Tuesday, December 31, 2019

5 Easy Fixes for Polishing Your LinkedIn Profile

5 Easy Fixes for Polishing Your LinkedIn Profile5 Easy Fixes for Polishing Your LinkedIn ProfileIn todays world, you need more than just a strong resume. You also need a clear and compelling LinkedIn profile if you want to stand out in a sea of other candidates and get noticed by potential employers. So how can you go about polishing yours? With these 5 easy LinkedIn fixesUse a professional photo.Posting a professional photo is one of the best ways to fix your LinkedIn profile. In fact, according to LinkedIn, profiles that have a picture get clicked on 14 more times than those without. While you dont necessarily have to invest in a professional photographer, it is important that you do post a photo that paints you in a positive light. Dress professionally and smile it will make you look more approachable.Include relevant and updated information about your job history.This is the part of your profile that will likely get the most attention from potential employers. So make koranvers you invest the time to write about your background and experience in a way that positions you as an expert, and also persuades hiring managers and recruiters to want to contact you. Just as on your resume, you should focus on accomplishments rather than simply listing out job duties.Ask for recommendations.Wondering how to fix your LinkedIn profile? Another key way is through recommendations. These can help to build your credibility online, and hiring managers and recruiters will be more likely to take notice of you, as a result.When you do ask for recommendations, be sure to encourage your network to focus on a specific skill or trait that you have, rather than writing something generic. Its also best to reach out to those in your network individually with a personalized message, rather than blasting out a general request.Sprinkle in keywords.Want to get found by recruiters and employers looking for people like you? Then its important to incorporate relevant keywords into your pro file. For instance, if youre looking for a job as a graphic designer, then make sure words and phrases such as graphic designer and graphic design are sprinkled throughout your profile. These keywords should be utilized in your headline and summary, as well as in the experience and skills section. Dont overdo it though just a few mentions on your profile will work.Make sure your profile and resume are consistent. Youve updated your profile with these easy LinkedIn tweaks. But is it consistent with your resume? If its not, then its going to be a red flag for potential employers. While they dont have to be exactly the same, the two should align well and complement each other.Know you need a better LinkedIn profile, but dont have the time or expertise to create one?Leave it to the experts at ResumeSpice. We know all the best ways to fix your LinkedIn profile so you get noticed by todays top employers. Get started or learn more today by calling 832.930.7378.

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Tips for What to do when you get a windfall of money

Tips for What to do when you get a windfall of moneyTips for What to do when you get a windfall of moneySo youve come into a bit of cash, congratulations First things first, whats a windfall? A windfall is when you received an unexpected, potentially large, sum of money. This could be an inheritance, a gift, a refund (tax, student loan), etc. Basically, its an amount of money that you werent relying on. This is an exciting moment, but its also a good time to take a step back before making any decisions.Here are some ideas for what you should do if and when you get a windfall.Dont Spend It Right AwayI know its tempting, but dont spend this money as soon as you get it If you spend it without being thoughtful, you know youll regret it later. If you know that money burns a hole in your pocket, move the money out of your checking account. Put the money into a savings account that is separate from your checking, or give the check to someone you trust to hold onto.Prioritize Your GoalsThis is a great time to get some perspective on your financial situation. Figure out which goals you want (or must) attack first. It could be paying down debt, building up savings, or investing in something youve been putting off. Whatever the goals are, you should identify them individually and then prioritize them. It helps to write out your goals clearly so you know where you stand.Get Clear on Your DebtsThis is an amazing opportunity to abflug making progress on any debt you have. The first step here is to figure out exactly how much you owe and to whom. If you arent sure perhaps you have been avoiding your debt a good start is to pull yourcredit report. You can do this for free atwww.annualcreditreport.com. Youll see any debts that have been sent to collections, any tax liens, and any late payments on credit cards or loans. This probably wont feel very good, but its necessary. If you see any debts listed that you dont recognize, you should do some digging to see if they are on you r report in error. Whatever you do recognize, come up with a plan to pay it off.Beef Up Your Emergency FundSaving for emergenciesdoesnt feel very fun, but its an incredibly important step to take. It will protect you if something unexpected happens, like losing your job or getting sick. If you dont have debt, or you have money leftover after paying off your debt, you should use your windfall to beef up your emergency savings account.Put 10% Aside for FunPutting all your money towards responsible goals is great, but it often doesnt feel very fun or exciting. Thats why its a good idea to set ten percent of that windfall aside just for you. When you make room forindulgence, its easier to be responsible with most of the money. Plus, you get the instant gratification that is so compelling. Put the money towards something youve been really wanted to do or have, but that you havent been able to afford.This article was originally published on MaggieGermano.com.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

