A resume is a condensed format of personal achievements and qualifications. It is the initial communication with a potential employer. A good resume is the first step in identifying and pursuing a career opportunity. The most important consideration when drafting a resume is to determine whether it will create the desired impression on a recruiter, enough for him to schedule an interview.
A resume is essentially a mode of communication between the candidate and the employer. It is expected to effectively communicate the candidate’s achievements and strengths. The resume should be planned and documented in such a way that it highlights every important detail that is relevant to the job at hand. It should make available, at a glance, a complete picture of the candidate and the special skills and abilities he has to offer the organization.
Differentiate Yourself
There is a difference between a resume for a sales job and one for a management position. In order to make the resume effective, the candidate should highlight his areas of interest, achievements, skills and abilities, in line with the job being applied for. While a salesperson should emphasize sales volume and targets achieved, an academic should emphasize his academic achievements and special honors received. The abilities and special achievements should be highlighted in a way that the candidate’s profile and the job requirements match perfectly.
Making An Impression
The most significant part of a resume is the top quarter. This part offers details on the identity of the candidate and his professional qualifications at a glance. A powerful headline helps in defining and distinguishing a candidate from others. The headline should be followed by information on special skills and expertise that makes him suitable for that particular position. The headline and details should be job specific and easily modified. The personal details furnished should be complete, leaving no room for a lapse in communication if you are chosen for the job.
Market Yourself
Marketing yourself and selling your ability to execute the duties assigned to the best of your ability is very important and should be kept in mind while drafting the resume. A candidate should be able to promote himself. After highlighting the academic and other achievements, you should sell personal achievements that distinguish you from the other contenders. Your efforts that highlight the leadership qualities in you should be mentioned. Knowledge of regional or foreign languages adds value, especially if the job involves national or overseas travel.
The Last Opportunity
The cover letter is an opportunity to impress the employer with your writing skills. The cover letter should be drafted in a way that it markets your abilities and suitability for the position. It should be a sincere effort to offer your services to the organization and should provide a brief snapshot of what you have to offer.
Your resume provides you with an opportunity for an interview with the employer. You should address your resume, complete with a cover letter, to a particular person rather than just a department. This ensures that the resume reaches the person in charge of recruiting, rather than in the in-box of a department. It is also the safest way of making sure that the resume and enclosed photocopies, if any, are not misplaced.
January 16, 2010
How To Strengthen Your Resume
January 14, 2010
Professional Resume Writing Services: The Ugly (Part III)
This article represents my third installment of a three-part series on professional resume-writing services. The first part dealt with the “good” aspects of the industry and the myriad ways that resume writers have benefited both job seekers as well as hiring managers and recruiters. The second part focused on some of the “bad” or negative issues that plague the industry and how both resume writers and job seekers can overcome them.
In this discussion, I will focus on the “ugly” parts of the resume-writing industry, looking at how a few bad apples have caused job seekers and industry analysts to question the legitimacy of the industry as a whole.
As a resume writer myself, here are some of the worst issues that I have to face when addressing concerns from worried job seekers who, understandably, don’t want to make a poor investment:
1.Overselling the product. I’ll be honest. This issue drives me crazy even though I grasp perfectly how it happens. Selling a resume, particularly online, like most Internet services is based 80% on pure emotion. Sure, the job seeker needs a resume and starts looking for a writer. But job seeking and resume preparation are emotional things, no matter whether you are currently employed, recently laid off, looking to change careers, or re-entering the workforce. Everyone is nervous. So, resume writers naturally often end up being part writer and part counselor to their clients. That in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing; however, on the sales side, sometimes it can lead to “selling the farm” as a way of soothing the fears of potential clients and getting them to put their trust in your services.
The biggest way that happens is by making promises or guarantees that no writer can be 100% sure of. The second way is by misrepresenting the role of the resume. A resume does NOT get you a job. You do! A resume is a tool. And like any tool, the more well made it is, the better results it will produce for the hand that wields it.
Although the resume-writing industry has done remarkably well at selling job seekers on the need for a well-made resume, it has not done so well at also selling them on the idea that they need to learn how to use it. Most job seekers lack proficient job hunting skills, thinking that a flashy resume and the Internet are all they need.
