Friday, May 8, 2020

New Grads, To Create a Knock-out Cover Letter Answer This One Question - Hallie Crawford

New Grads, To Create a Knock-out Cover Letter Answer This One Question Congratulations to new graduates, near and far, high school or college! Your hard work has paid off. Now it’s time to find your dream job, ideally. However, when you’re coming straight out of college or high school, it can be difficult to write an effective and impressive cover letter during your job search. You may not fully understand what you bring to the table strengths-wise or regarding your experience (that’s normal and a topic for another blog post:). You may even think that a cover letter isn’t really that important. While it’s true that some companies may not pay much attention to your cover letter, many do require a cover letter. Having one versus not having one can make a big impression on the employer regarding how much you care about getting the job. If you don’t include a cover letter with your resume, the hiring manager could pass over your application and focus on other applicants who did take the time to write a cover letter. So, if you want to make the best first impression possible during your job search, it’s essential to write a cover letter. Even with the existence of LinkedIn as a job search tool, a cover letter is still a critical piece to your job search. While a cover letter will not necessarily be the reason why you are hired, it is a way to generate interest in you as a potential hire. It demonstrates your written communication skills and is another opportunity to sell yourself. It will help make the hiring manager feel compelled to look at your application further. Your purpose in writing a cover letter is to explain why you would be a good fit for the position. And you can do this whether you have extensive job experience or not by the way. When writing a cover letter, keep in mind that you want to answer the following question: What does the employer need, and how do I fit that need? To determine what the employer needs, look for clues in their job posting. Look for keywords, responsibilities of the position, and the requirements. We suggest identifying 3-4 areas where you best fit the job description to include in your cover letter. As a new graduate, keep in mind that you don’t have to fit all of the requirements to apply for a position. You should have many of them (generally the most important requirements are listed first in a job post) and be able to provide compelling reasons for them to hire you without having all of the requirements. You don’t have to match the job description in every way, you have to find where you are a good fit and accentuate those areas in your cover letter. Use your high school or college experience as proof that you have honed certain strengths. For instance, if one of your strengths is that you are a problem-solver, mention it in your cover letter in the context of how you’ve developed the strength. For example, “in my four years of experience in my University Business Club I was consistently asked to find creative solutions to problems.” Providing context for gives the hiring manager evidence for your strength, so it is more believable than simply saying, “I am a problem solver.” Give them an example of how you leveraged this strength. Starting with this one simple question to answer will help you write a compelling, strong cover letter. So start there… If you need additional assistance with your resume, cover letter or job search in general, set up a time to talk with Hallie about your needs and how we can help. Best of luck in your search!

Monday, April 20, 2020

Objective Examples For Resume Writing

Objective Examples For Resume WritingWhen you are looking to craft objective examples for resume writing, there are some clear indicators that make it a good idea. But be sure not to take a guess-work approach when selecting objective examples for your resume. The following tips will provide you with information to help you select the best examples.Language. Make sure you select a resume example that is appropriate for the specific language used in the job description and the culture of the company. If you want to include the language from the job description but the language is inappropriate in the position, you will find yourself stuck in a quandary.Examples that can apply to job descriptions that are similar to the job description of the company you are seeking. In the job description, be sure that the examples in your resume describe the job posting in the exact same way. If they are not related, chances are your resume will look inappropriate for the job. For example, if the job description mentions job responsibilities in terms of daily duties, try to come up with examples that describe the daily duties.Objective examples that can be applied to the company in general. Companies do not typically have a specific position, or different types of employees. However, you should select objective examples that clearly state that you are seeking employment with the company.Objective examples for resume writing that can provide relevant information about the type of company you are seeking employment with. A good example should contain information about the industry, the type of people the company attracts, and the market the company serves. By providing all of these elements, you are sure to show that you are a representative of the company you are hoping to join.Examples that are professionally crafted, and that include rich, meaningful content. Good examples are those that create a good impression on potential employers. Of course, you want to select examples th at are visually appealing and speak to the employer's needs.These are the guidelines to follow when looking for objective examples for resume writing. By following them, you will be sure to create an effective resume that will land you the job you seek.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Career Moves to Make in Your 30s

