Job Search Strategies That Will Make or Break You - CareerAlley

Job Search Strategies That Will Make or Break You - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. ** This article originally appeared on the blog **Onlinecareertips.com** By Kristen Carter Contributor, Career Services Ive applied to hundreds of jobs is not an uncommon statement heard in my role as a career coach. However, this immediately sends up a red flag: youve cast out a wide net in hopes of receiving a few bites. The problem with this approach is that you are likely not setting yourself apart from other applicants or customizing your resume for the job, and that leads to the question: are you submitting too many job applications? Personally, I find less is more when applying for jobs. The focus should be quality over quantity. While desperate times in your job search may cause you to use desperate measures, be intentional about not demonstrating to potential employers that you are in fact desperate and willing to take anything. To do this, first and foremost, avoid communicating that you are a jack of all trades. The latter part of this figure of speech is master of none, and while you may think it is a strength to be competent in many skill areas, it suggests to the hiring manager that you do not excel in any particular one. Employers dont want to hear that you can do anything because it conveys that you lack direction and focus. Secondly, be selective. Dont apply to all of the various positions a company has posted. Hone in on the few that best match your skillset so that the employer can see that you really want a particular job and are not simply settling for any position since you have no other offers. If youve already sent out what feels like, or may literally be, hundreds of applications, it may be time to take a step back and do some prep work before submitting any more applications. Networking has become a large component of the job search, but few job seekers have really mastered this strategy. In her article Quality vs. Quantity: Will Applying to More Jobs Help or Hurt?, Career Counselor Emily K. suggests using your network among a variety of job search methods via social media, colleagues, and alumni to make connections and hopefully obtain job leads. In summary, avoid having an irrelevant application by taking the extra time to build up your network, be selective and only apply to those jobs that match your skillset, and customize your application materials to the job. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest. what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to identify and land your dream job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

What Is Flex Time and Should You Ask For It

What Is Flex Time and Should You Ask For It The world is moving faster than ever. In fact, it often seems like everything about our lives is changing â€" sometimes on a daily basis. From online shopping to cellular phones that access the internet, technology has often driven the changes we see. Our work place is no different. Once it was expected that a 9 â€" 5 job was just that. Today employers have the ability to offer their staff a variety of work methods. Telecommuting is particularly popular. Less well known is the idea of flex time. While not as many employers offer flex time, those that do believe it allows their work staff to be more productive. Learning about work options should be an important part of every candidates research and decisions making process when looking for and interviewing for a new position. I love the idea of flex time. When I was around 10, my mom went back to work. She was offered flex time. It went like this: she worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and Pat worked Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. It was perfect. They both worked hard those 2 1/2 days to make sure their work was done. Their bosses never once complained, in fact the opposite. You couldnt find harder workers. It gave both women time with their children and families while earning a little extra income. Awesome. Why dont more employers offer it? I decided to do a little more research on it to find out. The idea of flex time isn’t that new. Employees are offered the ability to create a schedule that works for their particular needs. The employer typically publishes a set of guidelines and then works directly with an employee to pick a flexible schedule that will allow the necessary work to take place in a timely manner while still allow the employee to be flexible. This concept has worked particularly well for working mothers or employees with unique family obligations. For example, an employee with a school age child may wish to adjust their hours in order to be home when their child arrives back from school. They may request a flexible schedule of 6 am â€" 2 pm. The employee will still work a full 40 hour week but will have the ability to address the needs of their child. Typically both the employer and the employee see flex time as beneficial. Employers tend to see a higher rate of productivity in their employees; after all happy employees are productive employees. Additionally, the absentee rate typically drops as employees schedule allows them to focus their work time on work and their off hour time on other pursuits, such as family. They also note that the ability to work during off peak hours often gives them quiet time that can be used to focus on larger projects without the worry of customers or coworkers bothering them. Deciding to ask for flex time is very much a personal decision. Anybody considering the move should first determine if their company is even open to the idea. Try approaching your manager about your particular needsit might be the next step in creating a flexible schedule. Whenever possible this discussion should take place during the hiring process to prevent conflicts. Flex time can be an excellent tool to keep employees happy, healthy and productive. It can also help manage that all too often forgotten balance between home and work life. If you are interested in the idea of flexible scheduling, don’t be afraid to ask. A clearly presented explanation of your request and the ability to work within the guidelines of your company often go a long way.

