4 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your Resume

4 Simple Ways to Strengthen Your ResumeWriting a strong resume is an important piece of the job-seeking puzzle. Its difficult for hiring managers to take you seriously enough to call you in for an interview if they feel your resume doesnt clearly communicate the message that youre the right person for the job.The good news is its not difficult to write a resume that will make a lasting impression. By making a few adjustments, youll successfully turn a weak resume into one hiring managers cant resist.1. Know Your AudienceBefore you begin writing your resume, you should know the audience youre targeting. If youve written resumes for employers in the past and have only jotted down the bits and pieces of your job history that you remember, youre missing the mark.Employers want to know that youve designed your resume to show them you have specific qualifications that match those theyre looking for in the position for which theyre advertising. This means, its up to you to closely look over the job posting, determine exactly what the company is looking for, then add details about your professional career that prove you have the skills to get the job done.2. Strengthen the Top Third Many job seekers dont realize that the top one-third of their resume is the portion all employers read firstand is sometimes the only portion they read if they feel the information is subpar. To avoid having your resume tossed before the employer has a chance to get to the good stuff, be koranvers to add that good stuff to the top-third portion.A couple of ways to get this done is by adding a branding statement in place of the traditional objective statement, then adding a career summary (bullet-point list) underneath to highlight what makes you greatright in the first section of the resume.3. Add Affiliations, Awards, and HonorsA great way to reel in a hiring manager is to list your affiliations, especially if they relate closely to your field and the position youre applying for. Employers are always looking for candidates who bring new knowledge to the tableand showing you belong to a field-specific organization is just the knowledge theyd like.Also, take time to add your awards and honors to show youve been recognized in your field. If you have none that are field-specific but are still professional and showcase dedication and commitment, include them anyway.4. Shorten Paragraphs and Add Bullet PointsWhen writing job descriptions, you want to avoid paragraphs longer than five lines since they make your copy dense and difficult to read. Keep your paragraphs short by summarizing redundant statements and highlighting accomplishments in a concise manner. And when lists are appropriate, create bullet points to increase white space in your document.Its not easy to tell if youre creating a resume that is strong enough to get you called in for an interview. But by taking the steps above, you get yourself that much closer to fulfilling this goal.Its important to remember to brand your resume before applying to each new position for more information on branding check out my recent article 5 Key Areas to Target When Branding Your Resume. You can also get additional job search and career related advice by checking out our blog or following us on Twitter GreatResume.

