How to Write a Resume - Step No. 1 - Feel the Employers Pain

How to Write a Resume - Step No. 1 - Feel the Employers Pain Writing a resume is a chore for most people. I know this because whenever I do an online search for the term ‘how to write a resume’ or ‘writing a resume’, I come across someone tweeting “ARRRGH I hate writing my resume” or “I have been trying to write this stupid resume for weeks. I hate it!!!” Being the intuitive person that I am, I therefore deduce that resume writing is not something more people enjoy. Me? I love it! For me, writing a resume is like a complex puzzle. I have all this information about my client and I have to figure out the best, most effective way to present it. If I get it right, my clients get the jobs of their dreams and that’s pretty cool. So over the next week or so, I’m going to share with you some of the inside secrets to success when it comes to resume writing. I hope that my suggestions will make you rethink that hatred for resume writing and awaken some of the enthusiasm I feel when I start a new resume writing project. So let’s get started. How to write a resume #1 â€" feel their pain: When you’re struggling with how to write a resume, you’re likely focused on yourself. You have questions like ‘how do I explain this gap?’ or ‘how do I show I have the important skills?’ or ’should I explain why I left this job after such a short time?’ These are all reasonable questions, but it’s this focus on YOU that gets in your way. Because your resume isn’t about YOU. I know that sounds nuts, but if you’re focused on you, you’re missing the point. If you want your resume to grab the attention of employers, it needs to be about THEM. The most important question to ask when you’re writing a resume: There is one question I ask myself at the start of every resume project and it’s this: What do my target employers want? You need to answer this question before you think about writing a word. Because the answer to this question will guide you as to what you should include and exclude from your resume. It will help you decide what to do about that gap, or which skills to highlight. As an example, one current client wants to go back to doing something she last did 8 years ago. Since then she’s had several contract and freelance jobs and run her own business. To ensure that employers see her highly relevant past experience, I structured the resume so that all those freelance and contract jobs were rolled into her consulting business. I then kept that section relatively brief and only highlighted the assignments that were closely related to her target positions. By doing this, I was able to get 8 year-old experience up on to page 1. I also created a strong profile with headlines that described that older experience in a way that would appeal to target employers because it addressed their main concerns. This new resume has given my client a real shot at her dream job for one reason and one reason only â€" we thought about the needs of target employers before we started to write one word of the resume. How do you know what employers need? If you’re staying in the same industry, you will already know this. Think about the most successful people in your field or in your company … what do they do? Think about your industry… what challenges is it facing? If you know the company advertising a vacancy, research them to find out all you can about their goals and culture and market position. But if you’re aiming to move into a new field, you’ll need to do more research. Read all you can on forums and blogs and company websites and industry association websites. Tap into your network and talk to anyone with knowledge of the industry. Reach out to social media connections to see if they will share their knowledge. Scour the web for job postings and note any common themes. Next comes the good part! Once you know the answer to the question ‘what do my target employers want?’ you are ready to start thinking about your resume strategy. It’s that strategy that will get you interviews. It’s that strategy that will guide you as you make decisions about content and layout and font choice and all that good stuff. And developing that strategy will be the subject of my next post in this series. Louise Fletcher co-founded Blue Sky in 2002 after a career as an HR executive. She admits to being a ‘wordnerd’  at heart and loves to write. She developed the Blue Sky resume approach, has written two books, and has been a featured expert for sites such as Monster, The Ladders and HR Guru.   Now read: How to Write a Resume â€" Step No. 2 â€" Know Your Value to the Employer

