Selasa, 03 Agustus 2010

Tips on writing resume objectives

When you are looking for a job, it is important to prepare a resume that accentuate your skills. The first step to preparing your resume is to prepare a detailed objective.

You should change your objective for each position you apply for each position you apply for. For example, if you are applying for a sales position slant your objective to reinforce the skills necessary for the position.

When preparing your objective accentuate your skill that will be beneficial for the job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job that requires working with people, accentuate your communication skills.

State your goal in your objective. If you want the job, you are applying state it in your objective. You may find it effective to state your long-term goals along with your short-term goals.

Be specific. Don't using general terms; such as you would like a career in sales. Tell what position do you want in sales.

Be assertive. Show the person looking over your resume that you know what you want and how to get it. Express your desire for the position as well as the traits you have that makes you the best person for the job.

List your skills. Then tailor the skills you have to the position. Do you have a degree? What classes did you take that help you fulfill the responsibilities of the position? Do you have previous work experience? How can this help you in the position?

When preparing your objective it is important to state your short and/or long-term goals and how you expect to achieve them. You may also indicate why you are the best person for the position. Be specific about what you want.

If you have trouble preparing your objective, contact the career center at the local college or unemployment office for additional help. You may also choose to leave the objective out of your resume. You resume doesn't require it. However, it does make it more effective.




Bookmark and Share 

The Often-Overlooked Interview Advantage: Good Grooming

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


There are dozens of factors that affect whether or not you land a job: from your work and expertise to your education and your personality. In addition to these weighty factors, your appearance also counts, in particular good grooming.

Fashion stylist Colin Megaro, the founder of Planet Style Concierge, says that today, "Grooming standards are definitely higher across the board." Megaro, whose company offers style analysis, personal-shopping services, and more, offers up these tips to make sure you're good to go at your next interview.

1. Good grooming is standard, no matter the industry. If you work in the music industry, you may think you can push the boundaries of good grooming -- but you'd be wrong. "Standards do not vary from industry to industry," according to Megaro. "No matter what you do for work you should always be well-groomed. Take some pride in yourself and always present the best you."

2. Nail it! Men and women should always be manicured, according to Megaro. "That's right, gentlemen! A manicure and a good buff go a long way," he states. Megaro, who styles both men and women, advises women to choose neutral colors for nails. "Bright red, black, or jeweled nails are not appropriate for the workplace."

3. Don't look shady with a "five o'clock shadow." The rugged look probably isn't best for the office, either. He says, "Five o'clock shadows aren't OK -- even after five o'clock. If you're heading to an interview from a current job or even from home, schedule it so you have time to wash your face, shave, and make sure your suit is fresh and wrinkle-free."

Facial hair can be fashionable, but it's probably best for men not to rock the ZZ Top look. "If you must have it, it needs to be short and well groomed," he cautions.

4. Put your best foot forward. "Women MUST have a pedicure if they're wearing open-toe shoes, but even if you're a man, your shoes shouldn't look as if you regularly walk on hot coals (unless that's the job you're pursuing)," Megaro counsels. He recommends that shoes always be polished with proper soles. If you scuff a shoe, he reveals, "A Sharpie the color of your shoe can save the day!"

5. Wear it well. Make sure your clothes reflect the job you're pursuing. "When dressing for an interview, research the company and dress accordingly. If you are interviewing at a bank, wear a classic suit with a beautiful tie or scarf. If it's a media company, you have a bit more freedom. Aim for a more modern suit with a great briefcase/bag. You should show your personality and individualism when it's appropriate," he states.

6. Breathe easy. Fresh breath is a priority if you're going on an interview. Megaro points out, "You don't want to smell bad breath on other people and, trust me, they don't want to smell it on you!" He recommends brushing your teeth, carrying breath mints, and keeping mouthwash in your desk or breath strips in your pocket.

7. Use scented products sparingly. If you're wearing cologne or perfume, exercise caution. "Yes, it can be worn, but please do not bathe yourself in it. Remember that some people are sensitive or allergic to smells. Also, no one wants to walk into a wall of cologne," Megaro says.

8. Act natural. Aim for a daytime appearance, especially when pursuing an office job. Megaro, whose company also offers wardrobe consultation and shopping tours, urges job seekers, "Avoid wearing too much makeup or overpowering nail color, and keep hair color to natural tones. We don't need to see bright colors, over-done highlights, or bad wigs."

9. Tress to impress. Beware of overdone hair. Megaro says, "Too much, whether it be color or product, is never attractive!" If you're a bit too coiffed, you may appear high-maintenance, and, possibly, out of touch.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

6 Time-Saver Gifts for Busy Professionals

Creating a Bonus When Time Is Money
by Siri Anderson, PayScale.com


"There are just not enough hours in the day." Who hasn't made or heard this complaint from a coworker, partner or friend who has too much to do?

All of us have. So, with the holidays coming up, there's no better gift than something that will make day-to-day tasks at work or home simpler, faster, and less stressful.

Below are six time-saving products along with examples of how much time your gift can save a working professional on your gift list. Based upon annual salary information provided by salary database PayScale.com, you'll see how much money the greater time efficiency from your gift will earn, too.

1. CardScan Executive -- $259.99
Time saved = 1.5 hours for every 100 business cards

Though everything else seems to have gone digital, nothing can replace the old-fashioned business card. But the contact information needs to make the digital leap. CardScan Executive quickly scans business cards and synchronizes the information with all of your contact management systems. It completes 15-30 business cards in a minute, while you work on other things.

So, if it would normally take one minute to enter the information on each card, for every 100 cards, that can equal about $30 in time saved for an experienced executive assistant with a median annual salary of $43,000. Any business professional or job seeker will find this a great gift and one that is also sure to reduce clutter after business meetings, interviews, and networking events.

2. MissNowMrs.com -- $29.95
Time saved = 13 hours

A professional woman who wants to change her name after getting married usually spends about 13 hours figuring out the process, according to Danielle Tate, founder of MissNowMrs.com. This site provides an alternative to bureaucratic confusion with a simple questionnaire tailored to the bride's location. When the bride has finished, she prints out the correct package of completed forms to sign and then submit to government offices, banks, and all the places that need to know her new last name.

"You don't have to make too much an hour for $29.95 to make sense instead of wasting a day or two off work getting it done," says founder Danielle Tate. For an elementary school teacher earning $42,000 a year, those 13 hours are worth about $260.

3. Bento for iPhone -- $4.99; Bento 3 (Desktop version) -- $49.00
Time saved = 1 hour per week

The Bento App for iPhone is a one-stop organizer and tracker for all of your files. This app easily stores and can sync your files up with the Bento 3 (or earlier version) desktop program. It comes with a wide variety of templates, and it is built to be flexible so you can create your own storage templates. It's hard to find anyone who couldn't use this app.

A stay-at-home parent can use it to plan meals, track holiday gifts, or plan parties, while a marketing project manager can use it to connect projects back to specific customers, customize internal data, and track the progress of the team. This application allows you to keep all relevant files linked together, so you spend less time toggling between deep folders, potentially saving you an hour per week with the added efficiency. For a marketing project manager earning just under $60,000 annually, that time is equivalent to almost $1,500 over the course of a year.

