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How to write a powerful resume:

Writing a resume can be a bit intimidating if you are new to job hunting or if you have been job searching for a while with little or no results. Using a “one-size-fits-all” resume might be a big mistake when you are looking at a variety of employment opportunities.

You should always tailor your resume to the position you are applying for. This does not mean that you have to write a new resume for every situation, but it does mean you should “tweak” it to make it more meaningful to the person who will be reviewing it.

It does take a little more time to customize your resume for each job you are applying for, but if your resume is more powerful and effective you should not have to send out as many. The key is to do as much research as possible on your potential employers.

The more you know about the company, the products and the position, the better able you are to give them what they are looking for in your resume and land that critical job interview. Once you know more about the employer you can then decide on the format you will use.

Should You Focus Your Resume on Job Skills vs Work Experience?

I suggest you write two resumes. One focusing on your job experience and the other focusing on your acquired job skills. When you find an employer who is most interested in hiring employees with plenty of job experience, you naturally will give them the resume which details your employment record in chronological order so they can see at a glance how experienced you are. For all others, you should put the highlight on the skill sets you have that pertain to the position you are applying for and how you attained them.

Keep your resume brief, concise and specific. You must keep in mind that the company likely will receive hundreds of applications for every position that is available. Make it easy for them to select you over someone else by organizing your information so they can take in as much of the important information in the shortest amount of time. If they can see at a glance that you might be a good match, your resume will quickly be put in the pile of “possible candidates” for more consideration.

Support your skills with numbers and percentages whenever possible. For example: Instead of putting “office supervisor” you might put “Office management supporting a staff of 25 clerical workers”.  “Regional sales” might be better represented as “Managed the South Central area comprising of 120 key accounts generating $1.5 million in annual revenue”.

By including these key numbers in your resume, you are giving the prospective employer a glimpse into how well you did your job without having to go into lengthy detail on job performance. This is what makes your resume stand out above all of the others and will help them see the benefits of hiring you.

Technorati Tags: how to write a resume, job search tips, resume formats, writing a better resume

Being late will prevent you from climbing the corporate ladder.

When asked what the number one piece of advice he would give an employee on the subject of office etiquette and career success, Peter Post, co-author of  The Etiquette Advantage in Business: Personal Skills for Professional Success answered, “Be on time”. Being punctual for your work day, your appointments, and your deadlines shows respect for others and for yourself.

You want to have the reputation as someone who is prepared, organized and respectful. Being chronically or habitually late gives the impression that your time is more important than everyone else’s since you keep others waiting with your tardiness. It reflects a serious lack of organization skills and perhaps will even give the impression that you do not like your job or the person you are meeting with.

If you are serious about your career and are looking to climb the corporate ladder, the first thing you need to do is change the way you think about punctuality.

Here are a few tips to help you be on time:

1. Breaking the Snooze Button habit. Getting up on time will set the pace for your day. If you are the type who likes to roll over and hit the snooze button to grab 5 more minutes of sleep then you need to either break the habit or plan for it. Place your alarm clock out of arms reach. If you have to get out of bed to hit a snooze button you are less likely to oversleep. The other alternative is to set the alarm 5 minutes earlier. This will allow you that luxury of a 5 minute snooze after the alarm goes off.
2. Get ready the night before. If much of your morning routine revolves around selecting what to wear, preparing lunch or packing your briefcase you need to shift those tasks to the evening. Preparing your work day before you go to bed will free up time in the morning so you will never be scrambling to get out the door on time.
3. Everything in it’s place. Having a designated place for your keys, purse, day planner, etc. will eliminate the panic and the delay the next morning when you can’t find your keys or your glasses and it is time to leave for work.
4. Be a clock watcher. Many people no longer wear wrist watches because they use electronic devices such as cell phones as a means to tell time. As a chronically late person, you need visual reminders of the time so you don’t lose track of it. Buy a desk clock for your office and wall clocks for your home so you are more aware of the time. Treat yourself to a nice wrist watch.
5. Set the alarm to go to bed. Being well rested is another key to having your day go on schedule. If you are tired and fatigued you are less likely to be prepared for the next day. Just like having a set time to get up in the morning, you should also have a set time to go to bed at night on workdays. Set your alarm 15 minutes before your target bed time. This will allow a few minutes to finish up what you are doing, get through your bedtime routine and get into bed on time. If your night time routine is longer than 15 minutes, adjust the alarm accordingly.
6. Lie to yourself. If all else fails and you are unable to get yourself to work, meetings or scheduled events on time, you need to plan to be late. If you have an appointment at 10:00, write it in your day planner as 9:45. This will allow you a 15 minute grace period for tardiness. If you do manage to get there on time you now have a treat of 15 minutes to have a coffee or a quick call to a friend.

