40 Job Application Buzzwords Job Seekers Should Avoid

40 Job Application Buzzwords Job Seekers Should Avoid40 Job Application Buzzwords Job Seekers Should Avoid22Have you ever wondered what some of the biggest pet peeves of HR professionals are? For starters buzzwords. The job application buzzwords listed below are so overused by most job seekers that they should be avoided.Application buzzwords are nothing new- recruiters have lamented over them for ages. But the types of words considered cliche and annoying continue to evolve, so its a good idea for job seekers to stay aware of the most current job application buzzwords in order to avoid using them.Given their uniqueness and near perfect match for resumes and explaining job tasks and career experience, these job application buzzwords may be hard to eliminate. However, job seekers should make a conscious effort to not overuse these words to describe themselves in their cover letter and resume. Check out the list below that includes buzzwords from HRMornings article The 17 Most Irritati ng Buzzwords in Todays Resumes.Here are 40 job application buzzwords that job seekers should avoidInfluencedUnder budgetRevenue/profitsLaunchedNegotiatedIdeasIncreased/decreasedWonVolunteeredResolvedCreatedManagedTrained/mentoredImprovedAchievedProactiveSuccessfullyAccomplishedTop performerDeveloperResponsible forChallengedInnovativeProblem solverObjectiveDetail-orientedSelf-motivatedDynamicStrategic thinkerHard workerBottom lineTeam playerResults-drivenValue-addedThought leadershipGo-to personSynergyThink outside the boxGo-getterBest of breedHow to Stop Using Job Application BuzzwordsDid you read through the list above and realize you might have a problem with buzzword overuse? Dont worry Microsoft Word or other document creation software programs like Google Docs offer handy synonym and synonymwrterbuch options to help you brainstorm replacement words for your job applications. Or visit Thesaurus.com for ideas on the go.If you find yourself using any of these job application buzzw ords, dont fret. Most job seekers are completely unaware that these words are overused and highly popular throughout the job seeker world. As you revise your own resume and cover letter, consider using a thesaurus to avoid these common words. You may just wow the HR professionals the next time you apply by using a fresh and easy-to-read resumeReaders, do you use any of these job application buzzwords? What suggestions would you offer to job seekers looking for new words to use? Share your tips and experiences with us below

Four Ways to Align Business Strategy with Customer Needs

Four Ways to Align Business Strategy with Customer NeedsFour Ways to Align Business Strategy with Customer NeedsFour Ways to Align Business Strategy with Customer Needs Picoult, Contributing WriterThink you know your customers? Think againThe marketplace is littered with the corpses of geschftslebenes who thought they understood their customers needs only to realize, when it was too late, that they were wrong.(Recent victims of this phenomenon include Kodak, Blockbuster and Blackberry.)Understanding the needs, wants and overall mindset of your customers is critical for improving current business offerings, as well as developing entirely new ones.But rare is the customer who will actually volunteer such insights. Rather, youve got to tease this information out of your clientele.And this is where many business leaders stumble, because it requires an act of humility something that can be in short-supply with those who have enjoyed past success. It requires acknowledgement that you might not actually know your customers, and their motivations, as well as you think.But the good news is, you can do something about that Here are four ways to cultivate better customer insights, so you can craft a sound business strategy that drives todays profits and tomorrows growth1. Ask your employees.Of all the people in your organization, the ones who understand customers best are your front-line staff. These people interact daily with your customers, giving them a unique and credible perspective that cant be found elsewhere.Take the time to regularly huddle with your front-line.Ask them pointed questions about what pleases customers and what disappoints them. Which of your products and services do customers rave about?Which ones do they frequently browse, but rarely purchase?What do they often ask for, but the business is unable to provide?What are customers biggest frustrations?Not only will this dialogue help you landsee your customer in a new light, but it can also drive stron ger employee engagement, making the staff feel even mora important and valued by the business.2. Set up listening posts.Tapping into the customer insights of your front-line staff is wise, but dont stop there.Go right to the source, soliciting opinions from customers themselves.Whether it be with a short e-mail survey, an interviewer positioned outside of your store, or a social media strategythat calls for comments however you do it, make it easy for customers to provide feedback.Doing so can unearth a treasure trove of insights, many of which customers would have never shared unless they were asked.Of course, asking for customer feedback is just half the equation.When you involve customers in this type of exercise, its imperative that you acknowledge their feedback closing the loop so they know that theyve been heard and their suggestions are being considered.3. Go into the wild.The most brilliant customer insights often come by observing customers in their natural habitat in the wild - while they interact with your business or use your products.This technique (called ethnographic research) helps reveal insights that customers would never think to share with you.When you employ this approach, you get an unfiltered look at the customer experience. You get to see how people make purchase decisions, how they use your products, how they use your website and how they satisfy needs that arent currently addressed by your offerings.Observing customers in this manner, and having an in-depth conversation with them afterwards, inevitably yields a long list of ideas for improvements and business innovation.4. Get a fresh perspective from an unlikely source.While employees and customers can be good sources for market insight, both parties have their limitations.Employees particularly the most experienced ones can be so steeped in current business practices that they may have difficulty thinking of creative, unconventional ways to address emerging customer needs.Customer s, in turn, are unfamiliar with the inner workings of your business and may not be able to help you connect the dots from insight to execution.Imagine if you could somehow get the best of both worlds, finding someone who combines the external perspective of customers with the internal know-how of employees.The answer is you can in the form of your new hires.This is especially true if one of your hiring practices is to bring aboard employees who mirror your customers (which, in and of itself, is a good hiring strategy, since consumers are often mora comfortable interacting with people they view as peers).Ask new hires for their perspective on your products, services and overall customer experience.Have them play customer for a day and give you candid feedback.Once theyre assimilated into the business and have gained familiarity with your operation, loop back and continue the debrief.Use their fresh perspective to explore new ways of engineering products or delivering services so they better meet the identified needs of your customers.An added bonusthe mere act of asking your new hires to participate in this strategic exercise will make them feel special, giving them confidence that they made the right decision in joining your team.Cultivating customer insight is good for your company and your business strategy.But it doesnt necessarily require an expensive engagement with a professional research firm.Start by taking the time to consult with those around you employees, customers and new hires.Their perspectives will help bring your target market and your path to future growth into much sharper focus.Author BioJon Picoult is Founder of Watermark Consulting, a firm that helps businesses impress their customers, candidates and employees.Prior to establishing Watermark, Jon held senior executive roles in service, technology, sales and marketing at Fortune 100 companies.Learn more, or read Jons blog, at watermarkconsult.net.