How to Avoid Abbreviating Monts in Your Resume Writing

How to Avoid Abbreviating Monts in Your Resume WritingThe thing that many people do when they are looking for a job in the medical field is to write their resume using all the medical terms. A good resume is much more than a document that tells someone what you have done. Resumes are meant to sell a person or an employer on your abilities and values, not to replace them. Therefore, abbreviating words is not a good idea when you are writing your resume.Unfortunately, many people do this because they do not know enough about what abbreviations mean. While it may be true that medical terms will be used in the resume, only a few of them really matter. All the rest should be listed in the order that they occur in the word.First, the abbreviation used when you are referencing the name of the state where the medical school is located: MCPS, MCPHS, MPHS, and MMPHS. These can be abbreviated as simply MCPS or MPHS to show that they are part of a series of four. In the state where the universit y is located, the abbreviation would be MCPSU.Then, when you are referring to the title of the medical school, the abbreviation would be MD, DO, PhD, and DNP. Again, these can be abbreviated as MD, DO, PhD, and DPNP. If you are saying that you are an expert in your field of specialization, then you may wish to use the more descriptive term, which is what people are used to.Finally, when you are using the abbreviation, the last letter of the last name is usually used as a suffix. For example, if your last name is Smith, you would use 'SM'S-M' instead of 'Smith' and '-DNP' instead of '-DN' if you are referring to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Finally, you may need to add an extra dash if the last name ends in an S.The final point is that you are almost never supposed to abbreviate every word of the resume. This is especially true if you are considering a shorter resume that is not as well formatted as a long one. For instance, it would be easier to read a 4 paragraph form if the first paragraph was one word and the second was two words. Instead, one word resumes are more professional and do not use any abbreviations.For further information on the things that you should not abbreviate, please contact a resume writing service or check out the website resumewritingresources.com. They have an amazing list of all the abbreviations, including some that are not as commonly used.

How To End a Cover Letter To Land an Interview (Examples) - ZipJob

How To End a Cover Letter To Land an Interview (Examples) Spread the loveSo, you’ve come around to the closing paragraph or sentence in your cover letter and you’re wondering what to say to really capture the hiring manager’s attention. A good  cover letter beginning needs a good end and we’ve got you covered! We’ll show you how to end a cover letter the right way. Also, despite a lot of bad advice all over the internet, cover letters are important and many hiring managers do read it.We’ll show you some awesome lines to close your cover letter with, but here is what should be included in the last paragraph of your cover letter.You want to ensure you include the following points:Re-state your desire to work there and why you would be a good fit.Ask them for an  interview.Thank them for their time and consideration.Here is an example on how to end a cover letter from our post on  writing an awesome cover letter:I’m excited to offer my expertise in [experience and skill set] and am certain that I would make a great candidate for this position as well as a great asset to [company name]. Please give me a call at the number above to schedule an interview at your convenience. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,  Tom HarrisonThis is a great closing paragraph for a cover letter which incorporates the three points above. Always mention a call to action which in this case would be inviting you to an interview. You should, of course, also thank the reader for their consideration.Here are some other great closing sentences to give you an idea of how to end a cover letter:How to End a Cover LetterTell the hiring manager your desire to work there (Again):Im really excited for the opportunity to work at [company name] and I look forward to hearing from you.  We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”. Use a call to action which in this case would be an interview or phone call:I would be honored for you to schedule an interview with me so we can fur ther discuss how I can be a great asset to [company name].  Mention your qualifications again:My 12 years of experience in corporate banking would make me an excellent fit for [company name].  If its something youre passionate about, state it:My passion for the last 12 years has been journalism and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to [company name].  Thank them for their time:Thank you for your time and Id be honored for the opportunity to interview for the position.  These are excellent ways to end a cover letter. Keep in mind that all the examples above should be mentioned somewhere on the cover letter. Make sure your cover letter follows the same tone from start to finish.Always remember to show confidence and use a call to action. Dont say you think you can be a good fit. Say youre confident you would be a good fit for the position. If you cant portray confidence, dont expect the hiring manager to have any in you.Cover Letter SignatureYou don’t need to hand sign the cover letter unless your’re delivering a hard copy. So how do you close a cover letter? Do you use sincerely, thanks, best?“Best” for emails in general was ranked the best for closing out an email by Business Insider. It’s also acceptable for a cover letter, but our top pick would be sincerely.Here are the top three ways to close out a cover letter: sincerely, best and regards. Avoid the common “thank you” or anything else. (Warmly, Yours Truly, Thanks).There are just two more important points I want to mention.First, always proofread the cover letter to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Making careless mistakes on your cover letter will kill your chances of securing an interview. Have a friend or family member proofread it.Second, make sure your cover letter is not a copy of your resume. You should mention some points but keep a more conversational and personal tone.Remember, the secret to writing a cover letter  is quickly convincing the hiring manager that your skills, experience, education and personality are an excellent fit for the position and the company. Good luck with your job search!