I look at it this way: I want to make a cabinet, so I buy the nicest saw there is. I can read all the product instructions. Peruse consumer reports. Watch demos. But unless I learn how to actually use my fantastic saw, chances are my cabinet will either not get made or turn out poorly. Why? Because I expected the saw to do all the work. Listen. Everyone wants the dream job, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes to land it. Many expect the resume to do all the work.
2.Using tactics that disparage other writers. It has become common practice with many resume-writing services, especially large ones, to offer free resume critiques to potential clients. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with this practice and is often useful to job seekers as a way to test out the communication and expertise of a firm. The problem comes when these firms are so desperate for a sale that they take to tearing apart the work of other professional writers. It’s usually pretty obvious to anyone with resume-writing experience when a resume has been professionally done. Certainly the person performing a critique is well within his or her rights to offer up suggestions and recommendations, but knowingly trashing another professional’s work in order to make a sale is unethical and a disservice to the job seeker.
3.Job seekers who get in the way. One of the biggest obstacles to resume writers is the fact that many candidates think they know something about preparing resumes. They’ve read up on it. They’ve spoken to their colleagues. They fancy themselves as grammarians. Now I am in no way insinuating that job seekers shouldn’t ask lots of questions or become knowledgeable on the subject. But please don’t hire a professional to write your document and then proceed to argue with everything he or she does. I’ve seen many resume writers reduced down to nothing more than typists.
Recognize the fact that like other professional services you may employ, you do so because it is not your full-time job and you are not an expert. If you want to get the most out of your resume-writing service, don’t just get a resume, take advantage of the expert advice of your writer.
Why The Best Cover Letter Must Accompany The Best Resume, If You Want The Job
How important is the cover letter (letter of introduction) that accompanies your resume? It’s possible that you have the very best written resume in the world and be the very best candidate for the job, but if your cover letter is poorly written, you can pretty much throw your chances out the window. The cover letter is your first, and sometimes your only opportunity to grab an employer’s attention and let them know why your resume is worth reading. Remember – you have only a few seconds to grab that hiring person’s attention or you are just another resume to them.
Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., of Quintessential Careers says “A resume is useless to an employer if he or she doesn’t know what kind of work you want to do. A cover letter tells the employer the type of position you’re seeking — and exactly how you are qualified for that position”.
According to the Career Services division of Virginia Tech the basic rules of writing a cover letter are:
1. Explain why you are sending a resume.
2. Don’t send a resume without a cover letter.
3. Don’t make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation.
Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization — a web site, a family friend who works at the company. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write. Convince the reader to look at your resume.
5. But be brief and to the point. Your cover letter should be one page in length and perfectly centered. The cover letter and resume are never folded. They are placed in an envelope large enough to accommodate them unfolded.
Katharine Hansen further points out: A cover letter can serve the same function as the “job objective” on your resume, and expand upon it. Some applicants are reluctant to limit themselves by putting an objective on their resume. Although it is best for a job-seeker to target the type of work desired as specifically as possible, you may be open to more than one option.
Finally, a cover letter is a little window into your personality. A good cover letter can suggest to an employer, “I’d like to interview this person; she sounds like someone I’d like to get to know better. This seems like just the kind of dynamic person this company needs.”
If this sounds like something you are not sure you can do well may we suggest that you visit our website. We offer lots of help not only for cover letters, but the follow up letters also after the interview and of course the best resume. We will show you how to write the best resume and if you still are unsure direct you to the absolute best professional resume writers in the industry. In many cases having a professional writer do your resume is the best investment you can make.
January 13, 2010
Professional Resume Writing Services: The Good (Part I)
Before I begin, let me start by saying that I happen to be a certified professional resume writer (CPRW) and job search coach. I’ve been writing resumes since 2002, both for myself as well as for larger resume writing firms. Before that, I was a hiring manager for a large truck rental firm, running a 150-person call center. So I have had the opportunity to be on both sides of the job search process, representing the employer and representing the job seeker.
Professional resume writing in itself is a relatively new industry. If you look hard enough, you can find some writers out there who have 25 years (or slightly more) experience under their belt. But by and large, the bulk of writers out there have 10 years or less, with new writing services popping up daily. The reason is that the growth of the Internet as a business tool as well as the willingness of more and more professionals to invest in resume services has blossomed over the last decade, causing more people to consider resume writing as a full-time career.