Going to Law School as a Nontraditional Student

Going to Law School as a Nontraditional Student Going to Law School as a Nontraditional Student Do you think you’d be a great lawyer and wish you had pursued that line of education right after college? Going to law school is a big commitment, so you want to make sure it’s for you. Nontraditional law students have some unique challenges, so you want to make sure you are ready before deciding to go back after several years away from school. After assessing whether you have the skill set necessary to attend law school, here are some questions you should ask yourself. Do I Want to Be a Lawyer? While this seems like an obvious question, you should take some time to think about this one truly. A law degree isn’t a multipurpose degree. You shouldn’t spend the time and money on law school if you don’t want to practice law. Read some cases and look at the different kinds of law specializations. Are you still interested? If you’re even a little bit hesitant, you should rethink law school, especially as a non-traditional student. Do I Have Time to Study for the LSAT? As a nontraditional student, you likely already have a life carved out for you. Whether you’ve been working or going to school for something else, you have to be able to fit studying for the LSAT into your daily routine. The LSAT is an exam unlike anything else you’ll have taken in your lifetime, so you will need to find the time to commit to preparing for it. Do I Have Relationships With Former Professors Who Could Write Letters of Recommendation? It is something a lot of people don’t think of, but law school applications usually require at least three letters of recommendation. While it may be beneficial to include a recommendation from your current boss, that is not always the case. It depends on what field you’re coming from. The whole point of the letters of recommendation is to show that other people can see that you’ll do well in law school and as a lawyer. Since law school requires a large amount of intense study, former professors are usually your best bet. If you are thinking of law school, you should start reconnecting with people early in the process so the relationship can be rebuilt. Will I Be Able to Give up My Income for Three Years? Law school is a full-time job. Between attending classes and studying, you’ll be lucky if you have the time to eat all of your meals and get a healthy amount of sleep. Therefore, there is no room for holding a job in addition to law school, and many law schools don’t allow it. Going through the three years of law school without an income outside of your inevitable student loans is something that you should think long and hard about, especially if you have begun building a life and there are other people who would be affected by your decision. Attending part-time for a longer period of time might allow you to keep working at least part-time, but that further delays your plans and is a stressful existence! Am I Secure in Knowing That Getting a Job May Be Difficult After Law School? It may very well be the most difficult part of being a nontraditional student in law school. You’ve been out of college for a few years. You’ve likely already worked, and you know what kinds of salaries your friends are making. But you’ll be competing with fresh, young law school graduates who have never worked before, and in all likelihood, they’ll be willing to take a lower salary than you’ll want to. Or, even worse, they might be prioritized because they’ve seen less of the world and law practices can mold them into their ideal attorneys. Is this fair? Not even a little bit. But it is a reality for anyone who is entering law school as a nontraditional student. You need to ask yourself if you’d be okay with the possibility that finding a job after law school will be more difficult for you than for other new (and, ahem, younger) graduates. Will Law School Throw a Wrench in My Plans? Are you planning on taking a yearly big trip in the winter? Are you planning on attending a law school far from home, where you’ll miss out on the milestone events in your loved ones’ lives, like weddings and the birth of children? Were you hoping to start your own family in the near future? These are some of the things that law school will affect. You may have to miss out on events. You may have to postpone your plans. You may have to rearrange the plan you had for your life. Factor these thoughts into your decision-making process, because your life is important, too. If you answered yes to all of those questions (except for the last one, where a “no” would be the more law-school-positive answer), law school is likely the best decision that you could make for your career. You will have to shape your application in a way that shows what you gained in your years away from school. If a career as a lawyer makes you excited and you’ve been looking for a change, this may be the path for you. You can do it!

