Tuesday, December 31, 2019

4 Reasons You Aren#8217;t Advancing Professionally

4 Reasons You Aren8217t Advancing Professionally 4 Reasons You Aren8217t Advancing Professionally Allow me to preface this article by saying that when I talk about advancing professionally, Im not referring exclusively to getting a promotion or starting your own company.Climbing the corporate ladder is, of course, a form of professional advancement, but there are other forms as well. Growth can mean mastering (and applying) new skills, introducing new systems that benefit the company, increasing your contribution to the bottom line, and so much more.If you feel that youve stopped growing (or never started), then you might fall into one or more of these categories.You do the bare minimumYou know your job description by heart and will not lift a finger beyond what you were hired to do. Perhaps you see it as unnecessary to go above and beyond, perhaps you dont know you should, or perhaps youre just inspired in your current role. Whatever the reason, this approach will jeopardize your learning and prevent your from establishing yourself as the go-getter/leader type. The result? Youll stay exactly where you are professionally.Youre surrounded by mediocrityQuotes and studies abound about how we are who we surround ourselves with. This is true on both personal and professional levels. If youre part of a company or department or gruppe that is characterized by mediocrity, not by excellence, then it will be all too easy to fall into a complacent mindset, keeping you exactly where you are.Youre afraid of failureMany people who dream of starting their own business dont because theyre afraid of failure, and many people who dream of advancing professionally dont for the exact same reason. You might be afraid to ask for more responsibilities, afraid to shake things up, or afraid of stepping on someone elses toes. Forgive me for this, but lets take a moment and step back into high school lit. In the wise words of William Shakespeare, Our doubts are traitors, and make us los e to the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. Unless youre in an environment that will unjustly punish you for trying and failing, push past your doubts and attempt new things.You Wont Switch Jobs, Even When Its TimeThere usually comes a time when changing jobs is necessary to advance your career. As with any major life decision, it can be intimidating. First you have to get a job you want, then you have to leave behind your colleagues, job security, and day-to-day comfort to which youve grown accustomed. At your new job, you start all over again, trusting from your interviews that youll enjoy the work, get along with your new coworkers, and be moving up in the professional world. Even with all of this in mind, there comes a time when its necessary to push beyond your resistance to change.The seelenlage of this story? If youre uninspired, surrounded by mediocrity, in a job that punishes you for trying, or have maxed out your potential in your current position, then its time to search for a new job.