As a result, the amount of press regarding the industry as a whole has started to increase. And, unfortunately, a lot of it has grown more and more negative. My goal here is to provide an insider’s view and get to the real deal behind those professional resume writing services. This first article will focus on the positives behind resume-writing services. I will be following up this article with two more segments (the Bad and the Ugly).
The Good
Let’s start out with some of the positives about resume writing that often seem to get overlooked.
1. Without a doubt, the quality of resumes has certainly increased thanks to the influx of people purchasing professional services. And hiring managers are now seeing better quality documents come across their desks. Instead of simply writing professional obituaries, candidates can now produce targeted resumes that seek to marry the needs of the employer with the skills of the candidate.
2. Writing your own resume is a difficult task. It’s somewhat like doing your own taxes. You certainly can try and figure it out. You can buy the software and read through the myriad directions. You can devote the time and muddle your way through. But at the end of the day, you are still no tax expert. And you submit your taxes on a wing and a prayer.
When constructing a resume, you are marketing a product, and that product is YOU! It’s tough to look beyond yourself, understand the wants of your target market, and produce a well-written, quality document that appeals to your target market. Too many job seekers look for resumes that appeal to them and care very little about the audience they are trying to reach. A resume writer can help you take an objective look at yourself, sift through strengths and weakness, and understand what an employer in your industry is looking for.
3. The industry is filled with many sincere, high-quality writers who bring corporate, communications, and recruiting experience to the table. Most candidates get more than just a resume; they also get loads of job search advice. Are there bad apples? Of course, and my next article (Professional Resume Writing Services: The Bad) will focus on why that is. But overall, what drives most people to the industry is the desire to help others. Certainly resume writers want to make money (don’t we all?), and they want to have thriving businesses, but they also want to see clients succeed.
4. Although the cost of purchasing a resume writing service has increased, it is still a relatively small investment. Of course, shelling out a few hundred bucks when you are unemployed seems like a lot. But this is your career we are talking about, after all. And first impressions do still matter.
5. The industry does have a way for job seekers to sift through the plethora of services out there. Most job seekers are unaware that there are organizations out there who offer certification testing for the resume writing field. One of them, the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) offers the CPRW exam, which requires individuals to undergo a testing process that includes a review of their work by their peers.
January 12, 2010
How to Make a Resume That Shows Focus
As they say there’s only one thing that is for certain – and that is change.
So it is for all of us. We change the companies we work for. We change positions. We change career paths. We change interests and so on.
This is vitally important to be aware of when it comes to making a resume.
The reason being that many people’s resumes aren’t focused enough – they are all over the place.
Firstly they get qualifications in hair styling. Then they work in a childrens nursery. Then they study for a computer course part time while working at an accountants. And so on.
This doesn’t give a cohesive, focused image, which is what you need for impact with your resume.
It smacks of someone who can’t make decisions. Someone who may leave the new company within a few months after getting a load of training. It doesn’t instill confidence in recruiters.
Not when you might be up against someone who has worked they way right up in a closel competitor and so may have a lot of useful insider skills you don’t seem to possess.
What you need to do is to edit and structure your resume in such a way as to focus *everything* toward the job you are trying to get.
I’m not saying lie. What I’m saying is to arrange the facts in an honest yet powerful way that will help you look like everything you have done in your career so far has been working up to the new job you are applying for. You want it to look like the next logical step for you – like you’d be a natural in the role. Like it just “makes sense”.
Let’s say the person we mentioned earlier is attempting to get a job as an Office Manager and see what we can do with her experience to date.
Gaining additional qualifications shows drive. Maybe it’s what what she ended up doing but we can get around that.
In the nursery she got used to working as part of a team, sticking to strict guidelines about child care etc.
More training.
Then an accountants job as she moves into a more professional aspect of her career.
So here’s how it goes at interview…
“When I was at school, like any other girl, I liked hair and beauty and at the time decided I wanted to get into hair styling. So as soon as I finished school, I managed to get a grant to stay on and study for something I really wanted. Now, on reflection, the industry is very tough so I made an unfortunate choice in terms of the industry but the fact remains I had the guts and motivation to go after something I wanted and make it happen.
Once I wised up and realised that hair styling wasn’t going to cut it (no pun intended) I sought other temporary work while I figured out what I wanted to do next.
