Job search Dos and donts

Job search Dos and donts by Amber Rolfe Need to find a new job? It’s not about what you do, it’s the way that you do it…Job searching can be frustrating â€" whether you’re an experienced jobseeker or completely new to the working world. The key to success? Knowing where, and how, to look effectively.To make sure you know exactly how to tailor your search, here’s our list of job search dos and don’ts:Do1. Use the filters â€" Most job sites will offer filtering options that allow users to tailor search results to their specific requirements. Alongside searching for your preferred job title and location, you should also make use of job type, salary, and suitability tools, to provide you with the most personalised results.2.  Set up daily alerts â€" Never see your job search as a one day task. Although it might seem more convenient to just dedicate a few hours to your applications â€" this definitely isn’t the most effective method. You’ll limit yourself to a smaller number of vacancies, and won’t be able to see new roles as they come up. So, search as frequently as possible, and use daily email alerts to ensure you don’t miss out.3. Think outside the box â€" Using the job title to search is fine as a starting point, but it never hurts to try different ways of saying the same thing â€" i.e. alternate phrasing/wording. Use keyword searching to pinpoint roles looking for specific skills, responsibilities or qualifications, and you’ll end up with a much more suitable set of results.4. Make sure your preferred sectors are accurate â€" Whether it’s that you’re not 100% sure on your ideal job title, or you just want to be found by recruiters from outside your favoured industry, taking the time to edit your sector preferences should never be overlooked. What’s more, as many jobs span different sectors, pigeonholing yourself into one area might just be limiting your results â€" regardless of your overall suitability.5. Start being specific â€" If you’re gettin g too many irrelevant results, it could be that your search is just not specific enough. Instead of wading through a large list to find the ones you want, consider narrowing your search. Sometimes a slight adjustment to simple things like location, or adding in a few extra keywords (see: Boolean searching) can make a big difference to what’s available.  Honourable mentions: Be discreet, search by most recent, network, do your research, follow up after you apply.What is networking?How to: Keep your job search secretFour ways to follow-up after an applicationDon’t1. Apply for every job you see â€" Rushed job applications are unlikely to impress any hiring manager, so sending out as many as you can (as quickly as you can) could mean that you miss out on the job you actually want. If you don’t take the time to gain a thorough idea of what each role entails, you might end up applying for unsuitable positions â€" which is only wasting your time, as well as the hiring manager’s.2. Forget to complete your profile â€" Having a full and comprehensive profile will avoid the danger of underselling yourself, or not providing enough information to validate a recruiter’s consideration. An unfinished profile is only likely to indicate a lack of effort to prospective employers, and just means you’ll miss out on another way to leave them with a good impression.3. Tell everyone about it â€" Although venting your job search frustrations on social media or to your colleagues can seem like a great way to let off steam, it’s unlikely to ever end well. Not only will potential employers be able to view your online profiles, your current one will too, so don’t give them a reason to doubt your professionalism. Bottom line â€" whether it’s good or bad news, always keep your job search on the down low.  4. Expect an instant reply â€" Remember: the recruitment process takes time. If you spend a week job searching and are wondering why you haven’t heard back from anyone yet, don’t panic. Responses can take up to six weeks to come through and in some instances, even longer. Stay motivated and patient, and most importantly, don’t let a long response time leave you despondent.5. Have your profile hidden â€" Sometimes your CV or profile can be hidden on a job site without you even realising it. Unless you have a good reason for not making it visible to recruiters, it’s always best to leave this box un-ticked in your profile’s privacy settings. Then, you’ll get the most coverage possible, and won’t risk missing out on your perfect opportunity.  Honourable mentions: Have a negative approach, be afraid to ask for help, use an inappropriate email address (see: terrible_euphamism@email.com), give up.How to: Search for jobs onlineFive lines that are killing your CVCV layout: Dos and don’tsNeed  to find your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Getting Started How to start looking for work

Are Professional Resume Writing Services Good?

