How NOT to Impress a Prospective Employer

How NOT to Impress a Prospective Employer When applying for a job, you want to impress any interview or potential employer you may meet. However, what must you stay clear of to ensure you impress your future employer? RecruitmentRevolution.com  have the answers. Takeaways: Dont abbreviate words its simple, but dont forget it! Only 27% of employers DONT check your social media profiles before an interview. Having a drink at lunchtime will obviously annoy your employer. Any others? Let us know in the comments below! RELATED: Top 5 Interview Howlers of All Time

5 Questions to Ask Before Going from For-Profit to Non-Profit - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Questions to Ask Before Going from For-Profit to Non-Profit - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career For-profit to non-profit? I am approached frequently by baby boomers on whether they should make the leap from the For-Profit world to the Non-Profit world. The answer is almost always maybe. I have had a tumultuous but successful career over the last decade and a half. Going from a large corporation to a successful high tech startup to teaching high school math at an inner city high school to working for a large non-profit to another successful high tech startup to starting my own business. Whew! I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but learned much as well. Going from the for-profit world to the non-profit world is not necessarily  straightforward. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself: 1. Are you passionate about the cause? In general, non-profit organizations are cause driven. The large exceptions are trade associations. If you are going to make the leap, find a cause that you have experience with and an organization that you have volunteered for in the past. Cause driven organizations want you to be invested in the cause. The exception might be if they are looking for specific skills for a specific project. 2. Are your skills transferable? This is the tricky part. You may think your skills are transferable, but will the non-profit organization think so? For example, if you have years of sales expertise, you might say to yourself that your sales skills are directly transferable into fundraising. You assumptions are correct, in general. Will the hiring organization think so as well? You may have some significant selling to do on that idea. In fact, your sales experience is not considered valid for non-profit fundraising certification purposes. It is best you do your research and enroll in some courses in non-profit management. 3. Can you deal with ambiguity? Very often, the decision-making process in the non-profit world runs at a snails pace. Volunteer board of directors run most non-profit organizations, and they often depend on other volunteers. The pace of decision-making can be painful for those of us that come out of the corporate world. In this new world, you often deal with a lot of ambiguity where no one answer is the right answer. Can you handle that? 4. Do you understand non-profit financing? You are probably thinking, “I am not an accountant, so why do I need to understand this?” The reality is that money affects most decisions, and it is easy to make a lot of assumptions. Here is one example: If a non-profit sells an item to raise money, does the organization need to collect sales tax? Most of you will say no because it is a non-profit. In Texas where I live, non-profits can sell items on two days a year and not collect sales tax. This allows the non-profit to have two fundraising events a year and not bother collecting sales tax. Any other day of the year they must collect sales tax. Therefore, if you sell t-shirts on your non-profit website everyday of the year, you must collect sales tax. You may think you do not need to understand non-profit financing but it sure helps! 5. Have you checked the finances of the non-profit? You should look at the IRS form 990 or 990-EZ filed by the non-profit to understand their financial status. You will find the last three year’s returns easily accessible on the GuideStar website. GuideStar’s mission is to gather and disseminate information about every single IRS-registered nonprofit organization. You will discover the funding sources, the expenses of the organization, and the salaries of the top employees. You will quickly get an idea of the financial stability of the organization and whether they can afford to pay you! What I learned from my experience is that I enjoy serving on non-profit boards. I cannot tolerate the pace and ambiguity of working as paid staff in the non-profit world. That is why I work for myself! I can volunteer for the causes that I am passionate about. I currently serve on one non-profit board â€" Launch Pad Job Club, the elder statesman of organizations that support the unemployed in the Central Texas Region. I cannot work for a non-profit! Are you going to make the leap? Marc Miller â€" Career Pivot Check out my book Repurpose Your Career â€" A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers Do not forget to follow me on Twitter or FaceBook

