Sunday, May 31, 2020

Top 5 - Job interview songs (Christmas special)

Top 5 - Job interview songs (Christmas special) by Michael Cheary Christmas: time for gifts, goodwill and… interviews?While some businesses might be winding down for the festive break, certain recruiters see the Christmas period as the perfect opportunity to get their staff sorted for the New Year. To help keep you focussed on the big day, we’ve put together our definitive list of the best seasonal songs to include on your pre-interview playlist.Because let’s face it, the best way to spread Christmas (interview) cheer really is singing loud for all to hear:5. Stop the Cavalry  Jona LewieSo, we admit that a song about the perils and loneliness of war doesn’t have many obvious jobseeking parallels, but stay with us on this.After all, aren’t job interviews like little wars, in their own way?* Perhaps that’s the hidden metaphor Jona Lewie was going for. No? Fine.Ok, if you completely disregard the majority of the lyrics (sans the cavalry part), it still works beautifully as a rallying call. If we’re honest, we m ostly like the ‘dub a dub a dum dum’ part.4. Wonderful Christmastime  Paul McCartneyNo list of Christmas songs would be complete if it didn’t feature at least one ex-Beatle.Mr. McCartney’s lyrics promote a festive mood and good spirits, which (hopefully) your interviewer will have in spades, as well as championing an excellent work ethic in its production. In fact, McCartney not only penned the song, but he also played every instrument on it, ensuring he’s the sole beneficiary of the royalties (in excess of £10 million).Not bad for a day’s work…3. In Dulce Jublio  Mike OldfieldAdvantages: Jubilant, sounds classy, recorders are cool.Disadvantages: No words, not contemporary, performed by a man with a questionable haircut.2. All I Want For Christmas is You  Mariah CareyThe perennial Christmas party sing-a-long staple.It’s damn near impossible not to feel inspired after listening to this. After all, if Mariah Carey can get her love life sorted for Christmas, surely you’ll be able to make it through one little interview.However, to avoid awkward situations, always ensure this is not the last song you listen to before you go in. Subconsciously singing to a recruiter that you want them for your own may not help your chances as much as you might think.1. Do They Know It’s Christmas? Band Aid‘It’s Christmastime, there’s no need to be afraid…’ From the very first line, this one is an absolute classic. And, no matter which version you choose to listen to, the upbeat melody and thoughtful lyrics really help put things in perspective when confronting your pre-interview panic.For extra inspiration, we recommend the 2004 incarnation: ‘Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived. If the table was turned would you survive?’ Good question Dizzy Rascal. Good question.Honourable mentions: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Frank Sinatra), Stay Another Day (East 17), Merry Christmas Everyone (Shakin’ Stevens), Fairytale of New York (The Pogues feat. Kirsty McCall N.B. may only be applicable if your interview is in New York).Songs to avoid: Driving Home For Christmas (Chris Rea), Blue Christmas (Elvis Pressley), Lonely This Christmas (Mud), The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Nat King Cole), That One By The Cheeky Girls. Think theres any weve missed? Tell us below, or alternatively, share them with us on twitter @reedcouk.Find 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. Features

