Sunday, May 31, 2020

A Checklist for the Perfect Resume

A Checklist for the Perfect Resume Your resume can make or break your job search, so its essential that you put the time into perfecting it and making sure it represents you and your professional abilities  in the best light. Although format and design may vary between industries and personal preference, there are a few standard requirements for your resume which shouldnt really be overlooked. This checklist, courtesy of EssayMama.com  lists all of the essentials that you must include in your resume. 1) Contact info Its important that you include contact details on your resume, or how will employers get hold of you if they wish to invite you for an interview?! A postal address is not always necessary, but its a good idea to include a contact phone number and email address (a professional one keep cool_dude1000@gmail.com for your pals!) 2) Headline To start your resume, write a short statement  that outlines who you are and what you can offer. This should highlight the skills and qualities you can bring to a job, as it may determine whether the recipient reads the rest of your resume. It should be similar to your 30 second elevator pitch, explaining who you are, what you do and why you make the perfect candidate. 3) Experience One of the main purposes of your resume is to share your past work experience. List your previous roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on the last 10-15 years if your career spans longer than that. For each role you must include the name of the company you worked at,  the dates you worked there, the position you held and any responsibilities/ achievements while in that job. 4) Education When it comes to education, it is not necessary to list your entire educational history and rather that at the highest level, for example if you attended college, it is not necessary to list your high school results. When listing education you should include the degree you completed and result, the college you attended and the year you graduated. 5) Skills List any skills that you have that you feel would be relevant to the role you are applying for. 6) Extras In this section you can list any licenses/certifications/awards that you have. You may also wish to include links to your social media accounts (if you use them professionally), blog or portfolio. 7) Formatting Your resume shouldnt be too long, so keep it to 1-2 pages. A good way to format your resume  is in bullet points, as this allows employers to skim through and focus on any relevant information. By including key words within the text ATS (applicant tracking systems) will pick them up. 8) Grammar Make sure that you have proofread your resume to check for any spelling and grammatical mistakes and ask for someone else to read it through in case youve missed anything. Try to avoid using slang on your resume and use plenty of action verbs.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

How to Write an OCONUS Freshman Resume

How to Write an OCONUS Freshman ResumeAll new freshman OCONUS in a hiring officer's role should consider incorporating an OCONUS freshman resume into their online portfolio to help them get themselves out of their first hiring officer job. By the time freshmen have graduated, the hiring officer will have forgotten about them. They will not see them on any resumes for your next job interview.So, when writing an OCONUS freshman's resume, make sure you include all the necessary facts about yourself as a new college freshman. It doesn't matter if it's a real resume or a digital portfolio as long as you include all the required information.You must put together an objective statement for your resume. The objective must be something that a prospective employer will have an immediate and interest in. Don't worry if it's not perfect. Just take a little time to write it on a piece of paper and turn it in.For each of your achievements, put down a brief description of the career you would like to discuss in the summary paragraph of your resume. Make sure you include this information in both your objective statement and summary paragraph. This is needed so that they will know what your experience and skills are.Address the point in your resume that your educational background or extracurricular activities qualifies you for the position. In your objective statement, list the departments or types of jobs that would be most appropriate for you. At the end of your summary paragraph, give a brief description of the job you are interested in. This is the time to state a few relevant facts about your abilities and the work that you have done.You must emphasize your past accomplishments and how these led to the job you are applying for so that future employers will think you are qualified. This will also show them that you have a sense of urgency about getting a new job.A writing sample can be found in a variety of formats and with many varying word counts. A sample that is very l engthy will be difficult to relate to the broadness of your intended audience. Try to find a sample that is easy to read and that has a straight forward writing style.If you don't have a sample for your resume, you should always attempt to revise it yourself. If the introduction, summary and body paragraph are clear, you don't need to worry about refining it further. However, if there are phrases or sentences that are hard to comprehend, change them immediately and move on to the rest of the document.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

