7 Ways to Accelerate Your Job Search

7 Ways to Accelerate Your Job Search Considering the tough competition of the job market, jobseekers need to be smart enough to perform their job search smoothly. A slow start to your job search may increase the period of unemployment. Many times, jobseekers also get stuck with their job hunting process. While searching for jobs, it is important to save time and speed up the process of finding jobs as much as possible. To expedite the process of job hunt, you need to be equipped with some essential pieces of advice. Given below are seven  essential tips to help you. #1. Get Prepared If you are starting a job search, you need to set up a couple of things. Make sure you are ready with a professional email address, a telephone answering machine or voice messaging system. Always remember to put your cellular phone number in the job resume, so that you are easily contactable by the employers. There are various job search toolkits available online as well to prepare yourself for searching jobs. More tips at How to Create a Professional Email for Your Career or Job Search. #2. Keep Your Resume Up-to-date Nothing can be more frustrating than not having an up-to-date resume when it comes to finding a new job. You never know when an opportunity will strike. So, you should always keep your resume current and updated. Continue including new skills and experience in your resume as soon as your acquire them. More at Top 10 Signs Your Resume Needs Updating. #3. Keep Templates Ready to Edit Have multiple copies of your job resume and cover letter ready to edit. If you are ready with the templates, you can immediately tailor the same according to the job application requirements. You won’t need to change the contact information, opening and closing paragraphs for applying to different job positions. Rest of the content can be optimized according to the requirements. Also check out the LinkedIn Resume Builder for a quick way to send a resume. #4. Use Job Search Engines There are plenty of useful job search engines available on the internet. There are many job search engines that are global while there are other job boards that are regional. Prepare a list of all the major job boards, company websites and associations that you want to use. Use a number of job search engines and job banks to speed up the process of searching jobs. Check out the Top 5 Job Search Aggregators out there. #5. Let Job Information Come to You There are several job banks and job sites that will send you job listings by email. Find out such job search agents that can send you current job information. There are various websites that specialize in sending job opening announcement to jobseekers. This step is very useful for speeding up the process of job hunting. Read more at How to Use Google Alerts for a Live Job Search. #6. Time Saver Tips If you want to speed up the process even more, you can take help from resume writing and resume editing services online. There are plenty of online resume posting services that can immediately post your job resume to multiple job boards at one. This can save you ample time. And in the meantime you can watch Speedy Gonzales Cannery Woe. #7. Keep Your References Ready Another most important job search tip is to be ready with the references that you want to include in your resume or want to send to the interviewers. Make sure you have complete informational details of the references you want to send. While creating the list of references, remember to include their full name, job title, company name, phone number and email address where they can be contacted. See more at References Available Upon Request. #Bonus: Leverage Your Network Jobseekers should be advised that not all job vacancies are advertised. Most of the job openings are filled through networking. Ensure that everyone in your professional networking loop is aware that you are searching for a job. Ask your contacts if they can provide your some valuable job information. Keep expanding your professional network as well. Check out 7 Brilliant Ways to Use Your Network to Get a New Job. James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

