Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire

Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire Pamela Slim, who has a business teaching you to escape from cubicle nation, had a great post yesterday describing an executive who had it all but wasnt happy. I remember last year in my job search as I was applying for jobs that would help me grow, provide the income I wanted, or give me my executive status back, I was nervous! I was nervous about working with dumb people again. I was nervous about the long hours in a job, with a two hour commute each day. I was nervous about new political situations, or walking into a good ol boys club, or starting a job with big responsibility and figuring out how to fit into the team and many other things. I think I was most nervous about not upgrading my life. I had just left one hellacious job (yes, I was there for a long time, and its a long story), and I didnt want to get into another situation that was running me into the ground. I wanted better. And I was afraid I wouldnt find better. Over the last few months as Ive had the privilege to work with career experts, and reflect on it, Ive been able to piece together some of the things that I didnt understand before. Here are some things that I wish I would have known last year that would have helped ease my nerves: Its going to happen again. Why did I think I could find the perfect job that would last until I retired (or, help me retire early ;))? Statistics say well have 9 job changes in our career and Penelope Trunks new book says Gen Y will have nine jobs before they are thirty! Instead of looking at my professional career as I worked at X company and had a great time it will be more of I was an xyz problem solver/rainmaker for various companies helping them to Preparation should not go on the back-burner. I should have realized that once I landed a job I should be preparing for the next change, which would likely happen in the next three years. Sure I would give 100% to doing my job but maybe I should consider more training to broaden my skillset, take on special projects to improve my resume, network like crazy (become a power connector), Theres more to happiness than job success. My life was out of balance I needed to reevaluate priorities and really put time into areas that are important, not neglecting them by hiding behind my job. Blood is thicker than water. I needed to put my family first Im sad to say that I put even trivial job things before family things. Funny thing is, that job gave me a small severence package, but my family has stuck by my side and supported me even after the severence ran out. Too bad I put my investment in the wrong place. A good coach is critical. I couldnt afford a professional coach so I didnt look. But there are peer coaches at network meetings each week. You should BE a coach to someone else, as teaching will help you understand the princiles better. But seriously consider investing in a professional career/job coach. They will ask the real questions without beating around the bush, or worrying about hurting your feelings, etc. Sure they arent cheap, but if you can invest in a few hours that might be just what you need to get started on the right path. What do you think? Whats missing from this list? Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire Pamela Slim, who has a business teaching you to escape from cubicle nation, had a great post yesterday describing an executive who had it all but wasnt happy. I remember last year in my job search as I was applying for jobs that would help me grow, provide the income I wanted, or give me my executive status back, I was nervous! I was nervous about working with dumb people again. I was nervous about the long hours in a job, with a two hour commute each day. I was nervous about new political situations, or walking into a good ol boys club, or starting a job with big responsibility and figuring out how to fit into the team and many other things. I think I was most nervous about not upgrading my life. I had just left one hellacious job (yes, I was there for a long time, and its a long story), and I didnt want to get into another situation that was running me into the ground. I wanted better. And I was afraid I wouldnt find better. Over the last few months as Ive had the privilege to work with career experts, and reflect on it, Ive been able to piece together some of the things that I didnt understand before. Here are some things that I wish I would have known last year that would have helped ease my nerves: Its going to happen again. Why did I think I could find the perfect job that would last until I retired (or, help me retire early ;))? Statistics say well have 9 job changes in our career and Penelope Trunks new book says Gen Y will have nine jobs before they are thirty! Instead of looking at my professional career as I worked at X company and had a great time it will be more of I was an xyz problem solver/rainmaker for various companies helping them to Preparation should not go on the back-burner. I should have realized that once I landed a job I should be preparing for the next change, which would likely happen in the next three years. Sure I would give 100% to doing my job but maybe I should consider more training to broaden my skillset, take on special projects to improve my resume, network like crazy (become a power connector), Theres more to happiness than job success. My life was out of balance I needed to reevaluate priorities and really put time into areas that are important, not neglecting them by hiding behind my job. Blood is thicker than water. I needed to put my family first Im sad to say that I put even trivial job things before family things. Funny thing is, that job gave me a small severence package, but my family has stuck by my side and supported me even after the severence ran out. Too bad I put my investment in the wrong place. A good coach is critical. I couldnt afford a professional coach so I didnt look. But there are peer coaches at network meetings each week. You should BE a coach to someone else, as teaching will help you understand the princiles better. But seriously consider investing in a professional career/job coach. They will ask the real questions without beating around the bush, or worrying about hurting your feelings, etc. Sure they arent cheap, but if you can invest in a few hours that might be just what you need to get started on the right path. What do you think? Whats missing from this list?