Career Moves to Make in Your 30s What should your career goals be in your 30s? For many employees, the path to success involves transitioning away from a solo contributor role and easing into management. Use this time to solidify your reputation as a leader, experts say â€" both within your current employer and in the industry as a whole. “People get tapped for promotions, high-profile projects, and job openings because they’re widely known for being great at what they do,” says Jennifer McClure, a talent strategist and leadership consultant in Cincinnati. Take these five steps to put yourself on track for expanded responsibilities. 1. Bolster Leadership Skills To exhibit leadership potential, you’ll need to take on more responsibilities, so look for tasks that will get you experience managing co-workers, says McClure. Volunteer to spearhead a high-profile project, supervise the intern pool, or oversee the launch of a big campaign. “Take on more responsibility as a leader, even if you’re not directly compensated for it,” says Belinda Plutz, a career coach in New York City. By flexing your management skills, you’ll capture the attention of higher ups and position yourself for a promotion. You’ll also gain a new line-item accomplishment to bolster your resume. 2. Foster Peer Relationships Research shows office friendships lead to better work performance, so it pays to nurture the connections you formed with colleagues in your 20s. But now is a good time to take relationships further into the professional sphere: While casual lunches and happy hours may strengthen friendship, they don’t solidify your reputation as a team player. Take stock in your co-workers’ career development by inviting them to join you at industry conferences and networking lunches, recommends career consultant Donald Asher, author of Who Gets Promoted, Who Doesn’t, and Why. If they can’t attend, share what you learn at the event, says McClure. Another tip from McClure: Be sure to praise your peers’ accomplishments at team meetings. Generous and vocal support can turn co-workers into advocates for your career as well. 3. Keep Ex-Bosses In Your Corner When you leave a company, take your manager with you as a mentor. Though you’ll no longer be a direct report, you can continue to leverage the relationship by using the person as a sounding board for career advice. At this point, your reputation also largely depends on what former managers have to say about you. Consequently, you need glowing reviews from them, both formally and informally; keep them up to date on what you’re doing and what new responsibilities you’re taking on. When you’re looking for a formal referral, Linda Gravett, co-author of Bridging the Generation Gap, recommends prepping past managers by sending them the job description, your updated resume, and some background information on the company. Even a former boss is a supporter, he or she may need to understand what you bring to the table for a particular role, so “ask them to mention particular projects and achievements,” says Plutz. 4. Manage Your Public Image Your LinkedIn profile is one of the best tools for getting spotted by recruiters; 87% of those recently surveyed by Jobvite said they use the website to find talent. Since you’re not limited in terms of space, don’t just create a carbon copy of your resume. Rather, use LinkedIn to deliver an expanded look at your achievements. Seek recommendations from people who can back your expertise, says Courtney Templin, president at learning and development firm JB Training Solutions. She recommends providing a 360-degree view of your abilities; tap previous managers, peers, and interns or junior employees you’ve mentored. If you’ve worked with clients, have them speak to your customer service skills. You can also use Twitter to show your expertise. Provide value by tweeting on industry news, says Gravett. Your bio should include your niche or specific interests (e.g., “tech consultant tweeting on small business and entrepreneurship”). And consider developing a blog that focuses on a specific topic within your industry, and use SEO analytics to get more traffic. “Even if your posts aren’t widely read, blogging helps you formulate your thoughts and gives you interesting topics to talk about with your boss,” says Tamara Erickson, author of What’s Next, Gen X?: Keeping Up, Moving Ahead, and Getting the Career You Want. Make sure to cross-promote your brand by including links to your social media on the blog, and vice versa. 5. Upgrade Your Industry Efforts You may have joined professional associations already, but this is a good time to go a step further. Instead of simply attending conferences, for instance, showcase yourself by getting on the speaking docket or moderating a panel. (Gravett recommends those with stage fright take a public speaking course before becoming a presenter.) And take an active role in an organization you’re passionate about. “Becoming a board member, or volunteering on a committee, gets you in front of recruiters” and industry influencers, says Gravett.