Professional Advancement Tips for Young Career Professionals -

Professional Advancement Tips for Young Career Professionals - Beginning your career can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. While most people develop an idea of the profession they’d like to pursue at an early age, once they’ve met the reality of the challenges in today’s job market, its easy to abandon the passions they once had. However, becoming established in your career and regularly advancing can keep you interested and engaged.   And it is definitely achievable if you have the right mindset and follow a few basic strategies. Below, we’ll address some professional advancement tips you can use to make sure you stand out from other job candidates, and how you can continue to develop your career successfully. Start to Network Networking has become one of the most effective ways to get noticed by companies and plays an important role in your career advancement. Whether pursuing a career in healthcare, tech, manufacturing, or marketing, knowing how to network properly can afford you many opportunities and help you connect with other like-minded professionals in your field. A recent survey shows that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, especially through professional social networking sites like LinkedIn. But LinkedIn isn’t just designed for office workers and business executives. For example, medical doctors and nurses use the platform to connect with other industry professionals for their advice and expertise while further developing their careers. Having a regularly updated LinkedIn profile has become a staple in the business world. Not only does the platform allow you to showcase your recent experience, skills, and career objectives, but it also makes it easy to apply to jobs and connect with recruiters and hiring managers looking for talent like you. Take Career Development Courses Becoming an expert in your field, design for example, can take time, as does getting promoted to higher paying positions. One way to advance this timeline is by taking college courses and training classes to improve your professional skill sets. Not only are these courses beneficial on their own and help you become a subject matter expert, but being enrolled in a training program shows a potential or current employer you’re serious about your career. A Tale of High Achieving Career Ladies However, not everyone can attend a college or earn a degree â€" and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Today, there are many ways to learn new skills without shelling hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition. Career development courses, workshops, and subscription-based professional education classes offer individuals the opportunity to pick up and develop new job skills without breaking the bank. Improve Your Resume A common mistake that aspiring business professionals make when starting their career is thinking it’s acceptable to use the same resume for each job they apply to. Past job descriptions and summaries should be customized so they apply to each company they’re submitted to. This will be the first section most employers review on your resume, and keeping it in line with what they are looking for will increase your chances of getting an interview. Referencing work history may be challenging for professionals early in their career as they have little experience to refer to. In this case, it’s never acceptable to lie. Rather, it’s important to highlight other important credentials, such as your professional affiliations, special language skills, education, volunteer work, and any career development courses you’re currently taking or have finished. Professional advancement can take patience as you gain the skills necessary to climb the ladder in your field. By following these basic steps, you’re sure to get noticed by employers while building a strong foundation for a long and successful career. This guest post was authored by Brooke Faulkner Brooke Faulkner is a writer, mom and adventurer in the Pacific Northwest.  She spends her days pondering what makes a good leader.   And then dreaming up ways to teach these virtues to her sons, without getting groans and eye rolls in response.

Monday Motivation Your Weekly Career Links and Announcement!

Monday Motivation Your Weekly Career Links and Announcement! Happy day!  My tips for wearing leather to work are featured in the September issue of People StyleWatch magazine! (page 194)!  This Corporate Blogger says someone pinch me!  I am honored and ecstatic to be included in the work style section with other amazing women like Alino Cho, CNN Correspondent, Darcy Penick, Shopbop.com  Merchandise Manager and Debra Shigley, Author of the Go-Getter Girls Guide.  And yes I am excited to connect with these ladies and also hoping they will all want to be included in my networking challenge interviews! Besides reading the magazine this week, here are your weekly career links to start your week off right: How To Dress For Success At Your New Job by The Corporate Fashionista The New 24-Hour Workday by Elisabeth Eaves of Marie Claire The Top 25 Companies For Work-Life balance by Jacquelyn Smith of Forbes Tips for getting Your Butt Out of bed So You Can Actually Get to Work on Time by Alexis Grant of Brazen Careerist Today’s Coveted Working Look: Suits with Style by Rachel of The Working Wardrobe “If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.” â€" Win Borden

Does Your Personal Brand Resemble a Celebrity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Does Your Personal Brand Resemble a Celebrity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career During college, a lot of people thought my personal brand resembled that of Mario Lopez. As we all know, Mario Lopez was on the hit TV series Saved by the Bell as A.C. Slater. Lopez is currently hosting the MTV reality show Americas Best Dance Crew. This visual association typically came from girls or others that I met for the first time. Some were afraid to tell me that I looked like Mario, while others were upfront and honest about it. I even ran into a situation where a Cop called me A.C. Slater, which blew my mind. Our society reveres Hollywood celebrities to a point where people wish they were them. Some take being compared to a celebrity as a compliment, while people who are reading this blog want to stand out and shine. Brand YOU is about being unique and a celebrity to a specific group of people. Here are some questions to ask yourself: Was there a time in my life where someone said you look like _____? What about me resembles that celebrity? How might Brand ME be different, in terms of facial sculpture, hair/eye color, skin tone and smile? Does the celebrity display a positive brand image? If so, do I carry that image along with the brand Im being compared to? Aside from my face, what else about my physical appearance gives others the sense that I resemble a celebrity? Is it how I dress or my personality? Who is the celebrities audience and how is that different than mine? Do I want to use this resemblance to my advantage? Do I have a choice? Brand YOU is singular Although the object of personal branding is to populate your world with a strong network, Brand YOU is singular. To be a successful brand, no one else can be you. This is how you differentiate your personal brand. You want others to want to resemble you or at least learn from you. To be a brand in 2008 means to separate yourself based on your unique identity, consisting of a picture, name, expertise, and personality.

