in itself. Losing a job is both financially and emotionally draining to most families. In order to make the task of finding a job easier here are some things to stay focused on to help you get back on your feet quickly.

Take control of the situation

Taking control of your situation is the top priority in your job search. Consider opportunities to try out new skills and make new connections. It's important to plan and strategize yet it's also important to stay 'active' and in motion. If you stay in motion, active and connected you will have a greater chance of finding a new job or breaking into a new profession.

Next, when looking for new jobs make sure to tell all your friends. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, to name a few, have made it very easy to keep your network of friends updated on your search.

Finally, take inventory of you assets. Who do you know? Where have you volunteered? And what skills do you have whether you were paid for them or used them in volunteer services?

Stay busy while you job search

As you seek work, don't be afraid to do in-between jobs such as waiting tables, delivering newspapers or bartending at night. Any of these jobs would be ideal because they allow you to have an income and provide the flexible schedule for you to look for permanent work during the day. If you have skills put them to profitable use. When you are working you are more likely to find a job when someone sees you actively out there. It increases the chances of you finding a solid line of work.

Find help

The next thing you do is ask for help; ask for opportunities to be involved with projects - even if it's for experience. Consider positions in which you are "underemployed" that may lead to greater opportunities. Again, remember when you're employed is the best time to search for the connection and skills to bring your salary back to the level you are seeking.

While doing your own legwork it is important to remember there are services available that can help you find work. The best way to find work is to remain open to various opportunities and interests.

Online classes and webinars can also help you. Many of the webinars are offered at no charge and can help you refine and learn new skills while searching for a job.

Dealing with your unemployment situation all comes down to your ability to stay focused on what needs to be done. Don't dwell on what happened, move onto where you are now, and find a way to get to where you want to be.

Tech Hybrids - A specialized IT consulting and staffing solutions provider, http://techhybrids.com/.

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Best Time to E-Mail Resume

What Time Should You E-Mail Your Resume

We live in a day and age where checking e-mail can be done with a press of a button. We carry around these handheld computers with information at our fingertips. This can be seen as a bad thing or a good thing. Timing is everything!!! The hiring manager can easily check their inbox and look at your resume, but more importantly-Will They Take Action? That is what you ultimately what you want, right? For them to forward it to the correct department, mark it as important, or printing it.

The answer is not as simple as you think, but hopefully these tips will filter out some of the bad choices.

1. Who is going to view your resume? Furthermore, when will they take action? We've all been there, pulling all nighters hitting monster.com,jobs.com, Craigslist.org and blindly sending our resume. Not only are you wasting your time, but chances are your e-mail if and when opened will be in the middle of the inbox. Think about it..when they open their e-mail client say at 9:15 am, yours will be clumped with others lost in the endless abyss of junk/competitor emails.

Variables

a. Time Zones-Depending if you are e-mailing the ACTUAL office or their main headquarters who will later forward it to the correct location
b. Location-Similar to the time zone variable, how do most of this demographic get to work? If a lot of them drive, chances are they wont check AND take action on your e-mail.
c. Company Profile-Look at the average age of employee- this will clue you in to how they check their e-mails, if they drive or take public transit, where they find potential applicants, etc.

Let's Do Better

1. Before 9AM--The average American gets to work at 9am, so anything prior to that is a gamble. However, if you are sending it to a metropolitan area with public transit, assuming the hiring manager also takes public transportation sending it around 8am might pay off. Personally, when I'm on the train, I look at my email and Facebook. But, will they take the proper course of action of doing anything with it?Also, some don't like to do anything work-related prior getting into the office, so this time frame is a gamble.

2. Around 9AM-- If you think about when you first got into the office, the first thing I did was get my coffee and started on my e-mail. This would be one of my time slots I send my e-mail.

3. Lunch Time--This is a tricky time because people are usually not busy, but will they be enticed to open work-related e-mails?

4. After Lunch--During this time slot, people tend to think about their commute, what to cook for dinner, and other non work related obligations they may have post work. However, this time slot has the least amount of gamble to it.