How to Get Through the Stress of Writing a New Resume

How to Get Through the Stress of Writing a New ResumeOut of work writing a new resume is always stressful. Whether you are making a full time salary, or even just working part time, it can be difficult to get the kind of attention that could lead to further opportunities. In addition, the idea of your old company is putting you on a list to re-qualify for a job is always nerve wracking. There are many ways to overcome this problem, including:* Write a letter of introduction to your prospective employer. This letter should be relatively short and honest, so as not to make them suspicious of you. Give them your contact information, work history, what you have achieved in your career, and if they might think about hiring you in the future.* Researching your employment history can prove very helpful and can really help you out when you are looking for a new resume. Even if you are unsure of how long you have been out of work, you can still help yourself by listing every job you have ever held, beginning with your first one.* Compile your previous employers into a list, listing them in order of date. This can be helpful in two ways. First, by cross referencing your employment history with previous positions, you can find where you stood with each company and see where you did well.* Make a list of jobs that you have applied for, writing down the dates, how long it took you to receive a response, and whether you were eventually accepted for the position. You can then go back and check these against your actual experience. If they do not match, and you need more experience, it can help you out greatly by getting your resume written again.* Use a paper template to make your new resume. There are several websites available where you can download free templates that you can print out, and use as a guide to writing your own. One of the best sources of templates for your needs are community websites that are always in need of people to contribute their information and expe rience. When you take this approach, you can reduce the amount of time it takes you to put together your new resume and also eliminate the possibility of errors in your application, or errors in what you list on your resume.* Take notes when you are re-writing your new resume. Whether you are doing it yourself, or you have a friend or family member doing it for you, taking notes as you go along is a great way to stay on track. While the actual writing process will be completely different, you can use the information that you write down later to help you remember what exactly went into it.These are just a few suggestions that can help you get through the stressful part of writing a new resume. Once you have the basics down, however, you can start to expand and build your skills, which will help you move on to the next stage, where you can put your newly developed skills to work in your next job.

6 Tips for Writing Effective Job Descriptions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

6 Tips for Writing Effective Job Descriptions - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Writing an effective job description isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are some key things to keep in mind for maximum effectiveness. After all, your overarching goal is to  attract high quality candidates and avoid those who need not apply. This can only happen if your job description is approached with the right attention and consideration. So let’s make it happen! Here are 6 simple tips to help your job descriptions attract better-fit applicants, faster. Include the basics Too often, in the rush to post a job, vital elements are simply overlooked. At the very least, make sure to have the following: Job title Location Description and Responsibilities Requirements Next steps to apply Be convincing You might think that this is the right job for relevant candidates, but will they? Remember, applicants are likely looking at several possibilities. In turn, use this opportunity to really sell them. Promote your company’s employer brand and paint a picture of why this is the best choice. List recent company awards and accomplishments. Detail unique or attractive perks and benefits. And include links to Glassdoor if the company is well-rated by employees. Whatever ammo you’ve got, make sure to make the case. Mirror the company’s style The style and tone of your description can easily convey what the job or company is like. Perhaps you’re writing a description for a job at a fun, cutting-edge marketing agency. Consider making things colorful and exciting: “If you’re ready to turn some heads and change the world, look no further.” Conversely, if this is for a financial advisor position at a global investment firm, don’t worry so much about the flare: “Come build a profitable book of business with one of the world’s fastest growing finance companies.” Don’t be scary Job descriptions often include an embellished list of requirements. This can dissuade quality candidates from applying. Of course you want to weed some people out, but don’t overdo it. For instance, is “5+ years experience” an honest prerequisite? If a stellar candidate otherwise has 4 years of experience, will they fail to make the cut?   If not, don’t list “5+ years experience” as a minimum. Be authentic in what you truly require of a candidate. Remember, you can always include a separate list of “preferred” qualifications if necessary. Think like a search engine So far, we’ve discussed the human element of an effective job description. However, don’t forget that many candidates will find your opening by virtue of various online job boards and careers sites. These usually incorporate search engine logic. In this sense, think like a search engine. This includes making the job title easily searchable. For instance, if it’s a tech job, avoid a title like “Coding Superstar.” Instead, use what search engines (and most people) will look for, like “Software Engineer,” “Web Developer” etc. You can of course get a little more colorful in the body of your description. That said, every word in your job description feeds into search logic. So make sure to incorporate relevant keywords. In the example above, you might include words like “HTML,” “CSS,” “UI/UX,” “JAVA,” etc. in the description, as applicable. Standardize the process When it comes to effective job descriptions, consistency is key. Once you are confident in the content and formatting decisions of any single job description, use it as a blueprint for your future postings. Keeping in mind every element listed above, standardize your own process. Use your own template or any number of free templates provided online. This will ensure that you continue including essential information and depict your employer brand uniformly each and every time. Read more on this subject via my colleague, Alison Hadden’s recent post, 10 Tips For Writing Job Descriptions That Work.

