Sunday, May 17, 2020

Do You Use the First Person When Writing a Resume?

Do You Use the First Person When Writing a Resume?Do you use the first person when writing a resume? When I am asked this question I cringe and almost always give a false answer. The reason for my embarrassment is the fact that I don't use the first person in my writing, yet, I receive letters and emails from people who, while they do use the first person when writing their resumes, never mention it in their cover letter to the agency that they are applying to.The problem is that when they are applying for jobs that are not specifically advertised for writers in this manner, the cover letter doesn't even mention the person's name on the right side of the cover page. The letter isn't even considered part of the resume. (Many applicants may not even have read the resume before sending it off, but the fact remains that when you send off a resume and request a letter, the cover letter should mention that the person who wrote the resume is a writer.An employer needs to know who you are an d what you have to offer because the resume is only one part of the cover letter, the cover letter is only one part of the cover letter. The entire process must be completed with an eye toward the reader. If you don't use the first person, then, the reader can easily lose the focus and go away from what they are trying to accomplish.Why do I make this assertion? Because the first person does not lend itself to imparting the appropriate level of information. Instead of explaining why you are qualified for the position you're applying for, you explain yourself as being qualified to do something in a way that is limiting. It takes more time to give a good explanation of your skills as opposed to telling the reader about what they already know.This is where the second person comes into play. When you write a cover letter or resume, never, ever use the first person. In addition, don't use the second person to introduce yourself.What are the advantages of using the second person? The reas on why this statement is given and why it holds the attention of every person reading it is because the second person is usually more descriptive than the first person. The reason is that the second person makes it clear that the writer knows more about what he or she is writing about.A typical cover letter, by which I mean a resume, is written using the first person. While the first person allows the reader to get a good idea of the type of applicant for the job, the first person also allows the reader to forget the importance of the writing. The reason why a second person makes sense is because it conveys information with the help of description. The more descriptive a writing is, the more that the reader will remember and refer to when seeking employment.Do you use the first person when writing a resume? If you do, then you may want to rethink your approach to cover letters. Use the second person.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

How To Prepare For an Online Interview

How To Prepare For an Online Interview Interviews are not something we love attending! But irrespective of what we feel, interviews are a part of our life. In this smart era of technical advancements online interviewing is the new thing in town!Apart from saving travel costs and time, this type of interviews are very effective to screen candidates residing in remote and foreign locations. And this is why companies are fast switching to this option.This post is written with an aim to make you aware about the various important aspects of preparing and attending an online interview.1. Rehearse wellevalIf this is the first time you are going to face an online interview you need to practice a few times before diving in the actual scene. In the initial takes you are bound to make some mistakes which will eventually be sorted out as you practice more.You can ask a friend to speak from the other end of the screen and take a mock interview. Part time jobs can also help you a great deal in this regard.You can also try many online t ools to set up a mock interview in case you are too shy to involve a friend in this.Photo Credit â€" pinterview.in2. Are your devices technically sound?What if the laptop shuts down in the middle of the process? Or the audio system is just not good enough to function properly? You cannot afford to offend the panel due to these silly reasons, can you? So prior to your interview get all the technical stuffs checked by an expert.3. Proper Internet connectionYou need to have a good internet connection if you want the interview to run uninterruptedly. A fast internet connection is the most important criteria of an online interview.If you do not have a sound net connection in your home you can borrow a 4g wireless modem from a friend or arrange the interview in a friend’s place who has a broadband connection.4. Be PresentableJust because you are participating in the interview from comfort of your bed room doesn’t mean you should sit in front of the screen in your linking park tees and shorts. Dress in the same way, how you would have dressed in an offline interview.evalGroom your hair, wear a mild shirt and keep the webcam at your eye level. Read this to know more about interview dress etiquettes5. Do not make unnecessary noise or movementsPlease keep in mind that whatever sound you create near the system gets magnified and reaches the other end with a greater intensity. So do not move much during the interview and avoid handling objects It often happens that the microphone delays the transmission of audio due to a number of factors (primarily slow net connection). So make sure not to speak @100km/hr. Go slow and steady.Photo Credit- newswise.com7. Eye ContactIt is important to make an eye contact throughout the interview. For this, avoid looking in the screen randomly and try to look directly at the webcam.8. PreparationPrepare your subjects in the same way you would have done in case of an offline interview. Speak confidently to show your command and confidenc e in the subjects.9. Organize your spacePresentation is very important in all aspects of life. Take care not to have objectionable objects or images around you or in the background wall that can send a negative signal to the interviewer.Keep all your documents, certificates and other useful items near your desk. It makes no sense to search for a pen and pad in the middle of the interview process keeping the interviewer at hold.Know your would-be organization: Gather all the important details about the organization you are going to join if selected.10. Relax and RelaxFinally do not show symptoms of nervousness or stress during the interview. Practice a few rounds of deep breathing prior to the interview and keep a smile throughout the process.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Summary Sunday Invest and Grow Your Career