Are Professional Resume Writing Services Good?If you're looking for the right person to write your professional resume cover letter, it may be best to hire a professional resume writing service. Professional services know the first step toward getting the interview that you want.Let's start with a bit of terminology before we continue. Professional resume cover letter writing services are people who can get your resume read by the hiring manager. The cover letter is essentially the introduction to your resume. When you send in a resume with a cover letter, that covers your letter.Most people have not had to go through this process before, so when a professional resume writing service calls them to find out how to get the best job and get a job interview, most people are not sure what to say. Their job is to help you write the perfect letter.Resume cover letters are generally longer than the traditional resume, and you'll find yourself being asked to do more research and fill out more forms, but there is an advantage in doing this. Your cover letter can be tailored to your specific employer, who might take a look at your other applications and ask if yours would look good with them.Since the 'buzz' about your resume might not have reached your office yet, you can benefit from having all the information upfront before they have a chance to search for your letter. An attractive resume cover letter will immediately give you an edge.When you're ready to hire a professional resume writing service, start looking for a few companies with these qualities: not too many samples of their work, not too many samples that are not impressive, and that they specialize in cover letters. If a company only has a handful of samples, you might want to try another one. Make sure to speak with the person on the phone and get a feel for how theycommunicate with their clients.Resume cover letters aren't just words on a page. There are certain questions that should be asked and certain t hings that you should know about to make sure you are giving your best. Professional resume writing services can help you understand how to answer the questions you may be asked, what to put in your resume, and which areas you should avoid.For example, if you are applying for a position that requires you to fax in your application, don't put your resume cover letter inside an envelope that will need to be returned. These are the types of things you will need to research ahead of time.

Things to do on First Day of Work

Things to do on First Day of Work Getting a job is nerve wracking on its own but dealing with the stress of your first day on work is another level. Studies have proved that 53% people think that going on the first day of work got them really nervous because they worried about making a mistake on the first day. It is not that easy but it is not that big of a deal too. All you need to do is focus on some important things and you would surely nail your first day. Just keep these things in mind and by the end of the day you will be everyone’s favourite person. Image Source Curiosity Won’t Kill The Cat Show your employers that you are curious about your work and you are very much interested in being there. We think that on the first day our focus should be on listening to what our boss is saying but it is not too bad to ask questions. Also, don’t be like the kid in school who raises his hand at every question. Ask what you want to ask or something you are confused or curious about. If something catches your eyes, ask about it without being shy. Be careful that you don’t ask silly questions. Ask anything you don’t understand at that moment only because it may make you look stupid if you ask about it later. An Introduction Is Necessary It may turn out be like the first day of school where you are introducing yourself to everyone so be prepared for it. You are the new gal so you have to take the initiative to introduce yourself to your colleagues and peers. Don’t overdo it. Just make sure you give away the right amount of information when you introduce yourself. You don’t have to prepare a speech or anything, just be relaxed and friendly. Don’t be unprofessional too by cracking silly jokes. It may turn out to be beneficial for you and you make some new friends out of this. Observing Is The Key You may not be able to talk to many people on your first day so be observant about your surroundings. Keep noticing how people work and behave in the office so that it’s easy for you to settle in. Don’t be the creep who stares at people. Be a little observant like noticing how the environment of the office is, whether they are really professional or a little laid back when it comes to work. See how they talk to the officials and where simple things are around the office. Keep on taking mental notes about everything you see around yourself and be attentive of anything that anyone tells you. Keep The Nerves In Check Don’t be nervous at all. Be calm and keep those nerves in check. You don’t want to be nervous and say something stupid. Take a deep breath before you enter the premises and tell yourself that you can do this. It will be like a piece of cake. Don’t keep on babbling or just keep quiet because you are too scared. Be normal and interactive. Nervousness will give you a reputation on the first day so relax and take a chill pill. Don’t start shivering or shake hands with a very relaxed hand. Be prompt and show off your confidence. Suit Up Make sure you dress nicely because how you dress builds up your first impression on people. You can’t just go in your sweats or a very flashy outfit. Be sure of the norms of your office and how people dress there and then dress accordingly. Some offices let their employees wear casual clothes and some like it all formal. Ask someone from HR or maybe there is someone you know in the office who can tell you about this. If both these options are not available then go with what seems appropriate like a shirt and pants. Remember, nothing beats the Suit. S, as Barney would say to Marshall, ‘Suit up’. You can even shop online for the perfect ilk and use ebay coupon code to get plug the hole in your wallet.  You just got the job; you don’t want to spend too much out of your first pay check. At least you will be saved for the day and then you can see how other people dress and you can do the same. Tick Tock Put that clock 10 minutes early than usual so that you are ready before time. You don’t want to be late on your first day and develop a reputation of being lousy. Imagine your boss waiting for you to come so he can welcome you on the first day. That’s got to be embarrassing. Get to the location of your office at least 15 minutes early than the time you are expected so that you have time to gather yourself and don’t have to worry about being late. Be precise and show them you are ready for this. Keep That Brain Open Don’t be judgemental on your first and start to condescend the people and your surroundings. The working environment may be according to you or it may not be. Keep an open mind to everything and don’t try to point a judgy finger at anyone. You might expect something else from your workplace but it may be different. All you need to do is adapt to your surroundings and you will surely succeed. Be Aware Of Yourself Make sure your body language is apt and you are not giving off bad vibes. You may be speaking very politely but your facial expressions and posture may give it away. Sometimes the tour on the first day may turn out to be a little long and you may be a little tired with all the walking but don’t show your tired. Be enthusiastic even if you don’t feel this way. You can’t be standing there like a bored out person or walking behind your boss like a puppy. Keep it casual and show confidence in your posture. Throw Away Your Phone You are at work so concentrate on it. You don’t want yourself messing it all up just because you wanted to post that fake #toomuchwork selfie. That can be done later too but your first day won’t come back. You have to keep your head in the game so those unnecessary calls can be put off till you get off work. Just put your phone on silent and get to work so you can charm the pants off of your bosses by showing some dedication. A Little Friendship Won’t Hurt You are the new gal so you might be asked for a drink after work or for lunch. Don’t give up on the offer rather take it happily. You need to make some friends so that you can survive in the office. You can’t just run to your boss for everything, these friends are going to help you feel comfortable in the office. You will realise that if you know someone you can talk about the silly questions you have in mind without actually being silly. There are no hard and fast rules as to what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. Just be yourself and keep these small things in mind and you’ll be good to go. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you are not just to fit in. Even if you stumble, it’s okay. You are not expected to be perfect. These tips will surely get you close to it so you can have a great time working and dont have to keep worrying all the time.