The End of Jobs

The End of Jobs Taylor Pearson is the author of The End of Jobs: Money, Meaning and Freedom Without the 9-to-5. I am aware that this is a blog about finding and keeping your next great job, but this book has made me re-think the whole concept of employment. It will change your world view, too. Pearson says that everything we think we know about jobs and careers is a lie. In fact, the truth is that having a job is the riskiest path you can take in your career. Let me say that again: having a job is the riskiest path you can take in your career. You see, The End of Jobs lays out the argument that job growth is stalled, and will never come back in numbers great enough to provide jobs for everyone. Job growth has always ebbed and flowed with recessions, and we may think that the Great Recession of 2007 â€" 2008 was simply part of the cyclical boom / bust economy. Pearson says that instead of a global recession, we actually experienced a transition from one economic period to another. He lays out a compelling case. HE writes, “Data from the US Census Bureau, from 1948â€" 2000, jobs grew 1.7 × faster than population. Since 2000, the population has grown 2.4 × faster than jobs.” Manufacturing jobs are disappearing at a rapid rate, moving to low-cost human capital parts of the world like Asia, and then, eventually, being replaced by technology. White collar jobs are disappearing rapidly as well, sometimes moving overseas (call centers and software development moving to India), but just as often, being replaced by technology with no middle step. Kiosks replacing airline agents and software replacing travel agents, for example. Software Is Eating the World. Generations of people all over the world were raised to believe that going to college and getting a good job was the road to success, prosperity and security. We were also raised to believe that starting a business was risky; most small businesses failed, and the startup costs were prohibitive. Pearson says that while we weren’t looking, the world changed. Today, having a job (no matter how good, is the risky proposition. Becoming an entrepreneur is the only way to have any control over your own future, prosperity, and success. “Those that don’t adapt are becoming trapped in the downward spiral of a dying middle class working harder and earning less,” he writes. He starts the book by looking at three friends of his from college. Back in Columbus, Max had graduated with me and was working at one of the bigger accounting firms in town. He was anxious in the wake of his two-year performance review. He’d placed third out of five in his department despite working fifty- and sixty-hour weeks in the months leading up to tax time in April. He felt grateful for the 3% cost of living raise he’d gotten each year. His girlfriend’s parents were proud. He was “putting in his time.” Julian had gotten into one of the nation’s top law schools. He’d done well and, as a result, had already gotten a position with a top San Francisco law firm. Like most people starting a career in law, he was planning to spend the next three to five years working long hours, sometimes eighty- to one-hundred-hour weeks at the firm, to build a reputation and pay off his student loans. He eventually wanted to start a family and hoped to move to a smaller, more affordable city where he could take a position with better work-life balance. Marie had gotten into medical school straight out of college and was in the process of choosing her specialty. She’d always wanted to be a family practitioner, but Medicare and insurance reimbursements for primary care doctors like family medicine and internists had dropped so low, she feared there was no way she could pay back the loans and make a decent living. Instead, she’d opted for Anesthesiology, fingers-crossed that reimbursements wouldn’t continue to fall for specialist physicians. If these smart, driven, hard-working and well-educated people are struggling, something has changed. We’ll explore what has changed and what you can do about it in future posts.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Should You Accept That Promotion