4. Timed Coffee Maker -- $80-200
Time saved = 75 minutes per week

"One of the simplest [time savers] I recommend for people is to get a coffee pot with a timer," says Elizabeth D. Bowman, productivity consultant and president of Innovatively Organized, a professional organizing company. A good coffee maker with a timer allows you to set everything up at night and have fresh coffee ready in the morning -- and you don't have to spend 15 minutes at your local coffee shop every morning on the way to work. That can add up to 75 minutes every work week.

Models range widely in price, but you can find a good model for under $100 if your budget this year is tight. And although it may not be paid time that's saved, the equivalent cost at work for an early-rising construction manager earning about $62,000 a year is about $35 per week.

5. AP Stylebook App -- $28.99
Time saved = 5 minutes per week

AP style is used by most professional writers and journalists as a punctuation and spelling guide for written work. Many marketing and communication experts also use it for branding material. The printed version is no pocket-sized manual, however, and most journalists and writers don't spend all their time in one spot. Enter AP Stylebook App -- this app gives you a mobile version of the stylebook so you don't have to wait to get back to the office to maintain your branding guidelines when "tweeting" on the go.

If this app saves just five minutes per week for a journalist earning about $43,000, over the course of the year, that time is worth about $90 -- at least enough to get a nice massage.

6. zBoost Cell Phone Signal Booster -- $179.99-$399.99
Time saved = 5 hours per month in saved commute time

More and more professionals are doing at least part of their work outside of the traditional office. Whether that's from the freeway or your home office, cell phone signals don't always reach your location as clearly as desired. Fortunately, zBoost has a variety of products that can be set up in your home or car to improve signals by one or two bars, drastically reducing dropped or missed calls for a radius 1,200-2,400 square feet, depending on the model.

This product saves time for any professional who can reduce a commute by working from home with a clearer signal. For an average IT project manager earning about $70,000 per year, the gift will pay back its worth in time saved in just under six weeks.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 3-5 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing. Hourly rates are calculated by dividing the yearly salary by 2080.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

The Wrong Way to Relocate

by Gina Cappiello 123Movers.com


You finally landed the job; the only issue is that it requires you to relocate. This can sound very exciting, but consider the reasons why you want to relocate for the job before committing to it. The three scenarios below are not recommended for relocating:

Relocating to Escape

Life is unpredictable and can deal anyone a bad hand from time to time, but that's not a good reason to up and leave what you have. Take a step back from yourself and take a look at the big picture to resolve those internal (and external) conflicts before moving.

A new job in a new city sounds tempting when you're feeling down and out, but think twice before leaping. Escaping will feel like everything has changed, but once everything you left behind catches up, you will quickly see that nothing has changed but the scenery.

Relocating for Just a 'Job'

Although the market has been picking up, it can still be pretty difficult to get into your respected industry regardless of where you live. Before deciding to relocate, ask yourself, "Is this position a job or a career?" A job is something you go to every day because you have to. A career is something that fulfills, challenges, and invigorates you daily.

Would you rather relocate for a "job" that pays the bills and gives you nothing to feel good about, or a "career" that makes you happy (and just so happens to pay the bills)?

Relocating with Little to No Money

Your new position may pay you a great salary to live comfortably, but will your first paycheck arrive in time for the bills? It is important to have a good 4-digit nest egg saved to cover the cost of your move, current bills, and new expenses.

Create a realistic budget to be positive that you will be making enough money to afford the cost of living in your new town, too. Regardless of your current finances, continue (or start) saving money once you are settled into your new town and career, just in case.

There are many other details to consider before moving for a new career (family, friends, workplace vibe, location, etc.) but these three points are imperative to consider before committing to a new life.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

Tips for Tipping This Holiday Season

10 Service Workers Whose Income Depends on Customers' Generosity
by Bridget Quigg, PayScale.com


For most U.S. workers who held onto their jobs in 2009, wages remained relatively flat compared to 2008. But, for those who work in service jobs and rely on tips for up to 70 percent of their income, it was a year of lean times and extra-tight budgets.

PayScale, an online salary database, just completed its 2009 Tipping Report and discovered that some of the folks who can least afford a pay cut -- hairstylists, delivery drivers, waiters/waitresses -- took a hit this year.

"Plenty of waiters and waitresses have been laid off. But, meanwhile, those who have kept their jobs have seen a 10 percent hourly pay cut. The only other field worse than that is investment bankers, and they're looking forward to an annual bonus," says Al Lee, director of quantitative analysis at PayScale.com.

Lee's advice to the rest of us? Tip as well as you can. "Remember, when you're at a restaurant, you as the customer are more like the staff's employer than the restaurant's owner. You're paying 70 percent of your wait staff's income."

So, with that thought in mind, we present to you the median hourly wages and tips for 10 service jobs and offer some recommendations on how to say thanks.

1. Bartender
Base pay per hour: $7.30
Tips per hour: $9.60
Total hourly income from tips: 57%

This service provider is fortunate that after a few rounds of peppermint schnapps, most people's purse strings are a little looser.
Typical tip: 10 to15 percent of the bar bill.

2. Waiter/Waitress
Base pay per hour: $4.00
Tips per hour: $8.60
Total hourly income from tips: 68%

Most folks know to tip their wait staff. Be ready to tip more if you spring for dessert and coffee after dinner.
Typical tip: 15 to 20 percent of bill. If you receive excellent service or if it is a 4-star restaurant or you're with a large party, a tip of 20 percent or more is recommended.

3. Massage Therapist
Base pay per hour: $25.50
Tips per hour: $4.80
Total hourly income from tips: 16%

Flying across the country in a middle seat or repeatedly lifting your grandchildren up for a cuddle this holiday season may leave you craving a massage. How should you tip your favorite masseuse?
Typical tip: 10 to 20 percent of the total.

4. Hairstylist
Base pay per hour: $11.30
Tips per hour: $3.00
Total hourly income from tips: 21%

You hope your hairstylist leaves you feeling fabulous for all of your holiday parties. If so, help them feel fabulous with an appropriate tip.
Typical tip: 15 percent of the total.

5. Concierge
Base pay per hour: $12.00
Tips per hour: $1.30
Total hourly income from tips: 10%

Despite the tough economy, you may have saved up for dinner out, a show, and a night at a hotel. Want your hotel concierge to plan your evening for you? Be sure to give a tip as a thank you.
Typical tip: $5 to $10 is average, more for special services or favors.

6. Doorman
Base pay per hour: $10.40
Tips per hour: $5.00
Total hourly income from tips: 32%

Not only does this person look great in a long winter coat and white gloves, they help you feel special when they open your cab door or bring your luggage to your room. How much do they deserve for giving first-class treatment?
Typical tip: $1 dollar or more for help with luggage or finding a taxi on the street. For an annual tip, anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on your building or how much you use their services.

7. Parking Attendant
Base pay per hour: $8.60
Tips per hour: $2.60
Total hourly income from tips: 23%

If a valet saves you from needing to walk 10 blocks from a restaurant to your parking spot in the snow up a hill, what do you owe them?
Typical tip: For a single evening, $1 to $2 depending on how far they travel to get your car. If you park regularly at a garage, an annual tip of $10 to $20 per attendant is recommended.

8. Newspaper Delivery Driver
Base pay per hour: $37.70
Tips per hour: $1.90
Total hourly income from tips: 5%

The newspaper delivery driver is up before your automatic drip coffee maker. What's appropriate for making sure you don't have to walk too far in your bathrobe to pick up your paper?
Typical tip: An annual holiday tip is appropriate; $15 to $25 for daily delivery or $5 to $15 for weekend delivery only.

