job & interview

3 Keys to Finding Your Perfect Career

Jealous of people who are good at what they do and actually enjoy it, too? Follow their lead.Are you in the right job for you? If not, you aren't alone. According to Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace report, 70 percent of American workers are either "not engaged" or "actively disengaged" in their work. The 2013 Philips Work/Life Survey states that 68 percent of working Americans would be willing to take a salary cut to work in a job that better applied their personal interests.How can you find a role that is a good fit for you and your personality? With the advice to “do what you love” and “follow your passion” abounding online, many strive to match their vocations with their personal interests in an effort to be happier at work. Conventional wisdom suggests that people who are good at and enjoy what they do – while they may be in the minority – are happier and more successful in their jobs.How can you be one of those people? Philip Hardin is the CEO of YouScience, a scientific, online profile that measures aptitudes and interests and helps students set a direction for their educations and careers. He believes the key to taking control of your career path is finding a career at the intersection of what you’re good at (aptitudes), what you love to do (interests) and what the market needs you to do (opportunity). These are his tips to help identify your path:1. Understand your aptitudes. Hardin defines aptitudes as the foundation for skill development. He asks: “Have you noticed how easy it is for you to acquire skills in certain areas, while in others – no matter how hard you try – you end up average?" Understanding your natural aptitudes allows you to play to your strengths and focus on those areas that will give you a true competitive advantage. “Everyone could use a competitive advantage in this tight job market, but every career requires a different blend of natural aptitudes.It’s easy to assess your basic skills. For example, are you a strong communicator, or are you good at math? Read job descriptions carefully and map your skills to what the employers want. Some skills are a little less obvious. Do you think in 3D? (What are your spatial relations skills?) How quickly can you diagnose and critique a problem? (Do you have inductive reasoning capabilities?) Knowing your unique portfolio of aptitudes provides you with a foundation to help target your education, skill development and career.2. Identify your interests. Wouldn’t it be ideal if you could do what you love at work? Challenges to this proposition, which include not being very good at what you love and there being few prospects in the field you love, can make it tough to accomplish this goal. Hardin notes: “Doing what you love is one important piece of the career puzzle, but your interests are relative to your experience. Your interests evolve over time as you gain life experiences. They are important when considering a career, because they influence your choices and should direct how you apply your natural aptitudes.”3. Find the opportunities. The marketplace is constantly changing on an international, national and local level. Whether you are 18 or 50, before you focus on a particular career, it’s a good idea to assess the landscape and opportunities. “Is the tide coming in or out for a particular industry or occupation? You have a set of natural aptitudes and interests; it is your job to find out how best to apply them," Hardin says. "The job market is a moving target. If you are stagnant, it will hurt you.”Don’t worry, you don’t need to get out your crystal ball or hone clairvoyant abilities to succeed. However, you do need to recognize when the world is changing. When you plan to invest in a career, take a long-term view. What does the job growth look like for a career 10 years from now, and what skills are required to compete? Keep your eyes open to trends, and read news in your industry. Ask people in fields that interest you what they believe to be the trends that will affect the industry and work.Hardin suggests: “When doing your research, be sure to think globally, and try to understand how changing demographics and technology might affect your industry.” Position yourself to take advantage of opportunities as a result of new technology.Awareness is a big step in the right career direction. Focus on your skills and how they fit the market that interests you, and you’ll be on a quicker path to job search success.Miriam Salpeter, owner of Keppie Careers, is often quoted in major media outlets for her job search and social media expertise. Author of three books and a sought-after speaker and coach, she leverages her extensive background and successes to teach job seekers and entrepreneurs how to easily use social media marketing to accomplish their career and business goals. Salpeter also provides strategic advice and support regarding interviewing, résumé writing and personal branding. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/13/3-keys-to-finding-your-perfect-career" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

3 Keys to Finding Your Perfect Career

Jealous of people who are good at what they do and actually enjoy it, too? Follow their lead. Are you in the right job for you? If not, you...

