Create a Professional Resume Cover Page

Create a Professional Resume Cover PageWriting a resume cover page is a special part of the job search, and if you get it wrong you can really hurt your chances of getting a new job. It is critical that you write a good cover page that will get your potential employer to notice you. Below are some of the things you should be looking for when creating your resume cover page.The first thing you need to do when creating a resume cover page is to make sure you create it according to a standard format. You need to follow certain guidelines in order to keep it looking professional. For example, don't use any kind of special formatting, such as bold or italics. This will only make it look sloppy and amateurish.The next thing you need to look for when writing a resume cover page is to make sure your page is easy to read. Most resumes will have a few key information on the cover page, such as the name of the company, the job position, and the length of time you have been employed with the com pany. However, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to keep your information concise and easy to read. If you have plenty of words on your resume cover page, make sure it is very short and to the point. Never use too much information at a time, as it will only frustrate the reader.Another important aspect of writing a resume cover page is to make sure your information is accurate. Anytime you hire someone to write something for you, make sure you read their resume cover page to see how accurate their information is. If they use terms or sayings that don't make sense, you want to be sure to check it out for yourself. You don't want to pay someone to write something like this for you, so get a second opinion if necessary.Another aspect you need to pay attention to when writing a resume cover page is to make sure you don't overuse your contact information. If you want to be as professional as possible, you need to make sure you use your correct name and give the appropriat e phone number, email address, and so on. If you have any other contact information that is not correct, be sure to remove it before you submit your resume.You also need to remember that there are certain colors that will be better used on your cover page than others. For example, bright or bold colors will be better used on your cover page than the light blue that is used for the cover of your resume. Be careful to keep the colors used on your cover page from distracting the reader. Again, if you are going to add other information to your cover page, be sure to keep the colors used appropriate and in line with the rest of your resume.Finally, make sure that you don't rush through your resume cover page. Be sure to take your time and create a page that is professional and that is appealing to the reader. Many times, if you don't take your time, your resume cover page could easily go unnoticed.By following these tips, you will be able to create a professional looking resume cover pag e. You don't want to leave anything to chance and make it look amateurish. Creating a good resume cover page is a skill that you can master and by paying attention to the above information, you will be able to create a professional looking resume cover page.

Where are you on your New Years resolution to find a new job - Sterling Career Concepts

Where are you on your New Year’s resolution to find a new job Where are you on your New Year’s resolution to find a new job? One of the most important things you can do is to take time to plan your career roadmap for 2014. A career plan will help you reach your goals this year whether it’s changing jobs, careers, or simply getting more out of your current job. Not quite there yet? Updated your resume and then stalled? Or worse, didn’t get started yet?  No worries. It may already be March, but it’s also still just March â€" we have nine months to go! Don’t beat yourself up too much It’s estimated that 90% of our daily lives is spent doing routine tasks, but habit can be a bad thing. As the saying goes: “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve always got.” I’ll break down the steps over the next couple of posts. For now, the first step is taking stock and assessing where you are. To figure out where you’re going, you must first look at where you’ve been. Here are some questions to help you assess where you are: • What are you most proud of this past year â€" personally, and professionally? • What went right this year? • Did you receive any awards or recognition this year? • Did you take on any additional responsibility this year? If so, what? • How did you take initiative in your job this year? • Have you learned any new skills? • Did you earn any certifications or licenses? Record this information â€" be it in a Microsoft Word file on your computer, a note in Evernote, a series of emails you send to yourself (be sure to use email tags so you’re able to find the emails again!), or even a physical notebook. And in the coming year, take time to record your accomplishments as you go through the year instead of waiting until the end of the year. Look at opportunities for improvement in your career. How does your salary stack up against your peers? Is your current position in alignment with your priorities and your core values? Where is change needed? Take note of the following: • Current job title • State Date (month/year) of current job â€" • Current salary (base/bonus) â€" • What I like most about my current job â€" • What I would want to change about my current job In my next post, I’ll help you define your goal and identify what your ideal job looks like. Want some help to get started? Contact us!