Personal Branding Interview Roy S. Johnson - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Roy S. Johnson - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke to Roy S. Johnson, who is the VP/ Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Fitness magazine and MensFitness.com, the nation’s premier fitness publication and website for men. His latest article for LifeGoesStrong.coms health vertical is called Want to Succeed at Work and in Life? Get Off Your Butt! In this interview, Roy talks about how personal fitness and workplace success are related, gives some tips for job seekers, and more. Why is it that personal fitness can help you succeed in work? A sound body allows you to be more alert both at the peak of the day, and longer. Also, self-confidence extends beyond the gym, as does the discipline required to maintain a rigorous regiment. What types of stress are job seekers encountering right now and how do they lower it? How about fear of being fired too? You deal with it by communicating with your boss and ensuring that you are doing all that is asked. Also, by preparing for the possibility. Keep your resume up-to-date. Explore opportunities in your field and beyond. Start looking at how a hobby or passion might become a career. Take control rather than allow it to control you. What types of work outs do you recommend? It depends on your goals. For muscle-building, all-body moves that emphasize strength and balance, along with cardio. For weight loss, more cardio and plyo moves (body-weight). Everyone should do core work (who doesnt want great abs!) and stretch for flexibility. How have you built your personal brand? By trying to maintain excellence and integrity in all of my work, and ensuring that I am prepared to work in any of the myriad media platforms that exist. I also established areas of expertise (sports, fitness) that allowed me to be among the first experts that editors and producers think of when they have a need in those areas. Roy S. Johnson is VP/ Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Fitness magazine and MensFitness.com, the nation’s premier fitness publication and website for men. Hes an award-winning multi-media journalist, television commentator, media consultant, professor and author. Since joining the magazine in 2007, Johnson has led the publication and website to monumental growth, helping to increase its profile by working with notables such as Jeremy Piven, Jaime Foxx, Reggie Bush and more. He was also responsible for overseeing the development of American Media special projects such as the “Get Fit, Stay Fit 2009 Guide” and “America’s Hope: Barack Obama How He will Change Our World.