Resume Writing Services For School Guidance Counselors and School Psychologists

Resume Writing Services For School Guidance Counselors and School PsychologistsSchool guidance counselors, school psychologists and school nurses are among the most important health care providers for children. However, these professionals face a challenge in making their way in the career. There are some basic skills and techniques that can be utilized to be successful in finding their desired career path. The following are strategies that you can employ to help boost your confidence in applying for a job in your chosen field.Resume writing services for school guidance counselors and school psychologists can help boost your confidence level in applying for a job. These experts can provide you with important information on how to prepare for your resume. They can guide you through sample resumes and help make them as effective as possible. They can help you avoid common mistakes that can prevent you from getting the job. They can also provide you with essential tips on how to write a resume effectively.School guidance counselors and school psychologists have to develop impressive resumes to impress the employer and find the best jobs available. You should do all that you can to get the most out of your resume and showcase your strengths and abilities. These professionals can help you improve your skills in writing resumes that can be submitted for job interviews.There are many ways that you can submit your resume to schools and health care providers. Most schools and hospitals prefer resumes that are in MS Word format because this format is easy to read. In addition, you can use a service to create a cover letter and send it with your resume.Resume writing services for school guidance counselors and school psychologists can help develop professional-looking resumes. A professional writer will understand the necessary elements of a resume that will give you the best chances at getting hired. They can help you craft a resume that will display your relevant experi ence, educational background and skills.All important sections in your resume should be able to sell yourself and get the attention of the potential employer. They should be included in your resume in order to make the employer notice it. Resume writing services for school guidance counselors and school psychologists can help you emphasize all of these vital components. Your resume must have strong points about your employment history, your years of experience and your achievements that will help you stand out.Resume writing services for school guidance counselors and school psychologists can help you impress the employer and gain the confidence needed to apply for a job in your chosen field. This is because they understand the need for professional-looking resumes and the importance of displaying skills that can give you the edge in an interview. They can help you prepare and present your resume to potential employers in a professional manner.Resume writing services for school guid ance counselors and school psychologists can help you achieve all of your goals. They can help you present yourself in a professional way and demonstrate skills that are hard to put into words. If you need help getting ready for your job interview, then you should check out resume writing services for school guidance counselors and school psychologists. You will be surprised by the professional results that you can achieve with the proper implementation of their techniques.

Why the Construction Industry Needs More Women in Leadership

Why the Construction Industry Needs More Women in Leadership Like tech and cybersecurity, construction is one of the most notoriously male-dominated professions â€" of all the 10 million people employed in the industry, only 9% of construction workers are female. This figure is primarily women in administrative and office positions in construction, as the number of women actively working on construction sites is even smaller. Considering the low representation of women in the industry, how many women are in leadership roles? To find out, BigRentz took a closer look at Engineering New Record’s Top 100 contracting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies. They found that while 44% of these top companies have women in executive roles such as vice president and director, only 16% have women in C-level roles like chief financial officer and chief marketing officer. Furthermore, only 3% of companies have a female construction manager. Women Still Face Challenges In the construction industry, women encounter familiar gender-related challenges such as gender bias, sexual harassment, lack of adequate resources and benefits, and social perceptions. Challenges unique to construction include: Injury Risk Most construction protection equipment is still designed with men in mind. The poor fit leaves women at a higher risk of being injured on the field. Pay Gap Women earn 95.7 percent of what men make in construction. The number is even lower for women of color, who earn only 81 cents for every dollar paid to white men. Lack of Mentorship Due to the shortage of women, there is an overall lack of strong female role models, which discourages women from advancing in the field or even choosing construction as a career. Why Women Should Join Construction There are many benefits to why women should consider a career in construction, including: Leadership Opportunities The shortage of female leaders provides opportunities for women to improve team performance, contribute fresh perspectives, and advance their careers and have room for growth. Higher Income Potential On average, women who work construction and trade careers earn up to 30% more than traditional female-dominated careers like administrative assistants and childcare. There is a Labor Shortage In the next five years, the need for construction workers is expected to grow to over 1.6 million people. This opens up the opportunity for high-paying, stable jobs for women. Feeling of Achievement One of the best feelings is being able to build something from the ground up. Working in construction allows women to receive this feeling of achievement and develop a passion for building â€" a passion that shouldn’t be limited to just men. Practical Skills Construction skills like team building, managing a complex project, and working with technology and tools can be applied to other sectors and careers as well. Joining Other Women Choosing a career in construction means joining the ranks of women who are spearheading the industry movement â€" women like Kim Roy, the first female CEO to lead one of ENR’s top contracting companies, and Jennifer Vides, a superintendent at Turner Construction who attained her role at just 26 years old. How Female Leaders Are Making An Impact Although only 7% of construction executive officers were women back in 2010, this number has experienced a growth of 15% in the past few years â€" the highest gain across any industry. With the number of female leaders rising, here are some things they are doing to transform the field: Changing Company Standards Female leaders play a crucial role in eliminating the challenges other women face in construction. They participate in female recruitment efforts, promote retainment and advancement of women, and push for better benefits. Mentoring Other Women Female leaders can also serve as a valuable resource for their peers, inspiring their careers and encouraging them to advance in their careers. Women like Anna Jacobson of Morley Builders have founded peer mentorship groups to provide guidance for their community. Inspiring a New Generation Like the “Build Like A Girl” initiative at Miron Construction, female leaders play a crucial role in inspiring a new generation of construction leaders with their presence and accomplishments. Girls will see that construction isn’t just a career “for the boys”. Increasing the Bottom Line A study by McKinsey Company found that companies that had diverse executive teams including women were 21 percent more likely to be more profitable than the average. As the construction industry continues to grapple with challenges like productivity and labor, there is a growing space for women to enter the field. It’s not just matter of equal representation â€" female leaders are making a big impact on the industry as well and companies are taking notice. So, what does it take to be a female construction leader? In addition to looking at the number of women at the top companies, BigRentz also analyzed their time in the construction industry and the time they held their roles to highlight the success and advancement of women in construction and what makes them successful. To learn more, check out the infographic below. Author Byline: Lior Zitzman is the Director of Digital Audience at BigRentz, a construction equipment rentals marketplace with a network of over 1,500 rental partners. He has more than 15 years of experience in enterprise-level SEO at automotive publishing and equipment companies. In his spare time, he enjoys website development, gadgets, and fishing.

