Five Steps to Volunteer Your Way to a Job

Five Steps to Volunteer Your Way to a JobFive Steps to Volunteer Your Way to a JobIf youre not sure where to start, follow this guide to landing a volunteer position as a part of your job-search strategy.Industry experts and job hunters who have successfully parlayed volunteerism into paying jobs provided the following advice.Use your network to find open volunteer positions. That will get you into an organization faster. Jane, a job hunter who turned a volunteer job with the MSPCA into a paying job with a Web site focused on animal welfareDetermine whether the volunteer opportunity matches your availability horizon, both so you can achieve success and so you dont leave the non profit in the lurch. Robert J. Rosenthal, Volunteer Match director of communicationsIf you are able to secure a position where youre actually doing a job thats in line with your skill set, then you can absolutely list that on your resume as a position youve held. Disclose that you were a volunteer, but list al l of the duties and responsibilities that you had, as well as any significant responsibilities. Rahul D. Yodh, executive recruiter with Link Legal Search GroupJoin a professional organization or a chamber of commerce within your region. These organizations are already in the business of helping each other, and theres always a need for fresh blood. Professional organizations are a fantastic place to network and work. Its great exposure on many levels. Nate Towne, who found his position as a public- relations counselor at the Hiebing ad agency by performing volunteer work for an industry professional organizationTreat an extended volunteer job like any other job on your resume, provided it is related to your profession and can demonstrate what you accomplished at the charity. Stephen Van Vreede and Steve Burdan, both certified professional resume writers who work with Ladders

Recruiters Ignore Age 50+ Jobseekers Who Do This

Recruiters Ignore Age 50+ Jobseekers Who Do ThisRecruiters Ignore Age 50+ Jobseekers Who Do ThisINBOX Ive applied to over 100 job listings, but have only heard anything from 2 recruiters in all this time. I didnt get very far with either of them, and Im notlage seeing what the problem is, especially since I met every qualification listed in both ads.Landing a new job requires that the recruiters and decision makers see what you see. You know in your mind you can do the job because you have 18 years of experience, including that exact job title in your history, including those exact duties. But people can only read your resume they cant read your mind.Similarly, people only hear what you actuallysay in the conversation, not what you meant to say, and not all the thoughtsyou had swirling around in your head. Your job when youre looking for a job is to communicate what the recruiter or employer needs to hear. Youll get passed over quickly if youre not speaking their language, speaking to the core of their business problem, or offering a theory about what needs to happen that will benefit their business.Make Sure To Tell The Right StoryYou know the question is coming, so map out the answer ahead of time to, What do you do? (Pro tip the answer is not a personal history lesson about you, delivered by way of boring monologue.) The answer centers on the results you deliver, and who you deliver them for. Commit a short, clear, natural-sounding answer to memory, then massage the language to respond to several different types of opening questions that will come your way.Adjusting your core response is key here. Whatdo you do thats relevant to the person (recruiter, decision maker, interviewer,business contact) whos asking the question. If youre in an interview scenario,adjust your answer so that it dovetails with the central responsibilitypresented in the job description. Go so far as to use the actual words in thejob description, because they will sound familiar to the person listening toyou, and youre likely to deliver a significantly stronger impression.Dial Up Your Self-AwarenessWhat is the ad calling on a person to actually come in and do? Your dialogue isnt 100% about what you have done, can do, or want to do. Dial some of that down, and demonstrate awareness of what the decision maker wants. Your leadership skills may be top-notch, and you may have plenty of stories about that, but if the position is an individual contributor role, select stories that have to do with your contribution as an individual contributor.This self-awareness will also help you to not repeatedly hear that youre overqualified. Literally, dont feed into that. Dont hand them all the evidence they need in order to say to themselves, This gal is offering way more than what we need right now, and shes going to expect to be paid for all of that.Pull Something Out Of Your Back PocketYou know who doesnt get ignored? The person who brings something a little extra to the table. The good news is this is 101% within your control. What did you learn about the organization in social media or Google News? Zoom in on whats happening today, or whats coming down the pike. Develop a theory ahead of time and offer it up in your written communications and ultimate discussions.Dont just be a jobseeker who looks like the other 1,000 jobseekers. Be the person who articulated some insights about the direction it looks like the organization is headed, and how youve dealt with a scenario like that with strong success.Jobseekers over age 50 are getting hired week in and week out, so if youre struggling, find out what they did in the 5 Secrets Smart Jobseekers Age 50+ Know That Make The Job Search EASY You have to have the right language when facing the GenX HR person, and you have to come quick with the right answer when they ask, What makes you think youre qualified for this job. Learn what to do so you can land the job you want and deserve.

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Leave a Good Job- The Muse

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Leave a Good Job- The Muse4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Leave a Good Job- The MuseEven if you like your job, its pretty normal to question if youd be better off somewhere else.Keeping an eye and ear open for new opportunities isnt a sign of disloyalty. In fact, you might find that looking around only confirms that youre in exactly the right role. Heres a secret The people who make the best career moves arent jumping ship simply for a bigger paycheck or to avoid one annoying co-worker. Theyre forward-thinking, goal-oriented, and thinking holistically about how this change will impact their career. So, if youre unsure if youre leaving your current standort for the right reasons, ask yourself these four questions 1. Will You Be Better Able to Achieve Your Goals?Maybe youve always wanted to pursue a particular avenue in your career. Or maybe, youve recently found a passion you want to dig into at your day job. If your goal is to eat, sleep, and breathe content, and there are all of zero writing opportunities in your current role, it makes sense that youd want to go somewhere where thatll be a bigger part of your job.But, if thats what you want in a new job, it has to be your priority. Youll want this new role to solve the professional frustration youre experiencing (and not just be the same problem in different wrapping) or help you meet that new goal. One great way to assess how your new role fits into the larger career picture is to find out what happened to the last partie who held the job. This information can tell you a lot If the company isnt forthcoming with it, thats a red flag. However, if the person got promoted within the organization or moved on to do the kind of work youre dreaming of down the road, its a good sign that this is a positive stepping stone. 2. Does the New Job Give You the Chance to Expand Your Skill Set the Way You Want?If this new role empowers you to learn things youd otherwise be spendin g your free time reading about, thats a great sign. The old adage, Do what you love and youll never work a day in your life may be clich, but that doesnt make it irrelevant. Late nights will be a lot more palatable if youre learning things that you feel are valuable- and interesting. So, ask yourself Would you seek out the information youre learning in this new job even if you werent being paid for it? And if it isnt something youd otherwise be studying on a Sunday? Then ask yourself if itll help you reach your overall career goals. (Because of all the reasons Ive already mentioned.) 3. Will You Have a Greater Sphere of Influence?Most people are motivated by the opportunity to inspire meaningful, positive change through their work. There are few things as defeating for career-minded, goal-focused people than feeling ineffective. In a study where participants were asked to build consecutive sets of Legos for less and less money, one groups previous creations were saved until the end of the experiment, and the other groups were broken apart as soon as they were completed. Even though each group welches being compensated the same way, the group that had its work preserved built more models. The lesson is We like knowing our work means something- even in the short term. So, seriously consider a new job that will allow you to have a greater impact.4. Are You Excited About the People Youll Be Working With?Culture is a bit of a buzzword these days. It may be trendy, but that doesnt mean it isnt important. To succeed in a role in which youll work closely with multiple team members, you absolutely must get along with the people. That doesnt mean you always agree- there are even times when you shouldnt. Rather, your team members should be people youd seek out and connect with regardless of you taking the job. They should both challenge and inspire you to think differently and expand your methods.So, ask to meet more people than just the hiring manager. Remember, its a r ecruiters job to lure you in with the best aspects of the job. Those traits may be legitimate, but you need the whole picture to make a solid decision. Pay close attention to the atmosphere, character, and situations you encounter.Just because you like your job doesnt mean you cant abflug thinking about the next step. And that goes both ways, just because youre ready for the next step doesnt mean you should jump right into it. Any new opportunity worth considering should offer an improvement in all areas creative freedom, personal growth, career trajectory, and your personal network. Make sure your next move is a thoughtful one by asking the right questions and doing some honest self-examination.Photo of woman walking courtesy of Shutterstock.

