Why Legislating Resume Writing Is Wrong

Why Legislating Resume Writing Is Wrong By Jacqui Barrett-PoindexterWhile I write resumes for a living, I realize (and prefer) that it isnt my way or the highway. How bland of a career marketing world would it be if every resume was written by some formulaic approach?Unfortunately, though, myriad people seem to want to legislate resume writing into a tiny pigeonhole.As well, many social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google Plus) conversations center on Dos and Donts for resume writing, as if there really were such finite rules. While best practices exist, and I do recommend that people resist the urge to send your resume over the top, I find it disconcerting aggravating, really when experts get all bound up in tactical aspects of the resume design and content of such a critically creative career story.Does Size Really Matter? When you think of a good story, whether it be a short story, a novel or a full-length movie, you dont get all wound up in rules. For example, some novels are fewer than 200 pages long; others, more than 1,000 pages. Depending upon the story and the reader, either length works. War and Peace was 1,440 pages, for example. Each of the 587,000 words contributed to build needed momentum and create rich context. They were necessary to feed the reader.Will Graphics Send Your Resume Straight to the Trash Bin? As well, illustrations such as a financial chart showing year-over-year climbing sales and profits or a table exemplifying business building, customer service improvement or productivity enhancement initiatives at various companies within which you have worked can add oomph and interest to an otherwise black/white presentation. Moreover, splashes of dark blue, or red or green or even orange can paint a more vivid picture of your career value.Are You Gripped By Fear of Rejection? What grips most folks who stare resume rules straight in the face is fear that they will get rejected if they dont follow a formula. They are paralyzed by stories of rigid applicant tr acking systems and recruiters who will remove their resume from the toppling pile if they dont cross a t perfectly or if they extend the resume five sentences beyond a certain length.The thing is, many of the formula espousers are simply people with the largest megaphones and/or audiences; they dont necessarily represent the majority of how people looking at resumes think and feel. In fact, job candidates who cater to such fears, in my experience, actually lessen the resume impact and reduce the number of interview opportunities feeding their fears actually can make the worst-case fears come true.Quit Catering  Just To Recruiters. While recruiters may, as a rule of thumb, prefer a plainer, bulleted and shorter (i.e., no more than 2 pages) resume format and approach, you mustnt forget that recruiters are not the only people with whom you should circulate your resume. In fact, some statistics declare that recruiters account for (much) less than 1% of all hiring. If you will heavily be targeting recruiters in your search, then strip down your beefier and more colorful resume to fit their needs, constructing a second version just for them. Often, this is a matter of trimming and taming your more robust message. Call that your recruiter resume.Beyond the Self-Imposed Boundaries. Then, take your story-board resume beyond corporate databases and recruiters and netweave it into the hands of someone else a hiring decision maker, an influencer, a friend of a hiring decision maker, a supervisor, a business owner, the president of the company, the marketing vice presidentyou get what Im saying!Ultimately, the Best Resumes are Focused and Compelling. They grab the reader and resonate with the hiring companys needs. Often, a meatier resume, with its contextual story detail, can serve to more effectively transport the candidate (and the people reading his story) through the job search and interviewing process that often consists of multiple telephone, Skype and in-person interviews. A storied resume becomes a verifiable value-add in the process. It also can make the difference in keeping the candidate on the short-list versus being sacked.So, Stop Getting Hung Up by Popular, Regulating Articles and Social Media Threads. They center on rules of resume length and whether to use bullets or paragraphs, whether to use a dollop of color or whether to curtail that compelling chart.Instead, Relax a Bit, and Think:  Marketing and Sales. Many people who review resumes dont know what they dont know. In other words, court them with convincing content and a creative look that garners their attention, and you might be surprised how your responses multiply and your next job offer sails into your virtual mailbox!