This is the one takeaway from Steve Jobs 1992 MIT talk you must remember at work

This is the one takeaway from Steve Jobs 1992 MIT talk you must remember at workThis is the one takeaway from Steve Jobs 1992 MIT talk you must remember at workApple titan Steve Jobs spoke to students at the MIT Sloan School of Managementdecades ago in 1992, but one of his biggest takeaways on work remains relevant today.Referring to Jobs time at NeXT Computer Corporation, where he served as president and CEO,an attendee asked him, Whats the most important thing that you personally learned at Apple that youre doing at NeXT?Im not sure I learned this when I was at Apple, but I learned it based on the data when I was at Apple. Uh, and that is, I now take a longer-term view on people. In other words, when I see something not being done right, my first reaction isnt to go fix it. Um, its to say, were building a team here and were gonna do great stuff for the next decade, not just the next year. And so, what do I need to do to help so that the person thats screwing up learns? versus, how do I fix the problem?And uh, thats painful sometimesand I still have that first instinct to go fix the problem, but, thats, taking a longer-term view on people is probably the biggest thing thats changedand then, I dont know, maybepart of thats biological.There you have it, folks- in a nutshell, Jobs shows why its important not to give up hope on those you work with. By essentially saying that he took more of a hands-off approach to solving immediate workplace issues at hand, he shows why its more crucial to keep the big picture in mind. After all, investing in employees knowledge is one way that employers and management can ultimately set a company up for a greater shot at success. Watch the clip below.H/t Inc.com

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Hope youre hungry  its time to be smart at eating pink elephants

Hope youre hungry its time to be smart at eating pink elephantsHope youre hungry its time to be smart at eating pink elephantsSelf-Assessment Quiz True or FalseI know what I want to do next with my career.I know someone who does what I want to do.I have a written plan.I have a timeline for achieving what I want.Were coming up on the close of this year and weve dont A LOTYour mind is focused on I CAN DO THISYou have pin-pointed your career problems.Youve identified a few solutions.Check Check Now, all we need to do is to eat some Pink Elephants.Say what now?I believe in eating Pink Elephants. Pink Elephants are larger-than-life, almost out of reach, insurmountable, audacious goals. I eat them almost every day. I believe you can, too. Hopefully, by the end of todays post, youll see the benefit in answering TRUE to question 3 in the self-assessment quiz above. Because you have to be SMART about your goals if you want to eat Pink Elephants well.S SpecificM MeasurableA AttainableR Re alisticT Time-BasedSpecific Lets say you want to earn six figures. Thats great, can you get more specific? Are your six figures $100,000, $200,000, $200,011? Be specific about exactly what you want to earn, and write it down somewhere where you can see it. Every. Single. Day.Measurable Okay, so you want to earn $100,000. How many hours of work are needed to make $100K? How many years of seniority would you need? What qualifications do you need to get to this range?Attainable Lets say you already make $80,000. Getting a raise of $20,000 doesnt seem so far off with the right kind of focus and dedication. But earning $100,000 right out of high school would be less attainable, for example.Realistic What do you realistically need to do to get to six figures? More education? Move to another location where your higher-paying job is available? Be aware of what is realistically needed to achieve your goal and get prepared.Time-Based This is a big one. How much time do you need to get to you r $100,000? Five months, a year, ten years? Set a time frame and stick to it. Write a declarative sentence like, I will make $100,000 a year by (date) working at ________ as the ________ (Be sure to include that exclamation mark)Stay focused, people Write your Pink Elephants down on paper. Do it NOW before you forget. While youre still motivated. Before your Boo calls and you get distracted.Be specific. Next week, well actually SEE what they look like Same time. Same place. Fist pumpCheryl Grace is the sassy aunt, best friend, and mentor youve always needed in your life. The successful jet-setting, auf der ganzen welt corporate executive founded the aspirational lifestyle brand Powerful Penny LLC. Her products, workshops and speeches probe, inspire and empower to ensure those who really want to can get to their next level of best. Her blogs on careers, prosperity, relationships, family, looking and living fabulously, and living a five-star life can be found atwww.powerfulpenny.com.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