U.S. Military - ASVAB Sample Questions

U.S. Military - ASVAB Sample QuestionsU.S. Military - ASVAB Sample QuestionsTaking the ASVAB unprepared can jeopardize your initial goals of getting into or obtaining your dream job in the military - take it seriously. It is important to understand the tests formats, and the type of questions asked in each of the subtests. Currently, there two ways to take the ASVAB a shorter, computerized version, and a common paper test version. The ASVAB contains nine separately timed subtests. Here are examples of questions found in each of the ASVAB subtest areas. The number of questions and time allotted below reflect that of the paper test version. 1. General Science (GS) - General principles of biological and physical sciences - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes Example Water is an example of a A. CrystalB. SolidC. GasD. Liquid 2. Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) - Simple word problems that require simple calculations - includes 30 items that are to be completed in 36 minutes Example If 12 men are needed to zustrom four machines, how many men are needed to run 20 machines? A. 20B. 48C. 60D. 80 3. Word Knowledge (WK) - Correct meaning of a word (synonyms) occasionally antonyms (opposite meaning of a word) - includes 35 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes Example Small most nearly means A. sturdy.B. round.C. cheap.D. little. Or The wind is variable today. A. mild.B. steady.C. shifting.D. chilling. 4. Paragraph Comprehension (PC) - Questions based on the information of several paragraphs that you read - includes 15 items, which are to be completed in 13 minutes Example From a building designers standpoint, three things that make a home livable are the client, the building site, and the amount of money the client has to spend. According to this statement, to make a home livable A. the prospective piece of land makes little difference.B. it can be built on any piece of land.C. design must fit the owners income and site.D. the design must fit the owne rs income. 5. Auto and Shop information (AS) - Knowledge of automobiles, shop terminology, and tool use - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 11 minutes Example A chisel is used for A. prying.B. cutting.C. twisting.D. grinding. 6. Mathematical Knowledge (MK) - High school level math, including geometry, trigonometry, and algebra - includes 25 items that are to be completed in 24 minutes Example If 50 percent of X 66, then X (D. is the correct answer) A. 33.B. 66.C. 99.D. 132. 7. Mechanical Comprehension (MC) - Basic mechanical and physical principles - includes 25 items to be completed in 19 minutes Example Gear B is half of Gear A. If gear A makes 1 revolutions, gear B will make A. 2B. 17C. 4D. 10 8. Electronics Information (EI) - Electronic principles, basic electronic circuitry, and electronic terminology - includes 20 items that are to be completed in 9 min and measure knowledge of electric principles and electronic terminology. What does the abbreviation A.C. stand for? A. additional charge.B. alternating coil.C. alternating current.D. ampere current. Answers DCD, CCBDAC Assembling Objects (spatial orientation). With the exception of some Navy jobs, Assembling Objects has not yet been incorporated into any of the Line Score calculations for military jobs, nor is it used in determining the overall ASVAB Score. At some time in the future, Assembling Objects will be incorporated into various line scores for certain military jobs (mostly those which require knowledge of spatial relations). This fairly new sub-test has 16 questions, and you have 9 minutes to answer them. Basically, you get a picture with various disassembled parts and four drawings. You have to pick the drawing that shows what the parts would actually look like when assembled. Your Scores Matter If you do not meet the standard, you cannot join the military. Some jobs in the military require an even higher score on the ASVAB. The higher your score the better chance you have of not only enlisting in your chosen branch but also getting the MOS, Rating, or Specialty Code (aka job) you want. The minimum AFQT scores for entry into each branch, with a high school diploma, are as follows Air Force 36Army National Guard 31Coast Guard 40Marine Corps 32Navy 35 Without a high school diploma and holding a GED only youll need the following scores- Air Force 65Coast Guard 40Army National Guard 31Marine Corps 50Navy 50 For complete information, you may wish to purchase a study guide with practice tests like the, ASVAB for Dummies. ASVAB Guides like this one gives you an upper hand at understanding exactly what to expect when taking the ASVAB. You are coached through the different subtests, and are given plenty of practice tests too It has been proven time and time again that preparation is key, so do yourself a favor, and put some time in preparing yourself to ACE the ASVAB

Resume Format Download Pdf Reviews & Guide

Resume Format Download Pdf Reviews & Guide A cv thats well written with all required information would be what the employer is searching for. In the event the job description or internet application provides you specific instructions, follow them. Career objective section in resume will incorporate the facts of your future accomplishments that you would like to accomplish working on the specific position in the organization. Deciding upon the proper format for a job resume is among the most critical facets of building an effective resume. Resume format greatly aids in raising the standard of your resume. Some PDF format resumes are made by employing a document scanner to make an ruf of a paper resume. If youre thinking about submitting a non-traditional resume format, it is a fantastic idea to also incorporate a more customary format also. Its also advisable to take care when creating a PDF format resume. If your computer may read the text then youre all set. Text orie nted story line formats also do the job, if youre able to be concise in order to not bore the reader. Its crucial to use the right resume format to receive effects. There are several different resume formats available that you are going to be baffled in regards to deciding on one definite format. This recommendation on format is dependent on your background. New versions of Word now include PDF writers and for older ones they may be downloaded free of charge from the world wide web. There are just two forms of formats which you want to select from and theyre Chronological resume format and Functional resume format. If youre developing a Word format resume, clearly Word is a great choice. So, theres a wonderful basic resume format for you. Sure, its probably not your favourite thing to do, but there are a lot of totally free sample resumes on the net or in document programs, such as MS Word, that may allow you to understand the proper resume format. There are 3 unique types of resume formats youll be able to utilize to create a resume. In case the schablone isnt in the right format there is not any value of using it. Resume tips constitute of a detailed procedure. Handing in a resume for a work application for a PDF is wise if you need your resume to appear just the manner in which youve made it. When youre in search of work, your resume plays a vital role in getting you selected for an interview. Resume may be quite beneficial to clean your means in acquiring a job. The most useful facet of the bullet point format is the capacity to easily customize your resume to a certain job for which youre applying. Selecting an incorrect kind of resume format will result in job loss. Exaggerating the precedence of being hired, it is essential to receive a foolproof layout of an abstract. Though the style of resume is popular in the work market, there are specific disadvantages that cant be ignored. The Unexposed Secret of Resume Format Download Pdf Funct ional resumes are arranged so that youre able to set your abilities in the most obvious positions. Chronological Resume Format is quite popular with many employers. Resume plays a crucial function in getting you the work interview call. Also when you have been in more or less the exact field, in order for your career has been a logical progression to the job that you are applying for now. Your resume should be formatted in an easy, professional way. Where it is possible to find precisely what you need quickly and easily. Video resumes are the current trend in the world today. There are essentially four methods you are able to organize your resume. Therefore its crucial that you email your resume right. Resume writing doesnt have to be hard.

Secret Solutions to Online Paper Writers Exposed

Secret Solutions to Online Paper Writers Exposed A Startling Fact about Online Paper Writers Uncovered A fantastic research paper help company has a fantastic reputation for providing its customers with good excellent research paper example help for cheap. Internet isnt any doubt, an extremely low-cost supply of information and can make research work a good deal easier. Secondly, an excellent paper writer needs to be in a position to run an extensive research that could enable them to supply premium quality services to the customers. Thus, its important one needs to get aid with dissertation from such service provider. The writers also are unable to provide customer care research works to numerous students. Academic background of expert writer is always an additional benefit since they know the overall procedure of writing a dissertation. Term paper writers have to possess several qualities so they can write the ideal term papers with respect to quality. Paper dolls have moved online and theyve gotten a lot more interesting. On-line dress-up dolls will offer a lot of chances for children to play with their favourite characters or dress up generic digital dolls. The huge paper dolls wind up being about 7 inches tall. The Tried and True Method for Online Paper Writers in Step by Step Detail Research paper writing might appear to be a difficult job for students. Literature review will give you sufficient guidelines on how best to research for paper. Writing research paper thesis is a struggle. Writing research papers has ever been a daunting job. On the off probability that youre composing any type of paper or exposition its a better to hunt for previous reports and papers to read it down to secure much better understandings. The subject shouldnt be long for the Spanish custom made research paper writer to have the ability to cover all the characteristics of the subject in the range of her or his Spanish paper. Expound briefly on the importan t points that are to be covered in the research paper, giving reason why readers ought to take interest in the subject. A title ought to be concise yet interesting for reader to have the reader engaged with the paper from the beginning. In reality, writers are having difficulty in inventing a topic which most reflects their work. Our on-line essay writers are offered throughout to be certain that youve got all what you need at any particular time. At the end, you will need to proofread your research paper in order to prevent bad sentence structure in addition to grammatical errors. Our Spanish customized research papers writers start writing from scratch by abiding by the rules and regulations to prevent plagiarism. 1 approach to assist you with writing a thesis statement is to create an extremely short, research paper outline listing in sentence form the key tips that you aspire to develop in order to show your thesis. It is possible to also get help on the best way to write research paper outline example at their site. The Online Paper Writers Chronicles Writing a research paper has come to be among the most important pieces of contemporary techniques of education and is also the one which provides the students most amount of stress. Research work is obligatory for research paper topics, and students have trouble finding dependable and accurate research material. Research paper topics take a lot of research work and it is quite tricky for students to write back on research paper topics due to unavailability of time and material. Many students that are thinking about how to compose a research paper also have to be critical on this issue choice. Thus further assures you that you will locate an original and distinctive biology paper. You also need to conduct another research, if you happen to find that theres any deficiency in your research paper. There are different kinds of biology papers. When you come to us, you can likewise find affordable papers for biology. Whats Truly Going on with Online Paper Writers Research paper written by a very proficient and professional dissertation expert is refined and extremely polished which builds impression facing the scrutinizing committee. Conclusion The ending of the custom made research papers have become the most valuable single portion of it. Its difficult for them to find help about how to write research papers because there arent many credible sources out there. There are several ways of presenting Spanish custom made research papers aside from language. Our on-line paper writers are always committed to supplying you with services you may trust. When some sites and games will permit you to make your own profile, frequently you dont will need to sign in to play. The site may have a very good design.