Illustrator Resume - How to Present Your Artistic Skills Effectively

Illustrator Resume - How to Present Your Artistic Skills EffectivelyIf you are looking for an illustrator resume that will help you in getting a job, then you have come to the right place. An illustrator is a person who creates 3D designs using a computer program. An illustrator needs to have excellent technical knowledge and skills to create impressive illustrations. But you need to be able to portray your technical expertise to the hiring officer.To display your graphic design skill, you should show the hiring officer that you are a gifted artist. You can do this by having various portfolios of your works. A portfolio includes details about your work as well as a brief description of your work so that they can easily assess your talent. For example, if you created a calendar cover for a company, you should provide a formal portfolio.An illustrator will need to be creative and innovative. This is why a design firm will hire you to create designs that are eye-catching. They will be a ble to tell whether your designs will really work with the rest of the organization's look. An illustration that complements with other brands will surely get you noticed. If you can present an amazing illustration to the hiring officer, then they will definitely want to hire you.In order to attract the attention of the hiring officer, you should also mention your career objectives. Include your interest and skills in your illustration work. By presenting these details in your resume, it will help to make you stand out from the crowd.Key phrases and key words will greatly help to promote your works. There are online services that can create key phrases for you for free. If you want to make sure that you include these key phrases on your illustration resume, then you can pay them for the service.Graphic artists are very flexible in their work. It will be beneficial for you to showcase your range of art forms in your illustration resume. You can have portfolio samples of your works to show. Include the names of the companies where you have collaborated with and showcase what your work can do for these companies.Another important point to include in your illustration resume is your availability. When your potential employer will be busy with other work, you should have more time to finish the work by your deadline. If you can clearly illustrate your availability in your resume, it will surely help you get a job.The web is a great source for freelance jobs. There are many companies that are looking for freelance artists for their projects. Make sure that you give your portfolio to them so that they can have an idea of your portfolio works. It will help to promote your artistic talents so that you can get a job.

5 Ways the Internet of Things Can Amp Up Your Career Game

5 Ways the Internet of Things Can Amp Up Your Career Game Millennials grew up navigating computers, and many can’t remember a time before cellphones were ubiquitous. Today, millennials are the early adopters of the Internet of Things (IoT), the ever-growing network of Web-connected devices that make our lives easier by allowing the products we use to store data, learn patterns, automate tasks, and communicate with each other and with us. By leveraging this technology, you can gain a huge advantage in the workplace. 1. Analyze data and offer metrics to wow your boss. The IoT gives us access to more data than ever before. Whether you’re in IT, sales and marketing, or operations, look for software or apps that allow you to harness the IoT to gather significant data, spot trends, and offer actionable insights that can help reduce company costs or increase profits. 2. Plan meetings like a pro. Never waste time wandering around looking for an available conference room. Robin, a software layer that connects to your smartphone, lets you know which rooms are occupied and which are free. Once you find and claim a meeting location, the system allows you to adjust lighting, shades, and thermostat settings for maximum comfort and productivity, all through your iPad. Your iPad also becomes command central so you can operate projectors, sources, and more. 3. Make your cubicle cozier. The Internet of Things can help you find your inner Zen at work, which can make you a better employee. Add a desk lamp that uses a smart lightbulb to change colors depending on your mood or the time of day. Keeping a plant at your desk can reduce stress and increase productivity, but keeping the plant alive can be tricky for those of us born without a green thumb. The Parrot Flower Power Bluetooth smart plant sensor texts you when the plant needs water, fertilizer, or sunlight so you don’t have to worry. 4. Stay healthier for improved productivity. Activity-tracking devices like the FitBit encourage you to take short, active breaks throughout the day â€" which can increase productivity. Wear yours to work and set it to remind you to get up and move every 20 minutes or so. With your activity tracker on your wrist, you’ll have added incentive to take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk across the room to your co-worker’s cubicle instead of sending an email. Additionally, employees who exercise more are 15 percent more likely to have higher job performance and take 27 percent fewer sick days. Your employer would be hard-pressed to find a better ROI. 5. Achieve a smarter work/life balance. With a video doorbell, you can see who’s at your house even if you’re at the office. Open the door remotely using the app for your smart lock, giving access to contractors, neighbors, or delivery people. And if you work late hours and are tired of grabbing fast food on the way home, set your IoT-connected CrockPot up with your favorite recipe in the morning. If you find yourself stuck in a meeting and at risk of burning dinner, just use the smartphone app to set the CrockPot from “medium” to “keep warm.” Small conveniences like this, provided by IoT, allow you to relax and focus on your work â€" and then go home to enjoy your evening â€" so you can rock your career and maintain your sanity at the same time.