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

How to Land a Job As a Resume Writer

How to Land a Job As a Resume WriterIf you want to make your way into entry level resume writing jobs, the first thing you need to do is follow a proven system. You have probably heard that getting a job as a writer is a skill that can be learned. It is but just as possible that you could be one of those lucky people who have already learned the craft and have been able to land a job with a reputable company.If this sounds like the kind of career you would like to have, it is time to start looking for entry level resume writing jobs. This may mean reaching out to individuals in the company where you intend to work, but it is also possible to hire writers online. Writing can be outsourced to many companies around the world.One of the best ways to find entry level resume writing jobs is by networking with others in the field. As a resume writer, you should start by networking with other writers at the same company. Invite them to your presentation and discuss your interest in joining t he company. When they have more information about the project, then you can present your credentials to potential employers and discuss what you can do for them.If you are not interested in building relationships within the organization, one of the most effective ways to find entry level resume writing jobs is to join online forums. These forums offer an easy way to build credibility with past clients and present clients. However, these aren't the only places you should look for opportunities. Searching online can result in jobs for which you don't even have to leave your home.With a little knowledge and some research, you can easily find a job as a resume writer. For example, if you are interested in marketing, you can find freelance positions that pay in cash and a salary. If you are familiar with the services offered by the company you are applying to, you can make sure that the work you do isn't beneath the standards that you are expected to maintain.The secret to landing work a s a resume writer is to have a good handle on how the job is going to be done. Make sure that the resume is organized and easy to read. The information should make the employer interested in hearing your resume but still remain relevant and helpful to the potential employer.Any employee who knows how to get what he or she wants will always be more successful than someone who doesn't know how to negotiate, and this is true when a potential employer is trying to find a new writer. You can always read a few more resumes before approaching the first. Keep a running list of the top three and send them out to each employer that you find on a regular basis.As a resume writer, it is your responsibility to give the potential employer the best presentation of your skills possible. If you take your time and treat all employers professionally, you are sure to get noticed. By following a system that is proven and giving the same effort every time, you should be able to succeed in a career as a r esume writer.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Is Money Your Motivation for a Career Change

Is Money Your Motivation for a Career Change Happy Book Review Tuesday! Today is our final week of talking about Alexandra Levit’s new book, “New Job, New You.“ Money. A dirty word for some, a motivator for most. If you think money is a dirty word, youre probably reading the wrong blog. Despite the ongoing debate about money being the root of all evil, it can also be the root of opportunities, education, living debt-free and helping others. Is Money Your Motivation for Career change? Consider the following questions which are taken right from New Job, New You. Have you been told that there just isnt any money in your field anymore? Does the foreseeable trajectory for your career make it impossible to meet your long-term financial goals? Has your salary hovered in the same range for three to five years? Do you work fifty-plus hours a week, but find that youre still struggling to make ends meet? Do you find yourself constantly in debt because you are spending much more than you earn? Does your current career fail to offer you a means to save for your future, especially retirement? If you answered Yes to many of these questions, you may be ready for a new career path. How do I get on a new career path?! Take a hard look at your financial situation. Determine what more you would need and if you have the means to survive a career transition. Write down 3 industries you are interested in working in that have high income potential. Network with/meet two successful people in these industries and ask them to lunch or coffee. Ask away- positives, negatives, tips, transition advice, how to succeed in the industry, etc. Write down action steps you need to take which will lead to eventually doubling your income. Put them somewhere you can see them, look at them often! Once you do your research, here are a few of Alexandra Levits suggestions for next steps: Get out of debt! Why? Because its hard to get ahead in any career when you are drowning in debt. Levit recommends that you stop accumulating new debt, stop recurring payments (for example gym memberships, netflix, online gaming accounts) and establish an emergency fund starting with $1,000. Choose a lucrative field. Check out payscale.com for lots of information on different fields.   Despite common beliefs, not all high paying jobs are miserable!   Also, sales can be one of the most profitable careers but beware of shady commission structures and false promises. Consider relocation. Levit recommends considering a more affordable city.   For example, your money will stretch much further in Atlanta and Dallas than it will in New York City or San Francisco.   If youre set on big city living, consider downsizing to a more affordable place. Start a side business. This is obviously my favorite of the four.   Not only can a small side business eventually turn into a full-time gig, it serves as career insurance if you are laid off.   It may also be something fun that gets you excited outside of your day job.   If youre not sure what business to get into, start by going to elance.com and check out freelance projects people are looking to hire for.   It may spark ideas of matching your skills with other peoples needs. You should probably read New Job, New You. Thats where all this advice came from.   I have a feeling it will clear your confusion and get you started on a new path. Recommended Books Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge and Overcome Your Financial Fears Forever Make More, Worry Less, Secrets from 18 Extraordinary People Who Created a Better Income and a Better Life The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness The Millionaire Mind One of my all time favorite books! Todays post is sponsored by Walden University: get an online degree to further your career.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