Employers Seek College Grads Fresh out of School

Employers Seek College Grads Fresh out of School Are companies hiring the newest graduating class, or arent they? A recent survey from CareerBuilder suggests that recent college grads should try to stay optimistic. Recruiters might see if this thread of possibility holds strong this spring and summer. According to CareerBuilder, forty-six percent of employers said they plan to hire recent college graduates in 2011, up from 44 percent in 2010 and 43 percent in 2009. Of those who plan to hire recent college graduates, 26 percent reported they will offer higher starting salaries than they did in 2010, an improvement from 16 percent who said the same in last years survey and 11 percent in 2009.Employers are more optimistic overall, and as a result, are looking to bring in entry-level workers to build their workforce for the future, said Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North America. Compan ies are adding jobs in a variety of areas and need fresh, educated talent to fill those roles. Our survey found that they will recruit college grads primarily for IT, customer service, sales, finance, accounting and marketing jobs this year.While schools are quick to cut budgets for arts in education, in the end, it seems that the skills that employers look for are all about self-expression. The most important skill that employers look for in candidates is their ability to communicate well. In some jobs, its particularly important that workers are able to write well, but people with strong verbal communication are sought after as well.

Embracing the Digital Manufacturing Revolution

Embracing the Digital Manufacturing Revolution Embracing the Digital Manufacturing Revolution From growing up in his fathers welding and machine shop in Hagerstown, Maryland, to leading an institute that addresses the life cycle of digital data interchanged among a myriad of design, engineering, manufacturing and maintenance systems, Dr. Dean L. Bartles has come a long way. With several awards under his belt, Bartles has had a distinguished 38-year career in manufacturing with responsibilities including managing research and development, technology transfer, program management, and manufacturing operations. He recently joined ASME as a technology development consultant to help execute the societys technology-based enterprise strategy and grow its impact in strategic markets. Bartles welches formerly the CMO for UI LABS and the founding executive director of DMDII.ASME Digital manufacturing is no longer a buzz word. How does it impact industrial manufacturing?D.B People get confused r egarding the term digital manufacturing. Some people think digital manufacturing is 3D printing, but its not. Digital manufacturing is a virtual representation of the entire manufacturing process so that designers, as they begin to design a product, can make choices about materials and processes and immediately see the impact to production on a separate virtual computer screen.For industrial manufacturing, it would be ideal to be able to figure out the cost to produce and the amount of energy required to produce a product prior to ever turning a single chip on a machine on the shop floor. The idea of virtually representing that entire manufacturing process in a real-time virtual environment so that designers can make those hard decisions during the design phase is really what digital manufacturing is about.Dr. Dean BartlesInternet of Things (IoT) and Big Data play a key role in digital manufacturing. If you can figure out ahead of time what the actual production should be and then c ompare that real time information with the data coming off the shop floor to readjust your models accordingly, the manufacturing processes can be designed more efficiently.ASME You mentioned some of the benefits of digital manufacturing. What are the challenges of its adoption?D.B The biggest challenge in adopting digital manufacturing is the concern that small and medium enterprises have regarding safety. Their biggest fear is what would happen if during predictive analysis, all of a sudden people hack into your machine tools and either cause that machine tool to damage itself or cause it to produce a defect in a part thats not observable until the part is actually out there in the product. We will have to overcome this fear and figure out how to make it safe.ASME Whats your advice to engineers who are just starting out and want to implement digital manufacturing in their production process?D.B In the field of advanced manufacturing today, its really important for engineers to embr ace their computer science partners. Everything in the futures going to be related to Big Data, predictive analytics, and IoT. So if youre going to be designing a product as a mechanical engineer, youre going to want to have a very close relationship with the predictive analytics department consisting of statisticians and computer scientists.My advice to mechanical engineers today is Embrace those friendships youre making with those computer majors. Because its all going to be so closely tied together.ASME What role organizations like ASME can play in accelerating the adoption of digital manufacturing?D.B ASME has been a thought leader since its origin back in 1880. This is a new area thats emerging and I think its imperative that ASME become a thought leader in this area because theyve got over 120,000 members that are looking for ASME to make them aware of these new emerging technologies. Another role ASME can play is in workforce development, education and training, by staying ab reast of all the future things that are coming down the pike and providing training courses to become better engineers.ME With these new technologies being embraced by the industry, what would a typical factory floor look like in future?D.B A factory floor in the future will have every single machine tool with multiple sensors streaming real-time data for feeds, speeds, depths cut, oil viscosities, coolant viscosities, coolant temperatures, coolant volume flow, acoustic emissions, vibrations, and cabinet temperatures. Everything you can sense on a machine tool, that data is going to be streaming to the cloud. Predictive analytics will be able to alert you to problems that might happen before they happen. You will be able to predict those kinds of failures and have your maintenance crew on the weekend fix a problem before it interrupts the first shift of production.Watch the video of Dr. Dean Bartles interview. For Further Discussion The biggest challenge in adopting digital manufact uring is the concern that small and medium enterprises have regarding safety.Dr. Dean Bartles, founder and executive director, DMDII

5 Ways to Grow Your Professional Network

5 Ways to Grow Your Professional Network5 Ways to Grow Your Professional Network2After many years working in one industry, youve decided that you want to try your hand at a completely new career. But when you flip through your LinkedIn profile, all you can find are contacts from your old field. So, how can you grow your professional network?It can be tricky to create a new cluster of contacts, especially when your career to date has been focused in only one or two areas. But there are ways to grow your professional network, build your contacts to ensure a smooth transition to your new career, and possibly make your job search a little more streamlined.Here are five ways to grow your professional network.Connect with family and friends. Although you may be hesitant to share your job search news with friends and family, they can be your most trusted source to finding legitimate contacts. Not only can they connect you directly with people who you might have a tougher time reaching out t o, but they can also be a fantastic reference, putting in a good word for you that gives you an advantage over the competition.Attend networking events. Sure, you might consider them snooze-worthy, but networking events are designed to get you in front of industry leaders and help facilitate introducing yourself to key players to make a lasting connection. You may very well meet a potential hiring manager- or even find your next mentor- at one of these events as well. No matter what, youre guaranteed to grow your professional network through events like these.Get schooled.If youre looking to break into a new industry- and score some new skills, too- try taking some classes. You can try to find some courses at your local college or even online, too. If you become chummy with your teacher, most likely he or she can reach out to their contacts within your area of interest, too. Taking classes also opens new doors to meeting like-minded individuals who share similar interests as you- an d who may know of job openings, too.Get social. If you thought your social media profiles were just to be, well, social, think again. Be socially- and professionally- responsible by cleaning up your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google+ profiles. After all, the overwhelming majority of hiring managers will scour the Internet looking at your social media presence to determine whether youll be a viable job candidate- or not. Once you make sure that your profiles are in presentable shape, you can easily use social media in your job search.Reach out to former colleagues. If you left your previous position on good terms, you should reach out to your former boss and colleagues to see if they can offer a reference. Let them know of your job search success to date and ask if they can recommend anyone in your chosen career field to speak with. fruchtwein likely, they will know people for you to speak to- or will have contacts in common who can make that connection. Be sure to f ollow up your meeting or phone call with an email of thanks or even a small token of your appreciation- especially if you end up getting a job due to their help.Growing your professional network is not an overnight process. With slow and steady efforts, youll soon have a job search contact list that is sure to help you get your foot into the door of a company that youd like to work forReaders, how have you tried to grow your professional network? What tips and tricks can you share? Let us know in the comments section below

Public Relations Resume 2019 Guide To PR Resume [Examples Samples]