Leadership Style Tips for Effective Delegation

Leadership Style Tips for Effective Delegation Leadership Style Tips for Effective Delegation Your leadership style is situational. Your leadership style depends on the task, the team or individuals capabilities and knowledge, the time and tools available, and the results desired. In a recent article, the tell, sell, consult, join, and delegate leadership style model  was reviewed. As a supervisor, manager, or team leader, you make daily decisions about the appropriate leadership style to employ in each work situation. You want to foster employee involvement and employee empowerment to enable your team members to contribute their best effort at work. These tips for successful delegation of authority will help you help your reporting staff members succeed when they are most empowered. And, when they succeed, you succeed. Never let yourself forget the intertwined nature of workplace success. Leadership Style Tips Whenever Possible, When Delegating Work, Give the Person a Whole Task to Do If you cant give the employee a whole task, make sure that they understand the overall purpose of the project or task that the task you assign them is part of. If possible, connect them to the group that is managing or planning the work. Staff members contribute most effectively when they are aware of the big picture. Employees Are More Effective Performers When They Feel Part of Something That Is Bigger Than Themselves By giving them the whole and complete picture, you ensure that they feel as if they are a part of the whole initiative. This makes them feel more important in the scheme of things. People who know the goals, the  expectations,  and the outcomes expected make better decisions about their work because they have a context within which they are making decisions. Make Sure the Staff Person Understands Exactly What You Want Them to Do Ask questions, watch the work performed, or have the employee give you feedback to make sure that your instructions were understood. No one wants to do the wrong thing or watch their efforts and contribution fail to make an impact. So, make sure that you and the employee share meaning on the objectives and desired outcomes from each task you delegate. If You Have a Picture of What a Successful Outcome or Output Will Look Like, Share Your Picture With the Staff Person You want to make the person right. You dont want to fool the person to whom you delegate authority for a task, into believing that any outcome will do unless you feel that way. Your employees would rather that you share exactly what you are looking for rather than make them guess. Identify the Key Points of the Project, or Dates When You Want Feedback About Progress It is the critical path that provides you with the feedback you need without causing you to micromanage your direct report or team. You need assurance that the delegated task or project is on track. You also need the opportunity to influence the projects direction and the team or individuals decisions. If you designate this critical path from the beginning, your employees are also less likely to feel micromanaged or as if you are watching over their shoulder each step of the way. Identify the Measurements or the Outcome You Will Use to Determine That the Project Was Successfully Completed (This will make performance development planning more measurable and less subjective, too.) Determine, in Advance, How You Will Thank and Reward the Staff Person for Their Successful Completion of the Task or Project You Delegated The recognition reinforces the employees positive self-image, sense of accomplishment, and belief that he or she is a key contributor. Cautions in Using Delegation as a Leadership Style Delegation can be viewed as dumping by the employee who receives more work to do. A young employee complained recently that while she was extremely interested in more responsible work and taking on new challenges, she felt that her manager was just giving her more work to do most of the time. Consequently, some of the delegated work was more challenging; attending meetings during which she helped impact the direction of a developing product was challenging, exciting, and responsible. She believed her manager didnt understand the difference though, so she spent most of her time doing more work of a mundane, repetitive nature. This workload, which had her working long hours and weekends, interfered with her ability to take on more responsibility and her family obligations. Admittedly, any job has its share of the mundane tasks that have to be completed. Some people dont like filing, and some dont like billing clients. Some people also dont like doing the wash or emptying the dishwasher. Therefore, the manager must carefully balance the delegation of more work with the delegation of work requiring more responsibility, authority, and challenge. The successful delegation of authority as a leadership style takes time and energy, but its worth the time and energy to help employee involvement and  employee empowerment  succeed as a leadership style. Its worth the time and energy to help employees succeed, develop, and meet your expectations. You build the employees self-confidence and people who feel successful usually are successful.

6 things successful people do when they return from a long weekend

6 things successful people do when they return from a long weekend 6 things successful people do when they return from a long weekend An extra day off makes snapping out of weekend mode that much harder.Some people around the US receive an extra day off for Memorial Day to commemorate the Americans who have died in active military service.There’s a lot to be said about how you should- or shouldn’t- spend long weekends. But it’s equally important to plan out the days that follow a long weekend.When you’re coming back from some time off and you have a shorter week to get everything done, it usually helps to hit the ground running.With that in mind, here are six things that successful people do first when they return from long weekend:They get to work earlyWhen it comes to some holidays, almost everyone has time off. So you won’t be falling behind by showing up to work at your usual time.But coming in early is a good idea if you want to be as productive as possible after a holiday weekend.“That will mitigate the workload avalanche and give you a head start, sans distraction,” Lynn Taylor, a national wo rkplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job,” told Business Insider.They scrutinize their to-do lists Productive people know that long, unwieldy to-do lists are essentially useless. There’s no better time to start cutting items from your list than the day you get back from long weekend. “Now that you’ve spent a good bit away from your desk, you have tangible proof that those tasks you’re always putting off aren’t holding up your ceiling,” freelance reporter Kevin Purdy writes in  Fast Company. They double check their schedules Don’t forget to double check your schedule. Remember, you’ll likely be dealing with a shortened work week. Don’t try to cram too many items onto your weekly schedule, or you might wind up burning yourself out. They check in with people If you’re back from a national holiday, odds are most of your coworkers and clients will be in the same boat as you. Still, it’s not a bad idea to check in. “Take the time to connect with one or two clients to let them know they’re top of mind with you and that you’re back if they need anything,” Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “The Humor Advantage,” told Business Insider. “It’s a simple customer service touch point that can make a big impression.” What’s more, if the long weekend ate up a Monday - a popular day for meetings- schedule in some time for your team and direct reports to meet up, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You want to make sure everyone’s on the same page now that you’re all back in the office. They organize their inbox Beware of spending too much time responding to the emails you missed over the weekend. “It’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of responding to every email without considering whether it’s the best use of your time on the first day back,” Kerr said. “Don’t confuse email activity with productive work, so be strategic and only respond to email that are time sensitive.” They focus on work It’s important to be able to shut off your “work brain” over long weekends. You want to enjoy your time off, after all. It’s equally important to snap back into a work-oriented mindset when you return to the office. Successful people are able to make the switch and avoid any unproductive post-long weekend dillydallying. This post was originally published on BusinessInsider.com.