Friday, April 10, 2020

3 Quick Fixes For A Lackluster Executive Resume - Work It Daily

3 Quick Fixes For A Lackluster Executive Resume - Work It Daily Does it seem like an uphill battle to convey your leadership value during your job search? You might be a superstar at work, but if recruiters don’t see that message emanating from your resume, you’ll be edged out by the competition. Unfortunately, many executive resumes fail to answer employers’ fundamental questions: Why hire you? What’s special about your career trajectory or background? What do you deliver that others can’t? If your executive resume isn’t clearly hitting on these key points within the first 10 to 30 seconds, you’ll need to take another look at why it’s missing the mark. Here are three quick fixes for a lackluster executive resume: 1. Use Powerful Descriptions To make an impression, your resume must lay claim to your achievements with powerful, specific descriptions of your impact on the business. If you use language copied from other resumes or LinkedIn Profiles (or even worse, your job description!), you’re missing out on the opportunity to show how your work affects the company. As an example, consider the difference between these two statements of scope on a sales executive resume (both describing the same job): Statement A: “Managed national accounts, customer relationships, and sales teams in 4 states.” Statement B: “Built the top 3 customer accounts producing 74% of all 2010-2013 revenue, while developing 6 President’s Club sales performers in 4 states.” Employers are eager to identify leaders who can articulate the reasons they add value â€"expecting that these employees will continue to differentiate the business. Metrics-driven, power-packed language makes it easy for them to see why hiring you will pay dividends. 2. Impress Them With Context Since recruiters and employers don’t have time to connect the dots, your executive resume must do it for them. The secret to truly impressing them? Context. For example, any IT Director can point out new, cutting-edge technologies used in delivering services to users. However, a business- centric technology leader can point out ways he or she has cut costs at the same time. By the same token, an effective COO must be able to show success in dealing with pushback on critical operations changes (rather than just listing the initiatives delivered to date). To dig deep into the achievements needed to wow employers, answer the following when writing about your executive career: What would have happened if I weren’t here? How did my work affect the bottom line â€" or the performance of my division, team, etc.? What are the reasons others believe in me? How has my approach transformed the culture at work? 3. Focus On Single Accomplishments If your resume strings together seemingly disparate lists of bullet-point statements, you’ll run the risk of turning off employers who can’t see a pattern. (“Death by bullets” is a common refrain in the professional resume writing industry, and for good reason.) As shown in this example of a sales leadership resume, you may need to employ a graphic or chart to show your contributions over time. This strategy helps demonstrate consistent, career-defining leadership in your background, and shows why you’ll continue to generate the results employers need. In summary, take another pass at injecting powerful information into your executive resume, especially if you’re getting the brush-off from employers. Even if you’re not adept at writing about yourself, these simple steps can pump up your content â€"and create better results in your search. Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles: 7 Steps To An Attention-Grabbing Executive Resume 3 Phrases That Kill The Effectiveness Of An Executive Resume 4 Phrases That Scream ‘Underqualified’ On Your Executive Resume Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Couples Who Got Back Together Share What Made Their Second Try Successful

Couples Who Got Back Together Share What Made Their Second Try Successful If theres anything that pop culture can teach you, its that breaking up doesnt necessarily mean its over for good. Its not uncommon for couples to call it quits and a few years (or months, weeks, even days) later, decide to give it another go.But what makes them think that its going to work on try No. 2? The reality is that spending time apart to regroup can teach both partners quite a bit and theres a chance that, if theyve learned from the situation, they can get back together with clear minds and open hearts to really make the relationship work.We talked with couples whove gotten back together to share what theyve learned thats helped them make their relationship successful the second time around. Heres what they had to say.1. You have to openly communicate.Were both military members (I welches a vet and reservist), and, while we were stationed overseas, my husband found himself dealing with something he wo uldnt or couldnt talk to me about, says Carol Gee. An already quiet man, he had always had problems talking and sharing. Six months passed when I asked him if he saw whatever he was dealing with ending anytime soon. When he replied, no, I asked to return to the U.S. Working full time with two part-time jobs to make ends meet, I spent my time trying make a life for myself. I loved him and, because I felt we were meant to be together, I was unable to commit to a serious relationship while separated.In the meantime, Gee says they stayed in touch when they could.Until he realized we were better together than apart, we would remain apart, she says. Two and a half years passed. When he had an option to retire from the service or accept a stateside assignment, he asked to visit so we could talk. During his visit, he decided to retire. He said all the right things, he still loved and missed me and he asked if I would give him another chance. I suggested we take it one day at a time that he needed to talk to me about what is going on with him in the future.In March 2019, they celebrated 46 years together. Counseling throughout the years helped them to really hear each other, and today, Gee says, theyre happier than ever.2. You may have to go through growth.Second chances can work I am living proof that rekindling with an ex can work out, says Penelope Lynne Gordon, founder of Gordon says she morphed from a very insecure girl with a bad case of abandonment issues into a whole, healed and confident young woman. And her ex-boyfriend came back. She says the reason is that they both changed.Let me get real with you Good relationships dont break up. So some major changes and shifts have to have taken place since yur breakup in order to give you a fighting chance at success with round two. What kind of personal development have you both focused on? How have you both changed? How will it be different this time? What do you want? Have you gotten really clear on what it is you actually want?She recommends grabbing a journal and writing out exactly what you want in a relationship. Then figure out how many of the things on your list you know your ex will fulfill, she says.If youre ready to give it another go with your ex, then make a promise to each other to remain fully in the present and to not bring up pain from the past, she goes on. Constantly bringing up the past and throwing past failures into each others faces is a recipe for disaster. Focus on the present and on the potential of your future together.3. You have to build trust.I am in a relationship with a girl for about two years we did break up, but we patched up, and now our relationship is going fine, says Shahrukh Sadiq, a digital marketing specialist at Cybervision International Islamabad. The real thing is trust. We have our perceptions and we tend to overthink, which makes us feel doubtful. But we set boundaries around our relationship, and now we are doing fine.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a femi nist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about womens empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram her_report,Twitterherreportand Facebook.