Heres Why the Resume Isnt Dead Yet - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Here’s Why the Resume Isn’t Dead Yet - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career While technology is an important part of the job search equation, it doesnt trump thought-work, introspection and proper targeting. Yes, totally ignoring technology can potentially  be harmful, in that disregarding its value could equate to missed opportunities.  However, overshadowing the process with a hyper-focus on technologys ability to catapult your results can be equally harmful. Why You Must Not Forget Your Resume Experts who advise you to forget your resume and instead focus on building a personal website, or recruiters that suggest that your LinkedIn profile is more important than your Word-formatted resume, are ignoring the full picture  of the job search. In fact, whatever the language used in resume-related conversations, the bottom line is that a resume (aka, career summary) always will be needed, and the venue you use to house that resume (i.e., personal website, LinkedIn profile or even your Facebook page) is secondary. Moreover, the go-to default for the resume venue still is, and for the foreseeable future will be, the Microsoft Word document. And if leveraged well, the Word presentation can be just as dynamic, interesting and personality-rich as online profiles. Funnel Your Energy Into Your Focused Message Thoughtfully pulling the threads of your value through to tell a story that intersects with your target employers needs is most crucial and where initial energy should stream. Only after this thought-work should you invest energy into identifying the different channels for your story; i.e., MS Word document, LinkedIn profile or a personal website, all which can be communicated to the target employer digitally. Job Search Blends Many Tools and Methods As Dawn Bugni, Master Resume Writer and owner of Write Solution said, Job search blends many tools and methods. Im always amused when someone declares the resume is dead, especially when I find those posts, moments after a call, from a desperate prospect, who needs a hard copy resume â€" not a LinkedIn profile, not an online portfolio â€" to advance with their current employer, not even an external position. She continued, Online content blends with, complements and enhances traditional methods. Job seekers need a vast array of tools in their job search toolbox, and the wisdom to determine what will work best in each situation. Job search is a land of gray. Sweeping generalities implying this is the only way to do job search or there is only one tool youll need limit a job seekers potential. It takes more than a hammer to build a house. It takes more than an online profile to navigate a job search. So, before you ditch your resume in lieu of the next great application or other online strategy that claims to be the magic wand, take a deep breath. Focus on crafting a meaningful story first and the tools to share that story second.