10 Solid Resume-Writing Tips That Will Never Be Outdated

10 Solid Resume-Writing Tips That Will Never Be Outdated10 Solid Resume-Writing Tips That Will Never Be OutdatedThe Internet is full of tips for writing perfect, pretty, attention-grabbing resumes. A quick search will give you dozens of suggestions to assist you as you build a document that is sure to help you land your dream job.Or so they say. The fact is, while many of those suggestions are useful, some are also the result of fads or trends that will fade in time.Instead of adding one more trendy list to that Internet logjam, here are 10 resume-writing tips that are likely to stand the test of time.10 Solid Resume-Writing Tips That Will Never Be Outdated1. Dont lie or exaggerate.Honesty should be your top priority when it comes to your resume. By all means, list your achievements, accomplishments, and skills, but do not embellish them or make stuff up. Nothing good will come of it, and thats a promise.2. Get a professional schmelzglas address.When you were in high school, partydud e234emailprovider.com or cutiepie6myemail.com probably seemed like awesome email addresses. But youre a professional now. Make sure your email address reflects that.3. Keep it simple and concise.You may be tempted to include every project youve completed or accolade youve received during your career, but resist that temptation. No manager wants to wade through a five-page resume. Hit the high points, and keep it short.4. Make sure the information you share is relevant.This goes with the point above, but even a brief resume could include unnecessary information. Think about the position for which you are applying and focus your resume on the aspects of your background that prove you can do that job.5. Focus on accomplishments.This advice comes from a World Economic Forum article, which says that an experience section filled with job descriptions can be exhaustive and lengthy. Focus on what you accomplished in your role, not everything that the role entails. Heres the test If a bullet point can be put on someone elses resume, it is a job description (something that anyone in your position can do) and not an accomplishment specific to you.6. Use numbers.Your accomplishments will be easier for a hiring manager to understand if they are easily quantifiable. Provide specific data to show what you did and how you succeeded.7. Address any gaps in your career history.If you were out of work for a significant chunk of time, include basic information about it. Every potential employer will ask about this during an interview, so you might as well explain it up front.8. Avoid personal information.A useful tip from Business Insider says, Dont include your marital status, religious preference, or Social Security number. This might have been the standard in the past, but all of this information is now illegal for your employer to ask from you, so theres no need to include it. That advice applies to hobbies, too, unless theyre relevant to the position you seek.9. Dont get too fancy.Your resume is meant to convey information clearly and quickly. An elaborate design may grab attention, but it could also frustrate recruiters if its hard to navigate. A basic format using one or two fonts (and 10- to 12-point type), bullet points, and simple lists is the best way to go.10. Remember the editors.Nothing is more jarring to a hiring manager than a resume riddled with grammatical and spelling errors. Ask at least two trusted friends or colleagues to carefully edit your resume. The more the better, as something that one person misses may stand out to another.These might not be the most trendy suggestions youll find when you ask the Internet for resume help. But if you follow them, you can rest assured that the information you provide recruiters will be clear, concise, and complete. If your goal is to help the company learn about you and what you can do, such a resume should at least help you get your foot in the door.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Build Your Own Resume - a Brief Outline