Luckily, a nursery job appeared after one of the girls from my course put in a good word for me.
So while doing that I considered my options, and that it was time to see how I got on in an office environment. The accountant for the nursery liked my attitude so much they offered me a trial – which I loved – while I studied for recognised computer qualifications.
So here I am – motivated enough to put myself through *two* training courses, computer literate, experienced in an office environment and in dealing with fine details often in a busy or stressful environment.”
OK, so maybe she still won’t get the job but I just wanted to illustrate the skill – put a “spin” on previous jobs and qualifications to “aim” them at the job you are now applying for.
And if the worst comes to the worst, consider even leaving one or two points out if they simply “unspinnable”!
January 4, 2010
Should I Use A Resume Writing Service?
When you spend time researching resumes, you begin to see just how important a good one really is.Consider: The majority of recruiters spend less than three minutes reviewing a resume, according to a survey conducted by a major human resources association. Simple typos or grammatical errors can automatically disqualify a resume from consideration. Many companies receive hundreds of thousands of resumes a year, making it even more difficult for yours to stand out. These are just some of the reasons job seekers turn to professional resume writing services.Here are some thoughts on how to get the best result when working with a resume writing service.They’re Resume Writers, Not Miracle WorkersBeen out of work for a while? A resume writing service can help smooth gaps on your resume. Looking to change careers? A resume writing service can help translate your current skills to another industry. Been out of the job market for an extended time? A resume writing service can make certain your resume looks and feels contemporary. But be realistic in your expectations. Resume writers cannot create experience or expertise where there is none. And not all resume writers are career experts, so they may not be the best resource to get advice on broader career issues.The Pros of Using a ProIf you have a tight budget or fancy yourself a wordsmith, you may be hesitant to use a professional resume writer. But consider the benefits.Professional resume writers write resumes. Every day.You do it far less often. Or rarely. Or never.Think about this when considering hiring a professional: A good resume writer knows what recruiters want — and don’t want — to see in a resume. A professional resume writer, particularly one who specializes in your industry or experience level, will know (and include) keywords that will help recruiters find your resume when searching online.Most services guarantee an easy-to-read, error-free resume.Some job seekers find that the peace of mind they get from a professionally prepared resume is worth the cost, which can range from $50 to $1,000.Nobody’s PerfectAgain, professional resume writers write resumes. Every day. But, sometimes, that can be a “disadvantage.”When choosing a service, be wary of these common pitfalls: Make sure the resume writer delivers not just form but substance. Some professionally written resumes contain canned or clichéd language that shows you’ve used a service and not a very good one at that.Make sure the resume writer conducts a thorough, detailed interview with you. Send any back-up material you think they need, even if they don’t request it.If possible, work with a resume writer who specializes in your industry or experience level.Ask in advance what your final resume will look like. Avoid services that offer cookie-cutter formats.Buyer BewareBefore you hire a professional resume writer, take a look at THEIR resume. Select a reputable company with a proven track record, or look for someone who is a member of a professional resume writers association, such as the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Finally, agree on a price and delivery date and get them in writing. Confirm that you’ll receive your resume in electronic format so you can print your own copies at will. And, of course, read it over yourself to be certain it’s perfect before sending it out.
If chosen carefully, a professional resume writer can give you the resume you need to get the job you want.And if you currently unemployed and you haven’t already done so, by all means – file for unemployment.
January 3, 2010
Career Search : Get That Job Fast: Life Long Learning
JOB SEARCH : GET THAT JOB FAST!
WHAT THEY DIDN’T TEACH YOU IN SCHOOL: LIFE LONG LEARNING TIPS TO
LAND A JOB STRAIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL
“YOUR CAREER SEARCH MAY DEPEND ON THE INFORMATION
IN THIS LETTER”
“FINALLY THE FIRST PRACTICAL, STEP – BY – STEP ROADMAP FOR
GETTING THAT JOB STRAIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL”
Either way, whether this is your first job straight out of school or not….. Yes, you can get that job fast! Jobs at your dream companies are available now, and you’re missing out!
You see, looking for a job without a proven plan is like baking a cake without a recipe – you will only waste your time, frustrate yourself and end up miserable without a career. You can find employment at your dream company in no time flat by implementing the job search strategies you are about to learn!