ESL Grammar Lesson For Resume Writing

ESL Grammar Lesson For Resume WritingAn ESL grammar lesson for resume writing is a must-have for any foreign graduate who wants to succeed in their English-speaking careers. It makes resume writing easier, and gives the new graduate an edge over those who lack this basic skill. It helps you know your subject better. Not only does it make resume writing more pleasant and interesting, but it also promotes a better understanding between you and your prospective employer about your cultural background.An ESL grammar lesson for resume writing teaches the basics of your native language that you can apply in the workplace. It teaches you how to use words in their proper context and gives you the tools you need to successfully communicate with people outside your native culture. It trains you how to write a letter effectively, how to order the alphabet in English, and how to identify the main parts of your own native language. Furthermore, it teaches you the correct way to go about correctin g mistakes in your letters, whether they are mistakes made by native speakers or errors made by yourself as you read or speak them. All these lessons can help you in making your resume stand out from the crowd.Speaking with and writing to people who don't speak English is part of a foreigner's daily routine. Of course, it's a normal thing. However, when you're a foreigner with a good grasp of English, it can become daunting and embarrassing. To ease this experience, it's best to hire someone to conduct an ESL grammar lesson for resume writing. This way, you can learn how to write your resume and also build a good rapport with a prospective employer.It's not easy to get a job in your new career, especially if you're learning English. This is the reason why people hire ESL tutors or ESL teachers to conduct ESL grammar lesson for resume writing. It gives you the knowledge you need to earn your college degree in just two years.Most people are afraid of speaking English in public, becaus e they think they will be judged harshly by native speakers. This is why hiring someone to conduct an ESL grammar lesson for resume writing can be a very smart decision. It gives you the chance to learn the rules of your native language without having to worry about being judged by others.If you choose to learn English through a course, you can do so either online or in a classroom setting. ESL tutors are always on hand to make sure that you're following the course's instruction. The majority of them also offer ESL lesson for resume writing. This way, you can put your English skills to use and make yourself more marketable to prospective employers.Once you finish your ESL lesson for resume writing, you'll have much better tools at your disposal. You'll know how to handle letter phrases and grammar, how to identify sentences, how to address people, and how to correctly read and write your native language. These are just some of the things you'll learn when you take an ESL grammar les son for resume writing.It's never too late to start learning English. Whether you're planning to start learning in person or online, you need to start somewhere. An ESL grammar lesson for resume writing can be your way to getting a good education and improving your English language skills in just two years.

My manifesto makes good - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

My manifesto makes good - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Seems somebody read my manifesto on happiness at work at just the right moment: So now, I?m stuck. I?ve been doing more or less the same work for three years (the last 12 months have been utter torture). I have learnt nothing new; my bosses don?t understand what I could potentially do (bad communication on my part) and they don?t know what they could give me to do So, still stuck. Sick of it all, I decided to take charge. I want a rewarding career and am sick of being a corporate nobody. By chance, I came across this. It has made a world of difference to my attitude. In the end, planning my escape begins with this positive frame of mind: I am responsible for my happiness at work. Yaaaaaay! I live for feedback like this! Click here to read my manifesto on happiness at work over at ChangeThis. 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