5 Tips on How to Recruit the Best Talent for Your Small Business -

5 Tips on How to Recruit the Best Talent for Your Small Business - Talented and motivated employees are the bedrock of any successful business; however, finding and, more importantly, keeping talented people to work for you has become harder than ever. There are a few reasons that can be attributed to this fact but a lack of talent is not one of them. In fact, the main reason behind it is the fact that talent is valued more than ever, and people who possess it are aware of this. With so much demand, companies are constantly raising their standards in order to make talented people stay, making things quite competitive and difficult. With that being said, there still are a few things you can do to attract these talented people to your business. So, to help you out, today we are going to take a look at five tips on how to recruit the best talent for your small business. Start with your business Whatever methods you try to use in order to recruit people for your small business will be meaningless unless your business itself is in great shape. No one wants to work in a business that has no potential to grow and expand and is working out of a barely functioning workspace. Start by developing a well-articulated business plan which will show your potential employees you have big plans for the future. It can also be worth investing some money in a new office space as it can also be a big factor that will help you recruit talented individuals. Offer them a good work-life balance Research has found that a good work-life balance is the number one thing Australians look for when applying for a job, in fact, they are even willing to settle for a smaller pay rate over it. Because of this, offering your potential employees things such as flexible schedules can be one of the main selling points of your business. Use modern methods for finding talent One of the benefits of the modern world is that there are many different and easy ways to find people to work for you. This is mostly due to the power of the internet which has allowed people who are looking for employees to easily find and connect with people who are looking for a job. For example, if you are offering jobs in Brisbane, you can easily use a job posting website to reach out to every individual in the area who is looking for a job. This will allow you to maximize your efficiency and increase the hiring pool of your business. Give them a chance for personal growth One of the most important things every talented person looks for when seeking a job is the potential to grow and expand their knowledge and skills while working for you. This potential for personal growth is one of the main driving factors behind every talented person and is the thing that makes them valuable and sets them apart from the rest. Because of this, you should aim to create an environment where they can constantly keep improving by offering them things like extra training through different courses but also the potential to experiment and try something new every once in a while. Leave a good first impression First impressions are extremely important when recruiting talented individuals as they will set the tone for the whole recruitment process. Because of this, it’s crucial for you to be both professional and well organized when conducting your interviews. Make sure you have thoroughly read their application beforehand as it will show you appreciate the hard work they put into it. This will also allow you to set a more relaxed tone to the interview which will give your potential employees a chance to get in their comfort zone and increase their overall chances of deciding to work for you. Recruit The Best Talent and You Build a Solid Future Your employees make up the main driving force behind your business so you should make sure you have the best possible ones working for you. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that implementing these tips will take time, so make sure you start working on them as soon as possible in order to start seeing results.   When you recruit the best talent, everyone wins!

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Resume Writing on Windy City Live

Resume Writing on Windy City LiveThe following resume writing on Windy City Live is designed to assist you with the content of your resume. You can apply it to any of your resumes for the same company. It also applies to any resumes you may have for other companies.The author has been a candidate for a number of the big name job positions in the past. In this case, he has done his best to apply the same resume that he had seen several candidates use to get their jobs.When applying for a resume, the best approach is to narrow your search down to one company. Do not take the time to apply for several companies. Instead, take the time to prepare one very effective resume for one company. This will leave your other applications to others in your company.You can accomplish this with the help of address lines. If you are looking for an advertising position, you might want to change your address lines to personal line addresses such as LUVor, Yours, or Touch My Top.If you are applying for a promotion or if you are looking for a new job, your personal line address should reflect your personality. For example, if you are outgoing and extroverted, you should use Personal Line with your full name on the letter of recommendation. On the resume, you can keep the personal side of your resume in place while the attention is being given to the professional side.You should be looking at having a resume that is formatted the same as the others. If you get all of your information in one place, it makes it much easier to compile the others and to organize them.The resume should be written with the same amount of attention to grammar as the rest of your resume. Use the same high standards for grammar and punctuation as you would for anything else. The end result will be that your resume will come across well and it will also be easy to follow.Using all of these tips for resume writing on Windy City Live, your resume will come out with a very professional touch. Make sure you utiliz e all of the necessary steps in getting your resume ready. With proper attention to detail, you will produce the most successful resume of your life.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Summary Sunday Keeping Up With The Times

