Senin, 26 Juli 2010

Career tips: information on business careers

Business is a very safe option to major in college. These days, pairing a business major with a second language (think Spanish) is a great idea, and almost guarantees some job after graduation. The dual major in a foreign language and business will give you that strong edge above all of the other business majors. Who knows? It might even become obligatory someday, since a lot of business persons deal in global markets and do a lot of traveling.

There are so many options for jobs in the business field. If you like numbers, you can become an accountant. If you are interested in leadership, you can always go for your master's and get an MBA, which will open a lot of doors to you in reference to management positions. There are so many companies out there that you would really have your choice of what kind of company you wanted to work for.

Do you like advertising? You could major or minor in marketing. You could do all of the advertising for a company once out of school. You could eventually even move up to become a big marketing director. There's a lot of room for moving up the corporate ladder in the business world, as long as you work hard, and keep afloat of all of the changes that are constantly happening.

Maybe traveling appeals to you and you like people. You could work in international marketing, or global markets. A lot of business people travel all over the world to advertise their products. Do you picture yourself in China meeting clients for dinner?

Maybe Wall Street is where it's at for you. You could become a stock broker or an investment banker. There are lots of opportunities there. Be ready to work a lot of hours and work hard, but it will be worth it in the end.

With business, an associate's degree will get you somewhere, a bachelor's will get you even more opportunities, and the MBA (masters in business administration) is considered the big time. You can do a lot with that that you couldn't otherwise. Maybe you started as an insurance agent when you got your associate's in business, but now you want to be the CEO of a company. Get ready to work from the bottom and make your way up the corporate ladder- but keep your eye on the prize and don't give up, and you will get there.

Maybe becoming a buyer interests you. Buyers purchase merchandise for companies. If you are interested in fashion, you could always get a fashion degree as well as a business degree and try to break into the world of buying the newest fashions.

The sky's the limit with this field. If you want to keep going with your education, you could always get a PhD, and then you could even become a professor at a college-or if that bores you, you could become a business person who works with computers.

There are a lot of opportunities in business. The key is to get out there and get your degree and then keep working hard.


Bookmark and Share 

Career tips for your first week at a new job

Congratulations—you’re hired. Now what’s next?

In the excitement of getting a new job, many of us forget to prepare for our new role and jump in feet first to a mountain of work. This can make for a rough transition. To ensure success with your new employer, it’s important to make a good impression the first week you arrive and set the tone for your career.

DRESS APPROPRIATELY

First and foremost, it’s crucial that you don’t throw the dress code out the window the minute you’re hired. If the dress standards weren’t made clear to you during your initial interview, call the human resources department and ask what the requirements are. Chances are they’ll appreciate the consideration much more than having to send you home to change if you show up dressed in violation.

If you have a work-issued uniform, wear that. If there is no formal dress code, be sure dress very professionally the first week and get a feel for what everyone else wears before you try something more casual. Some companies are more laid-back than others, but be sure you’re at one of them before you test your jeans out.

LEAVE THE PERFUME OR COLOGNE AT HOME

Follow the same rules that you did for the job interview. Don’t wear perfume, cologne or any overpowering lotions, after-shaves or deodorants that may distract others from their work. Many people have strong allergic reactions to scented items and can be made very uncomfortable by someone wearing them. In addition, your first week at work will likely be spent in training, which means that someone will have to sit or stand closely with you for long periods of time. Be respectful and save the scents for after-hours.

COME PREPARED

If your job requires paperwork to be completed, a laptop computer or special supplies that you’re expected to provide, don’t forget them. There is no better indication of carelessness than someone showing up unprepared, and you’ll likely lose valuable work time tracking down someone else’s materials to use. No matter how big or small the supply (an access card for the building or a punch card for the time clock included) you must appear to have everything you need to succeed the minute you step through the door.

ASK QUESTIONS

Once training is underway, even if you’re an expert in your field you’re likely to have questions about the process in your new surroundings. Don’t be afraid to ask! If your boss or colleague is going too fast in their explanation of a task, request politely that they slow down or repeat specific information. They’ll be much less impressed if you ask them about a basic procedure after you’ve worked there for a month (and should already know).

TAKE NOTES

In the orientation room, during your training and at any meetings you are privileged to attend, take thorough notes. The best way to retain information is to have a clear, concise record of it. Your coworkers and employer will appreciate your attention to detail and it will prove that you take the work seriously.

STAY OFF OF THE INTERNET

As more and more companies loosen their boundaries regarding Internet surfing, it’s still bad manners to log on for purposes other than work at a new job. If you’ve just filled a position that has been vacant for some time, chances are you’ll have a lot of work to do anyway. Over time you may find it is acceptable to surf, but don’t start off on the wrong foot just because you want to check your e-mail.

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE

Years ago we didn’t have cell phones. Chances are you’ll survive if you don’t turn yours on until lunch time. It’s inappropriate to receive personal calls of a non-emergency nature at your job. Explain to friends and family that you’ll be indisposed while you’re at work and have them leave you a message. You can always call them back during a break or meal time, if not when you arrive home.

KEEP THE PACE

Don’t get ahead of yourself and try to work too fast in your new role. If something seems painfully easy, you may not be doing it right. Always have someone check your work when you’re first starting out to make sure you’re executing it correctly. Once you’ve learned the task you will naturally become faster at performing it, but don’t try to impress everyone with your speed. You will make less mistakes if you take your time and do a thorough job.

On the flip side, don’t go so slow that you’re not keeping up with others in your area. If you’re having trouble understanding a process, have someone explain it to you and show you an example. If you’re still having trouble just take your time and catch up when you can. If you can’t catch up, speak with your boss about an alternate assignment or longer time frame if that’s an option.

DEFINE YOUR BOUNDARIES

Never refuse to perform a task that is within reason of your job description, but if you are being asked to do things beneath your abilities, speak up and ask why that is necessary. Also, if you’re required to perform duties you are not yet qualified for, explain that you didn’t understand from the job description that your role entailed those specifics. To be paid fairly, you need to stick to the agreement, as does your employer. If you demonstrate down the road that you are capable of more responsibility and your boss responds, that’s wonderful—but be sure you are compensated accordingly if duties are added. It is easy to want to please your employer by agreeing to take on more work, just make sure you aren’t taken advantage of.

BE A TEAM PLAYER

Check your competitive tendencies at the door—you got the job so there’s no reason to start clawing your way to the top just yet. Many employees feel threatened by new workers anyway, so make the transition easy on them and just be nice. You may indeed become their equal in time and need their support for future success.

STAY UPBEAT

Starting a new job can be exhausting and stressful. Don’t let the chaos get you down—stay positive and upbeat whenever you’re around your new coworkers and boss. Even if you’re drained, demonstrate an endless amount of energy so that all they see is a productive, confident addition to their team.


