Sunday, May 31, 2020

How to Get Over a Job Search Slump

How to Get Over a Job Search Slump If you think of your job search like a sport, then it is natural to expect peaks and valleys in your own performance. Still, there is nothing more draining, humbling and dispiriting than consistent rejection and non-responsiveness during a job search. Ive learned that when interviewing, challenges or problems will always arise and there are two ways to deal with them: the effective way and the ineffective way.    The effective way is to assess where you are, determine where you want to be in your career, identify and implement creative solutions, and remain resilient. Knowing that, here are some key tactics to deal with a slump in your job search: 1) Understand that setbacks are temporary and work to increase your confidence level: People who are confident that they will succeed persist longer in the face of difficulty and will ultimately reach their goals.    Unfortunately, poor job search performance can fill a job seeker with self doubt and lack of belief in their ability to successfully navigate the open job market. Prior to tweaking your resume, practicing interviewing or altering your search methods, it’s imperative to restore and increase your confidence levels.    One of the most effective ways to do so is to reflect on your past successes. When you find yourself full of self-doubt, take a moment to recall (as vividly as possible) some of the goals you have achieved and the obstacles you overcame to to do it. 2) Analyze the situation from the view point of the recruiter or hiring manager: Be honest with yourself.    If you were the recruiter or hiring manager of the positions you apply to, would you be interested in your resume and cover letter? Are you truly applying to jobs and tailoring each application?    Or are you sending out reams of resumes hoping something will stick?    Are you connecting with the right headhunters and hiring managers and bringing something to the table?    Or are you simply relying on others to find you your next job? Because it’s easy to apply for positions via the web, companies and staffing firms receive mass amounts of applications per open position.    If you were the hiring manager would you be more interested in the job seekers who took the time to research your website and thoroughly read over the description or the applicants who seemingly put little to no effort in the application process? 3) Have an exact goal in mind and relentlessly pursue that objective Spell out exactly what you want to achieve.    Without firm goals, job seekers are much from prone to wasting valuable time applying to the wrong positions with the wrong resume. Take some time and spell out what type of position you want, what industry you want that job to be in, what type of company you wish to work for and what date you aim to start the job.  Then, begin to tweak your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile according to plan. Only when you get specific about the desired outcome of your search, will you know the proper steps you need to take in order to get there. RELATED:  How to Set AND Achieve Your Personal  Goals 4) Diversify your job search avenues: The average job seeker applies for positions through LinkedIn and on the major job boards, while the successful job seeker diversifies their search. Diversification means utilizing resources such as niche job boards, jobs posted directly on company websites, industry publications, and social media in order to increase your reach and ability to stand out. Many companies have positions that are dormant. This could be for a myriad of reasons they’ve unsuccessfully posted the position, couldn’t find an efficient recruiting firm or just have not had the time to actively search lately. Make both your life and the hiring manager’s job easier by finding those positions. All it takes is basic internet research. Remember that Google is your friend. In the end: Life involves setbacks and your job search is unlikely to break that rule. Understand that before success comes in any job search, you may meet with temporary defeat and perhaps some pronounced failure. You can’t change the past, but you can take control of your job search from the present onward and significantly improve the future.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Resume Writing Tips For Highschool Students

