Sunday, May 31, 2020

Favorite Friday I Guarantee Ill Find You A Job (RUN AWAY!!)

Favorite Friday I Guarantee Ill Find You A Job (RUN AWAY!!) I wrote this May 2009: “I Guarantee I’ll Find You A Job” A few years ago branding and marketing experts told me I had to put some kind of guarantee or phrase in my marketing that would promise JibberJobber would help you find a job 30% faster, or get more job offers, or something like that. It sounded really cool, of course… who wouldn’t want a guarantee to make their job search go faster, or be more successful? Who doesn’t want a silver bullet for their job search?   Please, just give me “the job search secret,” let me move on to my next job and wash my hands of this unemployment crap. There was no way I would put any kind of promise, or allude to any such promise, in my literature.   First of all, how do you back it up?   Second, what about the anomalies the economy (which was quite different three years ago), and the slackers?   What about people who weren’t doing a principle-based search (like mine â€" very  not  principle-based, and destined to failure)? Perhaps the problem is my solution (JibberJobber) wasn’t priced appropriately.   For $99/year, what could you expect â€" a job lead straight to the corner office?   Not hardly. We all know throwing money at a problem will make it go away â€" so what if I pay $7,500 to a firm that will find me a job?   Sounds sweet, and that sounds like just the right price (comparable to an amazing vacation, an industry certification and training, a car for my kid, etc…. this is not peanuts â€" since it costs so much it must work). In the comments yesterday a JibberJobber Partner,  Mike Ballard,  wrote: Another expose that needs to be done is that of so-called ‘Search’ firms that charge exorbitant up-front fees (often thousands of dollars) for their services, in exchange for a guaranteed ‘dream job’. Like the Ladders, these operations traditionally prey upon high-end execs that they figure have plenty of extra cash. Now we at (his employer) are beginning to hear stories of similar operations that are target low-income workers and charge a few hundred dollars for ‘guaranteed’ results. This is even more despicable for someone who may be only a few paychecks from the street. There’s a big difference between hiring a job search or career coach who will help you along the process, and hiring a firm who will guarantee you a great job.   Can such a guarantee exist? I can’t remember the names of any such firms right now, but I do remember hearing about some who continually change their names so you can’t find much information about them â€" my point is, please be careful where you put your money in a job search â€" and be very suspicous of guarantees or claims that seem to good to be true, even if they do look like your silver bullet to kill this problem. Favorite Friday I Guarantee Ill Find You A Job (RUN AWAY!!) I wrote this May 2009: “I Guarantee I’ll Find You A Job” A few years ago branding and marketing experts told me I had to put some kind of guarantee or phrase in my marketing that would promise JibberJobber would help you find a job 30% faster, or get more job offers, or something like that. It sounded really cool, of course… who wouldn’t want a guarantee to make their job search go faster, or be more successful? Who doesn’t want a silver bullet for their job search?   Please, just give me “the job search secret,” let me move on to my next job and wash my hands of this unemployment crap. There was no way I would put any kind of promise, or allude to any such promise, in my literature.   First of all, how do you back it up?   Second, what about the anomalies the economy (which was quite different three years ago), and the slackers?   What about people who weren’t doing a principle-based search (like mine â€" very  not  principle-based, and destined to failure)? Perhaps the problem is my solution (JibberJobber) wasn’t priced appropriately.   For $99/year, what could you expect â€" a job lead straight to the corner office?   Not hardly. We all know throwing money at a problem will make it go away â€" so what if I pay $7,500 to a firm that will find me a job?   Sounds sweet, and that sounds like just the right price (comparable to an amazing vacation, an industry certification and training, a car for my kid, etc…. this is not peanuts â€" since it costs so much it must work). In the comments yesterday a JibberJobber Partner,  Mike Ballard,  wrote: Another expose that needs to be done is that of so-called ‘Search’ firms that charge exorbitant up-front fees (often thousands of dollars) for their services, in exchange for a guaranteed ‘dream job’. Like the Ladders, these operations traditionally prey upon high-end execs that they figure have plenty of extra cash. Now we at (his employer) are beginning to hear stories of similar operations that are target low-income workers and charge a few hundred dollars for ‘guaranteed’ results. This is even more despicable for someone who may be only a few paychecks from the street. There’s a big difference between hiring a job search or career coach who will help you along the process, and hiring a firm who will guarantee you a great job.   Can such a guarantee exist? I can’t remember the names of any such firms right now, but I do remember hearing about some who continually change their names so you can’t find much information about them â€" my point is, please be careful where you put your money in a job search â€" and be very suspicous of guarantees or claims that seem to good to be true, even if they do look like your silver bullet to kill this problem. Favorite Friday I Guarantee Ill Find You A Job (RUN AWAY!!) I wrote this May 2009: “I Guarantee I’ll Find You A Job” A few years ago branding and marketing experts told me I had to put some kind of guarantee or phrase in my marketing that would promise JibberJobber would help you find a job 30% faster, or get more job offers, or something like that. It sounded really cool, of course… who wouldn’t want a guarantee to make their job search go faster, or be more successful? Who doesn’t want a silver bullet for their job search?   Please, just give me “the job search secret,” let me move on to my next job and wash my hands of this unemployment crap. There was no way I would put any kind of promise, or allude to any such promise, in my literature.   First of all, how do you back it up?   Second, what about the anomalies the economy (which was quite different three years ago), and the slackers?   What about people who weren’t doing a principle-based search (like mine â€" very  not  principle-based, and destined to failure)? Perhaps the problem is my solution (JibberJobber) wasn’t priced appropriately.   For $99/year, what could you expect â€" a job lead straight to the corner office?   Not hardly. We all know throwing money at a problem will make it go away â€" so what if I pay $7,500 to a firm that will find me a job?   Sounds sweet, and that sounds like just the right price (comparable to an amazing vacation, an industry certification and training, a car for my kid, etc…. this is not peanuts â€" since it costs so much it must work). In the comments yesterday a JibberJobber Partner,  Mike Ballard,  wrote: Another expose that needs to be done is that of so-called ‘Search’ firms that charge exorbitant up-front fees (often thousands of dollars) for their services, in exchange for a guaranteed ‘dream job’. Like the Ladders, these operations traditionally prey upon high-end execs that they figure have plenty of extra cash. Now we at (his employer) are beginning to hear stories of similar operations that are target low-income workers and charge a few hundred dollars for ‘guaranteed’ results. This is even more despicable for someone who may be only a few paychecks from the street. There’s a big difference between hiring a job search or career coach who will help you along the process, and hiring a firm who will guarantee you a great job.   Can such a guarantee exist? I can’t remember the names of any such firms right now, but I do remember hearing about some who continually change their names so you can’t find much information about them â€" my point is, please be careful where you put your money in a job search â€" and be very suspicous of guarantees or claims that seem to good to be true, even if they do look like your silver bullet to kill this problem.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Federal Resume Template