Does it work to mix work and dating

Does it work to mix work and dating I met D at a party. I was there with Ryan Paugh and a few bloggers from the Brazen Careerist network, and because it was SXSW and it was all parties all the time, I was pretty partied out. But the party was for Kirtsy, and I love the women who run Kirtsy, so I went. Also, Holly Hoffman wanted to meet Guy Kawasaki. And really, its not like Im his best friend, but because I know him, I could say to Holly, Oh, Ill introduce you. And I did that. And Holly was thank-you-thank-you, even though Guy is so nice that you can just walk up to him and introduce yourself and hell be nice. To everyone. And Im standing there with a bunch of 25 year olds, because Im always hanging out with 25 year olds because thats basically my jobI work with them and my business is for them. But I was not with THE 25 year old because the night before, I woke up to him peeing on the carpet in my hotel room. When I asked what he was doing, he said, Oh, sorry and then he went back to bed. So I woke him up. And yelled at him. He said he was drunk. He went back to sleep. I woke him up. I said, I told you you had to go down on me and you didnt. You asked a woman out after she wrote a whole blog post about oral sex and you dont even do oral sex. Im pissed. He says, I was too tired. Too tired for ten times? Weve had sex ten times. The night deteriorated and I told him to leave the next morning, by 8am. He says, Can you wake me at 7:30? And I say, No, Im not your mother. So at the party, that night, I was surrounded by 25 year olds, but not that 25 year old, and you can imagine that I was really happy when someone my own age came up to me. But I really couldnt tell why he was coming up to me. I have said before that I think I have Asperger Syndrome, and I think its full blown when it comes to dating. So I have to be direct. So when this guy who is clearly in my age bracket comes up to me and says, Hi, I like your blog, I ask, Are you trying to date me? I know this is not normal. But I had been to a million parties and I had had a glass of wine, and I just wanted to sort people quickly. He thought for a minute and then he said, Yes. Great, right? He showed me that he can cope with my weirdness and still come out okay. So we hung out talked for a while, and then I realized my phone was dead. And the night was early and I needed to text people and so I wanted to go back to my hotel room to get my charger. The guy said hed walk there with me. I tell Ryan Paugh because I think maybe Im missing something. Ryan says, He thinks youre having sex with him. What? Yeah. You cant take a guy to your hotel room and not have sex. Oh. Wait. But I told him I need my charger. No. Okay. Okay. So I tell the guy, No. Then I walk him over to his friends, who are at the same party, and I tell them our date is over: Im getting my charger and he cant come with me because I dont want to have sex with him. His friends laugh. I think this is a good sign. So the next night we have a date. It is very low pressure because he is from a state that is far away and does not have a direct flight from Madison. And he is not a gazillionaire, so he is not going to buy a house for us to share in Chicago when we meet at OHare. So: No future. I tell him, Be careful of that wet spot on the floor. And then we have a one-night stand. At least I think it is going to be a one-night stand. But then in bed, I can tell that hes not thinking one-night stand because he does sweet things that guys never do to me, like stroke my hair. I do that with my kids. And then things deteriorate quickly. Well, for three weeks, things are good. I like him and I call him. And I see him again. Then things get bad because he twitters about me. And I think, I do not want the world to know Im dating him because maybe I dont want to be dating him. And he tells me Im out of my mind that Im worried about who is twittering about me. He says something, which I will summarize as: Get a life. So I am not with him. Because you cant be with someone who thinks youre out of your mind. And Im not with the 25 year old, who, by the way, is also twittering about me, in an odd sort of way. So Im thinking the lesson here is that if work and sex are mixing then its a sign the dating isnt working. But really, there must be a ton of people who think sex and work overlap because, look, my blog has 33,000 subscribers. So maybe the lesson is I shouldnt date people I meet through my blog. But then I think, who have I met not through my blog in the last two years? And maybe the answer is no one.