9. Pizza Delivery Driver
Base pay per hour: $6.70
Tips per hour: $5.00
Total hourly income from tips: 43%

Did you know that your pizza delivery driver gets nearly half of his or her income from your tip? Also, if it is an extra busy night at the restaurant, the driver may have helped to make your pizza.
Typical tip: 15 percent of the total for a typical delivery. Tip a minimum of $3 if the bill is under $20.

10. Taxi Driver
Base pay per hour: $13.20
Tips per hour: $3.10
Total hourly income from tips: 22%

Taxi drivers do expect a tip, especially if they helped you with your luggage. Remember to give them something extra on top of what the meter says.
Typical tip: 15 percent of fare, $1 per bag up to 5 bags, $2 per bag for 5 or more bags or if bags are very heavy (over 50 lbs. each.)

More from PayScale's 2009 Tipping Report:

  • The three job titles with the highest median hourly tips are gaming dealers ($13.00), sommeliers ($12.30), and bartenders ($9.60).
  • Among those in management, bar, hotel floor and night club managers have the largest percentage of their income come from tips: 40 percent, 35 percent, and 23 percent respectively.
  • Busboys saw a significant rise in hourly tips (an 85 percent increase from last year). However their hours per week fell dramatically and thus their total take-home income fell by 35 percent even with this tip increase.
  • Gaming dealers report the largest tips at $13.00 per hour, while bicycle mechanics report the lowest tips at $0.20 per hour.
  • In the hotel industry, hotel housekeepers earn the lowest median hourly tips ($0.40 per hour), while hotel floor managers earn the highest ($6.90 per hour).

Sources: Median base pay per hour, median tip per hour and total hourly income from tips data are provided by Payscale.com. Tipping data are provided by The Original Tipping Page and tipthepizzaguy.com.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

Resolutions for Getting a Job in 2010

Hiring Pros on What Job Seekers Must Do in This Tough Market
by Yahoo! HotJobs


The Recruiter Roundtable is a monthly feature that collects career and job-seeking advice from a group of recruiting experts throughout the United States. The question we put before our panel this month is:

With unemployment rates at record levels in many parts of the country, what would you say are the one or two things job seekers MUST do in order to succeed in landing a job in 2010?

Exhaust All Options

Exhaust every resource at your disposal. Let members of your network know the type of job you seek and work with a recruiter that specializes in your field. Refine your resume and look for opportunities, such as courses or seminars, to enhance your skills and industry expertise.

Also, in your resume and interviews with hiring managers, stay focused on how you can help the prospective employer. The onus is on you to show why you are the right person for the job and will be a valuable contributor to the success of the organization, making it imperative to customize your resume for each position and research companies thoroughly before submitting your application materials and meeting with them.
-- DeLynn Senna, executive director of North American permanent placement services, Robert Half International

Do Thorough Research

If you're interviewing with a company, diligently research all aspects of their products, company strategy, executive team, and latest organizational changes. When you are in a situation with a recruiter or company representative, be yourself and don't be nervous. But be able to talk about the topics that interest you with passion.
-- Ross Pasquale, recruiting/sourcing consultant, Monday Ventures

Tailor the Resume and Network

In order to land a job in 2010, you will need to network and tailor your resume specifically for each position.

Think of everyone who might be able to help you -- family, friends, social acquaintances, former business associates, leave no stone unturned. Don't be shy! You can get the word out without being obnoxious or sounding desperate. Join a professional organization and attend the meetings. You'll get useful information and leads by networking with those who are active in your field of expertise.

Create a general resume that can be customized. Be aware of keywords. Use bullet points for a cleaner look and just state the facts. Recruiters will not spend time on a resume that contains errors and doesn't have a professional appearance.
-- Debbie Dean, recruiter, Wells Fargo

Go for a Realistic Match

Job seekers must remain focused on opportunities that are a solid match to their background, skills, and abilities. While it might be tempting to apply for every open position out there, a targeted search will be a much more efficient use of job-search resources and will give the best chance of success. A hiring manager's number one question is, "Why did this person apply to my job posting?" To be a successful finalist, you need to have a better response than, "It was open."
-- Noah Apodaca, lead recruiter for staff at the University of California, Irvine


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

3 Things Your Boss Does Well

by Kip Parent, Keirsey.com


Have you ever had a boss that you just didn't click with? No matter how hard you tried, it seemed like you were working with someone from another planet?

According to David Keirsey, Ph.D., author of the best-selling book, "Please Understand Me," much discord in the workplace is caused by differences in people's personalities. There are variations in behavior and attitude that trigger in each of us a common response: When we see people who are different from us, we conclude that others are "sick, or stupid, or bad, or crazy."

Keirsey's research shows that people fit into four basic personalities, (or what he calls, "The Four Temperaments"), each with their own distinct characteristics, strengths, and foibles. What that means is that there is a pretty good chance (75%) that you are a different temperament than your boss? little wonder then, that you may not always see things the same way they do!

The key to getting along with colleagues, and especially with your boss, is to understand the motivations of their personality type. If you better understand what makes them tick -- what they're good at -- their behavior may make better sense to you. And rather than bothering you, you may find you are able to benefit from their strengths and even appreciate them.

This article presents three strengths for each of the four temperaments -- you might recognize these qualities in your boss, and this recognition may be that critical insight you need to help you better mesh your skills with your boss's -- and therefore, be able to work together more effectively. Keirsey labels the four types the Guardian, the Rational, the Artisan, and the Idealist. Here are brief descriptions of each temperament (see if you can recognize your boss in one of the descriptions), and three strengths to look for.

Guardian Bosses

Is your boss a stickler for following the rules? Does he take pride in being dependable? Does he prefer a structured environment, with well-understood roles, responsibilities, and a clear hierarchy? If so, your boss is likely a Guardian (and he's in good company, as Guardians make up more than 50% of managers in most U.S. corporations). Examples of Guardian leaders include Warren Buffet, President George H.W. Bush, and Suze Orman.

  • Guardians have great strength in dealing with and managing logistical matters. With a Guardian boss, meetings will be run on time, schedules will be met, and materials will be in place when and where they are needed.
  • Guardian leaders are "traditionalists," for they carefully (and quite sentimentally) preserve and nurture the traditions of the institutions they belong to. They know that strong traditions give a sense of belonging and permanence to employees and clients alike.
  • Guardians pride themselves on being dependable, helpful, and hard working. They put effort into bringing stability into the workplace. Your Guardian boss will shoulder his or her share of the load as a matter of conscience.

Rational Bosses

Is your boss more concerned with the "big picture" than the details of your project? Does she tend to be a "hands-off" boss, sometimes even seeming stand-offish? Does she seem to not care about the way things "have always been done," looking for new ways even when the old way doesn't appear broken? If so, you likely have a Rational boss. Although Rationals are rare (less than 10% of the population) they are disproportionately represented in management in companies, especially as you go up the corporate ladder. Examples of Rational leaders include President Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Hillary Clinton.

