Do you feel like you are a dime-a-dozen competing in your job search

Do you feel like you are a dime-a-dozen competing in your job search A few months ago I was talking to some friends over dinner and mentioned that a particular profession was a dime-a-dozen, and its easy to find someone to do that particular job. And then I realized one person at dinner, who I like and respect a lot, was just getting back into that field. OOPS. I did that about a year ago with another type of profession. Wednesday morning I was thinking about these almost-commodity skills/roles/people, and something significant hit me. If you are in a dime-a-dozen field, Im going to ASSUME you have all the right skills, and you are very good. You can spend time helping me understand why your skills are superior to your competition, but I was thinking, as an employer, what would be most valuable to me. I would want someone who was high speed, low drag.  Another way of saying it is that you can hit the ground running. I want someone who I wont have to worry about.  They arent going to be at the water cooler whining about management direction or decisions. They arent going to waste hours a day with social networks or other things online. I want someone who I can trust to do the right thing, every time.  Someone with high integrity. I want someone who will strive to make me, as the boss, look good. I could go on and on, but what I was thinking was I want someone who has personal values, including honesty, integrity, strong work ethic, sense of pride in doing the job right or well, someone who can learn quickly and especially learn from mistakes someone who is punctual (or not  chronically  late) for that matter, someone who is not chronically __________ See where Im going? In my job search I told someone Im just a general manager not specialized.  And in this valley there are tons of managers. That someone wisely responded yeah, but there arent very many GOOD managers. How do you differentiate yourself when you feel like a commodity? Show how you are GOOD, or better, and definitely help me understand Ill never have to worry about you.  You wont  embarrass  me or give me headaches. Thats who I want to hire. Do you feel like you are a dime-a-dozen competing in your job search A few months ago I was talking to some friends over dinner and mentioned that a particular profession was a dime-a-dozen, and its easy to find someone to do that particular job. And then I realized one person at dinner, who I like and respect a lot, was just getting back into that field. OOPS. I did that about a year ago with another type of profession. Wednesday morning I was thinking about these almost-commodity skills/roles/people, and something significant hit me. If you are in a dime-a-dozen field, Im going to ASSUME you have all the right skills, and you are very good. You can spend time helping me understand why your skills are superior to your competition, but I was thinking, as an employer, what would be most valuable to me. I would want someone who was high speed, low drag.  Another way of saying it is that you can hit the ground running. I want someone who I wont have to worry about.  They arent going to be at the water cooler whining about management direction or decisions. They arent going to waste hours a day with social networks or other things online. I want someone who I can trust to do the right thing, every time.  Someone with high integrity. I want someone who will strive to make me, as the boss, look good. I could go on and on, but what I was thinking was I want someone who has personal values, including honesty, integrity, strong work ethic, sense of pride in doing the job right or well, someone who can learn quickly and especially learn from mistakes someone who is punctual (or not  chronically  late) for that matter, someone who is not chronically __________ See where Im going? In my job search I told someone Im just a general manager not specialized.  And in this valley there are tons of managers. That someone wisely responded yeah, but there arent very many GOOD managers. How do you differentiate yourself when you feel like a commodity? Show how you are GOOD, or better, and definitely help me understand Ill never have to worry about you.  You wont  embarrass  me or give me headaches. Thats who I want to hire.

Do You Really Need to Use Past Tense in Your Resume?

Do You Really Need to Use Past Tense in Your Resume?Resume writing is an art, and the art of resume writing is in the eye of the beholder. There are many differing opinions on what constitutes a great resume. Some people believe that you need to use present tense in your resume. I think using past tense is more beneficial.First, it helps the potential employer see that you have been successful in the past. Second, it gives the employer the impression that you are a student of the program rather than a student of the job.Using past tense is a positive thing because it gives the impression that you are just starting your career. It lets the employer know that you are still new to your current job. Present tense simply shows that you are the same person that you have always been and you are already moving up in your career.When you go into resume writing, you should start out by looking at your personality and skill set. After you know how you will represent yourself, then you can start considering whether to write your resume in past tense or present tense.For instance, if you are taking personal development courses, you may want to write a resume that shows that you have worked with personal development programs. Past tense resumes are less likely to be scorned as long as you clearly show that you have taken courses in personal development.Once you know that you want to write a resume in past tense, you may want to jot down some of your accomplishments in order to achieve a well-rounded and realistic long term objective. There are many, many programs that help people prepare for future jobs, and you want to make sure that you include them.Another way to include a future job objective is to give your most recent job a detailed description of what you accomplished. This is a very effective way to show the potential employer exactly what you can do for him or her. You also want to include information on the position that you are applying for.The key to determining whether you should use past tense or present tense is to give the employer the impression that you are a valuable candidate. If you do this, you will find that your chances of getting hired are greatly increased.