Resume Writing Tips For Highschool StudentsThere are a lot of resume writing tips for highschool students. People who have just graduated from high school are required to present their resumes as soon as possible after completing their studies. There are many ways in which one can do this, but we will be discussing the most important tips that are presented in this article.Many of the people who write resumes for high school students, think that the process is really simple. In fact, the process is not so simple at all. There are a lot of things that must be taken care of if one wants to be successful in presenting their resumes.The first and the most important thing that must be taken care of is to create a strong and impressive resume. A resume must include all the important details about the student. This includes his birth date, address, academic records, family background, employment history, etc. All these details must be carefully written down.The next tip for high school stud ents is that they must take care of the spelling and grammar as they prepare their resumes. The writing process is very important and there are many things that can go wrong once one starts the job. Grammar and spelling are one of the important things that must be taken care of.Another important tip for students who have just graduated from high school is that they must prepare their resumes for experts. They may not be experienced enough to write their own resumes, but they can easily get help from an experienced writer. It is always a good idea to seek the help of experts who can help them prepare their resumes for the job. Experts usually take care of all the job-related details and this can easily be found on the internet.While making a resume for high school students, there are some tips that must be kept in mind. The first is that a resume for highschool students should contain the information about the student and his future goals. This should be discussed thoroughly so that it does not contain any incorrect information. The correct information must be included so that the future of the student can be clearly seen.The next important thing is to ensure that the content of the resume is clear and easy to understand. Some students have been given a tough time by the employers because the resume that they had prepared was too complicated. In fact, many students have been badly treated because they failed to communicate the right information to the employers.Lastly, all these factors must be kept in mind so that a good return can be made after paying the cost. Writing a resume can be very difficult for students. However, it is possible to be able to write one with the help of professional help. Hiring a professional will surely make things easier for the students as they can easily convey their messages and obtain the desired results.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Project A Good Attitude - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Project A Good Attitude - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career It’s okay to wear an enthusiastic, positive attitude on your sleeve. That’s a constructive and productive point of view when coupled with plans to make it happen. A positive, optimistic approach will improve the outcome of any situation you are in, even if you’re the only one who has one. Yes, I know that life is one darn frequently negative thing after another. It isn’t for sissies. However, you survive it by being emotionally resilient and limiting the negative things that you add to it. No doubt, there is a risk to your optimistic perspective; sometimes a naysayer is right. Still I would rather drive into my brain days of upbeat thoughts and actions than allow harmful, unhelpful, downbeat, and destructive thoughts to seep in. Overly optimistic beats overly pessimistic any day.  As my long time friend and mentor, Curt Carter, says,  â€œI’m always positive; sometimes justifiably.”

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Tips For Turning Passion Into Profits

Tips For Turning Passion Into Profits The following is a guest post by  Alexis Fedor.  Her bio follows. I knew at age 22, as I graduated from undergrad with a degree in film and dance and a minor in writing that I would need to figure out how to make a living from my work, fast. The last thing I wanted was to become the stereotypical “starving artist”, not only because the label itself terrified me, but also because I didn’t want to struggle trying to make ends meet and be forced to sacrifice my art in the process. According to the IRS, an artist is a business owner by default. We are taxed as freelancers automatically. So why were we not taught how to approach our work from a business perspective just like a business major was? I didn’t know the answer to that, but I knew I was going to figure it out. Ten years later and one failed business under my belt, I not only figured out how to build a six-figure business around my writing and choreography, but also built an entire business around helping other artists create thriving businesses with and for their art. The majority of those ten years were spent studying marketing, business strategies and project management techniques, all of which were valuable to increasing my skillset as a business owner. As soon as I dialed in to the business side of art, my business literally catapulted into the six-figure mark in less than six months. Many artists tend to get intimidated by the financials, especially if they aren’t familiar with creating business plans. I’ve worked with over 500 artists and it is incredibly important that I give them highly motivating incentives to get through the financial section of my course. There are the five simple steps I start with when advising students on how to optimize a revenue plan that will ensure their business begins to experience results: Uncover Your Financial Baseline To begin, create a financial baseline for your personal life and your business based on your most basic needs. Only include food, shelter and bills on the personal side and studio space, bills and supplies on the business side. Add up what you spend in both categories each month (taking the average of 12 months is the best way to go) and add 25% to it. This number ensures you will cover all your living and business expenses plus additional costs that may arise, and give you enough to reinvest in your business as it begins to grow. Choose One Type of Offer (only one!) It can be tempting to try to sell several different types of offers at one time whether is be pieces of art, songs, written work, acting services etc. when you’re first starting your business, especially as a creative individual. Instead, you want to focus on one and plan until it is making enough to stand on its own, and then move on to the next such as working on one book at a time, writing one playwright, finishing one set of paintings or completing one album at a time. I promise, this level of optimization is where your revenue lives, which is what will make your business grow at a faster rate. Set Your Financial Goal Once you have your baseline established, you just need to do simple math to figure out how many sales or services you need to offer in order to reach your goal. Let’s say your baseline is $5,000 per month, and your offer sells for $250, you need to sell 20 of that offer each month to reach your goal. Choose One Marketing Approach There are a plethora of great marketing strategies to choose from, and the biggest mistake I see creative business owners make, and the one I made with my first company, is to try and implement as many as possible all at once. Instead, choose one approach and optimize it over a period of time, this will allow you to create a well-oiled revenue machine for that single product or offer. Once you reach your first goal you can move on to the next product or service you would like to offer, and likely get it to that optimized revenue point in far less time. Revise And Optimize! Hearing Once you have your financial goal and marketing campaign using the one single strategy you designed, you will want to prepare for the launch date (usually no less than a month out to ensure you can gather enough data to assess your feedback) and begin to track your results. As you do this, give yourself the chance to revise what is not working, leverage what is and connect with your ideal clients in the process, ultimately until you reach your revenue goal. As a creative, there is no more appealing approach to take when building a business than aligning it with your vision while ensuring your clients are receiving optimal value every time they work with you. About Alexis As a performance artist, Alexis Fedor struggled for years to discover a way to make a living doing what she loved. She began studying under successful financial and marketing experts, determined to uncover the missing link in her own business. Alexis transformed that journey into a comprehensive, online-education program focused on helping raise the financial IQ of other artistic business owners. In addition to her 14-day course, Alexis hosts the Artists In Business podcast as well as offering memberships to a Facebook group that synthesizes each of the lessons taught in her course by connecting creatives like herself with art and business experts to inspire, guide and motivate them to build businesses with their craft. . Images via Pixabay.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