  • Rationals are the problem solving temperament, particularly if the problem has to do with the many complex systems that make up the world around us. With a Rational boss, you are sure to never lack for a strategic vision of how your group will best help the company meet its objectives.
  • They pride themselves on being ingenious, independent, and strong-willed. Known for being skilled thinkers, Rationals are generally even-tempered and goal-oriented. They often make great mentors because they notice, appreciate, and acknowledge skills and talents in employees without regard to social or organizational barriers such as seniority, gender, or job title.
  • Ever on the lookout for the most efficient means to achieve their ends, Rationals keep their eyes open to new possibilities. They approach problems with the attitude that whatever exists presently can be changed, if there is a better way. With a Rational boss, your group is highly unlikely to ever stagnate.

Artisan Bosses

Is your boss an eternal optimist? Does he get bored quickly with the details? Does he seem to have a lot of spontaneous ideas or plans of action? If you work in a sales or customer service department, you may be especially likely to have an Artisan boss. Examples of Artisan leaders include Donald Trump, Rosie O'Donnell, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

  • Artisans pride themselves on being unconventional, bold, and spontaneous. Their combination of realism and risk-taking can make these individuals troubleshooting leaders. When you or your group is faced with an emergency, your boss is one of the best resources you can wish for.
  • They are more present to reality than the other temperaments, and this gives them a big advantage when dealing with people. This makes Artisans top negotiators. When you need resources from other groups, your boss can be a great asset in navigating the give-and-take to get you what you need.
  • Artisans are great at reading people for what they mean, as opposed to what they are saying. Anytime are going into a situation where people may have hidden agendas or ulterior motives, your Artisan boss can be a great asset in determining what is really going on.

Idealist Bosses

Is your boss most concerned with the well-being of the team and its members? Does she do their best to promote harmony and reduce conflict, eschewing competition amongst team members? Is she less concerned with details, but more interested in how "it all connects"? Idealist bosses are fairly rare in corporate environments, and most often gravitate to roles in employee and organizational development areas. Examples of Idealist leaders include Mikhail Gorbachev, Oprah Winfrey, and Coach John Wooden.

  • Idealists pride themselves on being kindhearted and authentic. Their focus on personal journeys and development can make them inspirational leaders. Idealist bosses are gifted at helping others find their way in life, often inspiring them to grow as individuals and to fulfill their potentials.
  • Because Idealist bosses abhor conflict, they usually have highly developed skills in de-escalating tense situations. They are a great help when it comes to conflict resolution.
  • They encourage democratic participation within their team. When they ask for team members' opinions in a meeting, they really want to know (and care) what you think, as long as you don't express yourself in an overly negative manner.

In spite of these differences, each type of leader brings some very admirable qualities to the table. If you can recognize these traits in your boss, you have taken the first step toward appreciating the differences about them that can make your relationship stronger and more productive.

If you'd like to discover your own personality type, you can take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II (free) at keirsey.com.


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

6 Secrets to Successful Schmoozing

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


You're probably familiar with the necessity of networking in advancing your career. But how well you network often depends on how well you schmooze.

Successful schmoozing isn't glad-handing or insincere sucking up -- although expressing sincere admiration can be an important schmooze tactic. Instead, it's the grease that starts the wheels of networking, according to Susan RoAne, author of "How to Work a Room."

"Schmoozing is nothing more than making casual, easygoing conversation with strangers," RoAne tells Yahoo! HotJobs. "Networking is the art of the follow-up. When you have the schmoozing down, your networking can be effective."

But starting a casual conversation with a stranger -- especially when that stranger has the power to boost your career -- can be nerve-wracking for even the most outgoing people.

Experts have some recommendations for making business schmoozing natural, enjoyable, and effortless (or at least appear that way):

1. Investigate.

Find out who in your profession or related profession could be good to know, and learn more about them. A good start is to find out if they have an online presence, such as social and professional networking sites, according to Barbara Safani, career advisor and author of "Happy About My Resume."

"If you know they're going to be attending a professional event, find a way to attend. And if you learn that person shares an interest with you, say, a love of a sports team or hobby, that's great knowledge you can use to start a conversation."

2. Go beyond the usual suspects.

Plenty of professionals want to meet the CEO, CIO, or C-whoever-can-help. But often those people are deluged with requests, are harder to approach, and may be too high up to advance your career.

John O'Connor, president of Career Pro, Inc., recommends schmoozing administrative assistants. "They're the gatekeepers in most businesses and may have valuable information on the inner workings of the organization. But you always want to project professionalism and good etiquette when schmoozing administrative assistants."

3. Schmooze well before you need something.

If you want the other person to set you up with a job or a new business after a two-minute conversation, set your sights lower. "You don't want to look desperate," says Laura DeCarlo, career coach and author of "Job Search Bloopers."

"Schmoozing should be a warm-up, establishing contact and making the person feel comfortable with you long before you ask for something." DeCarlo adds that the time between initial schmooze and asking for what you really want could be up to six months.

4. Prepare a short self-introduction.

Forget the 15-second "elevator speech" you've heard about, RoAne says. "In less than nine seconds you should give the benefit of what you do, but not the title. If you say something like 'I make sure people have a roof over their heads,' it will arouse curiosity and encourage them to ask a question." It's also a good idea to link your self-introduction to the event, RoAne adds.

5. Focus on the other person.

Studies show that when you ask people questions about themselves, they come away from the conversation with a more favorable impression of you. Then again, don't play 20 questions. If they aren't interested in engaging at all, have a polite exit strategy and move on. And remember, if you are uncomfortable talking with strangers, your new contact may be just as uncomfortable.

6. Stoke the ego, but don't suck up.

It's a fine line between expressing admiration and being obsequious. If you want to give a compliment, whether it's on someone's shoes or their recently published article, try to be genuine and don't gush. If you're not sure how to use flattery well, practice with a friend who can give you feedback.

Good schmoozing opens the possibility of future contact. If a conversation goes well, ask for a business card. If the other person doesn't want to be contacted, don't take it personally. If they provide their information, send a quick, conversational email two days later to remind them about your conversation, RoAne says.

"Then you can ask politely for a small favor," she adds. "You can say, 'I've been interested in learning more about X, and I would love to hear from you if you have some ideas.' A request like that is not big enough to put them on the defensive."


Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career

Bookmark and Share

Tips on setting career development goals and meeting them

According to recent research, the average American will change careers at least five times. Blue collar or white collar worker, there are many things you can do to get a better job or earn more money. Rather than move from one dead-end job to another, here are some ideas for making preparations to advance your career to a professional level.

1. Take vocational classes, earn a professional certificate, or consider going to college for a two-year or four-year degree. Sometimes taking just one class, like math or accounting, can be enough to move you from the factory floor to the office area, especially if you have been with the company for a while and understand its workings. On the other hand, a manual laborer may decide to study for an electrician's license, while a union-registered pipe fitter might enroll in computer classes. Wherever you're at in a job, you can always move up. Education assistance may be available in the form of grants or loans for those on limited incomes, unemployment, or disability claims. Check with the financial aid office of your local college campus.

2. Strengthen communication skills. The ability for written or oral expression is one of the top three skills sought by many employers, with the other two being job skills and a team attitude. The simple act of reading more books will automatically enhance the way a person talks and writes. Or you can take a writing class for credit or non-credit at the community college.

3. Study the job that you want. Talk, dress, and act like the person whose job you would like to have. While you don't want to make your goal obvious, subtly assuming the characteristics of the next level of job performance will unconsciously encourage others to look at you in that light and treat you accordingly. More importantly, the management team may absorb a professional image that will come to mind when they are looking for the next promotion candidate.