Public Relations Resume 2019 Guide To PR Resume [Examples Samples] Public Relations Resume 2019 Guide To PR Resume [Examples Samples] Writing a public relations resume can be difficult. To make it easier for you to make a PR resume, our public relations resume writing experts at Hiration have come up with this article in which they have explained their method of making a PR resume. Read on this article and follow the steps to make your public relations resume with ease. By the end of our Guide on PR Resume, along with PR resume samples and public relations resume example, you will know: How to write the public relations resume skills section When to make a public relations resume objective section and when to make a summary section How to include your public relations resume skills in the professional experience section What all to include in the personal information section ... All to make a job winning public relations resume! Also, you can go for Hiration's Online Resume Builder to further simplify your PR resume making process. If you decide on making your public relations resume on your own, then read this guide on to make a PR resume that looks like it has been made by a professional. Furthermore, see the public relations resume samples and public relations resume examples given in the article below to get greater clarity on how a professionally made public relations resume looks like. Along with this, once you're done making your PR resume, you can get it professionally reviewed to check your public relations resume formatting (font, margins, the order of sections, etc.) When it comes to public relations, Ann Handley said, Make the customer the hero of your story. Similarly, you need to make your public relation resumes content the hero of your public relations resume. Your PR resume content needs to be written in such a way that it forces the recruiter to give you that coveted interview that you've been waiting for. This article will tell you exactly how to make that kind of public relations resume. Also, don't forget to read the 'KEY TAKEAWAYS' sections at the end of the article. In this section, you will find small tricks and hacks to enhance your public relations resume. The major work of a public relations professional is to build and maintain the image of a company, brand or organization by using various types of media. Public relations professionals plan and manage end-to-end publicity campaigns and public relations activity. Their duties also involve things like planning publicity campaigns and strategies. In addition to this, they also write and produce presentations and press releases, deal with the queries of the public, press and related organizations as well as organize and attend promotional events like press conferences, exhibitions, etc. To get an idea of how a PR resume should look like when it's done and dusted, look at the public relations resume example given below. The article will cover the following topics: What Is A Public Relations Resume Why Do You Need It? The workings of a public relations professional include organizing open days as well as a lot of tours and traveling to promote the products and organizations. They also speak at interviews, presentations and press conferences. A public relations professional's job requires them to provide clients with information on current PR campaigns progress and also identify new opportunities to promote their brand or organization. They also need to conduct analysis of media coverage. A public relations professional should be able to commission or conduct relevant market research, be able to liaise with clients, journalists and management staff regarding budgets, objectives, and timescale. A PR resume will help the recruiter know the level of your expertise in carrying out all these duties. A public relations resume concisely provides information on your education and professional history to the recruiter. According to money.usnews.com freshers in the field of public relations get an approximate salary of USD $4,000 per month, whereas those in a senior position get a monthly salary of approximately USD $7,000 per month. To get to the higher paid slot, it is important for a person to keep updating his/her PR resume. An updated public relations resume shows your progress and growth in the field of public relations through the years to the recruiters. How To Write A Public Relations Resume? It can be really difficult to make a public relations resume if one does not know the correct method of writing one. To make this process an easy one, we've written and explained the process of making a PR resume in detail in the article further. In addition to this, you can opt for Hiration's Online Resume Builder where you will get pre-filled public relations resume templates which are ready to use. These templates have been prepared by select industry experts and making use of them will increase your chances of getting shortlisted by many folds. Hard to believe us? Then go give it a try and check for yourself. Our Online Resume Builder offers over 20+ professional design templates whose designs are in minimalistic design format which will enhance the overall look of your PR resume drastically. It is pointless to spend nights and days in beautifying your public relations resume if it ends up in the bin every time a recruiter sees it just because it was either not up to the mark in terms of looks or is overly decorative, which is not needed at all. Our Online Resume Builder has just the perfect design templates which can be used for a PR resume. Hiration Pro-Tip: By using Hiration's Online Resume Builder you will also get access to 100+ content templates to make that professional looking public relations resume. Public Relations Job Description Below given is a public relations resume example of the job description for the profile of a public relations professional. Further, in the article, we will also explain how to make the best use of the job description to write your public relations resume professional experience section. Gaining support and understanding of your clients Efficient at using different forms of communication and media Building, maintaining and managing the reputation of the clients Effectively communicating key messages of the clients to the target audience Monitoring the publicity and conducting research on the same Reporting and explaining the findings of the research conducted Developing, planning and implementing PR strategies Liaising with the clients, media, and organizations Answering the queries of the clients and the media Analyzing media coverage Public Relations Resume Sections Your sections of public relations resume will be made in the following order: Header Profile Title Personal Information Summary Key Skills Professional Experience Internships Education Training and Certifications Awards and Recognition Writing Your Public Relations Resume The Public Relations Resume will be made in four stages: Compilation PR Resume Master Public Relations Resume First Draft PR Resume and Final Public Relations Resume Compilation Stage for your PR Resume: In this first stage of public relations resume making, you just have to collect all the information related to your PR resume at one single place. Collect all the information related to the above mentioned public relations resume sections at one place. It will help in the PR resume making process further as you when you will have all the information collected at one place, there won't be any need to go looking here and there for the needed information later. Master Public Relations Resume: In this stage, you will make your professional experience section and internship section. To make them, make sure you have the following information: Company Names Locations Dates of joining and resigning/completion of tenure Points arranged in terms of importance for each work experience First Draft for your PR Resume: In this third stage of public relations resume making, you will make the sections of the header, profile title, personal information, education, training and certifications as well as awards and recognition. Hiration Pro-Tip: Save a copy of your master PR resume, so that in future whenever you switch your job or think of changing your career, you can just open this master public relations resume and make a PR resume. Final Public Relations Resume: Now, at this final stage of PR resume making, you need to do three things. Making the public relations resume skills section Scan the complete professional experience section to look for public relations resume skills to write in the key skills section. Writing the summary/objective section Again, scan your professional experience section and pick out points that are the highlight of your career. Rephrase these points and then write them in the summary section. Highlight and bold Lastly, highlight and bold all the important words, phrases, and numbers in your professional experience, internship, education, training and certifications as well as in awards and recognition sections. Look at the PR resume sample given below to see how a well finished public relations resume looks like: Public Relations Resume Professional Experience Section As mentioned above in the article, once you're done with stage one, which is the compilation stage, we will move on to the second stage, the master public relations resume stage. As we will make the professional experience and internship section in this stage, let us see how. The professional experience section is of utmost importance in a PR resume. This section will demonstrate your entire professional trajectory to the recruiter. Let us now see how to write the professional experience section so that it leaves an impression on the recruiter's mind. Make use of the below-given format to write your professional experience section. {Designation} | {Organization} | {Location (city, country pin)} | {Dates} (month year) Now, let us see how to write the points of this section. The points of this section need to be written using the cause-effect method and bucketing and highlighting. Public relations resume Example 1: Creating the PR strategy Creating press releases for major newspapers Drafting the strategy by gathering PR best practices Inviting major journalists and reporters to interview the CEO CMO Handling multiple questions on a regular basis The above-written points of the professional experience section don't provide much information around the kind of work the person has done as the cause-effect method and bucketing and highlighting method are not used in writing the above public relations resume example. Public relations resume Example 2: PR Strategy Played a key role in creating the PR strategy for the past 2 years Contributed to drafting the strategy by gathering PR best practices from similar startups around the world Press Releases Creating ~10 press releases every month for major newspapers Inviting major journalists and reporters in the technology space to interview the CEO CMO Handling multiple questions from newspapers, magazines, etc. on a regular basis Now, from public relations resume example 2 you can see how we've used the cause-effect method to write the points as well as bucketing and highlighting has increased the readability of the sentences. Writing similar points together and putting them under a bucket will provide instant clarity to the recruiter of the kind of responsibilities that you have held. Other buckets that can be made for the professional experience points of a public relations resume are of Social Media, Strategy Budgeting, Media Press, etc. Public Relations Resume Internship Section Internship section comes next in the master public relations resume making stage. For those who are freshers in the field of public relations, internship section will be the first section that they will make as they don't have any relevant work experience to make a professional experience section. And for those professionals who have previous work experience, this will be the second section that they will make in their PR resume. Name this section as 'INTERNSHIP' and not as 'PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE' as these both vastly differ from each other. Internships are mostly unpaid whereas you get a proper salary for working for an organization when you are doing a job. Making an internship section in your public relations resume shows the recruiter that how serious you are when it comes to your career. Use the following format to write your internship section: {Designation} | {Organization} | {Location (city, country pin)} | {Dates} (month year) As shown above, the points which need to be written under the internship section will also be written using the cause-effect method and bucketing and highlighting. For example: Press Conferences Editing Handled the organization of 2 press conferences with a 50+ attendance Responded to 20+queries by reporters around the latest e-book Edited the letter of appreciation sent by the CEO to publishing partners Writing Public Relations Resume Header Now, let's proceed towards completing the third stage of the public relations resume making process. As mentioned above, it is the first section that you will make at this stage. So, you must be thinking: What is a PR resume header? Header comes as the very top of your public relations resume and is the first section in the order of the sections. So, what is the purpose of writing a header? Well, it differentiates your PR resume from hundreds of other public relations resumes that are there to apply for the same profile. It consists of your name. Make sure that the header is the largest text in your entire PR resume. It should be written between the font size of 14-16 points. The second most important thing to ensure in the header is the correct spacing. Correct spacing is highly crucial if you have a middle name. The correct way to write your middle name in the header is: 'Christopher A. Kutcher'. Write only the first initial of your middle name and then put a full-stop after that initial. However, you can instead use Hiration's Online Resume Builder to make that on point public relations resume header. Our Online Resume Builder uses a fixed font size and font style to write the resume header. Personal Information Section In Your Public Relations Resume In the personal information section, you will write three things: 1. Personal Phone Number 2. Personal E-mail Address and 3. Location Personal Phone Number Write only that phone number on which you are available 24x7. Further, there is a specific manner in which the personal mobile number is written. You need to write it properly, you can't just go and scribble down your phone number. Ensure two things when writing your personal phone number. One, write the International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code of your country. Second, give a single space after the first five digits of your phone number. Personal E-mail Address The second thing to be written in the personal information section is the personal e-mail address. The e-mail address is written in the center, right next to the personal phone number. Do not use an unprofessional e-mail ID names like 'hotharley@xyz.com'. Use a professional looking e-mail ID name which is also appropriate for putting in a public relations resume. For example: 'christopher@xyz.com'. You can also add hyperlinks to your other social media sites and personal websites with the e-mail address, but ensure that they all are on the same page in terms of information and up to date with your professional information. Current Location The third thing to write in the personal information section is your current location of residence. The current location will be written on the right-hand side, right next to the e-mail address. If you are living outside your home town, then mention the city where you are currently living and not your home town. Also, do not write the complete address of your current location as it is of no use. The basic idea behind writing the current location is for the recruiter to know if you'll be relocating to join the company. So, for that matter, only the city name followed by the country pin is enough. Again, you can opt for Hiration's Online Resume Builder to make your PR resume wherein you get the options to change the icons in the personal information section in order to make your public relations resume more appealing. You get the following icons to customize your personal information section: WhatsApp icon for the personal mobile number section if your number is available on WhatsApp and a mobile phone icon if your number is not on WhatsApp. Icons of various social media platforms to put in front of the space where you provided your hyperlinks to the various social media accounts. So, what are you waiting for? Make your PR resume at Hiration's Online Resume Builder Today! Customizing Public Relations Resume Profile Title It is important to add a profile title to in your PR resume as it lets the recruiter know for which profile you've applied for. For example: Publicist, Copywriter, PR Specialist, etc. The profile title tells the recruiter within a glance if your public relations resume if worth reading or not. When making your profile title, write it in the font size of 12-14 points. You can also go for Hiration's Resume Reviewing Services to get a review of your PR resume length which will be done by professionals at Hiration. Public Relations Resume Education Section In this section, you will provide information around your education, which includes things such as the name of the university/school attended, courses pursued, their locations, dates of enrolling into and graduating from them and the CGPA acquired. Use the below given format to make this section of your PR resume: {Name of the school/university} | {Location} | {Dates} (in mm/yy-mm/yy format) {Name of the degree} | {CGPA} Public Relations Resume Certifications Section The second last thing to make in the first draft PR resume stage is the training and certifications section. In this section, you can include any and every certification and training that adds value to your public relations resume. The following information needs to be mentioned in this section: Certification/Training Name Affiliating Institution Location Dates of enrolling into and graduating from Use the below given format to write this section: {Name of certification} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date (in mm/yy)} You can also get your PR resume reviewed by an industry expert at Hiration to check the relevant key skills of your public relations resume. Awards And Recognition In A Public Relations Resume In this section, you will write all the awards and recognition that you got in your previous jobs, internships, college, and school. But do not write awards like that of 'Best Student In The Class' and 'Best Handwriting'. Awards like these aren't worth writing in a public relations resume and at the same time, they won't even add any value to your PR resume. Use the below-given format to write the awards and recognition section of your public relations resume: {Name of the award}| {Award giving Institution} | {Dates of getting the award} Illustrating Your Public Relations Resume Skills Now starts the last stage of public relations resume making, which is the final draft PR resume. As mentioned in the starting of the article, you will start off this stage by making the public relations resume key skills section. The best way to get as many key skills for your PR resume as you can is by scanning the whole of your public relations resume for the public relations resume skills. When writing this section, make sure you don't write them in more than three lines. Your key skills sections shouldn't exceed the limit of three lines. When you're done making the key skills section, make sure to bold the whole section. Add a bullet before each skill when writing the key skills section. Also, center align your key skills section to give it a neat and organized look. After bolding and center aligning the section, also italicize it. Italicizing the section will drastically separate it from the other sections and will ensure that the recruiter reads your public relations resume skills section as the very first thing as soon as he/she sees your public relations resume. Besides this, to make your PR resume more visually appealing make it on Hiration's Online Resume Builder where you'll get the option of adding bar graphs and pie charts to make your public relations resume skills section in our California Template. So, use Hiration's Online Resume Builder Now! Personalizing Public Relations Summary Section The summary section is the last section to be written while making a public relations resume. To write this section, first scan whole of your PR resume and pick out those points that are the highlight of your career. Now frame these points in such a way that they tell the recruiter how you used your public relations resume skills to benefit the previous organization. Also, you will write a summary section only if you have work experience of over three years. Again, you can opt for Hiration's Resume Reviewing Services to get your public relations resume professionally reviewed by the industry experts and to check your STAR PR resume points (outlining the cause and effect in each public relations resume point). Public Relations Resume Objective Like the summary written at the end, similarly, the public relations resume objective section is also written at the end. Scan whole of your public relations resume and find the points which are the highlight of your career. Now, rephrase these points and write them in the public relations resume objective section. Hiration Pro-Tip: Write your summary/objective section in a paragraph form not exceeding 3-4 lines Public relations resume objective section is written when you have professional experience of less than three years. Look at the below given public relations resume sample to get greater clarity on how a well finished PR resume looks like. Public Relations Resume Template Free Hiration's Online Resume Builder offers 4 free content templates along with a free template design which is customized by professionals to suit the needs of professionals. So, make your PR resume at Hiration's Online Resume Builder today! Public Relations Resume PDF Make your PR resume at Hiration's Online Resume Builder, where you get the option of downloading a PDF of your public relations resume as well. If you make your public relations resume at Hiration's Online Resume Builder, you can download Unlimited PDFs of your PR resume. So, go and make your public relations resume at Hiration's Online Resume Builder now! Key Takeaways When you write your job title, make sure it is optimized according to your targeted job profile. It is vital to optimize the job title according to the target job profile as it provides clarity on the position which you have applied for. It also gives clarity with respect to your profile in case you are changing your field. Write a summary section, instead of a public relations resume objective section if you are applying for a mid-senior level or senior level profile. In the summary/objective section write what you can do for the company instead of writing what you expect the company to do for you. By doing so, you can convince the recruiter that you're the ideal candidate for their company. Write a public relations resume objective section instead of a summary if you are an entry-level professional. The summary/objective section will come just after your personal information section. Summary/objective section is most likely the first section that a recruiter will see. So, it is of paramount importance that they are crisp and on point. In this section mention, only those public relations resume skills and achievements that the recruiter is looking for. When writing your summary section, start off by writing the number of experience that you hold followed by some values that you uphold. For example: '3+ years experienced PR associate skilled in managing public relations for startups.' Continue in this way and highlight your most valued public relations resume skills and achievements. The key skills section of your PR resume will come just after the summary/objective section. Since the space in the key skills section is limited, only mention your hard public relations resume skills which you can substantiate, and do not write any soft public relations resume skills. Also, these public relations resume skills should be specific to your target profile. Make sure to write your public relations resume skills throughout your public relations resume and not just in the key skills section. When your PR resume reaches the recruiter, there are chances that he might not be aware of the company in which you have worked previously. So, for that matter, write a one-line description of your company just below the company name. In this description, you can write the number of employees, the revenue of the company, etc. Keep a separate line for the company description and start your public relations resume points from the next line. Have more questions regarding a public relations resume? Then get in touch with us at team@hiration.com and our experts will reach out to you.