Friday, December 27, 2019

7 Tricks to Transform Your Personal Brand After Unemployment

7 Tricks to Transform Your Personal Brand After Unemployment7 Tricks to Transform Your Personal Brand After Unemployment If youre unemployed , your number one focus is probably on finding a job. Why, you might think, should you even bother thinking about your personal brand at a time like this?Well, when it comes to job searching, personal brand is everything says Career Coach Angela Copeland . If youre going to find a job, you want to project your best self, which is what your personal brand is all about.After a confidence-rattling period of unemployment, though, projecting your best self can be a challenge. However, its also a big opportunity. Now that youve stepped back from the working world, you have the chance to reinvent yourself however you see fit, which is key in helping you land the right job.Not sure where to abflug? Try these nine tips.Your resume, cover letter , LinkedIn profile, and online portfolio website are all part of your personal brand, Cope land says, so updating them all to reflect your latest achievements is key. Beyond just listing your experience, though, make sure that all of these materials tell a cohesive story of who you are as an employee.A couple additional items you may want to consider a one-page networking resume is a necessary tool when you attend meetings to onboard new and advertise to prospective clients, says Resume Writer & Career Transition Coach Wendi Weiner. And if youre further along in your career, consider pairing it with an executive bio as this is the perfect complement to an executive portfolio, particularly for speaking engagements and publications, Weiner says.For better or for worse, recruiters and hiring managers dont just look at application materials when evaluating candidates - theyre also increasingly turning to the internet.Every element of a job application - resume, cover letter, references, etc. - along with anything that can be found online about you are all associated with your personal brand. Potential employers will look up your online presence to understand mora about who you are, so it is important that you run periodic online searches of your name to see what pops up, advises Mary Grace Gardner, career strategist at The Young Professionista .Dont like what you see? Check the privacy on your social media accounts, Copeland suggests. In todays political climate, you want to be judged for your skills and expertise, rather than your opinions about the latest news. In addition, ensure youre using a professional looking profile photo on sites such as LinkedIn. Be sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and represents you in a positive light. And if you dont have an online portfolio site , this could be a great time to create one check out services such as Squarespace that make building a website fairly straightforward, Copeland says.If you find yourself stuck in a rut after unemployment, unsure of where you want to go and how you can make yourself attractive to employers, you may want to consult with a certified resume writer and career coach , Weiner says. They will see grey areas of your career and help you recognize your best talents and skill sets as well as how to communicate and convey them properly.After all, Weiner points out, today, a resume is more than just a career history. It has to be a strategic marketing document that effectively markets you.Gaps in your resume might make employers nervous, but if you can prove that you spent that down time constructively, then youll be in a much better position.What you do while unemployed speaks volumes about your personal brand. Did you waste time or seize the opportunity to continue growing? Gardner says.One of the ways you can make the most of periods of unemployment is by enrolling in a class to sharpen your skills, volunteering for an organization you care about, or attending events in your industry, Gardner suggests. Not only will it help keep yourself busy, but it will also help with building positive momentum and adding to your personal brand.If youre having a tough time revitalizing your personal brand - perhaps youre unsure of exactly what message youre trying to convey, or simply dont know how to convey it - try turning to others for inspiration.Spend some time looking up influential people in your industry Whats on their LinkedIn account? What books are they tweeting about? What issues do they care about? Pay close attention to discern how you can apply these things as you revamp your own social media accounts and job application materials, Gardner suggests.Unemployment can seriously shake your confidence, but when youre searching for a job, you certainly dont want that self-consciousness or uncertainty to become part of your personal brand - its a sure way to turn employers off. To combat that, youll have to prepare yourself mentally.First you must have an attitude that youre adequate in applying for whatever you are going for that supports you expecting acceptance for who you are and what you bring to the table, says Debra Benton, Executive Coach and author of The Leadership Mind Switch Rethinking How We Lead in the New World of Work . If you dont expect acceptance they likely wont give it to you. If you do expect acceptance, you just might get it.Remember what makes you unique and valuable to an employer and to those you work alongside, adds Weiner. Continue to reiterate positive self-talk on a daily basis.If youre still struggling to project confidence, theres nothing wrong with faking it until you make it.Stand up straight and tall, keep your head level on your shoulders (not tilted to one side), look people in the eye and above all keep a small smile on your face. Doesnt have to be a big ole grin but a look that is awake, alert, alive, confident, and comfortable, Benton says.Nobody likes being rejected , but the odds are that youre going to have to apply to a handful of companies before you get a job offer - so you have to maintain optimism throughout the whole process.Experiencing unemployment is not only financially challenging but mentally challenging as well. Even if you left your previous employer willingly, you may find yourself in a state of vulnerability once you expose yourself to the possibility of rejection, Gardner says. The most important tip to overcoming unemployment is to be persistent in your job search while continuing to grow your skills and tapping into your network.It may take a while before you find the right fit, but once you do, it will all have been worth it.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Applying for a Job When You Arent Qualified