Meggan Holm - Work It Daily

Meggan Holm - Work It Daily Recruiter Info Name: Meggan Holm Title: HR Director Email: mholm@rfconst.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/meggan-holm Phone: 785-776-8855 Twitter: @megholm24 Company Info           Company: RF Construction Location: Manhattan, KS Website: www.rfconst.com For Job Candidates Preferred Method To Be Contacted By A Candidate: Email Preferred Process For Following Up On Application: Email or phone call Things That Impress You In A Candidate: I am very impressed with a candidate that can communicate with confidence. Things Candidates Must Include To Be Considered For Job: A well written resume with updated references for all office personnel. As for field positions a fully completed job application that can be downloaded from our website with all job history and education. Things That Will Disqualify A Candidate From Getting Considered: I will not continue to look at a resume or job application with grammatical errors. Can Candidates Apply For Multiple Positions And Not Get Penalized?: Yes Recruiter's Perspective What's your favorite quote? There's always ways of motivating yourself to higher levels. Write about it, dream about it. But after that, turn it into action. Don't just dream. -Dan Gable What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors. In a sentence, why do you enjoy working at your company? I enjoy working here because it is always full of challenges and we push each other to be better. In a sentence, how does your company have fun on a regular basis? We go and have lunch together on a regular basis and also have after work get together. In a sentence, how would you describe the employees at your company?: Our employees are dedicated, to each other and the company. Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Online Calendars Thatll Help You Streamline Your Life