Federal Resume TemplateFederal resume template can be a very good choice if you want to get a more accurate resume. It is the perfect choice for those who are seeking a standard resume template that can be easily applied by hiring managers. Federal resume template is the most popular and it can be purchased online or from a local store. The reason why this is so popular is because it is easy to use and it contains a number of job requirements which can be used to customize it for each applicant.Federal resume template includes job descriptions and related details as well as other traits that can help make your resume more useful for a potential employer. These details include time and qualifications for the position, education details, training details, and various other requirements. These details can help you in creating a more professional looking resume. Your goal here is to present yourself in a way that will allow you to stand out from the crowd. Therefore, you should use this information wisely and not only to appear more competent and more experienced.Federal resume template is also a great option for those who are looking for a low cost and easy to use template. This makes it a perfect choice for those who are new to the field of resume writing. A lot of people consider this to be one of the best options because it offers a number of benefits to those who are looking for a standard resume.Federal resume template is widely available on the Internet and there are many sites that offer templates to help applicants to create their own federal resume. You can use these templates online and then modify them to suit your needs. Using such a template gives you a chance to create a more effective resume and it will make the process easier for you to follow.You should always use a template when applying for a federal job. For one thing, a template is good for making your job application effective. By using a template, you can come up with an effective applicatio n that will help you stand out from the crowd.Another reason why using a federal resume template is so beneficial is because it helps you to become more specific in your requirements. This is very important because it allows you to focus on what you need and not on what you want. Your goal should be to apply for the specific positions that you are interested in. When you create a very specific list of qualifications and skills, you will be able to make the most of your efforts to land the position.Another advantage to using a federal resume template is that it can help you save time and money. You do not have to spend time developing a resume because it is already included in the template. As you will see, this can mean that you save a lot of time. However, the best thing about federal resume template is that it can help you get a much more accurate result. It can help you get the information you need to be more efficient in creating a well-organized and relevant resume.Federal resu me template can also be a good choice for those who have very little or no experience in the field of resume writing. This means that if you are starting out in the field of resume writing and you want to apply for a federal job, a template will be very beneficial to you. Use a federal resume template and you will be able to get more results.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