How to Leave Your Internship Like a Boss

Before you hit the exits, spend some time gathering feedback and saying thank you.Ah, the thankless job of an intern: lots of hustle with little glory and even less (if any) payment. For your next gig, do you want to be a full-time, paid employee instead of an intern? Act like you already are. As you leave your internship, show the confidence to make connections, humility to say thank you and pride to finish your work strong. This maturity and professionalism will leave a lasting impression on your co-workers, who will remember your name when opportunities crop up in the future. In essence: Act like the boss you want to be. Here's how:Don't slack off. Maybe you're giddy about returning to campus. Or if you're out of school, maybe you're distracted with finding your next job or internship. But showing decreased enthusiasm at the end of your internship, or worse – leaving assignments incomplete – is a major no-no. Plus, you really don't want to slack off as you ask your boss to write a letter of recommendation, says Lauren Berger, CEO of InternQueen.com, a website that connects young people with internships and career advice, and author of "Welcome to the Real World." "Until the end of the last day of that internship, you need to put 100 percent effort forward," she says.[See: The Top 10 Intern Mistakes.]Do something noteworthy. Go out with a bang, says Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert. She suggests creating a manual of your job responsibilities, along with a step-by-step workbook of your daily activities. This may help whoever inherits your duties and will leave a lasting impression with your boss, she says<STRIKE></STRIKE>, adding that you should make every effort to complete pending projects. Offer to answer questions about your duties after you've left, which Gottsman says will show your co-workers and boss that you genuinely care about the company and want everything to run smoothly.Ask for feedback. Exit evaluations are built into some internship programs, but if that's not the case for yours, have a 15-minute meeting with your boss before you leave. Ask about your performance and your strengths and weaknesses, suggests Yair Riemer, chief marketing officer at Internships.com. When discussing areas of improvement, thicken your skin and appreciate the value of the critique. "Constructive criticism is actually a good thing," Berger says. "It gives you something to work on, and it can help you really build your goals for your next professional experience." Say thank you. Berger suggests emailing co-workers to thank them for their involvement in your great internship experience. Provide your contact information, and snag their personal email addresses, in case they leave the company. Follow these emails with a handwritten note, which you should keep "short, sweet and to the point," she says. Thank them for their time, reference a special moment you shared and note that you'll be in touch. And then, of course, be in touch. Berger suggests shooting your colleagues a short note around the holidays and another in the spring, so they remember who you are and receive an update on your activities.Express your interest in a future job (if you have such interest). Don't assume this is a given. "You have to make sure your boss knows you want to work at that company," Berger says. "In a very polite and professional way, let the employer know that this is your dream job, and you're interested in pursuing a career at the company – if that's the case."[See: The 25 Best Jobs of 2014.] Secure a reference or two. Listing references from this internship will show future employers that you were confident enough in your work to ask others to recommend you, Riemer says. But use some caution, he says, and confirm – don't assume – this person will happily vouch for you in the future. Always ask if he or she would feel comfortable serving as your reference first.Ask for a letter of recommendation. While a reference will speak on your behalf should a prospective employer call, a letter of recommendation is typically more useful for academic opportunities, like when applying to graduate schools, Riemer says. "I would really only save this for someone who you worked closely with," he says. "if it was a direct manager, and you worked with them everyday, and they told you were doing a good job and gave feedback, then I would definitely go for it."The more time you can save this person as he or she composes your letter, the better. Send bullet points covering the work you've done or even a letter template, so he or she can fill in the gaps and sign it. Ask for the letter sooner rather than later, while you and your excellent achievements are fresh in the his or her mind. Snag a LinkedIn endorsement. While you're gathering affirmations of your hard work, make sure to get some LinkedIn love, too. Berger suggests first updating your profile to include your current internship. Then ask your boss to write a two- or three-sentence recommendation. Once again, the key is to make this task as quick and painless as possible for your boss. "Send them all the information," Berger says, mentioning hyperlinks and a sample recommendation. "So they have to make no more than like two or three clicks, and it's done." [See: 16 Things You're Doing All Wrong on LinkedIn.]After you leave, track your company. Set up Google Alerts for your colleagues, company and company's clients, Berger suggests. That way you'll receive an email every time those names appear on the Web. Say the public relations firm you interned with works with Client Z, and you get an alert that Client Z was mentioned in The New York Times. Email your colleagues a congratulatory note on the client's good press. Or perhaps you're alerted when your former internship coordinator is promoted or quoted in a blog – another excuse to drop a line. Staying up to date "shows you're paying attention, you're doing your homework and still have great interest in the company," Berger says.And finally, leave like a boss. "Don't rush out of there in a hurry and leave like the building is on fire," Riemer says, pointing out that even if you're excited to go back to campus or begin new professional experiences, the internship shouldn't have just been a temp job or bullet on your résumé. The work you've done was, in part, to build a network. Leave your colleagues on a humble, thankful note. Gottsman adds, "before walking out the door, make one more round through the office and say a genuine goodbye. The extra effort will go a long way in building future goodwill." <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/08/12/how-to-leave-your-internship-like-a-boss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