Summary Sunday Invest and Grow Your Career Reading and sharing the great work of career and job search professionals is one thing I love to do. Some call this curating content. Its one way I show/prove/illustrate my interest in my field. I do it to help you too! These posts arent just about your career or job search, they are about improving you! I hope, in sharing these, youll be able to take at least one action to move yourself forward in 2016. CAREER How to Be Exceptionally Likable: 11 Things the Most Charming People Always Do by Jeff Haden | Inc. IMO, being likable is one of the most important ways to set yourself apart! And it is absolutely something you have control over. Jeff Hadens recommendations should at least get you thinking! I highly recommend you follow his work on LinkedIn too. (Hes an Influencer, so you can follow him and see his articles) LINKEDIN The 25 Skills That Can Get You Hired in 2016 by  Sohan Murthy | LinkedIn Official Blog Whether you are actively job seeking or passively open to new opportunities, make sure your LinkedIn profile is awesome. And also think  about acquiring or highlighting these 25 skills. Please be sure to read the article to see why these skills are important and how you can develop them! (Hint, Lynda.com) Credit: LinkedIn Official Blog TWITTER Lists are the best kept secret to making order out of chaos on Twitter. This list will help you find some of the best job search and career advice! BTW: we are all young careerists at heart, so dont let the sources name dissuade  you! [Disclaimer: Im on this list.] 50 Twitter Accounts You MUST Follow in 2016 | YouTerns Savvy Intern Blog VISUAL RESUMES 3 Great PowerPoint Resumes | Career Cloud As you may know, Im a huge fan of visual marketing materials for job seekers. Check these out and become  inspired to create your own! JOB  BOARDS + Finding the Right Candidates Just Got Easier | Glassdoor Frustrated by the same old job postings without a lot of information? Tired of searching and researching for company info and insider perspectives on working for the company? Well, Glassdoor may have a better mouse-trap. Though this article is written for recruiters and HR, it did very well on Twitter this week, and I wanted to share it. I want you to understand what hiring professionals are thinking! You need to imagine yourself in their shoes, understand HOW they source and what their problems are. If you enjoyed this, please share it with someone who would benefit. Sign up below so youll never miss a post!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Client Case Study Kathy Hubler - When I Grow Up