Plan Your New Years Personal Branding Strategy - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Plan Your New Year’s Personal Branding Strategy - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career We are approaching the end of the year. This means it is time for planning our New Year’s resolutions. Every year companies plan their future growth, sales and income expectations. Similar to companies, I believe every year people should plan their career growth and expectations as well. Start thinking what you want to achieve in the New Year for your career. For example; maybe you are a manager for a few years and you believe that it is time for you to get promoted to the next level. Then, plan what steps you need to take to achieve this goal in 2014. If you are not happy with your current job, you can consider taking a new position within your current employer. You have more chances of achieving your goals within your current employer since there are people who know you and the company has already invested in you. First, identify a position that interests you within your current employer. Afterwards, find the hiring manager and the other employees working for him so that you can establish a relationship with them. Finally, convince them that you are the best candidate for that position. However, if you are working for a smaller company which there arent any interesting roles for you or if you need a bigger career change, then you should definitely start applying for positions at other employers in 2014. Make sure your personal brand is up-to-date such as your LinkedIn profile, your resume and cover letter before applying. Career growth is not only about changing your job. It is also about your personal growth as well. Plan how you want to improve yourself in 2014. Think about your weak points compared to your peers/coworkers and invest in yourself. Consider the below alternatives to improve your personal brand: Learn a new language or refresh the second language that you learned in high school/college. There is a Turkish saying that I really like. “One who speaks only one language is one person, but one who speaks two languages is two people.” Continue your education. If you have Bachelor’s degree, you can start taking classes for a Master’s degree. Most universities have evening classes for busy professionals. If you don’t have the time to physically attend a class, you can also consider online degree programs.  Get certified. If you don’t have time for a new degree, you can consider attending professional certification programs that can help you get ahead of the competition. Start networking. You can attend industry events, seminars and conferences. These are great for following the trends and innovations in your industry and network with other professionals in your area. Finally, read, read and read. Read newspapers, magazines, self-improvement books, articles, etc. Basically, read anything you enjoy and expand your vision.