4. Keep good records of exceptional job performance. Chart your overtime hours, extra projects, volunteer service, and community support. Not only will you get more noticed as the person who knows a lot about the company and cares enough to get involved, you will have written accounts to share at your next opportunity for advancement when you can cite missing just one day or mention working 187 hours of overtime that should impress your interviewer. Numbers can be convincing over general phrases like "I worked a lot of overtime" or "I hardly missed a day."

5. Seek out mentors or guides you can offer advice or insight. They may be part of the team who will suggest certain names for advancement within the company, or among those you will ask for a reference in applying for a job elsewhere. Do the same within the community by volunteering for projects that will get your name and skills noticed by others, and perhaps impress someone enough to write a job reference.

Don't sit around waiting for Lady Luck to show up and change your life in the job market. Take control of your future by taking initiative actions like these. Then you'll have just yourself to congratulate when your career advances to the next level.


Bookmark and Share 

Small business tips: how to write an effective help wanted ad

In today’s economy, there is no question that it is an employers’ market. There are a lot of people out there looking for work, and many employers report that they are getting huge responses when advertising for new employees. The positive side of this situation is that employers have an excellent selection from which to choose. However, because so many people are looking either to change jobs or to find one after having been laid off, many people respond to job advertisements for position for which they are not qualified. Part of the reason for this is that employers are not specific enough when writing the copy for the advertisement. If the ad is not detailed enough, people who are not qualified for the position will apply. Sorting through these applications is time-consuming enough without having to separate those highly qualified individuals from those who are not even close. One way to avoid an overabundance of applicants is to write an effective help wanted ad that will address all the salient points and attract the kind of employee that will be an asset to your company.

Obviously, your goal in writing an effective help wanted ad is to attract the right person for the job that you have available. In order to do this, it is important not only to detail the job itself, but also to sell your company to perspective applicants. An advertisement is just that - a sales tool. This is especially important if you are looking for people who have very specific job skills and are in high demand. You want your ad to draw attention to your company and, once the applicant starts reading, give him or her reason to send a resume.

Any help wanted ad should start out first by listing the job title and a complete job description. If you are unclear as to how to write up the duties of the job, do an Internet search for “job descriptions,” and look for a position similar to that which you have available. Use that description as a foundation, and add in any pertinent details that are unique to your company. Make the description as clear as possible. If you are replacing someone who is leaving voluntarily, ask that person to read over your job description and add in anything that he or she feels is pertinent.

Next, outline the qualifications that you require. This should also be very specific and detail minimum educational level, years of experience in the field, any certifications or licenses that are required, necessary computer skills, and any other qualification that you have determined to be necessary for the person who will ultimately do this job. Indicate special requirements such as the need to travel. This is all critical information and, although some people do ignore stated qualifications and apply for jobs in the hopes that an employer will waive these requirements, normally, only people who fit the description will apply.

List all benefits including number of vacation days, insurances, flex hours, dress code, cafeteria plans, retirement plans, educational reimbursement, etc. Try to be as complete in this area as possible since this is the section in which you are really selling your company to potential employees.

Describe your company history – length of time in business, number of employees, branch locations, nature of the business, etc. This is very helpful to job seekers who may have preferences as to sizes of companies, and opportunity for advancement. Again, you are selling yourself here, so write this in an inviting fashion! You might also consider listing nearby attractions of interest such as universities, shopping facilities, etc, especially if you are trying to attract out of town applicants who may not be familiar with your city or town. There are situations where you may wish to place a “blind” ad – that is, advertise without indicating your company name or even your location. This is important if you are replacing someone who does not yet know that his or her job is in jeopardy. In this case, you should still describe your company as completely as possible while at the same time veiling location and other information that might alert the person that you are trying to replace.

Finally, make it easy for people to apply for your position. It’s the 21st century, after all, and most people are looking for jobs online. People want to be able to apply online as well. Therefore, your advertisement should list an email address for resume submissions as well as a standard post office address. If you haven’t done so already, set up a separate email address to use solely for job applicants. The traditional “cover letter” has been replaced by a “cover email,” but you should still require this accompanying information be sent along with a resume. Request that people send their resumes as an email attachment. This makes it easy for them to send and convenient for you to access and print.

Following this plan will ensure you of effective advertising and draw in the right candidates for your open position. Applicants will know what is expected of them and, in turn, you will not be forced to sift through a pile of resumes from people who are completely unqualified for the job opening. In today’s economy, there is no question that it is an employers’ market. There are a lot of people out there looking for work, and many employers report that they are getting huge responses when advertising for new employees. The positive side of this situation is that employers have an excellent selection from which to choose. However, because so many people are looking either to change jobs or to find one after having been laid off, many people respond to job advertisements for position for which they are not qualified. Part of the reason for this is that employers are not specific enough when writing the copy for the advertisement. If the ad is not detailed enough, people who are not qualified for the position will apply. Sorting through these applications is time-consuming enough without having to separate those highly qualified individuals from those who are not even close. One way to avoid an overabundance of applicants is to write an effective help wanted ad that will address all the salient points and attract the kind of employee that will be an asset to your company.

Obviously, your goal in writing an effective help wanted ad is to attract the right person for the job that you have available. In order to do this, it is important not only to detail the job itself, but also to sell your company to perspective applicants. An advertisement is just that - a sales tool. This is especially important if you are looking for people who have very specific job skills and are in high demand. You want your ad to draw attention to your company and, once the applicant starts reading, give him or her reason to send a resume.

Any help wanted ad should start out first by listing the job title and a complete job description. If you are unclear as to how to write up the duties of the job, do an Internet search for “job descriptions,” and look for a position similar to that which you have available. Use that description as a foundation, and add in any pertinent details that are unique to your company. Make the description as clear as possible. If you are replacing someone who is leaving voluntarily, ask that person to read over your job description and add in anything that he or she feels is pertinent.

Next, outline the qualifications that you require. This should also be very specific and detail minimum educational level, years of experience in the field, any certifications or licenses that are required, necessary computer skills, and any other qualification that you have determined to be necessary for the person who will ultimately do this job. Indicate special requirements such as the need to travel. This is all critical information and, although some people do ignore stated qualifications and apply for jobs in the hopes that an employer will waive these requirements, normally, only people who fit the description will apply.

List all benefits including number of vacation days, insurances, flex hours, dress code, cafeteria plans, retirement plans, educational reimbursement, etc. Try to be as complete in this area as possible since this is the section in which you are really selling your company to potential employees.

Describe your company history – length of time in business, number of employees, branch locations, nature of the business, etc. This is very helpful to job seekers who may have preferences as to sizes of companies, and opportunity for advancement. Again, you are selling yourself here, so write this in an inviting fashion! You might also consider listing nearby attractions of interest such as universities, shopping facilities, etc, especially if you are trying to attract out of town applicants who may not be familiar with your city or town. There are situations where you may wish to place a “blind” ad – that is, advertise without indicating your company name or even your location. This is important if you are replacing someone who does not yet know that his or her job is in jeopardy. In this case, you should still describe your company as completely as possible while at the same time veiling location and other information that might alert the person that you are trying to replace.