Build Your Own Resume - a Brief Outline The Debate Over Build Your Own Resume Its very likely that your having a site will turn you into a rarity among them. In the expanding world, acquiring a job is a must so its possible to pay your bills or simply go out and have fun. The ideal way to do so is to create a resume that specifically targets the requirements of a specific job posting but rewriting it from scratch may be a time-consuming procedure. For example, if the job posting says a candidate has to be familiarized with QuickBooks, make certain you have it listed on your resume in a proper spot. All About Build Your Own Resume You can discover the live resume here. One... Read More, a site is a lot mora than that. You can construct your own resume and brand set in a couple of measures and easily customize to your own logo and screen design illustrations. Share your work as soon as youre completely content with your design and work, you can share it to the world via you r social networking accounts, personal site, or a number of different channels you might utilize. Being a real fashion photographer for certain you will require a place where to put away your cool shots. To get a better grasp on making the best resume, consider looking for various modern resume templates to offer you more details about what to place on your resume. Getting the Best Build Your Own Resume Making the effort to concentrate on a resume is really very worthwhile work. Its possible for you to impress new customers or prospective employers by showcase your very best work samples. Employers admire those who have worked hard in an assortment of positions. Before you begin to look for work, youve got to work out which position you desire. If you hoping to find work and you should learn about resume key tips. Have a certain job title in mind, and after that do some studying to ascertain the key phrases youll use whenever you start searching for jobs. You dont want onl y a job, you desire an outstanding job. Wonderful Work, Great Career can enable you to get that excellent job and, beyond that, build an outstanding career. Hiring managers want to learn about your experience, but in plus-rechnen they wish to know about your personality. They see the same phrases and sentences over and over. The Lost Secret of Build Your Own Resume Your contact information is only going to be shared when you decide to respond to an employer. At a sure career stage every web professional decides to make their own CV. If you have a look at resume building as a step-by-step procedure, it is going to be much easier to do and not as overwhelming. The process of producing a resume is quite straightforward and straight-forward. The percent of people who have personal websites in place of other social profiles is quite low. It is possible to also refer to an assortment of resume examples if you want more sources to make the perfect resume. A personal website is mo st likely one of the biggest aspects of your on-line presence. Other websites like Weebly permit you to create an entire site. Build Your Own Resume No Longer a Mystery Apparently, if youre given specific instructions, then you need to follow them. The setup procedure is simple and it has plenty of shortcodes that are going to be very beneficial. Resume examples will reveal to you just what type of information is required and the format it is required in. Utilizing a resume template is now an acceptable and smart practice for several reasons. Life After Build Your Own Resume After you add your private stamp to it through imputing your special abilities, professional experiences, and wording, it is going to stand from the crowd for all of the perfect factors. Now you have work experience, youll want to move your education down closer to the base of the page and move your work history up. Now, a site certainly isnt the one thing you need you require superior references, some g ood experience, potentially an education, and proficient skills locally of expertise. The great thing is freelancing is its a good way to begin your own company with out spending a great deal. If you opt to develop a work hunting bot, think about the questions that are asked when you proceed through myriad personality assessment tests while applying for work. A scarcity of job experience doesnt signify too little work experience. In a worldwide economy, nobody is safe, no job is secured. As your present job will be at the very top of your new resume, remember to highlight the most crucial elements of your present position.