How to Have an Interesting Conversation at Work

How to Have an Interesting Conversation at Work Knowing how to have an interesting conversation is a great way to demonstrate communication skills. If you want to have more than just “some conversation”, check these tips below.It will help you avoid those conversations we feel are “cringe-worthy” and also help you be a better networker. After all, people may not remember exactly what you said but they will remember how you made them feel.Show Genuine Interest in the PersonAsking simple questions like, “How did you do that?”, can go a long way. Let people explain to you why they are geniuses and you will see how to have an interesting conversation. Asking questions to keep the conversation going can become some of the best conversations to have.Keep the Conversation PositiveHave you ever met a person who thinks the way to have an interesting conversation is to bring up the negative side of everything?An old Saturday Night Live skit referred to this as being a “Debbie Downer”. After hearing the best news ever, the De bbie Downer contributes with negative opinions to completely deflate the great news.No one needs to know the negative side to everything. Unless they specifically ask, “What can go wrong with this?”, keep the negative comments for your own imagination.Try Not to Dominate the ConversationWhen you are meeting a new group of people, demonstrate communication skills by finding out more about THEM.A common mistake people make when starting a new job is that they are so eager to impress, they never stop talking about themselves.Give the staff time to find out what you can do without lengthy monologues about your life. All good things come in good time. Look for key points to contribute to conversations or start them when you feel the time is right. If you sense you are overwhelming people, back off the conversation and let it end.Stick to Safe TopicsStay away from topics involving politics, religion, and personal habits. No one at work needs to know who you worship, voted for in the l ast election, or how many times a week you wash your hair.In recent years with social media and the current political climate, such topics almost seem to come up by accident.Unfortunately, unsafe topics may also lead to animosity in the workplace. Demonstrate communication skills by sticking to safe topics. This way, you are respecting people’s beliefs by never talking about them.Have a Conversation, Not a Comparison-ConversationSome conversations fall into the trap of becoming a comparison-conversation. For example, a colleague comes in explaining her happiness with her child’s recent academic accomplishment. You may want to discuss your child’s success as a way of being relatable or adding to the conversation.But if you do this, the colleague may look at you, as if you are stealing her thunder ie. Comparing achievements. Demonstrate communication skills by letting the colleague brag and respond only with positive statements of support and congratulations.Give people the stag e when they want it. Knowing how to have an interesting conversation often begins with understanding give and take. When you are giving, your attitude is more like, “There you are!” When you are taking, it is more like, “Here I am!”.Embrace What You Are Hearing Without Judging ItEye contact and simply listening can help you have an interesting conversation. For those who work with customers in the general public, this comes up often. Sometimes people just want to talk without being challenged or judged.If someone is ranting about something they did, and you disagree with it, do not offer a judgment statement like, “It sounds like you should have done this instead.”Not only is that behavior obnoxious, it also shows you care more about hearing your own voice.Be YourselfSometimes someone just wants to talk, and for some reason, you cannot deal with it. Believe it or not, people will be more likely to talk to you again in the future if they feel you care only about how to ha ve an interesting conversation.If the conversation is one that makes you uncomfortable, and you do not want to be a part of it, you are showing character by politely excusing yourself.You also demonstrate communication skills by excusing yourself without being rude. A simple, “My apologies. You caught me in the middle of something. I have to run.” is a polite way of stepping away from an uncomfortable conversation.The problem with staying in too many conversations you disagree with is that eventually, you will attract people who love to talk about things you take issue with. The worst feeling is to get caught in a conversation about something rude or offensive, and then being associated with that conversation. You did nothing to let that person know, “This conversation makes me uncomfortable”.Above all, being yourself is key to building the right network for yourself! Read more from this blog on how to build relationships at work.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Get linked up on LinkedIn University of Manchester Careers Blog

Get linked up on LinkedIn University of Manchester Careers Blog Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Do you have a profile but are not really sure what you are supposed to do with it? LinkedIn is useful for: Developing a professional online profile to complement your CV. Helping ensure that potential employers are impressed by what they find if they Google you. A well-developed LinkedIn profile will usually appear near the top of the first page in a Google search on your name. Making contacts with people working in your chosen sector. They may potentially provide you with inside information, work experience etc. Giving you a place to keep in touch with professional contacts, once you meet someone you can ask to link with them. Finding career profiles of thousands of successful professionals in your chosen field, including Manchester alumni. You can learn how they got to where they are now. Searching for organisations to target by your location of preference, or industry sector. If all this sounds a bit intimidating why not dip your toe in the water and start small? The Careers Service has advice on how to construct an effective LinkedIn profile. We can also give feedback on your profile on our Applications Advice service or via email if you work full time or no longer live in Manchester. The Alumni Office has put together some useful guidelines and an infographic to help you use the University LinkedIn alumni networks which have over 22,000 members. The Careers Service has advice on networking which includes social media. Networking is all about keeping in touch with people you know, helping them out when they ask, and asking for help and information when you need it. Most people network in a small way without realising thats what theyre doing! Read our Getting Connected guide and remember you can book a Guidance appointment to ask for advice if you need it. All Graduate LinkedIn networking social media