Personal Brand Stereotypes #8 Choose Your Major Wisely - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Brand Stereotypes #8 Choose Your Major Wisely - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career The number one most important factor to employers selecting entry-level candidates is their major (44%). I think its pretty obvious why this carries the most weight. If you are a finance major applying for an entry-level position in marketing, it may be challenging to convince them that your experience and learnings can apply to that position. I always say that you need to discover your brand during college because you have the most amount of choices, including which major you select, what classes to enroll in and what organizations you participate in. If you select a major based on what your parents or peers want you to do, then at some point you will be caught in a chokehold. You may not even be chosen to interview for a job just based on your major. Today I want to discuss how majors are stereotyped. The Series: #1 Tall people are basketball players #2 Glasses make you look smart #3 Men who wear pink are homosexual #4 The hippie phenomenon #5 Only punks wear mohawks #6 Ageism puts Gen-Y in danger #7 A nice car means youre successful My Experience at School I attended Bentley College (now its just called Bentley *bad branding alert*) and there were two types of people. In your right corner, there was people who could crunch numbers and in your left corner there were people who had creativity. All the football and hockey players would be management or marketing majors, typically because they were either lazy or only got into the school because of their athletic talents. Sophomore year was when everyone picked a major, right after they took an accounting class. That single class would depict your future at Bentley. Most people did poorly and would attach themselves to marketing or management as a result. Those who succeeded would typically stay in accounting, finance or economics based on their skill level and what their parents wanted them to do. These classes were far more difficult at college, especially because Bentley was originally an accounting school. Scott Bradley Takes the Mic As a serial entrepreneur, when I came into Boston College I knew that I wanted to be in an entrepreneurial major and initially chose finance. When I found out that most finance jobs entail sitting behind a desk crunching numbers all day I was far from flattered. Because of my creative abilities I decided to switch to a marketing major because I could leverage my creative talents, and be able to blend them with my entrepreneurial skills of continually producing top line sales. While the marketing department in a corporation is always seen as the unnecessary organization that spends money frivolously I have come to see the entity as the organization that keeps everyone in the company secured in their job. If it wasnt for the marketing department and their efforts to continually bring in new business and maintain relationships with current clientsthe company wouldnt be around for very long! Thanks Scott Analysis When someone tells you they are an accountant, you may think they are boring and have no social skills. If you speak to a marketing person, you may position them as creative, a liar or a salesperson. If they are in finance, you automatically assume they are good with money and if they are a management major, you would ask yourself you just got out of college, you cant be a manager anyways. Again, the major you choose does impact how people perceive you and may or may not help you get the job youre looking for. Coming Up Next Are you Jewish? Well I am and I know that there is a major stereotype with our last names. Sure the name Schawbel doesnt sound very Jewish, but what about Goldstein or Goldberg. How about all Jews having big noses? We may have fun with this one at my expense. The next part in this series will examine how we already know who is Jewish in society by a name or by physical appearance.

Resume Writing Services: Get the Best Writing Services

Resume Writing Services: Get the Best Writing ServicesIf you want to showcase your skills, one way is to write a resume that can stand the test of time. Resume writing services Arlington VA can help you with this task. With the many options that you have for making a resume, you may find it difficult to make an effective one.The truth is that most people, including professionals, forget that a resume is very important for their future. Your resume plays a crucial role in determining whether or not you are selected for a job interview. Thus, the importance of being prepared cannot be stressed enough.That is why you need to seek the services of professional resume writers in Arlington VA. This service is beneficial because it ensures that you have an easy-to-read and easy-to-write resume. It is also important to know that a good resume should be unique and original. You should not copy the contents of a resume that someone else has provided you.For this reason, resume writing services Arlington VA only writes the resume of its clients. This ensures that your resume will be unique, which helps you stand out from the crowd. A resume is no longer just a piece of paper. It has a great impact on your career, and one that you cannot afford to leave unattended.To get the best resume writing services in Arlington VA, you can look for references online. There are many websites online that offer these services for free. However, some resume writing services charge you a fee for their services. You can read reviews about the services on the website to determine whether or not you will benefit from them.A good reference can help you identify a potential resume writer. A potential resume writer will not hesitate to ask for references. He or she will do their best to get a recommendation from an authority on resumes. They will even take the time to write a unique resume that could help you get hired.Once you find a good resume writer, take time to create your own resume. Look for a style that you find appealing. Keep in mind that your resume is the first impression that employers will have of you. Therefore, you should give it all the attention that you can, even if you are told to do other things.Resume writing services Arlington VA are there to help you with this task. The majority of resume writing services Arlington VA work with people who have made mistakes. This means that your resume writing will be a challenge, but the results are worth it.