How to Write an Executive Resume Like a Pro

How to Write an Executive Resume Like a Pro Gunning for the C-Suite? If thats a yes, youve come to the right place. See, executive resumes arent your usual resumes. While they follow the same basic format â€" name, contact information, work history, accomplishments, skills â€" their content is quite different. Basically, an executive resume shows that youre ready to play with the big dogs, and that youve shifted your mindset from follower to leader. In other words, executive resumes require you to: Add an Executive Summary This isnt the same as the resume objective, by the way. While resume objectives are bland and vague, executive summaries answer one important question: What can you, as an aspiring executive, offer that other aspiring executives cant? The easiest way to do this is to position yourself as an expert. For example, if youre in the project management field, and your specialty is Kanban, you can say Kanban executive with 10 years of experience optimizing Fortune 500 companies for maximum performance. Essentially, your executive summary is your value proposition â€" so make every word of it count.   Get Your Accomplishments Down, STAT After reading your executive summary, the first thing recruiters will ask is, Okay, so this is who you are. So what? Your accomplishments section â€" or Career Highlights, if you will â€" can answer that question. Pick quantitative, rather than qualitative, accomplishments. While companies appreciate nice executives as much as anyone, they prefer those who have the potential to make a measurable impact on the organization. You can say something like, boosted employee morale by allowing dogs in the office, as long as you explain how you quantify something as abstract as morale. Also, it helps to use the Challenge-Context-Action-Result format when you write your executive accomplishments. The format goes like this: Pick an issue you handled thats strategically important to the company. Explain why its strategically important. Specify what you did to address the issue. Support your results with numbers. Dont forget to use strong, energetic verbs when writing this section. Recruiters will appreciate it if you vary your word choices while still being accurate. If youre not sure about this part, ask someone else for help when rewriting/editing your resume.   List Your Core Proficiencies Write only executive-level skills in this section. For example, youd want to leave out data entry and staff supervision, since those are entry- and mid-level skills, respectively. Instead, include things like process engineering, asset management, market analysis.” Think of this section as a list of what you can do, as opposed to the accomplishments section, which lists what youve already done.   Use a Hybrid Resume Format You may have heard of functional and chronological resumes. But did you know theres a third type that combines both of these? It’s called the hybrid resume. As the name suggests, the hybrid resume has the strengths of the two standard resume types. It highlights your skills, achievements and experience, while putting them in a chronological context at the same time. This is especially useful if you have gaps in your job history, or youre under special circumstances that preclude you from using the functional or chronological formats. Keep in mind, however, that hybrid isnt the end-all, be-all format. If the company youre applying for is extremely conservative, or youre shifting to an entirely different field, its best to stick to the standard formats.   Leave Out Your Photo Unless youre applying for a job where looks are everything, youre better off not including a picture at all. Even if its a wholesome picture of you at your most photogenic, recruiters may subconsciously base their hiring decisions on your appearance. In case youre required to show your face, though, be sure to follow these tips on taking professional photos.   Dont Forget the Basics Most of the rules for writing general resumes apply to executive resumes, too. For example: Tailor your resume to the job. For example, if youre applying to a manufacturing company, position yourself as a production executive. Likewise, the term systems architect would be a good fit for an IT company. Use readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, Garamond and Times New Roman. If you want your resume to stand out visually without turning off employers, use Trebuchet MS. Watch out for redundant words. Instead of using led over and over again, use synonyms like oversaw, coordinated, controlled, etc. Use the standard black-and-white design for resumes as much as possible. Avoid colored fonts, frilly borders and anything too cutesy for a member of the C-Suite. Write your mobile, instead of home, number. That way, recruiters can reach you whenever they need to, and not have to worry about someone else â€" like your family members â€" picking up the phone in your stead. Write a professional email address. Its okay to use your work email, or a widely-used client like Gmail. But if you want to show how tech-savvy you are, investing in a personalized address like [emailprotected] will go a long way. Double check for typos and SPAG errors. Otherwise, a recruiter might overlook your impressive history for one instance of misspelling achieve as acheive. Dont let your achievements stop with one piece of paper! Build your brand beyond your resume by creating your own website, adding value through industry-related blog posts and being active on social media.  And if you feel you dont have the expertise to create a great resume, consider using a professional resume writer such as Assignment Baron.   Do these things on a regular basis, and it wont be so hard to fill out your resume for your next career milestone. Image:  Hybrid resume

Military Resume Writing For Civilian Jobs

Military Resume Writing For Civilian JobsMilitary resume writing for civilian is a great idea, if you are in the military. Some employers find that they don't like what they see on their resumes, so they are more likely to say no to your application. You may be surprised by this.The reason that employers may not be willing to hire someone with a military resume is that they think that the military background was for a reason, and that's why you served. The military is not all about service, it's also about building relationships, and this can be difficult to do when you are working with your civilian peers.So, what you can do if you are a military person and applying for a job as a civilian? There are some tips that you should keep in mind. First of all, you want to make sure that your resume includes the things that are important to employers. If you are to stay in the military, then be sure to include this information.For example, many people use their military experience as an ass et when trying to get hired. Your military background might be able to help you find jobs, especially if you have certain skills that employers value. Employers want to hire people who are a good fit for the job, and military resumes will help you build this connection.If you are in the military and looking for a civilian job, you will probably be asked to write a military resume. There are plenty of places where you can learn how to write one. Some people prefer to use a professional resume writing service, while others use free online resume writing software. Either way, you will need to know how to word your resume properly.Military resumes are very specific, because there is a specific skill set that you have that employers are looking for. If you write a resume that has something in it that you don't, then you will run the risk of being passed over for a position that you actually want. Do your research on the kinds of jobs that military personnel are getting, so that you know what they are looking for.You want to make sure that you tailor your resume to meet the requirements of military requirements. If you are trying to get hired, you want to make sure that your resume is as accurate as possible. This is very important because it can lead to an employer making a decision that is in your favor.In summary, military resume writing for civilian is an excellent idea if you are looking for a job as a civilian. Not only do you get to take advantage of a greater demand for your skills, but you can also improve your chances of landing the job by writing the perfect resume.

