Useful Ways Of Resume Posting
Resume Posting Service
This is a service that allows job seekers to post their resumes to an online job search site, which is used by employers and recruiters. Using a resume database of an online job site makes it easier for employers and recruiters to identify you. When posting your resume, always use key words, as this increases the chances of your resume being found easily by an employer for an interview. This service is usually free for job seekers.
Advanced Word Processing Programs
Use MS word as it includes both, basic and advanced tools that help you to create and format your resume. Don’t forget to keep a back up of your Ms Word-based resume in some other application like Notepad or Wordpad. These applications convert your resume into ASCII text that allows your resume to be read properly in email format.
Mention keywords that are closely associated with the job for that you are applying for.
Advantage Of Posting Online
As soon as you post your resume online, your resume and skills are made available to numerous employers and recruiters. Ultimately, you gain access to a huge number of opportunities. The same cannot be achieved by viewing employment advertisements, company web sites, employment web sites or newspapers.
Disadvantage
As every coin has two sides, so does posting online. The biggest advantage of posting a resume online is that it also makes all your personal information visible to everyone. You may be troubled by a number of phone calls from various agencies, employment consultants, headhunters and even telemarketers. In order to avoid this, don’t provide too much personal information and be careful with what you chose to disclose.
Resume Bank
You need to be very alert when choosing to use a resume bank, as some offer free service, while others may charge a monthly fee. Besides the service cost, what is more important is the scope of the service. A few offer national exposure and at the same time, some are attached to professional associations or a network of businesses. Rather then regretting it later, be careful before when submitting your resume. Always weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Key Reminders
It is always useful to post your resume online as it provides a wide network of job opportunities. For a specific job, you need to go to the best resume bank available, create a strong resume and post your electronic resume. Be confident when you meet an employer and make every possible effort to present yourself professionally.
January 15, 2010
A Guide To Posting Your Resume Online
January 12, 2010
Step by step…get moving on your successful career change
I’m sure you’ve heard all of the saying to get you started on something new. You put one foot in front of the other. One thought leads to the next. One action causes a result. One breath brings the next. And the journey has begun.
Where are you not moving forward or taking action? I’m sure you have any number of reasons why you’ve stalled, taken a time out; don’t feel up to doing anything, etc. Some of this could be clinical, i.e. depression or anxiety and if so I encourage you to seek appropriate help and support. But it can also be environmental, fatigue, confusion, lack of clarity or you just don’t feel like it. Oh, I acknowledge that these could be legitimate reasons for you to place your career and life on hold – short term. But then, how do you rev up that engine to get going again?
Step by step, inch by inch… It’s no secret that the most successful people didn’t have fame and fortune thrust upon them. Heck, even Paris Hilton has to “work” to gain and sustain her publicity! But what they all know is that it’s one step, one foot, one thought will lead to the next. And that keeps them moving forward and taking action.
There are a number of ways that help you to get your motor runnin! But first things first…you must be or become crystal clear about what it is you want. Otherwise you’ll take a step, get distracted by life (as we all do) and lose your energy around moving forward. Next, just decide on one step, one thought, and one action, no matter how small, that will keep you moving and build momentum. It could be talking with an expert, reading a book, doing a free consult with a coach, making a journal entry, getting quiet and visualizing your success, meditating or talking with a trusted friend over a beverage. Think of the rock that begins to roll downhill, once begun it’s hard, if not impossible to stop.
You should keep track of each accomplishment so that you can look back at the evidence of your success. You can do this by keeping a journal. In it, write down your clear statements of what you want, capture all the ideas that come to you and make note of what you did and how it worked out. Once you have a record of your success, it becomes so much easier to repeat it. And your energy starts to surge with the pride of accomplishment. This is not to be taken lightly! Think back to your last successful undertaking. If you break it down and look at it in detail, you’ll recognize that it began with a first step, no matter how big or how small.
As you approach your career and life transitions, it can be overwhelming to see the big picture – grand and bright and not know how to get there. By starting with one step, one foot one thought, you can make it look and feel as if it were like magic!
January 2, 2010
Career Change Coaching Strategies and Values Clarification
“The Indispensable first step to getting what you want out of life is this: Decide What You want.” -Ben Stein
Let’s say you reach a fork in the road and have to decide which way to go on your career journey. This is naturally a difficult place to be in, but you have to make a decision.