Jobs define us. Most of us are passionate about our careers. There are jobs out there perfect for you that you’re missing out on because you don’t have the right tools! The job search strategies in this amazing e-book will help you select the right career for you, and not get turned down for the jobs you want! Once you have the right tools from this e-book, jobs will be much easier to come by. Knowing what you’re doing is more than half the battle! The jobs you want are only a quick read away! What kind of jobs have you held in the past? It’s not that important. No matter what, you are convincing someone new that you are the best person for a new job. There are so many jobs out there, and few people with the skills to get them. This e-book will show you how to get those jobs!
Your career searches is over…read and follow this letter carefully and you will find exactly what you are looking for!
Let me explain!
Whether you are a student with a high school certificate looking for a job, an undergraduate seeking temporary employment, or a graduate starting off in search of a career, you will find easy-to-follow strategies in “What They Didn’t Teach You In School: Life Long Learning Tips To Land A Job Straight Out Of School” which will help and guide you step-by-step on your way to your first job. It does not matter whether you have held jobs elsewhere before; you have to treat your job hunt as if you are looking for a job for the first time. After all, you are looking for a job for the first time in a different industry or organization every time you are applying for jobs where you have not held a job before. If you had a job with Coca Cola as HR Manager and now you are seeking a career with Nestle, you are looking for a job for the first time with Nestle, right? It is obvious therefore that these guidelines are relevant to everyone.
I am going to show you how to get that first job straight out of school by giving you proven career search, resume, CV cover letter, and job interview questions strategies and detailed examples of those strategies so you can get that job fast. Too often people set goals without preparing their personal environment for those goals to succeed. “What They Didn’t Teach You In School: Life Long Learning Tips to Land a Job Straight out of School” will clearly prepare the job search environment for you.
If you are wondering: will this book really help me in my job search? The answer is it could. It’s up to you. As you well know, it’s not enough to buy a book if you are not going to apply the employment search strategies contained in the book. Drifting from one good intention to the next without action will not help either, you need to act.
Are you feeling drained and tired of your job search?
Are you fearful about the future because you haven’t had success in your career search?
Are you feeling really stressed out that you will never get a break and find employment?
Are you still earning the same as a year ago in spite of the fact that you deserve to get a promotion?
Tried to get a job but failed utterly? Beginning to lose your job hunt nerve?
What changes do I need to make in my career search?
How can I look for work differently?
What career builder strategies can I employ?
What would have worked better in my attempts of looking for employment?
What career placement lessons have I learned?
What career personality is limiting me and what can I do to change this?
How will this book address my fears?
What career quiz and personality tests can I take to prepare me to be job ready?
How will it help me find a job? “What They Didn’t Teach You In School: Life Long Learning Tips To Land A Job Straight Out Of School” will help you…..
Get an overview of the job search process.
Find information packed pages of real-life, practical tips, techniques, strategies, job- skills testing and advice that will address your fears and questions on the job search process based on real-life experience.
It will provide you with job hunt strategies that will help in your job search.
You will save time, money and effort in your employment search.
Discover mistakes made by many job seekers and how to avoid them.
You will also learn:
How to explore your job opportunities.
How to plan your job search.
How to choose a career and a job.
How to set goals and develop a career plan.
How to compile a CV or Resume and Cover Letter.
If you would like to have complete control over your job search regardless of the economy and to put an end to your endless waiting for an interview call, please keep reading!
Maybe you, too, have found that the job search process is getting tougher. You have to apply to a lot more jobs and companies than ever before. Maybe it’s been awhile since you have been called for an interview, or you may be in that unhappy minority having been called several times for an interview, but you’re still not where you want to be.
You see, success at getting called for an interview and actually being hired has a lot more to do with understanding the real secrets of job searching and interview techniques– and little to do with sending hundreds of CVs or resumes to hundreds of companies for hundreds of jobs.
Breakthroughs come from going “outside the box” and bringing new, proven strategies back in.
Keep doing what you’ve always done and you can be sure you’ll never get anything different than you’ve already gotten.
Now there is a new comprehensive e-book which replaces all old–fashioned job search strategies.
Imagine how your life would be different if you would only implement all the career search strategies, tactics, and job interview questions discussed in my e-book.