8 Distractions You Can Turn into Motivators CareerMetis.com

8 Distractions You Can Turn into Motivators Have you ever texted while driving? Has your parent, partner, or friend ever told you to put your phone away during dinner? Do you find yourself daydreaming when you have a lot on your plate? These habits are distractions, and they’re more common than you may realize.Distraction occurs frequently in daily life, but it’s a real enemy at work. According to one UC Irvine study, it takes an average of 25 minutes to refocusafter a distraction, which can really add up in terms of time If you count yourself among those who experience significant distractions during work hours, there are things you can do to fix your working behavior. Keep reading to learn how to identify what distracts youâ€"and how to turn those distractions into motivation.Know What Distracts YouBefore you try to tackle your distractors, you have to identify them. Here are some common distractions at work that you might face.Noise and routine workplace soundsPhones and other connected devicesSlack or other office mess engersMultitaskingSensitivity to certain physical sensations Headphones are your friends, especially in an open floorplan, where they can block out the noise of chatty coworkers. But what you listen to can also affect your ability to work. You might want to listen to podcasts but find that spoken words can disrupt concentration.Instead, try listening to meditation music or soothing sounds without lyrics. White or pink noise is also a popular choice, especially intensive tasks. Use them responsibly, and your headphones could be the key to improving your focus.2) Productivity hack your smartphoneIs your smartphone smart enough to not bug you with a bunch of alerts while you’re working?evalProbably not. With all the games and social apps it puts at your fingertips, your phone can be a big productivity killer.It doesn’t have to be, though. Try setting limits on which apps you can use during work hours: use your phone to handle business communications like checking emails or Slack, s et the alarm feature to keep yourself on schedule, or take quick notes during a meeting.You can even find work-related appsthat help you with expense tracking or guide you in professional development.If there are apps that drastically affect your attention, consider uninstalling them Sure, everyone loves cat gifs. But when a few gifs become an hour-long chat, they can really hurt your productivity. So if you’re going to use a messaging system like Slack, don’t give it the ability to derail your productivity every few minutesâ€"instead, optimize itto minimize how often it forces your concentration away from the task at hand.You can also use messaging platforms for collaboration: ask your coworkers for suggestions or help on the project that you are working on, or set up a quick, informal brainstorming meeting. Gathering various perspectives from different people is always helpful. And if the conversation turns to a thread of YouTube videos, let your coworkers know you’ll be sig ning out for a bit in order to focus.4) Know which tools help rein in your attentionPlenty of old-school workers think digital devices aren’t helpful when working, while younger workers tend to think digital tools are essential. But the truth is, in most cases, tool efficacy comes down to how they’re used. If they’re implemented poorly, they create one more thing for you to try to juggle as you multitask.So get to know which tools can help you keep your focus on a single task, and use them wisely. Turn on Focus Mode in Microsoft Word, or download an extension for productivity. Tech can be a big source of distraction, but it can also keep you on task.5) Reward focus with a few minutes of fun distractionevalWe’ve all had those days where we feel too hungry to focus, or too enticed by nice weather to stay cooped up at a desk all day. But in a lot of cases, those feelings are based more on wants than needsâ€"they’re reasons to avoid getting to work.Luckily, a small mindset cha nge can work wonders here. Try treating those small distractionsâ€"a candy bar, a quick walk outsideâ€"as a reward rather than a necessity. Set a realistic goal, like replying to all of your open email threads, and then treat yourself once you’ve hit it.6) Plan time to resolve your big distractorsSome distractions aren’t exactly fun, and they wouldn’t be great to use as a reward for some serious focus. In those cases, book yourself some time to face the distractions.Is your cluttered desk making it hard to find some forms you need? Use part of your lunch break to clean it up. Worried about traffic during your rush hour ride home? See if you can adjust your schedule to travel outside of that window. Have too many web browsers opened on your computer screen?evalTake a few minutes to bookmark any unnecessary ones, and revisit them later.Once you’ve taken care of the really problematic distractions, you can start working without worrying that they’ll creep back in when you’r e on the clock.7) Turn the clock into a timerYou keep looking at the clock unintentionallyâ€"you thought an hour had passed, but just a few minutes have ticked by. And even though you have tons of tasks to do by the end of today, your frequent clock glances keep pulling your focus. What can you do So, an obvious fix here is to make ineffective meetings more effectiveâ€"but what is an effective meeting?Here are some strategies to hold an effective meeting:Assign a leader of the meeting who will keep the topic of the meeting so that people won’t waste time unintentionally shifting to off-topic.Be aware of the meeting’s time limit, and move promptly through the agenda.Assign a person to record information from the meeting.On top of staying on task, try to group meetings if possible in order to preserve a few bigger blocks of time in your schedule. Even the most effective meetings can throw you off if you’ve got 15â€"30 minutes of downtime between each of themâ€"that’s too long to do nothing, but far from enough time to get into a groove.You can’t completely eliminate all potential distractions in the workplace, but you can change your approach to help them work in your favor. Know what distracts you, then use the suggestions here to get your productivity back on track.