Resume Writing Services For The Best Results

Resume Writing Services For The Best ResultsIf you are looking for resume writing services, then you should look for one that can do what you need it to do. You can choose to be trained or you can do the work yourself. There are many people who have found a way to do a good job with the writing of their resume without having to hire a company.Be aware that there are many companies that offer services that are not worth your time. So, you want to get information about what is included in the packages they give you to do your resume writing. You may find out that they will include sample resumes that you can use for free. But, if you are going to pay for this, then you should make sure that you are going to get all the information you need before you pay.Certain information is usually included. Usually, these include information about your education, the experience that you have, your contact information, your contacts, and the training that you have had. In addition, they may also inc lude some samples to help you put together a good resume.Experience, education, and training are things that you want to see listed first on your resume. Then, if you want, you can move your information to the very top of the resume. You want to be able to put all of the information you want it listed in chronological order.In addition, you may want to get more information about how the company you are dealing with will be sending your resume and also what physical address you should use for sending them. They may charge for shipping, but most companies that do this will do it for free. This is something you should definitely consider when you are choosing a company to write your resume for you.When you are working with resume writing services, you will need to spend some time figuring out how to use their services. You will need to ask them questions to get a better understanding of how they can help you write your resume. Be sure to let them know what kind of questions you have so that they can answer them for you.If you choose to do this work yourself, you can usually find the information that you need to get started on your own resume. The important thing is to make sure that you get all of the information. You want to make sure that you are getting all of the information that you need. You want to know that you are getting the information that you want before you pay for anything.Resume writing services can help you get a good idea of what you should be doing and what you can do for yourself. It is important to use these services. The good news is that you can make sure that you get everything that you need and then decide whether or not you want to work with the services or not.