What Really Makes You Happy At Work - Jane Jackson Career

What Really Makes You Happy At Work - Jane Jackson Career How to be Happy at WorkDo you leap out of bed in the mornings looking forward to another day to make a positive contribution to your company? Or do you drag yourself out of bed groaning and dreading the thought of another day at the ‘fun factory’?I receive many calls from professionals in need of career coaching as they feel stuck in their careers, are looking for a change or are in-between jobs and don’t know what to do. Many people say they want or need a change because of a culture clash with their boss or they feel there is a mismatch in professional values that are causing dissatisfaction and they dont feel happy at work.During my coaching sessions, I uncover a lot of other issues that may affect their level of satisfaction at work â€" too long a commute, lack of work/life harmony, feeling underpaid, overworked, no flexibility, and the list goes on.In order for each client I work with to take control of their career, we focus on the actions they must take to rebuild their self-confidence, self-esteem, resilience and desire for success.Then we focus on what really makes them tick, what their Dream Role looks like and what they need to create a professional and personal life that is rewarding, satisfying and provides the financial stability that they need to enjoy life.We may identify a skills or knowledge gap and, if it is essential for progression, we explore ways to gain the skills and knowledge required to keep moving towards their professional  goals.One of the most important things to do to manage your career is to build a strong Personal Brand.   Branding is the only way to ensure that you are noticed for the RIGHT reasons whether you are seeking a new job or looking for a promotion, without a strong brand, the people who matter wont know who you are, what you can do, and what you stand for.   To attract the right opportunities find out how to build YOUR Personal Brand hereI was interested to read the Upskilled Annual Australian Career Survey w hen it was released recently as I need to stay up to date with industry trends so that I stay relevant and provide up to date value to my clients. This new report focuses on What Makes Us Happy At Work and Australia’s readiness for the changing world of work.This report is based on an online survey of 3,418 Australian workers and non-workers, conducted via email between September 2015 and September 2016. Those who participated are from every state and territory across Australia. They represent a wide range of industries, employment types, and age groups so it’s a good indication of what Australian really want.Let’s have a look at some of their findings:WOMENWomen have higher work satisfaction levels than men even though women have significantly lower average incomes compared to men. 18% of females earn over $70K compared to 34% of males. It’s interesting to note that pay is not closely correlated with job satisfaction for women.THE HAPPIEST GROUPThe happiest group of respond ents were the self-employed followed by full-time employees and employers. Casual employees experienced the lowest levels of job satisfaction, which still indicates that the group experiencing the lowest amount of job satisfaction was still fairly satisfied.Workers from the Northern Territory were the happiest of all followed by South Australia and Queensland. The other states did not fall far behind however what is it that makes those in the NT so happy?The industries with the happiest workers were Arts Recreation Services, Design Architecture, Professional/Managerial and Education and Training. The lowest happiness level was found in Manufacturing. There has been a lot of downsizing in that sector recently which will have affected their happiness levels.WORK RELATIONSHIPS WORK/LIFE BALANCEInterestingly 75% of all workers said they got along with their colleagues and only 8% said they didn’t. And when it came to work/life balance this survey found that it was not a clear indic ator of job satisfaction. When it came to whether they enjoyed work/life balance or not, the responses were quite evenly split. I found this a surprising statistic as I have such a strong focus on work/life harmony so perhaps it’s not as important as I think for many of us.WORKPLACE TRAININGOver half of the respondents wanted to undertake further study however only 9% said they had their course subsidized. Many stated that funding options would be incentive to study further. Almost two-thirds of unhappy workers said that they didn’t have workplace training.A particularly interesting statistic was that 50% of workers in Information Technology said that they received no workplace training. This is of major concern as IT and computer sciences have become increasingly important to the future of the way we work and the needs of organizations. When taking on workplace training, staying relevant in areas that have strong demand will open up more career options.Almost half of the respon dents who want further study stated they wanted to do it online only. About a quarter wanted a blend of online/on-campus and only 6% wanted to complete their study full-time on campus. This says a lot about the way training needs to be delivered now and in the future.So what do these statistics tell you? How do you feel about your career? Are you happy at work or do you need support to move onwards and upwards?Its time for you to take action! Click on this link to book an exploratory conversation and find out how you can create the career of your dreams!To download the full Upskilled Annual Australian Career Survey click hereTo find out about Upskilled’s training options visit:  www.upskilled.edu.au