Expert Advice on Picking the Right Resume Font

Expert Advice on Picking the Right Resume Font Expert Advice on Picking the Right Resume Font For creative professionals, choosing the right resume font is particularly important. Here’s some expert advice to consider when making your selection. For many hiring managers in the creative industry, how a resume looks matters as much as what it contains. Pick the wrong font, and you could jeopardize your chances of landing an interview. But because choosing the right resume font is subjective, we asked five noted design experts to share their favorites as well as ones to avoid at all costs. Our resume font “creative council” included: Nicole Jacek, principal, NJ(L.A.) Tan Le, group creative director, Anthem Worldwide Richard Poulin, partner, Poulin + Morris Inc. Bonnie Siegler, principal, Eight and a Half Ann Willoughby, principal, Willoughby Design Even among this small group, some discrepancies arose, furthering the great resume font debate. Read on to get their take - and then weigh in. What would be your go-to resume font and why? Le: Gotham would be my choice. It’s a well-designed font family, with many proportional weights, and has enough personality to keep from being too austere or decorative. If a designer can’t design well with Gotham, then that resume is going to make its way to my trash can. Whatever font it is, choose wisely and minimally. No more than two fonts are needed on any resume. Willoughby: Avenir. It is beautiful and more sophisticated than Helvetica. It is a clean sans-serif alone, and it could be paired with a serif for contrast. Make sure your font(s) work on multi-platforms so that your resume and portfolio translate in both digital and print forms. Most creatives use InDesign or Illustrator to design their resumes. If you make a PDF of your resume, it will be easy to control the design. Siegler: I haven’t had a resume in 26 years, but if I were to design a resume for myself today, it would probably be in DIN. Jacek: I don’t care about the font you are using for your resume, to be honest. As long as you are not trying to cover up for your weak resume or design skills. From my experience, that would be anyone using overly decorative, over-designed fonts and over-designed everything. It would be better to put your design efforts into your work. A simple font like Helvetica or Replica works just fine. Poulin: I do not have a “go-to” font for resumes, or for any other type of visual communication for that matter. I always recommend to students that when developing their resumes, they need to carefully consider several elements: their own visual brand, readability, legibility and, most important, that the typography they use for their resume speaks about them in a manner that is 100 percent reflective of their design values and aesthetics. SEARCH CREATIVE JOB OPENINGS What is the worst typeface to use on a resume and why? Willoughby: Curlz or anything with curlicues. Siegler: Nothing is better than breaking hard-and-fast rules and making them work. So, there really isn’t a worst typeface. And conversely, even the most beautiful typeface can be used terribly in the wrong hands. I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not really the typeface that matters, it’s the design! Jacek: Gill Sans. I hate it. As the font for London Underground it’s beautiful, but unless your resume will be signage size with spaced-out all caps, forget about it. And even though I love Chromium, please do not use it for your resume. It will make you look like a shiny idiot. Le: Avoid display fonts. Again, think of the content, not just the typeface. Display fonts are more decorative and meant to be used for short words or phrases and in larger graphic applications. They are not meant for text or prose, and are usually not designed for legibility. Avoid fonts that are trendy or, worse, cliché. If you don’t know what’s trendy or cliché, well then, you have bigger problems. Stick to the classics and use them well. What font did you use on your first resume? Le: Minion. It seemed a good idea at the time. Jacek: DIN, because Stefan Sagmeister and karlssonwilker used it for all their work. At that time, I really had no sensibility for typefaces, and I really wanted to intern for them. Anyway, it worked. Poulin: I don’t remember but it was probably some awful typeface that I selected purely for its visual effect (and affect). While it’s no excuse, I was young and typographically naïve. Willoughby: It has been more than 40 years and I have no idea. It was probably typed on an IBM Selectric, which came out in 1961. Siegler: For my first resume, I had to mark up a typed sheet of paper with my desired typeface choice, sizes and leading. When I got it back, I made a mechanical with it. If I didn’t like the size of something (or the font), I had to mark it up again and send out for new type. It got expensive if you kept changing your mind! I think I probably ended up using a version of Franklin Gothic. We assume you’ve received some bad resumes in your day. What’s the worst offense you’ve seen? Siegler: There have been so many, but most of the truly egregious ones stand out because of the cover letter. People tend to proofread their resumes pretty extensively, but for some reason, not their cover letters. More than once, we have received cover letters addressed to us, but with a sentence about how much the applicant loves another firm’s work, because they forgot to swap out that firm’s name for ours in their clearly very generic cover letter. Willoughby: Last year a job seeker sent us a beautifully crafted calligraphy poster using our name, Willoughby. Unfortunately, our name was misspelled. Le: I’ve gotten some really bad resumes through the years. But the worst ones aren’t bad because they’re ugly; they’re bad because it’s obvious the designer doesn’t really understand typography or design. I’ve gotten some that are standard business Word templates in Helvetica, which is a deal breaker for any design position. I’ve gotten many that treated the resume like a gig poster, which shows a lack of control or conveys arrogance, or both. The best resumes are the ones that make me want to read the whole story of that person, served up in a way that conveys personality and style. Searching for creative work? We can help! Get started by submitting your resume.

The One Word That Can Transform Your Resume

The One Word That Can Transform Your Resume The One Word That Can Transform Your Resume If I told you that one word can change your resume and dramatically improve your job search results, would you think I was nuts? Let me explain why Im not. One of the keys to a successful resume is to ensure that it clearly communicates your unique value proposition what makes you different from all the other job seekers out there? This value proposition should be the focus of every word of your resume, so that employers cant help but get the message you want them to get. One of my favorite strategies to do this is to distill the clients value proposition into one word (or sometimes one brief phrase). Doing this helps me create a focus for the resume, which in turn helps me choose what content to highlight and what content to leave off the resume all together. How Do You find Your Word? I choose the word or phrase based on two things: First, I define the blend of skills, experiences and personality traits that make my client unique. Then I look at whats important to the companies who are hiring for this type of position and identify what they will MOST like about my client (they may like lots of things but I am looking for the most important aspect of their experience). Then I come up with a word or short phrase that encapsulates that one thing. How it Worked for One Client So to give you a specific example, one former client was a senior tax executive. He was unusual because he had a breadth of experience that spanned all aspects of taxes from having worked at the IRS, to being a tax lawyer, to working for a top consulting firm providing tax guidance on highly complex issues. He worried that his background was too diversified he was shooting for a position as the top tax executive in a large corporation but he felt that because he had never held such a role before, employers would dismiss him. In reviewing his goals and his experience, I felt that the one key word for him was expertise. His broad-based background gave him unique insights and experiences. He hadnt just worked on tax issues for one company, he had worked on them for many companies. He hadnt just viewed them from the inside, but from the outside as a tax attorney and as a consultant. Having decided that expertise was the core concept for his resume, I then focused on gathering the data to support that concept so that we could lead his resume with a strong statement and then support that statement throughout the document. You can see the end result here (opens PDF). This resume got the desired result within 3 months, which is a relatively short time for such a senior-level position. The staff at the Fortune 500 company where Peter now works told him that his resume was the best one they saw and given that its message was so carefully crafted, this is no surprise. In Summary Knowing your one word is a powerful way to transform your resume from a collection of facts into a cohesive marketing document that clearly positions you for success. So whats your one word? Need help with your resume? Check out our new online resume writing course. Its free!

Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1)

Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1) Consulting Annual Review Process 101 (Part 1) By Kristine Schoonmaker, MyConsultingLife.comEach year consulting firms go through an exercise to rate their talent and promote those ready to move up. The environment is incredibly competitive and the rules of the game are usually anything but black and white. While there may not be a clear science to the process, if you understand what the landscape is really like, you greatly increase your odds of success. But dont hold your breath waiting for the company training on this one. Unfortunately, no one is likely to tell you the down and dirty skinny on the annual review process when you get hired.A few things HR probably didnt mention to you when you joinedIts subjective. Many firms label themselves as a meritocracy, meaning that those exhibit certain talents, aptitude or skills get rewarded (e.g., get good ratings and move up). The challenge for you as the consultant is that this is also highly subjective. In many cases, even though your firm may outline certain factors used to evaluate your performance, they can often lack clarity and specificity. With the human element so largely in play, its rarely black and white (e.g., do this and get this mark). Space is limited. There are a generally a set number of slots for each rating and a set number of slots for promotions. Landing one depends largely on your ability to justify to the powers that be that you deserve it and are already playing at that level consistently. Nailing one project out of three in a year isnt going to cut it. Promotions and good ratings are awards given for proven ability, not potential. You have to stand out from the Jones. You will be ranked against your peers or the others at your level. This gets interesting because rarely will you all have the same role description. Frequently there will be situations where a test team lead is pitted against a change management consultant for one last spot. They're apples to oranges, so it will all come down to how well each is positioned and who has the more compelling story. Air time is short. Everyone, including you, the person speaking on your behalf, and your partners are super busy all the time, making it very hard to remember all the great things you did throughout the year. On top of that, firms often use a series of conference calls or meetings at various levels (team, account, practice, etc) to evaluate performance. If youve ever been in a fraternity or sorority its a lot like the recruitment process. Its not uncommon for your representative at the table to have only two to three minutes to make their argument for why you deserve the rating they recommend. Regardless of what you actually did over the past 12 months or what was written in your performance review, what they say in that short time can very easily determine your fate. Politics are in full play. When disputes happen, and they often do, she who has the most respected supporters and compelling story wins. There will be one person at each meeti ng speaking for you, but the others in the room carry as much weight or more in the final decision.Feeling down in the dumps about your prospects? Dont give up just yet. There are a few very specific things you can incorporate into your routine to combat these challenges quite easily. Stay tuned for Part 2Kristine Schoonmaker is The Career Lifestyle Coach for Consultants and founder of MyConsultingLife.com. Her bi-weekly ezine Accelerate offers practical insider advice and quick tips from a former consulting exec to help YOU take greater control of your career and stay engaged in your personal life from the road. If youre ready to have it all an amazing career in consulting without giving up the lifestyle, relationships and experiences you want, get your FREE subscription now at www.myconsultinglife.com.

What Motivates You to Do Your Best at Work

What Motivates You to Do Your Best at Work What Motivates You to Do Your Best at Work? What Motivates You to Do Your Best at Work Some adults find it difficult to place their feet on the floor after the alarm clock goes off in the morning. Others can't wait to spring into action. And others wake up without emotion, knowing it will be just another day at the office. Those are three brief but different pictures of personal motivation. Each of us has to have some reason to get up every day and go to work. For some, the motivation is financial: making the money to provide for a family and socking some away for retirement. For others, it's the thrill of accomplishing something worthwhile and taking pride in it.

6 Tips for Staying Flexible in Your Job Search

6 Tips for Staying Flexible in Your Job Search 6 Tips for Staying Flexible in Your Job Search Wouldn't it be great if everything just stayed the same for awhile? It is tiring to have to learn how to use a new smartphone or figure out the latest gadget. In a world that changes quickly, you have to learn to keep morphing, adjusting and adapting to stay current and marketable. The job search is all about adapting and adjusting to yield positive results.Your career is in beta mode. In "The Start-up of You," Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, talks about being in constant beta â€" a state of trial, readiness to implement change and reinvention. Why is this important? Perhaps you noticed that the job you were hired to do is no longer the job you still perform exactly the same way. Processes change. Technologies update. Resources disappear and you're asked to do more with less. To keep your sanity, you have to adapt to this constant state of change. Your ability to flex , bend and your resiliency is what will help keep your skills and perspective fresh and desirable.Master more t han you think you need. There are numerous articles about in-demand skills, which employers value but have difficulty finding in job candidates. Deborah Shane, a career Author and business branding strategist, lists the following six intangible skills as critical to getting hired: adaptability, being a team player, leadership, multi-taking, open-mindedness and positivity.According to the Job Preparedness Indicator Report for 2013, coordinated by the Career Advisory Board, employers are having difficulty finding entry level candidates with these top ranked skills: Strong base work ethic/dependable, ability to work well with others, self motivated/high degree of initiative, flexibility, good time management skills, high integrity, accountability, problem solving and interpersonal skills.The résumé isn't dead…yet. There are more conflicting opinions on the death of the résumé. You should be aware that standards have changed in the last five years, so be sure the information you'r e using is up to date. In a recent post on the Amplify Talent blog Lars Schmidt, senior director of talent acquisition and innovation at NPR writes: "There is a lot of chatter these days about the death of the résumé, that your 'digital footprint' or LinkedIn profile have made your résumé obsolete. This is (for now) a myth. The reality is while there are sufficient tools and platforms out there to allow hiring teams (in many industries) to make early stage viability decisions, most organizations are still managing through hiring apparatuses and workflows designed 5+ years ago, before some of these technologies existed."More mixed signals on résumés. For as long as a résumé has been around, there will always be experts and others giving advice on how to create the perfect one. The reality is, there is no such thing. This document gets more attention than any other job search element. You could go crazy trying to keep up with all the advice and conflicting opinions. If you sub mit your résumé for a job posting (and that's all you do), and you don't get contacted, you're either not qualified or your résumé didn't show your qualifications. If your phone isn't ringing, your résumé isn't working. In other words, adapt.Try, try and try again. It is easy to get stuck in the apply-for-a-job-and-wait rut. If what you've been doing isn't working, you must try something new or different. If you only apply for jobs online, try adding more networking to your job search. Or if you haven't contacted any recruiters, give that a try. Even better, if you've been hesitant to dip your toe in the social media waters, why not take a cautious dive in? No matter what you do, don't give up or stop trying to morph, adapt and adjust what you are saying and doing.Change your outlook. If you don't think anyone will hire you, then you may be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whether you feel like a victim of age discrimination, unfair hiring practices or neglect, don't let t hese negative thoughts linger or corrupt your potential. There's a saying that negativity breeds negativity. Employers can see this negativity in the emails you send, the voicemail messages you leave and in the interview.Hannah Morgan is a speaker and author providing no-nonsense career advice; she guides job seekers and helps them navigate today's treacherous job search terrain. Hannah shares information about the latest trends, such as reputation management, social networking strategies, and other effective search techniques on her blog, Career Sherpa.