Summary
In my opinion, I like the around 9am and after lunch time slots in order to get my resume read. These are not definitive answers due to the variables that are present, but in my experience I feel these are the best given the circumstances.

If you enjoy this article, please check out my blog at http://www.vietbui.com/ for more tips.

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Best Executive Resumes

What makes an Executive Resume different from an Entry-Level resume? Check out these helpful hints when writing your next resume.

Introduction

To begin, entry level candidates usually start with an objective that tells the reader what they would like to get out of the job that they are applying for. While this is a good way to start, in today's job market, companies care less about what you want and more about what you can bring to the table in terms of talents and abilities.

So, for an executive level resume, it is essential to start your resume off with a clear profile including your best strengths, capabilities, and notable accomplishments. This will show the reader right from the beginning that you intend to bring value to your future employer and seek to further their success.

Clear Goals

Entry level candidates are often general in their job search and have a broader focus in terms of skills that are highlighted in their resume. Again, this is good to start out but without a clear direction, hiring managers and employers are left to guess what you might be good at doing. If there is too much effort required in determining the applicant's intentions, the resume will likely end up on the bottom of the pile.

To ensure you do not end up on the bottom of the pile, state clearly what your targeted career goal is. For example, if you are targeting executive positions in sales or marketing begin your profile with the title: Sales & Marketing Professional. By doing so, you eliminate any unnecessary confusion and the reader is very clear about your intentions, even if you have never been at the executive level before. Then, instead of your experience causing the reader confusion or work to decipher your goals, it will only add further proof of your capabilities and targeted career goal.

Format and Design

Entry level resume are generally brief and unpolished. This is to be expected to some degree. However, as an executive you want to find a very clean, well-organized format that does not overwhelm the reader with too much information but is a perfect balance of responsibilities and accomplishments. Additionally, choose a layout that includes enough white space so the document does not appear cluttered or forced and choose traditional, common serif fonts at a reasonable size. This will convey a sense of professionalism and attention to detail that is admired no matter what industry you are targeting.

Check additional help and examples for your next Executive Resume at Your New Resume today!

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Being Unemployed - Some Strategies

Nothing is more shocking than losing a job. It's a devastating blow to your ego, turns your life on its side, and changes just about everything. This is not a job market that you can take lightly. You have great skills and great experience, but would need to call on everything you have to get back to work quickly.

Here are some things to consider:

Treat your job search like a job - Wake up every day, shower, dress, make coffee and sat down in your home office to work on my job search. Turn the TV off, the music on, and make your new office as comfortable as possible.

Set a goal each day - Make a contact with a former associate (network!), send a resume, write a new cover letter, create an alert on a new job site. Have a to-do list and cross things off.

Learn something new - Your brain needs the exercise. Are you a manager? Read a book on leadership. Are you in IT? Refresh and renew a technical skill. Stay in a learning mode and that will help you keep your spirits high.

Get out of the house - Take your laptop to a coffee shop or restaurant with WiFi. Spend a couple of hours working "off-site". It will do you good. No laptop? Head to the library.

Take care of yourself! - This is a tough time. It's very easy to get down about your situation, but I can't stress this enough - - Feeling sorry for yourself will help you get a job!! It's okay to have a quick pity party but be the last to arrive and the first to leave.

Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up - Don't blindly send resumes. Track what you send, to what companies and to whom. Use networking contacts, LinkedIn, and the Internet to help you find contacts with whom you can specifically follow-up regarding your resume and application.

There's so much more, but this can be your start. Be positive, be confident and be successful. A great resume, a great cover letter, active follow-up and strong interviews are key. Opportunities magically appear to those who are ready for them. Preparation, effort, and a healthy dose of luck and timing will take you where you want to go. Don't wait for your future to come to you. Go out and find the job of your dreams. It's out there!

Jeffrey Metzger is Owner and Chief Resume Architect at Your Resume Consultant. Find out how Jeff can create a resume for you that will attract the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Visit us at http://www.yourresumeconsultant.com/.

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Does Your Job Search Strategy Include a Headhunter?

Is starting a job search a bit daunting?

