Thursday, May 28, 2020

Using Resume Writing Techniques To Land Your Dream Job

Using Resume Writing Techniques To Land Your Dream JobDo you remember the first time you started trying to find the perfect resume for your job search? You were probably a young, fresh graduate trying to break into the workforce, but you had no idea what it would take to create the right one. You were never taught how to be a professional writer and even today you still have not mastered the skills that are necessary to create a successful, well-written resume.It is important to know how to write an effective resume. Most employers expect to get a well-written resume from a job applicant. They are expecting to learn about you, how you think and most importantly, who you are. The resume writing techniques used by professionals will help you create the perfect resume for you.Before you start writing your resume, make sure you have all the information ready. First and foremost, your name, your present position, the year of graduation, address, phone number, and email address will be a m ust. Your major field of study is also vital in determining your background and experience. This information will be needed when submitting your resume and will assist your potential employer in placing you on their short list.Writing a resume does not have to be difficult. Employers now prefer them, so make sure your resume is interesting, professional, and memorable. The more information you can get to the employer, the better. You need to keep your resume interesting and the employer will notice and remember you, which is what you want.If you want to write a professional resume, avoid using words or phrases that could be offensive or inappropriate. Avoid using slang terms, and always use proper grammar and spelling. Whether you are asking a friend or a professional, make sure you know how to do this.Try to take advantage of samples of different kinds of resumes and look at the various fonts, colors, and styles. When you want to write a resume, you need to take the time to practic e, no matter how daunting it may seem. Practice your resume writing techniques in front of a mirror, or with an actual resume.When it comes to writing a resume, don't use your head. Use logic and knowledge to craft a resume that will stand out and have the potential to land you the job you want. You do not have to go through the trouble of learning how to write a resume to land a job interview. However, the proper resume writing techniques will help you impress your potential employer and land the job that you deserve.Learning resume writing techniques will take some time, but it will pay off in the end. Your potential employer will see that you took the time to research your career goals and write a well-written resume. You will show that you understand the importance of your career, and that you are willing to put the work in and the time into learning the resume writing techniques to give yourself the best chance to land the job you want.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

4 Tips to Get Started in a Digital Marketing Career in 2020

4 Tips to Get Started in a Digital Marketing Career in 2020 The digital economy is outpacing the US GDP growth rate by 300%. Annual growth from 2005 to 2016 has the growth of the digital economy at 5.6%, and it has led to a major shift in the way that business is conducted. One of the key changes we’ve seen is a rise in digital marketing. Marketing is still key to the success of businesses, and it can be a lucrative career choice, too. If you’re getting started in digital marketing, these tips can help kickstart your digital marketing career in 2020. Consider a Certification for Instant Credentials Digital marketing certifications are not going to hold the weight of a degree or the same weight seen in the tech industry. But you’ll find that these certifications will teach you the basics of digital marketing that you can then build upon. In the beginning, anything and everything matters when trying to get noticed. A few certifications worth considering are: Digital Marketing Institute Simplilearn DMCA Google AdWords Certification (bonus) Google Analytics Certification (bonus) You can also go to HubSpot and learn quite a bit about digital marketing. You need to be well-versed in all areas of digital marketing, so never stop learning. Stay Updated â€" Digital Marketing is Evolving Digital marketing’s evolution means that you need to continue learning. You should be subscribed to an array of informative sources, including: Moz HubSpot Copyblogger HigherVisibility Content Marketing Institute Search Engine Journal And that’s just the start. Locate your own go-to resources to find the resources that best resonate with the way that you learn. It also goes without saying that you should be following industry leaders in the field on social media. Networking Will Get You Hired Network, network and network some more. You can use your network for: Landing internships Landing your first job or gig You can network on social media and online, and don’t be afraid to document your journey on a blog. Industry events and conferences are a great place to get noticed, too. Youll meet a lot of invaluable contacts when you go to industry events. Since you’re new or just starting your career, you may be scared to go to one of these events. Everyone is at these events to learn, so join in on the fun and see how many people you can network with at the event. Gain Experience Through Nonprofits Experience is going to be key if you’re trying to land your own clients or you’re looking to be employed at a marketing firm. Internships are a great way to gain experience, but you may need to do some work for free. Non-profit organizations, which may be your local church or group, are a great place to start. Youll be working on their marketing to be able to show off what you learned. Document everything, especially how much traffic you have driven to their site. If you can increase their traffic in a meaningful way, you’ll have the experience needed to be hired. Demand for digital marketers is going to continue to rise, and once you get your first viable experience, you’ll be able to grow your career much faster.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