The Things to Remember About Writing a Professional Resume and Cover Letter

The Things to Remember About Writing a Professional Resume and Cover LetterWriting a professional resume and cover letter is a big job. This is because it involves spelling, grammar, which is a very important skill to have in your resume. You will need the skills to write a well-organized resume and effective cover letter so that you can convey your best resume skills and cover letter skills effectively.If you are not writing your resume and cover letter using these skills then you should be. These skills are essential to this type of job. They are also very important to other types of jobs that involve letters. The two elements make up your resume and cover letter, and you should be able to use them well to get you through the interview process.You should also be aware that there are many types of resume and cover letters that you can write. You need to know which one suits your skills to the job that you are applying for. You can use both resume and cover letter skills to get you t hrough your application process. You want to make sure that you have good resume skills for your job and you also want to use your cover letter skills to get you through the process.The first part of your resume and cover letter is the cover letter. This is an introduction to you and what you are seeking. It is not really a part of your resume but it is a way to show how you fit the position you are applying for. In order to get the reader interested in you and the position you are applying for, the cover letter is a good place to start.The next part of a professional resume and cover letter is the professional qualities section. This is the part where you will list your skills and abilities. Listing your skills is very important, because it shows the reader what your professional potential is. Listing your strengths and weaknesses is also very important.The next part of a professional resume and cover letter is the information section. This section will cover your educational backg round and professional experience. Make sure that you explain the specific information you have listed about yourself and list any relevant work experience that you have had. When writing a professional resume and cover letter, you want to emphasize your professional abilities and qualifications, rather than your other job experiences.The last section of a professional resume and cover letter is the summary. This section is an explanation of who you are and what you have done. Use the information that you have listed in the previous sections to list the specifics of the job that you are applying for. Use the information in the summary to explain how you can help a specific employer with his or her business. These paragraphs can help make your resume more interesting and effective.Writing a professional resume and cover letter is not difficult, but you do want to remember to have the skills to do so. They are the only ways to have a successful resume and cover letter when you are app lying for a job. You also want to use these skills to have a successful job interview, and they are the only way to impress the employer.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

