How NOT to Let Social Media Ruin Your Career

How NOT to Let Social Media Ruin Your Career Social media? What a load of cr*p! is what Catherine Tates Gran character might well say. I agree with her, even though my working life largely depends on it. Okay, its a free world, post what you like, just dont be surprised if people then think what they like. Try this. Pick someone you know, imagine you have a juicy job for them and then spend time seeing what you can dig up online about them. At the end of it, are you mightily impressed, vaguely neutral in a meh sort of way or deeply into OMG territory? Now lets talk about you. Youre smart, you work hard and youre ambitious, perhaps with dreams of Audis and yachts. Youve got a lot to offer the world and its about time someone took notice and gave you more responsibility, right?  So lets say youve submitted your CV and an application for that leg-up job. When your potential employer looks at you, is your online presence a shining beacon of light flashing Pick me! Pick me! or are you lost in an uninspiring grey sea of collectively-drowning candidates? Maybe theres a promotion coming up, your line manager has put you forward and youre the only viable internal candidate. Its a slam-dunk. Except … theres that cherished (and well shared) picture of you on a stag weekend, hammered beyond belief, dressed in red and using a chainsaw to mow the words I will kill again! into a field whilst you wait for the Google satellite to drift over. Does it demonstrate your creative side, or is it a lead weight from HMS Millstone hanging around your neck? Have you noticed your peers being lured away to newer pastures with acres of fresh green grass whilst youre a wallflower in a concrete wilderness? If so, theres a good chance your online presence has tumbleweed blowing across it. Anonymity is also a terrible curse, as youre finding. Be a new you So, what can you do online to increase your chances of selection, promotion or being head-hunted? WAKE UP! Employers WILL check you out. Thankfully, most people know to clean up their history, profiles and general behaviour when job-hunting. Sadly, most then also become rather anodyne. Simply not doing something objectionable adds nothing to your perceived value. Post to show yourself as the sort of character that an employer would just love to have on-board. Join the real world When you walk into a meeting at work, youre never going to open with a tirade of, I got wasted last night and woke up in a builders bed, there is absolutely no bog roll ANYWHERE in this whole f*cking building, the worlds so screwed if that nob gets into The White House whats his name? I think pink cars suck. Everyone get out the way, I know what to do. God youre all ugly, whats for lunch? so why do the equivalent online? If you want to be seen as a professional, behave like one. Everywhere. Make yourself interesting Put yourself in the shoes of an employer. What would make you really interesting, as a candidate? Sure, you do a relevant job, youve got demonstrable skills and the right experience. That sounds like every other candidate, so what might move you to great gal or top bloke status? Think about the skills, interests or activities that might add to your perceived value and show that person. Show your journey If youre going to be someone whos going somewhere, youve got to build momentum. How did you get here? Where are you heading? Show the mountains youre conquering and scars from the route. Make someone think, STOP THE BUS! I want this person on here. Be social The clue is in the name social media. Stop broadcasting and start engaging. Listen. Think. If youre going to say something, move the discussion forward, dont nuke it flat with ridicule and abuse. Be social with more people in your line of work, not just friends. Engage with people who do a similar job to you and engage with people who employ people like you. Dont stick with tools and networks you already have. Where else do the right people hang out? Be radical How much do you really know about your industry and the challenges it faces, relative to your peers? Why not be an expert and run an online commentary on issues, as events unfold? Why not become THE expert? If one thing will make a difference to your prospects its this, but you must put the work in to the steps above, beforehand. Here comes the spotlight If you take all of the steps, taking the time to build momentum, youll make damn sure its worth an employers while to take notice of you. If Andy Warhol was right, using those online tools properly will get you the undivided attention of a recruiter or an employer for your fifteen minutes of fame, whilst they go, Wow!. Be who you need to be and you will get what you want to get. About the author: Jon Gregory is an author, editor, blogger trainer on all things job hunting, interview prep career development.