Summary Sunday Keeping Up With The Times In the workplace and during a  job search, its important you are keeping up with the times. And Im not just talking about the newest technology. There are new ways of doing business, interacting with customers and clients, and even new types of jobs and career paths.   It has become our responsibility to manage our career. This weekly summary highlights some of the new workforce trends and practices in recruiting and hiring youll want to keep up with! From trends in training, social recruiting, new types of jobs, and classic interview tips, this weeks summary is sure to up your knowledge on  all things career-related! CAREERS Hot New-Collar Careers and the Skills You Need To Get Them by Rebecca Koenig and Nancy Pham | US News World Report What are New-Collar jobs? They are jobs that require skills but NOT necessarily a college degree. Theres an interactive graphic in the article that allows you to learn more about New-Collar jobs in healthcare, technology, engineering and software. Here are some of the jobs mentioned in the article: computer support specialist web developer NET developer registered nurse field service engineer physical therapy assistant medical assistant cable installation technician 5 Ways to Help Employees Keep Up with Digital Transformation by Deb Henretta and Chopra-McGowan | Harvard Business Review As the authors say: Digital transformation is not just about technology. The way a company communicates with its employees, organizes them, and reskills them will play a fundamental role in its ability to take advantage of the new paradigm of the consumer products landscape. While this article talks about CPG (consumer packaged goods), the five steps apply to any organization! I hope you uncover some new ideas! Learning in the Flow of Work by Josh Bersin | Bersin by Deloitte Micro-learning or on-demand learning is rising. Flip through this presentation to learn why changes in jobs, careers and training have been changing and what companies are doing to upskill employees! Im a trainer at heart and love data, so this presentation hit all the right buttons for me. Learning in the Flow of Work from Josh Bersin JOB SEARCH How to Always Have a Job In a Fast-Changing World by Paul Milano | Paul Milano It is unlikely that robots will steal your job. BUT, you have to change your thinking and strategy. There are six very concrete steps you can take to make sure you stay employable. Make sure you block time for them! SOCIAL MEDIA How Your Social Media Reputation Impacts Hiring Decisions by Jeff Lipschultz | Job-Hunt.org When a recruiter tells you how they research candidates, you really should pay attention. Thats exactly what this article does! Its up to you to make sure recruiters, hiring managers and anyone looking for public information about you finds the best stuff. JOB INTERVIEW 40 Tips to Help Ace Your Next Job Interview [Infographic] by YouTern Job interview tips all wrapped up in one easy infographic. MENTIONS How Job Seekers Can Get Noticed Online The Voice of Job Seekers Podcast with Mark Anthony Dyson Ive always enjoyed my conversations with Mark! Heres another quick one!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Book review Corporate Kindergarten - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review Corporate Kindergarten - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog What is the value of play in the corporate world, and how could we go about introducing more of it? These are the main questions that Jesper Bove-Nielsen examines in his book Corporate Kindergarten. This book falls somewhere between manifest, business book and academic book. It has the depth and reach of a good business book, but it clearly has a message, namely that playing is a good thing, and has tremendous value to offer the business world. The book is in danish, so non-danes will have to wait for a translation. The book defines two kinds of playing, for which we have different words in danish: Leg and spil. Theres playing for the sake of playing and theres the more structured playing that occurs eg. when youre playing a game with rules. Both have their place and their uses. Throughout, the book is full of actual case stories and real life stories of playing, and it makes a very convincing case for giving room to play. Not that I need convincing :o) The argument goes that playing stimulates creativity and innovation, it enhances learning and it promotes cooperation and teamwork. The book is highly readable and entertaining. It is also well structured and informative. I recommend this book to anyone interested in examining the value and practice of playing in a business setting. To me, the link between playing and happiness at work is immediately obvious. Playing makes you happy, but you also need to be happy to play. To take a game seriously, requires a level of attention and a willingness to let go that is much easier to achieve if youre happy with yourself and your surroundings. Conversely, playing makes you happy. It allows you to use parts of your self which might otherwise lie dormant, and to interact with your fellow players in an informal, fun and spontaneous way. So stop reading, and go play! 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