How to Become an Economic Development Director

How to Become an Economic Development Director How to Become an Economic Development Director Cities always seek to expand and diversify their tax bases. A new business opening or an existing  business expanding are beneficial to the local economy. These events bring additional tax revenue and provide citizens with new employment opportunities. When a city has only one major employer in town, and that employer’s industry is struggling, that has major implications for the city government. To avoid such a situation, economic development directors work to strengthen their local economy and diversify their cities’ tax bases. They recruit new businesses, retain existing ones, and assist businesses when they can expand operations locally. Hiring Process Economic development directors are hired through the normal government hiring process. Depending on a city’s size, the economic development director may report to the city manager or an assistant city manager. Other city directors and local business leaders may serve on an interview panel when the city fills a vacancy. Qualifications Cities generally require economic development directors to hold a bachelor’s degree in economic development, urban planning, marketing, business administration or public administration. Economic development experience is also required. An individual cannot realistically expect to hold a director level position without significant experience in that directorship’s field. Supervisory experience is likely required if the position supervises staff, but even if the position does not, supervisory experience is helpful when relating to business owners and upper-level managers. Private sector experience is also useful Because so much of the job revolves around building relationships with business leaders, being able to swap stories about past business experiences can go a long way in developing those relationships. Private sector experience will also help win the trust of business leaders who have little tolerance for bureaucrats. Roles and Responsibilities Economic development directors have a strategic focus. They administer economic development programs for a city. While they deal with individual businesses in individual situations, they maintain a macro-level perspective on the city’s economy. Economic development directors study market trends and apply their expert judgment to opportunities and threats facing the local economy. The economic development director advises the city manager and council on emerging and existing economic development issues. The director may also present to local civic and business groups on proposed economic development agreements. To ensure that businesses are treated fairly, economic development directors write city policy governing how tax and other incentives will be awarded to businesses. These policies dictate what sort of economic impact must be reasonably expected in order for businesses to qualify for particular incentives. Economic development policies are ultimately approved by the city council. Deviations from policy are also brought to the city council for approval. Economic Growth Cities are proud of their mom-and-pop businesses, but when it comes to economic development, cities mostly concern themselves with established corporations who can provide substantial job opportunities to existing and new residents. Hundreds of new jobs mean new housing construction, more retail establishments and more city revenue. Economic development directors must focus their time on businesses that provide significant economic impact. Economic development directors maintain an inventory of available properties for businesses to occupy including retail space, industrial space, and open land. They try to match businesses to available space so that business owners can picture their businesses opening in, moving to or expanding in that city. In addition to bringing in new businesses, economic development directors look to strengthen the businesses already located in the city. They persuade businesses to remain where they are and expand operations when appropriate. Losing an existing business is worse than having a new business choose to locate elsewhere. Missing out on a new business means no economic impact. Losing an existing business means adverse economic impact. Earning Potential Like other city director positions, the salary for an economic development director depends on the size of the city and the size of the economic development department staff. The bigger the city, the larger the economic development director’s salary. Similarly, the more people a director has under his or her line of supervision, the higher that director’s salary tends to be.