How to Channel the Force and Conquer Your Next Video Interview - CareerEnlightenment.com

3. Block out distractions.Whether you’re trying to channel the Force or prepare for a video interview, distractions break your concentration not to mention, that of the interviewer’s. To maintain focus during your video interview, find a location that is quiet and free of any potential distractions, such as voices or a noisy pet in the background.Schedule your video interview for a day and time when you know you’ll face the least amount of interference. What’s more, by planning ahead, you can make the necessary preparations to have a friend watch your chatty chihuahua and put a “do not disturb” sign on your front door.Last, but certainly not least, avoid creating distractions for your interviewer. Busy backgrounds (e.g. messy bedroom) and clothing (e.g. loud stripes) can draw the attention away from you and your responses during the interview.4. Maintain eye contact.Eye contact is the key to a great interview, especially when that interview is via video. Maintaining eye contact with the interviewer conveys a greater sense of confidence in your abilities something every hiring manager looks for in a candidate.It might be tempting to look at the screen during your video interview after all, that’s where your interviewer is but fight the temptation. From the interviewer’s point of view, it will appear as though you’re looking down or away from the computer.Through plenty of practice sessions with friends or family, train yourself to look at the camera when you speak and have them point out when your eyes begin to wander.5. Stand out from the sea of clones.Unfortunately, it takes more than mastering the Jedi mind trick to land a job. You need to convince hiring managers that you are the candidate they’re looking for. But, in a sea of job seekers all boasting the same skills and qualifications, it can be difficult to stand out.To avoid being seen as a candidate clone, use the video interview to supplement your resume not reiterate it. Video interviews should be treated just like a traditional in-person interview, where you’re expected to explain and expand on the points featured on your resume. To further differentiate yourself from the masses, aim to provide answers that are unique to you and your experiences.In a one-way video interview, for instance, it can be easy to fall into giving the “expected” answers, as you have more time to mull over your response. But use this time to your advantage, and find a creative way to approach the question.What are some other ways job seekers can channel their inner Luke Skywalker to conquer their next video interview?

How to Fight the Victim Mentality When Search for a Job

How to Fight the Victim Mentality When Search for a Job Everyone looks at the world through different filters based on their upbringing, environment, experience and attitude. The victim mentality is one of those unfortunate lenses that even experienced professionals sometimes play into when searching for a job.   When youre on a notesjob hunt, dont chase your tail by giving in to victim mentalities. Outside circumstances work against you. Layoffs happen. You mess up on the job. You need to gain more skills. No positions are open. Its typically a mixed bag of happenings that land you where you are now, and it doesnt mean that youre not good enough or that there are no opportunities to be had. You need to recast yourself as the hero of your career journey, while remaining honest with yourself, and lead your job search in a positive and proactive direction. Realize that you can take charge of your career journey, rather than playing into these six victim mentalities. 1. Rejected Too Many Times Victim Mentality: “Everywhere I’ve applied turned me down. No one wants me.” Rejection stings and too much rejection can make you feel like giving up. Its easier to give up on the job hunt.   Think of it from the perspective of a fisherman. Being out in the hot sun with only so much food, energy and bait can wear you down after a while. When your resources drain, its common to reach a burnout point. Leave the line in as you fish for your job, but take it easy on yourself. Focus on taking care of your mind, heart and body. You may rest more easily knowing that only two percent of applicants get an interview, and remember to apply for the job as it’s outlined. Your career objective should match the role. 2. Not Good Enough Victim Mentality: “My experience and education aren’t good enough for this role.” People typically dislike uncertainty. So, they shortchange themselves instead of facing change and risk. Counteract negative self-talk by focusing on times when you excelled, exceeded expectations and were more than good enough. Challenge your inner bully by laughing and probing the suggested illogical fallacies by asking a question like “What evidence do I have for and against this?” 3. The Bad Apple Victim Mentality: “I’ve been laid off or fired too many times. No one will hire me.” Folks say that one bad apple will turn the whole batch, rotting every good apple around. Thats simple oxidation. Its not the apples fault. Consider the circumstances, and be honest with yourself. If you were previously late to work, and thats a part of why you were laid off or terminated, focus on how you that experience helped you grow as a professional. Perhaps, you freed up stress from your life and developed a bedtime ritual before going to sleep, which signals your body that its time to sleep. Polish your resume, and prepare yourself to tell the positive side of the story. Explain how you arrived at a solution and what you decided to do with your time. Look at times when you walked away because your expectations differed from an employer’s expectations. You changed the situation by redirecting your energies. Many people wait too long to leave a job when they’re unhappy and get fired in the end. Was that you? 4. Taking Whatever Comes Victim Mentality: I must take whatever job offers I get, even if they treat me poorly or pay me poorly. Thats the way of it, and I have to consider myself fortunate. Too many people work too hard, without recognition, only to burn out. When they leave a toxic work environment, theyre likely to enter another one if they dont stop the pattern in advance.   Weigh the pros and cons. Accepting poor treatment, unfair wages and inadequate benefits devalues you as a person and a professional. Does it get you where you want to be five years from now? Instead of counting yourself lucky, aim for companies that genuinely value their team members. Read employee reviews. Research the companies. Find out if youre a fit, and the results will be better for everyone involved. If a potential employer offers you low pay, counter with a better but fair wage, and be prepared to explain why they should take you up on the counteroffer. Look at your needs, and come to the table with confidence in your skills. If the company isnt wealthy, counter with alternatives they can afford, such as flextime that allows you to work from home on certain days. 5. Lack of Appreciation Victim Mentality: “No one appreciates my accomplishments or talents.” Too much rejection and feeling invisible at previous jobs makes you feel unappreciated and undervalued as a professional. You spent time and money to develop your education and experience, and your accomplishments and talents are a reflection of that. You reach a point where you realize it’s time to move on, but consider this: Did you speak up for yourself? You put your nose to the grindstone, sacrificing your time and talents, but you need to practice self-respect as a professional. You can say no with grace and say yes with confidence when you only agree to take on tasks that are truly worthwhile and reasonable. Ask for feedback. Reward yourself.   Toot your horn on paper and in person, ask for what you deserve and trust that youll find the right fit when you keep speaking up for yourself. 6. Dry Desert Victim Mentality: “No one is hiring. It’s a desert out there.” How big is the job pool youre fishing in again? Give yourself a reality check and get creative if statistics support your claim of a desert marketplace. Deserts are dry, yes, but dwelling on that fact wont help you in your job search. Turn to other job boards. Get on social media, and search for open roles with relevant hashtags. Reach out to your networks from college and professional associations. Get creative and consider career path alternatives, such as other industries or running your own business as a consultant or freelancer. Experts expect freelancers to make up 34 percent of the “gig” economy by 2020, and that doesn’t mean self-employed professionals live off of pennies. Many successfully leverage their skills and experience in a niche market for a living wage. Dont fall into these victim mentality traps, or you will stay stuck and never find the right fit. Know that you deserve better. Take action to shift the negative narrative, and become a career hero. Subscribe to Punched Clocks for more career wisdom and tips and tricks to be your best professional self. Keep the conversation going by commenting and sharing. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.