Sunday, May 17, 2020

How to Do Make a Creative Writing Resume That Will Impress Them

How to Do Make a Creative Writing Resume That Will Impress ThemIf you want to know how to do make a creative writing resume that is designed for college admission, here are some tips. It can be very helpful if you have a little more to say on your resume. You just have to know the right tricks of the trade when it comes to creating a well-written one.You should start by writing the first paragraph of your creative writing resume. This is the place where you tell them what your college experience is like. To know how to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them, you must know what they want to know.You must explain your college experience, how long you have been enrolled, the classes you have taken and so on. You must also explain what your goals were while at school. If you were so inclined, you can add in some personal experience you have had, including things that you did in the course of your college career.If you would like to know how to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them, then you should use some personal experience. You may bring in some facts about your teaching experiences or your service to others. You can also include your hobbies that relate to your interest, like gardening, cooking or something you enjoyed doing outside of school.One way you can make a creative writing resume that will impress them is to highlight your significant other's name and how it relates to you. You can mention how your significant other is going to appreciate this if they find out about your application. You can then give the reader an idea of what your position is going to be in the company, and just how much you will be working with them.How to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them can be done with the same points I have mentioned above. However, you might want to add more into the essay. Say you have one foot in the work force and one foot in the home. You might want to mention how you have found your way to be par t of your family and vice versa.When you know how to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them, you must also be able to keep them interested. Be an asset to your employer, rather than a liability. In the end, this is how to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them.Let the boss know you know how to do make a creative writing resume that will impress them, but do not over do it. You want to give them an idea of what you can bring to the table, so make them feel comfortable and know you were willing to take the chance.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Six quick tips for English students - Debut

Six quick tips for English students - Debut This post was written by an external contributor.  Kelsey Rees has some pearls of wisdom for any prospective English students.   There are definitely a few nuggets of advice that I wish I had during my three years of studying English at university. I’m now at the end of my university journey, which means unfortunately that time has passed. But that doesnt mean I cant share my own findings! So Ive compiled my own tips that I would give to anyone about to start an English degree. Do your summer reading Making the most of your final summer before university is understandable, but there’s no harm in getting a head start with a bit of light reading (Hermione Granger alert). In between shopping for uni essentials, spending a week on the lash in Zante or slaving away at your part-time job, try picking up a book that catches your eye from your course reading list. Believe me, there’s nothing worse than falling behind from the start and trying to catch up. Don’t panic buy When you receive your first year reading list you’re going to think two things: “Damn, that’s a lot of books to read” and “damn, that’s a lot of money to spend on books to read”. Buying every single book on that list before even starting uni may  sound  like youre  super smart and organised but don’t do that. From my experience you’re not going to read every book on that list. This may be because an 800-page novel is too much to get through without falling behind. Or you may just not be interested in writing on a particular title. Both are valid reasons! My advice is to research the books on your reading list. If there’s a famous title you’ve heard of before and have never had the chance to flick through, like ‘Jane Eyre’ for example, then go for it. Or, if there’s a book title you’ve researched and sounds like your cup of tea, then buy it. Just don’t get ahead of yourself and waste money on titles you probably won’t read. Go thrift When you do get round to book shopping, don’t rush straight to the high street. To save your much-needed money, try searching for a charity shop or second-hand book store that will sell books at a fraction of the retail price. Obviously you may not get lucky and find much on your list in these places. If thats the case, try looking online at discounted book sites such as AbeBooks.co.uk or the Book Depository. Most of these books are pre-owned and will save you a pretty penny. Prepare for seminars It’s not the end of the world if you haven’t finished reading the book before your next seminar. You don’t have to sit in constant fear of being asked a question you can’t answer, as you can prepare for a seminar without having read the book. Usually the tutor will provide you with a handout of topics to be discussed in the next seminar. You can research these topics and jot down a few notes ready for discussion. Shmoop and Sparknotes are great sites to use as they are incredibly helpful for understanding the basics of a text. Seminars are essential for you in terms of finding ideas for essays and discussing your own ideas with the tutor, so do everything you can to attend them. Do the formative work When you get to uni you’ll have two types of essays: formative and summative. Summative essays are the type you submit at the end of each semester as your assessed essay for that module. Formative essays are basically homework. They arent assessed and are given to you throughout the year as practice before your final summative essays. Because they arent assessed, it can be really tempting to not bother doing them. But I cant stress enough; don’t fall into this routine like I did. Formative essays are fundamental to practicing your writing to a university level and to utilise criticism to backup your argument. By doing your formative work you will progress your writing ability and get to know what the university expects from you in terms of your writing. Read criticism throughout the year Heres two terms you may be unfamiliar with: criticism and secondary sources. During an English degree youll soon get to know them, as they are the biggest difference between university-level writing and A-level writing. The use of these methods are expected in your essays, as they entail referencing from other critical sources as a way to shape and support your own ideas and interpretations about a text. When it comes to writing your summative essays you may struggle to incorporate these. However, if you take time throughout the year to do some critical reading, you may gather some information that will influence your own interpretations of a text. There you have it, a list of useful tips I wish I had during my time studying English at university. Try not to live by it religiously, after all it’s just some advice based on my experience. But Im sure that youll be thankful for at least some of it further down the line! Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

