Career Re-Launch 5 Ways to Break Back Into the Workforce - Hallie Crawford

Career Re-Launch 5 Ways to Break Back Into the Workforce I was honored to be featured in this Working Mother magazine article and wanted to expand on a few of the tips. Being out of the workforce for any period of time, for any reason, can negatively impact your confidence in your ability to perform again in the workplace, much less secure a new position. Talking with 2 career coaching clients, male and female, in the past week reminded me this can affect both men and women who, in this case, stayed at home with their children. For the female client Amanda in Boston, she is intimidated by the prospect of networking and explaining her skill set-and feeling at this point that she has none. Brent in Arizona has secured a job but lacks the time management skills and assertiveness he once had, in order to secure the sales he needs for his new job. If you have been out of the workforce for any reason, family reasons or otherwise, here are 5 things you need to know to conduct your job search these days. Times have changed in some ways and in othe rs some of the old strategies still are the best ones Be efficient with your resume updating: You should have multiple versions of your resume, no questions asked. One master resume has everything on it, including the really old positions or volunteer work you’re unsure if will ever be relevant. You just never know. There may come a time when one of those experience may become relevant. From that resume you can select everything you need copy and paste for each new resume that you tailor to each position. If you’re applying for jobs in multiple industries, create master templates for each industry to make applying easier. Create folders on your computer for each industry. Keep copies of each application and resume used in those folders. Make them pretty: Use bullets on your resume, bolding, and text boxes to make it appealing and easy to read. Increase your LinkedIn potential: In your summary statement make sure you have the keywords a recruiter or employer would use to find your brand of talent. Make a list of the “hot,” relevant keywords you need to use by looking at job descriptions, and others Linkedin profiles as well. Review a minimum of 5 of each to develop your list. After you’ve updated your profile, log out and search Linkedin using those keywords. See if you come up. Get a friend to search for you as well. Hire a Linkedin professional to help you update your profile, some companies report that up to 80% of their recruiting efforts are conducted through Linkedin. Refresh your network: Personal connections are still critical. Schedule lunches with former colleagues, friends, members of your church, or family connections. Set a goal of 2-3 per week. Keep an Excel sheet or Google document of those contacts you connect with and need to stay in touch with. Keep your list updated throughout your search. Get on a panel: Participating in an industry panel can offer you great exposure and position you as an expert in your field. Identify local associations and their meetings in 2015 and pitch topic ideas as a speaker, panelist, even offer to write an article. Leverage your alma mater: Set up informational interviews through your alumni association. This is a whole new set of people to meet in your industry; warm leads who will be more likely to respond to your request for information and time. is a certified career coach and founder of HallieCrawford.com. Her team of coaches helps people find their dream job and make it a reality. She is regularly featured as an expert in the media including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and US News World Report. Visit her website at  www.HallieCrawford.com  for more information about her teams career coaching services and to sign up for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today

Strong Verbs For Resume Writing

Strong Verbs For Resume WritingMany people need a good number of strong verbs for resume writing. These strong verbs can really make or break your resume. There are a lot of different verbs that you can use in your resume and each person's resume is a little bit different. You want to make sure that the words you choose to show that you are the type of person who is going to be hiring you.So here are some strong verbs for resume writing: you. When you apply for a job, you send your resume in, you get interviewed, and you are hired, you are very likely to see a positive result. In order to convey to a hiring manager that you are the type of person that they want to hire, use you. It is great to highlight that you have demonstrated this to the organization. You don't want to be too long but you also don't want to use so many words.Successful resume writers will use you consistently throughout their resume. A great example of a resume that uses you consistently is one that focuses on yo ur strengths. Be specific about what you like to do and talk about your experiences. Your strengths will show up through your accomplishments. When a hiring manager reads the resume, they will see that you are a well rounded person.Professional resume writers understand that if they provide job applicants with specific wording, you are going to stand out. They know that when you use these strong verbs for resume writing, you will be more effective. You might wonder why a resume professional would recommend using strong verbs for resume writing. One reason is because it is true that most hiring managers can tell if an applicant has an ego.By using strong verbs for resume writing, you will have a better chance of landing a job offer. The interview process can be very difficult for some people. These people often choose to keep their minds off the fact that they might be applying for that job. However, when a recruiter asks you a question that relates to your resume, you will automatic ally make a statement that has a negative effect on your chances. If you want to stand out during the interview process, then you need to use strong verbs for resume writing. These strong verbs will allow you to get a job offer that you are not even aware of.A good way to describe your strengths is by using strong verbs for resume writing. Keep the adverbs short and easy to say. Do not have multiple adverbs such as effective, remarkable, skilled, experienced, etc. Your statement needs to focus on one verb at a time. If you find yourself having difficulty coming up with one strong verb for resume writing, you can use the word: excellent. This word will be appropriate for a resume focused on your job skills and achievements.Using strong verbs for resume writing can be very important when you are creating a resume. When you are able to show to a hiring manager that you are the type of person that they want to hire, you will stand out from the crowd. Make a statement that shows that you are the right fit for the job opening. Use the strong verbs for resume writing to come up with a very memorable resume. When you are writing a resume, you will notice that it gets a lot more attention when you use the strong verbs for resume writing.