Boosting Department Morale Being An Effective Manager

Boosting Department Morale Being An Effective Manager As the year winds down at the company I work for, preparations for the manager annual performance reviews are gearing up. Performance reviews are extremely important for both the manager and the direct report. It is an opportunity to discuss how the year has gone, make sure you both are on the same page in regards to individual performance, and for managers it is an excellent way to get a read on the happiness level of employees. Happiness is important, and not just once a year at review time. According to the American Psychological Association Employees who said they like their jobs are twice as likely to be thriving in their lives overall â€" reporting strong relationships, effective money management, good health and engagement in their communities â€" as those who are disengaged and unhappy at work. What are some good ways to bolster employee happiness and foster a nurturing work environment? Praise An employee who feels recognized and valuable will feel secure and content. Verbal and written praise are important factors in ensuring that your report feels secure. Praise can be a great motivator and it boosts positive emotions. A little bit goes a long way. Throw it around like glitter (when it is deserved, of course). Feedback not Confrontation There is a big difference between feedback and confrontation. There is never, I repeat never, a time when your employee should feel confronted. Feedback encourages adjustments rather than criticizing or demeaning. Do not ever give feedback when you are feeling emotional or charged up about a particular issue. For managers who would like help on the subtle differences between feedback that develops vs demoralizes, read this article by Avail Leadership. 1 on 1s Hold regular and brief one on ones with your employees. Once a week is usually sufficient, but more often may be better if you have an employee that could use improvement or is showing signs of needing a confidence boost. The one on ones should be relaxed and open the dialog between manager and direct report. Regular meetings will make the employee feel that it is easier to bring up any issues and bring your team closer together. Prizes Contests This is a fun way to spice it up and encourage creativity. Make a small prize for a departmental contest you come up with, such as most leads contacted in a months period. You can reuse the same prize for multiple contests, upping the fun factor and desire to win back the prize. Team Events Outside events such as happy hours, lunch, go-kart racing, a trip to the move theater, or mini-golf are a great way to boost employee morale. Getting outside of work and relaxing is great for the entire team. Look online for discounts and special offers! [For many of us] Our careers are such a foundational part of our identities and how we think about ourselves, says psychologist Jim Harter, PhD, one of the book’s co-authors and a chief scientist for workplace management and well-being at Gallup. Of course, work is also where most of us spend much of the day and is an important source of socialization. The bottom line is that happy employees are one the best things for the company. By being an effective manager, you can be an instrumental part of facilitating this process. Did you like what you read or have any tips of your own? Tweet them to us @mscareergirl or @sncueto!