Applying for a Job When You Arent QualifiedApplying for a Job When You Arent QualifiedShould you apply for a job that youre not, or only somewhat, qualified for? Job seekers often wonder whether it makes sense to apply for jobs when they dont possess most or all of the qualifications. Sometimes, it makes sense to give it a try. In other cases, you may want to save your time and spend it applying for jobs that are a better fit. What to Consider Before You Apply Although there is no one answer that fits all candidates and all situations, there is some general advice worth considering before you start applying for jobs that may not be a strong match for your qualifications. You Dont Know Who Else Applied Candidates can never know who the competition is for a particular stelle.Employers share the ideal qualifications in job postings, but dont always receive applications from people who meet all the requirements. You may be as qualified as everyone else who applied, which will giv e you a gelegenheit of getting selected for an interview. How Much Do Want the Job? A question you should ask yourself is How attractive is the job?Evaluate how fully the job meets your criteria for an ideal position. Even if a job is a long shot, it may be worth the effort if the potential payoff is high enough. Be sure to itemize your list of requirements for an ideal job prior to engaging in your search so that you can assess the relative appeal of job vacancies. How Qualified Are You? When deciding whether to apply for a job, make a list of the advertised and implied qualifications.Place a check next to the requirements that you can meet. If you can make a case for many of the core requirements and the job is attractive, then you should consider applying. Note the distinction between the requirements and the preferences cited by the employer.Employers are more likely to consider candidates who dont possess the preferred qualities than job seekers without the required ski lls or knowledge. You may be able to be hired even if youre not a perfect match for the position. Can You Get the Skills You Need? If your list is coming up short, what else can you do to make an impression on the hiring manager? When reviewing the job requirements, consider whether you would be willing to develop any of the skills that you dont already possess. If so, you can convey your eagerness to do so in your communications with the employer. Also, you could formulate a professional development plan so that you can increase your chances of landing similar jobs in the future. You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Time Job seekers who have more time and energy available to devote to their search will be in a position to apply for more jobs that are a stretch. If you have the time, it can be worth sending in an application. Ideally, you will allocate enough time to your search so that you can apply for some reach jobs as well as the surer bets.Because of factors like the rest of the applicant pool or the recommendations you can provide, you may have more of a chance than you expected. That said, be careful about asking for a referral for too many stretch jobs. You dont want to use up the goodwill of the people who are willing to refer you by asking for recommendations for jobs that are only a remote possibility. Finally, if you can get an interview scheduled, youll have an opportunity to pitch your candidacy on the phone or in person and get a step ahead in the hiring process. When Not to Apply In some cases, you shouldnt waste your time putting together a job application. Here are seven good reasons not to apply for a job.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The biggest findings from National Geographics sleep issue

The biggest findings from National Geographics sleep issueThe biggest findings from National Geographics sleep issueIf youre used to finding photographs of far-flung landscapes inNational Geographic, you may be surprised to discover that the magazines August issue is focused on a topic closer to home the science of sleep.The coverstoryis a deep look intosleepand its effect on our well-being, and the magazines editors liken sleep to a place we go, rather than a state of being. Sleep is an undiscovered country that each one of us travels to every night, but we really dont understand it very well, said senior editor Robert Kunzig in an interview withCBS This Morning. Its hugely important for our health in our daily lives.Here are 5 things we learned from this months cover story1. The epidemic of sleep is costing usTheCDChas found that 35 percent of adults are not getting the recommended seven hours of sleep, and one in three adults are suffering from lack ofsleep. Most Americans sleep l ess than seven hours a night, about two hours less than a century ago. Needless to say, the epidemic of sleep is costing us, both economically and physically. Sleep-deprived consumers are paying over $66 1000 milliarden on devices, medications, and sleep studies - a figure that could rise to $85 billion by 2021. According to Kunzig, were also spending mora than $411 billion to make up for the accidents and loss of productivity caused by lack of sleep.2. We werent built to skimp on sleepWeve always been told that getting sufficient sleep is good for us, but the recent science cited in the NatGeo spread is inspiring us to hit the pillow earlier. Every animal, without exception, exhibits at least a primitive form of sleep writes Michael Finkel. Its evidently natural law that a creature, no matter the size, cannot go full throttle 24 hours a day. The biology doesnt lie, and the stress of staying awake is taking its toll on our bodies. Theres all sorts of health effects that are linked to sleeplessness heart disease, diabetes even obesity, Kunzigexplained.3. Sleep is a spiral journeyDid you know one night of sleep actually consists of a series of cycles? In the first stage, we fall into sleep, which takes about five minutes. Then, our brain stays active in the second stage, as it fires into its editing process, deciding which memories to hold onto from the day. Since sleep reinforces memory, exhausted soldiers are actually advised not to go directly to bed if they just returned from a disturbing mission. In the third and fourth stages, we enter a deep sleep a physiological housekeeping for our bodies. Then, in REM sleep, we experience dreams. Some scientists say our dreaming state is a psychotic state, as we can experience hallucinations and delusions.4. When sleep is interrupted, the whole day can feel differentThe magazineissueincludes an interview with Thrive founder and CEO Arianna Huffington, who spoke to editor-in-chief Susan Goldberg about what happens whe n sleep cycles are interrupted. As it turns out, an interrupted night of sleep can make the difference between an energized morning or an exhausted one. One of the metaphors I use is that sleep is like the laundry, Huffington explained. Youre not going to take out the laundry 10 minutes early to save time. You have to complete all the cycles in the washing machine. Our sleep cycles have to be completed too otherwise we wake up and feel like wet and dirty laundry.5. Were starting to realize the value of sleep, but we need to take actionWere at a moment of transformation, said Huffington on the prioritization ofsleep. It seems that peoplewantto go to sleep, but with addictive devices, intrusive sources of blue light, and the glamorization of long, productive days, our sleep-thwarting habits are making it difficult to reach our sleep goals. The war on sleep began when incandescent bulbs first made it easy to banish night, reports Finkel. The problem is that in the modern world, our anc ient, innate wake-up call is constantly triggered by non-life-threatening situations, he writes. A full nights sleep now feels as rare and old-fashioned as a handwritten letter, Finkel writes. But it shouldnt, andputting downour phones earlier is ahuge stepin getting more restorative shuteye. The importance ofsetting boundarieswith our devices is more relevant than ever before, and the time to set those boundaries is now.This article first appearedon Thrive Global.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Cover Letter Gambit That Paid Off Big