Finally, make it easy for people to apply for your position. It’s the 21st century, after all, and most people are looking for jobs online. People want to be able to apply online as well. Therefore, your advertisement should list an email address for resume submissions as well as a standard post office address. If you haven’t done so already, set up a separate email address to use solely for job applicants. The traditional “cover letter” has been replaced by a “cover email,” but you should still require this accompanying information be sent along with a resume. Request that people send their resumes as an email attachment. This makes it easy for them to send and convenient for you to access and print.

Following this plan will ensure you of effective advertising and draw in the right candidates for your open position. Applicants will know what is expected of them and, in turn, you will not be forced to sift through a pile of resumes from people who are completely unqualified for the job opening.


Bookmark and Share 

Five tips for writing press releases

Writing an effective press release can do more for your business than any other act of marketing. Here are five tips for writers looking to get the most out of their efforts.

1) The headline is critical.

Do not assume that just because you send a press release, prospects will read it. Journalists and investors can see dozens of releases a day, and if yours does not break through the clutter, it won’t do you much good.

Your headline is also a matter of knowing your audience. For journalists, a direct and simple approach is best, since this will be the closest to a normal story. For investors, going into more detail is acceptable, with headlines of several lines being common. Know your audience, especially when writing headlines.

Getting attention doesn’t mean that you should aim for tabloid-style sensationalism, however. You do have the image of your enterprise to protect. The goal of your headline is to impress the reader with the fact that your news is important, novel and vital. You can do that without getting into any problems with taste.

2) Include a sub-header.

While you should make sure that every word in your release is perfect, many readers will never get past the headlines. Make sure your release achieves maximum penetration by adding a sub-header that summarizes your story. The acid test for this is to give the release to someone else to read, then take it away from them after 5-10 seconds. Ask them what the release is about. If they can’t give you a clear answer, your headline and header need work.

3) There is a fine line between honest hype and a serious overreach.

Many PR releases lose their chance of placement with exaggerated claims of importance. Your mindset while writing should be of a journalist that is covering the story, not a cheerleader for the company or event. If you go overboard in your praise or assessment, readers will tune out quickly...and you burn your chance of being effective later, since they will question your integrity and accuracy.

4) Put your hype in quotes.

Quotes allow professional press releases to get back some of the hype that was lost in keeping the release professional. The reason is simple: the reader will question the speaker without necessarily questioning the release. This isn’t a license to let loose, but in general, grandiose claims should come from the lips of your partners and associates, rather than in the body copy.

5) Keep it to one page.

This one’s usually very hard on writers, especially if there is a lot to digest in your release. But the fact of the matter is that very few people read through to the second page of a release, and when it gets that long, it prevents people from reading it at all.

It’s easier to swallow if you think of it like this: a press release is like a resume. No matter how good it is, it rarely is enough to seal the deal without some follow up. Your release should be enough to get you coverage without any more communication, but if it provokes a follow-up call from your contact, so much the better.





Bookmark and Share 

Time management tips: free advice for busy professionals

We are all given the same number of hours each day. No matter what you do, you cannot make more time in your day or “find” time to fit in everything you want to do. Why, then, does it seem that some professionals are able to accomplish so much more during the day, while others are constantly frantic, scurrying to meet last minute deadlines? If you find yourself wondering at the end of each day where your time went, here are some tips to help you recapture that lost time, accomplish more and breathe easier.

Organize. The number one time waster is disorganization. If you are regularly spending 15 minutes or more looking for a document that you know was “just right here a few minutes ago,” then it is time to take a close look at your organization system. A messy, disorganized desk is distracting and is not conducive to productivity. The good news, if you are not naturally organized, you can learn to be. Organization is simply a matter of creating a system for processing paperwork, a system that works for you. There are many good books on the subject of organization. Find a system you like and implement it immediately. Take a Saturday if you have to and get your office in shape. It will be well worth the effort. Make sure that you have separate file folders for each separate project, as well as for forms, inner-office memoranda, personnel documentation and the like. For loose paper, purchase a number of inexpensive wire baskets for incoming and outgoing mail and/or projects, for work in progress and for organizing mail. Make sure supplies, such as pens, paperclips and notepads, are easily accessible.

Once your organizational system is in place, set aside a specific time each day to go through that day’s incoming mail and projects. The goal is to touch each piece of paper one time and one time only. As you review each piece of paper, take immediate action. Right then and there, assign it to one of three baskets: First, place items that are going to require some action or response on your part into your “to do” basket. Second, place items that are informational and require no action into your “to file” basket. Finally, separate junk mail or items that you will have no use for in the future into a third stack. Immediately toss this third stack into your trash can so that it does not end up cluttering your desk. You will feel a great sense of accomplishment just knowing that you have dealt with each piece of paper on your desk, even if it was just making an executive decision to throw it away! Then, once a week, set aside time to finalize any items remaining in your “to do” basket and to file the items in your “to file” basket. Initially, setting up your file and organization system will take some time. But, once in place, you will find it takes no more than 15-30 minutes each day to stay organized.

Evaluate. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, or if at the end of the day you feel as if you have accomplished nothing and still have that same stack of paperwork in front of you, chances are you are letting valuable time slip through your fingers. Before you go any further, take a close look at how you are spending your time. Purchase a special appointment calendar to use just for this project, one that provides sufficient space to keep detailed track of your appointments each day, from first thing in the morning until evening. Then, for a week or so, write down in this calendar each and every little thing you do throughout each day. For example, if you spend one hour checking and responding to e-mail correspondence from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., mark this in your calendar. If you spend half an hour looking for a file from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., write it down. If you are interrupted with a phone call from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., jot this down in your calendar as well. If you are occupied with a staff meeting from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., write it in your calendar. By the end of the week, you should be getting a clear picture of exactly where your time is really going.

At the end of a sufficient period of time, at least one week, evaluate the way you are spending your time each day. Take a good, hard look at the ways you may be contributing to your hectic schedule. Take responsibility for making necessary changes. Are you wasting time checking e-mail or voice mail numerous times throughout the day, when checking once or twice a day would be sufficient? Depending on your circumstances and responsibilities, you may be able to limit yourself to checking e-mail and voice mail once in the morning, once after lunch and once at the end of the day. Are you interrupted throughout the day with telephone calls? Perhaps you can set aside a block of time each day where you will work undisturbed and allow all non-urgent calls to be transferred to voice mail. Do you find yourself procrastinating or going back and forth between several projects, never really accomplishing much on any of them? If that’s the case, then it is time to take the next step and . . . .

Prioritize. If you want to accomplish the maximum amount of work in a given time, there is absolutely no substitute for prioritizing. For this purpose, lists are invaluable. Set aside time each morning, or perhaps the evening before, to list each and every task you want to accomplish for the day. Once the list is complete, go through and number each item in order of priority. Then, take a few minutes to re-write your list neatly, starting with the number one most important task and continuing in number order. When you are ready to begin work for the day, start working on item number one and do not stop working on that task until it is complete. Do not allow yourself to be distracted. Do not abandon task number one because it seems too difficult. Stay on task. Do not skip down to item number five because it seems like more fun. Once you have completed item number one, cross it off your list move on to item number two and stay with that task until it is complete. Then move on to item number three, and so on and so on. At the end of the day, you may not have completed every item on your list, but you will have completed the most important items and, by staying on task, will have accomplished the maximum amount of work possible in the given time. Crossing items off a list feels good and lets you know you are accomplishing something. The next day, move the remaining items from the previous day’s list onto your new list and add any new items that have come up. Again, prioritize the tasks in order of importance and get busy! You will be amazed at the amount of work you are able to complete each day utilizing this simple method.