Bookmark and Share 

Career tips: advice on friendship with co-workers

It is not uncommon to develop friendly relationships with the people that you work with. After all, if you work a full-time office job, you probably see these people as much if not more than you see your own family on most days! However, you have to make sure that you don't jeopardize your job by becoming out-of-the-office friends with your colleagues. On the other hand, you should also look at your workplace as an environment that could be the breeding ground for meaningful new friendships that could make your work experience far more enjoyable.

Even if you do not make lasting connections with your co-workers, you should at least be friendly so that you can be productive if you have to tackle group assignments or presentations together. Group assignments are very common, so you have to sharpen your people skills if you want to thrive. You may be an expert in your field, but if you cannot communicate effectively with your colleagues, then your career could be drastically impeded in comparison to someone with great people skills and comparable expertise. By the way, you have to communicate effectively with everyone – regardless of your status at work. If you are the boss, you have to be just as personable to your clerical workers and secretaries as you are with your vice president. You should never try to make yourself out to be superior to your co-workers, because nobody wants to become friends with an egotistical snob. On the same hand, even if you are low on the totem pole, you should not be afraid to be friendly towards the “big wigs.” In fact, if you can gain the respect of the higher-ups on a personal level, you will be more likely to get their attention on a business level. If you are shy and nervous around your bosses, then you are likely to go unnoticed and underappreciated. You’re all people – there is no reason why you should feel inferior to someone simply because they have a flashier job title than you currently have. Making connections and gaining respect from your co-workers can truly further your career.

Just remember: even if you are pals with your co-workers, your focus at work has to be getting your jobs done, not socializing about your personal lives. If you spend more time around the water cooler than around the board room table, then your friendships could be an impediment to your career growth. You do not want to develop a reputation for being a slacker – all talk, no action. Also, if you have close friends at work, you could alienate your other co-workers who you are not personally affiliated with. You don’t want other co-workers or new employees to feel that they would have to somehow penetrate your fraternity-like club to become a member of the office. Never ever allow a personal dispute to enter the office, either. You should always be welcoming and open to new employees who come into your office, and you should be able to adjust to the range of personality types that you will likely encounter. If you want to make friends with “the new guy” (or gal), introduce yourself and offer your assistance should they need it. If you often go out to lunch with a group of co-workers, invite the new employee to come along.

Gossip is something that goes on in virtually every workplace. Unfortunately, it can be detrimental to work friendships. Do your best to avoid gossiping about your fellow employees. While it may seem like a good way to get “in” with other co-workers, it often leads to getting yourself “on the outs” with others. Would you want to work with someone who insulted you? It is unprofessional, and moreover, it is unkind. If you have a problem with one of your co-workers, you should privately bring it to his or her attention. If you make a point to resolve any conflicts as they arise, your co-workers will respect that about you. Also, people want friends who are not afraid to be honest and direct, and that is exactly how you should handle work conflicts. You should also be approachable and understanding, admirable qualities for employees and friends.

Your workplace is likely to be filled with a variety of different people, and many of them may be people that you never would have envisioned developing friendships with. However, you should try to get to know your co-workers because you might be surprised to find out that you have the potential to develop a lasting friendship. At the least, you should be acquaintances with the people that you work with. The more comfortable you are with your co-workers, the more productive a team you will be.

 
Bookmark and Share 

Business strategies: top 5 tips for effective pricing of your product

1. Consider price to be a part of the entire branding process. Keep your target customer segment in mind and set price so that your brand offers better net value than your competitors. Research to establish the key attributes that the customer uses to make a buying decision. Consider elements of money, time and convenience that add up to the total cost customers have to pay for the purchase. The net value a customer gets from your brand should be better than that of competitive brands and generic products. Be objective and even ruthless when you make the competitive analysis, because a bias in favor of your brand could lead to an error in pricing.

2. Presentation matters: it has to be easy for a customer to understand and to remember your price. Most people enjoy negotiation and special treatment and hence you may wish to present your price at a level somewhat higher than you really want, leaving room for deals and offers for loyal customers. Many digital and electronic products have established the utility of entry at a high price with reductions as the product category grows.

3. Use mark-up and cost considerations to plan your finances and to decide whether or not you should remain in the business. However, do not let accountants take pricing decisions, as internal parameters are not likely to be relevant in the market place. Simultaneously, do not allow cowboys in the competition dictate your pricing-aggressive moves on their part to gain share will not be sustainable in the long run. The net value perceived by the customer will prevail.

4. Provide for unplanned losses, risks and liabilities. Natural disasters, political upheaval, claims and product returns have a nasty habit of surfacing when you are least prepared for them. Pricing has to provide overage that serves as a reserve in times of sharp downturn and disruption. This implies an unwavering stonewalling of fixed cost growth. Always try for variable cost options, even if they mean higher costs and lower margins.

5. Use pricing as an entry-barrier weapon against new entrants and substitutes for the product category in which you operate. Consider the incremental expenditure you would need to incur to protect your share from new or additional competition, and keep your margins at a level that makes the business attractive for existing players but inadequate for a company that would need to start from scratch. Firms will be attracted to your industry as bees to honey if you operate at very high profit margins. You could also resort to some marginal costing and reduce effective price for some time through offers and promotions to help competitors sitting on the fence to bite the bullet and exit.

Pricing is an art and calls for strategic insights in to your business. Do not let simple arithmetic cloud your vision. Never forget that pricing is a part of your brand’s personality and that you must not tinker with the long-term image that you have striven to create.


Bookmark and Share 

Tips and advice for workaholics

Lately, your job has taken up much of your time. You've even started bringing work at home and you keep working until the wee hours of the morning. You spend Saturdays and Sundays with your head bent on your work. And you're supposed to spend these days with your family, or friends, or for your relaxation!

No longer do you work in order to live, but you now live in order to work. Work is now the center of your daily life, while the more important things have been relegated to the trunk of your car; or in the backseat, if things are still not that worse.

A workaholic. This is what you have become. The only time you don't think of work is during the three or four hours a day that you spend sleeping. You devote 16 hours of your day each day to working furiously: making money, reaching goals, working on giving your families the best, planning and mobilizing yourself for success.

But little do you realize that by being too caught up with work, you gradually forget the reasons why you work: your family. Sure, you work to earn lots of money for them, but when was the last time you spent a full hour of quality time with your kids? Or your mom and dad? Or your friends? When was the last time you did something you used to do and enjoy before you mutated into a workaholic?

Here are a few tips to help you, the workaholic, re-focus and get the best out of life (and keep you healthy and alive in the long run too!):

EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP! Make it a point to get at least eight hours of sleep and plenty of rest. While food has substitutes in the form of natural medicines or artificial foods, there are no substitutes for sleep and rest. Don't believe that you can always "catch some sleep or rest later." Your body cannot make up for lost sleep or rest time because it is not physiologically possible.

STRICTLY FAMILY ON WEEKENDS! Resolve to make Saturdays and Sundays strictly for family time. And stick to this! Mondays until Fridays you make an excuse not to relax and spend time with your family because it's work time, why not make a similar excuse for Saturdays and Sundays? "I can't work today because I'm spending time with my family."