The Cover Letter Gambit That Paid Off Big The Cover Letter Gambit That Paid Off Big Its not uncommon for a hiring managers to receive dozens if not hundreds of applications for just one open position. Even if yure a perfectly qualified candidate, you may still struggle to stand out from the rest of that pack.This is where a titel letter can help. A great cover letter grabs the readers attention, gives a few quick highlights on your professional value, and makes the reader want to know more about you as a candidate.At our company, we recently had an applicant who took a gamble with his cover letter that paid off big in the end.In late 2017, we had job posts up for a few different positions. One welches for an associate-level position, and another welches for a project manager position that required more skills and more work experience. Naturally, we had an inbox full of cover letters and resumes for the associate position, but fewer applications for the project manager role.One co ver letter for the project manager job grabbed our attention from the very first line.It stspeciesed out, Im not the fit youre looking for in this role. I know it, and I suspect it wont take you long to join me in that knowledge. Thats certainly not a standard opening. While I may be a few years removed from college, I dont remember any classes or advisors teaching meto open a cover letter like thatAs soon as we read that opening, we were hooked. We had to keep reading. The applicant continued to say that he was confident he could do the job, but there were probably other candidates who already had the necessary experience and could jump right in. In this way, the applicantshowed that he was confident without being cocky. He was humble and deferred to other candidates, which is something to be admired. He immediately showed that he was thoughtful and a team player.The second paragraph was shortand to the point So instead of trying to lay out a barely solvent argument as to why you s hould hire me as your digital marketing project manager position, Im just going to tell you You shouldnt.He still had us hooked. There was no way wed stop reading now.As it turned out, this applicant had applied for the associate-level job but hadnt heard a response. After a month or so, he applied for the project manager position and wrote the cover letter that flipped the script. In the third paragraph, he wrote, Instead, Im going to just say that if there are any other jobs with your company in the same department but with different experience requirements, please consider me. I have already applied to one such job with Go Fish and wrote a more traditional cover letter for that position, which is something Im sure you can track down and read if you so desire.As part of our application, our company asks individuals to be a little more casual in their cover letters and write something that stands out. This cover letter certainly fit the bill.The next paragraph was more in line with a standard cover letter. At this point, however,the applicantalready had our attention. He continued on to succinctly outline his qualifications and why he was a good fit for the company. This part of his cover letter made it clear that that he spent time researching both the job and the companys culture. The applicant referenced specific requirements from the application and provided brief examples of related work experience. He ended his letter by thanking us, which is always a nice touch.Thisapplicant took a risk in order to stand out. After not hearing back about his original application, he decided to apply for something he knew he wasnt qualified for but with a cover letter that was unique. It immediately grabbed our attention and made us smile. He was funny, confident, and creative.So the next time youre stuck on the job hunt, consider doing something out of the ordinary. Sometimes flipping the script is what it takes to stand out. It worked for this applicant, and were happ y to have him on our team.David Cusick is a content marketing manager for Go Fish Digital.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career. Like this article? We also offer tons of free eBooks on career and recruiting topics - check out Get a Better Job the Right Way and Why It Matters Who Does Your Recruiting. document.write(Read more ) in Cover Letter