How to Stay Focused at Work During the Busy Holiday Season

How to Stay Focused at Work During the Busy Holiday Season How to Stay Focused at Work During the HolidaysStaying focused at work during the holidays can get difficu look, jingle bellsgeschftszimmer parties, shopping for relatives, hosting events at home, planning travel arrangements the holidays bring about an abundance of activities and keeping track of everything can be difficult. Staying focused at work while youre juggling all of these responsibilities? Youd have better luck wrapping gifts with your eyes closed.Holiday stress can often lead to distractions at work and loss of productivity. For one thing, many employees try to cram their personal holiday tasks into their workday schedule. On top of that, the holiday season is one of the biggest vacation times of the year for managers and C-level executives. Typical oversight and supervision are limited, often making it difficult for employees to stay motivated and maintain a high level of productivity.If you find your motivation slipping away or youre having trouble keeping your head in the game, these simple ways to stay focused at work should help you get back on track.Leave your personal responsibilities at home.The fruchtwein distracting element during the season is your personal holiday errands, so dont bring them to work. Lets be real no one can completely focus on two important areas at once. Eventually one or the other will suffer, affecting your work productivity. To use your time most efficiently, you have to separate the two areas. Instead of using company time to plan personal events, consider taking a PTO day or two to wholeheartedly tackle your holiday preparations.Try to avoid multitasking.Yes, it is true that professionals need to be able to work on several projects at once, but in the same vein as separating your professional and personals tasks, you have to choose which projects are multitask-friendly. Its never worth trying to cram two or three projects into one workday. You may think t his saves time for holiday planning, but in the end, rushing through work only increases the likelihood that youll make a mistake. If that happens and you have to redo the work, youll ultimately waste more time. So if you have major projects coming up, tackle them one by one for maximum productivity.Organize your tasks.Before the holiday rush begins and youre desperate for ways to stay focused at work, sit down with a pen and paper, draw two columns, and outline the things you have to accomplish. Next, take those ideas and schedule a few items for each day. Having a comprehensive list of tasks will help put your mind at ease, and breaking up your to-do list into small pieces will make it more manageable. Nothing looks as bad on paper as in your mind.Start each day fresh and with a clear mind.Stress builds up rather fast, so dont drag baggage from one day to the next. Each night, mark off your completed activities and take time to breathe enjoy the satisfaction that comes with compl eting your goals. The following morning, think about your plans for the day. Instead of worrying about the days to come, focus on the immediate tasks at hand. Taking things one day at a time reduces anxiety and stress, and that will ultimately help you stay focused.Related Holiday Overload Steps for Balancing Work and LifeLimit your distractions.How many times have you caught yourself looking out the window, daydreaming about an upcoming holiday party? Or maybe you get sidetracked by trying to figure out how to both meet your Wednesday deadline and make it to your sons winter concert. We all face distractions in the arbeitszimmer, especially when the stress of the holidays comes around, but one of the easiest ways to stay focused at work is to limit them.Remove anything from your work area that has distracted you in the past. Whether its a photo of your children that lets your mind drift to old memories or the fidget spinner that you play with just a little too much, put those items away in your desk during the holiday season and save them for January. Do you spend too much time responding to emails? Block off a specific time each day to open up your email and check your inbox. If youre concerned about missing an email from your babo or important clients, set up desktop alerts for those people.Ask your family and friends to respect your working hours.Another way to stay focused at work is to keep your workday free from personal calls, texts, and emails. Co-workers understand this our professional friends get it. However, familymembers tend to have more difficulty seeing the boundaries, children and parents in particular. And because of the planning and gifts that need to be discussed, the number of calls and texts tends to increase during the holidays.Put your phone in a desk drawer and leave it there until after work. Ask your loved ones to not call or text you during working hours. Explain to them that it distracts from your work, sends the wrong message to co-workers, and hurts your professional image. Ask them to call your office if there is an emergency. Of course, this doesnt mean you dont love them it means you must set professional boundaries so you can ensure your productivity.Unplug from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram during your office hours as well. Social media and texting are two of the largest distractions to employees, and many companies have even instituted rules around social media usage while at work. Even if your company hasnt taken those measures, resist the urge to log in to social media at work if it isnt a job requirement save your posts, tweets, likes, follows, etc. for home or your commute. If you must use social media as part of your work, set aside time each day to update feeds and reply to comments so you can ignore it while doing the rest of your work.Take care of yourself in mind and body.Exercising is a great way to clear your mind, helping to limit distractions while youre at work. If your holiday res ponsibilities are keeping you away from the gym, you can still find ways to be active in your daily routine Take a walk around the office building or have lunch in the park. Park your car further from the door and use the stairs instead of the elevator. Test out the standing desk at the office. Look for any opportunity to get on your feet and move around.Dont forget to take care of your mind as well. Consider meditation or yoga. These activities are great tools to help reduce stress and keep you focused. Dont stay up until the wee hours of the morning try to force yourself to get at least six hours of sleep every night, even if that means you wont finish wrapping gifts until the next day. Adequate sleep leaves you feeling more alert and re-energized in the morning, which will help you stay productive when you get into the office.Resist the urge to overcommit.Its a good thing to volunteer to take on new projects at work it shows initiative and flexibility. However, now may not be t he best time of year to overwhelm your schedule with extra work. Resist the urge to take on new tasks. Explain to your co-workers that youve committed a certain number of hours to work-related projects, and you need theremaining time to accomplish your holiday responsibilities. Apologize for not being able to help and offer to pick up the slack after the holidays. fruchtwein team members understand that the holidays are hectic and everyones schedule is a little overloaded, so hopefully, you can find a balance as a team and accomplish everything that needs to get done.Keep in mind that not overcommitting applies to holiday activities as well, whether theyre personal or organized by your company. Just like you may have to pass on taking on new tasks at work, its okay to decline an invitation to an extra holiday party or cookie exchange. The time youll gain can be used to tackle some of the responsibilities you already have or get some extra sleep, both of which will help you stay focu sed when you get to work the next morning.Click on the following link for more workplace advice.Get a free resume critique so you dont have to stress about your resume this holiday season.Recommended ReadingWhy the Holidays May Be the Best Time Time of Year to Look for a JobHow to Stay Motivated at WorkRules for Office Holiday GiftsRelated Articles