Resume Writing Services in Gastonia NC

Resume Writing Services in Gastonia NCWriting a resume is an important part of any job search, but if you are not very skilled with it, then hiring a professional resume writing service may be the right option for you. Hiring a professional writer is much cheaper than paying your own staff and can help you avoid the mistakes that other people make when they write their own resumes. A resume is often the most important piece of a person's career, and it is the first impression a potential employer gets about a person before an interview is scheduled. If a resume is poorly written or not at all prepared, this first impression will often be the last impression a potential employer gets of the candidate.To hire professional resume writing services in Gastonia NC, you can do some searching online. The internet has made it easier for people all over the world to get the information they need, but you should know some things before you hire anyone to do your resume for you. A person who is inexperienced or unprofessional will often try to take advantage of you, and he or she will attempt to use your skills against you to convince you to pay more money for his or her services. Don't let this happen to you.When you decide to hire a resume writing services in Gastonia NC, make sure that the person who is working on your resume is an expert in the field. You don't want to use someone whose only experience is dealing with a specific industry or field, since you won't know what skills are needed to be effective in this field. Make sure the person you hire has experience in all types of positions and fields to be a good choice.Another thing to consider when choosing a person to do your resume for you is whether or not they are experienced in formatting resumes. Your resume needs to be formatted correctly for printing on a legal type of paper. You want to make sure that your resume is properly laid out and that there are no mistakes that will cause the printing company to ref use to print it for you. Your potential employer should be able to read your resume easily and in a matter of seconds.One thing that you will want to avoid is hiring a person who is not good at formatting resumes, but professional resume writing services can help you in this area. A professional who knows how to format resumes will know the correct layout and formatting requirements so that your resume is presented in the best way possible. When you hire someone to write your resume, you want to be certain that you get someone who is a professional and experienced. This will ensure that your potential employer receives a professionally written resume that presents you in the best light possible.If you are unsure about a potential writer, you can also ask around to find out about a few different writers in the area to see who is the best one for the job. Once you have found a few potential candidates, you will be able to discuss the details of your resume and get a feel for who is go ing to be best for your situation. You want to be sure that you understand what is needed for a potential resume writer, and who is capable of completing this task as well as expected.The process of hiring resume writing services in Gastonia NC does not have to be expensive. A simple call to a local resume writing service office should provide you with the right information needed to contact them about your resume needs. It is a small investment that will benefit you for many years to come.There are many companies in Gastonia that offer great prices and quality work, so it is easy to find a good one to hire. Making the initial decision to hire a resume writing service is a small investment that will save you both time and money when it comes to your job search.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Job Hopping May Have Consequences

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Job Hopping May Have Consequences Its not uncommon these days for an employee to leave a current job for greener pastures. No one faults a person for taking another position that offers more money, greater prestige or bigger opportunities.But what if this same employee takes the new job after being in a current position for only six months? Does the move still sound reasonable? Or, does it perhaps seem unprofessional, selfish and ungrateful?Thats the fine line that many workers must walk when they receive another job offer soon after taking a new job. While no one would probably fault the worker who left after two years of employment, leaving a new position after less than a year may have long-term consequences.For example, say you have three jobs within a two-year span. Somewhere in that job-hopping scenario, a boss or co-workers may begin to wonder why you aren't more committed to a job. Could you be difficult to work with? Only focused on your own goals instead of those of the company or the team? Are you switchin g jobs because you cant (or wont) do the work assigned?While jumping to any conclusions may be unfair, if you switch jobs too quickly and too often, you can risk looking unstable professionally and personally. Further, leaving a new job too soon also may not be of any benefit to you at all.Specifically, jumping ship without giving a current employer a chance to show you whats available career-wise may put you in a worse position down the road. Maybe you're not getting a promotion simply because you haven't been with the company long enough. But instead of giving it more time to see what the future holds, you leave for another position.Again, the opportunities you want dont materialize right away because you're new and must earn your stripes. If you had stayed with the former job, might the boss now be ready to give you those new opportunities you so keenly desired?Further, keep in mind that even if you are not completely satisfied with a current position, it doesnt mean an exit from the job is necessary in order to be happy. If you can prove to the boss that you are a hard worker and dedicated to improving the companys bottom line, then that boss might be much more willing to work with you on getting the desired job within the company. By showing your loyalty and commitment in staying put, you can make the boss an ally in helping create a job that fulfills everyones expectations.If you're contemplating leaving a job after only a short time, here are some other things to consider: Focus on long-term goals. If a current position doesnt help in any way to meet future career plans, then it may be time to simply move on. If you want to someday be a veterinarian, it doesnt make much sense to stay in a job selling advertising if you've been offered a job in a vets office. Understand your passion. Sometimes people job hop because they dont understand that the reason theyre unhappy is not the employer its the job. If you love working outside, but continue to accept j obs that keep you indoors all day, then you're going to be unhappy. Absolute deal-breakers. If you're working at any company where there is something illegal going on, or feel that the boss or the business environment is unethical, then don't hesitate to look for another job as soon as possible.del.icio.us