Being late because of a traffic jam or freak snow storm is sometimes unavoidable and your boss or your client will understand. Being late because you couldn’t find your keys or you overslept will not be so easily accepted and it may cost you that promotion.

Technorati Tags: business etiquette, how to be on time, office etiquette, Time Management, tips for being on time, tips for career success

Let’s face it, job interviews are stressful. Sometimes the stress of the situation makes it difficult to think on the fly so it is best to be prepared and well rehearsed before you go into the interview. Many people focus solely on the questions they may be asked but very few consider the questions they should put forth during the process.

Asking your own questions during the job interview will be of benefit to you in several ways.

1. It shows your prospective boss that this job is important enough to you to have done your research about the position you are applying for.
2. Questions will help you clarify whether this company and job is really a good fit for your skills, qualifications and personality.
3. The more questions you ask, the more aware the person doing the hiring will see that you fully understand what is expected of you.

The trick is knowing what to ask. There are a few questions to avoid as well. Before going into the job interview, get out a piece of paper and write down any pertinent information you would like clarified. Go over the research you have done about the company and write a specific question about the operation.

Here are some samples of job interview questions to ask:

• What are the responsibilities of the position?
• What is a typical work week like in this company? Is overtime expected or required to complete the job tasks?
• Is this a newly created position? If not, where did the previous person holding the job move on to?
• What are my opportunities for growth and advancement within the company?
• What is the management style of this firm?
• Can you tell me what you like best about working for this company?
• Is there anything you do not like about working here?
• Will there be travel involved with this position?
• Is relocation a possibility in the future?
• How many people work in this office?
• If I am the successful applicant, who will my supervisor be? Will it be possible to meet with him/her?
• Would you like a list of my references?
• When will you be making a decision about this position and when can I expect to hear from you?

Samples of job interview questions you do NOT want to ask during an interview:

• If I get hired, how soon can I take vacation?
• If I get the job, can I change my work schedule? (you do not want to give the impression that work is interfering with your daily life or that you will have difficulty showing up for work as scheduled)
• Do I have the job? How soon can I start? (Chances are there are many others to be interviewed and the interviewer will need time to go over all applicants and make a decision. Be patient)

Try to fit your job interview questions into the whole process when they are most applicable. Many  interviewers will end the session by asking, “Do you have any questions?” This is your opportunity to ask any unanswered questions you may have.

Technorati Tags: job interview questions, job search questions, preparing for a job interview, what to ask during a job interview

The health care industry is one of the most stable employment sectors today. Getting a job in health care does not mean you have to become a doctor or nurse. There are many, many employment opportunities waiting for individuals who can think outside the box and apply their skills in this field.

Don’t want to be a doctor or nurse?

While doctors and nurses are always in demand for employment, not everyone has the desire to be up to their elbows in body fluids every day. You need to look at health care as being more than just caregivers. There are massive employment opportunities in the medical service and support industry that does not involve direct contact with patients.

Health Care Employment Opportunities

There are ways for you to re-purpose your existing skills or enhance them with new skills that will make you very desirable for employment. For example, if you have years of experience in clerical work, why not take a course in medical terminology or medical transcription? This will make you 100 times more employable in today’s market than your competition. Every doctor, hospital  or health care provider needs someone knowledgeable in medical terminology to handle their paperwork.