Online Calendars Thatll Help You Streamline Yur Life Do you consider yourself organized? For many, this isnt the easiest question to answer. Most of usthink were organized, at least in some aspects of our life, but theresalmost always something mora we could be doing to stay on task, remember an event, and accomplish our goals on time both in a professional setting or outside of one. And there are more ways to get organized than with Google Calendars alone.Whether youre a freelancer, a self-employed entrepreneur or small business owner, a graduate student, or are working a traditional 9-to-5, getting organized can get tough. Thats why its important to have a calendar with deadlines and tasks that youre looking to get accomplished. We all get busy, and oftentimes we take on slightly more than we might be able to handle especially if we arent naturally skilled at office organizing.Traditional desktop calendars and wall calendars are great for having all of your important notices in o ne place, but you cant really bring a desktop calendar with you everywhere you go. This might mean you need an online calendar that comes its own calendar app.If youve never used an online calendar before, theres no time like the present to start. And depending on your needs, you might need a calendar that has different or more depthful features than others. If youre a professional looking to get organized with an online calendar, this list is for you. Cozi Family CalendarIf youre in need of a calendar to keep everyone in the family on the same page, thismay be your best bet. With the free Cozi Family Calendar, there is a family calendar option, as well as individual calendars for each family member and you can easily landsee everyones tasks once synced. Its also great for assigning tasks as there are features available for sending over to-do lists to specific family members.The best part? The Cozi Family Calendar comes with a mobile app so even when youre on the go you can stay up- to-date with whats on your family members plate. TrelloTrello is acalendar thats going to help you get. stuff. done. With Trello, you can assign yourself, and others, tasks via boards. And you can also see these tasks on a calendar to see whats due, when. You can have multiple boards for multiple tasks you can have a home board, a work board, an editorial calendar board, a travel board, ect. And you can invite people to your boards where they can see your tasks and be assigned as responsible for these tasks.This is a great online calendar option when you have a lot of tasks with strict deadlines. You see right away what needs to get done and when, and you can get notifications when a deadline is on the horizon. Your board will also let you know if a task is overdue. The only downside to Trello is that it is more of a to-do list platform, and less of a calendar.This online calendar also comes with a calendar app so you can use it wherever you go. There are both free and paid version s of Trello to choose from.Zoho CalendarZoho is a free online calendar that allows you to set reminders, share your calendar, sync up with other calendars to create group calendars, subscribe to calendars around the world, integrate with Zoho apps, and embed your calendar on your website or blog so others know what your schedule is like.Its simple and easy interface makes setup a breeze. And you get to decide what your work-week looks like. Schedule, manage, and track your tasks and events with ease. And do it it from your desktop, or your mobile device. Its free, tooTeamUp CalendarTeamUp is a simple, straightforward, flexible calendar for you and your team. Its similar to Google Calendar in looks, but not in features Its designed for groups to help manage not only time, but resources as well. Its also extremely simple there are no logins or special requirements to use it. All you need is a link and you can start adding to the calendarUse colors to differentiate between types of ev ents and activities. Set up notifications so that you now when an event is coming up, when a task has been completed, and if there are any conflicts with the schedule. And you can set it up so different users have different accessThis calendar is free to start, which is great for small teams. But bigger teams will need the paid version. And you can easily access from both your desktop and mobile device.DoodleDoodle is a fun and interactive online scheduling tool. Doodle allows you to sync up with others to decide on the best date and time to schedule activities, events, and tasks. It takes feedback from your team and creates a poll that gets sent out about the events. Doodle essentially takes the guesswork out of scheduling by taking feedback from all parties and aggregating feedback to set a time that works for everyone.You can then load events and tasks into your own calendar so other participants know what your schedule looks like and what times you are available. There are 3 pla ns to choose from free, private and business. All allow you access on your desktop and your mobile device.

Why Everybody Is Dead Mistaken Regarding Resume Writing Service Low Budget and Why You Should Read This Document

Why Everybody Is Dead Mistaken Regarding Resume Writing Service Low Budget and Why You Should Read This Document Additional organizations are spending a good deal on SEO and internet advertisements. If youve got the budget to cover the price of resume writing services, they can be a really great investment for your career. If you havent found the sort of service you are searching for in our top recommendations, try one of the numerous other resume writing services online. To be able to keep our clients satisfied, if we must walk an excess mile, wed happily to do so with no sweat Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Resume Writing Service Low Budget Some businesses will check with you about your requirements, then quote you a flat rate based on the product theyll create for you. Based on your industry, you could also require particular documents. There are hundreds and hundreds of professionals and companies who claim to be providing the highest quality services. Its extremely important to read carefully essay services reviews, because you would like to avoid low high quality services. Details of Resume Writing Service Low Budget With numerous applications to review, its typical for employers to just scan over each resume. Should you need additional services start looking for packages which also consist of LinkedIn profile writing and follow-up letters. Customer complaints include refusal to supply refunds, bad oben liegend writing, and all-around terrible customer support. You may also take a look at customer feedback on several platforms including BBB to locate the highest rated resume writing services. Whether you choose from individual resume writers or from companies, 1 thing you should make certain is their capacity to supply the very best superior support. You succeed in your career since youve learned to delegate the correct tasks to the perfect folks. So decide what type of resume you need before you start to look for a resume writing service. For example, if youve just graduated from college and are seeking your very first job, you will need a resume that sells you in the most effective light despite your lack of experience.