Should You Accept That Promotion Tempting as it may be, just because you are offered a promotion doesn’t necessarily mean you have to accept it.   In fact, self-aware employees consider the extra responsibilities that come with a promotion and turn down the job if they feel the job exceeds their capabilities.   If you are a rising star who senses that you’ve been offered a promotion you may not be ready for, here are some issues to think through: Can you handle the workload? How are others at this level getting along?   Are they drowning or are they able to maintain some semblance of work/life balance?  Do you want the workload? What are the daily responsibilities of individuals at this level? Do their days involve activities you enjoy, like traveling, attending strategic meetings, and managing finances?  Will you be adequately compensated? Will the increase in your salary be worth the extra hours and responsibilities?  Does this promotion take you in the right direction? Will this promotion allow you to clearly map your path over the next five years?   Will you be able to continue your climb, and is the final destination be somewhere you want to be?  Are you prepared to manage the staff? What do you know about the people you are inheriting?   Do you already have positive relationships with some individuals?   Is there a collaborative spirit among the group? What if you’ve carefully considered these questions and you feel that accepting the promotion is not the right move to make?   It is indeed possible to turn it down without losing your job.   Best practices for saying no to a promotion include: Give it a few days:   Even if you think you know your answer right away, nothing can be gained from jumping the gun.   Tell your boss you’d like to have 48 hours to consider the offer.   You will come across as mature and thoughtful rather than brash and ungrateful. Be gracious:   Speaking of which, when you re-approach your manager about the offer, start by thanking her for the opportunity and telling her how much you appreciate her faith in you.   For example, you might say:   “I’m really flattered that you feel I’ve made such strides, and Im looking forward to making X, Y, and Z contributions in this role next year .  Be careful not to act as if her decision was a bad one.   For example, don’t say:   “I just don’t think I’m the right person for the job”. Sell them on the status quo:   Tell your manager why you feel it’s best for the organization if you stay in your current position.   You might say, for example, that you really love your job and still feel like you could add a lot of value to the role.   You might also talk about uncompleted projects that you want to personally see to fruition. Be flexible:   Remember that by turning down the promotion, you are creating a problem for your boss â€" now he has to fill that job some other way.   So as best you can, try to compromise and perhaps even come up with an alternative solution.   For instance, maybe you can volunteer to assist in hiring a more senior individual and take on more responsibility until that person can get up and running. Turning down a promotion is a difficult rite of passage in a rising star’s trajectory.   But it’s better for your long-term career to exceed expectations in your current position and move up when you’re ready than be forced to wear shoes you can’t possibly fill. This guest post was authored by Alexandra Levit Alexandra Levit’s goal is to prepare organizations and their employees to be competitive and marketable in the future business world. An author of eight books including They Dont Teach Corporate in College, Updated Edition, Humanity Works.   She is a former nationally syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and writer for the New York Times, Fast Company, and Forbes. Levit recently became a partner with organizational development firm PeopleResults. She has served as a member of Business Roundtable’s Springboard Project, which advised the Obama administration and has consulted for and spoken at hundreds of organizations around the world. Frequently appearing as a spokesperson in major media outlets, Levit was named an American Management Association Top Leader.   She has also been named Money Magazine’s Online Career Expert of the Year.   She resides in Chicago, Illinois. Her website is www.alexandralevit.com. Alexandra Levit is the author of the international bestseller They Don’t Teach Corporate in College. Do you have a promotion story youd like to share?   Contact [emailprotected]

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Secrets to Resume Writing For Maintenance

Secrets to Resume Writing For MaintenanceWith today's fast paced world, it is important to learn the tricks of resume writing for maintenance. You will find that the right resume writer can help you get that promotion, that new position, or increase your current income. The trick is to find the best one to work with. Here are some tips for finding a reputable writer:First, find out what the average for every area of employment is with resume writers. For example, is it three, five, or ten years? Will the average be across the board, or just for entry level positions? This will give you an idea of what to expect. Try and find an industry within the same business, to get a feel for the average.Second, find out how long the company has been in operation for and how long the owner or company has been in business for a long time. You will want to hire someone who will continue to be in business for a long time. If you can find a company that is continually growing, keep looking until you find someone who has been doing business for two decades. The longer the business has been around, the more experienced they are in their field.Third, find out what types of resumes are the most targeted by the target companies. This can be from personal experience or someone else's recommendation. If you need to know how to write a resume for maintenance, this is a good start.Fourth, find out what type of business model they use. You want to hire someone who uses an online service. These will be much easier to do as you will not have to deal with physical copies. However, if you need to send it through the mail, you may want to consider using a company that handles only physical mailings.Fifth, find out what type of information you need to know about them. This can be written on their site, in the introduction, or even in the resume. You want to know if they accept resumes over the phone, or if there is any type of postal address or phone number to contact them through. You also wa nt to make sure they have a website that gives you an overview of the company and what it is all about. They should also have a contact form on their site that you can use to get in touch with them or send a resume.Sixth, find out what information is available for everyone. Some companies require that you upload your resume and proofread it before they will consider it. Others may let you use it as is, but will require corrections.These are the secrets to finding the best resume writing for maintenance professionals. Take the time to look into a few companies and you will have the resume you need to help you climb up the ladder.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Reader Mailbag - The Job Offer Does Not Smell Right - Career Pivot