Advertising Spec Portfolio Dos and Donts

Advertising Spec Portfolio Dos and Donts Advertising Spec Portfolio Dos and Donts When youre showing your book around, either as a student or someone looking to switch agencies or careers, you are looking to impress people. Your portfolio should be a concentration of your skills, featuring solid work spanning multiple mediums and product segments. The work you show, and do not show, is paramount. So here are some things to avoid when preparing your book. Never Choose Easy Projects For Yourself Just for a moment, put yourself in the shoes of an advertising professional. They have taken the time out of their insanely busy schedule to look through your work, either with you present or by viewing your website or book. When the pages are turned and endless campaigns for Nike, Wonderbra, Viagra, Victorias Secret and Red Bull appear one after the other, you are giving a clear indication that you dont like to challenge yourself. A quick look at a site like Ads Of The World will give you a good idea of this phenomenon. There are dozens of campaigns for Wonderbra. Its easy to advertise; big breasts and the outcome of them is a simple idea to get behind, and its easy to be visually funny and verbally concise. Most dont even have headlines. If you want to impress, do ads for bland products or services that have no easily-identifiable or unique traits. Choose an airline, dish soap, a wireless carrier, or something else that you have to use your brain for. You need to create a strategy rather than piggyback one. You need to think, and thats what employers want to see. Spec work should not be easy or like shooting fish in a barrel. Do Not Throw Money At The Problem Heres another classic mistake that many up and coming creatives make. A book filled with creative but extremely costly ideas is not going to do you any favors. Advertising and design agencies rarely have the huge budgets to work with that theyd like, and often have to think of creative ways to use the increasingly shrinking budgets that clients supply. By filling your book with $10 million solutions, no matter how creative, youre pigeon-holing yourself as someone who can only do good work if the budget is good, and 90% of the time, the budget is mediocre at best. By all means, have examples of places that you could take the campaign if the budget allowed. Dont fill your book with overpriced billboards, stunts, and Super Bowl ads. If you can give people a great idea that costs just pennies, they will know you can do something just as cool with a ton of money. Dont Ignore The Unpopular Types of Media Billboards, print ads, guerrilla and TV scripts are what most student books are filled with. Theyre big, sexy and fun to work on, but you can have so much more impact if you take your campaign to places that most people want to avoid. Radio, direct mail, websites, point-of-purchase, packaging, these are mediums to explore. Its easy to find people who can produce great billboard ads, but great direct mail, thats another story. As David Ogilvy proved, its a very effective medium when done right. Dont Spend More Time on Polish than Ideas Great execution and polish have become commonplace in modern portfolios, but an agency cannot live on looks alone. There needs to be substance behind the style, and if you sacrifice great ideas for beautiful printouts, youre in trouble. In this day and age, its easy to go straight to a Mac, knock out an idea and then polish it to perfection, but if the idea is weak, the ad will always be weak. No amount of Photoshop can save it. Add polish if you like. But make sure those ideas and campaigns are concrete and your best work before you start shining. Dont Include Anything Youre Not 100% Proud Of A portfolio is only as good as the weakest piece in it. By filling your book with mediocre campaigns, youre taking away from the great ones that are in there. A good way to check this is to run through the portfolio and present it to a friend. There will be some pieces that you cannot stop talking about. Youll be excited about them, and will be genuinely proud to show them off. Then, there are those other pieces, the ones that, when you know theyre coming up next, you get lost for words. The ones youd rather skip past to get to the next campaign. These need to be cut. If your book goes from 15 pieces to 10, fine. If it goes from 15 to 3, youve got issues and your book needs a lot more work. And its also for this reason that you need to constantly update your book. Something you were proud of five years ago may not have stood the test of time. If in doubt, take it out. Never Start Strong and Finish Weak If you follow the advice above, you wont have any weak work in your book anyway. Even amongst great campaigns, some work is better than others. If you put all that up front, you will definitely make a statement. But as you continue, youll fail to top it and that does you no good. Follow these tips, and you should be well on your way to assembling a portfolio that will get you noticed in any advertising or marketing agency.

Questions to ask your future manager before joining the team

Questions to ask your future manager before joining the team Questions to ask your future manager before joining the team The fish rots from the head, they say. Don’t hesitate to use job interviews as a two-way street. Ask your interviewer these pressing questions to reveal the character of the team you are considering joining as well as that of its leaders.On our quest to find the best possible job with the coolest benefits, we often end up overlooking one of the most important aspects of any job. One that will ultimately define our experience in a new company a great manager.Don’t just look for a great job, look for a great bossThe people you work with will influence your career, aspirations, your health and even self-image in a profound way. A great manager makes even tedious jobs exciting, while a toxic manager will make you feel horrible even in the best of companies.Before you go to your next interview, ask yourself What am I looking for in my future employer?First things first, do they even let you ask questions of your own? If it’s all about asking you those tricky questions and never le tting you have a word in, be ready for an authoritative and no-feedback-welcome environment.Good with questions? Great, then move on and try to learn as much as you can about both the personal and professional qualities of your potential boss.Personal Qualities Emotional IntelligenceIn his book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Dr. Travis Bradberry summarized his learnings from a study of 1 million professional profiles. The research included everyone from workers from the frontlines to the C-suite. What he discovered was that for every job title in the study, the top performers are those with the highest EQ scores.CEOs and managers with higher EQ have led their teams and companies to measurably better results than what businesses with low-EQ management reach in the same environment. The teams with a high-EQ boss have also reported higher levels of both motivation and productivity.For a quick EQ check, here are the questions to ask your potential manager:Question #1: What do you love abo ut your job? What keeps you going every day?If this person is not afraid to share their motivation or, even better, inspires you with their answer, they understand the value of personal connection and the power of being vulnerable. However, if a manager sounds like they feel burdened by their job, that’s a red flag.Related articles:What stops us from changing careers?Robert scored a point against autism and found a job thanks to The 3 types of colleagues you wish werent at your Christmas partyQuestion #2: Could you tell me about a time when the team experienced failure? What about success?Questions like these will show you how the interviewer handles difficulties and victories. Do they expect one person to carry the full responsibility for a flop? How does this team usually deal with obstacles? Is it a culture of fear or one of mutual support? Are visibility and growth impeded by laying blame?Also, this is a good moment to look for clues on how they manage personal stress and whe ther they let it influence their professional relationships.Question #3: Would your team describe you as fair?Posing a question this way seems to effectively bring out the honesty in people and make them steer away from the pre-packaged polished answers. If the answer is dishonest or manipulative, you will notice it too. An honest answer should take them a few moments to think about and would probably not end up being pure self-praise (unless they have 100% employee approval score).Professional QualitiesWorking with a manager who has strong interpersonal skills is great. However, unless they know what they’re doing professionally, you’ll end up with a well-liked leader who doesn’t know where they are going. These are the questions to ask your future manager in order to get a glimpse into their professional qualities.Question #4: Experience: Is this your dream job?Asking you future manager this question should help you tell if they are passionate about what they do. Did they gr ow into this position or simply got the right diploma? Are they following their dream or just aiming for a big paycheck?You want your boss to know what they are doing and have a deep understanding of their own role as well as the one for which you are applying. It is even better if they’ve had a long career in the field and are excited to share their experience with you.Question #5: Vision: Where do you see your team in 2 years?In other words, are they a proactive strategic thinker or someone who follows the inertia? A humble strategist will often recognize the challenges associated with the team goal and mention how you will help the organization achieve its vision.Question #6: Leadership: How do you measure success?The definition of team success becomes the definition of your personal success as soon as you join the company. How will you know if you are doing good? KPIs and metrics will either empower you or cut your motivation at its root. Measuring success should be about quan tifying the value you bring with your work. Think of questions to ask the manager about the metrics that are specifically relevant to your position. Make sure they measure the value of your contribution towards reaching team’s goals and not just counting the hours you stayed in the office.The Choice Is YoursWe spend over half of the time we are awake at work. Wouldn’t you want to spend that much time around people who inspire you to do more and be better? To spend that time actually enjoying your work?A survey by Paychex shows that out of top 15 reasons why people leave their jobs only 3 don’t directly depend on or couldn’t have been solved by a great boss. Working with bad leaders can make or break your career. Don’t be shy to ask your manager what your future at their company would actually look like.To secure your next interview, use the platform and upgrade to a more human-centric and performance-based resume.