Twitter Job Search Help From Career Experts - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Twitter Job Search Help From Career Experts How would you like to get free advice from job search experts . . . On topics ranging from personal branding, targeting and working with executive recruiters, to best job networking and interviewing strategies, and so much more . . . In short, sweet tweets? Career Directors International (CDI), a premier professional association for those of us in the careers industry, has tapped members to join in  the crowd-sourced Twitter  Supercharger campaign,  to Supercharge Your Job Search. Many of us who are active on Twitter have submitted best of content to be tweeted from May 23 through early November. All the tips will be compiled and published in a free ebook, which will be available in November. To follow the tweets, check the hashtag #cdisst (tweets are already showing up in the hashtag stream), or go to the Twitter account of Laura DiCarlo, CDIs Executive Director, @careerhero. Tweets will fall into one of the following 9 categories: 1. Job Search Focus Includes career assessments (formal and informal), personal branding, informational interviews (for career focus), job shadowing, mentor relationships, internship, or volunteering. Hashtags: #assessments, #infointerview, #mentoring, #personalbranding, #volunteer, #interning 2. Finding Jobs: Research of Targeted Organizations (Private, Non-profit, Government), Industries Individuals Includes informational interviews, direct to company websites, social search sites (e.g. , YouTube), online business directories, job boards, professional associations. Hashtags: #jobboards, #companyresearch, #industryresearch, #infointerview, #socialsearch 3. Finding Jobs: Networking The Who, Why, Where and How of networking including in-person, online, groups / clubs and associations, social networks, company research, interviewer/people research,  relationship building strategies, personal branding, and online identity management. Hashtags: #networking, #referrals, #jobleads, #personalbranding, #onlineid 4. Finding Jobs: Job Boards Website Job Centers Includes applying for jobs, identifying industry trends and opportunities, specific and niche job board suggestions, job board tools, mobile and social tools. Hashtags: #nichejobboards, #industrytrends, #mobilejobsearch, #socialjobsearch, #jobsearch 5. Finding Jobs: Career Fairs Includes identifying beneficial fairs to attend; using personal branding; applying appropriate presentation and wardrobe; leveraging unique, memorable, and successful ways to connect with employers; savvy follow up strategies. Hashtags: #jobfairs, #personalbranding, #jobsearch, #companyresearch, #networking 6. Finding Jobs: Direct Sourcing by Recruiters Employers Includes capitalizing on reputation management and dealing with digital dirt; personal branding; using social search sites (e.g. , YouTube, Twitter, etc.), professional association websites, and other websites/tools; and various other offline methods. Hashtags: #directsourcing, #recruiters, #reputationmgmt, #socialjobsearch, #digitaldirt 7. Finding Jobs: Temporary to Permanent Hiring Includes how to select and work with agencies, and strategies to position yourself to standout and make the transition to permanent hire. Hashtags: #temp2perm, #temphiring, #jobagencies, #employmentagencies 8. Finding Jobs: Print Advertising (Want Ads) Includes creating documentation to stand out from the many applicants, understanding blind ads, understanding voicemail response systems, and identifying valuable ad resources such as newspapers and professional trade magazines. Hashtags: #wantads, #jobads 9. Finding Jobs: Walk-Ins Includes creating a plan of action which includes goals and logistics; personal branding and elevator speech development; personal presentation and wardrobe; unique, memorable, and successful ways to connect with employers; and savvy follow up strategies. Hashtags: #jobsearch, #elevatorspeech, #personalbranding, #interviewattire, #ftfjobsearch. NOTE: Do not use #walkins as it is related to a completely different topic. Ill post some of my favorite tips here as they hit Twitter over the next several months. So stay tuned! Related posts: How Twitter Helped Me Build My Personal Brand Twitter Turbocharges Executive Job Search and Personal Brand Visibility The Biggest Mistake Twitter Newbies Make 00 0