Unanswered Questions About Rules for Writing an Awesome Resume You Need to Know About

Unanswered Questions About Rules for Writing an Awesome Resume You Need to Know About If you've got many abilities, the previous skill paragraph may be called Additional Skills. Ensure you understand which sort of resume is appropriate to the job that you are applying for. Choosing which to use is dependent upon the sort of job that you are applying for and your degree of experience. Keep it short and easy by describing each job in no more than one line. Writing a resume is a procedure which includes a lot of intelligence and skill. Don't forget you ought to not overdo or exaggerate about your abilities. Learn about the three kinds of skills you're able to highlight and the way it is possible to incorporate them into your resume. On occasion the Skills and Accomplishments section is a distinct section. Rules for Writing an Awesome Resume - the Conspiracy Writing a resume is among the most crucial steps if you're searching for a job. Writing a resume can be tough, but it doesn't need to be scary especially once you understand just what to include to produce employers notice you. Writing a resume 2016 isn't a science. Tailoring your resume also enables you to receive rid of unnecessary information which may distract the organization from the essential items which you want them to concentrate on. A simple resume template is going to be your very best bet. You don't need to invent a totally new layout. There is an assortment of websites online which offer you many options of templates. Utilizing an attractive template for your resume will cause you to stick out from the remainder of the applicants.

Utilizing Keywords to Strengthen Your Executive Resume

Utilizing Keywords to Strengthen Your Executive ResumeThe process of writing an executive resume can be extensive to say the least. There are many considerations youll want to keep in mind along the way in order to ensure you catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers who read your document.One key component of strengthening your resume is incorporating the right keywords. There are some keywords that you could use to add great depth to your executive resume while increasing your chances of scoring an interview.The Importance of KeywordsThere was a time when keywords were leid crucial to resumes. Thats not to say that it hasnt always been important to add carefully chosen words that showed you had an adequate knowledge of your field. But in the past, the lack of certain keywords probably wouldnt have stopped a candidate from being considered for a position as can be the case in the present day.This is because many companies are using screening technology in order to make s ure resumes include certain keywords. If they dont, the software usually will decide that the candidate is not qualified enough for the position and will immediately send the resume to a decline file.The problem with this approach is that many candidates are indeed qualified but simply did not know which words to include. Thats why its a great idea to take the time to explore words that will help strengthen an executive resume.Adding Keywords for Your IndustryIts most important when writing your executive resume that you add keywords specific to your industry. For instance, if you are an executive chef and are applying for a new position in one of the top restaurants in your area, you might want to consider sprinkling keywords and phrases within your job target, career summary, and work history that make you more marketable.Some keywords and phrases to consider are strong culinary background, full-service, high-volume/high-publicity experience, guest-oriented, service-oriented, pass ion for food, etc. The good news is that the job postings you run across are likely to clue you in to the words you can add based upon what the companies are looking for.Great Generic Keywords to ConsiderThere are also some great generic keywords to consider that can add depth to your resume. Some that you might want to include are budgeting and finance, crisis management, world-class organization, performance optimization, strategic planning, decision making, and profitability improvement.Whats important to remember about including keywords is that they need to be well balanced. You dont want it to appear as though youre simply adding them as fluff words. So take time to think about which words apply to your experience and desires for employmentthen incorporate them strategically throughout your resume.For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter GreatResume or visit our blog.