New Years Resolution Make People Your Priority in 2016

New Year’s Resolution Make People Your Priority in 2016 If 2016 is going to be your year for a new job or promotion, I have a resolution for you: stop focusing all your efforts on your work and start focusing on your network. Of course you must still do great work to be noticed. But too many professionals think that doing a good job is the end of their responsibility. Good work is just the beginning; you must also build connections in your company, your industry and your community. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'d2A7f9OOQ5RyZDjU6nlC4A',sig:'sTFkkcaogBdBH9FWku05x0bRguS-oFLCYkkvHo8IwmU=',w:'507px',h:'338px',items:'532253321',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Marilyn Feldstein, SPHR, is a career coach and founder of Career Choices Unlimited. She says most people spend 90 percent of their time applying for jobs online, and that’s a mistake. “Online activity may feel productive, but it rarely produces results,” she says.  â€œNinety percent of job leads come from people, not from online postings.” Feldstein helps her clients focus on building meaningful relationships through networking.   She recently gave advice on how to connect in a presentation to CareerSource NEFL’s Professional Network. She says that a strong network is your best asset and the key to unlocking the “hidden job market.” Online job postings are all based in what’s already happened, she explains; your network knows what’s going to happen in the future. Another important difference: the hidden job market isn’t tied to the economy.   Churn is always happening; companies can be laying off workers and hiring for specific positions at the same time. Companies are bidding on new business. Projects are being launched. Somewhere, someone has announced his retirement or is planning to leave her position to start her own business. These are things that people know but haven’t yet made public. Your job is to be top of mind for enough people that when the time comes, you hear about an opening before the rest of the world does. In fact, referring you to a new opening may benefit someone else as well.   Many companies pay referral bonuses to employees who refer candidates for jobs. Companies find that they get more and higher quality candidates by paying their own workers to spread the word about openings. They also pay much less than they would if they relied on a professional search firm. If you’re wondering where to connect with quality contacts, one of your best resources is a local chapter of an industry council. There, Feldstein says, you’ll find peers who are currently employed and who can help you connect with hiring managers and upcoming opportunities.   Becoming a member is better than simply attending meetings, she says, because you’ll have access to benefits like the members only page of the organization’s website with information on job postings and certifications. Marilyn Feldstein often starts off her networking workshops with a story about Jack Welsh, the former CEO of General Electric. When Welsh gave a guest lecture at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, a student raised his hand and asked, “What should we be learning in business school?”   Welsh replied, “Just concentrate on networking. Everything else, you can learn on the job.” Make people your priority in 2016. Reach out and reconnect with past contacts. Make it a point to meet offer a big payoff for your career.