Law career fact sheet

Law career fact sheet Law career fact sheetPosted September 5, 2013, by Julia WattersLaw ResourcesLawyer sample resumeLawyer sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesSusan Sumars - Associate Lawyer & Pro Bono CoordinatorPandelis Tiliakos - BarristerInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerBusiness ManagerAccountantManagement ConsultantFinancial BrokerPopular Career Searchesbest online law degree australialaw degree online australiadegree in employment lawcriminal law courses onlinegovernment funded law courses onlineLaw CoursesBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire angeschlossen Enquire OnlineJuris DoctorEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMaster of LawsEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJulia WattersRelated ArticlesBrowse moreWORKFORCE TRENDSLegal eagles find ways of riding out the recessionLike other industries, the legal profession has been significantly affected by the global financial crisis.CAREER ADVICECAREER INSPIRATION6 Reasons Why You Should Study LawStudying law offers you the chan ce to develop a wide range of skills and explore different aspects of human life, businesses, and society. Here are a few more reasons why studying law in Australia is an excellent choice.CAREER INSPIRATIONFemale entrepreneursSandra Reynolds - Author and Blogger, The $120 Food ChallengeI am passionate about teaching people not so much how to cook but how to eat, how to plan a menu for the week, how to stock up their pantry, how to use seasonal produce.

6 Tips for an Effective Job Search

6 Tips for an Effective Job Search6 Tips for an Effective Job SearchLike vowing to lose weight or spend less money, landing a new job may sound like a great resolution for the new year. But reaching goals, and having an effective job search, involves more than just wishful thinking.Turn your words into action with these six tips on how to really get into job search mode and have an effective job search in 20171. Write out your goals.Vague ideas wont do. You need to create a no-nonsense, easy-to-follow document stating what you want and how you intend to go about getting it.Without specific steps, you will be floating without direction, and this is what causes people to get off track, notes career and life coach Deborah Brown-Volkman, president of Surpass Your Dreams, Inc. In addition, steps are an excellent way to measure how close you are to achieving your resolutions.2. Block out time.Serious job seekers devote serious time to the endeavor.Get out your calendar and schedule regular , uninterrupted periods during which to work on perfecting your resume, researching companies, talking to contacts, and sending off applications.3. Get networking.You know you want a new job, but does anyone else? Get the word out to people in your network. Cast a wide net- anyone could be a profil lead.Prioritize meeting new people by attending professional events, alumni gatherings, and the like. Connections still rank as a top way to land a job, and socializing sure beats spending all of your job search time behind a computer.4. Construct an awesome elevator pitch.Be ready to flip into go-getter mode at any second by having an elevator pitch down pat.An elevator pitch serves as an introduction and first impression, says Ryan Brechbill, director of the Center for Career Professional Development at Otterbein University in Ohio. It immediately signals to the listener the candidates level of self-awareness, confidence, and purpose.Aim for brevity, a natural delivery, and a welcoming approach. And definitely consider what listeners will find interesting or helpful.5. Update LinkedIn.Give all those great new people you meet a way to learn more about you by creating an attention-getting, thorough profile.Be sure to include a quality headshot to help them remember you and to provide an air of professionalism.6. Evaluate your motivation level.If putting these tasks into action provokes more dread than desire, you may not be ready to fulfill the resolution to find a new job.Perhaps you need to do some soul-searching first to discover the type of job that truly gets you excited. Or maybe youre actually pretty happy in your current position but could use some tweaks such as a flexible schedule to raise overall satisfaction.Pinpoint what factors are keeping you from conducting a passionate job hunt. When you find your answer, youll likely also find your ambition.Find a Flexible JobReaders, how do you get into job search mode and have an effective job search? Share some inspiration and tips below