GET SOME FOOD IN! Make sure you get food in your stomach. Workaholics are known to be food-skippers. If you can't afford to get off your desk or from doing paperwork, have food delivered to you. It's always a good idea if you have crackers on your drawer to ease the hunger pangs.

CONFINE WORK! Resolve to confine work in your office. Don't bring work to your home! Keep those files in your office desk where they belong. If you work from home, keep your work stuff in the confines of your home office. Keep them there until the next day when you start work. Practice working only within your working hours. If you have an eight-to-five working schedule, stick to it.

WORK UP THOSE MUSCLES! Exercise, exercise, exercise! Set aside at least an hour each day or every other day for exercise. You body needs to be conditioned, and working non-stop isn't going to give it the proper physical conditioning it needs. Since most workaholics tend to have their behinds stuck on their chairs, it's even more important that you get some exercise.

MAKE A PLAN! Plan your day. Work on only one or two things at a time. It's much easier to work on something and finish it first and then move on to the next rather than do a number of things all at the same time and never finish or accomplish anything at the end of the day. Make out a list of priorities. Write down things that need to be worked on immediately or are urgent, keeping the least ones at the bottom of your list. After you've done this, be guided by this list. Turning this activity into a habit will also help you manage your time better, be more organized, and accomplish more.

WORK TO LIVE! Always keep in mind that you work so you can live and have a comfortable life. Always remember that you don't live to work. Working is just one of the many useful and fruitful activities you do that enables you to live a good life and give your family (or any of your dependents) their needs. Don't make work your life.

Yes, you've gotten side-tracked. You've gotten too into working that you've forgotten how to enjoy life and the many things it offers. Yes, you're a hard worker and it's not a bad trait.

However, living with nothing but work in mind is.

If you start following the tips outlined today, then you've just taken the first step to living a healthy, successful and happy life!


Bookmark and Share 

Workplace tips: understanding your rights in the work place

The United States, Europe, and most westernized countries have strong laws that guard the worker against all kinds of workplace hazard, discrimination, and unfair practices. In the USA, the basis of these rights as far as occupational hazards are concerned is The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 (OSHA). This comprehensive law encourages employers and employees to implement safety and health programs. In addition, Federal and State laws protect against discrimination and unfair practices. There is a great deal of free information, published by OSHA, and organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union that a worker can familiarize himself with in order to protect his/her rights in the workplace, whatever the individual workplace environment is.

It should be recognized that, along with these rights, there are responsibilities. Broadly speaking, if a worker performs his tasks to the best of his ability, and refrains from frivolous complaints, he or she is entitled to safe and secure working conditions, and freedom from retaliation should he or she voice a legitimate complaint.

In addition to the rights stated in OSHA, which are quite specific, there are legal rights that protect the worker from discrimination and unfair treatment such as being passed over for deserved promotion, unfair criticism, racial and religious intolerance, sexual harassment and other unfair practices. However, it is more difficult to prove unfair treatment than to point out defects in physical working conditions.

OSHA - Workers Rights

One of the most important worker rights is the right to be advised by his employer of the OSHA regulations that govern his workplace. The appropriate regulations, requirements, standards and rules should be available and easily accessible at the workplace. In addition, a worker should be able to request, and get from his employer, a description of safety and health hazards that he/she will encounter when employed, together with available safety procedures. If the worker is involved with hazardous materials, that worker has the right to observe, or see the records of the measurements and findings of the company, regarding these materials.

In addition, a worker has the right, either personally, or via an authorized representative, to review the record of occupational injuries at his workplace. If safety violations are discovered, these must be speedily corrected.

In addition to having the right to complain in writing about workplace dangers, anonymously if desired, an employee should not be punished or discriminated against for exercising his rights or for refusing to work in dangerous situations.

There are other rights, such as the right of access to any relevant medical records that the employer holds regarding the worker. Also, specialized workers, such as truckers and air-traffic controllers have special OSHA rights and responsibilities.

Workplace Rights

The National Labor Relations Board administers the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which oversees the relationship between employers, unions and employees, and the rights of workers to join a union or not. The NRLA procedures guide, which can be found on the Internet, covers the filing of charges against an employer or a union, types of charges and how to file, types of charges, how to file a petition, types of petition, and who may file, evidence required to file, and other types of information.

Certain employees are not within NLRB jurisdiction. These are agricultural workers, federal employees, state and local government workers, airline and railroad workers, domestic workers and supervisors. If you belong to any of these groups, you should approach your union or workplace representative to establish your rights. Some employee rights are legal in nature and some are given by companies. Among the legal rights are:

• Minimum wage.

• For certain employees, overtime pay under certain circumstances.

• A safe working environment.

• Freedom from workplace discrimination.

• Freedom from sexual harassment.

• Freedom to speak to a government agency about illegal conduct by the employer.

• Time off to tend to family and medical needs.

Some companies give employees rights to disagree with supervisors or to complain about things that they feel to be unfair. These rights are usually contained in the employee handbook. They include:

• Employee grievance rights and procedures against supervisors.

• Procedures for complaints for sexual harassment.

• Procedures for complaints against discrimination.

• Resolution processes for disagreements between supervisors and employees.

Situations where Employee Rights are not adequately covered by the employer.

There are, of course, some employers who are indifferent at best to the rights of their workers. There are non-union shops, and non-union and contract workers who choose to work in this type of situation, either because they have little choice, or because the job is convenient or well-paid. Generally, workers in these circumstances are resigned to a certain amount of frustration, but there are instances where action can and should be taken. A worker has full recourse to the law, and certain common actions will greatly aid in a speedy resolution of problems.

In case of any kind of discrimination or harassment, the first action should be to talk things over with the offending party. If your fellow employees are causing you problems, you should approach them calmly, with witnesses if possible and explain your concerns. Document the time and place of your discussions, and any results. If your business involves email, you might want to set up a meeting via that medium, and save copies of your messages. Don’t be confrontational.

If you continue to have problems, you should contact the next person in the chain of command, again with a witness if possible, and you should document all of your complaints, and the results of your meetings. Document any unfair practices, intimidation, or unfair actions against yourself. In extreme cases, you may have need recourse to the law, and here, documentation, and witnesses will prove very helpful.

Legal Action

Should you decide to sue your employer, supervisor, or fellow worker, you should hire a lawyer who specializes in this sort of legal action. You will probably want to talk to a public access legal assistant, or seek cheap or free advice before committing yourself to an expensive legal battle. You should also be aware that your situation at work, if you are still allowed to work, will almost certainly deteriorate. All in all, legal action should only be considered as a last resort.

Summary

A worker in the United States, Europe, and many other countries is usually well covered legally, especially as far as physical working-conditions are concerned. Arm yourself with enough knowledge to protect your rights, use common-sense, enlist the help of your union representative, an OSHA official, an official of the ACLU. With common-sense, and some willingness to compromise, you can almost always ensure a productive and satisfying work environment.