Saturday, May 9, 2020

The Job Search Emotional Rollercoaster Youre Not Alone!

The Job Search Emotional Rollercoaster â€" You’re Not Alone! The Job Search Emotional Rollercoaster Youre Not Alone! Let’s face it; the job search process stinks! I can’t think of any other life-changing event â€" other than death or divorce â€" that triggers so many negative feelings. Feel any of these? I, too, have felt all of them at one time or another in my own job searches. You’re not alone! Frustration Defeat or hopelessness Depression Low self-esteem Envy Worry or panic Rejection Surrender (to the status quo) Now, I’m not a psychologist, but I think it’s especially important to spend time discussing two key emotions that my clients and my readers share. Surrender to the status quo: “Maybe I should just stay here in my current job.” You’ve decided to search for a more rewarding job. Good for you! You’re researching other divisions within your company or with new companies and applying to positions. But, periodically, a little voice inside says, “It’s not that bad here; I’m fortunate to have this job; I’m familiar with this; the grass may not be greener on the other side;” and more. Right? Wrong! If I were to pick one word that represents great career management it is: choices. It is your right and your responsibility to know your options and your value in the marketplace. Of course, if you are employed, you want to conduct your choice search confidentially and there are many ways to accomplish that. Here is an exercise that may help: Draw two columns on a piece of paper. On the left side, list all of the reasons that triggered your desire to pursue other career choices in the first place: no upward mobility, money, boredom, bad boss, too many hours, etc. On the right side, list all of the reasons you should stay right where you are: comfortable, easy, no risk, friends at work. Now, commit to exploring options so you have choices. If you’re only half-committed to a job search, it will show to those you are networking with. Worse yet, you won’t see results. Then guess what? You will be right back in “frustration-land.” Low self-esteem: “I don’t qualify for a number of jobs; I don’t have all of the skills; I can’t sell myself well.” Can I let you in on a hiring manager secret? Shhhhh… don’t tell anybody, okay? Here it is: job descriptions are written for the perfect person who does not exist. Yes, you heard me right. We write job descriptions for an ideal, specially configured robot, and don’t really expect to find somebody with 100% of the specifications. In addition, what you don’t see in the job description are other criteria that we desire. For example, there are optimal industries and companies that we would like our robot-candidate to have worked in. Finally, you don’t realize there are applicants that are applying who have way fewer qualifications than you have! OK. Here’s some homework for you: Spend 30 minutes dissecting each job description you are evaluating. Write your skills and experiences next to their requirements. Either write in the margin of their page, or, even better, on a separate page in a 2-column table. If you meet 60 to 70% of the company’s specified qualifications, then apply! Naturally, if you want this job, your work has only begun with the online application. Now, the heavy lifting begins with networking, follow up, and much more. Avoid the job search blues by thinking about it differently and approaching the opportunity to build choices with a fresh perspective and an entirely new process. And remember, you’re not alone!

Friday, May 8, 2020

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are you hiding

Tough (Question) Tuesday What are you hiding found via Pinterest Your love of Star Trek. Being adopted. That your cats your best friend (really). Your family nickname. That all your fanciest clothes came from thrift stores. What are you hiding? In asking this question, I dont mean for you to share anything that feels like youre crossing a line with what youre comfortable sharing. Hiding is a bit of a dramatic word, but I dont wanna switch it for another one because, well, I want it to be important. Take a deep breath and answer in the comments Ill be here to hold your hand. -