Monday, December 2, 2019

How Older Workers Add Value to a Company - Spark Hire

How Older Workers Add Value to a Company - Spark HireWhile its exciting to have a staff filled with young people and fresh ideas, dont discount the importance of having a few veterans on your kollektiv too. Older workers bring an entirely new dimension to your workplace, and can be highly valuable when utilized properly. Some of the traits that older workers typically possess includeSignificant experience Theyve been in the field for a while, and know how to handle various situations that may present themselves. They can offer valuable insight and help you to guide your company in the right direction.A range of skills Older workers have moved up the ladder and may have held various jobs throughout their careers. This means that they can successfully do a number of different tasks, and can assist other employees within your organization while theyre at it.Mentoring skills Older employees can serve as leaders in your business, and can mentor younger team members who are just getting st arted. They can provide them with tips on what works and what doesnt, and can coach them so that their skills improve quickly.Confidence Veteran team members have the experience and proven track record necessary to foster confidence, which can make them great at presenting, interacting with clients, and pitching new ideas.Punctuality Older employees have been working for years, so they know how to keep themselves organized. They show up on time and prepared for meetings.Maturity When a person has been working for many years, they are less likely to get flustered by situations that pop up during the workday. Whether its an argument with a co-worker or a dissatisfied client, theyre able to handle it calmly and efficiently.Employees with more experience can become important leaders within your organization. Use them to help guide newer team members, and to provide a calm, focused presence in your office.Image Goodluz/BigStock.com

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Reality of the Job Market for Millennials is Not Pretty

The Reality of the Job Market for Millennials is Not PrettyThe Reality of the Job Market for Millennials is Not PrettyMillennials. Whether you believe that theyre the most entitled generation ever to walk the Earth, or the one most let down by the generations that have preceded it, theres no disputing that theyve had it tough on the job front. Graduating into the worst economy since the Great konjunkturtief is no-ones idea of a good time, but its a story thats sometimes difficult to comprehend for those who have enjoyed being able to hunt for a job during periods of relative prosperity.A recent study from Accenture underlines just how tough the past couple of years have been for the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013 out there in the real world. For example of the 42% of grads surveyed who managed to find a job within 6 months of graduation, just 67% are working in their chosen field. And only 60% are making more than $25,000. And those are kids who graduated during a period of empl oyment growth think what it must have been like for the class of 2009. No wonder theyre still living at home.For more stats, check out this infographic from Accenture, which also details how the experiences of the past two graduating classes stack up against the expectations of the class thats about to hit the job market in the coming months (hint theyre not going to like it).Read MoreAccentures 2014 College Graduate Employment SurveyRelated on VaultAttention Millennials The Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Career3 Things That Millennials Know About Success That You DontTraining Coming Soon to a Workplace Near You