Phone Interview Tips The Dos And Donts

Phone Interview Tips The Dos And Don'ts When going through the job selection process, one of the most common stages that employers use to filter out candidates is the telephone interview stage.This normally takes place before a physical interview, and precedes the assessment centre.Many candidates fail this stage, because they are unprepared or do not take it seriously. They underestimate the importance of telephone interviews, and as a result fail to impress the employer.In this blog, we’ll give  you  our list of phone interview tips.  Why do employers use telephone interviews?One of the main reasons that an organisation might decide to use a telephone interview, is that they don’t want to meet hundreds of candidates face-to-face during the early stages of selection.This can be extremely time-consuming and expensive.Therefore this stage is a great opportunity for them to filter suitable candidates. A telephone interview can last between 5 and 20 minutes, but is far more cost effective and efficient than screening hund reds of applicants at an assessment day. In essence, a telephone interview is a sifting process.It essential that you are prepared for this sifting stage. Using our top phone interview tips, you can ensure you are ready.  Phone Interview Tips: Dos1. Body Language. The biggest mistake that many candidates fail to make is that they don’t consider their body language whilst they are on the phone to the interviewer. Studies have shown that your body language makes an enormous difference to the way that you sound down the phone. If you are smiling, it will project a positive vibe into your voice, and this will reflect to the interviewer.2. Have a copy of your CV next to you. This goes without saying. When you are on the phone, you need to be able to refer back to your own resume, and to the job description. This will allow you to tailor your answers to what the interviewer is looking for. You should refer back to the core competencies at every stage of the interview. Having your resume next to you will allow you to answer the questions in a succinct, confident and direct manner, without the need for hesitation or awkward pauses in conversation.3. Sit comfortably. The area in which you take the phone interview makes a massive difference to your chances of success. It is much better to be seated comfortably, in a quiet room that is free from any distractions, whilst taking the interview. Turn off the TV and any music, make sure that you are comfortable and that you can hear the interviewer clearly before you begin. There are many people that advise against laying down, or even taking the call in bed. Ideally, you should take the call wherever it is that you feel most comfortable, even if that is in bed. Some people prefer to stand up and walk around, working off any nervous energy. While this is a good strategy, you are likely to breathe heavily if you are walking around, and this could be distracting to the interviewer. Using our top phone interview tips, you can ensure that you remain calm and composed throughout.4. Have a pen and paper to hand. This is a really important tip. During your phone interview, you should be taking brief notes on the important things that the interviewer says. This will allow you a) to refer back to them at a later point in the phone interview, b) use them during the later stages of the selection process. You can even ask questions based on the information you have written down, thus impressing the interviewer with your ability to remember information. Memorise our phone interview tips, and you are sure to succeed.Phone Interview Tips: Don’ts1. Don’t ask about the wage. This tip applies for any interview, but is particularly important in phone interviews, where many candidates think they have free reign to ask questions that they normally wouldn’t. Never ask about the salary. Your aim during the interview should be to convey yourself as someone who is interested in working for the company because of who the y are, not what they pay.2. Don’t be afraid of silence. Remember that a phone interview is not like a normal phone conversation. It is the interviewer’s job to carry the interview, not you. If there are gaps or pauses in conversation, then the worst thing you can do is start babbling to fill in the gaps. Let the interviewer speak, and then respond politely to their questions.3. Don’t eat. This goes without saying. If your mouth is full of food, you won’t be able to project yourself clearly down the phone, and this will be very off-putting to the interviewer. Furthermore, it will make you look extremely unprofessional. The employer will expect you to treat the phone interview like a face to face interview, so make sure that you do.4. Don’t be afraid to suggest an alternative time. Many people fear asking this prior to the interview, because they fear it will put off the interviewer. The reality is that you need to give yourself the best chances of success. If aren’t somew here quiet or comfortable when they call you, make sure they call you back when you are. The interviewer will thank you for your professionalism, rather than having to conduct an interview in bad conditions.  For more top phone interview tips and tricks, purchase our outstanding 70 page Telephone Interview Guide. This entry was posted in Interviews. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke 11 Plus Non Verbal Reasoning: Video BlogDriving Instructor Training: The Complete Guide