Compartmentalize. If you are constantly bombarded with telephone calls, voice mail messages, e-mail correspondence or questions from co-workers, it is a good idea to compartmentalize these tasks so that they do not interrupt your work flow each day. Set aside a specific time each day to respond to all phone messages, rather than answering them in a scattered fashion throughout the day. Check voice mail and e-mail at set intervals, rather than doing so whenever it seems more fun than the task at hand. Set aside a block of time when you will work undisturbed each day. During that time, have all but the most urgent telephone calls transferred to your voice mail and notify co-workers that you are not to be interrupted except in the event of an emergency.

Delegate. For busy professionals, the saying “time is money” is particularly true. Take a good look at what you do each day, again utilizing the time evaluation calendar you created. How much of what you do could be done more efficiently, and perhaps better, by someone else on your staff? Do not be afraid to ask for help. Be willing to allow others an opportunity to show off their own skills and talents. You may be surprised to find that there is someone else on your staff who is better suited to a particular task than you are, or who enjoys doing something that you find nothing but a boring waste of time. Successful business people surround themselves with a staff made up of competent people whom they trust. Hire good people and trust them to do what they have been trained to do. Let your staff help make your business a success and, in the process, give them a chance to shine.

Set boundaries. If you want people to respect your time, you will have to teach them to do so. If co-workers know that you will drop whatever you are doing to help them, then they will take advantage of that. Be firm in letting people know that your time is valuable. Do not encourage or allow interruptions. When someone interrupts you, let them know that you are otherwise occupied and will not be able to help them, or that you will help them later, when it is more convenient for you. Become comfortable with the idea of taking time for yourself, whether that means locking your office door so you can get an important project finished or letting the answering machine pick up at home so you can take a few minutes to unwind after a busy day.

Most importantly, do not allow your schedule to become cluttered with activities and events that are not important to you. For example, if you are going to set aside time to volunteer for something, make sure it is for the right reasons, because the charity or organization is something you believe in strongly. Learn to say no to things that are of no interest to you. Do not tie up large amounts of your time doing things because they are expected of you, or because you have trouble saying no, or because you feel obligated. Responding with a yes to every request is a habit that can be broken. Practice saying no and it will soon become second nature to you. In fact, you will find that, as you begin to set boundaries and learn to say no, you will feel empowered, in control and more alive. You will soon feel that sense of being overwhelmed begin to lift from your shoulders.


Bookmark and Share 

Tips for a successful business luncheon

You enter a nice restaurant and see those impeccably groomed, suit types having a business luncheon. Ever wondered if you had the confidence, panache and table manners to wheel and deal over a meal? Here are some hot tips served up to help you clinch the deal.

CHOOSE THE RESTAURANT WISELY It is always advisable to take your guest to a restaurant you have personal knowlege of, preferably close to work. This guarantees good service and regular patrons are accorded the best tables. Familiarity with the maitre'd and staff will surely impress.

MAKE RESERVATIONS Inform the maitre'd of the business luncheon ahead of time. State preferences - a table with a view, a nice quiet corner. Beats battling harried waiters by the kitchen area.

NAPKIN NO-NO'S Place the napkin on your lap once seated. If you need to get up, leave the napkin on your seat. Do not tuck in your napkin - you're not at a kid's party. Don't fidget with the napkin or cutlery - sure signs of nervousness.

TIME YOUR PITCH PERFECTLY The ideal time to have that crucial discussion is immediately after ordering the food. Do not wait till the food arrives. Talking with your mouth full and periodically spraying your guest is not attractive. Pitching after a meal is not advised as you will not get the guest's full attention once his stomach is full.

ORDER YOUR DISHES WITH CARE Pasta, soup and unshelled seafood tastes great but not at a business meal. Having bits of sauce decorating your tie does not project professionalism. Alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum as your potential client does not want to enter into business with one slurring or passing out during lunch.

KEEP THE PROPS MINIMAL The table should be clutter free. Restaurant tables are small to begin with. Only basic materials for the business pitch are necessary. Turn the cell phone off - contrary to popular belief you can survive an hour without it. Nothing is worse than politely looking on as your host has a conversation with the wife about dinner plans.

PAYMENT Credit cards are the way to go. Stylish, impressive and you are spared the ordeal of counting bills in front of your guest. Tip generously and compliment the staff. This augurs well for future visits.

END THE MEAL Once you've had desert and coffee, end the meeting. Do not browbeat your guest into making immediate decisions. Make it seem like you have another pressing engagement.Looking busy always helps. Shake hands and take your leave.

If all goes well you should be getting that contract within the week. Congratulations!


Bookmark and Share 

Tips to organize your work desk and life

Where is that report you know you did the other day? You have a meeting to be in, in about ten minutes and you can’t find anything. Paper is everywhere, files are out of place and you can’t see the top of your desk. Now that you look around your work area, the whole area is a mess and it’s time for you to do something about it. Working in a disorganized work area can keep you from being productive. What do you need to do to clean-up your work area?

The first thing you need to do is stop and take a day or at least a half-day to clean up your work area. You need some time to do this for you to get it completely organized and clean-up. You want to structure your area so you can work more efficiently. When your work area is so disorganized it will keep you from being constructive and this is when you need to stop and take some time to straighten things out. This is not just a little clean-up you need to do, but a whole reorganization. Start by cleaning off your desk. You will be amazed at the unnecessary things that are on your desk. We tend to put things on our desk that we don’t really need because of the desk being there. Instead of putting things where they belong, we throw everything on our desk. Go through the things on your desk to make sure you need them and what you don’t need throw away. Don’t keep any unnecessary paper work, that’s how your work area becomes cluttered. As you clean-up put everything in it’s place as you go, this way you won't have to go back and do that later. Every sticky note has it’s place, so put them there. Put your files in order that’s convenient for you. You should be able to go to any file that you need right away and not spend time looking for files when you need them for a meeting or a phone call. Whatever your job is set your files up to collaborate with that job. It should be so that if for some reason you are not there, anyone in your office should be able to go to your filing system and get what they need. Now it’s time to organize the physical structure of your work area. Have your immediate things you need to work with at your fingertips. Phone, rolodexes and all of your working tools should be where you can get them quickly and not where you have to look around for them. Make sure your computer is set-up where you can use it without leaving your personal area. If you have to go too or move to another area to work on your computer, this can cause distraction right there. You need to be able to have your computer right in your work area for convenience and to make you be more productive, especially if you use it most of the day.

Stopping and organizing your work area will make you feel like you are on top of things more. You will be more productive and efficient at what you do. Having your work area in no type of order can keep you from becoming as successful as you want to be. Having no organization in where you work can effect how you work and keep you stressed out. This stress can come from not finding things that you need to function with on a daily base. Get all files, folders and anything else off your floor. Clean it up so it will be efficient and also look nice. It’s nothing like working in a functional, effective clean area. This will allow you to be productive and happy.


Bookmark and Share 

Business: tips for successful speechwriting

Whether it's in the boardroom or the classroom, being able to write a good speech is always an asset. Often, the difference between success and failure (or at least acceptance or rejection) is the skillful use and application of words.

