Edit Your Resume to Be More Business-Like

Posted on March 2, 2012 by E. Riley-Adams

Resume Chances are, you have a resume. Maybe it’s from that one time you applied to work at Yogurt Palace the semester before college began. Maybe it’s the one your liberal arts professor deemed “passable.” Whatever the case, you realize it’s time for an upgrade. The fancy font and curly borders don’t seem like the accessories to win a top-notch position in the professional world (unless you want to be a card-maker—then go wild). Revamping your resume is easy when you break it down into approachable themes

1. Keep it simple. Take away the borders, keep it Times New Roman, and remove the color. Remember, this resume is meant to work for any occasion. If you end up applying to a summer camp as a balloon maker, you can always highlight the text and change it to fuchsia. However, what you want in this moment is a foundation resume.

2. Find the numbers. If you work online, find out how much traffic your website gets. If you executed a particular business strategy, figure out how much money you saved the company. If you’re a therapist, count your clients. When an employer glances at your resume, they want to see signs of impact. Numbers are a clear way to convey the scale of the differences you make.

3. Pare it down. Include only the most basic information. Try to remove adjectives from your job descriptions and in the “Skills” section, include only talents that will benefit you in your field of work.

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Write an Effective Cover Letter

Posted on February 28, 2012 by E. Riley-Adams

Woman Reading Letter Thinking/Wondering Writing a cover letter can be a daunting task. You’re meant to expand upon your resume, detail your desire for the job to which you’re applying, and specify any related qualifications, all in one page. How can you be eloquent, to-the-point, and engaging all at once? We’ve got some tips:

Do your research. Don’t just look at your prospective company’s website. Find out who sits on their advisory board, look at the CFO’s Twitter account. Get a feel for this place’s overarching sentiment and mission. Then, engage with them on that level in your cover letter. If you’re applying to an approachable music magazine, don’t be afraid to throw in a Radiohead joke. It’s important to convey that you’ll be a good fit in the work environment, both experience and personality-wise.

Tell a story. When you reference your resume, make sure you’re not simply regurgitating. A cover letter (unless otherwise specified by your potential employer) is not a place for bulletpoints or condensed sentences. How did you contribute at your previous workplaces? What are you passionate about? Give your future employer a vivid timeline they can follow, to the point that they want to provide for its continuation.

Be clear on the “why.” Why do you want this job? What draws you to it? Don’t exaggerate if the reasons are simple: no need to claim this is a life-changing opportunity unless it is. It’s also not simply a means to paying the rent though: decide what sets this opportunity apart from the rest. Will it expand your creative repertoire, are you looking forward to being a part of a solid community? Detail your vision for a successful future, and make your cover letter the passport to it all.

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Applying For Jobs Online

Posted on February 22, 2012 by E. James

There are many obvious advantages to applying for jobs online. You can cover a wide swath of job applications, geographic regions, and message boards very quickly and efficiently. However, job search websites are certainly no silver bullet for finding a job, and you still have to apply many of the same considerations that you would for a traditional job search. With literally thousands of new job sites cropping up each year (some more reputable than others), here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Maintain control. Job sites offer a service, but there’s always something in it for them. Ultimately, a website is just one more tool in the tool kit, and you want the end result to be the same: you send your application to a particular individual within the company. It is important that you are apply on your own behalf, as some websites will offer to do this for you. This is one of the reasons that a low-tech online search, such as a google search that leads to the webpage of the hiring manager, is often more productive than a fancy automated service.

2. Look before you leap. Online job services are required to provide you with the fine print. Check out their privacy policy and the details of their service agreements before you give away your information. The internet is a powerful and wonderful place, but it is also very dangerous, and once your information is given to the wrong people, it can never be retracted or undone.

3. Maintain your profile. As you know, job searching is a job in itself. Make sure you’re putting sufficient time into maintaining your online profiles on job sites and LinkedIn.

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Writing Cover Letters

Posted on February 20, 2012 by E. James

Cover letters are one of the many gate-keepers that can end your job search before it even begins. To ensure that you don’t make a mistake that can put you out of business, check out our latest cover-letter advice:

1. Know your reader. This advice has several components. First, in the literal sense, you should know who will be reading your cover letter. Do not use generic company addresses and “To Whom It May Concern…” Instead, do your homework and address your letter to the individual person who will be reading it. Knowing your reading also means knowing what he or she is looking for. Simply tooting your own horn and expressing how much the job means to you is a technique that fails to see it from your potential employer’s perspective, and can sink you before you even meet. Instead, think about what the job means for the other party, and then work backwards to present your case for how you can provide it. For example, if you are applying for a management-level position with highly demanding organization skills, it’s not enough to write that you are organized. You should instead write about how the workplace will be improved by hiring someone with your excellent organization skills.