10 mistakes youre making on your resume

10 mistakes youre making on your resume 10 mistakes youre making on your resume Chances are good that youre making a few of these common mistakes on your resume. How many are you guilty of?1. Relying on outdated sources of advice. Resume conventions have changed dramatically in the last 20 years. If youre reading a book that insists you use an objectiveon your resume or that you cant exceed one page, chances are good that youre reading something outdated (or listening to someone who hasnt hired recently).2. Including every job youve ever had, no matter how irrelevant or long ago. A resume isnt meant to be an exhaustive accounting of every job youve ever held. Its a marketing document designed to present you in the strongest, fruchtwein compelling light. That means you dont need to include every job youve ever had, or the part-time work you did on top of your regular job last year, or even your degree in an irrelevant field if you dont want to. You get to decide what you do and dont i nclude. The only rule is that you cant make things up.3. Listing only job duties, rather than accomplishments. Resumes that really stand out go beyond what your job description was and instead answer this question What did you accomplish in this job that someone else might not have?4. Including subjective descriptions. Your resume is for experience and accomplishments only. Its not the place for subjective traits, like great leadership skills or creative innovator. Hiring managers generally ignore anything subjective that an applicant writes about herself, because so many peoples self-assessments are wildly inaccurate theyre looking for facts.5. Leaving out volunteer work. Sometimes during the course of an interview, I discover someone has highly relevant experience they didnt include on their resume because it was volunteer work and they thought it didnt count. It counts Your accomplishments are your accomplishments, even if you did the work pro bono rather than for pay.6. Includin g inappropriate information. Information about your spouse or children, your height or weight, or your salary history doesnt belong on your resume. (And yes, people really do include these things.)7. Getting creative at the expense of clarity. If youre thinking of trying something creative with your resume, like unusual colors or a non-traditional design, make sure your desire to stand out isnt getting in the way of the whole point of resume design. Heres what most hiring managers want from a resume a concise, easy-to-scan list of what youve accomplished, organized chronologically by position, plus any particularly notable skills, all presented in a format that they can quickly scan and get the highlights. Thats it. Creativity, while a nice trait, doesnt trump those requirements, so make sure whatever format you use works in those ways.8. Having tiny inconsistencies. If you want to come across as someone who takes care in your work and is attentive to detail, pay attention to the sm all things Do you have periods after some bullet points but not after others? Do you use consistent verb tenses throughout? Do you randomly start using a different font or type size? These things seem nitpicky, but even small inconsistencies can jump out to an attentive reader.9. Sending your resume without a cover letter. If youre applying for jobs without including a compelling cover letter- customized to the specific opportunity- youre missing out on one of the most effective ways to bestattungs an employers attention. A cover letter is your opportunity to make a compelling case for yourself as a candidate, totally aside from whats in your resume.10. Believing every piece of resume advice anyone gives you. Yes, it may sound funny coming from me, but the reality is that you can give your resume to 10 different people who are all qualified to give resume advice, and youll get 10 different sets of recommendations Use this font, use that font, dont go over one page, two pages are fin e, objectives are required, objectives are silly- it can be enough to drive you crazy.The reality is, there are few hard and fast universal rules aside from the obvious (no typos, no illegible fonts, no 10-page rambles, no inappropriate sharing of your personal life). But there are trends- conventions that are gaining majority support. For instance, most hiring managers agree that functional resumes are frustrating and possibly hiding something. And two-page resumes have become completely acceptable these days. But even these trends arent flat-out rules. The best you can do is to get a feel for the types of things people care about and why and make choices that make sense for you and the job you want.