8 Tips for Getting Your Dream Job CareerMetis.com

8 Tips for Getting Your Dream Job â€" CareerMetis.com Source: Pixabay.comFinding and getting your dream job may seem impossible. It may feel like you have to jump through a thousand hoops just to be acknowledged and get an interview. As hard as it may seem to get the job of your dreams, with the right amount of planning and preparation, you can make it a reality.If you are wanting to stand out above the rest of the competition and win your dream job, then follow some of the top tips below:1) Complete a Self-AssessmentevalA good place to start is by learning about yourself. If you know all of your pros and cons, then you will be able to sell yourself better to any employer. You could start by producing a CV which emphasizes all of your good points.evalRemember to include any relevant work experience you have had, as this will be a big plus with employers. If you are wanting to work in a certain field, then consider sending your CV to potential employers.There are different ways to find potential employers. You can choose to manually hunt for vacancies or go through recruitment agencies. There is a huge range of recruitment agencies and to make your CV distribution efficient you may want to use an online CV distributionrecruitment agency to do this for you. Your prospective employer may be closer than you think.2) Find the Job and Research ItIf you find an advert for the job of your dreams, then before you apply, do all you can to learn about the company and what the role entails. Knowing a bit about their background and what they stand for will stand you in good stead if they ask you to go for an interview. Being prepared will impress any future employer.3) Make Sure You Are QualifiedMany students these days take courses that have no relevance to their future careers. If you are after a specific job in the future, then look into what course best prepares you for it.For example, if you want to become a nurse,then getting qualifications in business studies would not make sense. Instead, think about studying health an d social care or science, as these are more suited to the job role.If you have found a job that you would like but don’t have the correct qualifications, see if they will take you on as an apprentice where you can learn on the job. Your wage will be less, but you will learn from the best, and gain the correct qualifications as you go.4) Fill in Any Applications FullyIf you are filling in an application form, make sure that you follow the instructions that are given to you. Lots of applications don’t get considered because the applicant hasn’t followed the instructions correctly. Employers will assume you can’t follow simple instructions in the future if you cannot complete a simple application form correctly.evalEmployers can learn a lot about an individual from their covering note, so make sure that you take your time over it. You need to keep it concise whilst highlighting all of your good points. Make sure that you talk about the skills you have that match what the employ ers are looking for.You also need to talk about why you want the role you are applying for and what it would mean to you if you got offered the position. Make sure that your covering note stands out from the competition.eval6) Alter Your CV for Each Job You Apply ForDon’t think that it’s ok to produce one CV that will be suitable for all potential employers. It is important that you change parts of your CV and put in the things that are relevant to the job you are applying for.If you add in a few exciting and relevant sentences, you will have your potential employers’ attention.7) Listen to AdviceevalIf you are called in for an interview, listen to the employer. Most employers will give you hints and tips throughout your interview, so listen to these and use them as a starting point. You also need to think about the interview dress code. It is not always appropriate to wear a suit to an interview.For example, if you are applying for a job in a gym, then it may be more appropri ate to wear sportswear in case you are asked to demonstrate your talents.8) Be OrganizedMake sure that you turn up to your interview with plenty of time to spare. You also need to make sure that you take with you everything that you are asked to bring. If you are unsure of anything then ask. It would also be a good idea to have an idea of any questions you may want to ask your potential employer.There are thousands of different jobs available around the world. Getting a job in this day and age is a lot harder than it used to be. By using some of the tips above you may have a better chance of standing out above the competition. If you find your dream job advertised, then go for it!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Job Search Excuse I Dont Have a Network