Values clarification becomes indispensable when you are at a point where you must choose between two or more career options, but you’re uncertain which option is best for you.
At such times, you must ask yourself this question:
What are my most important career values?
The rub is that when you choose one option, you often leave behind some values connected with your alternate option. The trick is to be certain that in the end, you choose the option that is most closely identified with your top values.
For example, I recently spoke with a graphic artist employed by a small publishing company. The key to his career success has been his mentor relationship with the soon to retire company president. He knew that he did not want to work with the incoming president. He was paralyzed, however, to choose between his two remaining options; Either move to a new company where he feels positive about the executive leadership. Or, start up his own business.
What to do? Make sure you clarify your career values in order to make your decision with confidence.
First, under each option list your top 3 to 5 values or benefits to you, of each. In this case:
Option One
Option Two
Here’s the challenging part, now rank your top five values drawing from both lists.After several go rounds and some major soul searching, this individual ranked his top five values:
You can see that the majority of his values including his top two values, are drawn from list one. Although choosing which projects he takes on is important, when push came to shove he ranked it lower than the opportunity to work with a new mentor and not having to do marketing and sales.
After taking a step back and carefully considering his competing values, this individual chose option one.
When facing this kind of difficult choice, the above described coaching process insures that you make the best decision for YOU. One that will make your career soar and brings you joy and pride.
To learn more about how Seth can help you and to download his free Special Report: “10 Ways to Jump Start Your Career by Leveraging Your Strengths,” visit his website: http://www.CreativeVisionCoaching.com or email him: Seth@CreativeVisionCoaching.com
(c) Copyright – Seth Kaufman. All rights reserved worldwide.
December 31, 2009
Changing Careers – Ultimate Tips For Success
Are you thinking about changing your career? Are you worried about how difficult the transition is going to be? Then you are not alone. Many people go through similar anticipation when thinking about attempting a career change. Your career is among the most important things in your life, and changing it is one of the most stressful decisions you will ever make. Be Passionate
The reason why you would even consider a career change in the first place is probably because you feel passionate about something and want to pursue it. There is no sense in making a change if you are not going to be any happier than you already are. You may be earning a five-figure salary, but if it is not making you happy and if you are not content with what you are doing, then it might be a good time to switch. Changing careers should be about passion and personal fulfillment. Do Your Research
Make sure that before you make the final decision you conduct a thorough research on available opportunities. You need to analyze what skills you have and what skills you may need to acquire for your new job. You should be confident about salary prospects and other relevant information. You may have lots of expectations about the career you want, but conducting the necessary research will help you look beyond this rosy picture. Work with a mentor, such as a career coach, before you make the final decision. Career Exploration
Changing your career can be overwhelming. Explore your options before you decide to make a commitment. Start by categorizing the careers you are interested in. This helps in narrowing down your options. Then pick only those that interest you the most, putting the others aside. Ask yourself questions such as:
Why am I exploring this career?
Will I need additional training or education?
What are the opportunities and risks in pursuing this career?
These questions will help give you some very important and necessary answers. You can’t really begin on the path to career change until you know why you want to change and how you will go about it. The fact is that changing careers can be very time consuming and expensive, and you don’t want to start the process flying blind.
Once you have all the information you need, you can focus on one career option and work toward achieving it. Listen to your heart and head and then make a balanced decision. Whatever you do, remember you need to be flexible and devote a lot of time and energy to jump start your efforts.
December 12, 2009
How to Successfully Deal with a Sudden Career Change
Whether your sudden change in career was by choice or by circumstances totally beyond your control, any alteration in job status has the potential to cause stress. New changes inevitably leave many people wondering how to best cope with the situation.
If the change in career was not your choice, then it is time to begin thinking before looking at new options. Because you may have always associated yourself with a certain industry or profession in the past you might now inadvertently be overlooking the perfect opportunity.
Don’t make the mistake of believing there’s only one specific niche or sector you must adhere to. There could be many occupations related to your skills that you might not have ever considered, or even known about. Stepping outside your familiar comfort zone even briefly has the potential to open up doors you may have never even knew existed.