If you are a bookkeeper or an accountant, the medical billing field may offer you great opportunities for employment. You might even consider starting your own medical billing business where health care providers could outsource all of their billing to you.

Corporate sales reps that have been let go may want to look at pharmaceutical or assistive devises companies as the way of their future. A little research or upgrading of your education may yield big returns in this industry.

Gaining Stable Employment

The whole point of this being that health care is big business and big money. It is currently stable and will always be so as people will continue to need care and treatment when they are ill. By specializing your current skills in the medical field, you are ensuring that you will always be in demand in the job market.

If you are considering starting your own business, look at ways that you can provide support to health care facilities and providers. It may mean a little bit of re-training or upgrading but the efforts will be rewarded with job stability and security.

Technorati Tags: employment in health care, finding a job, finding employment, health care jobs, job search, stable jobs

Unemployment and underemployment numbers have jumped to over 26 million people in the US according to figures released on Good Morning America. With so many people competing in the job market today, it is no wonder that times are tough. Job security no longer exists and those few who have been lucky enough to have found employment are most likely working in positions below their capabilities.

Where does that leave you in your job search for 2011?

If you have been unemployed for a period of time, it is advisable for you to take a look at other fields and other positions. While some industries have taken a hit, there are other industries that have enjoyed growth, even in these recessionary times.

Stable employment sectors:

Health care will always be considered a relatively stable industry because no matter how bad times are, people still get sick and need treatment. In 2010, more than 400,000 new jobs were added within the health care industry.

Retail sales are on the rebound and growing. More sales and customer service jobs are becoming available as consumer confidence recovers. Over 55,000 jobs were added in the retail sector in 2010 and the industry is expected to continue growing.

Is temporary employment for you?

Temporary employment is a growing trend and no longer holds the stigma of being considered undesirable employment options. For many this has been a growth experience and a chance to “get their foot in the door” so to speak. Temp positions give you the opportunity to gain new skills and experience in areas that will aid you in gaining permanent full-time positions in the future.

Re-think and re-purpose your skills to fit a new industry.

The important thing to keep in mind when searching for employment in 2011 is that you may need to re-think your past experience and skills sets to determine how you can re-purpose them to fit more stable industries. You need to be more than a one trick pony in order to stand out from the crowd.

Take the opportunity to grow your knowledge and skills if you are currently unemployed. Do volunteer work, re-train, research or network in a stable industry. Do anything you can to gain skills and connections but do not get discouraged and give up. Finding a job in 2011 is difficult, but it is not impossible.

Technorati Tags: 2011 employment, 2011 job search, finding a job, finding employment, job search, stable jobs

Getting Control Of Your Work-Life Balance

Maintaining work-life balance is not a simple task in today’s working environments. If you feel like your life is just “eat, sleep and work”, then chances are your work-life balance is off kilter. There are specific strategies you can implement to help you decrease the stress of work overload.

5 Strategies to Restore Work-Life Balance

1. Explore your options with your employer. Perhaps the option for flex hours is available to you. Being able to control the work hours can make you more available to participate in non-work related activities in your life. Another option may be a compressed work week. You could work four 10 hour days instead of five 8 hour days. That will give you one more day off per week to fit in social activities or downtime to help restore balance and de-stress.
2. Just say no. Learning to tactfully say no when someone wants you to make a time commitment, whether it is job related or socially, is important. You do not need to feel guilty about making it known you are at your max when it comes to taking on new projects.
3. Learn to leave your job at work. Although the technology is in place for most of us to carry on our work day at home, it is important that you leave work at work and concentrate on your home life when you are at home. Keeping a separation and distinction between the two is a very big step in restoring your work-life balance.
4. Eat your veggies and get your sleep. One key factor in being able to manage a healthy balance between work and home life is making sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat a proper diet, get enough exercise and make sure you get enough sleep. You can’t expect to perform at your peak levels if you are neglecting your body. Make time every day for physical activities such as walking, yoga or cycling. If you have a friend who will also participate with you that is even better.
5. Make a date with yourself. Scheduling in free time to your calendar is a must. In order to be more productive at your job, you need to have a proportionate amount of downtime to just relax, have fun and socialize.