How to Leave Your Internship Like a Boss

Before you hit the exits, spend some time gathering feedback and saying thank you. Ah, the thankless job of an intern: lots of hustle with ...

Corporate Team-Building Activities: The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly

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Corporate Team-Building Activities: The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly</h1>
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Best practices so your office's team-building activity goes off without a hitch ... and a lawsuit.</h2>
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Effective team-building exercises should lead to new team skills and a sense of unity – not a trip to the emergency room.</div>
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There are no i’s in team. There shouldn’t be broken bones, either.</div>
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But a company’s attempt to increase staff camaraderie by placing employees in out-of-the ordinary circumstances – blanketed under the pretense of team building – could do more team breaking. NPR’s "Morning Edition" recently reported on a Washington, D.C.-area company’s ill-begotten trip to a paintball range for a so-called team-building exercise – where the staff’s emotion and poor judgment took over. Many supervisors returned home having been pummeled with pellets and covered in welts.</div>
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If you’ve been charged with facilitating a team-building exercise for your department or company, you’ve got a tall task. These events now have a soiled reputation for being either too boring to make an impact or too extreme to come away unscathed, and managers with good intentions struggle to make the activity positive and meaningful. Lest your efforts become one more trust-fall-gone-wrong video on YouTube, take these tips to heart.</div>
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[See: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-best-team-building-exercises" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/the-best-team-building-exercises">The Best Team-Building Activities</a>.]</div>
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First, you need a solid definition of what qualifies as team building. Shawn Dunning, director of the corporate team-building firm <a class="" href="http://www.adventureassoc.com/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.adventureassoc.com/">Adventure Associates Inc.,</a> in El Cerrito, California, says the term is extremely subjective. Still, there are core tenets: “A team-building activity is any positive, shared experience that reinforces positive, team skills,” says David Jacobson, founder of the New York City-based corporate entertainment and team-building company TrivWorks. “It has to have some form of structure and someone who has put it together with clearly defined goals.”</div>
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Are you hoping to improve employee relations, or do you want to help your staff develop a new skill? Decide your purpose and goals, and let them dictate the type of team building to try, Jacobson says. And while on the subject of type – unless your purpose is to endanger your colleagues, some activities are non grata.</div>
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For example, "there’s something called zorbing,” says Anne Thornley-Brown, founder and president of the Toronto-based management consulting firm <a class="" href="http://www.executiveoasis.com/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.executiveoasis.com/">Executive Oasis International</a>. “It’s this large clear ball that you can put one or two people inside and then push them down a hill. But there have been [recreational] instances where the ball has veered off course, and people have been killed.” Zorbing is a worst-case example, but generally team-building shouldn’t simulate violence, cause harm or humiliate participants.</div>
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[Read: <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/01/17/how-to-spot-bad-company-culture-" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/01/17/how-to-spot-bad-company-culture-">How to Spot Bad Company Culture</a>.]</div>
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All physical activities aren’t off limits, though. Adventure Associates Inc. facilitates nationwide team-building activities, some of which get the blood pumping, like indoor rock climbing, geocaching and scavenger hunts. “We’re not doing picnic Olympics,” Dunning explains. “There isn’t a single activity in our repertoire that automatically leads to the most physically fit doing better than others.”</div>
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What’s important is that employees recognize the parallel between the activity and the workplace and that they’re appropriately challenged. “Every one of our programs includes a discussion with participants about their appropriate level of challenge,” Dunning says. “And challenge is important. Learning happens when you’re outside of your comfort zone.”</div>
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Jacobson’s company, <a class="" href="http://www.trivworks.com/" style="color: #005ea6; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://www.trivworks.com/">TrivWorks</a>, facilitates live trivia events for team building. This format fosters good-natured competition, a crucial component of effective team-building, according to Jacobson. His company’s events are also inclusive, even for employees who don't enjoy physical activity. “We offer live customized trivia for your group, your team goals and anyone can participate and engage,” he says.</div>
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Fun isn’t a dirty word, but remember team building isn’t strictly social. In other words, impromptu happy hours or the annual holiday party aren’t applicable. “Those are just nice add-ons,” Thornley-Brown explains. “It would be as if I invited you to dinner and served an appetizer or a dessert, but no actual meal.”</div>
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<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2014/09/25/corporate-team-building-activities-the-good-the-bad-and-the-really-ugly/*" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a></div>