What to Include in Your Hospitality Resume

What to Include in Your Hospitality ResumeHospitality resume is the call sign of a professional who has held positions in a host of companies. They are capable of offering specific expertise in various fields such as customer service, traveling, catering, and more. The hospitality resume is made to be informative, relevant, and should leave a positive impression. It should also showcase the quality of work an applicant can provide for any company that hires them.An online hospitality job listing requires a person to submit their resume. A hospitality resume should be concise and straightforward, but it must be easy to read. The applicant should also have a variety of tasks that they have handled.The hospitality industry has many departments that employ professionals. They include the following: fine dining, full service, fine casual, full service, full service restaurant, and more. Each organization needs a quality hospitality resume so that they can assess the skills an applicant ca n provide. All of these positions require a resume to be filled out. This means that they need to know the type of application, a bit about the person's background, and a bit about their previous experience.Hospitality jobs can be done on one's own, or in a full time capacity. The hotel and restaurant industry needs plenty of people that are very adept at travel arrangements, especially when it comes to dining out. A person with skills in this area will be in high demand.If you are considering starting a hospitality career then you must know what you are looking for. The first thing that you need to know is what kind of qualifications you need to put together your resume. A resume is the first step in beginning the process of landing the job.With today's economy in shambles it is also top priority to ensure that your resume is professionally done. The person who is incharge of the hospitality resume should be very meticulous with regards to every detail. You can submit your resume t o dozens of companies and still not be considered. If you have a high level of expertise then you need to make sure that the employer knows this so that they can narrow down their search.Every hospitality job has an extensive list of requirements that a candidate should meet. A lot of them include experience in food and beverage, travel, customer service, bar work, medical office support, and more. As a professional that knows these areas it will be very easy for you to meet the requirements that the company has for you.The hospitality resume is extremely important. You want to make sure that the information that you put on your resume is accurate. You also want to make sure that the people that are reading it get a nice warm feeling when they see your name on it. The hospitality resume is a great way to showcase your specific talents and experiences.

Larry Bird, Winners, Talents and Skills - Career Pivot

Larry Bird, Winners, Talents and Skills - Career Pivot Winners, Talents, and Skills I was looking for a quote about talents and skills. I found the following quote from Hall of Fame Basketball player Larry Bird: A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals Larry Bird I am only a few months older than Larry Bird. We were in college at the same time. I was at basketball dud Northwestern University while he took little known Indiana State to the National Championship game his junior year. Anyone who saw Larry standing on the sideline would say he was just an average player. In college, he was tall and some would say did not look like an athlete. Talents He had some real natural talents. My guess they were great vision and hands. He could see the court and teammates out of the corner of his eye. He could make the basketball twirl and spin in his subtle hands. Skills Larry Bird developed into a tremendous shooter and passer. Did this come naturally? No, he worked hard at it. His talents made it seem easy. He could see things on the court that allowed him to leverage the natural skills in his hands to make great passes. Would you call Larry Bird a winner? HECK YES! What are your talents? I want you to go back to childhood. What did you just love to do? I was talking with my friend who gave me the idea for this whole series and asked her what she loved to do. She loved to ride horses. It was the challenge of working with the horse. A horse that was big and powerful. She thoroughly enjoyed it. Childhood was a time of innocence. We did not have work, society, and other factors telling us what we wanted or loved to do. What were your talents in your youth? Listen to the most recent episode Did you build skills to complement your talents? If you had identified your natural talents did your build skills that complement them. For myself, the answer was no. I quickly got on the path of doing what my parents told me to do. There is enough time in your life to develop new skills. Target them to complement your unique and individualistic talents. Are you ready to discover your talents? I just celebrated my second anniversary of saying goodbye to corporate America. As I prepare to do my 2012 income taxes, this will be the first time in over 40 years where I did not receive a single paycheck in a calendar year. I am discovering my talents and focusing on developing new skills that complement my talents. How about you? Are you ready to focus on your talents and skills to become a WINNER? Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Make a Good First Impression - CareerAlley