Bookmark and Share 

Financial Tips: Starting a business with friends

As thousands of people consider the possibilities of starting a small business, many of these businesses will be sole proprietorships. However, a large number of them will be partnerships, businesses created and run by two or more people. There are several advantages to forming a partnership when starting a small business including the combination of skills, expertise, and financial capital of two or more people. If the partners are also friends, though, problems can arise which might drastically effect the friendship itself.

Therefore, before starting a business with a friend, it is important to examine all of the advantages and disadvantages of such a move. Begin by asking the following questions:

How well do I know this person? Does she/he have a good head for business? What is his/her work ethic? Would he/she be willing to make sacrifices and work especially hard to get the business off the ground? How strong is our friendship? Can it withstand the stresses of operating a business? How well do we communicate together? Are there other people we can turn to for support, guidance, and possible mediation should we encounter difficulties (especially important if you and the friend tend to be one another's only confidants)?

The answers to these questions can provide you with valuable information as to whether or not this friend would be appropriate to start a business with. For example, if your friend's work ethic isn't as strong as yours, problems are likely to develop down the road. You might find yourself putting in more time and energy on projects than your friend. As a result, this is bound to cause resentment on your part.

On the other hand, when thinking about starting a business with a partner, it can be very beneficial to examine the possibilities of working with a friend precisely because you know this person's work habits and history. If she has a solid history, holds jobs for long periods of time, works hard, has been promoted, receives raises due to exemplary work, then it is fairly certain that she will make a good business partner. If, however, she isn't a self-starter or changes jobs often, you might want to reconsider her as a potential partner.

Another important point to consider is how objective you can be about this person. For example, a partnership was formed between two men, one of whom almost worshipped the other as a hero whom could do no wrong. Due to this elevated view of his partner, he got himself into a business venture based on misconceptions of his partner's abilities. Unfortunately, the small business was a horrible failure that also destroyed the friendship. If you believe that you aren't able to view your friend objectively, ask someone else who knows you both to provide an honest opinion if he/she is able to.

Finally, if you decide to start a business with a friend, your first step should be to consult an attorney and have a written, legal agreement drawn up. It should contain information such as investment amounts by each partner; the division of duties and salaries; what happens if one partner wants out or passes away. All of the details in the agreement should address the equal protection of each partner's interests.

While three out of four small businesses are sole proprietorships, thousands of partnerships are formed every year in the United States alone with many of these created and run by friends. With the proper planning and careful examination of all of the details listed here, there is no reason why your friendship can't survive the rigors of being in business together.

 
Bookmark and Share 

Quick and easy tips to reduce stress at work

Whatever your job is, you probably experience stress on a regular basis. Whether it is your unreasonable boss, a demanding customer or an overflowing e-mail box, there is always something to make our blood pressure rise. Stress, it seems, is not something that the modern worker can avoid under the best of circumstances.

A lot of times, the stress reduction techniques offered by experts just don’t seem very practical. Delegate responsibilities? You wish. Take a vacation? Not this year. Talk to your boss? Ha. Ha. Ha.

The thing is, you can’t always control the stress involved in the work you do. What you can control is your personal wellbeing while you’re at work. Read on for easy, effective tips designed to cut your on-the-job stress way down.

1. Lay off the caffeine. Most of us consume far too much caffeine and don’t even know it. In the first hours of the morning or the middle of a long afternoon it is easy to turn to caffeine for a little pick-me-up. Your morning stop at Starbucks, those bland cups of the office brew—does this sound familiar?

Too much caffeine can make you nervous and significantly lower your concentration levels. Your ability to handle stress actually decreases, causing you to be less productive. Try to limit your intake to a few caffeinated beverages a day. Better yet, drink more water. You’ll feel more alert and sleep better at night.

2. Snack healthily throughout the day. The key word here is ‘healthily’. Sorry, but this means that a mid-morning bag of chips or a candy bar are not ideal choices. Any food laden with fat or sugar will give you a short-lived boost of energy, but a few hours later you’ll be longing for a nap.

On the other hand, nutritious snacks will give you a boost without the eventual crash. Try eating a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts or a small tub of yogurt a few times a day. These treats are easy to eat at your desk and will prevent cravings for fatty snacks.

3. Take your lunch outside of the office. More and more people are eating lunch in front of their computers, and it’s easy to see why. When we’re feeling overwhelmed, common sense tells us to spend every moment of the workday coping with what needs to be done.

You may, however, want to rethink this strategy. Taking a small break outside of the office will refresh and invigorate you, allowing you to devote your full attention to your work through the rest of the day. You don’t even need an entire hour to get the benefits—even 20 minutes away from your desk should do the trick.

4. Get up and walk around once in awhile. You don’t have to do strange looking stretches at your desk to get your blood flowing. Instead, simply make sure that you stand up and move around a little every hour or so. Something as simple as walking briskly from one end of the office to another can prevent you from becoming sluggish.

 
Bookmark and Share 

Small business tips: renting and leasing major equipment

Small businesses often need the same type of equipment the big businesses are using, however, because of budget constraints, many small businesses often go without. In today’s informed marketplace, small business people are turning to renting and leasing equipment for their office and warehouses.

The Benefits of Renting or Leasing Equipment

There are many benefits to renting or leasing equipment. They include:

A tax write-off

In most states, all rental and leasing payments are tax deductible and are counted as “pre-tax operating expenses.” Be sure to check with your accountant for details.

Great financing

Most leasing companies offer financing packages that won’t tie up your cash flow. They usually waive large down payments, and allow you to use their equipment right away at a minimal up front cost.

Immediate delivery and use of equipment

There’s no waiting involved when renting or leasing equipment. The equipment is usually ready for immediate delivery or pick-up. Sometimes when making a large purchase, a business has to wait several weeks before the right model is available.

Low risk goes into renting and leasing equipment

A great reason to rent or lease equipment is to avoid the risk factor of purchasing equipment that might not be what you expected, or that may become obsolete within a year or less. Leasing companies will allow you to upgrade to the “latest and greatest” equipment when it becomes available.

Less cash expended per month equals more cash flow

Because renting and leasing equipment is affordable, and allows for small monthly payments, this in turn frees you to rent and lease even more equipment for your business.

Easy leasing and rental terms

Most companies allow you to choose your lease terms. They can range from six months to a year, or 24, 36 months or more. Determine what is best for your company and if and when a purchase might be needed.

Rent/lease to own

Some leasing agencies will allow you to rent or lease their equipment and apply your monthly payments to the final purchase of the equipment. This makes it very practical for a small business owner to take advantage of the savings and leasing packages available.

As you decide what equipment you need, it is also important to select a leasing company with a good reputation for service.

Understanding the leasing contract

Make sure you are comfortable with the terms of the lease. If you have a company lawyer, be sure to run the leasing contract by this individual. The most common problem among people who lease is their need for an early termination of the leasing agreement, for whatever reason. Ask questions and read the small print carefully, especially on long-range leasing contracts.