3 Ways the Cover Letter Helps You Make Your Case

3 Ways the Cover Letter Helps You Make Your Case How the Cover Letter Helps Your Cause 3 Ways the Cover Letter Helps You Make Your Case The cover letter doesn't get a lot of respect. It has a hard time pleasing everyone who writes about the job search. It's been called everything from useless to a ball and chain that can only hurt your chances at landing the job. I see where these writers are coming from; I just don't buy what they say. The cover letter may not get read, but, if it's written rightand, of course, readit can boost your chances at landing an interview and the job. The big question is: How can you make that happen when you respond to a job posting? Here are three ways: Tell them the job is right up your alley. In your opening paragraph, tell the hiring manager that the position fits your skills and experience. They might see that in your resume, but the cover letter can help point out how what you have fits with what they want and give advance billing to your resume. Show them what you know about the company. If you already know a lot about the company and how important the role is, address that after the opening paragraph. Employers want to hire people who are enthusiastic about the role and who demonstrate that they want to work for them. If you research the employer to get that information, you might even become more excited about the opportunity. Got good writing skills? Here's a chance to display them. For the most part, resumes follow a standard formula, although the words and data you use can set you apart. The cover letter offers you a chance to make a personal appeal through the use of persuasive writing. It can backfire if you can't write well or fail to engage the reader in the first paragraph, so be sure you get some knowledgeable help if writing is not your strong suit. Done right, it can grab the hiring manager's attention, especially if the company and job place a high value on communications skills. The cover letter gets a bad rap from people who say, for example, thatitoffers another chance to make a mistake that can leave a bad impression. There's no guarantee the cover letter will be read, but there are some must dos in life even if we believe they're not necessary. So, with apologies to Nike: Just write it! Need to build a cover letter?Pongo's Cover Letter Builder provides over a dozen cover letter templates with fill-in-the-blank sample text, best practice advice, and samplephrases to help you get started.Build your cover letter today!

The Unexplained Mystery Into Scrum Master Resume Revealed

The Unexplained Mystery Into Scrum Master Resume Revealed Skills are crucial for everyone seeking to turn into an item manager. Knowledgeable product specialist trying to advance within the area and apply strong research, management and communication skills to donate to the advancement of an increasing company. Product Managers typically possess superior technical understanding, along with an authentic understanding of consumers. They must understand how to determine demand for a specific product, how to identify potential customers, and how to gain their support. They must be able to monitor marketing trends and determine how to use them advantageously. They are hired not only to release products but to assure that they get relative growth in the market as well and helps the company get a bigger market share compared to their direct competitors. The scrum master is a servant-leader of the scrum group, and is anticipated to behave in line with the scrum principles. If you believe that they're then you might need to devote some time reviewing the Scrum Guide. Lastly, you will want to take a while to comprehend in what way the rules of the Scrum framework play out in practice. As a very first step, you are going to want to take some opportunity to reassess the Scrum Guide in depth to make sure you comprehend the rules of the Scrum framework. Scrum encourages using automated performance or regression testing so you can continuously deliver software as speedily as possible. Scrum Masters has to be in a position to strike a wholesome balance to be able to be a strong leader. Scrum Masters play an exceptional function. As a result of exhaustive collection of responsibilities that Scrum Masters have, a particular skillset is needed as a way to be truly powerful. Managers work is to pose the maximum value difficulties, and to do anything they can to help the folks that are solving the difficulties. It's thus important that you're user-focused and clearly understand why folks want to purchase or use your goods. Individuals are at the crux of everything we do. Worked directly with key customers to make sure their needs are satisfied. PM computer software vendors now offer you agile tools which are a crucial driver in helping teams achieve their objectives. The resume templates are helpful for a number of explanations. Ensure you optimize your resume with keywords the system could be searching for. The product advertising manager resume is offered in Word format. To begin with, even though a referral from anyone within the corporation is going to do, it's ideal to obtain a connection to the hiring manager. An internet product manager profile may give the CEO a possiblity to get acquainted with your work. If you are in need of a little inspiration, have a look at our product manager resume sample. Even if it's merely a day training course, it still might be added here. The team operates free of distractions and can readily clear all obstructions by themselves. Also make sure only the latest work experiences come first. Writing one is much simpler if you've got the appropriate knowledge to achieve that. Therefore, you won't be in a position to share all your relevant skills in 1 sentence. Clearly, you should only list the abilities and experience that you really have. Scrum Master Resume - Overview To acquire employment in a competitive field, you need to be able to impress hiring managers from the very first contact. You are able to also list related knowledge in non-product manager jobs. It's quite simple for the recruiter to be overwhelmed by the abundance of information readily available in your resume. The recruiter doesn't need to devote precious minutes looking for different sections of your resume as it's all clearly readily available to them. Removed impediments or helped the team find the ideal folks to eliminate the impediment. Your interviewer is probably going to be listening very closely!