Get help with restoring your work-life balance if you do not seem to be able to get control yourself. Everyone needs a little help now and again. Consulting a life or career coach or a mental health professional will help you turn your chaotic life back into a more fulfilling life where you are able to pause, take a breath and enjoy being you.

Technorati Tags: managing a career, Time Management, work-life balance

Singles who are transitioning to a new career have much more freedom when it comes to career change choices. Relocating to a new town, a new state or even a new country is not out of the question when you do not have a spouse’s career or children’s schooling to take into consideration.

For some singles, the thought of heading off into the unknown to make a career change is an exciting venture, for others it can be a very scary prospect.  Here are some tips that can help relocating be a little less stressful or frightening.

Because we live in the age of technology, it is possible to eliminate many of your fears long before you pack up on moving day. Use everything at your disposal to plan your move.

Make friends before you move:

One of the scariest aspects of  relocating to a new city is not knowing a soul when you arrive and finding ways of meeting new people and making new friends. Today, that is no longer a factor that holds you back.

One of the major advantages of the internet is the ability to chat with people and make friends around the world. As soon as you have made the decision to relocate, you should begin searching out new friends and associates in your new location. Social media sites like FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn are great places to meet new people. All you have to do is search by location, read some profiles to find like-minded people and begin conversations with them. You might even be able to find people who work in the office where you will be starting your new career.

If you are moving on a weekend, why not make plans with someone to meet at a coffee shop on the Monday. You will start off by already having a friend or two in your new location and eliminate that feeling of being alone in a big world.

Familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood before you move:

Another scary part of moving to a new city is the feeling of  being lost when you are not familiar with your surroundings. Again, the internet can be a huge help in eliminating that feeling before it even happens. Use online tools such as Google maps and Google Earth to get to know your new neighborhood.

Start by writing a list of the stores, services and entertainment you currently use on a regular basis. Take that list to the computer and find similar businesses in your new location. Create a neighborhood map and save it on your computer. Now you can put the stores and services on the map and familiarize yourself with how to get to them. Use Google Street View and you can actually see what the store looks like so you will recognize it the first time you go there.

At the same time, create a phone list of those businesses and services you use most often. Either have them programmed into your mobile phone before you move, or add them to your address book so you will have them at your fingertips when you need them.

Ask your new internet friends for advise on what stores and restaurants are the best. It is amazing what already knowing the number of a good pizza place will do to your spirits the day you move into your new place.

Planning your moving day:

Whether you are using a moving company to move your possessions, renting a truck and moving yourself or selling everything and buying new at your destination, you will want to get everything in planned for moving day well in advance so it will all go like clockwork on the big day.

Double check a week in advance to verify that the services you have hired are all ready to go and confirm the time and date. At this time, you should also contact the landlord or real estate agent in the new location and confirm the date that you will be moving in and make arrangements to get the key to your new home if you do not already have it.

These are just a few tips that will make your relocation for a career change much easier and much less scary. As a single, the world is your oyster. Don’t let your fears hold you back.

Technorati Tags: career change tips, moving to a new city, singles in career transition, tips for relocating to a new job

Recently I read this quote about decision making and with the new year being right around the corner I began thinking about New Years Resolutions and why so many people fail to make them happen and how it also relates to career mapping. It really does boil down to taking decisive action.

A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided. Tony Robbins

For many, the decision is more about making the resolution and less about making the behavior or life adjustments necessary to truly create change in their lives and their careers. So let’s take a look at what an effective career resolution looks like.