2. Proofread. This advice comes up frequently because it’s so crucial. Even one typo can send your application into the trash, so be sure to triple check it. Two supplementary techniques for proofreading are to ask a friend to read it, and also for you to read it backwards, that is, starting with the last word and reading backwards, word by word, for spelling errors. Both of these techniques will diminish the chance that your eye passes over a mistake because you are too familiar with the material.

3. Follow up. Make your contact information clear, professional, and up-to-date. If you don’t hear back, take the initiative and contact your interviewer.

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Networking Tips (Part 2)

Posted on February 13, 2012 by E. James

Everyone seems to agree that networking is an essential ingredient in landing that next big job offer, but there is persistent confusion about what exactly networking is and is not, and how to go about it. Here are some practical tips to set you straight on your path to successful networking (continued from yesterday).

3. You are always the product, but you don’t always have to be the salesman. In essence, you should make yourself as presentable, professional, and accessible as possible, but don’t push yourself too aggressively when asking for favors. Instead, state clearly who you are, what your professional goals are, and how you intend to meet those goals. This is different than directly asking for something, and is best suited for potential contacts who do not owe you anything and may not even have anything to offer in this moment. Rather, if they respond favorably to you, they may connect you with other contacts or call on you when they have positions available for you in the future. Being the product means that you should always present yourself in the best possible terms. Even though you are not selling yourself, you are very much seen as a product in the workforce, and you want to come across as always as the most valuable product possible.

4. Keep your doors open. Sometimes you make a great contact even though you’re already locked into your current job contract. That’s ok. Keep the lines of communication open in a casual, friendly way, occasionally writing to check with your other contacts. There’s always the chance that something will open up in the future. Part of this process is the way you manage to hold everyone in the best possible light. Never speak badly about your current employer (or anyone else for that matter). Just let potential hiring managers know how valuable you are, and make sure you’re on the list to find out when something opens up.

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The Cities With The Highest Wages

Posted on February 6, 2012 by E. James

The jobs trends website payscale.com just released their list of the cities with the highest wage increases in the fourth quarter of 2011. Here are the cities that topped the list:

1. Houston, Texas. Houston led the list, with a 2.2% increase in wages throughout Q4 of 2011. Houston has now returned to the heights of 2008, its pre-recession levels. Houston has a wide variety of industries, but the one that has contributed the most to the wage increase is the booming oil and gas industries. However, Houston has more than oil to offer. As the largest city in Texas, it also has strong aeronautics and health industry offerings. In addition to wage increases, the Houston job market added 75,800 new jobs over the course of 2011. Unemployment in Houston is 7.3 percent, which is below the national average.

2. Miami, Florida. Miami saw a wage increase of about 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Despite high unemployment in Florida, Miami has seen job growth in computer and IT sectors, and in the logging industry.

3. Chicago, Illinois. These two cities tied at about 1.7% wage increase in the fourth quarter. Although both cities were hit hard by the recession, they have shown significant wage increases in recent months.

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Why You’re Not Getting That Job (Part 2)

Posted on February 3, 2012 by E. James

CNN recently offered a special report on small mistakes that can lead to big losses in your job search. Here is a selected review inspired by their most helpful tips:

4. Are you focusing on the company, or on yourself? Address your cover letter to your prospective employer by focusing on what the company needs and how you can offer it. Many applicants make the mistake of focusing on themselves and what they stand to gain. As in any relationship, coming off narcissistic can be a deal breaker.

5. Are you tracking your own accomplishments? In order to stay successful throughout your career, you must think ahead by keeping your resume well-maintained and up-to-date. Each time you receive an award or commendation, be sure to add it quickly and thoroughly to your resume. Otherwise, it can be very difficult to remember all your accomplishments down the road.

6. Professional contact information. Make sure you give your prospective employer the most accessible and professional way to reach you. Have a professional email address and a clear, professional voicemail outgoing message. Whatever you do, do not give out your phone number at your current place of employment. That shows that you are taking paid time out of your current job to look for work, which is very unprofessional.