Are there any disadvantages to leasing?

We’ve looked at the positive side of leasing. Now let’s look at some possible disadvantages. Sometimes you save money by leasing equipment, and at other times, you pay a whole lot more. Doing your homework is important here. While leasing certain types of equipment might bring tax cuts, owning that same equipment might be better in the long run. Check with your accountant.

Depending on what you’re leasing, you will always lose the economic value of the equipment at the end of the lease. Sometimes this alone is a good reason to purchase the equipment, rather than leasing it. Also, some places require restoration of the equipment before you return it.

As with any and all decisions the small business person makes, research is paramount. Never enter a decision about leasing or buying without carefully weighing all options and doing some comparison “shopping” among leasing companies.


Bookmark and Share 

Small business tips: the benefits and costs of radio advertising and sponsorships

Television, the Internet, movie theaters, billboards, newspapers and magazines, sporting events: The variety of advertising mediums available to businesses today seems to multiply constantly. However, one of the oldest venues for advertising is still one of the most cost-efficient and far reaching available: Radio.

Whether you operate a small business in a metropolitan city or a big business in small town, there are considerable benefits to using radio advertising to get your message out.

First, think of where you listen to the radio. Radio reaches approximately 77 percent of Americans every day with the typical American household owning more than five radios each. In a big city, a person who commutes the national average of 47 minutes is very likely to tune into a favorite station for traffic reports, news or entertainment. Now, think of how often you heard the radio being played in grocery stores, shopping malls, stores, fairs and festivals, the park or the beach. It seems radio is everywhere.

Depending on the station and frequency, radio stations are often transmitted much further than just the local area. With the use of high-frequency radios, listeners can pick up stations cities and states away further increasing an advertiser’s audience. Another benefit to radio is cost. Compared to television broadcasting, running a radio show is normally much less expensive. Those savings are passed on to advertisers. While prices vary according to market, radio advertising prices can range from a couple hundred dollars for a 15-second ad to the thousands for an ad that runs one-minute or longer.

Developing an ad for radio is also a relatively simple process. Working with an experienced advertising agency can ease the stress of trying to convey your product or services benefits on air. If you can afford multiple 15- or 30-second radio spots, radio is a great medium for issuing several different executions that have a central core theme. For example, the main campaign focus could be about the versatility of mustard and each ad could be a vignette on mustard as a condiment, mustard as a tool for cooking and so on.

In addition to the relatively low cost and wide reach of radio, the wide variety of stations available in most major cities gives advertisers the opportunity to target specific audiences. Sports stations are a good bet for electric razors while a new nightclub may prefer to advertise on a Top 40 station. Radio is also flexible. It isn’t costly or difficult to change your message and time schedules. If you have a promotion or special event every week, radio is a great medium for quickly developing a new ad and having the ability to reach consumers with that new message in a relatively short amount of time.

Because consumers hear radio advertisements repeatedly over time, they are likely to retain the information conveyed. If your budget allows, buy multiple ads since a consumer rarely makes a decision to buy based on just one ad. Keep in mind when buying radio time that choosing more ads over shorter period of time is better than stretching ads throughout the day. The typical listener tunes in for a half-hour to 45-minute block of time and if during that time, your ad has played three times versus once, it is probable that it will be remembered.

If you can only afford one ad, be consistent. Play it at or around the same time every day or as many days as you can afford. Consistency will pay off. And don’t forget to bargain with radio stations. Many will offer new advertiser discounts or package deals. Also, for bigger advertising budgets, consider sponsorships. Practically all regularly aired radio programs solicit sponsorships which ensure that your business will receive mention by broadcasters on-air anywhere from once during a program to several times, depending on your level of sponsorship. Advertisers can also sponsor short segments of a program, which may include the news or weather report or traffic.

In the world of advertising, everyone is looking for the furthest reaching, most cost-efficient way to get their company name, product or service in front of consumers. As one of the oldest mediums, radio is still one of the best, least expensive options available today.


Bookmark and Share 

Small business tips: advice for choosing suppliers

Small business owners either provide their clients with a product, a service or both. But whether it is a service or product being offered, professional supplies are necessary. One of the most important relationships that a business owner will have is with their suppliers. The reliability of a supplier can make or break one’s business. When choosing a supplier, take into consideration the following: shipping methods, customer service, guarantee information and payment terms.

One of the most important features to look for when choosing a supplier is their shipping method. The more options available, the easier it will be for your company to receive packages. Traditional Unites States postal service is the oldest and slowest method. Most companies tend to ship products via private companies such as United Parcel Service, Federal Express and DHL. These private companies offer door delivery regardless of the weight of the package. The United States Postal Service has limits on the size and weight of packages that their carriers deliver. If one orders a package that exceeds the limits, one must take a trip to the post office to pick it up in person.

Private services also allow for delivery time options. A small business owner may be able to specify what time slot they would like their package delivered. Many carriers deliver in the evening as well as the day. Many carriers will also leave the package at the destination if a signature is not required. And the most important reason for choosing a supplier who uses a private service is speed. Private carriers guarantee overnight to two-day delivery. This aids business owners who have to meet strict guidelines with their clients.

Small business owners are placing more value on the customer service of their suppliers. Excellent customer service is pertinent when choosing a supplier. It is not only important that phone calls are handled with courtesy, but complaints should be received in the same manner. A supplier should be more than willing to resolve shipping or product problems, with the goal of making the business owner happy. If a product is missing or defective, the supplier should enthusiastically do an investigation. The supplier should also provide a replacement or substitute so that the small business customer can continue business with their clients, uninterrupted.

A toll free number with extended hours and weekend hours provides customers with the option of calling when convenient. A website is also important. A website can answer frequently asked questions, so that the customer does not have to waste time calling. A sophisticated website can offer order placing and tracking. All of these features equal convenience for the small business owner.

A reputable supplier will supply a guarantee against their products. If a small business owner orders defective supplies, they should be eligible for a hassle free refund or replacement. Sometimes the small business owner doesn’t just use the supplies; they may resell to their clients. If a product is defective and the supplier does not stand behind their product, the small business owner will lose money when they reimburse their client. Also defective products compromise the reputation of the business. Quick replacements provided by the supplier, makes for a good relationship between the supplier, the business and the business’ clients.

Payment terms vary from supplier to supplier. Some suppliers expect payment in full before they ship the product. Other companies expect payment within thirty days of the shipment. And there are some who break payments up into monthly or quarterly payments. It is best to choose a supplier who accepts payment after the product is shipped. If the product is defected or one changes their mind, they can ship it back to the supplier without waiting for a refund. This option is also good for merchants who resell products they offer. If a product does not sell, or sells slow, the merchant can always send back what did not sell. It is important for the business owner to return items in the same condition as received. If not they will compromise their future relationship with the supplier.

Choosing a good supplier is more than the product offered and the price. Customer service, shipping, guarantee information and payment terms can either flourish one’s small business or hinder it.