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Resume Headers Examples Options

Resume Headers Examples Options A Secret Weapon for Resume Headers Examples Resume Headings carry all of your personal, contact and societal media information details. Located at the very top of your resume below your name and contact info, a headline makes it possible for a recruiter to see quickly and concisely what makes you the correct person for the job. The Good, the Bad and Resume Headers Examples A vast array of companies face the chance of retail thieving, however, mora compact organizations are tremendously vulnerable. If you are at present residing at a short-term address, like a students college address, you can include it along with your permanent address based on the conditions. In the event youre a fresher, then you may add a section under strengths. Obviously, resume designs may change depending on the kind of job that you are applying for. Top Resume Headers Examples Secrets Hence, make note of them also so it would help making the perfect blend of phrases. Common issues like spelling and grammar mistakes will make you appear stupid. Resume headlines or a resume summary are frequently used as a guide to assist interviewers know a particular persons information in the kind of a summary. Resume headline is intended to be written in a brief and concise way. A Secret Weapon for Resume Headers Examples Headline A resume is for obtaining a job and step one is an interview so resumes function is to obtain an interview, period. In the modern world there are lots of techniques to learn about the resume titles already offered. You ought to understand that your resume will be observed by the very best shots of the business, who usually are extremely busy and dont have enough time to experience the entire resume. Resume headlines are perfect for candidates with a great deal of experience. The Key to Successful Resume Headers Examples Today so many individuals are struggling for their career and they arent really able to comprehend the p erfect path. One of the greatest things you can do in buchen to receive your resume in fighting shape is to ensure your headline game is strong. On the flip side, you have to be a specialist in what you are likely to write about. A good resume will not truly guarantee that you obtain a great job. When youre searching for work, in the event the hiring manager or recruiter can see youre a fantastic candidate for a job they will want to speak with you. Now, the recruiter cant get in contact with you even if theyre interested Dont allow the recruiters guessing what exactly you would like to convey. Choosing Good Resume Headers Examples There is a good debate among career professionals about whether a resume should get an objective. The objective is to concisely state your value for a candidate. In general, the secret to having your objectives stand out and produce the grade is to get good presentation, and decent qualification highlights. To begin with, the work objective ough t to be concise and clear. Life After Resume Headers Examples Keep in mind that hiring managers and recruiters spend a limited period of time on each resume as few as six seconds, according to a single study. A good deal of recruiters now utilize LinkedIn to employ potential job seekers. Studying resumes of individuals who hold, or have held the kind of job that youre pursuing, is also beneficial. You might also want to conserve some of the greatest headlines for use on resumes for various jobs and employers. In trying to locate professional resume headers references, it can be done in a variety of ways. Since resumes are largely digitally sent, there is absolutely no need to have a printout and sign the resume. You desire a reference that supplies examples of professional resume headers that may allow it to be simpler so you can compile your very own professional resume headers. What precisely you will need is simply click the assortment of Sample Resume Headers beneath. There are hundreds and hundreds of sample resumes on the world wide web. So make certain your resume is simple to read by making sure there is an abundance of white space around the text, particularly headings. What precisely you will need is only choose the assortment of Resume Headers beneath. To get an idea how you need your resume to look like and learn to earn a good resume, you can hunt for sample templates and resume formats on the internet to lead you in making your own. Resume Headers Examples Secrets Entry-level objectives can be particularly hard to write since you likely dont have loads of work experience, but you do want to solidify how you know the sort of career youre searching for. Ultimately somebody who has a goal will always attempt to do profit the organisation. So your first aim is to have your resume read by means of a person. The aim of a resume headline is to sum up your abilities and experience into a quick phrase that will stick out and show the pos sible employer exactly what youve got to offer you. The Foolproof Resume Headers Examples Strategy Located right at the very top of the resume, a resume headline for fresher is the very first thing that the employer sees. A well-defined resume headline is what you will need to appear smart, if you want work. Your resume headline has to be crisp and demonstrate your abilities. Ideally, your resume headline is going to be personalized for every single job that you apply to. Creating a resume headline is just one of the most crucial elements of your resume, as it introduces or prepares the reader for those details which may be in your resume. HubSpots blog topic generator is a terrific tool if youve got no clue what to write about. You must get their attention. From time to time, look back at the title to make sure that youre not writing off topic. Top Choices of Resume Headers Examples You should be mindful that not only youre asking for work. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. In case you have any internship experience and believe, youve completed an important quantity of work and benefitted the organization, that could be mentioned too beneath a section of Internships. Your experience should reveal only jobs, the essence of duties of which, are very similar to that of the job which you are currently applying for.