Realize that it’s never too late to change the type of job you have or explore the career path you’ve always dreamed about. If you’re apprehensive about making the big move to a new career, or are worried because you have no choice, you’re certainly not alone. Today, more so than ever before, mid-life or later career changes are becoming common as people are taking steps toward fulfilling their dreams, utilizing their real talents, or simply adapting to circumstances beyond their control.
If you have the time to research various industries that interest to you, you will be able to determine which avenue is better for you in terms of salary, career growth, and personal satisfaction. Finally, we all want to be able to come home at the end of the day with a feeling of purpose and accomplishment. This is also the best way to begin creating a solid plan to outline your goals and your achievements. This will ensure you’ll not only be successful, but also happy in your new line of work.
Taking a career assessment test can be an invaluable way of helping you make the decision between different types of occupations that you would be best suited for. Use the test results as a guideline to consider a career you may have always wondered about or perhaps never even thought.
The power of positive thinking should definitely be applied here. Look at your sudden change of careers as a challenge or a stepping stone to bigger and better things; this will help you concentrate on gaining a good job. Although sudden career changes may take place rather quickly in terms of time, it’s still a period of transition that requires inspiration, perseverance, commitment, and a good, solid plan to ensure your success.
December 7, 2009
Career Advice: Stick To The Truth In Your Resume
No doubt about it. These are tough times. Jobs are hard to come by and to hold. It is not surprising, then, that job seekers may be tempted to pad their resumes. That is, be less than truthful about their skills, experience, even their references.
Don’t, don’t do it; stick to the facts. There may appear to be benefits to lying on your resume in the short term, but in the longer view it threatens ultimate career rewards.
While only 8 percent of applicants admit to fibbing about their career path in their resumes according to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, nearly half of hiring managers surveyed say they have caught candidates lying on their resumes.
Those who make hiring decisions are more apt than ever before to check references. The smart applicants get the approval of references and make sure they will be positive before including them in their resumes and covering letters.
Human resources people are better equipped and more alert than ever to spot transgressions such as grossly inflating accomplishments, positions and salary to the extent they don’t jibe with age and education/training; being inaccurate about dates to cover gaps in a career path; overstating compensation.
At the same time, they are flooded with a growing number of applications for a shrinking number of openings, so they have less time to review resumes…sometimes only minutes for each. Therefore, even the hint of lies and exaggerations is enough to consign an application to the trashcan. Nearly six out of ten in the survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com said they automatically dismissed the application.
Even if a dishonest resume leads to a job, the fact that it exists will be a source of stress and distraction. Worse case, it can still come back to haunt you if the truth comes out, as is likely currently or in the future. Overstating experience can also lead to failure by putting an applicant in a job he can’t handle.
Hiring managers expect applicants to put the best face on their resumes and covering letters. At the same time, they demand facts to support claims. This leaves plenty of opportunity to make the case for getting hired with a concise resume that reflects an understanding of the employer’s needs and showing a convincing story of how one’s qualifications serve those needs.
“The vast majority of people facing career changes are immensely better qualified than their self-written resumes”, says Bryan Newman, Certified Professional Resume Writer.
“…a successful resume (tells) the reader what you have accomplished that makes you a better candidate for the job than others in the field. Recruiters look for candidates whose resumes are crafted around a solid list of career achievements.”
By the way, the fact is that some employers may lie also, promising opportunities and rewards they can’t deliver. (But that doesn’t excuse your falsifying your career path.) Check them out before spending time and effort in making applications.