Finding a Job after University in a Law Firm

Finding a Job after University in a Law Firm you have to apply for the 3rd stage 2 years in advance, you have to start thinking about applying for a training contract/pupillage in your second year Abbey is a 2011 University of Leicester Graduate from the Law Department. I worked with Abbey when she was part of the Student Communication Team at the University of Leicester, and she has played an active role at the meetings of the SCT. She is currently (at the time of writing) employed by  Cole Co Solicitors Faizan (Interviewer):   So, Abbey, when did you start looking for a graduate job, and be honest, when did you actually start concentrating on finding one? Abbey:    In my opinion, the lucky thing with choosing a career in Law is that the path is pretty much mapped out for you, if you want it to be.   Firstly, you study a law degree, secondly, depending on whether you want to be a solicitor or a barrister you take the Legal Practice Course or the Bar Professional Training Course. Once this stage is complete, you undertake a 2-year Training Contract or Pupillage. As you have to apply for the 3rd stage 2 years in advance, you have to start thinking about applying for a training contract/pupillage in your second year. Therefore, I started applying for training contracts near the end of my second year and had to complete applications before the 31st July of that year, with interviews and assessments being held later that summer. Faizan:  That’s good, so what was the application/interview process like? Any tips for students looking for a job? Abbey:  My current job is with Cole Co Solicitors â€" in some senses it cannot be classed as a ‘graduate job’, as it’s a job that I have in between finishing uni and prior to starting a training contract. There was no application process for this particular job because I had applied to them for work experience last summer. Basically, last summer I sent covering letters and CVs to various law firms across the country. Cole Co were kind enough to offer me 2 weeks unpaid work experience and by the end of the 1st week, I was asked to stay on another 5 weeks, paid. Presumably they thought I was a good worker, and asked me to come back this summer, and I’ve even been offered a part-time job, whilst I undertake the LPC part-time over the next 2 years. However, when applying for Training contracts, I would advise taking time to complete applications â€" I cannot stress how important it is to proof read what you’ve written and to tailor it to that particular law firm you are applying to, so no copying and pasting! An application will instantly be rejected if it’s an application for one firm but in your answer you name another law firm, or even talk about areas of law that a firm doesn’t specialise in.   I made this mistake with one application! Faizan:  I got a placement after doing a short internship, so that is the first note to students: if you get an internship or work-experience, then you can only go upwards from there.   Do you have any views on the value of extra-curricular activities whilst at University? Abbey:  With Law, extra-curricular activities such as mooting, debating and client interviewing are a definite help, but it’s especially important to get as much work experience as possible.   Work experience makes you stand out and shows that you’ve had experience of life as a lawyer and not just what you’ve been taught during your course. The Careers Service at University has been very helpful throughout my time at university â€" I spoke to various people about my CV, how to write cover letters, and even spoke to them about jobs. I also attended various careers fairs to speak to graduate employers, to ask what they looked for in their graduates in order to tailor applications to the specific employer. Faizan:  Thanks a lot for the interview. Pretty impressive words, and exactly the kind of stuff that will help students be more motivated and plan their career. (The following interview was conducted by the author during the time he was contracted for writing for  UOL Careers Blog, where the interview appears in original.) 1

How Can I Learn How to Write a Resume?

How Can I Learn How to Write a Resume?There are many ways to learn how to write a resume, but there is only one way to really become an expert at this - through experience. So how can I learn how to write a resume? Here are some tips on how to do it the right way.Before you even begin to put together your resume, you should write it down. Write down everything you want to include in the resume. And when you think about it, you probably already know what needs to be included. It is just a matter of writing the information out, as you will have lots of material to work with.Once you have written the information down, you should look at it and see if there is anything missing or wrong with the resume. If you need any help in this process, then you should seek out some sort of guide. You can search for guides online, but remember that they can be very expensive. Plus, they don't offer you any real information about how to write a resume.After you are done writing the resume, you should t est it for any errors. This is to make sure that the information you wrote is accurate. You can use a free resume service to check the document before paying anything for it. If the service finds anything, then you can pay a small fee and get it taken care of.There are also plenty of books that teach you how to learn how to write a resume. They are available in bookstores and can be relatively inexpensive. If you do not want to purchase a book on how to write a resume, then you can always download a free resume template to help you write your own resume.Once you are done writing the resume, you should test it for accuracy, especially if you want to learn how to write a resume that is perfect. This means using the same wording throughout the resume and using different formats that match the job description.Of course, you should also check your skills with regards to writing resumes, and then you can begin learning how to write a resume for the best jobs. Remember, you are learning th e proper way to format the resume.You can always ask your friends and family members about how they learned how to write a resume. They might tell you that they learned this through experience or they might tell you that they learned it from a good book. You may never really know how to write a resume if you do not take the time to learn how to write one, so don't feel bad about not having it down until you do.