Job Search Excuse I Dont Have a Network Job Search Excuse I Dont Have a Network Youre stuck with your job search. You need to look for a new position, either within your current company, our outside. But you believe you are stuck because you dont have a network. There are a few situations where this is a legitimate excuse such as you just relocated to a new city and truly don’t know anybody. You moved to a new country and are unfamiliar with the resources to connect with people. You’re fresh out of college and have not been networking since you have been studying so hard. But for the millions of people looking for their next job right now, “Cut the Crap, Get a Job”. In this case, the crap is this excuse. So let’s cross this excuse off your list and help you maximize your opportunities through people. I’m going to break this into two categories: One, you do have a network but you’re not tapping into it well. Two, you have the resources to build a network very quickly. 1. You DO have a network. You’re just not using it effectively. Step one: Take out a piece of paper or Microsoft Word or Microsoft OneNote and write “My Network” at the top. Right below that, write down your job search goal. Example: “Searching for a restaurant manager position in Chicago within a large chain.” Step two: Now, with that goal squarely in front of you, write every name or type of person (title if you don’t know their name) who might be able to help you. Ex-Peers, co-workers Ex-Bosses Family Members, including extended family Ex-Teachers, Counselors Friends, both close ones and those on Facebook, neighbors Professionals who are one step away from you on LinkedIn. Find them by learning how to use the search functions in LinkedIn. 2. You need to build a network quickly and effectively. And you’ve exhausted the resources in letter A. Step One: Same as above. Take out a piece of paper or Word or OneNote and write “My Network” at the top. Right below that, write down your job search goal. “Searching for a restaurant manager position in Chicago within a large chain.” Step Two: Spend HOURS researching a fresh list of people you will contact. Set an initial goal of finding 10 people then find 10 more. If you don’t have access to a PC, go to the Library, borrow one or find an internet café to rent one. Here are some of the best resources: LinkedIn: You should have a 100% complete profile on LinkedIn and, now that you have a job search goal, you can search for people you may know or who are 1-2 connections away. You can now ask to be connected to them. Local city Business Journal. Go to American City Business Journals to find the one near you. Your local newspaper online. They publish job fairs, networking events, “people on the move” and many more resources. Chambers of Commerce Associations in your field, based on your goal. Associations often host networking events, job fairs and even have job postings on their own website. There is an association for virtually any industry (e.g. manufacturing) or function (e.g. marketing, engineering, and nursing). I will publish the next step soon: “How to approach people I don’t know and ask them for help?” so keep checking my blog at www.DanaManciagli.com or, alternatively, www.CutTheCrapGetAJob.com.

Friday, May 8, 2020

You Had Me at Hello! Create an Unforgettable Impression With a Cant Miss Elevator Speech - Hallie Crawford

You Had Me at Hello! Create an Unforgettable Impression With a Can’t Miss Elevator Speech What is an elevator speech? Basically, an elevator speech is a pitch of about 150 words that lasts only 12-20 seconds, the length of an elevator ride. This pitch should spotlight the uniqueness or benefits you provide. Make sure that you make this speech about them, your audience, not you. Pretend you’re in their shoes to help you think of what you should include in your speech. Think about how to make a good impression and show your personality so your audience knows who you are and what makes you unique. And an extra tip: Be memorable! Mention two or three interesting personal things about you. Writing your elevator speech. There are three important elements to writing an elevator speech. Identify your target audience. Where are you using it? With whom and for what purpose? Write down the deliverables â€" the services or features that you provide, and the benefits your clients or customers derive from your services. Choose an opening sentence that will grab the listener’s attention. Delivery. When you deliver your elevator speech, you want it to be delivered effortlessly and for it to flow right out. So you have to practice. Make sure your speech is authentic and something you’re comfortable with. People connect with people who are real and authentic. Your speech should feel good and get you pumped about what you do. Tap into your passion. What do you love about what you do? Make sure to show personality with your body language, eye contact, and voice inflection. Action steps. Before attending an event, there are six key action steps you should take. Decide on your intentions what is your objective with the elevator speech? Write it on a note card. Record it and play it back do you sound confident, sincere, engaging? Practice on 3 people this week. What do they think? Ask your friends/family for help. Practice makes perfect! Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today