Bookmark and Share 

Small business tips: inventory accounting practices

Tracking and keeping up with inventory is one of small businesses biggest headaches. First you must understand the terminology of the business, and also understand how best to work with the vendors that supply your product.

There are four principal ways of organizing your inventory program.

FIFO - First In First Out refers to selling the oldest of stock first. This is the method to use if you are selling dated goods, anything perishable, or numbered items such as collectables.

LIFO - Last In First out refers to most items that will remain in your inventory for any long period of time. These can be books, repair parts or anything that doesn't change over time and you will always try to keep in stock.

JIT - Just In Time inventory is simply where you attempt to predict market trends and only order those items you feel will sell within a certain period of time.

Drop-Ship - This practice is becoming more acceptable with the advent of internet marketing. A customer places an order and you forward the order to a dealer who then ships to the customer.

Once you have decided the method that is right for you, then you must decide how you are going to track it. While you can do just fine with pencil and paper, there are better options.

Specialized inventory programs are available for just about any type of business. Usually, they are very easy to use; the major drawback is the price. These programs generally run anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

If you have purchased an 'Office Software Suite' by any of the major manufacturers and it includes a database program, chances are there is an inventory control database ready to be customized by you. This will take time and effort, but is well worth it.

Your accounting program may also include an inventory module. Some of these range from crude to highly intuitive and accurate.

If you have nothing else, create a spreadsheet to track your items. Most newer computers come with some type of spreadsheet program already loaded. Column names should include: Item Number, Description, Vendor Item Number, Number In Stock, Reorder, and Price. The drawback to this method is that you will have to manually change the Number in stock each time you make a sale.

The most important part of any inventory program is your relationship with your vendors; those that supply you with the items you sell. They are your bread and butter.

In dealing with your vendors, make sure you understand their lead times. The items you order today may ship tomorrow, next week or next month. Always make sure you get an order confirmation number and ask when it will ship and how. Shipping times can add an extra week to delivery, which can be the difference between selling an item or losing the sale when you don't deliver when promised.

Knowing lead times and shipping times can also help keep you out of panic mode. If you know in advance that it will take a month to restock, you can set your reorder numbers at a point where your program alerts you to reorder now. On items that sell quickly, that number should be higher than if it sits on the shelf for any period of time.

For hard to sell items, make sure you understand the vendors return policy. Some will allow returns on unsold items and some will not. Knowing this in advance can help you to adjust your stock ordering numbers.

Also, be sure and know the vendor's guarantee policies. Is it thirty, sixty, ninety days or longer? Do you accept the return from the customer or must the customer return it to the vendor for exchange or refund?

Keeping track of inventory doesn't have to be that difficult. The key is good organization. Once you have your inventory under control, you are already a step ahead of your competition.


Bookmark and Share 

Career tips for women: choosing the right shoes and purse for a job interview

With everything there is to worry about with a job interview, having to worry about accessorizing can drive you to near madness. Do these shoes go with this outfit? Are they making the wrong statement? What if my purse doesn't match? Does it even matter? Thankfully, the basics of interview dressing still apply - Tasteful, understated and trying to give a composed impression. And yes, your choices can matter.

Shoes

While the four inch heels you went out dancing in last night may cost more than your television set and they make your legs look fantastic, they aren't what you're looking for when you need shoes for an interview. You want to go with a simple dress shoe that matches the rest of your interview outfit. For example, this could be a boot (with pants) or a low heel (with a skirt). The idea is that you are the one who is supposed to shine, not your footwear. Also, keep in mind that you may have to deal with staircases, walking through areas and other situations where your footwear might make a difference. Wincing at the wrong moment due to a pinching pointy toe may give a hiring manager the impression that you are not interested in the job. An interview is also not the time to break in a new pair of shoes, although shoes should still look neat and clean.

Purses

To purse or not to purse, is that the question? It is often hard to figure out what to do with a purse during an interview. If you are bringing along a briefcase or portfolio for an interview, you can often use it stash the things you'll need like your wallet, identification and a small make-up bag for touch ups. If you do bring a purse, you would want to follow the rules again and go with something tasteful and understated. It should match the color of your shoes. Try to keep away from purses that are very large are bulky. You don’t want to be fumbling with a purse that is half your size when you go to shake someone’s hand. Also, you should make an effort to clean our your purse or briefcase before the interview. If you need to find something in it during the interview, it can be distracting and also give a negative impression if you need to look for an extended time or pull things out to find what you need. Take time the night before your interview to consider what you need to bring, and what you do not need to bring, to the interview.

Why it matters

While your purse and shoes may be small details that should never make or break an interview for most women, they do deserve some attention. In an interview where you are up against other people for a position, small details like how you handle yourself can make the difference between getting the position or a "thanks but no thanks" from the employer. Knowing these little details are under control, you can go into a job interview more confident and able to focus on giving the best impression to the potential employer.


Bookmark and Share 
Career tips for women: choosing the right shoes and purse for a job interview

Career Tips: Finding your Dream Job

Many of us could have envied others for landing that perfect job, the job that they had always wanted. You could be the accountant sighing over the numerous accounts you face everyday while your heart is in getting that writer job that you’ve always wanted. And if you thought that your dream career is miles away, the good news is that you can achieve your desired job if you know how to go about reaching that goal.

Listed below are the tips for you to land the job that you’ve always wanted:

Setting Goals

Before you set off to get the job, you should have a clear perception of what kind of job that you want. Some people go on finding jobs without having an idea of the job title at all. It would be great if you are clear about the things that are listed below:

a. Job Title – Let’s say for example that you aspire to be an engineer. As there are different types of engineer jobs out there, you could be confused if you have no idea which is the one you want. Thus, it is essential to know which job are you interested in. The best thing is to know what is the desired job title that you’re looking for. This would make your search easier.

b. Research – If you are keen on working for a particular industry you have to research on the industry and the job that you are after. Find out about the qualifications and skills needed for the job. You could get this information from the people who are working in your dream career. Get their advice about working in that particular field. This will allow you to know what is expected in the job.

Network

Let your friends and relatives know that you’re looking for that particular job. They could help you by asking around if there are any vacant positions in their companies.

You could also tell those who are working in your dream jobs that you’re keen on getting a job in their industry. Who knows these people might just come up with the right job openings for you.

Courses

How do you show your prospective employers that you are interested in that job when you don’t even have any experience or background in that field? One way that you could help yourself is to get yourself enrolled in courses or workshops to get an insight into your interest. A person who is keen on entering the IT world could help himself by studying for a short course in IT. The course enables you to get knowledge and at the same time shows your future employers that you’re really interested in that field.

Experience

We’ve heard a thousand times that experience is very essential for one to get ahead in a career. For those who are lacking experience in a particular field, the best advice would be to get any experience in the industry that you’re interested in. It could be a temporary, contract or even part-time job but the experience that you get in the job will give you the winning edge. It would be also great if you could clinch the chance to be an intern in a company, which is in the industry that you’re interested in. By being an intern, you will get the chance to experience the job and although being an intern means no salary, you could cheer up on the optimistic thought that the internship will do wonders for your resume.