Reader Mailbag - The Job Offer Does Not Smell Right - Career Pivot The Job Offer Does Not Smell Right This is the fourth ina series called Mailbag, wherein I respond to readers’ questions regardingcareer issues. This month, we have a question about how to handle job offers that donot smell right. Marc, I have been interviewing for a sales position with a company that is not located near me. Their products and services are quite intriguing, but something just simply does not smell right. I can notput my finger on what is “not right.” I am unemployed and really need to get back to work. What do you suggest? Tom Tom, My suggestion is to enter into a dating relationship with this company. If they make an offer of employment, turn around and askto jointhem as either a contractor or consultant for 3 months. Propose an hourly rate that is 25-50% over the salary they are offering. Doing this gives both sides an opportunity to try before you buy. If after 3 months you have figured out why the jobdid not smell right,then it will be much easier on you to walk away from the position…from an emotional perspective. Listen to the most recent episode If they do not agree to this, then just reject the offer. I have found that most employers will always agree to such an arrangement. Marc Company Does Not Have the Budget to Hire Me Marc, I am talking with a very interesting tech startup. They have an intriguing product, and they really need business development help, but they do not have the budget to hire right now. I have a limited window becauseI need to find a job and have an income. How do I get them to moveforward despite budget restraints sinceI cannot afford to wait for them? Michael Michael, I want you to look at yourself as a consultant. What problem dothey need solved? How can you help with this? How long will the process take? Put together a proposal that solves their problem. Make sure the problem is sufficiently large enough to take3-5 months to complete. Quote a rate that is at the high end for the type of work you propose.You will not work cheap! This arrangement allows them toput a box around the problem, both in budget and time. If you are successful, you will have proved your worth. Workingas a contractor will allowyou todetermine whether the product or service they are developing has a high probability of success. You are dating to get a job. You are also buying time for them to acquire the next set of venture funding. Marc Dating to Get a Job Ifa company is not quite ready to hire or you suspect that something does not quite “smell right” about an opportunity, offering to come on as a consultant or contractor is very attractive to a prospective employer. It allows both sides to date each other to see if this is a good fit. I currently have three clients who are dating their employers. This obviously works best if you are unemployed, as you get to bring in an income while you are dating. Have you tried this strategy? Comment below if you have and tell us your story. For more examples of dating to get a job read 3 Ways to Date to Get a Job Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Saturday, May 9, 2020

7 Jobs for Those Who Love Math - CareerAlley

7 Jobs for Those Who Love Math - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. If you love math, there are a plethora of career opportunities available to you. Fortunately, math-minded individuals are able to score some of the highest paying jobs out there, from accounting to biotechnology. Here are seven jobs you can pursue if you love math. Certified Public Accountant This may seem like an obvious choice, but it is an excellent one nevertheless. If you are interested in having a highly lucrative career, look no further than the field of accounting. If you are thinking about becoming an accountant, know that the career field is diverse with different job opportunities. Becoming a certified public accountant allows you to work in high-level management positions in companies where you can create budgets and oversee transactions. Your job is essentially to organize relevant data, perform audits, prevent fraud, and help steer the financial growth of a company. Accountants have the ability to work alone with clients, or in stable jobs with a business. In order to become a CPA, the most prestigious of all accounting positions, you must pass the CPA exam. This test is notoriously difficult, and can take years to complete successfully. Financial Analyst Financial analysts are different from accountants, even though both jobs deal with money. Financial analysts will analyze financial risk and speculate about future investments to consult with their clients. Financial analysts are forward-thinkers, and they seek to find patterns that will turn the best profit in the future. Many financial analysts will work in the stock market, with insurance companies, individuals interested in investment or speculation, and many other jobs that require their forward-thinking capabilities. Economist Economists are nothing like accountants and have little to do with financial analysts. Economists study the big picturethey study social patterns within society that drive local, national, and global markets. Most economists work in the government or as professors, where they can continue their research and present valuable data throughout their lifetime. Enrolled Agent When people think of tax law, they think of two things: the IRS, and attorneys. If you are interested in working in the realm of law, consider tax law as your area of focus. Going to law school to become a tax attorney can give you a wide array of knowledge to practice your expertise, however you can still work in tax law as an enrolled agent without a degree. Enrolled agents hold one of the few positions that are granted unlimited rights to represent clients before the IRS. Enrolled agents are expected to have a deep understanding of tax law in order to consult with individuals, businesses, and other organizations on their tax issues. Even though the IRS does not require a college degree, they do have a prerequisite that you prove your tax knowledge. To become an enrolled agent, you must either work for the IRS for five years, or pass the Special Enrollment Exam (or SEE) that covers all matters of individual, business, and procedural tax law. EA exam prep courses and study guides wi ll help best prepare you for the exam. Chemist Not all math related jobs are involved in the finance industry. There are actually many opportunities available in the sciences, including chemistry. Many people find a rewarding career in areas such as biotechnology, where they can harness their skills to create life-saving vaccines or components for cancer treatments. Physicist Physicists are able to harness their math skills in a way that other mathematicians cant. People who pursue physics are concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. A physicist may study the mechanics of sound, electricity, light, or even the structure of atoms. Theoretical physicists such as Albert Einstein used mathematical principles to research theories, while Sir Isaac Newton created his own form of mathcalculusin order to support the principles of physics. Engineer If you enjoy design, from the handle of a toothbrush to accommodating the fuel supply needed for a rocket ship to Mars, then engineering is the career for you. Engineers have the opportunity to work in almost any industry, whether it be aerospace, mechanics, automobiles, or smartphones. Engineers plan the last detail of every project, including where the screws should go on a new wind turbine design. If you have a bachelors degree in mathematics, you have a variety of career paths to peruse. Consider these options and choose the right option for you. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Friday, May 8, 2020