Tips For Setting Career Goals

• Be specific and targeted with your decisions. You can’t make “pie in the sky” types of resolutions. If you have decided you want to get a promotion this year, then you need to also create an action plan to make it happen.
• Break down the big picture into manageable steps. Most big changes only come about in baby steps. By focusing on these smaller steps, you are more likely to achieve big changes.
• Take one step at a time. Once you have outlined the steps needed to get the results you want, you need to tackle one step at a time. Master one before moving on to the next.
• Set a deadline for completion. When setting up your action plan, you need to include a timetable for each action. Otherwise, human nature will kick in and allow you to procrastinate on completing the necessary tasks.
• Hold yourself accountable. We are programed to resist change. It is more comfortable to stagnate. If you have missed a deadline you have set out for yourself, it is time to take a look at why and how you could do things differently to make sure you succeed. Do not lay the blame on anyone else or make excuses. You are the master of your own destiny and therefore you are also responsible for your own failures.
• Learn from your mistakes. We all hit bumps in the road. What is important is to learn from them and make adjustments that will allow you to overcome the obstacles in your plans.
• Be committed to your career decisions. Picking yourself up and getting back on track when you hit an obstacle is important. This is a critical step. If you don’t, it is at this stage that many people abandon their dreams and goals and just give up. Make sure you plan ahead for these miss-steps because they are almost certain to happen at some point.

When all is said and done, the actions you take to affect a change will determine just how much you really wanted the change in the first place. Real decisions require decisive actions.

Technorati Tags: career goals, getting a promotion, how to set career goals, new years resolutions, setting career goals

For many, getting that deserved promotion can be an elusive thing. You work hard, possibly harder than those who have already been promoted, you are good at your job and you always have the company’s best interests in mind. Why then has your boss not rewarded you with a promotion?

If you are confident that your work performance is up-to-snuff and you have been with the company long enough to warrant a promotion, it is time to take a look at why this has not happened for you yet. Quite often, it is not your performance that is holding you back, but other factors that you may have overlooked or neglected.

Here are 5 tips that may help you get a promotion.

1. Revisit your last merit or performance review. Were there areas there that your boss had suggested needed improving? Did he/she focus the conversation more on one aspect of your job than on others? This may be an indicator that you need to focus a little attention on improving that skill.
2. Do not eat your lunch at your desk. You may think eating your lunch at your desk while working through your break makes you look like a dedicated worker but your boss may look at it as anti-social behavior. It is important for your boss to witness that you get along with your co-workers.
3. Participate in creating solutions. Another benefit of eating lunch in the lunch room with your peers is the fact that eventually conversations always turn to work related problems. Being aware of these problems and taking part in developing solutions will help you be a more valuable employee.
4. Never engage in office gossip. Although this is sometimes a very hard thing to do, you should not be among the group who spends time gossiping about other co-workers. When someone tries to draw you in, make it clear that you are not interested. Eventually they will stop seeking you out for those types of unfavorable activities.
5. Are you dressed for a promotion? This may sound silly, but sometimes a promotion is not offered because of your wardrobe. Take a look at the people who are getting the promotions. Do they dress differently than you? The boss has to visualize you in the position you want and therefore, you must look the part.

These are five simple changes you can make that can have a big impact on how your boss views you and why he may be passing you over for promotions. Make those adjustments and see if the position you are longing for is handed to you the next time it becomes available. Getting a promotion is not just about job performance, it is about the big picture and promoting yourself as a valuable part of the company.

Technorati Tags: career coach, Career Coaching, climbing the corporate ladder, getting a promotion, how to get a promotion, tips for getting a promotion

Recently I read an article by Ariana Toro titled “You Made it to Graduation! What Happens Now?” that I thought I would share with you. It details a new 6 week training program that takes you beyond graduation and into a job. With the job situation being as it is and the amount of competition for the few jobs that are available, I thought this information would be very helpful to my readers.