Target

Once you have decided on the job that you want you should make the next move by targeting the companies that would offer you the pathway to your dream career. For example, if you’re keen on becoming an advertising executive make a list of all the advertising companies that you know.

But before you approach them, you have to do your detailed research on these companies. You could do this by reading up on their annual reports or going to their home page. In this way, if you get an interview appointment later on, you can impress the interviewer by showing that you’re serious and well informed about the company.

You could contact these companies either by making a phone call or by writing a letter to them. It would be better if you directly contact the HR division as these are people who are involved in hiring staff for the company. Send them a cover letter together with your resume. Even though there may not be any suitable openings at the moment, there’s no harm trying. You could never know but there could be an open position and you might just be getting the opportunity. Of course, if you receive a reply from the company saying that there are no vacant positions at the moment, there are possibilities that they would be putting your resume on file for future positions. Thus you still have the chance to secure a job in the company. If you’re afraid that they might throw away your resume, you could inform them that you would like them to keep your resume for positions that might open up later on.

This method of targeting the companies is dependable, as most companies would be willing to take in employees who are enthusiastic and determined about their career. In fact by approaching the companies yourself you are already winning half the battle as you have an advantage of getting the job even before it is advertised on the papers and thus you won’t have to fight to get the job with other candidates. The success of you getting the dream job depends on how well you impress your future employers.

Good luck in your search for the dream career.

 
Bookmark and Share 

Tips for writing a resume while still in high schoo

Writing a first resume is difficult, especially if you have little to no work experience and only vague ideas of where to begin. It is very possible, however, to create a distinctive and compelling resume for yourself, no matter how much material you have to work with.

Before beginning, make jot-notes of your qualifications, experience, hobbies and community work. Write down everything you can recall of the past four or so years, even if it seems insignificant, from participation in the Biology Club to filling in for your best friend on his newspaper route. If you have First Aid qualifications, experience being in cadets, have ever won a public speaking award or performed in a school function, these are all important points that can help assure potential employers that you are reliable and community-oriented. Since you have little or no actual work experience, your character will be judged on extracurricular activities, hobbies and academic achievements.

Make a list of positive attributes that describe you. Use these keywords in your cover letter or on your resume itself, and keep them in your memory for possible interviews. Many interviewers will also ask about the things you consider your flaws, so you may also want to think about these for the interview, but do not put them on your resume.

Once you have decided what information to include, group them into sections. First Aid is a qualification, whereas a paper route could either be considered work experience or general relevant experience. Awards and extracurricular activities can be placed with qualifications or kept separate. Education (your school and grade) should have a small section to itself, as well as attributes and if you choose to include them, references. (You also have the option of noting "references available upon request" or simply omitting them unless asked, so that your references may be given prior warning about being called.) A letter of reference should only be submitted if the employer asks specifically for one.

There are many free templates available for your word processor and for download over the Internet to organize your resume. Choose one you like or write it yourself, following this or a similar format:

Place your full contact information at the top, including phone number, address, name and e-mail. You may want to bold or italicize some of this information, but keep the font size close to what will be used in the body of your resume. Choose a font that is clear and easy to read, without colors or scripts.

Create a header for your first section, which can be Education, Work Experience or simply a line about you. Space, bold, italicize or underline it accordingly to separate it from the information the section will be about. (Try not to overuse these options.) Remember to indent and add dates and locations of previous jobs and locations.

Once you have written the first section, the others should follow accordingly, ending with references (if you choose to add them). Ensure paragraphing is even and professional-looking with a 10 or 11 pt font - the fewer pages you take up while still maintaining a well-spaced look, the better. If your resume exceeds 2 pages (not including cover letter or an attached reference page), you may need to consider cutting back. The front page should be the one that makes the employer want to hire you, and the second page thoroughly convinces them to do so.

For best results, include a cover letter, tailored (if possible) to the company you want to work for. This letter should include the position you are looking for, relevant qualifications, reasons why you want the job, and a sincere thank-you to them for considering your application. Though you can often take on a conversational tone in a cover letter, be sure not to be too casual. Experience or not, employers are looking for some measure of professionalism from employees, and you will not be considered if you do not sound serious and respectful. Avoid stiffness or obeisance by being up-front, honest and friendly.

Reread your resume and cover letter and check them thoroughly for spelling and grammar. You may wish to have a third party such as a teacher, sibling or parent read as well for typos you and your spell check may have missed. You should also print a single copy of both to ensure the formatting will look correct on paper before beginning to print them in batches. Sign the letter with your name in ink and attach it to the resume with a staple or paper clip, then distribute them to your desired employers and wait for the calls to come in.

 
Bookmark and Share 

How Secure Is Your Job?

While some career fields seem promising, others are cleaning house.


by Mark Riddix, Investopedia.com


There are more than 15 million Americans looking for work, as the unemployment rate has surged to nearly 10 percent. There are six job seekers for every available job opening. Finding employment during these times can seem depressing, until you discover that there are some sectors that are still looking for qualified employees.


Jobs That Are Hiring

Information technology
Information technology is one of the fastest growing job fields in the United States. It's growing so fast that companies are unable to meet the demand with only U.S. job applicants, and many companies outsource their technological needs to India and China because they are unable to find qualified IT professionals in the United States.


According to CNN Money, this career field is expected to grow 45 percent over the next 10 years. "The best job in America" is a systems engineer, an IT job--and IT project managers, network security consultants, and software developers all made the cut for the 50 best jobs to have over the next decade.

Health care
As the population continues to age, the demand for health care is expected to increase rapidly. Health care professionals will be needed to treat illnesses and provide medical attention that ensures a greater quality of life. It doesn't matter what health care profession you pick; the demand is enormous and is expected to only increase with the passage of the new health care reform bill.

Nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physical therapists are listed as three of the top 10 professions on CNN's 2009 Best Jobs list, for their high levels of pay and growth potential. Anesthesiologists and pharmacists also ranked highly.

Financial services
Did you think that financial professionals were suffering because of the economic collapse of the last few years? That isn't the case. While some investment bankers may not be receiving any calls from headhunters anytime soon, there are a lot of finance professionals still in demand. As individuals grapple with the crippling effects of the recession on their finances, the need for financial professionals will only grow.

The demand for financial advisers alone is expected to grow 41 percent over the next six years. CPAs, financial analysts, finance directors, actuaries, and mathematicians are also highly sought after by corporate America.


Jobs That Are Firing

Manufacturing
With all of the jobs being shipped overseas to China, domestic manufacturing jobs are few and far between. The manufacturing sector as a whole has lost 2.1 million jobs. With the closing of several domestic automobile manufacturing plants, factory workers are having a difficult time finding gainful employment.