Three Elements to a Great Freelance Writing Resume

Three Elements to a Great Freelance Writing ResumeThere are three very important elements to a great freelance writing resume that will help you land the job you want. These are first, your skill set and the fact that you have written work samples that demonstrate that you know what you are doing.You must realize that many people have unrealistic expectations of what skills they want in a freelance writer. You must let yourself be realistic but also acknowledge that a good resume can assist you with these two elements. Remember, these two things are both important. It is not sufficient to have a good resume and not have any freelance writing skills.A good freelance writing resume should start with the skill-set part of your resume. Do not lie about it, but be honest. Make it clear that you have a variety of skills and that your particular skills are a combination of the other skills.Learn as much as you can about a variety of things, both on the job and off. These include your person al knowledge and expertise in your area of expertise, like sports, but also include experiences in public speaking, performing arts, or medical device sales. Be sure to show evidence of your ability to be outgoing, creative, and articulate.A quality freelance writing resume should also show some evidence of your ability to present a well-organized work experience. This includes full details of a job at a given company, details of specific projects that you worked on, descriptions of how you managed or promoted yourself, and an explanation of how your accomplishments in the past are relevant to the new position that you are applying for. Again, be sure to show evidence of your leadership ability.The last section of your freelance writing resume, a section that is often omitted, is proof that you are resourceful and driven. This can come in many forms. Show that you are able to handle a variety of situations and that you have demonstrated that you can keep your job skills up to date.Y our freelancing resume should include these three elements, but is especially important to include the skills portion. You must also include a good job history, all-around proof of your ability to write, and all the different aspects of leadership and resourcefulness. These elements should make you look professional and you will get hired.