November 24, 2009
Career Change in Midlife – Conquering Midlife Crisis
Change your career? In midlife? One catalyst of midlife crisis is a life not truly aligned with your present shifting values. You no longer find fulfillment in the same things you did when you were younger because your values may have shifted and this disconnection contributes to a sense of midlife crisis. In midlife you may begin to feel bored with your job and start to think about making a career change. You may also notice yourself feeling irritable, frustrated and even depressed in your current job. These negative feelings may be a result of thinking about what you have given up by pursuing your current career. You may start remembering the dreams you have left behind. So now what do you do? Should you change careers? Two Exercises to Help you with your Decision:
1. The following five questions are based on a model created by Linda and Sandra Perosa. Ask your self these questions:What would it mean for me if I did not make a change?Are there serious risks if I do change?Am I being realistic to hope to find a better solution?Is there adequate time to search and implement a change?Take some time to consider the above questions and write your answers in a journal. It may help you to get your thoughts down on paper so you can thoroughly address each issue.2. The following is another exercise* I use with my life coaching clients that you may find helpful. On a scale of 1-10 rate yourself for each of the following. 10 being the strongest and 1 being the weakest:How willing you are to do what you need to do to make this career change. How strong is your belief in your ability to plan the steps necessary to make this change? Do you feel you have control over making this change? Are there people in your life who will support this change? Is your decision to change careers your own decision?After you have assigned a rating pick one of these areas to address and see if you can do something over the next week to raise the score ½ point. So if you rated number three a 5 is there something you can do this week to make it a 5.5? How can you increase your control over this change?The Enemy – The Negative Chatterer If you decide to take steps toward creating a new career you will notice the old familiar voice of the negative chatterer trying to stop you. The negative chatterer may come from within or without. The external negative chatterer may be a family member or friend who has always been afraid of change and has tried to hold you back in the past. Find someone who supports your decision. The internal negative chatterer is also an old familiar friend who rears his ugly head every time you try to move forward. You may fear failure or commitment. It is also possible for old negative feelings from childhood to rear up and to try to stop you by telling you that you are not good enough or smart enough to make this change. Speak back to those negative thoughts and think back to a time when you broke through the barriers and succeeded.Let me know how you are doing!References: *Heppner, Mary (1998). The Career Transitions Inventory: Measuring Internal Resources in Adulthood. Journal of Career Assessment Vol. 6 Number 2Perosa, L & Perosa, M. (1997). Assessments for Use with Mid-Career Changers. Journal of Career Assessment Vol. 5, Number 2.copyright 2008 Donna Deming All Rights Reserved
November 23, 2009
Career Changes Dos and Do Nots
There comes a point in everyone’s life when you re-evaluate what you do for a living. Maybe one person no longer enjoys his job anymore or another person feels as though she has nothing else to learn from her current job. Regardless of the reason, these individuals are eager to find a new exciting career that feels like a better fit for them and one that is in the direction that they would like to go. Whether you have decided to seek employment in the medical equipment sales world or you would prefer to become a zookeeper, you need to remember a few important job seeking skills.
First, you should not rush into a sudden career change without planning everything out. If you are the main breadwinner for your family, then you have great responsibility to make sure that your family is not destabilized by this change. Talk over your preliminary plans with your spouse and other people whose opinions you trust. Once all the pros and cons are on the table, it is much easier to make the best decision. The next step is to develop a strategy. If this new direction is very different from the one you had before, it is best to enlist a mentor to assist with the transition. It is very normal to feel nervous, but if you have a solid plan and a strong support system, you will be able to weather the biggest bumps without losing your momentum.
Make sure you review the rules on job interviewing, cover letters, and tailoring your resume for each job in which you are interested. Do not be discouraged if you do not have much success at first. Job seeking takes time! For example, if your previous job entailed sitting at a desk all day writing up analytical reports, you will need to prove to interviewers that you have the ability and the skills to be a great medical sales representative if that is what you want to do. The two jobs might be very different but there are always transferable skills that can apply to anything! Making these points smoothly during an interview takes practice, however.
Do not give up! If this change is something that you know will make you happier and improve life for you and your family, then it is definitely something worth looking into. Good luck!
November 21, 2009
Time For A Career Change? Wait! Crucial Factors You Must Consider Before You Quit Your Job
There are times when circumstances at your workplace prompt you to go in for a career change. Your frustration could arise from factors like working hours, the pay packet, your boss, sometimes even an annoying colleague. Now career transition is always your decision in the end, but sometimes you need to think things over and not jump the gun. Let us have look at some such situations.
A new supervisor makes many people rethink their career plans. The reason is not hard to find. A new boss often feels that they should quickly establish their authority over the human resources at their disposal. This makes them a bit difficult at the outset. Just hold off the urge to quit right away. Give it some time. You might be surprised to find your new boss displaying milder, even friendlier aspects of their personality as time goes by.