Ruthless Presumed Incompetent Strategies Exploited

Ruthless Presumed Incompetent Strategies Exploited The stigma that's connected to the defendant is often connected to the criminal justice system also. Such a competency ruling cannot be utilized as evidence against the defendant should they later pleads insanity for a defense in the criminal trial. A presumption of competence may look as a leap for many non Autistic folks, it might even feel like a disconnect. Historically, the typical law prevented many kinds of people from testifying. Unsurprisingly, those who show clinically substantial improvement generally psychopathology are more inclined to be perceived as restored to competency. If they weren't able to grasp the significance of the oath they'd usually be permitted to offer unsworn testimony as long as the evidence they gave could be corroborated. Nevertheless, we also wished to be certain that we weren't dismissing any merits to aspects of the idea. Of course the jury selection procedure is intended to eliminate the ones that have strong opinions or massive amounts of understanding of the case but when a circumstance is this highly publicized it's tough to prevent bias. The Secret to Presumed Incompetent The forced heir merely has what is known as the naked ownership of their forced part. Another court proceeding regarding guardianship has to be held. These guardians don't, however, have any authority to cope with financial matters or property. The expression incompetency has many meanings in the law. Patients can only refuse treatment by way of an advance decision, it is impossible for them to commission treatment beforehand. The physician may request input or a competency assessment to be accomplished by means of a psychologist, but this isn't necessary and any other medical personnel's determination isn't binding. When it's used to refer to the legal qualification of somebody, it means the person doesn't have the legal capacity to put in a contract. When it's employed to describe an expert duty or obligation, it usually means that the individual has demonstrated a lack of ability to carry out professional functions. Which leads me to what we are able to do in order to promote autonomy, even if someone may be incompetent for some purposes. When someone is judged to be incompetent, a guardian is appointed to deal with the individual's property and individual affairs. Top Presumed Incompetent Secrets Generally, all patients ought to be presumedcompetent, that usually means that unless a physician is extended a great reason to think you aren't competent, you ought to be thought of as competent. Likewise a podiatrist needs to be described as a doctor which aids you with your feet. A specialist person who fails to fulfill the duties required of that profession might be judged incompetent. However, addiction to drugs can impact the credibility and weight of their testimony. Every patient has the constitutional right, dependent on the rights of privacy and self-determination, to determine what medical treatment they will receive. I could use a few less stabbings both away from the hospital and in. Presumed Incompetent - the Story Perhaps then our society will start to root out the patriarchy upon which it's been built, and workplaces will start to understand that all workers also have somebody to look after, if only themselves. Studies have demonstrated that oppression causes a lot of chronic illnesses that are then utilized as excuses for additional oppression and, for some, result in the conclusion of their careers. Irreconcilably separated'' spouses aren't protected where there is not any marital harmony to preserve. The Hidden Truth About Presumed Incompetent The higher demands for work product made by neoliberalism since the center of the twentieth century have increased productivity in every work sector without subsequent damages. Especially with improvisation, it actually is the point where the true script is written. The juvenile competency legislation was on the border of being passed two years back, but didn't make it at the conclusion of the session. In estate planning, the idea of forced heirship is the only thing that most clients don't understand. Quite simply, it's necessary but not sufficient to boost the numbers of women faculty of color. Regardless, it places the larger emphasis on functionality of body organs and the way they can be best utilised to sustain life in place of on the value of requiring permission of the person to donate their organs. It follows that the man or woman can legally declare the contract void, which makes it unenforceable. 1 person reads only what's on the card. Therefore, it's normally a territory that I want to explore and an actor that I want to work with. The absolute most importa nt work of the movie, making the procedure for the acting, is obstructed at each turn by the practice of making it. You don't appear to be a professor.

Notes on Samples Functional Resumes in Step by Step Order

Notes on Samples Functional Resumes in Step by Step Order Leading with your skills might be an excellent method to pique a recruiter's interest till they have an opportunity to review your dates of employment. A Functional Resume or Skills Resume is intended to highlight your abilities and accomplishments on top of your resume instead of grouping them below the jobs or positions you've held as in a chronological resume. On the contrary, it highlights your abilities and abilities. Next, you will start to list your major abilities and abilities. Don't forget that the position you're applying for will also earn a difference to the kind of CV Resume you should chose. To begin with, you have to choose which type that you want to write. Writing a strong application is a difficult procedure and we would like to make it simpler. In the majority of instances, you might want to use a Reverse Chronological resume format. If you'd like to see resume samples for one more business, you can view all our resume samples here. You should also think about the position, company and industry that you're pursuing. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact skills. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Distinctive Documents provides our clients a complete selection of professional writing services to fulfill all work search requirements. If you're asking for a job for a shop manager, for instance, the info you will need to highlight on your CV Resume is going to be different than if you were going for a position for a shop assistant. If you're in a creative position (for example, graphic design), think about using a nontraditional resume. In such cases, you've got enough experience but not in one specific field. Second, the illustration of resume is something which keeps updating, and you may change your resume format as you continue adding to your work experience and achievements. Resume template offers you compose a part in or following a variety. As previously mentioned, you need to pick a resume format that's suited to your personal profile. In order to assist you make a decision as to what format is most appropriate for the job, here are a couple examples of the various formats out there. The absolute most important portions of somebody's CV ought to be from the precise first half of the webpage. Relevant info, many different strategies to write resume sample resume expert. Perhaps while looking for examples you noticed poor samples throughout the internet. This sample functional resume is only an example to demonstrate the high quality and fashion of our professional resume writing services. Samples Functional Resumes Can Be Fun for Everyone Profile essay outline internet dating tips good internet dating profile essay example for men. You need to choose the sample which is most suitable for the post you desire to submit an application for. You may also incorporate your site URL and portfolio here. If you want to compose a functional Resume Templates then you are able to take assistance from the below-given sample functional resumes. Internships and trial-basis jobs to start your career again can do the job. Otherwise, your resume may get set aside immediately. When it has to do with searching for a job which you will often have to send your CV Resume to companies. Job Search In order to acquire work, you are going to have to take your work search seriously and struggle hard to have a position within one or another corporation.