5 Tips for Surviving your Office Holiday Party

5 Tips for Surviving your Office Holiday anlass 5 Tips for Surviving Your Office Holiday PartyNavigate your schreibstube holiday anlass with ease this season.Its that time of year again time for the much anticipated holiday schreibstube fete. Youre excited and nervous all wrapped up with a tidy bow. Not to fear, your feelings are quite normal.While everyone loves a party, office parties are a bit different. Theyre meant to allow employees to kick back, get to know one another in a less formal setting, and enjoy the holiday festivities. The problem is that, just like at the office on an average day, your actions during the office holiday party will be under scrutiny by your peers and supervisors. The only difference is that at office parties theres alcohol involved and inhibitions are lower than normal.A holiday office party is no joke. Its important to play by the rules. Failing to do so can leave you starting a job search in the new year. In order to stay gainfully employed and not ruin your career during this years holiday party, be aya to follow these simple office party etiquette rules.Rule 1 Dont skip itIf you receive an invite to your offices holiday party, be koranvers to attend. Not showing up to the party sends signals that you dont care, or you arent part of the team. It can also lead to awkward moments the following workday when your teammates are all laughing about something that happened at the party and youre left out. Attendance at your offices holiday party is especially important for new employees. An office holiday party is a great opportunity to connect with your boss and your peers, and show them youre more than the responsibilities of your professional role. Once you establish a personal connection with your colleagues by engaging with them at the holiday party, theyre more likely to want to work with you, help you, and be engaged with you at work.Rule 2 Dress appropriatelyNot sure what to wear to a company holiday party? Be sure to check in with your co-workers to determine the appropriate dress code. If the theme is ugly sweater, then be sure to wear the ugliest holiday-themed sweater you can find. Its also a definite conversation starter. Not doing so, however, can result in conversations happening behind your back about you not being a team player.If the theme is more formal, make sure you take that route. Showing up with your ugly sweater to a suit and tie affair wont be considered funny. Be sure to follow whatever dress code is in place, and youll be off to a great start.RelatedA Guide for What to Wear to a Company Holiday PartyRule 3 Consume alcohol in moderationIn order to keep the momentum moving in the right direction, this next office party etiquette rule is of utmost importance. Many, if not the majority, of office parties tend to have free alcohol available. While this may be tempting, it can also spell disaster. Lots of otherwise model employees have been canned for not following this basic rule Dont ov erindulgeDrinking too much alcohol at your office holiday party can lower your guard and make you act ridiculous. It can lead to arguments, or you dancing on a table (or something worse). Dont be the person who drinks too much and then makes a spectacle of themselves. Youll never live it down. Your behavior will go down as legend, and you may even end up losing your job altogether.Rule 4 Stay away from sensitive subjectsOffice flings are obviously a sensitive subject, but it isnt the only subject to avoid. Typically, workers in an office environment are most comfortable around their peers. Theyve developed a certain rapport where its understood which subjects are on- or off-limits.One thing to consider when attending a holiday office party is that the subject matter youve cleared as OK within your department, or between those with whom you work closely, may not be appropriate outside of that circle. Consider that everyone from the company will be invited. Theres a good aussicht youl l be mingling with people with whom you dont frequently connect.Rule 5 Prep your elevator pitchYouve got goals to move up in your company, but progress has been slow. If done properly, your office holiday party can offer a great opportunity to network and help you move the process along a bit faster.It isnt often that you get a chance to talk to the C-level folks at your company. The office party offers such a chance, so be prepared when the opportunity presents itself. As long as youve followed the rest of the office party etiquette rules up until meeting with those who can help you get promoted, youre in a good position.Yet, dont get caught making small talk about the weather and stumbling over your words. Put together an elevator pitch that presents you as a model employee and makes mention of your contributions, without coming across as bragging.Also, practice your pitch with a colleague or your partner. Get feedback from them to ensure you dont come across pushy, and you get th e main points across. Be personable during the conversation, and be sure to ask questions as well. No one wants to promote the all about myself employee, so show you care about others and be genuine in your communication.RelatedHow to Search for a New Job During the HolidaysBonus Rule Be serious about office parties, but have funWhile these office party etiquette rules might take some of the fun out of the party, they shouldnt stop you from allowing yourself to have a good time. As long as you do so within the confines of the rules above, youll make it through your party unscathed, and you might just enjoy it as well.Office parties are a great opportunity to bond with your co-workers, make new connections, interact with your boss (and their bosses) on a deeper level, and even position yourself for a promotion. Dont shy away from your office holiday party because of the potential pitfalls. Embrace it.Showing that youre interested in a deeper relationship with the company and its empl oyees can show your employer that youre a long-term asset to the company. Theyll binnensee the dedication you have to being a part of whats going on, and you can benefit from it.Need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free resume review todayRecommended ReadingHow to Make the Holiday Hiring Spree Work for YouHoliday Overload Steps for Balancing Work and LifeWays to Stay Focused at Work During the HolidaysRelated Articles