How to Get More Resume Paper Weight

How to Get More Resume Paper WeightThere are many things that need to be considered in order to create a resume paper that you will be proud of. Many times, mistakes will occur that may cause you to have to start over and write the same resumes over again. If you follow the tips below, you will find that your resume will appear less stressful and less confusing.First, know when to use the cover letter. Use it to get your information across, but do not write it completely on your resume. Using the cover letter will allow you to demonstrate your experience with your education, work history, and accomplishments, and it will help you convince a potential employer that you are what they are looking for. The cover letter is merely there to give you a way to tell a potential employer about yourself, not to make sure that they get all of your information about yourself.Second, try not to keep your resume on one page. Keep it split into two to three pages. You will likely want to include the general information about yourself, and then go into some details about your work history, education, and accomplishments. The more you can include in one page, the better off you will be.Third, be sure to write out your information on a paper that is big enough to be visible. This is especially true if you are looking at this as a final project. This will ensure that it is easy to read.Fourth, make sure that you know how long you can keep a resume around for before it starts to lose its appeal to a potential employer. After six months of job searching, your resume has lost its appeal. So, make sure that you know how long you can keep your resume.Fifth, when choosing your font, remember that it is very important to have a well-designed resume paper. Not all fonts will work for your resume, and it will not be appropriate to pick a font that is meant for the personal letter. Choose a font that will allow you to show the most relevant information to the reader in the least amount of sp ace.Sixth, another important factor is that you keep your resume up to date. Keep in mind that the information that you used in the past, such as your experience or education, is not the only information that is important. As you gain experience, take into account any new skills that you may have and add them to your resume.Finally, consider creating an outline of your paper. In an outline, it will be easier to figure out how to organize your resume paper. Make sure that you write out every section and every bullet point as this will help you stay organized.

Unretirement by Chris Farrell - Book Review - Career Pivot

Unretirement by Chris Farrell - Book Review - Career Pivot Unretirement â€" How Baby Boomer Are Changing The Way We Think About Work, Community, and the Good Life Unretirement: How Baby Boomers are Changing the Way We Think About Work, Community, and the Good Life by Chris Farrell, was released in early September of 2014. Chris Farrell is economics editor of Marketplace Money, a nationally syndicated one-hour weekly personal finance show produced by American Public Media. The concept of retirement is a relatively new one. In the United States, it first was mentioned in 1935 when Social Security was created. It then became a really viable concept in the 1950s, when Florida and Arizona were being developed. Affordable housing and warm weather attracted thousands to live there in their golden years. Chris Farrell writes in Unretirement that, for many baby boomers, the concept of retirement will be replaced by unretirement. It is the concept that, if we want to live longer, happier, and more prosperous lives, we need to work past the traditional retirement age of 65. It should come as no surprise to most baby boomers that 80% or more of us will not retire as planned. This is where the concept of unretirement comes into play. Chris Farrell writes: The last third of life is being reimagined and reinvented into “unretirement.” If the popular images of retirement are the golf course and the RV, the defining institutions of unretirement are the workplace and the entrepreneurial start-up. The unretirement movement builds on the insight that a better-educated, healthier work force can continue to earn well into the traditional retirement years. The author hypothesizes that, if baby boomers delay retirement to 70 years of age, most baby boomers will have a secure retirement. Here is the challenge, will baby boomers be able to find adequate paying jobs to be able to work until 70 years of age. I wrote in my previous The State of Baby Boomers in America that in many baby boomers are retiring early because either they cannot find work or unable to work due to health issues. The author states: Employer stereotypes that view older workers as lacking creativity won’t hold up to scrutiny. The prejudice that older workers aren’t productive will be proven false. The competition for talented employees will push managers to abandon long-held hiring hurdles against aging workers. Seniors will recharge the nation’s entrepreneurial energy. Listen to the most recent episode What do you think? Baby boomers have redefined society to match their needs and wants. The author states that baby boomers will redefine the concept of retirement to create unretirement. This will likely mean that most will work at both traditional and non-traditional jobs well after the age of 65. We will not necessarily work in the same industry or use the same skill sets but will reinvent the concept of retirement to live longer and happier lives…because we continue to work. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and agree with most everything the author hypothesizes. It paints a rosy picture going forward that looks very different from what we planned or assumed just ten years ago. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Police Inspector Application Form - Breakdown Tips

