New Resume Polishes a Diamond in the Rough

New Resume Polishes a Diamond in the RoughNew Resume Polishes a Diamond in the RoughSoftware Project Manager Afzal Baradis resume was boxed in by long descriptions that said nothing about his accomplishments. A resume rewrite cut to the chase.After re-reading Afzal Baradis original resume three times, I had some vague idea that he developed software applications for financial systems but I didnt binnensee any career progression or accomplishments. On paper, he seemed to be stuck doing the same, relatively low-level software-coding work for about 12 years. His resume had no profile paragraph just a two-line summary of his 18 years in software development.But a much more impressive story emerged after we talked on the phone for an hour. Over nearly two decades, Afzals job title had not changed very much but his scope of responsibilities had grown dramatically. In addition to software development, he had designed entire financial applications and acquired expertise in complex investm ent-and-trading strategies.So we started his new resume with a profile section that sketches his career arc and three areas of exceptional competence. In addition to software development, hes quite experienced in product management, QA, managing offshore teams, marketing and investing strategies. Who knew?

Someone turned in a book 47 years past the due date

Someone turned in a book 47 years past the due dateSomeone turned in a book 47 years past the due dateNext time you beat yourself up about turning in a project past the deadline, dont feel bad Recognize that you are timely and punctual, compared at least to one person who fulfilled a deadline five decades late.According to the San Francisco Chronicle, someone anonymously turned in a copy ofEldridge Cleavers soulmusik On Ice that was due in 1970, making the book 47 years, four months and 29 days late.Dont feel bad about being tardy because this library book 47 years past dueThe San Francisco Public Library, which received the book, said the late fee would have been $1,731.70 if they did not cap the fee at$10.01.The Eureka Valley branch manager Anne Vannucchi told the Chronicle that she would like to know who the library patron is so that they can learn the story behind the late due date.It came to Eureka Valley in an interoffice envelope, but with no origination, she said.Being late a nd telling no one about it may work if you are turning in a book no one remembers you owe. But if you are turning in a work assignment and not a book late, it helps to be upfront about your tardiness. Dont make an excuse, because if you get caught in a lie, that will lead to bigger problems. If you know you are going to be late, just be clear about why and explain how this one-time tardiness will not become a habit.Being late is a part of life, and its always polite to apologize when it happens, Rosemary Haefner, the chief human resources officer atCareerBuilder, advised. Everybodys human and makes mistakes, so own up to yours and move on.

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful ResumeWhy a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful ResumeWhy a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful ResumeNo frills required when crafting a successful resume.My first resume out of college was printed on a type of paper that was supposed to look like you could see the paper grains. With a pink tint. Somewhere I had learned that interesting paper could make the difference in getting my resume elendiced. And while I did get some comments from female interviewers like, Pretty paper or Cool paper, that does not mean I got the job. In fact, I wasnt hired anywhere I submitted that resume. Later, after I got some resume writing training and rewrote the resume to make it simpler, I got the jobs.Back then, companies did not use applicant tracking systems (ATS) and the world economy was very different. Companies have changed from mentoring employees to demanding benefits from employees. Were in the what can you do for us? era.So, while your resume with the beautiful fonts, specially formatted indents and nice graphics on the border might look attractive to you, it does not look good to the hirer. In fact, all that great, creative work it took to make your resume layout stand out might actually block it from successfully passing the ATS.Companies and hirers want simplicity in resumes and resume layouts. One to two simple fonts, maximum. No fancy borders. Plain white paper. Most application submissions are electronic now, anyway, so the hiring company will be printing the resume on its own plain white paper. Interviewers want the resume to be calming and easy to read so they can, you know, read it. Remember, the hirer might be reading hundreds of these things. The company is looking for any reason to discard an applicant. That means your script font might be a deterrent, not an asset. Can you read it?Many clients have presented resumes to me that look similar to the one described above, and when they get my revisions, they have sa id to me, This is a plain da sagst du was document, as if they were expecting an intricate Pablo Picasso or Jackson Pollack painting. Thats right, job seekers, it might feel really awkward to do so, but you have to keep your resume layout and style simple. This is not about what you think works. This is about passing the ATS, getting past phone interviews, and getting in front of the interviewer so you can impress him or her by explaining all those fantastic and impressive achievements youre so proud of. Dont let what you like stand in the way of what works for the hiring system. Instead, work with the hiring system.Companies dont want glitz and glamor. They want simplicity. And accomplishments.Remember, its not about what you think looks pretty or will stand out or guessing what the company wants from you. A resume is about telling the company what you can do for it. Your accomplishments matter, not the font or fancy resume layout. Stop worrying about whether to use script or itali c and start figuring out how to explain all the ways you have helped companies youve worked for stay in the black or expand. Or how you helped improve the office somehow. Companies like that.The simpler the resume, the more likely the interview.Click on the following link for more resume advice.Catch any recruiters eye with a professionally written resume. Learn more.Recommended ReadingHeres the Right Way to Format Your ResumeHow to Avoid the Resume Black HoleWant to Impress With Your Resume? Dont Do This