3 Personal Branding Lessons from the Presidential Candidates - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Personal Branding Lessons from the Presidential Candidates - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Personal branding can make or break your chances of professional success. In the court of public opinion, your only chance of winning favor is to have a cohesive brand that others respect. With November 6 less than two months away, the stakes are highthere can only be one winner. For the presidential candidates, success is in the numbers and winning the majority vote is inextricably linked with putting adequate energy into personal branding. A recent poll by Esquire and Yahoo! found that three in four Americans feel little or no personal connection to Mitt Romney. Unfortunately for the Republican presidential candidate, the outlook may not be so good and it’s all because of mismanagement of the personal brand. One slip of the tongue can dramatically impact your chances of success in the quest for professional success. The foundation upon which you lay the groundwork for your personal brand dictates whether it will get you noticed. Take these personal branding lessons from the 2012 presidential candidates to build a solid, impenetrable reputation: Be Relatable Though youve begun a quest to establish yourself as a brand, youre still a human being who others must feel they have things in common with, if they are to support you as a brand. Whether youre looking to establish yourself as an expert in a field or you have the short-term goal of finding employment, if the influencers in your industry dont feel a connection to your message, theyre unlikely to support it. Both Romney and Obama have aligned themselves with a political platform and rely on campaign donations (and votes) from people who agree with their viewpoint on these topics. Once youve decided what you stand for, build your brand atop these principles and be sure youre vying for a cause with an existing audience. Be Honest Pretending to be something you are not will not benefit you and serves to lessen your credibility in the end. A wealthy candidate such as Mitt Romney wouldnt build a personal brand or a campaign platform around allotting more of the federal budget to welfare benefits. It doesnt align with his background or core values. Your personal branding efforts should center on incorporating the core elements of your personality with your skills and accomplishments, which must be portrayed candidly to be effective. Be Self-Censored True, we live in a society where freedom of speech is one of our most valued rights, but you shouldnt take this as license to be offensive, brash, or just plain insolent. Consider the potential backlash that your words may have before voicing them to the public. Words are powerful and can be easily misunderstood in a way that changes the way people perceive you and your brand. One thoughtless remark, racy photo or  embarrassing  video can drastically alter where you stand in the court of public opinion. The presidential race may be anyones to win at this point, but a few lessons in personal branding can certainly be learned from the current political battle. Namely, pick your platform, stick with it, and make sure that nothing thats potentially damaging to your reputation. What other lessons can be learned on building a personal brand from the 2012 presidential candidates? Author: Heather R. Huhman  is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder president of  Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for organizations with products that target job seekers and/or employers. She is also the author of  Lies, Damned Lies Internships  (2011),#ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle  (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for  numerous outlets.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