Friday, November 22, 2019

4 things every child needs before breakfast

4 things every child needs before breakfast4 things every child needs before breakfastThe way you see a child is the way you treat them and the way you treat them is who they will become. - adapted a quote from GoetheMost children wake up the same way their parents wake upeither flustered and in a rush, orwith no plan or strategy for how to succeed at the dayChildren shouldnt be expected to know how to start their day off right. They shouldnt be expected to know how confidence is built, or how momentum and motivation works.But their parents should understand these things. And their parents should help their children understand and live in ways that allow them to be confident and successful.Helping a child develop confidence and momentum daily is elend rocket-science.Its actually incredibly simple.At the most basic level, heres what children need immediately upon waking-uphydration for body and brain functioningphysical affectionsmall wins for confidenceappreciation and affirmationIn order for a child to receive these things, they need a parent who is present and caring. They need a parent who has put first things first - and already started winning themselves. A parent who has taken care of themselves so they have the wherewithal to be truly mindful of their childs needs and emotional state.If you help your kids get these 4 things daily, they will transform. Theyll become healthier, happier, and mora confident. Theyll become mora successful in all areas of their lives.How do I know?Because for the past 3.5 years, my wife and I fostered three incredible children who we recently adopted. When we got these kids, they were an absolute wreck Youd be too if you came from their background.We had to deal with an extreme situation, and necessity is the mother of invention.Our kids are far from perfect. We all have our crazy moments. But they have made amazing progress And continue to do so daily When it comes to kids especially, its far more powerful to measure the GAI NS than the GAPSMostly, my incredible wife is the reason for our kids success. Shes amazing. She deserves ALL of the credit.Heres how this Successful Child Morning kenntnisse works. And by the way, it can all be accomplished in less than 10 minutes.1. Drink lots of waterAfter a long nights rest, your body (and childs body) is often dehydrated.Hydration first thing in the morning is essential because it increases the production of new muscle and blood cells. Additionally, a hydrated body gets and uses more oxygen, which is needed to be alert and energized.Most people feel groggy the first 35 minutes after waking up. Youll be stunned how quickly you become alert and awake if you drink a huge glass of water first thing in the morning.Your body and brain need it.Your children need lots of water first thing in the morning for their developing brains and bodies.A study done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that over 50% of children in the United States are deh ydrated. This is an easy fix.For adults, it is smart to super-hydrate when you first wake-up by drinking over 20 oz. of water. The more the better.2. Physical touch and loving affectionWhile your child is drinking their morning water, it would be incredible if you were giving them a hug or a short back massage.Research shows that warmth and affection expressed by parents to their children results in life-long positive outcomes for those children. Benefits includehigh self-esteemimproved academic performancebetter parent-child communicationfew psychological and behavioral problemsConversely, children who do bedrngnis have affectionate parents generally havelower self-esteemfeel more alienated, hostile, aggressive, and antisocialIn 2010, researchers at Duke Medical School found that babies with very affectionate and attentive mothers grow up to be happier, more resilient, and less anxious adults. In that study, most of the mothers showed normal levels of affection but only 6% shows hi gh levels of affection.Numerous studies on the effects of massage show the positive benefits it offers to reduce anxiety in children. A short and loving massage is an incredible way for parents to connect to their children, both physically and emotionally.A study among adults showed that those who received physical affection from their parents as children had less depression and anxiety as adults.Your child needs to feel your love first thing in the morning. Words are extremely powerful. But physical touch is also very important.This doesnt need to take long. Even 30-60 seconds of loving physical tough. A short massage or back scratch and some kind words. This will work wonder for your relationships with your child - which is essential for their well-being. It will also work wonders for your child individually in all areas of their lives.3. Quick small winsTheres a growing body of research showing that confidence and positive habits are the product of small daily wins (see BJ Foggs research at Stanford for more info).Confidence is fickle. It needs to be re-established daily.Confidence is the byproduct of successful behavior. In the recent hit book, MAKE YOUR BED Little Things That Can Change Your Life And Maybe the World, author and famed Navy Seal William McRaven explains how making his bed first thing in the morning changed his life. It got him in the habit of winning. It created confidence first thing in the morning, which rippled into other wins throughout the day.Momentum and confidence are highly connected.When you wake up and get a few small wins, your confidence increases. If you wake up and dont start winning, then confidence drops.When you get even a small win, like making your bed, you feel more confident to keep winning. This leads to momentum.Your children should get a few small and easy wins right after they wake up. This will create new and daily confidence in their lives.Confidence and momentum are that simple. As is motivation. Motivation is the byproduct of positive action.Its important to note that your confidence as a parent is also based on the fact that you yourself have been winning in the morning before you have interfaced with your child.If you havent put first things first, you wont have as much confidence when you interact with your kids. If youre not confident yourself, you shouldnt expect to raise a confident child.Regardless of what has happened in the past, confidence is something you can build daily. Just get some small wins. Whatever that means for you. Here are a few solid ways to win in the morningmake your beddrink a big glass of waterprayer and meditationread or listen to uplifting materialwrite in your journal about your day and the person you intend to bego for a walk or do a workoutmake progress on a personal goalYou dont need to do all of these. Even one or two will make a big impact on WHO YOU ARE when you interact with your children first thing in the morning.Your emotional and psychological t one completely influences your childrens. If youre feeling amazing because youve already been winning yourself, then youll project that energy onto your children. Youll love them more. Youll give them more attention and affection, because youll have the capacity to do so.Theyll feed off that energy and begin winning themselves. They will be more positive toward others, because youre being more positive and loving toward them.4. Appreciation and affirmationFinally, its important that your children are receiving praise and affirmation first thing in the morning. Especially in response to the wins they are getting.If your child makes their bed and drinks a glass of water first thing in the morning, it is powerful if they are acknowledged for that.Appreciate them for what theyve done. Affirm their behavior. This will positively condition them to continue doing so.Research on gratitude shows that when a person expresses gratitude, they change how they see the person. As Dr. Wayne Dyer sa id, When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.When you express gratitude, you love the people youre grateful for. Words are powerful things. They change emotions and feelings. As Harvard psychologist Jerome Bruner has said, Youre more likely to act yourself into feeling, than feeling yourself into action.When you express gratitude, you feel more love.Love is a byproduct of positive action.When you express and show love through physical and verbal affection, youll feel more love for them.Theyll be more confident and youll be more confident as their parent. Theyll be winning because youll be winning.ConclusionYou pile up enough tomorrows, and youll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. - Meredith WillsonChildhood is short.Im stunned how fast the past 3.5 years have gone since we got our kids.When we got our kids, they were 3, 5, and 7. Now they are almost 7, 9, and 11How did that happen?Dont waste another day. Your children are w orth so much. If you can help your children start winning in the morning, they will get more consistent at winning throughout their life.Of course, perfection should not be the goal. We all have plenty of off days. Parenthood is nuts Compassion and love are essential for both yourself and your children when things arent going as well as they could.Keep working at it.Consistency is the goal. Daily progress is the goal.Confidence and momentum are built one day at a time. Every single day.For both your children and you, it all starts with how you wake up in the morning. And then, how you help your kids proactively wake up themselves.Ready to upgrade?Ive created a cheat sheet for putting yourself into a PEAK-STATE, immediately. You follow this daily, your life will change very quickly.Get the cheat sheet hereThis column first appeared on Medium.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Lets Dispel the Myth of the Perfect Resume