Corporate Team-Building Activities: The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly

Corporate Team-Building Activities: The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly Best practices so your office's team-building activity goe...

8 Sensitive Issues an Interviewer Could But Shouldn't Ask About

A job interview can be stressful. Here you are, face to face with a potential employer, and he or she gets to ask most of the questions. It's complicated enough to answer, "Why do you want this job?" But what do you do when the interviewer asks, "What country are you from?" or "What year did you graduate from college?" Should you think twice before answering?There are no federal laws that prohibit what employers may ask job candidates, but there are laws that prohibit what information employers can use to make employment decisions. According to U.S. anti-discrimination laws that span from 1964 to 2008, it is illegal to deny employment to someone based on what are known as "protected classes." However, not every hiring manager is aware of what those protected classes are. Because of this, you may field some inappropriate questions during an interview.Below is an explanation of some of the protected classes, plus a few examples of interview questions that may seem innocent but are inappropriate for hiring managers to ask.[See: The 100 Best Jobs.]1. Race, color, national origin and citizenship. Race, color, national origin, citizenship and/or immigration status cannot be used in hiring decisions. Employers also cannot create policies or procedures that disproportionately target candidates by these factors. If you face questions about these issues or if you're directly asked about your country of origin, Christine Assaf, human resources professional and blogger with HRTact.com, suggests you either refuse to answer or tactfully redirect the conversation by saying, "I don't think that pertains to my experience."2. Religion. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers are not supposed to ask questions about your faith unless religion is a bonafide occupational qualification. Religious corporations, associations, educational institutions and societies are examples of employers for which this rule is exempt and hiring managers could consider your religious affiliation a qualification.3. Sex (including pregnancy) and marital status. "The law doesn't prohibit employers from asking whether an applicant is pregnant or has pregnancy plans, but taking pregnancy into account for the application process is prohibited," says Jeanne Goldberg, senior attorney advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is even true if the job demands extra time or requires travel that could take you away from your family. However, according to the EEOC, an employer may ask about your spouse and kids after you've been hired, for tax and insurance purposes.4. Disability. Donna Ballman, an employment attorney at Donna M. Ballman, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and author of "Stand Up For Yourself Without Getting Fired," says, "Employers aren't supposed to ask questions about disabilities or accommodations until they make a conditional job offer." That is, until the employer makes a tentative offer to employ a candidate, based on that candidate's ability to meet certain conditions. Employers can ask questions about reasonable accommodation or changes to the standard work environment that would enable an individual with a disability to perform the job's duties only when the applicant voluntarily discloses a disability or the need for accommodation.[Read: A How-to Guide on Job Searching With a Disability.]5. Age. There are federal and state labor laws that mandate a minimum age when minors can start working, as well as a maximum number of hours that are permissible for them to work. In addition, employers may set minimum age requirements for candidates filling positions with certain responsibilities, like serving alcohol. However, it's forbidden to deny employment to candidates because they're too old. Specifically, individuals who are 40 and older are part of a protected class. "Studies showed that many employers would stray from hiring over the age of 40 because they fear health-related issues and/or paying for retirement," Assaf says. For this reason, an inappropriate interview question could be as direct as asking an applicant's age or as indirect as inquiring about what year they graduated from college. "If the answer is somewhere in the '70s, you might be disclosing that you're over 40, which might lead to age discrimination," Ballman says. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2013/11/19/8-sensitive-issues-an-interviewer-could-but-shouldnt-ask-about" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

8 Sensitive Issues an Interviewer Could But Shouldn't Ask About

A job interview can be stressful. Here you are, face to face with a potential employer, and he or she gets to ask most of the questions. It...