Monday, December 2, 2019

5 Steps to get Back into the Work Mindset

5 Steps to get Back into the Work Mindset Youve opened up gifts, stuffed your belly and spent time with loved ones. Now its all coming to an end. And, for many workers, once the holidays have ended, so have their not-doing-work days. Its extremely easy to get accustomed to being on vacation, even if its just for a short while. But no matter how comfortable we get, at some point we all have to go back to work. Even though you know your vacation days are numbered, the idea of returning back to your typical 9-to-5 routine can be daunting. Is there any way to soften the inevitable blow?Below are five steps you can take to get yourself back into the work mindset, post-holiday season1.RestYou may be thinking, but this is what Ive been doing this entire time, right? Well, yes, but you still need to rest up a little mora before going back to work. Give yourself at least a day to relax, free of busy activi ties and functions. Prepare yourself for work the night before you actually return to the office-iron work clothes, gather your work materials and work bag, set your alarm, go to bed on time. Just as they say you dont want to go back to work the very next day after flying back home from out of town, you shouldnt return to work without some time to fully relax and prepare the night before.2.Head startNow this may not sound appealing, but going into work a little early on your first day back can help jump-start your normal routine. Instead of dragging your feet out of bed and sluggishly returning to the office, going in earlier than normal will push you back into the familiar. This can also help you get a head start on your workload for the new year (or quarter).3.Follow upMany people go on vacation and leave behind unfinished work. Following up on emails, looking back at your past work history to see what you were working on before you left, and checking voice-mails and returning mis sed calls is a great way to get back into the swing of things.4.ReviewTake some time to review any goals for the new year, whether set by your employer, specific department, team or yourself. What do you hope to accomplish in 2013? What goals did you or your team set to wrap up 2012? Have you reached them? What steps do you need to take to fulfill each one? Reviewing your goals will help remind of you the necessary work you need to complete once your vacation has ended.5.ConverseDont forget to make time to mingle with your coworkers once you return to work. Ask them how they spent their vacation time and compare stories on how all of you willed yourself back to work. bedrngnis only will this help you easily transition back into the work environment as the sense of familiarity and comfort takes over from chatting with your colleagues, you can also discover new ways of preparing yourself to go back to work as you learn what did and did not work for the others on your team.A lot of Ame ricans are considered workaholics, but almost every worker may find it difficult to return to the work functions and mindset after a vacation, especially an extended one completely unrelated to his or her job. There are many tricks and tips to get your mind focused and prepared to returning to work. Dont see one of the ways you get yourself back into the work mindset on this list? Recruiter.com encourages you to share it below