Saturday, March 7, 2020

The Basic Facts of Writing Complex Sql Queries , Foxpro, Resume

The Basic Facts of Writing Complex Sql Queries , Foxpro, Resume An index is utilized to hasten the performance of queries. Output of this query is going to be 7. Dont neglect to think about the trade-offs in efficiency if you want to use tiny queries. There youll also get the queries for sample data generation so you can quickly start your SQL bewerbungsinterview preparation. Writing Complex Sql Queries, Foxpro, Resume for Dummies There are various sorts of Noramalization forms in SQL. Here, well find out how to compose a complicated SQL query and breaking it down into simple actions and building it back from that point. Bear in mind that an intricate SQL query is an assortment of multiple simple SQL queries. It contributes to complex SQL queries which should be debugged properly. Bear in mind you dont need to compose the entire SQL query at the same time. Bear in mind which you dont need to write the entire SQL query simultaneously. A complicated SQL query is a mix of many joins and subqueries, soon you will understand that long queries are the origin of the bug too. New Ideas Into Writing Complex Sql Queries, Foxpro, Resume Never Before Revealed The growth of queries is never a problem with GUI, I get it right the very first time each time. PostgreSQL experience is really a desired skill in the tech market. With the aid of a very straightforward query its possible to know complete particulars about the structure of the table you created. The character of relational database entwurf usually means that well often have related data that is stored in various tables. Facts, Fiction and Writing Complex Sql Queries, Foxpro, Resume Today you should try it by yourself and I wont tell you the syntax. In SQLite3, you may use EXPLAIN QUERY PLAN prior to your query. When youre interested in modifying the database schema, it typically involves re-engineering a query. Once a query is made, it needs to be tested over and over the moment a new table is ad ded. The Dirty Truth on Writing Complex Sql Queries, Foxpro, Resume This continuous testing is likely to make sure you are still getting the very same results that are necessary. The exercises and solutions were quite beneficial. The following ideas will assist you in your preparation. For novice programmers, its the strongest approach that helps to understand the complicated query thoroughly without jumping right to the absolute most performant solution. The Basic Facts of Writing Complex Sql Queries, Foxpro, Resume There are SQL exercises, and video solutions, along the way to assist you improve your understanding and SQL abilities. The aim of these articles is to help steer you through the practice of writing SQL queries. Small queries usually have less tendency to handle responsibility, and theyre able to be applied freely in various conditions.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Hiring Rock Star Talent is Not Always Best Practice - Spark Hire

Hiring Rock Star Talent is Not Always Best Practice - Spark HireAs a former recruiter, Ive conducted hundreds of interviews and filled dozens of open positions for large cap companies. My experience in the space has taught me many things about identifying the right talent, but there are three that matter mostThe most expensive applicant is not always the most qualified one for the job.Being overqualified for a job on paper doesnt mean a candidate will actually be able to do the work once he or she is in the role youve posted for (there are many different reasons for this that Id like to get into another time).Hiring the Rock Star applicant (i.e. the ultra-experienced, high potential candidate with all the right skills who also just-so-happens to be a cultural fit) is not always the best geschftlicher umgang decision.The last point is the one I want to talk about today.We have a tendency as talent professionals to want to hire Rock Stars. We do this because of a strong desire to provi de our businesses with the best talent, and its natural to assume best talent is strongly correlated with best experience/skills/potential for development/cultural fit/etc. Hiring great people also reflects well on us as recruiters, and when the people we source perform well in their jobs this (by extension) pays dividends for us over the course of our careers.In practice, however, always hiring great talent when only adequate is needed can lead to turnover issues. This is because there are only so many promotions available and so much room in the budget for merit payouts. Put another way If a company has more talent than it can reward for high performance (via either monetary incentives or promotions) then it wont be able to retain all of that talent for very long. Intrinsic rewards are a valuable tool to engage employees, but particularly when dealing with high performers they only go so far.This is why its important that hiring managers partner closely with HR to monitor bench strength and develop succession plans for key roles. The cost of replacing a departing employee can be extremely high, and the higher up in the organization one moves the more expensive it gets.This is why Continuity Players employees that are happy in their current role and not looking for additional progression are critical linchpins in any organization. Its important not to undervalue employees that are good at their jobs and content with where they are. Further, to this point its important to remember that not everyone can be a superstar (so hire accordingly).Rock Stars need a place to shine if your company doesnt have one for them then it may be better to pass and hire someone else.Please share your thoughts below.IMAGE Courtesy of Flickr byJsome1About the Author Rory Trotter is an HR leader with Fortune 500 experience in compensation, talent management and labor relations. He is passionate about HR because he believes the best organizations are those that consistently find ways to attract top talent, nurture said talents strengths, and ensure sustained productivity and innovation via the use of initiatives that both recognize and reward high performance. You can connect with him via Twitter RoryCTrotterJr and read more of his thoughts on human resources at rorytrotter.com.