Make a Good First Impression - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Either youre the one erasing or youre the one being erased. Jim Carrey How much time and thought do you put into your overall appearance preparations when you go on a job interview? If the answer is little to none, then there is a good chance that you are still looking for a job. You see, appearance, including clothing and grooming, does make the man or woman in many cases when they step foot in someones office for a one-on-one interview. The Suit Does Make the Man When I first relocated to the West Coast some 16 years ago, my first interview at a weekly newspaper caught me a little off guard. I showed up for the meeting wearing a suit and tie, only to have the editor catch me off guard with an unusual comment when we met. He asked me if I was originally from the East Coast, to which I answered yes. He then stated that most locals did not dress up with suits and ties; I guess in a way complimenting me on doing so. Granted, most job interviews do not start off that way, but needless to say, I did find it a tad bit interesting. In todays job search world, it is always best to fall on the side of caution and make yourself as presentable as possible. Do You Appear to Know the Keys to Looking Your Best? That being said, what are some keys to looking your best and enhancing your chances of getting that job you want? Among the things to remember are: Dress codes vary There is not one fit all dress code that blankets the job world. Before you go in for your interview, take into account what the position entails and how you would best represent yourself. If youre interviewing for a retail job, overdressing may come across as you being overqualified for the position. In the event you interview for an executive position, underdressing may show that you are not serious for the post and would not be a good representative of the company; Look the part In the event you are interviewing for a sales position, keep in mind that if given the job, there is a very good chance you will be meeting with clients on a regular basis. Your potential employer will want to make sure that you dress the part, thereby doing a good job in representing the company when out in the field. If you come to the interview underdressed, hair a mess, not cleanly shaven, wearing too much makeup etc., you can be setting yourself up for not getting the job; Use that toothbrush and razor Just as the clothes are important, it is also critical that you make sure the toothbrush, razor and any other needed accessories are put to use before going to your interview. While it may seem a no-brainer, you would be surprised how many candidates go to an interview and forget to brush those pearly whites or run that razor down their face. Improper grooming habits tell a potential employer that they are not a priority in your life, something that can lead to being passed over for the position; Dont overdo the makeup While this advice is primarily for the women, it holds true for some men too. Yes, you want to look appealing for your interview, but dont show up with an extra pound of lip gloss, mascara, hair gel, toner and more. Remember, this is a job interview, not a precursor to the Miss America pageant; Make the interview interesting It is safe to say that many people find job interviews to be a job in and of itself. Many people find the process to be taxing and at times very stressful. One of the ways to ease the tension is to go into the interview full of confidence, looking your best, and most importantly, being you. If youre not comfortable in a three-piece suit or designer dress, then wear something comparable where you can look good, yet be yourself. Most importantly, demonstrate your interest in the job and why you want to work for this company. There are still millions of people searching nationwide for jobs. For those who make a little extra effort in their appearances, the odds appear higher that there will bemore opportunities to snag their desired job. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest. Job Search job title, keywords, company, location jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Hallie Recommends CareerEco - Green Jobs - Hallie Crawford

Hallie Recommends CareerEco - Green Jobs I recently had the opportunity to learn more about CareerEco and found it to be a great source of information for people who are interested in finding a green job. CareerEco focuses on job employment for those who are interested in having eco-minded careers. There is a growing desire among job seekers to be using their talents to help both the environment and economy, especially for younger job seekers such as college grads. In this day and age young adults are learning more and more about how important it is to be eco-minded, which gives all the more reason to have a job that thrives with that mindset. The founder and CEO of CareerEco, Gayle Oliver-Plath, was interviewed on CNN where she provided some quick tips on  how to get your foot in the door for green jobs. In her interview, she suggests doing what you can to get an internship in a green company. Getting a foot in the door is a good first step. She also recommends that job seekers get involved in professional associations focused around green jobs and eco-minded careers. The helps job seekers, especially college grads, build a network with people who are involved in eco-minded industries. CareerEcos online community provides members with opportunities to: Learn Find out about job hunting strategies, career opportunities, and educational programs withing green, clean technology, and sustainability. Grow Make valuable connections with other eco-minded professionals and employers. Give Back Find out about non-profit organizations, volunteer opportunities, and ways to donate your time or money. To learn more about CareerEco, visit their website at: http://www.careereco.com. Career Coach