flexibility -

Important information about work-life fit/flexibility - One issue for many job seekers is landing an opportunity offering flexibility, balance, or, what consultant,   Cali Williams Yost, CEO and Founder of Flex Strategy Group and author of Work+Life: Finding the Fit Thats Right for You, would call work-life fit. Today, Im happy to share research Cali sent me from from the 2011 Work+Life Fit Reality Check Survey. It illustrates that, Work life flexibility is no longer a bright, shiny, novelty item that only a few people have.   In fact, most full-time employees have some form of work life flexibility and they are much less afraid to use it than they were five years ago. The following tips are directly from survey findings to help you get the most out of the work life flexibility thats become a foundational part of the way we live and work: Tip 1: Dont let too much work and too little time keep you from work life flexibility, instead use that flexibility strategically to get your work done and have a life. When asked, respondents ranked increased workload or no time for flexibility as the top obstacle (29%) that kept them from using or improving their work life flexibility.   Looked at another way, flexibility could also be the key to managing that greater workload and having more time for the other parts of your life.   A periodic shift in hours, or working from home now and then could restore a sense of productivity and well-being.   Be creative. Tip 2: Remember that work life flexibility comes in many forms.   It includes both day-to-day, informal ad hoc shifts in how, when and where you work, as well as formal plans that officially change your work+life fit. Even though 62% of respondents said they had some type of day-to-day, ad hoc flexibility, its easy to take it for granted as a given.   Use it thoughtfully and strategically to manage the way work fits into your life every day. If you are interested in more formal plan, learn ahead of time how to present a proposal thats a win for you and the business. Tip 3:   To make informal, day-to-day flexibility a success for you, your team and the business, make sure to communicate and coordinate with all of the key stakeholders, not just your supervisor. According to the survey, when respondents made occasional changes in how, when and where they work, they discussed those changes with: 79% their supervisor 63% their spouse, family or partner 52% their colleagues 45% those they supervise, and 7% no one. You dont need to tell your colleagues and those you supervise why you are using flexibility, but let them know how the work will get done and how they can reach you if needed. Tip 4: Challenge any lingering fears that may be keeping you from using or improving your work life flexibility. Make sure any fear or concern is based on fact, not invalid assumptions.   The good news is that individuals are much less likely to let fear or negative perceptions keep them from using or improving their flexibility than they were in 2006: You might make less money:   21% in 2011 versus 45% in 2006 You might lose your job:   16% in 2011 versus 28% in 2006 Others will think you dont work hard:   11% in 2011 versus 39% in 2006 You worry that your boss would   say no:   13% in 2011 versus 32% in 2006 However, obviously some fears and concerns linger.   Learn about the compensation policy related to flexibility where you arent working less, just differently.  Ã‚   Understand the employment climate in your organization.   Make sure you continue to work hard, communicate and coordinate well (see Tip 3) and learn how to present a flexibility plan thats a win-win and hard to turn down. Tip 5: Understand that work life flexibility is more than a perk, or benefit.   Its a strategy that your employer can use to retain talent, manage workload and grow.   And without it, the business will suffer particularly in the areas of health/wellness, morale and productivity.   One of the surprising findings for the 2011 Work+Life Fit Reality Check is how many respondents either think work life flexibility is a perk or benefit (36%) or dont know what it is (14%).   Just as work life flexibility can help you strategically manage your workload and resources, it can also benefit the business in other areas.   Specifically, a majority of respondents (66%) felt that without work life flexibility health (48%), morale (41%) and productivity (36%) would suffer. For more details and to download the study, visit Work Life Fit Tips. You may also want to read a study addressing the issue of inevitability of work-life flex, Findings from the Flexpaths LinkedIn study. photo by ellajphillips