What We Can Learn About Life From Athletes

What We Can Learn About Life From Athletes Ive never been one of the physically gifted ones who just seem to easily excel in sports.  Most of my life, Ive harbored a hidden jealousy of them.  And with a bit of a sigh, resigned myself to the reality that Ill never be able to perform like the top stars in track, basketball, or any other sport.  However,  there are some things about the way they approach the game that all of us can learn from.  There are some skills and habits that we can put to use quickly to improve our game, the game of life. We can learn to do life as sport. Part of the problem that most of us have may surprise you. Because weve been indoctrinated that its critical to success.  And thats goals. We set and pursue goals, and the goals become all that matter.  We measure ourselves by them.  We judge ourselves, and others, by not only the presence of goals but whether or not weve achieved them.  As a result, we only pay homage to the process, the journey, because its the necessary path to the goal.  And this is where we can learn from top athletes. Loving The Process Time is a funny thing.  We dont realize its passing until its gone.  Interestingly, one of the most frequently voiced regrets at the end of a career or life is that we wish wed enjoyed it more. The message in that is simple.  No matter whether the intended goal is attained or lost, the greater loss is the disregard for having enjoyment along the way. Its unquestionably important to set goals.  But while we travel towards the destination goal, its the journey we should be engaged in.  Thats accomplished by focusing on the process, not the results.   And learning to enjoy the process is critical.  Or, as we have all heard, learning to live in this moment. From the perspective of a baseball pitcher, its this pitch.  From the perspective of a swimmer, its this lap, or even this turn.  Not the last pitch, or the next batter, or the score.  Not the way you didnt do as well as you wanted in that last turn.  But  whats happening right now, in this moment. And, even more, detaching from outcomes and letting yourself fully engage and enjoy this moment. Letting Go And Doing Life as Sport I just finished reading Life As Sport by Jonathan Fader.   Jonathan is a sports psychologist who has worked with clients in sports, business, and the performing arts.  He shares some eye-opening insights into what goes on out there on the mound as the pitcher is grinding out six or seven or nine innings.  Including the notion of letting go of everything except the present moment, and literally basking in the enjoyment of it. There was one take away  that I adapted to be easy to remember.  Jonathan said, Life.  Its just a game.  Thats easy to apply to the things we do every day.  Life is JUST a game.  Nothing more.  It just A game.  Only one part of something much bigger.  Just a GAME.  A silly game we come and play, until our nine innings is up. Learning to savor the  each moment can add huge value to our lives  that cant be had in any other way.  Life As Sport is a surprising session in life coaching that will change the way you look at things.  And provide a lasting lesson on remembering to enjoy this pitch.  This performance.  And yes, even this hug, and this breath of fresh, clean air. Grab a copy, and savor each page as you read it.  Im sure itll be one of the volumes you keep on your shelf for a long, long time. About Jonathan Fader Dr. Jonathan Fader is a clinical and sport psychologist who works with individuals and organizations to improve performance, motivation and enjoyment. Jonathan is also the team psychologist for the New York Mets and co-founder of Union Square Practice, a leading mental wellness center in New York City. Images: Baseball  Ayolt de Roos

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Life Skills That Will Look Great on Any Resume - CareerMetis.com

Life Skills That Will Look Great on Any Resume Photo Credit â€" Flickr.comWith most jobs there are likely to be specific attributes that recruiters are looking for. These skills may be the sort that you can only acquire in a working capacity, in which case job experience is a must.In the vast majority of examples, however, jobs will also want well-rounded candidates that have acquired a wide range of general life skills. These may not even be directly connected to the job that you are applying for, but they will help your CV stand out from the crowd.1. Language skillsIf you have a second language, it is essential that you mention this on your CV. Businesses are more global than ever, which means that being able to communicate with partners, customers and clients in different languages is increasingly important. It could also lead to an exciting job transfer in the future.2. Social media knowledgeevalMany individuals make use of social media in their everyday lives, but did you know that this could prove relevant in your career? I f you are able to create interesting content on a personal level and cultivate an online following, there’s no reason that you can’t play a similar role in your business.3. First aidPhoto Credit â€"wikimedia.orgFirst aid training is the sort of skill that is unlikely to be directly connected to your job role, but it may give you the edge over another candidate. Acquiring first aid skills is quick and easy to do, with some companies even offering Online CPR Certification.Hopefully this is a skill that you’ll never have to use, but it could one day end up saving somebody’s life.4. Being a great communicatorCommunicating well with others isn’t just about putting your point across, it’s also about listening. You can demonstrate and work on this in your everyday life, simply by remembering that communication is a two-way process.5. Touch typingPhoto Credit- Wikimedia.orgComputers are now a core part of everyday life, which means most individuals have experience typing. If you can bash out a certain number of words per minute, then make sure you shout about it on your CV.6. A driving licenceA clean driving licence is a great attribute to include on your CV. Of course, this will be an essential requirement for some jobs, but it will certainly be nice to have for many others. You may need to travel as part of your job, for example, and driving yourself is often more reliable than public transport.7. Computer programsBespoke software will require training, but your familiarity with common computer software packages, like Microsoft Word and Excel, is worth including on your CV. Many jobs, even those that aren’t in technical industries, use digital tools, so demonstrating that you are proficient with computers is a must.8. Handling responsibilityevalYou can demonstrate that you can handle responsibility in your everyday life in a number of ways. Perhaps you’ve had to provide care for a family member, or been part of a community initiative. Whatever it is, being comfortable in a position of responsibility outside of work will improve your job prospects.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