A Startling Fact about Cover Letter Sample Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Cover Letter Sample Uncovered In precisely the same way that you may reference resume samples, the subsequent Engineer cover letter example can help you to compose a cover letter that most highlights your experience and qualifications. A cover letter is any sort of letter that functions as the front page of a larger deal or the very first page introducing another topic that handles legal transactions whether it's in business or a personal letter. Needless to say, the primary purpose on why you're writing that cover letter is not really landing that job you desire. After all, you don't need to give out all of the info in a letter, not leave anything for the interview! Why Almost Everything You've Learned About Cover Letter Sample Is Wrong It's possible to also add extra text if you'd like to add details like the range of pages included in the fax. It's also common to set the date and the range of pages of the fax transmission. If you become aware of, co ver letter is thoroughly utilized in every on-line enterprise. If you are searching for an effective fax cover letter then you have to search on the web. If you have chosen to incorporate a cover sheet prior to your fax message, it's pretty straightforward to create. 369 fax cover sheets that you may download and print. Now you understand how to create a normal fax cover sheet. Writing and preparing a fax cover sheet is straightforward. Get the Scoop on Cover Letter Sample Before You're Too Late It may be quite so useful because the sample will lead you in building your private model of resume. With the exact same categories, it is going to help you to receive certain personal references concerning the record. Cover Letter Sample Explained If you don't have any clue on what sample cover letter you ought to search for, start looking for a cover letter that has no huge words, asking for an interview, and simplicity. Keep in mind your cover letter should be written in a per suasive tone. Thus, the cover letter has to be original and communicating. Your cover letter ought to be too. A cover letter is a significant portion of just about any work application. Details are among the most significant facets of an accounting career. The Basic Facts of Cover Letter Sample Keeping that in mind, let's look at the same sample, and talk about some tips. It may be quite so useful considering that the sample will direct you in building your own model of resume. You are able to review samples by click on this link. During the time you are carried out in locating the totally free samples, it's actually time and energy to make your individual. What You Don't Know About Cover Letter Sample Men and women become confused and wind up getting frustrated on what sort of cover letter sample they ought to follow. As known, a resume is truly a document that is definitely attached when you end up trying to obtain an undertaking. You need to sketch a concise outline of your qualities that demonstrates that you're fit for the position. Teacher cover letter example is given here so the teachers can find the idea about the fundamental utility of it.

How to Use Social Media When Job Hunting With Expert Kathy Bernard

How to Use Social Media When Job Hunting With Expert Kathy BernardSince the economy took a plunge in 2009, weve all heard horror stories of people spending months and months submitting application after application and not getting any responses. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) But what about those people who have jobs where theyre overworked and underpaid?I think the biggest challenge for job seekers today is the unrealistic expectations of many companies, says Kathy Bernard, creator of Getajobtips.com. They often expect a person to do the work of three people, and they want to pay them terribly at the same time.Bernard, who hopes to help both the unemployed and miserably employed through her site, says that today many job seekers are having to learn to adjust to working multiple jobs at poverty income. And the situation is especially frustrating because in many cases, large companies are raking in record profits and could pay fairly.The y can get away with paying horribly because people need a job so badly, she says.At the same time, Kathy says its tough for small businesses that often cant afford to hire people because of all the expenses and taxes they must pay.Kathy offers great insight on landing a job in todays market. Heres what she had to sayWhat advantages do todays job hunters have?Job seekers have many advantages today that earlier generations did not. The biggest advantage they have is LinkedIn, which gives them a way to establish a strong brand, research companies, reach out to recruiters, re-connect with former coworkers, get recommendations, and much more.How important are social media sitesespecially LinkedInto job hunters?LinkedIn is huge for the job search According to ERE.net and other sources, 94 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn to find or vet candidates for their open positions. For most job seekers, it is also beneficial to have a basic understanding of all of the major social media sites (pa rticularly LinkedIn, facebook inc, Twitter, and Pinterest) so that you can talk knowledgeably about them in interviews and use the sites (if required) for business purposes.What are some best practices for using social media when youre searching for a job?Fully complete your LinkedIn profile. Particularly pump up your LinkedIn headline and past and current job titles. Pack each job entry with relevant duties to impress hiring companies looking for people with your background.Also, have an established account on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. It is easy to establish profiles on these sites, and just taking such a simple step gives you an easy answer if recruiters ask about your social media experience.Dont express controversial views on Facebook and dont post messages so frequently that you annoy people. Realize that your profiles can be seen by recruiters and that your past postings can hurt you.What are good habits that every job seeker needs to get into in order to land a job f aster?Dont isolate yourself. Attend job-networking groups, set up networking coffees, participate in skills-building workshops and webinars, pump up your LinkedIn profile, and ask people for help (and prepare them to help you as effectively as possible). If your resume and LinkedIn profile arent pulling well for you or if you are continually not getting job offers after interviewing, enlist professional help to transform your application materials and prepare for interviews.