It's no surprise given the current unemployment statistics that there is plenty of advice and opinions out there on how to conduct your job search. Fact is there are lots of quality candidates for whom the status 'unemployed' is unfamiliar territory. These candidates have enjoyed full-time employment for many years and can find the prospect of beginning a job search a bit daunting. It's a bit like getting divorced and dating again.

No short cuts a job search is a process.

Panic and pressure do not make good allies and you certainly don't want to be marching these guys into interviews with you. Reality is that the job market is tough and competition for jobs at record levels. But companies are hiring, not all jobs are advertised on job boards, quality candidates are get interviews and job offers. There are no short cuts, a job search is a process you start and doesn't necessarily end once you've secured that new job. Having a realistic plan and achievable goals will help you stay focused and land a job you want rather than one you need.

Extend your network to find the best opportunities.

The best opportunities are going to come from your own network; you are far more likely to get an interview if you have been referred to a hiring manager by an employee versus knocking on the front door with the rest of the competition. Research suggests only 40-60 percent of jobs are publicly advertised and the higher the position and salary the less likely the position will be advertised. Extending your network will enable you to access this 'closed job market' a find quality opportunities. Working with a headhunter is a good way to extend your search and get access to jobs that are not publicly advertised. They can add a lot of value to your network and extend your search to companies outside of your existing contacts. But be selective, do some research and choose a headhunter that specialises in your sector, check out their website for testimonials and look for content you can relate to as opposed to marketing blurb.

Two types of headhunters.

There are two types of headhunters; those who work exclusively on retained projects and those like VadarMoss who besides searching for candidates for retained and live opportunities also use their knowledge of the market and client networks to create opportunities for candidates. Being on the radar of one of these recruitment companies and developing a relationship with the headhunters will complement your current job search strategy and offer longer term benefits.

Headhunters are choosy about the candidates they work with; they don't have the bandwidth to represent every candidate that approaches them. A referral from an existing candidate or client will be better received than approaching them cold.

No guarantees.

There are many channels to finding a new job and none of them come with any guarantee. I've reviewed 1,000's of CV's and interviewed hundreds of candidates and in my experience it's the resources you utilise and the amount of effort you but in to your job search that's a big factor in determining the results.

What resources have you found useful in your job search? Have you worked with headhunters and was it successful? Visit our blog http://www.vadarmoss.com/blog/ or visit our website http://www.vadarmoss.com/

Gary is the Operations Director at VadarMoss and manages the tools, technology and resources to allow our recruitment consultants to search for the best candidates. As part of his responsibility to ensure the company runs efficiently on a day-to-day basis, Gary recently spearheaded the move of our IT systems into the cloud, significantly improving the performance of software applications and processes. Gary has over 15 years' experience in ICT and as a lover of technology and Social Media he keeps VadarMoss apace with the evolution of executive search in the 21st Century.

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Asking for a Raise

A very effective way to keep what you have learned and studied is using the mnemonics and acronyms tools. The best yet about the mnemonic device is that it helps the brain to be refreshed quickly and spontaneously whenever the information is needed. A good example of such mnemonic tool is "WAIT". Just remember this word "WAIT" to help you to negotiate a raise effectively.

In fact, nowadays the whole world is experiencing an economic crisis, so, it is really scary for a person to negotiate a raise. However, the coming tips on how to negotiate your salary will help you to overcome the fear and get the raise.

"WAIT" acronym salary negotiation tips

Wait for the perfect momentAsk yourself some questionsInquire on how much to ask forTry to upgrade your position

Wait For the Perfect Time, To Negotiate a Raise

You should pick the right moment to negotiate your salary. Here are some examples of the perfect moments.

- If you have finished a complicated project with significant low budget, certainly it is an ideal time to negotiate your salary. Generally, after achieving targets and tasks professionally, you can ask for a raise without any fear.

- When you get great offer from another company, tell legitimately your superior, "I'm quite happy here, however I have another outstanding offer from another company, additionally, and I am already underpaid relative to the market and this encourages me to talk about my salary"

Ask Yourself Some Questions to Assess Your Situation Completely

You need to assess your position. Ask (yourself) and Answer some questions honestly to know whether you will be safe when you ask for a raise.