4 Ways Every Employee Can Help Build Positive Corporate Culture

When your team celebrates a win, acknowledge everyone who contributed both directly and indirectly.In the high-pressure world where many people work, executives, managers and employees sometimes fail to focus on how to improve corporate culture, which often takes a back seat to a focus on billable hours and producing profits. Bruce Madnick, managing partner of top-50 accounting firm Friedman LLP, believes a positive work culture is key and thinks everyone can contribute to it.If you’re interested in helping create a positive, sharing and transparent culture, here are Madnick’s top tips to stand out in the crowd:1. Be quick to share credit when something goes well. Have you heard the quote: “Leaders take all the blame and give away all the credit”? Madnick believes every manager should recognize contributors on his or her team whenever there is a success to celebrate. He celebrates everyone’s roles in “wins” and does not solely focus on those who may typically receive accolades, such as employees directly involved in landing a new client.How can you inspire a culture where the organization values and acknowledges each person’s role, including those who keep the office running or make fresh coffee each day? For example, at Friedman LLP, everyone is recognized via the firm’s “Lead Sheets," which are published to celebrate successes.2. Raise your hand when nonrevenue activity comes along. “Every charity drive, company picnic, sports team and holiday party is a chance to step up and demonstrate leadership in a way that benefits the whole company,” Madnick says. He explains: “We often find leaders through internal events and charity drives. Often, these are great people who just haven’t yet had the opportunity to lead client engagement, and we learn a lot about them by what they contribute." At many companies, it is the employees – not partners or senior managers – who set the bar for community service activity. An organization with a strong corporate culture likely attracts employees who appreciate the opportunity to give back via volunteer work such as Habitat for Humanity and soup kitchens. If you have a favorite charity or cause, consider how you can get others in your organization involved in giving back. When employees and leadership members can rally around a great cause, it can really improve the organization’s culture.3. Show industry leadership. Getting involved in a professional organization is a great way to represent your company and help create a positive corporate culture. Madnick suggests you volunteer to serve on committees and work on projects. When you are directly involved in solving the problems facing your profession, you gain visibility and enhance both your own reputation and the employer’s brand. While this type of volunteer work does not generate billable hours, it helps produce good will and extends the organization’s networking capacity – each of which improves company culture.4. Collaborate. Rarely will a firm that silos its employees win any awards for corporate culture. Madnick encourages employees to reach out across silos to educate fellow professionals about new opportunities. He notes: “We recently sent a few people from one office to another to help with a large project and were very happy to see that they reported back on opportunities for more such collaborations. They were creating new links among the staff so more knowledge of each professional’s skill sets spread – and that creates opportunities for cross-selling.”Consider how you can suggest opportunities to cross train by both learning from and teaching others in your organization. Every time you reach out, you’re strengthening the company culture. Plus, Madnick notes: “Employees who consistently network from other disciplines and offices are more visible to managers and are more likely to be fast tracked for advancement and new assignments.”Keep in mind that when you help contribute to a positive company culture, you’re enhancing your personal brand, and you’re more likely to be appreciated at work.Miriam Salpeter, owner of Keppie Careers, is often quoted in major media outlets for her job search and social media expertise. Author of three books and a sought-after speaker and coach, she leverages her extensive background and successes to teach job seekers and entrepreneurs how to easily use social media marketing to accomplish their career and business goals. Salpeter also provides strategic advice and support regarding interviewing, résumé writing and personal branding. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/01/4-ways-every-employee-can-help-build-positive-corporate-culture" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

4 Ways Every Employee Can Help Build Positive Corporate Culture

When your team celebrates a win, acknowledge everyone who contributed both directly and indirectly. In the high-pressure world where many p...