This Chair Rocks A Manifesto Against Ageism [Book Review] - Career Pivot

This Chair Rocks A Manifesto Against Ageism [Book Review] - Career Pivot I recently began writing a blog from the perspective of a 67-year-old man who was taking a big, hopeful jump to the next chapter of his life. This at the end of long stints doing communications at a downtown Washington D.C. trade association, and previously with a U.S. Senator. As I searched for what I hoped to be an “encore” type position, where I could contribute to the social welfare, I learned I was no longer the optimum age for finding a new job in D.C., despite my belief that I had many years of meaningful work still ahead of me. While following the traditional guidance to scrub age-references from my resume, and reaching out to a broad network of associates, I also began consuming books, podcasts, and social media about growing older to help better understand what was happening to me and so many others at a similar time in their lives. Early on, I discovered Ashton Applewhite, who is clearly one of the most dynamic forces out there when it comes to speaking out against age discrimination. Her book, This Chair Rocks, published by Celadon Books is the subject of this review. “This book Totally Rocks” â€" Anne Lamott While the book is a strong manifesto against ageism, it is also filled with joyful exuberance about life in all its dimensions. It’s not just for those over 50, or 60, or 70. But it lights a path for all ages in ways to live a better life. And it’s hard to come away, after a reading, without remembering her joy at dancing throughout the night, even though: “My nights on the dance floor now end in a hot bath with ice packs on both knees. (Looks ridiculous, feels great)” Catalyzing a Movement to End Age Discrimination Even before reading the book, I had watched Applewhite’s TED Talk: Let’s End Ageism and read her blogs: The eponymously named This Chair Rocks and the interactive Yo, Is This Ageist? and I combed through the Old School.info clearinghouse, which she set up to provide resources about being older in society today. These, coupled with an active social media presence, are all tools, she says, ”to help catalyze a movement to make discrimination on the basis of age as unacceptable as any other kind.” In her book’s introduction, Applewhite writes: “Aging is a natural, powerful, lifelong process. So how come so many of us unthinkingly assume that depression, diapers, and dementia lie ahead? That the 20th century’s astonishing leap in life expectancy is a disaster-in-the-making? Underlying all the hand-wringing is ageism: discrimination that sidelines and silences older people.” Listen to the most recent episode Discovering an Empowering New World Even while I was consuming Applewhite’s writing, I found a treasure trove of other books, podcasts, and social media by a growing force of individuals and organizations fighting on behalf of older members of our society and lighting the path for older people to follow. This was not just about the more traditional battles in our nation’s capital involving social safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and affordable housing. These are all critically important and pre-requisites for survival for millions of people. The issues that focused my attention, however, went to the core of what it means to be an older person and how can I, and others like me, go about living a full and vibrant life with passion and purpose. My reading included books like “How to Life Forever” by Encore.org’s CEO Mark Freedman, who says that it’s through mentoring, working with the next generation â€" and through intergenerational relationships that we live on; Chip Conley’s “Wisdom@Work; the Making of a Modern Elder,” who found his “next chapter” in life by being a senior mentor/intern at Airbnb (kind of like Robert DeNiro in the movie The Intern.) And websites like nextforme.com, strianews.com, and nextavenue.com I also picked up books that were more career-focused: John Tarnoff’s nicely titled “Boomer Reinvention,” Marci Albahor’s “Encore Career Handbook,” and Marc Miller’s “Repurpose Your Career: A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers.” After listening to some of Marc’s podcasts, I also signed up for an online career guidance workshop that he runs. When Marc said he had an opportunity to get a pre-release version of This Chair Rocks for a member interested in doing a review, I jumped at the opportunity. Being Upfront About Age Applewhite opens her book with a line that struck home for me: “I’ve never lied about my age â€" I have no problem saying ‘I’m sixty-six’ loud and clear â€" but I sure know a lot of people who do.” These words echoed what I had written in my own not yet published blog: “I am 67. No longer ashamed of being old. In fact, realizing the value of what my age has produced. No longer hiding it. I am seeking the next chapter, reinventing myself once again.” Pushing Back Against Ageist Jokes I had never lied about my age. But when asked how old I was, I’d always find a way to avoid answering, feeling embarrassed. That was not surprising since most of the people I worked with were 10-20-30-40 years younger. I can even recall being the subject of a joke one day when a colleague suggested a party could be held at lunch because an evening event might be “too late for some of the older folks on the team.” I stayed silent, smiling, but felt uneasy inside. Applewhite is not one to keep quiet when faced with an ageist joke â€" no matter how innocent it might seem. Her book is filled with calls to “push back” and “reject ageist stereotypes.” Still, she acknowledges, getting past the dread that people often feel about getting older is not easy: “Hitting sixty felt just fine. I knew the years were bestowing more than they took away. … But I had yet to internalize that knowledge, to integrate it into my beliefs and attitudes, to embed it into my sense of self and my place in the world, to make it my own. I had to acknowledge and start letting go of the prejudices about aging that had been drummed into me since childhood by the media and popular culture. Wrinkles are ugly. Old people are incompetent. It’s sad to be old. Absorbing these fallacies had been effortless. Banishing them is unsettling, and infinitely harder. Present tense because I’m still at it, as I’m reminded on a regular basis.” She says that the hardest attitude about the aging issue to transcend is “a prejudice against myself â€" my own future, older self â€" as inferior to my younger self. That’s the linchpin of age denial.” Ageism is Drummed into Us from Early On Ditto for me. It’s easy to read about ways I can raise my own consciousness. It’s much harder to actually cast aside the dread I’ve felt in the past about growing old. As Applewhite notes, the hardest thing is to escape “a prejudice against myself â€" my own future, older self â€" as inferior to my younger self. That’s the linchpin of age denial.” “Age bias has yet to bleep onto the cultural radarâ€"it’s the last socially sanctioned prejudice. We know that diversity means including people of different races, genders, abilities, and sexual orientation; why is age typically omitted? Racist and sexist comments no longer get a pass, but who even blinks when older people are described as worthless? Or incompetent, or “out of it,” or boring, or even repulsive?” Back when she was still in her 50’s, Applewhite worked in a cubicle at the American Museum of National History and “the hazy prospect of growing old filled me with something between free-floating anxiety and stomach-churning dread.” Stepping Out of the Cubicle A chance dinner conversation in 2007, she says, got her started on a journey learning about longevity, interviewing people over 80 who work, and blogging about it. This began a “gradual awakening” over the next 12 years. “The more I learned, the better I felt about the years ahead.” I feel much like Applewhite when she first set out away from her cubicle. I still have much to learn as I struggle to shed fears about aging and its consequences. But the dedication and spirit she has shown in writing her book, have helped empower me to move ahead on my own. I urge others to read This Chair Rocks, whether you are grappling with suddenly waking up as an older American; have family or friends who are coping with the same issues, or even if you are a lot younger and realize that before you know it, you too will no longer be so young. As Applewhite learned in the early days of her “journey,” while speaking with Marcia Muth, an 88-year-old folk artist in Santa Fe, “You are never too old, and it’s never too late.” This was written by Howard Gantman. Howard is a writer, editor, and communications strategist focused on the longevity community, digital safety, and government reform. Previously, while in Washington, D.C., he served as a trade association vice president of communications, as Staff Director of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies during the first Obama inauguration, and he was Communications Director for Senator Dianne Feinstein for nine years. Earlier in his career, in Los Angeles, he was a public affairs consultant, Communications Director and Chief Legislative Aide for two City Councilmembers and a journalist for nearly a decade. He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, daughter, and dog. Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Turn Your LinkedIn Profile Into a Sweet Infographic with Visualize.Me - CareerEnlightenment.com