Dos and Donts of Firing a Friend

Do’s and Donts of Firing a Friend Do’s and Donts of Firing a Friend Firing an employee is one of the most difficult responsibilities of being in management. It’s even more unpleasant when the person is a workplace friend. If you find yourself in that awkward situation as a finance and accounting manager with friendships at work, keep in mind these ways of doing it right - and wrong. DON’T shy away from your responsibilities Performance reviews and disciplinary meetings can be a “problem employee’s” last chance to turn things around, or the first stage of the firing process. It may be difficult to speak with a workplace friend you believe is falling short on the job. But even toxic employees would get warnings about poor behavior and low performance, and your friend deserves the same courtesy. Otherwise, you don’t give your friend the chance to improve, and you risk firing him or her unfairly, which could lead to resentment - and possibly litigation. DO hold a formal meeting You're the boss. In all other settings, you may be a friend. But when breaking the news about a job loss, you must maintain the employer-employee relationship. Follow normal protocol by holding a meeting, and invite the HR manager to be an impartial witness. This approach will keep things professional. If the employee is being fired for performance failings, have your employee’s file on hand to discuss the cause of termination. DON'T be casual Firing anyone is a serious situation, so treat it as such. Don’t try to put a friendly spin on things, and don’t use humor. If you approach the meeting with a casual manner, your friend may not fully understand the consequences - or may be upset that you’re not taking the job loss seriously. Plan what you’re going to say in advance, and perhaps even practice it a few times. Then get to your point quickly once the meeting starts. Start by explaining the reasons for your decision, whether it’s downsizing or performance. Outline any help that’s available when searching for new work, including references and severance packages. But be genuine, and don’t make promises you can’t keep. Expect this to be an emotional moment for your friend, who might not be able to take in many details. So stick to the basics, and offer to answer questions now or in the future. DON'T get somebody else to do it Firing a friend will almost certainly cause you sleepless nights, but making difficult decisions are part of an accounting manager’s job description. If you ask someone else to take over your hard choices, you’ll likely lose the respect of your friend and other members of your team. DO offer to keep in touch It’s OK to get back in touch with fired friends outside the office, but they may not want to maintain contact. That’s something you’ll have to accept. Try emailing from your personal account a few days after your final meeting and say you’re sorry things turned out the way they did. Explain that you’d like to keep in touch, and then hope the feeling is mutual. No accounting manager wants to be in a position of firing anyone, much less a friend. But letting go of team members is an unavoidable part of succeeding in business. It can be painful, but always stay professional, and do your best to handle the situation with grace, not guilt. Subscribe to our newsletter When you subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter, you’ll get articles and resources to help you build and manage a winning accounting and finance team - all sent directly to your inbox. Click the button below to sign up today! SUBSCRIBE NOW

6 Things Women Leaders Look for in Strong Female Candidates

6 Things Women Leaders Look for in Strong Female Candidates 6 Things Women Leaders Look for in Strong Female Candidates What do todays top female business leaders look for in strong female candidates? To find out,  MBA@UNC  â€"  UNC Kenan-Flagler Business Schools online MBA program  â€" performed interviews with  two highly successful women:  Amy Palmer, the president and CEO of Soldiers Angels, a nonprofit that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families, and a growing veteran population; and Jennifer Windsor, the CEO of Women for Women International, a nonprofit that works directly with women who are isolated and displaced in post-war regions of the world. Here, well take a look at what these two leaders - as well as others - identify  as the top traits and skills to look for in strong female job candidates. 1. Self-Confidence Palmer notes that self-confidence and belief in oneself are key. I am looking for women who believe in themselves and believe they are equally as capable and deserving of a job as their male counterparts, she said. Im also looking for people who are creative thinkers and who are innovative and passionate about our mission. That may be easier said than done. Studies show a persistent confidence gap between women and men â€" even when women  rate higher than men  on competency assessments. A  self-confident woman who is ready to assume her role  will have  a positive influence on others in the business and be an asset in more ways than you might think. 2. Resilience Although Windsor couches her advice within an entrepreneurial framework, the need for resilience certainly isnt limited to business owners themselves. In addition, Windsor  notes that determination and support are key ingredients for a great candidate. No matter what field youre working in, being an entrepreneur requires resilience, determination, and a strong support network, she said. Windsors sentiments are supported by an Accenture survey of more than 524 senior executives in 20 countries. Two-thirds of the respondents cited  resilience as a key trait for helping determine who to retain, and many rated  women as being more resilient than men. 3. Listening Skills Windsor highlights the need for acute listening skills â€" and  the positive outcomes that should result from having these skills. To me, leadership is first about being willing to listen and learn, about identifying the strengths and passion[s] of your team, and continuing to inspire them to believe in themselves and the work youre doing together, she said. Management consultant Ben Simonton actually rates listening skills at the top of the list for leaders, since it helps them tap into employees potential and support their ongoing success. 4. A Connection to a Personal Mission Palmer says its important for her to connect her work with her personal mission, which provides the motivation to keep her going. I love serving those who have served our great country. Just one trip to visit patients at the V.A. quickly reminds me why we do what we do, she said. They are not thanked and appreciated nearly enough for their sacrifices and service. When you realize what you do has an impact on another person, it drives you to continue to serve. This ability to obtain such satisfaction from ones work is a factor that many business leaders cite as one key for their success, and it can be critical for employee retention. 5. A Sense of Humor Evidence suggests that having a sense of humor can  help a woman get ahead in the workplace. Many  even considered a sense of humor to be a necessary leadership skill.  Windsor agrees, saying the ability to have fun and help others do the same is important. I also believe that leaderships about creating an environment thats fun, she said. I love to laugh, and [I] think its so important to enjoy what you do and who youre with every day. 6. An Entrepreneurial Mindset Strong female candidates often think like entrepreneurs, which can be a very good thing for your company. Donna M. De Carolis, Ph.D., the founding dean of the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship at  Drexel University, writes  that an entrepreneurial mindset  is about assessing a situation, designing alternatives, and choosing a new way â€" or perhaps a combination of ways â€" that we hope will lead us to something better; however we happen to define better at that moment. Windsor says people can gain entrepreneurial mindsets  by getting the right education. I think education plays a transformative role in giving people â€" especially the women we serve â€" the confidence to take risks and become entrepreneurs, she said. Strong female job candidates provide great benefit for any organization. As your company works to recruit them, keeping these key traits and skills in mind will help you find the best match.

When Bosses Make Hotheaded Decisions

When Bosses Make Hotheaded Decisions When Bosses Make Hotheaded Decisions When Bosses Make Hotheaded Decisions I heard an interesting story from a coworker this week that sparked the idea for this post: My coworker Bruce has a great rapport with his old company and recently heard that one of his former colleagues found a job somewhere else. The boss was apparently so offended by this employee's resignation that he told him not to come back the next day even though he'd still be paid for the following two weeks. As a result of this hotheaded move, the boss became frazzled by projects the newly-lost employee left behind, and called my buddy Bruce to bail him out by doing some contract work for mucho buckos. Yay for Bruce but not such a great move for the boss. Many of us have felt the wrath of a boss's hotheaded decision. Here are some cases where the boss shouldn't have taken it personally but did, and how you can handle it if you face a similar situation. The Two Week Notice Denial Offering to stay two weeks after resigning is standard practice, but not legally required. Giving notice means you are being mindful of your boss's and company's needs, not wanting to leave them with a handful of incomplete projects. You can tidy up loose ends and/or train the person who'll be filling your spot after you're gone. But sometimes, as in the case above, he takes it personally and tells you to cram your two weeks' notice and leave immediately. How to Handle It: Rejoice in a paid vacation! But, if you've always been on good terms and would value his reference when you leave your next job, then don't let yourself be shooed out so easily. Double-check that there's absolutely nothing you can do in the next two weeks to help soften the blow. If he's still stuck on sending you on your disgraceful way, just smile, wave, and clutter up cyberspace with comments about how terrible he was. It's guaranteed to blow off some steam and feel refreshing, but PLEASE don't use the real names of the boss or the company. That's simply bad taste (not to mention unprofessional and potentially libelous). The History Repeats Itself Problem I've personally dealt with this one before, and it sure isn't fun. You get a boss who, by their own poor management, let another employee walk all over them. Then they realize what happened, fire the bad employee, and become steadfast in never letting history repeat itself. Suddenly, someone who used to be a great, laid back yet assertive leader turns defensive and distrustful. What does that mean for you? You get to deal with the new micro-managing, passive-aggressive management style, which can make you feel like crap even if you're doing a great job. How to Handle It: It may just be a temporary, knee-jerk reaction to getting burned, so give it a little time to see if she chills out. If you have (or had) a good relationship with her, try talking about it. If nothing changes, it's time to switch departments or get a new job. That kind of boss can cause more stress than your biggest project ever did, and no one needs that negativity in their lives. The My Problem Is Your Problem Dilemma Let's say your boss is up for a big promotion but gets overlooked. Or your boss's boss is unhappy with the department's performance. Or a big project your boss was working on falls to pieces. Now her problem becomes YOUR problem. So she feels like scum for whatever went wrong, and deals with it by delegating all the menial, soul-sucking, I-don't-want-to-deal-with-it stuff directly to you. How to Handle It: Sorry to say, your only survival method here is to take the backseat and hope she gets over it sooner rather than later. A good boss is one who helps you grow not one who forces you to drag your heels in their mess. But we're all human and can have a bad week or two. Suck it up and bolster her flagging ego for a week or two. And if it looks like your formerly good boss has turned permanently bad, it's time to move on. Get Past the Hot Air I'm sure there are numerous other scenarios where bosses make hotheaded decisions that leave their poor employees floundering for help. If you have a great boss who remains rational, dedicated, and doesn't take things personally, consider yourself lucky. If not, brush off your resume, start networking, and get out before you turn into (fictional) Brent Quigley, who wants to leave his boss, but can't figure out the perfect way to say it in a letter.