Client Case Study Kathy Hubler - When I Grow Up Um, do you know that Ive coached hundreds of women since I started offering dream career guidance in 2008? And that these women are freakin rock stars, leaving soul-sucking jobs and traveling the world and launching creative, grown-up businesses and simply doing work that fits their lifestyle goals? Well ya do now and youll hear their stories firsthand in my  Client Case Studies series! Im so excited to feature Kathy Hubler the day before her official business launch, yahoo! A  90 Day Business Launch  grad, shes now the founder of  Ladies Against The Grain, where she works with women in the hospitality and service industries who are disconnected from their own lives. Youll soon see how she helps them discover who they are, what they want, and how to get there both as a certified coach, a yoga teacher, and someone who did just that for herself! Why did you decide to work with me? I had tried starting my coaching business on my own before but with little success. I had to put my business on the back burner during some big moves in my life- literally, I moved from the east coast to the west coast by myself and then learned how to re-establish myself in an area where I knew no one and knew nothing about. Not just once, but twice in less than two years. When the urge to start coaching started coming up I knew it wasnt something I wanted to do on my own. Id been there, tried that and wanted more. I know and understand the power of coaching. I felt like working with a coach would help me become successful, bridge some gaps I wasnt connecting on my own, all while having the support to move forward- everything I needed to establish my new coaching business. What were you doing work-wise when we started working together and what are you doing now? I work in the hospitality industry. I finally feel like Im at home in the restaurant I am in- something Ive searched for throughout my entire career working in restaurants. Its a wonderful place to be while building my business because its supportive, nurturing, and inspiring. I work part-time in the restaurant and part time for Ladies Against The Grain. I would love to work full-time for myself/LATG one day. What was your biggest takeaway from our work together? Having confidence in myself to do the work Im doing. Learning I can take coaching outside the box based on my coaching background and expertise in the hospitality service industries. Think of someone who is currently in the shoes you wore when we first started working together. What advice do you have for her? Invest in yourself. Follow your heart. And Invest in YOURSELF! Its a pipe dream if all you do is sit around daydreaming about it. When you take the initiative to do something about it, things start to become real. And its scary, right? Having a coach helps. It subsides the fears, gives you guidance, and increases your confidence when you start to see the progress you are making! Is there anything thats been a game-changer for you when it comes to your business that you can share? Wed love a good resource or a mindset/productivity tip! JUST DO IT. No really, just do it. Its so easy to convince ourselves that we arent ready, arent good enough, dont have enough skill, or whatever. But just start to do something, put yourself out there, and do it. Its always going to be scary, so why put it off when deep down you know you can do it and its the unknown that is holding you back, not your skills/abilities/capabilities. Whats on the horizon for your business? Wed love to hear about any upcoming offerings or goals!   Ladies Against The Grain Launch! Relaunching my coaching business with my refined and more defined target audience in mind. Im kicking off the launch with the 5 Days Against The Grain Challenge, an opportunity to help you get out of a space that feels stuck and unclear into a place that has a little more freedom mentally. Soon after that I hope to use my experience as a Yin Yoga instructor to offer 15-20 minute stretches to help you feel better. I hear it all the time- our bodies in the service and hospitality industry HURT because of the long hours on our feet. The exhaustion leaves us feeling like we dont have the time or energy to do anything about it. If I can offer up some stretches and techniques in less than 20 minutes that help someone Im gonna do it! It makes a difference in our mental and physical health. And suddenly, one starts to feel hopeful again because their focus and attention shifts to the wonderful possibilities in life when they feel good. Where can we find you and your work? Website: ladiesagainstthegrain.com and Instagram: Ladies Against the Grain #ladiesagainstthegrain I cant wait for Kathy to join me 4 other recent  90 Day Business Launch  alumni on my free webinar: 90 Day Business Launchers Tell All!  Click here to register  and join us live on August 21st!

Monday, April 20, 2020

A Resume Writing Lesson Plan For High School Students

A Resume Writing Lesson Plan For High School StudentsBefore you start your resume writing lesson plan for high school students, you have to consider some things. First of all, you have to think about what kind of resume you would like to write and whether it is in the format that is appropriate for you. By knowing the requirements, you can get the right style for your resume writing lesson plan for high school students.You should have the right materials to do your job. This is very important for any job and it is very important for anyone who wants to get a job. You will need certain facts and specific information about you so that you can pass your written tests. You can use any information you have and to write something really fresh, you need a lot of creativity and initiative.It is advisable to start with a good resume writing lesson plan for high school students so that you can improve your skills. Since you are looking for jobs, you must have at least six months' worth of work experience in your possession. To do this, you must remember that there are various jobs you can choose from. You can try to write a resume that is good enough to get an interview and therefore, to land a job.Many people do not think that a resume can become as much of a target as they are. A resume can make a difference between getting a job or not. This is because the employer is going to have a look at your resume and will think about what they can do to improve your chances for the job, or you may even consider it not worth applying for the job at all.If you want to save your time and effort for the written tests, it is also a good idea to make use of a resume writing lesson plan for high school students. Make sure that you know what exactly you are supposed to include inyour resume. It is very important for the employer to know all the information about you and your achievements, achievements in order to be able to judge your work history and decide if the job is suitable for you.If you want to impress your employer, you have to show them that you have capabilities to complete your job even though you do not have enough information about it. Your resume needs to have facts and details so that it is a complete package and not just a summary.Resume writing lesson plan for high school students is a very good way to get your resume noticed. Because it will help you put all the elements together and will make you look more confident about yourself. A good resume is really important and can even help you get a job if you put a lot of effort into your resume. So make sure that you use your writing skills and make your resume writing lesson plan for high school students the best possible way.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