A common reason for going into a job search mode is the annoying co-worker. They may or may not be the person sitting at the next desk, but they have the habit of getting under your skin. It is unfortunate if the dislike of a colleague is strong enough to get you looking for recruitment services.
Under normal circumstances no one should make you quit your job, especially if someone else rather than yourself is in the wrong. Naturally if a fellow worker threatens your safety you need to take immediate action. But the first step should always be contacting higher ups and airing your grievances rather than running off to the recruitment agencies.
A poor appraisal of your efforts at work may cause you to want to quit your job. It might seem to you that you have been unfairly assessed. You might feel embarrassed and frustrated, even unwanted by the organization. The thing to remember here is that it can happen to the smartest and most hardworking of employees. You cannot be perfect all the time. It is important to take this setback to your career plans with a positive frame of mind. Let it be a wake up call to refocus on your workplace actions so that your efforts contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. Instead of resigning, the way forward should be to try for a better appraisal next time.
Being denied the promotion you believe you deserved can sometimes be hard to take, leading you to consider career development elsewhere. Quitting immediately is not the solution, though. A good number of factors come into play when the matter of promotion crops up. Try to figure out what went against you. Was there a more qualified colleague? Did a more experienced or senior employee get promoted instead of you?
You can also treat this as an opportunity to set goals for yourself, fine-tune your efforts at the workplace, and improve your skill set. If in spite of this you find yourself being repeatedly passed up for promotions that you deserve, then it’s time to seek recruitment advice and look for career advancement somewhere else.
In all the situations mentioned above, you might feel a strong impulse to quit your job immediately. Apart from extenuating circumstances, such as sexual harassment in your workplace or other dangerous situations, you would be better off thinking it over calmly and objectively before you make your decision.
November 19, 2009
Career Change Begins by Taking These Steps Against Fear
You’re ready to make a big career change. You really want to get going. But youre held back by fear. So you wait…and wait.
Fear leads to paralysis. Then you start what psychologists call “catastrophizing:” imagining the worst that can happen, then magnifying the consequences till you’re predicting a major, irreversible disaster.
Then you feel even more fear…you do nothing…so you feel even more fear. You’re tempted to go hide in the closet, maybe forever.
Career change begins by breaking the fear cycle. Here are 3 steps to start.
(1) Recognize the consequences of doing nothing.
You really hate your job and you’re long overdue for a change. But you like the security of a pay check. Maybe you have family (and dogs) depending on you.
Hang on long enough and you’ll probably start sabotaging your own security. You’ll find yourself making dumb mistakes, missing deadlines, losing important documents and more.
Some people handle this sort of thing better than others. Some live for 20 years with jobs they despise with no outward appearance of problems. My theory is
(a) you just don’t see what’s going on: doctor visits, anti-depressants, stomach trouble, family grief, or more;
(b) they don’t hate their job as much as they say; or
(c) they were born with a certain temperament with high tolerance for frustration.
(2) Do some reality testing.
‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ is a good first question. Once you have the answer you can often create plans to cover your worst case scenario.
Here’s where a career coach can help: not someone who administers a handful of tests, but someone who knows the ins and outs of careers.
(3) Take a small 10-minute step.
What should you do? It doesn’t matter. Take just 10 minutes to deal with your frustration.
Action means getting off the couch. It doesn’t include introspection (”what do I really want”), reciting mantras and affirmations (although you can do that too) or talking to friends on the phone. It doesn’t mean reading books and surfing the Internet for more ideas.
Examples of action include phone calls to people who can help (such as experienced professionals in your field), attending meaningful networking events (not mechanically attending lunches), and meeting contacts for coffee.
If you can’t think of a single action step, or you’re taking steps but aren’t seeing results, find a professional who can help. The sooner you get moving, the faster your fear will dissipate and the faster you’ll find yourself in a good space.
Just one note. Sometimes you’ve just been through a traumatic experience: a death of someone close to, the loss of a career you loved, break-up of a relationship, sale of a business or loss of your biggest customer. Any of these experiences require time for recovery.
Each person will handle loss differently: formulas (even the famous Kubler-Ross stages) do not apply to everyone.
In my experience, it’s best to wait 30 days before making any big moves or taking any significant risks. But at some point, you really do have to get off the couch and spring into action.