The Confidential Secrets of 44 Resume Writing Tips Exposed

The Confidential Secrets of 44 Resume Writing Tips Exposed Things You Should Know About 44 Resume Writing Tips Clearly state what type of a job which you need and know what skill-set and experience is required to succeed in that job. Think about getting qualified help If youre having a tough time to create your resume, or in case youre receiving no response whatsoever from companies, you could look at employing a professional resume writing service. Attempt to comprehend the market of the organization you are asking for work, and identify what sort of difficulties they could be going through. In the market today, you may probably must search for many unique jobs and distinct kinds of jobs in order to acquire that one special job offer. Employing a custom resume instead of a generic one is going to greatly increase your probability of an interview, as youll be a better match in the view of the reader. Simply take a look at the work description, in case you have this, and custo mize your resume accordingly. There are plenty of unique methods to organize the info on your resume, but the superior old reverse chronological (where your latest experience is listed first) is still your best choice. If its a quick list you may actually have some experience gaps that isnt likely to work in any circumstance. Seems like a no-brainer, but youd be amused to discover the sum of people who lie in their resumes. There is no explanation as to why your resume must appear amateurish. The truth is it might even hurt your odds of landing an interview. In truth, it might even damage your likelihood of landing an interview. The One Thing to Do for 44 Resume Writing Tips One of the most typical mistakes which people make is to produce a standard resume and send it to all the job openings they can find. For instance, my client has been actively searching for a job for over six months. When youre asking for a job which you want to remember to individualize to the job an d the man to whom youre sending it. With the Hired Design Studio templates and ideas, you will greatly boost the odds of receiving an interview and getting hired. The aim of your resume is to secure you the interview. Resume writing is no simple task. The document is used attain something for an individual level and to provide a brief overview of the individual in question. Until and if you dont have written the document in your words, you wont ever be satisfied of the caliber of the resume. Some people today write a resume as though the goal of the document was supposed to land work. Know the purpose of your resume Some individuals write a resume like the intention of the document was supposed to land work. The One Thing to Do for 44 Resume Writing Tips For those who have job experiences that youre notlage proud of, or that arent pertinent to the present opportunity, you should just omit them. Its possible to also incorporate details about volunteering on your resume, e specially when you have few or no prior jobs to write about. Whenever your resume is updated on a normal basis, youre all set to pounce when opportunity presents itself. Know the purpose of your resume Some men and women write a resume as though the function of the document was supposed to land a Career kenya. The order of the info will provide the interview panel a crystal clear comprehension of your experience, career development, achievements and the way you have matured over recent years. Youre able to chat about your education, but make an effort not to talk too much about your private life. You might find it interesting to know that a few corporations get so many resumes they actually have computers reading them. The Fight Against 44 Resume Writing Tips There is an extensive scope of articles about how to compose a resume. There are plenty of websites with tips around the internet, but most bring just a small number of them. Analyze job ads You will binnensee tons of useful info on job ads. You will see a good deal of helpful info on job ads.