State Pension Funding Hits Record Low Nationwide

State Pension Funding Hits Record Low Nationwide (CHERRY HILL, N.J.) A public employee pension crisis for state governments has deepened to a record level even after nearly nine years of economic recovery for the nation, according to a study released Thursday, leaving many states especially vulnerable if the economy hits a downturn. The massive unfunded pension liabilities are becoming a real problem not just for public-sector retirees and workers concerned about their future but for everyone else, too. As states try to prop up their pension systems, it means less money is available for core government services such as education, public safety and parks. The annual report from the Pew Charitable Trusts finds public worker pension funds with heavy state government involvement owed retirees and current workers $4 trillion as of 2016. They had about $2.6 trillion in assets, creating a gap of about one-third, or a record $1.4 trillion. While the study looks only at pension funds with major state-government involvement, systems run by cities, counties, school districts and other local entities have had similar problems. Just this week, the Chicago suburb of Harvey, a city with a history of underpaying its pension obligations, announced deep layoffs in its police and fire departments . Officials blamed their rising pension obligations. Larger cities and school districts across the country also have had service cuts or freezes over the years to pay for rising costs for their retirees. Pew says that pension funds were well-funded until about 2000. Around that time, many states increased pension benefits without a way to pay for them. In some states, such as California and Illinois, courts usually find that the government must honor those commitments. Also in the early 2000s, the tech stock bubble burst, spiraling investment returns downward. Some states, such as New Jersey, made things worse by skimping on their contributions. Many pension funds had not recovered from the dot-com bust by the time the Great Recession hit less than a decade later. And many haven’t recovered from that, either. “When the next downturn comes, there will be additional pressures,” David Draine, a senior officer at Pew, told The Associated Press. Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky and New Jersey had less than half the assets they needed to meet their obligations, according to the report. Just four states â€" New York, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin â€" had at least 90 percent funding. Draine said those states and some others that have repaired pension shortfalls since the Great Recession will be in better shape the next time the economy slides. The Pew report found that lackluster investment returns in 2016 explained most of why the condition of pensions declined from the previous year. Pension administrators were counting on median returns of 7.5 percent that year. Instead, they made just 1 percent. But the study says that even if the investments had met expectations, the overall position of pension funds still would have declined because state governments were not contributing enough. Only Kansas contributed more to its pension system in 2016 than it paid out, Pew found. In New Jersey, actuaries say it will take around $6 billion a year in contributions from the state to shore up its pension system. It’s taken years to get to less than half that amount in the current budget. Maintaining that progress makes it difficult to pay for other priorities, such as boosting school funding. The study finds that states increasingly rely on investment returns in an attempt to stabilize their finances, which makes them more vulnerable to market fluctuations. Because of a strong market last year, next year’s report, which will assess the state of pensions as of 2017, is expected to look better. But market slides so far this year have not been encouraging, Draine said.

Friday, April 10, 2020

The Worst Face-To-Face Networking Mistake - Work It Daily

The Worst Face-To-Face Networking Mistake - Work It Daily I was at a pretty large networking event recently where I witnessed the most painful attempt at face-to-face networking I’ve ever seen. It made me realize something about face-to-face networking advice I fear lots of people misinterpret. It’s not an exact science. There’s no step-by-step process. Face-to-face networking is dynamic. Watch the short video where I explained what happened and who I think does the best job of giving advice on face-to-face networking. (Hat tip to Chris Brogan.) I think the best tip I ever got was to remember networking is a means to an end. Don’t psych yourself out when you network because you feel it’s going to make or break you getting a job. It’s like your resume, it needs to be in good shape, but it is never the only factor in getting you the job. Instead, focus on making a connection. Listen to people, engage them in conversation, use the advantages of face-to-face neworking (ie. body language, facial expressions, eye contact, etc.). If you leave making one new friend, you succeeded in face-to-face networking in my book! The Networking Mistake I Saw Your Turn Share with me the worst face-to-face networking mistakes you’ve seen. What are your tips for job seekers to help ensure their face-to-face networking is working? Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!