Hooray, theres a crisis - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Hooray, theres a crisis - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog My new book is coming out on May 14 and I just got to see the front cover design for the first time: Unlike my first book which came out in English first and then Danish this one is coming out in Denmark first. The title means Hooray, theres a crisis use it as a springboard for more happiness, progress and profits at work. It sounds a LOT better in Danish :o) The theme of the book is happiness at work in a crisis (duh!). This is of course inspired by the current financial crisis but the book is directed at any workplace in trouble. The book has three central claims: 1: Most of what companies traditionally do in a crisis doesn?t work. The way many organizations typically handle crises is by cutting back on all expenses and doing mass layoffs. While this can be necessary, studies actually show companies who choose this approach recover more slowly. 2: It is possible to be happy at work even in a workplace in trouble. Of course it?s easier to be happy when everything is going swimmingly, but people can still be happy at work in a crisis. It takes determination and focus, but it can be done. Surprisingly, a crisis can make people happy at work, provided that it becomes a reason for people to focus and pull together rather than an excuse to give up. 3: Happy workplaces get out of a crisis faster. Especially in a crisis, an organization needs to get the best out of its people and when we?re happy at work we are more motivated, creative and productive. Ive got plenty of real-life stories and case stories of people and companies who refused to just give in to tough times and instead used them to create even more happiness. My favorite story from the book is the one about Xilinx, a computer chip company in Silicon Valley whose revenues fell to about half during the dotcom implosion. Their CEO Wim Roelandts refused to do what everyone else in the IT industry did (ie. mass layoffs) and instead found a more creative way that brought the organization out of the crisis stronger and faster than their competitors. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Great Business Ideas For Aspiring And Creative Freelancers

Great Business Ideas For Aspiring And Creative Freelancers If you’re a creative person then it can often feel as if there aren’t many job opportunities out there for you. But that’s not the case you just need to rethink your approach to your career. Freelancing can really open the door for you if you’re struggling to find work that allows you to utilize your skills. Here are some great business ideas for aspiring and creative freelancers. Blogging There’s a lot of money to be made in blogging. We mentioned this in another post, but it’s all about creating the right content or selling the right product. Any and every blog can be monetized. And if you love the idea of writing about your favorite topics or posting pictures of your travels then this could be the perfect business idea for you. This is definitely one of the most popular outlets for freelance writers, but you need to work hard to turn it into a profitable source of income. Building a following is the route to success. Not only will you stand a better chance of earning money from adverts if you increase your website traffic but you’ll also stand a better chance of getting noticed by the right people. Companies sponsor relevant blogs with big followings because it’s an opportunity to sell their products. If you’re a popular beauty blogger then you might be offered a sponsorship deal by a business that sells makeup, for example. The point is that there are many ways to earn money from blogging if you’re passionate about the idea of creating your own personal writing space. Crafting Another great business for aspiring and artistic freelancers is crafting. If you love to craft homemade things such as jewelry and vases then there’s a market that’s dying to buy your incredible creations. Thanks to the influx of crafting marketplaces such as Etsy and Bonanza, people selling their own handmade fashion pieces and quirky home decor can make a lot of money online. Perhaps you even love to craft (or want to craft) something a little more ambitious, such as furnishings. Of course, you might want to check out https://www.weldingoutfitter.com/collections/welding-jackets for welding jackets if your home business is going to involve woodwork and machinery. It’s important that you prioritize safety and professionalism if you’re creating a crafting business. You need to prove that your unique creations are more valuable than store-bought alternatives. If you can do that then you’ll make a lot of money from what is simply a creative outlet. Web developing As mentioned at https://theworkathomewife.com/72-ideas-for-freelance-jobs-from-home/, designing websites is a great option for freelancers. Not only is it one of the most profitable industries for freelancers in the modern age but it’s also a highly creative career to pursue. If you can code and design a professional website then you’ll also have clients knocking at your door to buy your services. There are always new individuals and businesses who need websites to be made for them. It’s a well-paid job that you can do from the comfort of your own home, and it gives you the opportunity to design some very creative (as long as you meet the requirements of the client).