9 Tips On Maximizing Productivity - CareerMetis.com

9 Tips On Maximizing Productivity In today’s fast-paced business culture, losing focus is almost becoming an epidemic. With constant email updates and smartphones going off left and right, it feels like our attention spans are dwindling. But creating more workplace focus is key to maximizing efficiency â€" whether for yourself or your team.Better efficiency is not just developed overnight, however. It’s a product of good habits sustained over time. Here are nine ways to work more efficiently.1. Keep an Orderly WorkspaceevalevalA cluttered or overly full work area can massively denigrate efficient work. This is because it’s nigh on impossible to focus on a task when you’ve surrounded yourself by distractions. Try only to keep things on hand that you regularly use, and store anything else out of sight. Have a system, so things are easy to find â€" searching for a specific item will waste a lot of time, and this time adds up.It’s also a good idea to maintain a well-stocked workplace. Keep a surplus of your mos t used items, depending on what tools you regularly use to do your job. For example, if you staple a lot of things, make sure you have spare staples. It may seem facetious, but running out of something essential can cause a surprisingly big hold up â€" especially when you consider that these types of issues are so avoidable.2. And an Orderly Virtual SpaceIn a similar vein, getting your non-physical work in order is entirely essential to efficiency. Your inbox, for example, should be in a state of the relative organization. Trying to reach “inbox zero” at least once a day is a good trick to keep on top of it. You can even organize read mail into categories, meaning certain messages can be found easily when needed. A messy computer desktop can also pose a huge problem. Try to reduce to around 20 icons â€" any more, and things can quickly descend into chaos.3. Lists and SchedulesKeeping a to-do list and calendar in one place makes organizing your work so much easier. Setting time f or each task allows you to fully focus on it, without your mind wandering or flitting between different things you “should” be doing. It’s far better to work on one thing at a time, for a set amount of time, rather than trying to do everything at once.4. Minimize DistractionsWe’re all guilty of getting a notification on our phones and taking it as an excuse to have a break from work. Moving your phone out of sight and checking it only at set intervals will help break this bad habit. Many of us can also easily waste time on recreational sites. If you can’t seem to resist them, you can download web extensions which block them for set intervals of time. Try to find out what most likely to distract you. It is a personal thing â€" we’re all different. For example, some people find working in silence more distracting than a bit of background noise. Once you know what your Achilles heel is, you can take steps to overcome it.5. Take Effective BreaksevalWhen you’re super busy, it can be tempting to set yourself unrealistic goals. Working through lunch, staying late, or not stopping until the task is complete may sound great in theory â€" but in practice, they can adversely affect efficiency. Breaks are an essential part of work. However, it’s vital that they are not opportunities you let go to waste. Firstly, they must be at set times, and taking unscheduled breaks should be eliminated. And secondly, you must use your breaks in a way which supports efficiency. For example, if you can’t stop thinking about a particular article to read or friend you want to message, get that done during your break. You can then return to work feeling unburdened and refreshed.6. Manage and DelegateOne of the hardest things about starting a new project is merely getting going. Looking at the bigger picture an make the entire task seem insurmountable. This can lead to false starts, delays, and time wasting.evalA meaningful way to avoid this is by breaking down a job into s maller steps. Taking one more manageable piece at a time will mean a speedier finish. It’s also crucial to recognize the importance of delegation.If there’s an aspect of a project that will take you ages, and you know you have a co-worker who could manage it in minutes, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Playing to everyone’s strengths is an essential facet of workplace efficiency.7. Avoid Unnecessary MeetingsIf you’re short on time, meetings can be a sponge that sucks up workplace efficiency. While they have a time or a place, meetings are often a highly inefficient way or getting things done. Before you call one, ask yourself honestly if the matter could find resolution another way. Rather than having many shorter meetings, try to have sessions where you tackle a few line items at once. Meetings should have a schedule with specific points to hit, and, vitally, this schedule must be consistent. Excellent communication throughout an office can minimize the need for an abunda nce of time-consuming meetings.8. Make Your Lifestyle Support EfficiencyIf you want to work your best, it’s important to feel your best. Eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising are all critical facets of a valid work strategy. If you’ve tried, sluggish or mentally drained, you won’t be able to work to the best of your ability, no matter how hard you try. Living a healthier lifestyle not only has a myriad of physical and mental benefits â€" it will help with your work efficiency, too.9. Boost EnjoymentevalFind ways to make work more enjoyable that don’t hinder productivity. For example, listen to some music â€" instrumental tunes are particularly suitable for those who may be distracted by lyrics. Get comfortable in your workplace, with a supportive chair or some pillows. If you’re happy while you’re working, you’ll be less inclined to rely on breaks, and thus your efficiency can be boosted.

Turtles all the way down - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Turtles all the way down - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Here one of my favourite stories: A well-known scientist (some say it was Bertrand Russell) once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the Earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the centre of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy. At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise. The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, What is the tortoise standing on? Youre very clever, young man, very clever, said the old lady. But its turtles all the way down. Heres the story of the story at Wikipedia. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Book signing event is on Tuesday! - Hallie Crawford

Book signing event is on Tuesday! Is the bad economy keeping you awake at night? Theres no doubt about it the world is a scary place right now. And for many of us, what is especially unnerving is the way the unemployment rate continues to rise. If you are one of those fearful of losing your job or if you have already joined the unemployment line, my book signing on Tuesday is a must-attend event. My new book, Flying Solo: Career Transition Tips for Singles, is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the best ways to find a new job in this economy, to switch to a new field of interest, start their own business, find the courage to leave an unfulfilling job, or make their career transition as smooth as possible. I will provide practical and proven tips and tools for your career search as well as autograph copies of my book. Listen to my audio intro for this event that includes a FREE career tip here. Location: Indie Bookstore / 340 W Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30030 Date: March 24th from 6-8pm Phone: (404) 378-7110 Id love to meet you. And be sure to tell your friends and family about this event! See you there ?? Certified Career Coach Bring Hallie to your next event! Hallie is a compelling, humorous and passionate speaker. Contact us to find out how you can invite her to speak at your next association, club or networking meeting.