Caps and gowns and diplomas…oh my! Graduation season is upon us and with that comes a slew of recent college graduates (over 1.6 million according to the National Center for Education Statistics) ramping up to join the workforce of America, but what they may be greeted with is less than favorable for young job seekers. Recent college graduates will undoubtedly face fierce competition with the decrease in college hiring, but hunting for a job is not a recent college grad’s only option. Many companies are offering new and unique ways for young job seekers to gain real-world work experience.

“I started my job search a couple of months prior to graduation,” says Kenny Fellows, a graduate of the University of Michigan. “Prior to graduation, I had heard countless times about how tough it was in the job market, but I was pretty lucky in terms of being able to find an opportunity pretty quickly.”

The opportunity Fellows found was with SkillStorm, a San-Diego based technical and professional services firm, and their new training program targeted specifically for recent college grads. The SkillStorm Program for Extreme Educational Development, also known as SPEED, is a six-week sales training program. The company covers all expenses including travel costs to the training site in San Diego, California, lodging, food, a weekly salary and performance bonuses.

“SPEED is a very innovative program. I hadn’t heard of any other programs like it,” says Fellows. ” It was very intense, and not only allowed SkillStorm an extended period of time to train and evaluate us, but it also gave the us an extended period of time to evaluate SkillStorm, and the potential career opportunity set in front of us.”

SPEED offers both lecture-style sessions and hands-on work experience similar to a traditional internship, but unlike internships, trainees that successfully complete the SPEED program are guaranteed a full-time recruiter position in one of the company’s offices nationwide.

Fellows is now a full-time recruiter at SkillStorm and would strongly suggest training programs such as SPEED to other recent college graduates. “It is truly an unbelievable opportunity. If you are invited out to training, the worst case scenario is that you get a few weeks of intense sales training, and meet some really great people along the way. No matter the outcome, it is a very valuable experience and opportunity.”

In the current economic state, post-graduation internships are also becoming more and more common. According to NACE’s 2009 Student Survey report, more than 50% of college seniors had secured employment after graduation in 2007; in 2009, that number fell to a dismal 19.7%. An internship can be a great way to gain hands-on experience in the field rather than search endlessly for open full-time positions.

Rob Nunnery, a broadcast journalism major from the University of North Carolina – Ashville is a big fan of internships, both during and after graduation. “I actually had four internships,” says Nunnery. “For me, it was an opportunity to get a glimpse into the broadcasting industry and my future career. It was a blessing for me because I realized that it really wasn’t the career path I wanted and I was able to focus my attention elsewhere.”

While most graduates find internships to be beneficial to their future, potential interns beware-internships are not necessarily a guarantee of full-time employment and, while the number of unpaid internships has increased in recent years, the Department of Labor is cracking down on many unpaid internships nationwide for illegally using interns for free labor. So how can students avoid being taken advantage of? First, interns should be familiar with federal regulations regarding internships. The Department of Labor recently released a new set of criteria for paid vs. unpaid internships, which can be found on the department’s website. Potential interns should also ask questions – does this company have a formal internship program? Has the company ever sponsored interns in the past? Is there a clear list of responsibilities for interns? Asking these types of questions not only protects the potential intern, it also demonstrates a high level of interest in the internship opportunity, increasing a college grad’s chances of being selected for the internship.

According to a September 2009 study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers plan to hire 7% fewer college graduates from the class of 2010 than they did from 2009′s graduating class. This figure alone may not seem so troubling, but when you take into consideration the fact that employers hired 21% less college graduates in 2009 than in 2008, the outlook is not so cheery for recent grads. Does this spell disaster for upcoming college graduates? Not necessarily. While many graduating students may be nervous about starting a job search after graduation, there are other options they can explore.

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Some great resources for recent college grads to check out include http://www.SkillStorm.com/SPEED, the official site of SPEED, and http://www.internships.com, a website chockfull of internship and internship-prep tools.
Article Source:  You Made it to Graduation! What Happens Now?

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While an internship may not be the answer to all of your employment woes, it may be a step in the right direction to gaining experience and adding to your skills set that will take you that much closer to grabbing the job of your dreams.

Technorati Tags: Career Coaching, graduate employment, internships