How a Workplace Mentoring Program Can Benefit your Company

How a Workplace Mentoring Program Can Benefit your CompanyHow a Workplace Mentoring Program Can Benefit your CompanyHow a Workplace Mentoring Program Can Benefit your Company DeZubeMillennials consistently say they want feedback, so it makes sense that starting a workplace untersttzung program can help you attract and retain them.When Deloitte recently surveyed Millennials, it found the ones that planned to stay with their employer more than five years were twice as likely to have a mentor (68 percent) than not (32 percent).At small or growing organizations, senior staff benefittoo, because mentoring develops coaching and management skills, points out Laura Kukulan Baker, an HR geschftliches miteinander partner at ClearCompany, who started a successful mentoring program for the Boston-based business transparency software firm.Ready to start a mentoring program in your workplace? Try these five strategies1. Decide what challenges the mentoring program will tackle.A business mentoring program can target any level of employees and a plethora of challenges, so it helps to focus on a few clear goals. Will the program help new employees understand the company culture? Improve retention rates? Develop middle managers leadership skills? Build stronger inter-generational relationships?Having goals makes it possible to measure the programs success, says Bill Sanders, principal and senior consultant for Roebling Strauss, Inc., and mentor-in-residence at Wearable IoT World Labs, a startup accelerator in San Francisco.For a program targeting employee retention, you could look at before-and-after retention rates of employees who did mentoring. Or, you could measure employee satisfaction, engagement or promotion rates.2. Keep it simple.A mentoring program needs leadership, whether its one rolle or an advisory board. Your timeframe depends on how big the program is and how many people you want to participate. The bulk of the work occurs upfront to get it running, says Lori K. Long, a business management professor at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio and consultant to organizations starting mentoring programs.A mentoring program doesnt have to be complicated, says Lars Sudmann, a former chief financial officer of Procter Gamble Belgium, and current executive coach with Sudmann Company BVBA. Often individuals in charge of setting up a mentoring program do so in a highly elaborate fashion, even sometimes with software solutions or huge manifestos. Not only is this costly, it is, in my experience, also counterproductive, he says.Remember that the most effective mentoring happens at a personal level.. Have one person in your growing company map and match eignung mentees and mentors, then initiate the mentoring relationship.3. Show you value mentoring by evaluating and rewarding mentors.Its great to mentor for altruistic reasons, but people in a growing business do a lot and mentoring is extra work. To show you value mentors, include their efforts as part of their annual wertzuwachs review and find ways to reward them via recognition throughout the year.The mentor needs to know whats in it for them, whether its part of their performance appraisal or a reward is offered, says University of Indianapolisassistant professor Terry Schindler, who himself mentors new faculty.4. Have mentees manage the relationship, but give them an assist.Mentorship programs often fade away after a few months. One reason that I heard often from mentees My mentor never contacted me, Sudmann says. Well, of course not, thats not the role of a mentor. It should be crystal clear for mentees that they are in charge of the process in charge of setting up meetings, in charge of putting questions together, etc. That clarity often helps keeping it alive.Often neither mentees nor mentors know what to discuss in a mentor/mentee meeting, so both find it awkward at times. Give them each a one-page overview (no big manuals) with potential questions they can discuss, such as career topics for the protg and areas of support for the mentor.5. There are lots of ways to get what you want, so consider alternative mentoring options.Millennials are online more, and maybe your mentorship should be, too. If needed, consider using external mentors, who can match employees with mentors. Find them through your industrys trade associations, local business groups or mentor-matching websites like FindAMentor.com or Micromentor.org. While youre looking, get yourself a mentor through SCORE.