7. Asking questions. When an interviewer gives you an opportunity to ask questions, take advantage of it. Saying you don’t have any questions about your potential job communicates a lack of interest. Your interview should not come off as disinterested or perfunctory. Make sure your interviewer sees how engaged you are and how much you care.

Why You’re Not Getting That Job (Part 1)

Posted on February 2, 2012 by E. James

CNN recently offered a special report on small mistakes that can lead to big losses in your job search. Here is a selected review inspired by their most helpful tips:

1. Proofread for typos! Rarely is your cost to benefit ratio so steep as it is when proofreading for typos. It only takes a second to create a typographical error, and only a minute to identify and correct it, but if you leave typos and misspellings in your professional documents, the effects can last a lifetime. Your cover letter and resume are the portal through which potential employees get to know you. Typos are the fastest way to close a door, even before it fully opens.

2. Presentation. Most companies make their policies regarding dress code and professional presentation very clear. If you want to seal the deal, you need to look like you already work for you prospective employer. You interviewer is trying to imagine you in the job you’re applying for, and you need to make his or her job easier by looking like you’ve already got it. Similarly, give the same amount of attention to your documents that you give to your dress and coiffure. High-quality resume paper and professional-looking formatting don’t require a lot of extra time and money, but they can pay off big.

3. Speaking badly about a former boss. This advice applies to business as much as it does to dating. Just like speaking badly about an ex on a first date can be off-putting (“Is that how he/she is going to talk about me if we break up?” your date is probably thinking), badmouthing a previous employer can leave your interviewer wondering how you will represent their company if and when you leave.

Refresh Your Job Search

Posted on January 26, 2012 by J. L. Eisenberg

If you’re feeling discouraged in your search for a new job, the new year can be a great time to relax, recharge, and refresh your vision and goals for the coming months. If you put your job search aside during the holidays, coming back to it now will give you a fresh perspective and renewed energy for the task at hand. If you didn’t take a break over the holidays, consider taking one now. Even a few days of rest will help you reset for a renewed effort at finding a job.

When you’re ready to get back to the hunt, start by evaluating what you’ve been doing for the past few months of searching and decide what’s been working and what hasn’t. Throw the methods that haven’t worked for you out the window, and resolve to focus more on finding new techniques and developing the old ones that are still working.

Before you start concentrating on the methods of your hunt, however, take some time to think about your goals. Are you still chasing after the dream job you had in mind when your job search began? If not, think about why you’re now prepared to settle for a lesser job. Is it a matter of money? Try taking on some contract work to get you through the coming months. A matter of experience? You may need to take some classes or set your sights on a lower-ranking job that will groom you for the one you really want. Write down what steps you need to take to achieve your dream job so that you know the purpose of all that you’ll be doing in the coming year.

Finally, remember that there’s a difference between accepting a job because there’s nothing better and accepting a job because it’s a rung on the ladder to your ultimate goal. Even if it’s the bottom rung, whatever job you get will help to give you the experience and knowledge to achieve your career-related goals.

Gen Y Employees

Posted on January 24, 2012 by J. L. Eisenberg

young man with a laptop As members of Generation Y (or “The Millennials”) start taking over office spaces, older managers may have trouble relating to the work styles of their young employees. If you count yourself as one of those confused by Generation Y, it may be helpful to try catering to their working style, rather than forcing them to blend in with yours.

The first thing to know about Gen Y is that they like their freedom. Raised in the era of MTV and the internet, the phrase “the world is at your fingertips” applies to them in a very literal sense. Gen Y’ers are used to pulling together information from a huge variety of sources, rather than following a set procedure for information gathering. To tap in to this strength in a workplace setting, try reducing the amount of control you exert over the process and instead focus on the end result. Gen Y’ers can be astoundingly innovative when given the chance, so give them the freedom to do so in an office setting and you may be impressed with the result.

Secondly, it’s safe to assume that people who grew up surrounded by computers and cell phones know and love their technology. Many Gen Y’ers become frustrated with traditional office procedures that they’re used to doing with technology. Instead of suppressing this frustration, give them the chance to come up with more streamlined, technology-based alternatives. If they work out, you might end up saving the company a bundle of money and time. If not, it’s just motivation to find another way to do things. As many market-prediction firms say, technology-based business is the future. So why not let Gen Y get started?