Even pharmaceutical companies, like Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, have announced plans to lay off workers over the next few years. Because of the disappointing job outlook, iron workers, welders, sheet metal workers, and drill press operators are some of the worst jobs to have (as far as job security and future outlook) in 2010.

Print media
Do you remember when the newspaper was the source for finding out everything that you needed to know? Well, not anymore. The newspaper industry has been decimated by electronic media and 24-hour news networks.

According to the Business Insider, the U.S. print sector lost 24,500 jobs from September 2008 to September 2009. This is just the beginning. Gannett and USA Today have been trimming staff, and more layoffs may be on the way. Newspaper reporters, columnists, and journalists are being squeezed out of their jobs due to declining circulation and lower ad dollars.

Retail
Americans are spending less, which is bad news for retailers because they are losing sales and being forced to close stores and lay off employees. The retail sector is losing jobs, and some analysts don't expect them to be coming back anytime soon.

According to USA Today, the retail sector has lost roughly 1.2 million jobs since the recession began. Many big brand retailers have been forced to slash payrolls just to stay afloat. Salaried retail workers are becoming extinct, while the few retail stores that are hiring are employing lower-level hourly employees like cashiers and baggers.

The bottom line
The economic outlook may be bleak, but jobs are available in the right sectors. Job hunters can increase their chances of finding employment by developing the qualifications and skills that fit with sectors that are hiring.


Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Bookmark and Share

Tips for putting a resume online

The internet is a powerful tool for today’s job seekers. It connects candidates and employers instantly and expands job searches far beyond the classifieds. The internet can be merciless, however, and resumes posted online often suffer from poor formatting and other presentation faux pas that urge an employer move on to the next candidate after barely a glance. By taking the limitations of different online resume methods into consideration, applicants can create powerful and appealing resumes that make job hunting as easy as the click of a mouse.

Online Resumes: Resume Banks

The most common way to post a resume on the internet is through a resume bank or repository. Large employers may maintain their own resume database, while generic career websites offer the opportunity for individuals and businesses from many fields to post resumes, search job listings, or screen candidates. While these databases will make a resume easily available, documents must often be submitted through a standardized form with little room for personalization or creative presentation. Nevertheless, a savvy applicant can utilize certain tricks to make their resume more noticeable.

Resume banks usually include a section for basic information such as name, birth date, and education level as well as a field for users to insert the body of their resume. Be aware that most submission forms will not recognize special formatting such as bullets, tabs, or bold-faced text, and the impact of a highly-formatted resume can be lost by pasting it into the form. It is best to create a text-only format using basic characters such as plus signs (+), asterisks (*), or dashes (-) in place of specialized bullets. To draw attention to headings or titles, use ALL CAPS instead of bold or italicized text. Before submitting your resume, preview it to insure that different sections of the text appear as desired and that the limited formatting available is correct.

Employers often search resume banks for suitable candidates by using job-specific keywords. Incorporating numerous keywords into your resume can help it match those searches and attract more attention. Keywords should be included in the text of the resume as headers, duty descriptions, and other useful information. For example, listing the computer programs you use may attract an employer interested in someone with knowledge of those programs. If acronyms are common, be sure to include the full spelling as well as the abbreviation for greater effectiveness. Using synonyms will help maximize the number of employers who may view your resume, but remember that all information should be presented professionally and accurately. Employers can easily identify padded resumes that include superficial information just to grab attention.

If you are submitting your resume to a general bank, be certain you can delete it after a successful job hunt. This will limit the unsolicited and spam e-mail it may attract, and it is courteous to remove yourself from consideration for future jobs. To further reduce unwanted e-mails or potentially fraudulent offers, use a resume bank that allows you to conceal contact information from casual viewers. This way, only a legitimate user will be able to contact you. You could also establish a separate e-mail address that is only used for your resume, and then deactivate the address when it is no longer necessary. For additional security, never include your social security number on any form of online resume.

Online Resumes: E-Mail

If you are planning to e-mail your resume to potential employers, it is important to be sure it will arrive in their inbox as attractive as possible. As with resume banks, many e-mail programs will not recognize special characters, formatted text, or tab indentations, and a resume that relies on these formatting tools will appear as gibberish. Compose a plain-text version, and double-check it by first sending it to yourself so you can scrutinize line breaks, spacing, and other stylistic considerations before submitting it to an employer. Because e-mail programs format messages differently, it is best to err on the side of caution for your resume to appear as close to the desired format as possible.

Never try to send an employer an unsolicited resume as a file attachment. Many viruses and other problems result from attachments, and recipients are likely to delete the message without opening it. If, however, you have already communicated with the employer and they requested your resume as an attachment, it is best to follow their instructions. In that case, phrase the subject line of the message to indicate that they requested the file.

Online Resumes: Personal Webpages

Posting your resume on a personal website is an attractive option. A webpage has greater formatting flexibility, and rather than e-mail employers a lengthy document, you can simply provide a link to the appropriate site. There are several downsides to this approach, however. Posting personal contact information, even just an e-mail address, on a webpage invites spam e-mails and fraudulent deals to begin appearing in your inbox instead of legitimate offers. To safeguard against this, use an e-mail address specific to your resume, and suggest that employers contact you for additional information.

Even though webpages can support multitudes of fancy fonts, graphics, and attention-grabbing techniques such as flashing colors, sound, and elaborate effects, an online resume should not. Your resume should be easy to view, attractive, and professional. While it is fine to add a tasteful background or to use small, simple graphics in lieu of bullets, be sure those touches do not overpower the document’s text. Fonts should be large enough read easily, and black text on a white background is the most professional choice. Anyone faced with an obnoxious, difficult-to-read page is likely to move on rather than attempt to decipher the information.

It is not advisable to scan your paper resume and post it on your website as one large graphic. The graphic will take additional time to load, and even with a high-quality scanner the detail and clarity will not be as good as a regular text page. You can, however, offer a downloadable resume for the employer’s convenience.

The website you post your resume on should be a reflection of your professionalism. If you include other pages describing your pets, vacations, or favorite celebrities, an employer may be unintentionally put off by your personal information. A general rule of thumb is that if you would not discuss a topic with a new boss, then it should not be mentioned on your website alongside your resume.

Online Resumes: General Tips

No matter what form you choose to use for an online resume, always double-check for spelling and grammatical errors. When a face-to-face meeting is not possible, your resume makes that first impression for you, and careless mistakes portray you as a careless employee. A resume does not need to be a complete autobiography – rather, it should include the best information for helping you land the job you want. That you spent a year building schools in Africa is relevant for construction work or social services, but not for computer programming. If your webpage resume includes links to other sites, such as previous clients, interviews, or other material, check those links periodically to insure they are operational.

By heeding simple tips to make an online resume convenient and attractive to potential employers, job seekers harness the internet’s power to assist their search. Whether the resume will be uploaded to a database, e-mailed to different companies, or posted on a personal website, online resumes are effective tools for prospective employees to help bring their careers into the twenty-first century.


Bookmark and Share