Good speechwriters aren't born, they're made. It's often a trial-and-error process, made up of learning what works and what doesn't with different audiences by trying things out and watching them bomb horribly. Occasionally there will be people who seem to have an inborn talent for always knowing the right thing to say and when to say it, but if you're not one of those people, don't worry. You're right on par with most of the rest of us.

When writing a speech, the first thing that you have to do is research your topic. This is usually an exhaustive process, involving pouring over much more information than you'll actually use in the speech. It's vital that you have a wide understanding of the topic, however, since the more you know about it the more you can compress into a 2-minute speech. Compile your information, set it aside for a day or two, and then read over it again... find any points that you don't think are adequately covered in your research, and then hone in on those few points. Repeat this process until you think you've got the entire subject covered extensively.

Next, you need to decide exactly what part of all of this information you're going to actually use. Unless you're writing this speech to be used for an industry-specific function, avoid as much of the jargon and technical terms as possible. Try to summarize what you can into layman's terms, and if jargon must be included make a quick sidenote defining it. You'll find that removing the technical explanations of how and why things happen works wonders, since many listeners aren't as concerned with the how and why as they are with the result of what happens.

Make sure that whatever your specific topic is gets covered in detail, without too much detail. Again, unless the purpose of the speech is very technical or being presented to a very technical group, you're not there to analyze every piece of information. Instead, you're trying to present as much of it as you can without losing your listeners.

Finally, make sure to use language that flows well. If you were simply writing an article about a subject, it would be more permissible to use phrases or words that might not flow well in spoken language, but in speechwriting it's essential to avoid them. Whether or not you're the one who will actually be presenting the speech, you need to remember that someone will have to be able to read what you write. Your goal is to make it as pleasant as possible to pronounce for the speaker, and as easy as possible to hear for the listeners. A poorly put-together speech can be an ordeal for everyone involved.

In the end, be sure to treat both readers and listeners of your speech with respect. Put as much information as possible into your work, but make it as easy and entertaining to listen to as possible; after all, that's what separates the good speechwriters from the great ones.


Bookmark and Share 

Tips for writing a resume while still in college

So you have been a “professional” college student for some time and you’re ready to attempt landing that first important job that will help launch that career you’ve been preparing for. There are some simple things you can emphasize and a few things to beware of when preparing your resume.

For starters, resumes can be a challenge because ultimately they need to simple. The ideal resume concisely and effectively conveys your education, job history, activities and achievements to the potential hiring manager in one short and sweet page. It’s best to list these items in a chronological order. Give your name, address, phone number and state a job objective. For example, “To gain practical work experience in the field of marketing and promotion” is clear and to the point. It also helps to target a specific position. A common mistake is to use the same blanket resume for applying to a multitude of jobs. Remember, one size does not fit all! You will need to tailor your objectives and the types of relevant information you include to fit the job you are seeking. Employers can tell if you are using a cookie cutter resume or if you haven’t done your homework about what line of business they are in. It doesn’t send a very positive message. If you can’t spare a few moments to customize your resume submission, why should a hiring manager spend more than a few moments considering you for the position. The key is to let your resume serve as your calling card so you will definitely want it to be a polished reflection of you (and show your attention to detail).

College students often underestimate all that they have to offer an employer. If you don’t have a laundry list of work experiences, you can supplement your resume by emphasizing your skills and there are many that are relevant to hiring managers. Things such as fluency in a foreign language, secretarial skills, and typing (think about all those term papers you’ve prepared) are great skills to cite on your resume. Internships are particularly valuable since most internship opportunities groom college students for the reality of the working world. Similarly, study abroad classes and trips show diversity in your learning experiences and also that you are open to new challenges. If you have them in your repertoire, include them!

When listing your education, obviously you will want to list your major, but don’t forget specializations and minors also. If your GPA is strong, include it. If not, leave it out. In addition, if you have made the Dean’s list or received other honors such as scholarships you should be sure to toot your own horn as evidence of your tenacity and work ethic. List your student activities, volunteer activities and community involvement as well. You want to illustrate that you have been a well-rounded student and didn’t spend all of your time with your head in the books.

You will want to preface your resume with a cover letter whenever possible. The cover letter lets you do two specific things: introduce yourself as a viable person for hire and help you obtain your main objective, securing the interview. You want to get their attention and encourage them to take a closer look at your submission. Whet their appetite for all that you can bring their company or organization. Your cover letter should:

1) Express an interest in that particular company and that particular position

2) Be engaging and friendly as you tell them why you are the right person for the job (list your skills, past experience, etc.) State convincing qualifications and why their company interests you.

3) Try to mention a specific date when, if they haven’t had a chance to get back to you, you will follow up with them.

The cover letter injects some personality and life into your otherwise factual and impersonal resume. It can make your overall resume submission more interesting. Be sure it is well written (free of grammatical and spelling errors). If you want to really be sure, get a professor or buddy you trust to look it over for you. Four eyes are often better than two. This goes for your resume also.

The following is a cover letter example:

(Be sure to use a basic business letter heading)

Dear Mrs. Medici,

I am a senior majoring in Information Systems at the University of Illinois. I am keenly interested in IBM because of your technologically advanced products, such as your AS400 server line. I have used this equipment during a summer internship and have been very impressed with its efficiency. More than any other company I’ve researched, IBM has consistently set the standard in server technology.

Please find enclosed my resume detailing my academic and work experience for the past three years. As you can see, I have been preparing myself for entry into the computer industry by working diligently and exposing myself to a range of technical opportunities whenever possible. I hope this will serve as an indicator of my work ethic and my potential to contribute to your organization.

If you would like to contact me to set up a personal interview, I can be reached at (313) 765-9974. If I do not hear from you by Monday, November 6, I will call you.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jasmine Carrington

The following is a sample resume:

Jasmine Carrington

257 Lakewood Avenue

Chicago, IL 60653

(313) 765-9974

jascar2005@hotmail.com

Education

University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelor of Science, expected May 2005

Major: Information Systems Minor: E-Commerce

GPA: 3.65

Experience

Fall 2004 Sylvan Learning Center Chicago, IL

Tutor

• Taught basic web navigation and internet proficiencies to middle-school children

• Assisted children aged 7-9 with reading comprehension

• Facilitated practice tests and lessons in grammatical structure and punctuation

• Provided assistance with math homework, science project preparation, and art projects

2003-2004 University of Illinois Chicago, IL

Lab Tech and Tour Guide

• Aided students with computer basics and assisted them with class assignments in MS

Office applications

• Offered general guidance in student web site design and HTML coding

• Performed lab facility tours for prospective students and parents

• Maintained lab facilities through regularly scheduled virus testing and other administrative duties

Summer 2003 Candle Corporation Rolling Meadows, IL

Intern

• Served the technical staff in various capacities by rotating to different posts within their department including the usability team, server group, and application development team.

• Assisted in a company-wide intranet usability evaluation with the Candle usability team.

2002 Chicago Public Library Chicago, IL

Volunteer

• Offered assistance with the development of the main library website and online card catalog system.

• Recruited other students to participate in library events and volunteer activities.

Special Skills

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, FrontPage), basic web design, HTML, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, web navigation, research databases, and typing 45 WPM.

References

Available upon Request


Bookmark and Share