Key Tips to Propel Your Career

Key Tips to Propel Your Career A Dozen Lessons from Top Consultants on How to Be Great Management consultants hold some of the most demanding and rewarding jobs in the world. A climb to the top of the consulting industry is a huge challenge that Christie Lindor, consultant, author, and mentor, is all too familiar with. Christie recently shared her experience and advice with me. She learned in her research for her upcoming book The MECE Muse: 100+ selected practices, unwritten rules and habits of great consultants, that the traits that make a great consultant and lead to success in her industry can be translated to nearly anyone. “When I asked each person the question, ‘What is your definition of a great consultant?’ I noticed that most of what takes someone from good to great had more to do with their characteristics and emotional intelligence than their technical acumen,” says Lindor. Here are Christie’s top 12 tips for propelling your career: Make a conscious choice to be great. Greatness isn’t a gene. It’s a mindset, a conscious decision, and a way of being. It’s always personal in business. Common courtesy and etiquette alone will take you far use them to your competitive advantage. Pay it forward. Focus on helping others shine and succeed. Your own success will follow. Get out of your own way. Do not allow the stories you tell yourself shape your career decisions or ability to deliver and create impact for your client or organization. Create a fulfilling, rewarding, and sustainable career. Develop solid habits that creates a sense of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Your journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Embrace the journey and trust the chaos. It’s not about being right but about being effective. Give up the need to always be right and instead become obsessed with value creation. When you focus on the right thing, everything will always fall into place. Take ownership and accountability of your career. Stop letting life just happen to you; take control of the things that are within your control. Do not let a fear of missing out guide your career decisions. Proactively seek out numerous coaches, mentors, advisors and sponsors. Create a personal board of directors. Step up to a higher standard. Maintain standards of excellence without striving for perfection. The day you let your standards down is the day you’ve decided to become mediocre. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. If you are the hardest working, most capable, or motivated person in the room, on your team, or in your practice, find another room, team, or practice. Create an environment of excellence for yourself and those around you. Develop and execute basic habits remarkably well. The ability to do simple things extremely well is a competitive advantage. Do not underestimate your ability to bake an amazing cupcake instead of a cake. Fiercely protect your reputation, integrity, and credibility. Be empathically inclusive and compassionate to others. Accept people for who they are, not what you want them to be. Be willing to learn from someone with a different mindset and worldview other than your own. Embrace authenticity as a competitive advantage. Be intentionally aware of how you think, learn, and work in order to maximize your strengths. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

Beware of These Myths About the Job Hunting Process!

Beware of These Myths About the Job Hunting Process! The best executive resume writers help you avoid these myths. As everyone knows, job hunting is a strenuous and arduous process. Everyone has their stories, and most people are good-natured enough to try to help other people in their position by spreading the word on what and what not to do. This has led to a tangled mass of information that continues to spread beyond control. Don’t believe the hype! Let us highlight what information you should disregard. Be as Distinct as Possible While you want to distinguish yourself from the competition, there’s a certain way to go about it. Being flashy is not the way to leave a great impression on your potential employers. If you’re considering doing something quirky to capture attention, such as making bold, sweeping statements about yourself and your abilities or changing your resume’s background from the standard white to hot pink, don’t do it! There’s a much better approach. Coach yourself on how to best prepare for meeting people you hope will employ you. Project an optimistic, collected demeanor and learn how to create the best  executive  resume  biographies  and you’ll go much farther! Skills Are the Most Important Element to Getting Hired This isn’t necessarily true! While employers want people with plenty of experience who know what they’re doing, there are some other traits employers seek out. They want to be sure you match up with the rest of the company in terms of personality, for one thing. You’ll have to fit in well with the company’s pre-existing culture. Skills can always be fleshed out later on during your career, but a highly skilled professional who disrupts the office environment cannot be helped much. You can always learn how to build up the way you market your skills by brushing up on your  executive  resume  writing  abilities. The Salary Discussion Must Unfold In Person and Immediately In this day and age, no. You have the option of describing how much you would like to earn on your application. However, you don’t want to do this right away. Say your salary is “negotiable” or something similar. This will give you some time to do your research and also shows you’re considerate of the company’s needs by putting them before your desire to get paid for your work. This will leave a favorable impression on hiring agents. Send Out Applications to Multiple Locations at Once If you simply apply to every job that’s hiring, you could easily be stuck with a position that doesn’t fit your skill level and/or industry. Instead, you want to look for jobs that cater to your experiences and skills. Once you’ve found jobs that do this, you can then rely on the  best  executive  resume  writers  to help you create an appealing resume!