5 Books That Can Set Your Career on Fire

5 Books That Can Set Your Career on Fire5 Books That Can Set Your Career on FireWe all want expert advice, but few of us can afford to pay the experts for their opinion. Fortunately for us, they write books. Heres a look at five must-read career books you can pick up at the bookstore, library or on your eReader to advance your career.For Introverts or Managers of Introverts Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking by Susan CainIt may not be in their nature for introverts to loudly celebrate the release of this book, but they should. For anyone struggling to promote themselves on the job or on social media, Susan Cains book will provide much-needed encouragement and validation for the value of people who need alone time in order to recharge their creative batteries. This is also a great book to read for management or leadership initiatives that wish to acknowledge and support introverts in the workplace.For the Aspiring CEOLeaders Eat Last Why Some Teams Pull To gether and Others Dont by Simon SinekOfficers eat last, is the meaningful quote that inspires this book of advice for aspiring CEOs and leaders in the business world. The phrase comes from a conversation between bestselling author Simon Sinek and a Marine Corps general that led Sinek to reflect on the difference between successful and unsuccessful leadership in the many companies with whom he consults.This book shares great insight into how a person can develop leadership potential and come to understand how a leaders decisions and spirit influence the performance, motivation and trust of employees within a company.For the Entrepreneurial Creative Creativity, Inc. Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull and Amy WallaceAnyone wondering what it would be like to be on the team that crafted some of the most successful and creative movies in history will love this book my Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace.While it focuses on how things work at Pixar Animation Studios, this business memoir also offers executive-level insight into how the worlds of business and creativity collide from managing creative staff members to managing the managers of those employees and beyond. As a bonus, youll also get a glimpse into the day-to-day stories and anecdotes behind Pixars award-winning films and creative projects with George Lucas and Steve Jobs.For Career Changers Reinventing You Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future by Diane ClarkYou can do anything you put your mind to might feel like hackneyed advice, but youll believe it wholeheartedly after reading Diane Clarks book on career reinvention and branding.This business book offers practical advice for getting started, starting over or changing direction within your career with a focus on personal branding and marketing tactics you can apply to the job hunt. In particular, Clarks advice on rebranding and storytelling within the context of a career will help you explain your career in cove r letters and set you at ease during interviews, not to mention position your unique experience to make a valuable contribution in your new job.For the Feisty Millennial GIRLBOSS by Sophia AmorusoFeisty millennials and creative entrepreneurs of all ages looking for an example of unorthodox success in the business world need look no further than Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso. This business-focused autobiography gives readers a peek into what its like to go from a boring, passionless day job to running a successful private company, with frank and candid stories of life before and after success included throughout.While this book wont offer clear business or career advice for repeating her success, it can give readers a powerful hit of motivation and encouragement for developing their own quirky ventures.Its hard to choose just five influential career books for this list. Can you help us expand this list by commenting with your favorite career book of 2014?