A cover letter is an important piece of the job search puzzle. Those looking for jobs generally don’t give a second thought to their cover letter. A quality cover letter can make or break your job search. In this e-book, you will find great tips for your curriculum vitae and for your cover letter. What many job seekers don’t realize is that a cover letter can help determine whether your resume even gets read! If a cover letter is missing or if a cover letter makes a poor impression, your CV won’t get the time of day! HR Managers and employers are simply too busy to read past a cover letter that is terrible. Both the cover letter and the resume go straight to the trash if the cover letter isn’t top notch.
Once your cover letter is complete, the battle is only halfway won! Your CV or resume is of the utmost importance as well. Professional resume writers can charge a great deal of money! Why not learn about a quality resume for yourself and save yourself the cost? Developing a quality resume isn’t challenging. You will learn from my years of experience what makes an eye-catching resume. As the person in charge of reviewing resumes and hiring job seekers for positions, I have looked over thousands of resumes. You can capitalize on my experience and make an impressive resume for yourself! There are few better things you can do for your job search than to create a quality CV and cover letter.
I will share with you in this e-book……………..
1. What I was looking for in a resume.
2. How I selected a resume among hundreds of resumes.
3. I will offer you the most effective CV and cover letter writing techniques for your employment search and job interview tips and strategies.
4. What attracted me to a CV, and what pushed me away.
5. What critical transferable skills you need to include in your resume. The tips here will amaze you, this is your opportunity to tap into my experience.
6. I am revealing all the secrets and tricks you need to know in order to succeed in your career search.
I will also share with you “Interview Response Tips” – Try these techniques compiled from over a decade of experience as a Human Resources Manager. You will find them nowhere else, and they are not taught in any school system. I know all the tricks because I set the job interview questions. I have set job interview questions and conducted interviews for Personal Assistants, Clerks, Junior Managers, Middle Managers, COO, CFO and Heads of Departments. After so much time, I know what I am talking about. “I have walked the talk so to speak”. And I want to help you in your job search!
It’s a struggle to make a good impression if you’re not prepared for job interview questions. My experience will guide you through job interview questions and help you to garner the confidence you need to land your first dream job fast. Most people don’t answer job interview questions properly, and so they are never asked in for a second interview or given the job they want. Job interview questions are not difficult, and the answers to job interview questions can be simple. As with other things, it is simply a matter of having the right strategies for job interview questions. As someone with over a decade of Human Resources experience, I know all about job interview questions. As you will soon learn, I have developed job interview questions for a number of positions. I have heard great answers and bad ones to job interview questions, and I want to make sure that you always know what to say to job interview questions. Read on to learn how to give perfect answers to job interview questions!
For reasons of credibility, I think it’s appropriate to briefly tell you about my background, why I wrote this e-book, and for whom.
For 12 years I worked for various organizations as a Human Resources Specialist, HR Manager, and Senior HR Manager. It has been painful to see bright young graduates struggling in selling themselves to their prospective employers. In spite of the fact that many of these youngsters were highly qualified and attended expensive private schools, they lacked knowledge, skills, and preparedness for the jobs they were applying for. This book was written with these graduates in mind. In this e-book I will share with you the secrets and tricks behind interviews – what factors I used in selecting potential candidates, the most common weaknesses I identified about the majority of fresh graduates, and what they need to do to overcome those weaknesses.
Career Trend Tip: Watch Your Back!
Automation is making more and bigger inroads into our career planning.
Not too long ago we reported on the current employer fad of automated interviewing. We pointed out that your next job search phone call may be from an automated system asking you screening questions. The system will try to determine if you are the right kind of candidate for the job. Refer to our website for how to handle this situation.
Looking to the future, it was recently reported that workplace privacy issues will escalate. Some company policies can threaten personal privacy.
For instance, were you aware that some companies have started to use surveillance software? This sophisticated software covertly monitors and record each keystroke an employee makes. This includes individual letters, symbols, and punctuation. The data can be saved in a file or transmitted over a corporate computer network.
Ok. Let’s say in a moment of frustration you put together a stinging letter to your boss whom you feel has wronged you. Then, after reading it over a couple times you rethink your decision. Maybe this isn’t such a smart idea after all. So you delete the whole letter.
Too late.
Every word, every letter, every keystroke has been recorded on your hard drive. Or it’s been sent as an email to a computer system administrator who can retrieve it at their convenience.
What does this all mean to your career planning or job search?