For example, does the superior respect your effort? Does he like you and like to work with you? Is your position vital to the company? Is it easy for them to find another employee with your current salary? For the new person, will it take significant time and training to reach your professionalism?

If your answer to the previous questions is "yes", then you have a tough base and feel free to negotiate your salary.

Inquire On How Much To Ask For To Help You on How to Negotiate Your Salary

It is a good idea to collect some information about comparable salaries. The best way is to ask recruiters around your workplace. By the help of this information you can estimate your market value fairly. Just make a brief report of the collected data and let the superior take a look at it. This will help you to convince him easily.

Try to Upgrade Your Position to Negotiate a Salary Professionally

Another intelligent way to negotiate a raise is to upgrade your position. Suggest a higher-level work description and this will be a good reason to negotiate a salary.

Advisably, don't over negotiate as the little increase in your salary after considering the deduction due to taxes is not worth the risk and injustice feeling.

Salary negotiation is a skill. Confidentially, you can negotiate a raise Just walk through the previous tips to learn how to negotiate your salary without the fear from getting fired. The best is that you can use the mnemonic "WAIT" to remind you with those tips.

Here is a blog that is exclusively dedicated for mnemonics and acronyms to give valuable tips on soft skills, behavioral skills and interpersonal skills. It also teaches how to create mnemonics and acronyms.

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Answering Interview Questions: A Consistent Marketing Message

Next to meeting your significant other's family, the most challenging, stressful opportunity we face to impress others, is when we interview for a new career position. Nervousness is a by product of how well prepared we are. When we're ready for it, the interview lets us bring our marketing material to life. What follows are series of tips for the interview that will help you to stand out in a positive manner.

Does your resume have an objective or a summary? There are several positives to the summary approach, which help you focus on your message and deliver it consistently. The summary helps you to answer the following interview question:

Tell me about yourself?Why should we hire you?What do you bring to the table?What can you do for us that the other candidates can't?What are your strengths?

A well written summary will help you to talk about your skills and how you use them to successfully complete projects. It enable to deliver your message with confidence, has value and meaning to a potential employer. How well you prepare FOR the interview is directly proportionally to how well you'll do IN the interview.

Another group of questions deal with your work relationship and examples of these are:

Describe your last bossWhat did you like/dislike about your last boss?How did you get along with your co-worker, customer, and supervisor?

What are they really asking when you get these questions? They are asking about your judgment and personality. The interviewer is looking to see if you can follow directions, your work ethic, your ability to get along with others, and your conflict resolution skills. As much fun as it may be, it is NOT the opportunity to trash others. When you do, the message heard is "I make no mistakes", "I'm never wrong", "I'm a Diva", and "I'm smarter than anyone else" in an arrogant way.

Other keys to keep in the corner of your mind are:

Keep everything positive.Do not use yes/no answers. They close conversations and reveal very little about your skills and abilities.Tell your story; you are the one who has to make sure your story is told.Tell the truth and take responsibility for what occurred. A favorite saying is, "It is what it is, deal with it and move on".When answering, think like an owner. Telling a story about your prowess in the arts or sports (unless it is RELEVANT to the job) has no value to an employer's bottom line.Sell your professional benefits, features and skills. State their value and potential positive impact.Look at challenges as opportunities for growth.And most importantly of all; hear the question, understand the question and answer the question.

Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to learn how to present your skills more effectively? If so, I recommend my book "Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide for the 21st Century." which is currently available at https://www.createspace.com/3710544

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Another Piece Of The Puzzle: Targeting Your Job Search

You can't hit the target if you can't see it.

What do you want to be when you grow up? It seems like such a simple question, doesn't it? When we're growing up, the answers are typically Doctor, Lawyer, Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Astronaut, and Teacher. Then reality sets in (like educational requirements) and what was once crystal clear, is no longer.

This same thought process holds true if you are a career changer. You had one idea of what you wanted to do and took a position in that chosen field. Now, due to burn out, stress, unrealistic expectations, corporate downsizing, company relocation or just a general lack of opportunity in that field, you are trying to figure out what you want to be when they grow up. Here are a few ideas to help you find your target.