One of the Most Incredibly Neglected Systems for College Application Resume

One of the Most Incredibly Neglected Systems for College Application Resume You'd get laughed from the quad. Everyone on the other side of the country takes the exact test on the exact same moment. A laundry list of activities isn't likely to be the make-it-or-break-it element when it has to do with getting into college. Plenty of individuals are interested in being resident assistants. Maybe you did a great deal of volunteer work or fundraising during high school which might also be noteworthy for them to understand your own personal values and what types of things are important to you. When you can't list a great deal of jobs, show a great deal of positions. It is possible to also list summer jobs. Facts, Fiction and College Application Resume A well-written resume can supply the edge a student needs in the current competitive workplace. It doesn't signify that you need to embellish or exaggerate your accomplishments, but you need to draw attention to them. To know wh at sorts of questions to ask yourself about what you do want in college, you may want to take a look at our article about the initial actions in selecting a college which suits you. If possible, have someone from your campus career office, or maybe an alumnus within the field that you want to know more about, look at your resume to make sure you have included as much pertinent information as possible. You are able to have the very best college admissions resume on earth. Next, you are going to discover how to create a college resume prepared for the big leagues! You've just what it requires to be successful in college. Not only are you going to be healthier and happier, it is going to make it that much simpler to wind up at the ideal college for YOU. High school resume templates are a valuable resource for such students. Please be aware, it's important to read the application requirements for each school your students apply to. Bear in mind that a few schools have specific guidelines regarding what they search for in a resume. High school students may require a resume to submit an application for work or as an element of a university application. Make certain you pick top quality websites and verify they're lively or you will be regarded as unprofessional. You have to join a lot of distinct organizations to seem good for colleges. Make sure you pick high high quality websites and verify they're lively or you're going to be viewed as unprofessional. The majority of websites have for example set up a totally free scholarship information service with College application templates that may help you get the cash that you need for college. Put the Education section of your resume at the very top of your resume so that it's the very first thing the employer sees. Check to guarantee you're providing all of the info required and clearly define your skill sets when it comes to application requirements. Begin with writing down your name, address, contact number, date of birth, higher school name, and a submission date. Just take the opportunity to thoroughly construct each category and always explain the particulars of your activities. Possessing all this information already compiled in a resume format that is easily available electronically is going to be a big time saver once it is time to fill out this section of the Common App. A resume example will be able to help you make a decision as to what sort of content to include, along with how to format your resume. Constructing an activity sheet can be an intimidating undertaking for students since they make an effort to gather all their information. Top College Application Resume Secrets Writing out a resume isn't as difficult as it may seem and it's extremely beneficial on a college application. All your AP scores will be contained in the score file, if you don't request that a specific score be withheld. Students may finish an AP program and opt not to take the last exam, but they won't earn college credit for the AP coursework. They oftentimes use a computer to complete their homework assignments, and may have acquired pretty good skills when it comes to word processing or spreadsheet applications. You may want to have a skilled expert look over your essay in order that they can revise your essay to perfection. Writing the college application essay can be among the most daunting components of applying to college. Our talented writers can deal with just about any form of writing assignment, together with Math and Physics troubles and much more. Essay outline for college plays an important function.

Top Choices of Waitress Resume

Top Choices of Waitress Resume When it has to do with the waitress abilities and duties, they are all the exact same, which means that you must have them all to be able to succeed. The waiter resume example is easily adapted to clearly show your private experience. Just take the opportunity to consider the remarkable qualities it requires to be a waitress. A Waitress must also coordinate with the kitchen to make sure service is on time and the grade of the food is based on the corporation's standards. The Importance of Waitress Resume Communication and computer handling skills are also rather important in regards to cashier resume. Resume templates are ideal for folks who don't possess the art of producing impressive resumes. When you're applying for work, it is almost always better to use resume templates which have been specially designed to suit the goal. As stated previously, it's an important job to draft an appropriate fitting CV. Furthermore, you can look for waitr ess jobs on Monster. Being a waiter or waitress isn't an effortless job. Utilize your waitress resume to highlight your strong suits, whatever you can do in order to demonstrate your strengths is likely to help you land work. Our resume builder gives you tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. Submitting resumes online is usually not sufficient to find a new job. If your resume is only one page it's still very much appreciated. Hopefully, you currently have a strong site, either a personal portfolio or your freelance business website. Everything in your resume ought to be simple to read and simple to comprehend. Now you are in need of a cover letter. Cover Letter The cover letter has become the most important part of a good resume. If you're sending out a pay letter or a work app, then it genuinely is highly encouraged to deal with the individual concerned with a salutation. Using Waitress Resume The restaurant business is hiring. Certain jobs have the requirement to find the assistance of candidates with a distinct educational qualification. Salaries are for the most part small, and the majority of the income comes from the tip. Be it serving at a nearby restaurant or auditing for a big accounting firm, you have to be punctual, responsible, and accountable. Putting some accomplishment following your job responsibilities details like the additional projects you've undertaken and how that lead to the company, will permit the reviewer to estimate your capabilities. Job descriptions for the exact same position will read differently depending on the type of job that you're searching for now. Individuals are finding job with the aid of a resume so that it is essential a resume needs to be elegant and ready to easily convey all of the information concerning the abilities and experiences of a particular person who required the job of a waitress. A job interview is frequently the last step to employment. What Needs to be Done About Waitress Resume The salary levels for a waitress ought to be mentioned if that info is requested on a preprinted resume form and the sum never ought to be inflated. Don't forget to customize to the position you're applying for. If you're asking for a bartending vacancy at a well-known restaurant or club in your area then there are chances that you'd be facing stiff competition. The issue with counting money from tips during a shift is that there isn't any result that will go for your benefit. The Waitress Resume Chronicles It is very important to try to remember that writing an attention-grabbing waitress resume is quite crucial assignment and it's only possible once you have accurate guidance and tips. The very first key section of your resume is known as the Career Objective. Your instructor coverletter has to be created in a special manner it may capture the notion of the school organizers. Your resume, after all, isn't an autobiography, but instead a summary of your previous experience and qualifications. Waitress Resume - the Story A team player who has the capability to adapt to varying environments while vigorously multi-tasking to make sure the smooth running of day-to-day operations. Lastly, you ought to be a team player. In terms of the interview procedure, it might de pend a lot on what sort of restaurant, but I would always for for the expert appearance. Click the resume examples below to receive a jump start on your resume and locate a job faster! The Most Popular Waitress Resume You do not have to list locations. There's no need to compose your resume in two or more pages. Whenever you publish in-depth specifics. Use the search box to find just what you are seeking.