How to Avoid the Résumé Black Hole

Where did it go? Keep your online application in orbit – not lost in space.I’ve applied online to numerous positions, and I never get a response. My résumé just gets swallowed up in some black hole, and it never even gets seen by a recruiter or hiring manager.This a common complaint from frustrated job seekers.Imagine, however, that you are on the other side of the hiring desk. You advertise a job and receive anywhere from 50 to 200 or more applicants. Each submits a two-page résumé with dense prose depicting complex sets of skills and experiences. That’s easily 100 to 400 pages to sift through in order to find an initial set of 10 or 15 candidates who you might want to contact. Then, remember that every human resources staffing person typically deals with 15 to 30 job requisitions at any given time, so he or she needs to contend with literally thousands of pages of résumés.That's a daunting task, which is made even more complex with the need to document Equal Employment Opportunity Commission compliance and to track candidates' interactions with various HR staff, hiring managers and department personnel.The solution is known as an applicant tracking system, or ATS. This kind of software has become integral to the hiring process for companies of all sizes, as well as for external executive recruiters and headhunters. Say you're applying for a job on the company website. There's a good chance you're actually accessing the outward-facing portion of an externally run ATS site that's branded to look just like the company site.There are many companies that provide hundreds of competing of ATS software products for employers. Some are simple and stand alone, while others are far more complex with greater abilities. One of the significant players in this arena is iCIMS, with more than 2,000 corporate clients. Susan Vitale, the iCIMS chief marketing officer, spoke with this author to debunk myths that surround the supposed "résumé black holes.” She also provides valuable tips for job seekers about how to best gain the attention of internal HR personnel and external recruiters. Vitale contends that ATS companies like iCIMS make every effort to meet candidates’ needs for convenience. For example, they often allow one to submit information using their login from social media sites, such as Facebook, Google Plus and LinkedIn.This way, she points out, “a candidate doesn’t have to create yet another username and password.” She provides the assurance that logging in using social media credentials does not give the ATS the ability to search one’s timeline or other posts.When asked if screening questions posed by ATS systems automatically knock out certain candidates, here's how she replied: “Absolutely not! It totally varies. Some companies use the screening questions as knockout questions, and some do not.” Vitale points out that – particularly in regard to EEOC compliance – companies have to define requirements of positions and show that they didn't pick a candidate because he or she didn’t meet the minimum qualifications.For example, perhaps a job requires a certain certification. If a candidate doesn’t indicate that he or she has that certification, he or she could automatically be put in a "doesn't meet minimum qualifications" category.Vitale acknowledges that it is “uncomfortable” for applicants when companies require an answer to the salary question in order to submit a résumé. She understands that people, “don’t want to go higher than they should or lower than they need to.” Industry best practice today is for companies to provide an option for candidates to decline to answer any screening question, but each company decides for itself what questions to pose and whether or not answers are mandatory for a candidate to be considered.According to Vitale, these points are key to making the ATS system best understand candidates' résumés as intended.1. Any ATS system these days can easily work with Word or PDF file types. It will parse out key pieces of information and populate the database with your name, address, skills, employment history and relevant keywords. It will also preserve the résumé in the form you submit to be viewed by the recruiter.2. Lines, text boxes and color can be be handled by almost every ATS today. Use these elements judiciously.3. Be careful about using graphics. Different ATS systems vary in their abilities to deal with images. Regardless, words embedded in graphics won’t be recognized or parsed out. If you submit a graphic-heavy résumé, it may lose the visual appeal for which you strive. Instead, it may be seen as gibberish on the other side.4. ATS systems look for certain items to be in particular places on your résumé. For example, your name and contact information should be at the top – not placed in a vertical text box along the side of the page. Use appropriate headings for the various sections of your résumé and have them formatted logically.5. Don’t try to game the system. For example, don’t needlessly repeat the same keywords in your résumé just to get a better keyword-scoring match. It doesn’t work that way. It may be noticed, but recruiters generally take a negative view of this practice.6. Make sure your résumé demonstrates that you are well suited for the positions for which you are applying. It is not the fault of the ATS if you are continually rejected for positions for which you don’t qualify.7. Use common sense. Don’t apply for widely different positions within the same company. And don't go for positions at significantly different expertise or experience levels within the same company, either. Keep in mind that your entire profile will be seen by anyone in the company who is looking at your résumé.Happy hunting! Arnie Fertig, MPA, is passionate about helping his Jobhuntercoach clients advance their careers by transforming frantic “I’ll apply to anything” searches into focused hunts for “great fit” opportunities. He brings to each client the extensive knowledge he gained when working in HR staffing and managing his boutique recruiting firm.  <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/08/12/how-to-avoid-the-resume-black-hole" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

How to Avoid the Résumé Black Hole

Where did it go? Keep your online application in orbit – not lost in space. I’ve applied online to numerous positions, and I never get a re...

Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs should be attuned to the latest industry trends to stay one step ahead of competitors.Either by choice or by circumstance, entrepreneurs launch into their businesses determined to make a living. They're then often accosted by fear, uncertainty, time demands, cash flow concerns and a barrage of advertisers eager for them to spend their money for reach and visibility in the marketplace. All of that is just on the business front. On the personal side, there are also concerns about disappointment and their responsibilities to their families. When someone becomes an entrepreneur and launches into a business venture, his or her frame of mind is often to start fresh. It’s out with the old and in with the new. Plus, best practices learned at corporations are thrown out as old, outdated forms of themselves. It’s in that freeing feeling of striking out on your own that entrepreneurs' mindsets fail them.What got you there will get you hereA common saying among entrepreneurial circles is: “What got you here won’t get you there.” In the case of a newly developing entrepreneur, a better decision is to make use of that wisdom that you put the time in for.Here's what likely got an entrepreneur to this point in his or her career: being on time, scheduling events, creating and following systems and processes, taking notes and honing project management skills. That valuable wisdom that can be applied to this new venture.The allure of the brave new entrepreneurial world leaves people wondering what to do next. Often, home-based entrepreneurs find themselves busy with daily tasks and chores related to the household, the children or the yard. Or they’re lured into being in constant weekend mode, filling their days with volunteer, sports and church activities.Entrepreneur must employ themselves – much like their past employers expected them to start work on time, deliver and contribute to the company during working hours and diligently follow through with commitments. Entrepreneurs must do all of this for the hardest and most demanding boss they’ll ever work for – themselves.Compound that with no guarantee of a paycheck or a sure climb up the corporate ladder, and many entrepreneurs abandon what rewarded them with success in the corporate world. They're not giving their own business the schedule and work ethic they once gave to previous employers. Successful entrepreneurs benefit from what they learned doing corporate time and apply that same commitment, dedication and structure to their own endeavor.Networking matters even moreIn the corporate world, networking and focusing efforts on influencers and a high-return individuals is quite common. New entrepreneurs are often all too ready to dismiss this business practice. Even more prevalent in the entrepreneurial world is the practical belief that people do business with people they know, like and trust. The only way that trust can be built is through relationships and communication. The only way communication and visibility can happen is through connections and introductions. And those happen through networking. Identifying a couple key events with a clear plan of what the desired outcome is helps entrepreneurs rationalize and plan networking events with precision and focus.To this date, Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” still applies and provides insights and structure into beginning and developing lasting relationships that yield great results on the personal and business landscapes.Focus on learning your industryEntrepreneurs often wait a long time for their businesses to come to fruition, and when they do, the focus is on building and developing the business. At that point, education in the industry often takes a back seat. This mistake often goes undetected until a competitor creates momentum and overtakes them.Successful entrepreneurs stay focused on learning their craft or industry. Their appetites for cutting-edge information about their industry is voracious and serves them by positioning them as people who stay current and connected in their field. The most successful take advantage of industry and networking events, as well as opportunities to learn about their industry.The most successful entrepreneurs bring with them best practices they honed on the job, a drive for networking and a clear understanding that people do business with and through the assistance of others. They also understand that staying at the forefront of their industry is vital to their entrepreneurial success.Maria Elena Duron is a brand relationship trainer, national presenter, author and small business marketing coach specializing in helping individuals, teams, businesses and organizations apply the concepts of the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace” in their daily business and interactions with customers. She is editor-in-chief of the Personal Branding Blog. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/10/09/avoid-these-pitfalls-of-entrepreneurship" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

Avoid These Pitfalls of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs should be attuned to the latest industry trends to stay one step ahead of competitors. Either by choice or by circumstance, e...