Know Thyself: What Skills Do You Have

To figure out what skills you bring to the table, create a list of job related skills, not duties and responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities talk about what you did, not how you did it and the end results. By starting off at looking at what you bring to the table, you can talk about the how's clearly and relate those skills to the particular opportunity. It is your charge to draw a bridge between what you did and what you can do. The knowledge of the relationship between your skill set and that required of a job, is yours to present.

There are two sets of skills worth explaining, hard skills (like computer programs used) and soft skills (Communication Skills). The hard skills deal with what you used to accomplish tasks. The soft skills are those you use when dealing with others. The soft skills are sometimes harder to quantify, but are more important because they deal with your ability to be part of a team and to work effectively with others.

What skills are required for the opening

Next is good, old fashion research with a twist. Use the internet to look up careers. Take an on-line career assessment, to see what fields fit your skill set. Now, you have valuable information that can help you target your search. Find out what skills are necessary for success, prove you have them, and build the bridge of relating what you've done in the past to the new opportunity that is in front of you.

One area where people make a mistake is when they say they want to be a nurse. Great choice, however, if you have never worked in healthcare and do not possess the necessary education, you are not going to walk into a hospital and BE a nurse. There are other positions in healthcare where you CAN help people without the degree. Be aware of the fact that without the proper credentials, this could be a dead end career choice; know what is required to grow and develop your talents so you can take advantage of the next opportunity that comes along. And if it means going back to school, get off your best intentions and get yourself in the classroom. Don't use it as an excuse; use it as a reason to earn your degree (or certificate).

Transferability

You spent 3 years working in security, now you want to work with children in a school setting. Is it a stretch? Depends on how you look at it. If you just go by what security is, watching what's going on, you will be limited. But when you look at the problem solving that the job requires, the people skills involving Communications and Customer Service, the record keeping and organizational aspects of securing an area, you have talking points.

Relate those skills to the classroom and what a teacher does besides teach. A teacher has to keep a grade book (accurate record keeping), present a lesson (Communication Skills), create lesson plans (goals with results and a way to measure effectiveness), problem solve (Conflict Resolution). Don't look at yourself in only one dimension.

Change

The hardest part of all this is accepting change. Change in where you work. A change in your self identity (since most people take their sense of self from what they accomplish at work), look beyond what you seek. A change in how you look at who you are.

So there it is, plain and simple. Identify the skills you have, identify the skills necessary for success in your new field, and show how they transfer. Once you take the blinders off your search, you'll be amazed at who you are and what you can bring to the table.

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Another Piece Of The Puzzle: It's The Little Things That Count

Remember the expression "a stitch in time saves nine." Tailors and seamstresses lived by that. What stitches they used and the type of thread, created a garment that was strong and durable Or one that had the buttons falling off. Or had loose threads that when pulled would cause a hemline to drop or a sleeve to fall off. It's the details, the attention paid to the little things, that's often the difference between success or failure of a project. Here are a few of the pitfalls to avoid in the workplace.

Being Tardy:

We hate it when we're told the delivery will arrive at 10am and they don't arrive till 3:30pm. We feel like we're being taken advantage of, that our time isn't important. We feel that the phrase "Customer Service" is just hollow words to placate us. And if we're waiting for someone to pick us up at 3 and they don't arrive till 4, we consider them unreliable. Since this is the way we feel about others when they are not on time, what do people say and feel about you and your time management. Unreliable, irresponsible, can't follow a schedule, questionable comprehension, doesn't care; these are a few of the thoughts about you. Show up early, about 15 minutes, for all of your appointments. This way, you won't feel rushed and will have time to gather your thoughts. At work, this will give you an opportunity to prepare for your day, talk to your co-workers and get ready. Punctuality and time management will prove you are responsible, that you can finish tasks on time. It shows that you can accept challenges and that you can get things done the right way.