COMS 2015 Brings Together Bio, Nano, and Manufacturing Experts

COMS 2015 Brings Together Bio, Nano, and Manufacturing Experts COMS 2015 Brings Together Bio, Nano, and Manufacturing Experts COMS 2015 Brings Together Bio, Nano, and Manufacturing ExpertsThe international Commercialization of Micro-, Nano-, and Emerging Technologies (COMS) conference is an illustrious event that convened for the twentieth time September 1416 in Krakow, Poland. As a reflection of ASMEs growing presence in the nano, bio, and manufacturing research and academic space, ASME was represented at COMS in 2015, and in 2016 will join the Micro and Nano Technology Commercialization Education Foundation (MANCEF) as co-sponsors in the conference. ASME is excited to expand this partnership in such an important field.This years program of 48 speakers from 15 countries included government policy makers, serial entrepreneurs, funding specialists, researchers, and industry leaders. The unifying theme of the conference was how emerging technologies in general, and micro- and nanotechn ologies specifically, will shape the future. Nine keynote speakers refined the themes for each of the three days, considering commercialization for micro- and nano-based products, microfluidics, workforce development, microsensors, and more.As always, the enlightening COMS speakers and panelists provided insights into the nature and the challenges of the industry. Day one featured a session on commercialization chaired by entrepreneur Robert Mehalso, which also boasted a roster of CEOs from successful companies in the US and UK. A session on the application of microfluidics to novel biomedical products and devices opened the second day of the conferences, and spanned topics from the history of microfluidics to workforce development. On the third day, Professor Steve Walsh looked ahead at emerging technologies and asked Can the Internet of Things Evolve to Support a Multiple Trillion Sensor World? Along with other highlights including sessions with Jerzy Katckil of the Polish Nationa l Centre for Research and Development, Erol Harvey of MiniFab, and Janusz Bryzek of TSensors Summit Inc., these talks provided attendees with full days of intensive learning.The annual COMS conferences provide platforms for a variety of experts to cover real-world, topical subjects as importantly, they bring delegates from around the world together to network and brainstorm on potential opportunities. Congratulations to chair Rafal Walczak, co-chair David Tolfree, and MANCEF president Volker Saile for a successful event. Be sure to join the COMS conference next year, when it will take place in Houston, Texas For Further Discussion

Job Search Tips for When You Want to Relocate

Job Search Tips for When You Want to RelocateJob Search Tips for When You Want to RelocateAre you thinking about starting a job search in an area where you dont currently live? Long distance job searching isnt always easy, but its possible to look for a job when you want to relocate to a new city or state. Many employers will not consider interviewing out-of-state candidates or titelseiteingrelocationcosts unless theyre searching on a national basis for a top-level or hard-to-fill punkt. It isnt just the expense of relocation that makes employers wary. Its also the logistics of arranging interviews when the candidate isnt nearby. That being said, there areways to have a successful job search from afar. Job Search Relocation Tips Get Local Uselocal job sitesas well as national job databases to find job listings in the area where you want to live and work. Look into the chamber of commerce in the city where you want to move for job searching resources and read the local newspaper f or job advertisements.Get More Local Do you have a relative, friend or acquaintance in or near the new location who will let you stay with him or her during the interview process? If so, consider using that address on your resume and your cover letters. Alternatively, limit some or all of your physical address on your resume. Pack up and MoveThis one is not always possible, but its certainly easier to find a job when youre in the city or town where you want to work. Its a boldleap to move to a new community without a job, but if you can get temporary work while looking for a full-time job, it may be feasible.Your job search correspondence is more likely to get a second glance if youre in town instead of hundreds of miles away. If that wont work,mention in your cover letterthat you are planning to relocate and will be available to interview at the employers convenience. Also, be prepared to handle an out of town, or state, interview. Use Your Network Are you a college graduate? Check to see if your college or university has a career network of alumni you can contact. Alumni can help with more than just your job search they may also be able to give you advice on housing, transportation, entertainment and everything else you will need to know about your new community.If you belong to a professional association, contact the local chapter and network with the members. You can also reach out to LinkedIn contacts who live in the area. The more people you can meet in the new area, the better it is. Research, Research, ResearchUse tools likesalary calculators and cost of living calculatorsto determine whether your new salary will pay the bills in the local area where you want to live and workSalary calculators will give you theaverage pay for a specific position in a specific location.Cost of living calculatorswill tell you how far your current salary will go in a new city and/or will compare the cost of living between two different cities.Avoid Great Expectations Don t expect an employer (unless its for that hard-to-fill or high-level executive position) to pay your moving and otherrelocation expenses. You should also not expect a company to pay for you to fly somewhere for an interview. The travel expense is on you.Unless youre much more qualified than local candidates, and they feel the absoluteneed to have you, dont anticipate any of these fees to be covered by the new company. That being said, if you do get the job, you can try tonegotiaterelocation benefits into your new salary. Check Benefits Unemployment benefits may be available if youre relocating because your spouse has a new job in a new city. Check with theunemployment officesin both your current state and your new state to determine what, if any, benefits youre eligible to receive and where you should file your claim. Also look into what job search expenses, if any, might betax deductible.Be FlexibleWhen you want to move sooner rather than later, be open-minded and flexible about th e jobs you are willing to take. Again, its easier to find a local job when youre there, so you may want to broaden your options to make a move. Be careful how you discuss the situation with your interviewer most companies wont be interested in hiring someone who isnt planning to stay long.