Police Inspector Application Form - Breakdown Tips Following the pre-application questionnaire, you’ll be invited to fill in the online police inspector application form. As you might have guessed, this will be an application form that requires you to enter extensive personal details, as well as answering a series of competency-based questions.The police inspector application form is an extremely important stage, so you need to take it seriously. This is your first point of contact/chance to create a first impression, so make it count! It’s a good idea to study the eligibility criteria before you fill in this form. That way, you’ll know if your personal details and background match against the core requirements for the role. In this chapter, we’ll give you a run through of exactly what you’ll encounter in the Police Inspector application form, and how to answer the competency-based questions!Police Inspector Application FormThese are the personal details you will need to supply:Title â€"First name â€"Surname â€"Middle name â€"DOB â€"Town and country of birth â€"Nationality â€"Sex â€"Ethnic Origin â€"National Insurance Number â€"Address Line 1 â€"Address Line 2 â€"(Is this your current address? Yes/No)Town/City â€"County â€"Postcode â€"Country â€"Home telephone number â€"Mobile telephone number â€"Mobile country code â€"Email address (Please note that this email will be used for all application correspondence, therefore it is essential that you provide us with an email which you can regularly access.) â€"Driving licence number and category â€"Station of PreferenceThe following forces are all participating in the Direct Entry Inspector Programme. In order of preference, please rank these forces, with number 1 being your preferred choice. If there are any forces from which you would like to categorically exclude yourself from working, please select N/A.*Please note that in order to be considered for Gwent, you must be able to speak Welsh to a Level 2 standard. In order to join the Metropolitan Police, yo u must be able to meet the London residency criteria.• Cleveland• Derbyshire• Dorset• Gloucestershire• Greater Manchester• Gwent• Hampshire• Humberside and South Yorkshire• Lancashire• Metropolitan Police• North Wales• Northamptonshire• Northumbria• Suffolk• Thames Valley• Warwickshire and West Mercia• West Midlands• West YorkshireFurther Eligibility QuestionsCan you confirm that you meet the nationality requirements that are expected of an applicant to this course?Yes/NoHave you resided in the United Kingdom for a continuous period, for 3 years prior to your application?Yes/NoHave you ever been convicted for an offence, or received a formal caution by the police? This includes any bind-overs which have been imposed by a court of law, traffic convictions, motoring or disorder penalties, anti-social behaviour orders, appearances before a court martial and any juvenile cautions.Yes/NoAre you the subject of any impending prosecutions?Yes/NoHave you e ver been involved in a criminal investigation, or been associated with criminal individuals?Yes/NoDo you have any tattoos, which could be deemed offensive or contradictory to the police regulations on tattoos/body ink?Yes/NoAre you currently or have you ever been a member of the British National Party, Combat 18 or the National Front?Yes/NoDo you currently play an active role in politics?Yes/NoDo you, your partner or any relatives currently participate in any business activities, which could prevent or cause problems with your application?Yes/NoHave you been declared bankrupt during the three years prior to this application?Yes/NoAre you the subject of an ongoing Individual Voluntary Arrangement, or are there currently any existing Country Court judgements against your name?Yes/NoCompetency-Based QuestionsAlong with the above eligibility questions, you may also be asked to provide details of previous employment, and your education. Following this, you’ll need to answer the compete ncy-based questions.Competency-based questions are a series of questions that are designed to test how well you understand and have researched the core requirements of the police. As we’ve mentioned, the competencies are extremely important, and therefore it’s no surprise that you are being tested on them even at this early stage. Although it’s obviously essential that you can meet the core eligibility requirements, this is also your first chance to create a great impression with the assessors, and show them that you are the right person for the role.Don’t be surprised if you are expected to answer several questions on these topics. For example, you might be asked a question focusing around leadership. Leadership isn’t a core competency of the role, but it does fall under almost every single one of the competencies, and is something that will expected of you when working as a police inspector. Likewise, you could be asked questions focusing around qualities such as organis ation, teamwork, resilience or financial awareness. Make sure that before you complete the application form, you have read through the requirements of an inspector thoroughly, so that you won’t be blindsided by anything on there.Now, let’s look at a sample competency-based question:Q1. In 200 words or less, describe how impartiality is integral to the role of a police inspector.How To AnswerAs you might have noticed, this