What to Do When You Cant Find a Job

What to Do When You Cant Find a JobWhat to Do When You Cant Find a JobIn a difficult job market, you may have a tough time finding a job. Whether youve just graduated, were recently laid off, or you are ready to change jobs, looking for a new job or being unemployed can be difficult. But its important to keep things in perspective as you continue your job hunt. Read on for our top tips on how to deal with being unemployed. Make Finding a Job Your First Priority First, you should make finding a job your top priority. Its important to platzdeckchen goals daily, weekly, and monthly. For example, you can set a goal of applying to five jobs per week and setting up one networking coffee date per month. That way, you can stay on task even if you are not employed in a traditional workplace. It can be discouraging if you are applying to jobs and not getting any offers. In this case, you may want to have someone look over your resume, and consider getting help with the interview process. Also, dont underestimate the importance of networking. Go to events or job fairs in your city, or email old bosses or others in your field to meet for coffee or for an informational interview. Be sure to use every connection you possibly can. Other tips to consider when searching for a job Set a goal for the number of strong applications you send out each week.Get help with your resume.Practice interviewing with a professional. Widen Your Search You may need to widen your job searchto include jobs outside your preferred field or in other cities. For example, you may need to consider applying to jobs that are not in your preferred city or consider working in a rural area or moving across the country in order to find a job. Its also wise to take advantage of your network when searching for a job. Ask for help from your friends, family, and acquaintances. If you hear of an opening at a company, try to find someone who works there that can reach out and make a connection for you. Tr y the below when widening your job search Consider looking in other geographic locationsBranch out in your field for other optionsUse your network to find jobs that you may be qualified for. Expand Your Qualifications If you cant find a job, you may be applying to jobs that are underqualified for. Remedy this by taking on freelance work, an internship, or a part-time position in your preferred field. This can open doors to full-time work. Even if they do not directly lead to a job, it will give you mora experience to include on your resume. Additionally, you may also consider getting additional certificationsin your career field if possible. You should also comb through your personal history and make sure that there isnt an extenuating circumstance that is preventing you from getting a job, such as poor credit history. Read on for more tips on what to do if you are underqualified for a job Seek out additional certifications in your fieldLook at part-time work to gain real job ex perience in your fieldIf you are freelancing, ask clients if they will be references for you Work Your Plan B If you cannot find a job you need to have a plan to problem back on. There is no reason not to be working, especially if you do not have unemployment benefits because you are a recent graduate. There are always part-time jobs available. The pay may be low, and the hours not that great but it is better than not making any money at all. A job with evening or nighttime hours will leave your day free so that you can continue to look for work. Waiting tables, delivering pizzas, working at UPS or a similar company or stocking shelves are all options that pay well and can help tide you over while you can continue to look for work. Other tips to consider when you are unemployed Work a part-time job while you are unemployedA job with nighttime or weekend hours might be preferable, so you have time during the day to look for work.Dont get discouraged. Consider Your Expenses Fi nally, you should consider your expenses to avoid running up debt while you are looking for a job. You may want to reconsider your living arrangements if you are unemployed consider moving back in with your parents or getting roommates. While moving back home or getting roommates may not be ideal, it can prevent you from running out of money and going into debt while you are unemployed. In addition, you should also keep your expenses as low as possible. Do not spend tons on new clothes or video games. You can do this once you find a job. Other tips to survive unemployment Stick to a budget while you are looking for a job.Be creative in finding ways to cut back on your expenses.Consider selling items to avoid going back into debt. Be Cautious About Heading Back to School Many recent graduates are considering attending graduate school in the hopes that the job market will be better when they graduate with an advanced degree. If you are considering doing this you should carefully c onsider the cost of the degree. Make sure the cost will be worth it,meaning it will increase your salary exponentially. You should also avoid accumulating any more debtbecause there is no guarantee that the market will improve a great deal in the next two or three years. If you are unemployed and considering going back to school Make sure that there are jobs in the field you are studying.Check the average salary for a masters degree in your field and make sure it is worth it.Look for scholarships and assistantships to help pay for graduate school. Updated by Rachel Morgan Cautero.