Why Everybody Is Talking About Resume Trends 2017...The Simple Truth Revealed

Why Everybody Is Talking About Resume Trends 2017...The Simple Truth Revealed Resume Trends 2017 the Ultimate Convenience You may change almost every facet of your preferred template. When you have written and organized your information according to the sort of resume youve chosen, make certain to format it according to typical professional standards. If youre asking for work in publishing, think about using a traditional font. However much or what kind of work experience youve got, theres a resume format that is likely to make your qualifications shine. The health care industry can be quite competitive. It is imperative to continue being knowledgeable concerning the current resume writing trends since the work market is growing more and more competitive. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact skills. Getting creative leid only is critical to stick out from the competition, additionally, it offers you a plus if youre pursui ng work with an innovative firm. Selecting a Resume Writer with Resume Completer is going to be the best decisions that can be made for your career. Therefore, if youre a bartender searching for a better job, a Bartender Blank Resume Template can help you a whole lot. You may also download absolutely free templates from our Resume Library to get going on your best resume. Project Manager Blank Resume Templates do notlage will need to appear stylish but they have to appear professional. The Resume Trends 2017 Cover Up HR reps and recruiters are reviewing social networking pages to have a better comprehension of the candidates character. As you write your resume, try to remember that employers are searching for individuals with transferable skills. Soft Skills Employers are searching for candidates that are beneficial fits to their company culture in addition to having the skills to do the job. Within seconds, hiring managers will establish if your executive resume is well wor th another glance. Many employers cross-reference your resume to your on-line presence. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Youll need various versions of your resume for each and every position you apply even in the event the job that you apply for is the very same, but the employers are different. Hence, theres no worry regarding availability. Theres a genuine need to shorten the duration of your resume. In your case, it may be an infographic resume, which youre going to create employing some well-known tools. Over 7,235 job seekers have already found our service will help get the work irrespective of any difficulties youre facing in your search for employment. It is possible to use our resume building software to produce your own from scratch. Creativity is important in many kinds of careers, but its not wise in creating ones resume. Resumunks resume templates incorporate free resume layouts in addition to 17 pre mium templates offered for a yearly subscription of $19. If you are interested in an instance of excellent messaging in a resume, take a look at the digital advertising executive resume sample among our absolutely free downloadable resume templates. The New Angle On Resume Trends 2017 Just Released The incorrect hire can send things spinning, while the best one can totally transform their small business. As an issue of fact, employers are extremely wise. There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. Resume Trends 2017 - the Story Include GPA if its over 3.0. Career experts advise that you customize your resume for each job, especially at the start of your resume. A Career Overview should supply the reader with a fast preview of what he or shell see in your resume. Resume writing can appear intimidating, particularly if youve never done it before. Resume Trends 2017 Can Be Fun for Everyone As an example, regulatory professionals typically understand how t o deal with investigational new drug applications with the FDA, and CPAs usually understand how to deal with certain bookkeeping computer software. You have to organize your resume to aid agencies evaluate your experience. If youre in an industry for at least 10 decades, you can look at a two-page resume. Accounting and finance managers are going to want to see your technical understanding. Simply take the opportunity to analyze the pieces of your military occupation which you really liked and the parts you really disliked. There are lots of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Regardless of the sort of resume you opt for, aim to tailor your resume to the job that you are applying to. The goal of the section is to provide the man reading your resume a fast snapshot of what youve got to offer so they place you in the brief list pile. All About Resume Trends 2017 It is normal for organizations to receive over 300 resumes for a work opening. P ossessing a strong resume will permit you find numerous great jobs. Transportation jobs involve a great deal of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Hiring agencies will search for particular terms in your resume to make certain you have the experience theyre seeking. What to Expect From Resume Trends 2017? If youve already built your resume, its highly recommended to update it. Federal jobs often need you to have experience in a special type of work for some period of time. The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. 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Why Your Company Should Consider Working With an Outside Recruiter - Spark Hire

Why Your Company Should Consider Working With an Outside Recruiter - Spark HireFor companies with a well-developed HR department, it may seem strange or unnecessary to tap an outside recruiter for helping bringing new talent onboard. However, many business professionals are surprised to find that working with a recruiter can actually make their lives a lot easier when it comes to talent acquisition. Heres whyThey give you credibility An outside recruiter can help to bolster the credibility of your brand. Some job seekers are hesitant to trust a representative from a businesss HR department, but an outside recruiter helps to verify to this potenzial employee that the efforts are legitimate. An outside recruiter may appear more objective, and candidates often feel as if this individual has their best interests in mind in a way that someone within that company would not.They cut down on the time you have to spend recruiting Recruiters spend all day finding top-tier talent. While you mig ht like to be able to do this, chances are that youre too busy with other tasks. When you want to find top-notch talent, leave it to an outside recruiter. Theyll tap into their deep network of contacts in order to find the very best person for the job. This saves you time, effort, and often frustration as you weed through resumes.They give other staff members a break Even if you have people currently on staff who might have time to do some recruiting, its always wise to give them a break from time to time. Good recruiting work is time intensive and often exhausting, and can leave a staff member feeling burnt out. An outside recruiter knows how to get through the process quickly and efficiently, providing assistance to staff members who may already be overworked.They know whats going on in the industry While youre probably well aware of developments within your industry, you may not be totally up on how these changes are shaping the candidates youll interview for an open position. An outside recruiter gets out in the field every day, and gets to know exactly what kinds of candidates are available. They have a handglied on the pulse, so to speak, and they can use it to benefit your company.While working with an outside agency can prove tremendously useful for your business, before you dive in, take the time to do the research necessary to ensure success. Dont just Google recruiters and go with the first one you see. Make sure to verify that the recruiter can thoroughly meet your needs, and understands your vision prior to partnering with them.Has your company worked with an outside recruiter in the past? Tell us in the comments