question requires you to answer in 200 words or less. This is standard practice for many police application forms, including the police inspector application form. Although the inspector form won’t always ask you to do this (depending on the year that you are applying) there is a good chance that you will need to provide short and succinct answers to these questions, so be prepared! When you answer this question, remember not to just ‘answer the question’.Along with explaining why impartiality is important for police inspectors, you also need to give a (b rief) explanation of how you meet or can demonstrate this value, and why it’s important to you. The key to a good response is in linking your own behaviour with the core expectations of the force. Let’s look at a good sample response to this question:Sample ResponseHaving conducted thorough research into the role of a Police Inspector, I fully understand the importance of impartiality. As employees of the police, we have a duty to treat every person that we meet in a fair and unbiased manner. This doesn’t just apply to the public, but also to our own staff members. As leaders within the police force, it’s important that inspectors can operate in an impartial manner. Only by treating everyone fairly, can we gain the respect of the public and our colleagues. The police are there to protect everyone, and not just certain members of the community. For this reason, it’s essential that we can demonstrate impartiality in all areas of our work.Personally, I am someone who believes strongly in this. I am of the belief that everyone deserves to be treated in a fair and equal manner, and am always ready to challenge discrimination or bias when I see it. My rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated, and I exercise this view in all areas of my life.Now that you’ve looked at the above two responses, have a go at completing your own answers to the next few practice questions.Before we move onto the next section, take a look over the following top tips for completing a fantastic application form!Final Tips for Completing a Successful Police Application FormWhilst some of the following tips have already been provided within this section, it is important that we provide them again. Your success very much depends on your ability to do the following:• Read the Police Inspector application form and the guidance notes at least twice before you complete it.• If possible, photocopy the application form and complete a draft copy first. This will allow you to make any errors or mistakes without being penalised.• Obtain a copy of the core competencies and have them at your side when completing the form.• Take your time when completing the form and set aside plenty of time for each question. I recommend that you spend five evenings completing the application form breaking it down intomanageable portions. This will allow you to maintain high levels of concentration.• Be honest when completing the form and if you are unsure about anything contact the Police Service for confirmation.• Try not to make any spelling or grammar errors. You WILL lose marks for poor spelling, grammar and punctuation.• Try to use keywords and phrases in your responses to the assessable questions that are relevant to the core competencies.• Try to submit the form well before the closing date.• If your form is unsuccessful ask for feedback, if available. It is important that you learn from your mistakes.What happens after I have sent of my police ins pector application form?Once you have completed and sent off your Police Inspector application form, there will be a wait period before you find out whether or not you have been successful. Then, you’ll find out their decision via email! Of course, if you have been successful, you will move on to the rest of the application process!For more information on Police application process, follow this link.Like How2Become on Facebook! This entry was posted in Police, Career Advice. Bookmark the permalink. 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HOPE is in the Cards

HOPE is in the Cards HOPE is in the Cards was created by Russ Haan, a small business owner who was struggling with keeping his company open, his employees employed, and providing for his family. He came up with a sweet, idealistic notion: What if every American sent just one letter or card of support to another American. What would  happen? What would it do to our collective national spirit if the word HOPE was written on the  back of every envelope? You’d go to your mailbox and it would be filled with something besides bills and collections  notices. It would contain HOPE. And better yet, you might even have a personal card or letter  from someone saying THANK YOU or I BELIEVE IN YOU. Wondering how to participate? Easy. Send a card to someone who needs some love or encouragement, and write or stamp the word hope on the back of each envelope. There are also HOPE events like the one in Battery Park City on June 29th in NYC to attend. And because I love me some Thinking of You cards, here are my personal Etsy picks: Clockwise from top left: Bee Card by SparklePaw; Shes Sassy, Classy a Little Bad-Assey from Allisonstrine; Marshmallow Love by SweetAndKindOf; Hey Stranger by TweeCards Please let me know if you participate in Hope is in the Cards! I know Im going to send some hope out myself