Spelling and Grammar Mistakes:

We are a nation of bad spellers. Sometimes in a rush to get an idea down on paper or a document out, we make typographical errors. While these aren't fatal career mistakes, they do show someone who is careless and has little attention to detail. And don't blame spell check. It is a very useful tool, but does have a few flaws. For example, if you spell a word wrong but it spells another word correctly, the mistake will not get caught. Also, to, two, and too will cause problems. And proper names, slang, acronyms will come up as mistakes. If you're unsure of how to spell a word, nothing can take the place of a good dictionary and thesaurus. Another way to avoid these problems from plaguing you is to have someone else proofread your work. Read your work out loud, to check the pace and flow of ideas. And use words you're comfortable with.

The Name Game:

People are VERY particular about their name and job title. Calling someone by the wrong name, Bob instead of Bill, or Dave instead of David, says that you do not respect the individual. And mispronouncing the name shows that you do not pay attention. Next, getting their job title wrong, oh boy does that open up a can of worms. People have worked hard to earn their title, for in some cases, their identity is based upon it. Always make sure you get the name and title right. This is a major faux pas that can cause us to miss a great opportunity.

Not Answering The Question Asked:

Remember playing in the house on a rainy day and accidentally breaking a lamp, vase, or knickknack that has been around forever. First there was that moment of panic then comes the negotiations and agreeing on a cover story. Then, Mom comes over and asks, "What happened?" And right away, we answer, "I didn't do it", in a way that suggests that we did it. We just dug ourselves a hole that we could not get out of and before long; we've confessed to everything that we did. Later, while we're sitting in our room, without TV or music (for these were the days before video games), we try to figure out what happened. It's the same way in the workplace. We don't answer the question that's being asked. We answer according to the circumstances and tone of the questioner. And most times, we try to shift the blame and focus off of ourselves. But just like with Mom, the truth comes out, we're in a time out and the consequences have to be dealt with. Always avoid the "it's not my fault" reply. Do not blame others. Stand up, take responsibility, fix the problem, learn from the mistake, and do not repeat it. This approach will garner more respect, positive recognition, and will strengthen your reputation. Always stick to the truth. But remember, there are reasons why things happen. Tell the truth that answers the question without confessing your role. And if you say, "I'll learn from this and it won't happen again", mean it!

Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to learn how to present your skills more effectively? If so, I recommend my book "Pieces Of The Puzzle - A Job Hunters Guide for the 21st Century." which is currently available at https://www.createspace.com/3710544

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An Employment Placement Firm Can Help You Find the Right Job

When people start job hunting they often go through the familiar process of looking in print newspapers and online to find the right kind of companies to apply to. Then they will send out resumes and cover letters in the hopes that their resume will find its way to a hiring manager's desk. Some people will employ the services of a specialized recruiter that has contacts within the candidate's industry and can help the candidate to find the right job. But the idea of using an employment placement firm during a job hunt is not always considered. One of the misconceptions people have about employment agencies is that they only deal in temporary jobs. A staffing company has many opportunities and contacts that could lead to your next full-time job.

The primary benefit of using an employment placement firm is that staffing companies will want to hear your side of the story more often than employers will. Employers use a screening process that eliminates a certain segment of resumes from the process and that could eliminate you from ever having a chance to let an employer know what your full range of qualifications is. A staffing firm wants to talk to you and find out how your personality matches up with your qualifications. You will have the chance to explain your background and find out what kinds of changes you need to make to your resume or your cover letter to improve your chances of getting an interview in the future with other staffing companies or even with employers.

People who shun temporary positions are missing out on the upside of a temporary job. The temporary job can be your chance to audition for the company to see if you are full-time material. In many cases, only an employment placement firm can get you the chance at a temporary job. It is important to remember that almost any kind of job can start out as a temporary position. In some cases, the employer has a temporary need. But in other cases, the employer is trying to find just the right full-time employee.

An employment placement firm can also be a great place to work on your interview skills and get important job hunting advice. People sometimes forget that a staffing company can also be a job hunting resource. The next time you need someone to review your resume or give you advice on how to perform at an interview, consider going to a staffing agency and utilizing its staff of experts.

This Employment Placement Firm offers personnel services with a personal touch.

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