How to prove to employers youre a catch -

How to prove to employers youre a catch - In a survey  of millennials and hiring managers  commissioned by  Elance-oDesk  and Millennial Branding,  Jaleh Bisharat, Elance-oDesk senior vice president of marketing, and Dan Schawbel, Millennial Branding managing partner, showcase how professionals can thrive as millennials tip the scales as the largest workforce generation next year. Bisharat and Schawbel offered the following analysis and suggestions for  succeeding in the workforce: 1. Focus on hard skills.  â€œA majority of hiring managers (55 percent) revealed they prioritize hard skills over personality (21%) when hiring,  Bisharat notes.  With the rapidly changing tech landscape and a persisting skills gap, it is more important than ever for businesses to find people with the specific skills they need to deliver results.” Employers will appreciate your efforts. “Whether you’re a millennial or a more seasoned professional, there’s no excuse not to keep up to date on skills relevant in your field,  Schawbel adds.  With free and low-cost online learning platforms like Coursera and Lynda boasting courses ranging from Photoshop for beginners to the ins and outs of Bitcoin, a world’s worth of hard skills are at your fingertips.” 2. Be the change you want to see.  Millennials are known for innovation. The survey notes that hiring managers believe millennials are open to change (72 percent), creative (66 percent) and adaptable (65 percent)  â€"  far outranking their Gen X counterparts for these desirable traits. “Many companies still run up against the digital divide and shrink from pushing past the old way of doing things. That’s why, if you’re a millennial, you should play up your unique ‘digital native’ talents (real and perceived) to spur innovation on your teams,  Schawbel says.  Companies are hungry for new ideas, and while millennials are champions of change, all professionals should strive for adaptability.” 3. Prove you’re a team player.  While they appreciate seeing specific  â€œhard” skills on  résumés, more and more employers are considering the work culture they wish to develop and seeking  team players to create it. “Although millennials are seen as providing critical advantages thanks to their fresh thinking and entrepreneurialism, findings of our study showed that, when asked which generation was more likely to be team players, only 27 percent of hiring managers chose millennials rather than Gen X,  Bisharat explains. This perception, whether reality or not, is a demerit that can slow career growth. If you’re a member of this youngest generation of professionals, make sure to develop teamwork skills to prove this impression wrong. If you’re a more established professional, be open to working closely with and mentoring millennials.” 4. Stand out as a loyalist.  No doubt,  employer loyalty  is waning  with good reason. All employees are realizing that they cannot count on a corporate entity to return the favor. Despite this, it’s helpful to be able to tap into your passion and interest for an organization. “Simply showing you are dedicated can help you build trust with your team and organization,  Schawbel says.  With 58 percent  of millennials reporting they expect to be in their job fewer than three years, displays of loyalty will certainly nudge employers to invest in your professional future.” Get my free white paper:  5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week   5. Consider alternative paths.  While it’s great to be able to articulate and demonstrate your interest in a particular company, facts are facts. The majority of employees will not be able to expect to stay in one job for many years, and being agile and flexible enough to shift â€" even to an  entrepreneurial path  â€" will be key to success for many workers. “Even if you venture out on your own, you will never be successful without involving others.  Bisharat explains.  Sara Horowitz, founder of Freelancers Union, believes freelancing is all about networking. She says, ‘Freelancing successfully means building a network to line up new gigs, passing assignments to others when things are busy and getting referrals from friends when they’re not.’ You never know when these connections will turn into opportunities down the road.” Originally appeared on U.S. News World Report.