7 Tips for Networking Success

Dedicate one pocket to your business cards and another pocket to cards you receive. That way, you're not accidentally handing out other people's cards!“I don’t feel comfortable in large groups in which I don’t know anyone.” “I don’t care about getting on the rubber chicken circuit and listening to boring programs.” “When I’m in a room full of accomplished people, I feel small and unimportant, because I’m unemployed.” Perhaps one of these attitudes rings true for you. Whether you are currently working or not, there are dozens of reasons you might not want to get out of your house and make the effort to meet new people. However, if you are serious about advancing your career, bear in mind that somewhere around 80 percent of jobs are not obtained through blind online résumé submissions or recruiters, but rather through networking. And we are now in prime networking season! With Labor Day past, all kinds of organizations that take a summer hiatus are springing back to life with fall events, meetings, seminars and a multitude of gatherings. Leaders in virtually every field or enterprise are called on to speak at professional organizations, and others of influence are coming to hear them. Each of these events presents a valuable networking opportunity. You should have your antenna raised to become aware of these gatherings, especially when you are searching for a job. Look for events where you can expand your network and obtain the latest information that will make you an interesting person with whom others will want to interact. Disillusioned job seekers often complain about situations where jobs are “hard-wired.” The boss knows the person that they want to hire, tailor-makes a job description that depicts him or her and goes through the motions of an open search to camouflage the fact that the hired candidate was chosen long before. The flip side of this argument, however, would be to say that the successful candidate has networked to the max! Articles and books about networking abound, but here are some key tips to get you going and help work the room at any networking event: 1. Target multiple types of networking venues. Attend events at professional organizations that relate to your expertise or industry, but don’t be content with that. There are also many other types of fruitful networking groups, such as alumni, recent graduates, professional women and young professionals. You should also seek out networking events related to your city or metro area. Companies such as Networking After Work and NetParty hold open events in many cities throughout the country and also host geographic-based LinkedIn groups.2. Prepare a professional presence. That includes “dressing for success," personal grooming and much more. Keep your own business cards in one pocket, and place the business cards you receive into a different one. The last thing you want is to inadvertently pass out someone else's card! If you are unemployed, you still need a basic card with your name, contact information and something about the role you seek. 3. Set realistic goals and expectations. It's just fine to speak with only a key handful of people the room. Aim to establish enough of a relationship with someone that you will each want to continue the conversation later. Why give someone your card and then have him or her wonder the next day, “How did I get this business card, and why should I keep it?” 4. Figure out who you want to speak with and how to get his or her attention. For example, if the speaker at an event is a leader in a target company of yours, you might want to be close to the stage or dais to rub shoulders as the person enters or exits. Another consideration: Companies often take whole tables at events, and you can check out the tent cards or seating chart to figure out where people of interest to you will be seated. 5. Don’t be a leach! Don’t stand in the way of your networking partners' objectives. They come to the event with their own agendas, and they won’t be favorably impressed if you take an inordinate amount of their time. 6. Pay attention to the person with whom you are speaking. Be “in the moment,” and maintain eye contact. Show you are interested in what they are saying. People can tell if you are eyeing your next networking target, and they feel disrespected if they think you would rather be speaking with someone else. 7. Think: Can we talk? Remember that famous Joan Rivers line, and leave your elevator speech at home! The best networking is about engaging people in conversation and not speaking at them. No matter how much you practice that 20-, 30- or 60-second pitch, it will likely come off as just that: a rehearsed, stilted pitch. When perceived that way, it will seem like an hour to the listener. By all means, be purposeful in what you say, but talk with people and not at them. When you practice these points, you will be well on your way to becoming more comfortable in networking situations, turning strangers into contacts, contacts into networking partners and opportunities into job offers. Happy hunting! Arnie Fertig, MPA, is passionate about helping his Jobhuntercoach clients advance their careers by transforming frantic “I’ll apply to anything” searches into focused hunts for “great fit” opportunities. He brings to each client the extensive knowledge he gained when working in HR staffing and managing his boutique recruiting firm. <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/09/09/7-tips-for-networking-success" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the original article here</a>

7 Tips for Networking Success

Dedicate one pocket to your business cards and another pocket to cards you receive. That way, you're not accidentally handing out other...