During the Holidays, Focus on Relationship Building

During the Holidays, Focus on Relationship Building The holidays are for relationship building! Take advantage of the numerous casual events, that make for low-stress networking opportunities! Maybe what you really want this holiday is a new job. Well, dont give up! Take advantage the holiday season to reconnect with old friends and enlist help from those who care! More people land new jobs through networking than applying online. Hiring Does Happen In December Humor aside, there is hiring going on right now. Some companies try to get in a new hire before the budget year ends.   Other companies might be waiting for the new year to begin, however, dont let that slow down your efforts.   Those companies are sourcing candidates right now for their January hiring. Holiday Networking Events From holiday parties to festive gatherings, youll find lots of events on your community calendar. Professional associations Chamber of Commerce Job seeking groups Neighborhood gatherings Family gatherings Volunteer organizations and opportunities College/University Alumni parties Read your local newspaper, search for groups on Facebook, check your schools alumni page and keep your eyes open. Here are 25+ places to network. You can always invite a friend to meet you there if you have networking jitters. Reach Out The holidays are the perfect excuse to reach out to people and wish them well. Take extra time and effort to add a note with your holiday greeting cards to update people. Stay positive and be specific. You can even reach out to past colleagues who may have a less busy schedule during the holidays. Ask if they would like to meet for coffee or virtually catch up. Take Control of Your Holiday Job Search Take a different job search strategy for the next 28 days.   Focus on developing relationships.   That is something you can control and feel positive about. There are tons of holiday events going on.   Leverage these opportunities to meet new people. If you are convinced there wont be as many jobs to apply for, then re-allocate your time. Update your marketing plan by adding more target companies. Invest time learning a new skill related to your work. Learn and use social media. There are a lot of things you can do that are more productive. Manage Your Time Scheduling your time is going to make you feel more productive.   Try, at least for this month, to block out hours of your day and assign networking activities to each block of time. This article will help How to Allocate Your Time Wisely Job Hunting During The Holidays If you truly want that new job, you are going to have to work harder than ever before.   But know that just because its December doesnt mean organizations have stopped the hiring process. Use the holidays for relationship building!

Friday, May 8, 2020

What Duct Tape Marketing has to do with your job hunt -

What Duct Tape Marketing has to do with your job hunt - Last night, I had a chance to hear John Jantsch, author of Duct Tape Marketing and (soon to be released) The Referral Engine. I was so excited to have the opportunity to meet John, as his highly acclaimed book has long been on my to read list. (It also seems to be on the recommended list of many of my colleagues blogs.) John has a great blog as well, dedicated to helping small businesses find simple, effective and affordable marketing solutions. I also have to give a shout out here to the Atlanta Business Marketing Association and Kris Elliot (@regusatlanta) from Regus AtlantaOffice Solutions for hosting a terrific event in their beautiful office space! (Win one year of fully furnished office space at one of their 23 Atlanta locations enter HERE!) I had a feeling that Id get some great ideas to share with you from John, and I was not disappointed! The fact is (cant say this enough): Job search is nothing more than marketing YOURSELF. And Johns definition of marketing absolutely hits the spot: Getting someone who has a need to know, like and trust you. What a great way to define the point of the job search! All too often, job seekers fail to connect and land because they dont focus on what the organization or employer wants. Big mistake. Find this information by studying the job description, thoroughly reviewing the organizations website and social networking sites and making good use of information from people you have met via informational interviews. What are their problems? (Their pain points.) You need to understand those problems before you can try to solve them. (Follow THIS LINK for a story that helps explain why!) Job search is not about you. Your resume is not even all about you it is an opportunity to make connections between what you offer and what the organization desires. If you ignore those all important NEEDS, it is unlikely that you will connect with an employer in this very competitive market. Take a good look at your resume. Are you taking into consideration who will be reading it and what appeals to him or her? Do you make an effort to connect your skills and accomplishments in a context that resonates with your audience? What can you do to incorporate information with the hooks to appeal to the jobs you are hoping to catch? Stay tuned for more that John shared that really resonated for me and related to job search!