While the service is currently in closed beta, you can sign up  here  for an invite. To both monetize and to help users remain unique, Woo says he will likely offer personalization options through a variety of free and paid themes and social media integration.

Your Life Sentence The Six-Word Memoir - When I Grow Up

Your Life Sentence The Six-Word Memoir - When I Grow Up Squidoos Lens of the Day introduced me to Your Life Sentence: 6-Word Memoirs or Quotations. Its really an amazing way to write your autobiography and have people want to read it! Here are some of my faves: Revenge is living well, without you. -Joyce Carol Oates Wasnt born a redhead: fixed that. -Anonymous 29 Years Old, Still Playing Lego. -Summer T The ones that come from Mrs. Nixons Third Graders are also hilarious/awesome/super wise beyond their years: Nine years stacked within my soul. -Laura Loud sometimes and quiet at others -Sarah Life is better in soft pajamas. -Emily A kids life is my life. -Kion When two lives meet, another begins. -Andrew I tried, I tried, I succeeded. -Megan If life goes bad make it right. -Megan Ive been trying to think of mine, but making it into 6 words is tougher than it looks! Of course, with my wedding 9 days away I want to steal Andrews quote: When two lives meet, another begins. Dreamy. But Id probably be closer to: Im always reaching for the stars. Passion, love and friendship over all. Always following my ever changing bliss. I think I might have to pick up the book.