If you’re on the job, beware. Find out what your current organizations policy is on this matter so you can make sure your privacy is protected. In other words, understand the corporate rules and play by them.
If, on the other hand, you are offended by this kind of policy and you see it as an invasion of your privacy you will want to discover the company’s policy before you accept a position with them. It is not at all inappropriate to ask in advance. This is what intelligent, assertive job search is all about.
Stay on top of the ever-changing job marketplace with RSS! Don’t miss out on critical career news and innovative job search strategies. Stay informed! It’s so easy to have immediate access to current trends and alerts. If you go to our website, simply click on RSS.
As we’ve said many times before, planning your job search or career change in advance prepares you for addressing the kind of issues that can make a huge difference in your future job satisfaction and career growth.
January 2, 2010
3 Keys to Managing Career Burnout
I recently gave a presentation on this topic at an Annual Conference of Human Resource Professionals. The room was full! So I thought the information might be timely for some of you.
What is burnout? What are the symptoms and causes? And if you’re experiencing it, what can you do?
The dictionary states that burnout is “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” I put usually in italics because even when you love your work like I do, you can overdo and find yourself burned out.
Symptoms of burn out can be physical, behavioral and spiritual. Here are some signs that you’re heading for burn out:
• fatigue • muscle tension • headaches • insomnia • not keeping commitments • lack of effectiveness • irritability • anxiety • sense of emptiness-nothing left to give • lack of joy • not able to laugh
Causes of burnout can come from within ourselves or from our organizations. Some common causes are high expectations of ourselves, denial of our basic needs like food and sleep, poor time management skills, inability to set boundaries or to say no.
Organizational causes can be a culture of competitiveness, or one in which being constantly busy and overworked is prized with email and phone calls taken along on “vacations.” Insufficient training in new job roles or cramped, noisy environments can also contribute to burnout.
Here are 3 ways to manage burnout: change the stressful situation, reduce your vulnerability to stress and/or change the way you react to stress that cannot be changed:
1. Change the stressful situation if you can. If there are some high stress aspects of your job, see if you can rotate this task with others. Limit the number of hours you are under stress. Spend some time on career/life planning. Set your priorities and live by them.
2. You can reduce your vulnerability to stress by taking care of your physical self with good nutrition, exercise and enough sleep. Avoid nicotine and don’t overdo caffeine and alcohol. Surround yourself with supportive people, work with a coach who will listen to you deeply and help you to create a good balance of work and other aspects of your life.
3. Finally, change the way you react to stress. You can do this by modifying your self-talk and self-criticism. Learn techniques to calm yourself – a few deep breaths can bring you right back to a centered place, able to face whatever stress is in front of you. Become a self-care expert and have some fun.
Job Change Alert: Make Rapid Turnover Work For You
Employers are learning the hard way! More and more organizations are acknowledging a critical fact . . . Finding ways to retain valuable employees must begin before an experienced and talented worker is entertaining an offer from someone else.
And things aren’t getting any easier for employers. A recent Harris and Associates survey shows that more than 50 percent of workers expect to change jobs within the next five years!
Furthermore, rapid staff turnover is expected to escalate. That means that just when companies are devoting more time to finding new talent, they have to find ways to encourage current employees to stay.
Managers can no longer afford to take for granted the steady, productive employee who is a good, if unrecognized quality performer. Sadly, they have been provided very little by way of mentoring or appreciation. So, managers are contributing, often unwittingly, to the turnover.
The good news is that, if you are considering a job or career change you can make this dynamic work in your favor in two ways:
1. If 50% of your fellow employees are contemplating a job or career change in the next five years, so are 50% in other organizations. This spells opportunity for you.
2. You have added leverage to upgrade your job status both within your own organization as well as in a prospective new work environment.
The secret to using these changes effectively is to always know what your options are. For example, you can stay on top of the ever-changing job marketplace with RSS! Don’t miss out on critical career news and innovative job search strategies. Stay informed! It’s so easy to have immediate access to current trends and alerts. If you go to our website, simply click on RSS.
You know, your current job and future career advancement provides the fuel that drives your lifestyle. If you don’t believe that, check out the sometimes catastrophic impact of losing your job.
So you want to nurture your job status and career growth like you would an investment. The escalation of staff turnover is another workforce dynamic that can work for you!