Lets Dispel the Myth of the Perfect Resume Lets Dispel the Myth of the Perfect Resume If you had 100 hours to use on your job search, how exactly would you divide up your time?You and many others might devote95of those hours to your resumes. Job fit is determine by experience, and your experience is outlined in your resume. Therefore, if you spend hours and hours making your resume perfect, you ought to get a job faster right?Not exactly. In reality, many job offers are determined by other factors like whom you know. Look back at your own resume and think about how youlanded each job. If you got every job youve had by applying online with the perfect resume, youre an exception to the rule. Most people find jobs through other people.Does that mean resumes dont matter? No, theyre very important to your job search. They allow you to brand yourself, to highlight your accomplishments, and to assert your value. A resume gives you the opportunity to share who you are and who you want to become.That said, you shouldnt overemphasize your resume during your job search. Instead of constantly tweaking your resume, spend some time researching the companies you want to work for. Devote time to meeting new people and networking with people you already know.One of my most successful friends has a six-page resume. For years, Ive had a burning desire to shave it down to two pages. Before I can ever get my hands on his resume, however, my friend has a new job. He has both unique skills and a strong network of contacts. For a job seeker like this, aresume is almost a complete afterthought, a mere formality. After a company has decided to hire him,my friend submits the resume to complete the hiring process. Its simply abox to check.Again, the lesson here is not to forget your resume completely. Rather, the lesson is that your job search depends on more than just your resume. If you feel your resume is high quality and youre still not landing interviews, step back and look at th e bigger picture. Aside from updating your resume yet again, what else could you do?Consider spending more time at networking events. Ask more friends to have coffee meetings with you. Connect to new people you want to know on LinkedIn. Volunteer for nonprofit boards.If you spend your time looking for ways to grow your professional network and your business skills, you will go much further in your job search than you would by staying at your desk, toiling away on your resume.A version of this article originally appeared in theMemphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coaching.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.