Job Interview Body Language 8 Proven Tips for Success

Job Interview Body Language 8 Proven Tips for Success Job Interview Body Language 8 Proven Tips for Success 6Body language, or non-verbal communication, is something that we all use and subconsciously understand through both cultural practices and code that is ingrained in our genetic makeup. When it comes to careers, job interview body language plays a huge part in our success. In a body language TED Talk video titled Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are, Amy Cuddy examines just how much of an impact your body language has on others and yourself. Throughout the video, Cuddy, a social scientist, discusses the impact that body language has on daily interactions and communications. Her main point of the speech, however, focuses not on how body language affects others perceptions of us, but how our body language influences our own judgments of ourselves. Just as others can interpret our emotions through our body language, we are able to “train” ourselves to feel a certain way about ourselves. During every interview you have, your body will be communicating something to your interviewer and affecting how you feel about yourself in that moment. Its imperative that your body language in a job interview shows you as a confident, positive, and capable person. Below were going over eight tips to help you take control over your job interview body language. Job Interview Body Language: 8 Tips 1. Consider your entrance. Your body language can be evaluated before you even meet the hiring manager. Think about how you interact with the receptionist and how you may appear as you sit in the lobby. Are you jittery and slouched? You never know who may be watching. Take some deep breaths and sit in a comfortable, upright position to convey calmness and confidence. 2. Offer a pleasant handshake. Quickly establish your friendliness by performing this classic icebreaker correctly. A handshake that’s too hard can come off as arrogant, but one that’s too soft might make you seem timid or weak. A good handshake exudes confidence, and an Im ready for this attitude. Practice makes perfect on your handshake though, as you dont want it to be so strong that the interviewers hand is hurt, or too soft, because that can send the message that you arent ready or confident for the interview, notes Toni Frana, one of expert career coaches. Aim for “just right”- firm, but not a death grip. Have a history of sweaty hands? Wake to daylong freshness by applying antiperspirant to your palms at bedtime the night before. In a pinch, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to evaporate moisture shortly before your interview. 3. Strike a powerful stance. Hiring managers will pay attention to how you walk towards them. Crossed arms and looking towards the ground can send silent signals that you are unavailable or “closed.” Want an extra boost of confidence? Think Superman. Stand with your feet slightly apart, push your shoulders back, and keep your chin up. Studies on job interview body language show that such positioning will actually change the hormones in your brain after only two minutes, leaving you feeling stronger and less stressed. 4. Sit correctly. A hiring manager who notices you slumping may conclude that you’re scared, and leaning back in the chair can give the air of not taking the conversation seriously. Avoid both by sitting as if there is a string tied from the top of your head to the ceiling. Pay attention to your feet placement as well. Most experts recommend placing both feet flat on the ground, or crossing your ankles if necessary. 5. Control your hands. Guilty of  tapping your fingers, fiddling with your jewelry, or picking at your nails? This type of interview body language can come off as bored or impatient. Instead, try this: press the fingertips of your hands together to form a church steeple. You’ll display confidence while keeping your nervous digits under control. Another option is to keep your hands in your lap. They can be in the church steeple formation, or resting lightly on your legs. This can help you relax your shoulders and keep you from fidgeting. 6. Make eye contact. Looking people in the eyes helps you seem attentive and trustworthy, while averting makes you appear shifty or nervous. Just don’t gaze to the point where things become uncomfortable- staring is just as creepy at an interview as it is elsewhere. Eye contact during an interview is important as it shows the interviewer you are confident and ready to go. It also shows one more key thing: you are listening and engaged in the conversation, says Frana. Got multiple interviewers in the room? Don’t miss this chance to demonstrate your team-oriented mindset. When asked a question, start out looking at the person who posed it. Then, briefly make eye contact with others before returning your gaze to the original asker while finishing your answer. 7. Pay attention to your breathing. Out of these job interview body language tips, your breathing is one place that your nerves can really show. If youre feeling nervous, your breaths may be short and shallow, leading to your speaking being shaky and quiet. One way to get control of your racing heart is to focus on your breathing. Before the interview, try the 4-7-8 technique where you inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds. This helps you focus on breathing, rather than everything jumbling your mind. During the interview, consciously take a few deep breaths when you can fit them in to help calm yourself and lead to a steady and confident voice. 8. Smile. Who seems more approachable and trustworthy- a smiler or a frowner? In both job interviews and in real life, people are naturally drawn to a happy face, and the feel-good chemicals smiling releases  into your body will help you stay calm and upbeat. Slap a grin onto your face in the washroom, elevator, or another private place before heading into an interview; even a forced smile can have a positive effect on your mood. But steer clear of fake, suspicion-inducing smiles around your interviewers. Instead, think about your accomplishments and your excitement for this opportunity. Your natural glow is sure to get noticed! Job interview body language will play a key role in your ability to get the job. Your awareness can give you another tool with which to ace your interview. And dont forget that practice makes perfect. If youre a member, you can schedule a meeting with one of our career coach experts. They can help you practice with a mock interview and give you personalized tips on your strengths and weaknesses. BOOK YOUR 1-1 ONLINE CAREER COACHING SESSION NOW A version of this post was

The Insider Secrets of What Are References in a Resume

The Insider Secrets of What Are References in a Resume What Are References in a Resume Fundamentals Explained After obtaining a degree in the necessary field, you'd be in a position to receive a better job position and salary, very similar to other careers, such as teaching or company. Now you have your work description accessible, you might actually begin searching for individuals with the required qualifications, experience, and skill. If you were called for another interview by a possible employer, you're one step closer to securing the job. Most people today realize resumes and job applications cannot be trusted. Folks are not suited for every job. Businesses have not analyzed what it requires to be prosperous in each and every job. A paper reference is chiefly needed when you're a fresh graduate. The papers ought to be proof read in order to make sure they are free from any mistakes. Research papers are intended to evaluate and assess the comprehension of students in some specific topics. You'd be amazed at what nuggets of helpful news and data you will discover buried within. A sample letter is rather helpful in the event you're at your wit's end about ways to approach a prospective employer when you are searching for work. To prevent a possible late arrival, it's always an excellent idea to earn a sincere effort to understand where you need to go well ahead of the interview day. A background check is done by a business to look at your credibility as an employee. Proactive efforts are created by granting scholarships and mentors in order to mold the candidate based on the organizations requirements. Resume is constructed with distinctive sections. Resume references will assist the employer to understand your efficiency and your behavioral attitude at work environment. The Key to Successful What Are References in a Resume The former work experience section should incorporate details about the duration, name of the organization and designation. You should get three or more references in order to acquire a great job. The work application procedure varies as per the kind of position that you're applying for. The chronological resume format is something which nearly every employer and job seeker is familiarized with, and is thought to be among the most easiest and simplest of resume formats. Some employers may want to know whether your skills are current. To begin with, though it is appealing to realize a certification in a specific specialization, you don't have to start by registering for an official course. Thus experience in the specialty is vital, before you take a leap. Your experience, educational qualifications, and skill set are a few of the most essential things you will want to concentrate on. Ultimately, buying certification really should be considered an intelligent investment not an expense. Every employee in a little business has a huge effect on performance, company culture and the most important thing. Numerous savvy businesses have discovered tremendous success with offering their employees just a little more than the competitive pace. Before putting your company funds to work on anything, you ought to make yourself an expert. For a good comprehension of how to compose a high quality research paper, there's a need to have a very clear comprehension of how the papers are being written. A resume containing errors, however minimal, will present your prospective employer an impression you do not have attention to detail, you don't take time to double check your work, and that you're a bad communicator. In case you're looking for somebody who can write one for you, you have to decide on a person that you're on good terms with and know well for a great quantity of time. You need to be a sensitive and observant person to comprehend what's going through the tender mind of a kid. Simply bear in mind the function of the letter, and whom you're writing it for. In addition, when you get there, don't forget to produce another effort to be good to the man greeting you at the front desk. Under no circumstance should you forge a paper reference because it could get caught and you'll drop the chance. The value of matching the work description to the proper temperament style can't be overstated. The Ideal Strategy for What Are References in a Resume The commencement of your resume is devoted to explaining your skills as a housekeeper. While in college, make certain that you take a course in statistics that is crucial for the purpose of research in the subject of psychology. There are lots of jobs that could make it possible for you to do social tasks like counseling in summer camps, joining old age centers or healthcare centers. To develop into an endodontist, you will need to finish a postgraduate program in endodontics from a trusted dental institute or unive rsity. What to Expect From What Are References in a Resume? As a manager there are a lot of benchmark questions that you should keep in mind during the interviewing process. You might also have to select the career assessment test to determine whether you're appropriate for that job. Let the business you worked for previously know about your existing skills so that they can write it or simply tell the new employer that you are able to deal with the tasks and your skill set is left up to date. When writing the resume for any coach, it is very important to include all of the coaching related skills in the resume that may force you to stick out from different coaches.