Being creative on your resume can be a good thing. But beware of crossing the line between creative and crazy.
While the most common resume mishaps are typos and misspellings, some people venture to the weird and wacky. Career and recruitment experts weighed in on the most ridiculous things they've seen on resumes.
1. A plastic foot
"A candidate sent me a plastic foot, with the opening line of her cover letter stating that she wanted to get her 'foot in the door,'" says Brooks.
"Throughout the letter she added other foot references such as 'her shoe was the right fit.' It wasn't."
2. A vial of fake blood
On another occasion, Brooks received a resume that had a small plastic vial of red-colored liquid attached to it and a note saying the candidate would "sweat blood" for the job.
Creative? Yes. But probably not the best way to win over your prospective employer (unless it's Dracula).
3. Body measurements
Gene Gordon, a sourcing expert for recruiting company Decision Toolbox, says he once received the following information on a resume:
Height: 5'4"
Waist: 28"
Hips: 33"
Bust: 34"
Shirt Size: M
Pant Size: 5/6
Shoe Size: 8 1/2
Hair: Reddish black
Eyes: Earth Green
The physical statistics were in no way relevant to the job application, Gordon added.
4. A table of contents
A good rule of thumb is to keep your resume to only one page. Two pages is pushing it, and anything beyond that is far too long.
5. A chocolate croissant addiction
Just as weird statistics don't belong on your resume, neither do irrelevant interests. Marc Goldman, executive director of the career center at Yeshiva University, says he's seen people list interests such as "eating chocolate croissants" or "Settlers of Catan," the popular board game.
Goldman says people who include random interests on their resumes often do so with the hope of sparking a conversation over a mutual passion with an interviewer. Sometimes that works, but often it doesn't.
6. Knowing how to use a paper shredder
There are skills worth mentioning on a resume, and then there are those that will earn an eye roll from your recruiter.
Some highlights?: Understanding how to use Microsoft Word, the fax machine, and a paper shredder. These skill are not worth mentioning to say the least.
7. Proficiency in the English language
When you've got limited space to sell yourself, you don't want to waste it stating the obvious. Goldman says he once received a resume that listed "English" as one of the candidate's languages. Seeing as the resume was written in English, the clarification was not necessary.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Easy Ways to Prioritize Work Tasks
Put these into practice and you'll never wonder what to work on first again!
Tip #1: Be realistic
You'll never get everything done, so you may as well accept that now. Those tasks that are at the bottom of your To Do list aren't urgent or important enough to work on right now. It will be easier for you to focus on the important tasks once you realize that your time is limited and that you have to get realistic about what you can achieve in a day.
If something does become urgent or important, it will naturally rise to the top of the To Do list and you can deal with it then.
Tip #2: Use task management software
It's impossible to manage your To Do list effectively if it is split between sticky notes, a notebook, an online system and your diary. Pick one way of managing your tasks and keep to it. This will help you put tasks in order of importance and track progress so you'll always be able to see what your priorities are at any given moment, from wherever you are working.
Tip #3: Create a prioritization code
Find a way of categorizing project tasks that means something for you. That could be High, Medium and Low or giving them a number from one to three. You could use colors and mark the tasks red, yellow or green. Choose something visual that will work on screen and on paper. This will help wherever you are making notes as you'll be able to instantly tell what you should be working on first.
Remember, just because a task is marked on your list as Low priority now, it won't necessarily stay that way. Keep going back to your task list and reviewing the priorities that you have allocated to each item. You'll have to update your categorization as and when something becomes more urgent or important.
Tip #4: Delegate
What can you give other people to do? It might feel as if you have to keep a lot of the project tasks for yourself but there probably are other people on the team who could complete them just as well as you. Look at the workload of the whole team and think about who could take on a few extra tasks.
You could delegate the high priority work but you might feel better if you can keep control of that and delegate some of the work that you have categorized as of lower importance. It depends on how much you can count on your team members and whether you think they will be able to turn around urgent work quickly given their existing workload. However you decide to delegate, it will really help you as it frees up your time to do other priority work and makes you think about how you should be spending your time most effectively.
Tip #5: Ask your supervisor
Still not clear about where your priorities should be? You can always get a second opinion. Talk to your supervisor about what tasks he or she thinks are the most important for moving the project forward. Then focus your time and energy into completing those tasks. Just be sure to ‘sanity check' the tasks that your sponsor highlights as important—they may be essential to your sponsor but not urgent or important to the project overall, so you may have to adapt your priorities accordingly.
Tip #1: Be realistic
You'll never get everything done, so you may as well accept that now. Those tasks that are at the bottom of your To Do list aren't urgent or important enough to work on right now. It will be easier for you to focus on the important tasks once you realize that your time is limited and that you have to get realistic about what you can achieve in a day.
If something does become urgent or important, it will naturally rise to the top of the To Do list and you can deal with it then.
Tip #2: Use task management software
It's impossible to manage your To Do list effectively if it is split between sticky notes, a notebook, an online system and your diary. Pick one way of managing your tasks and keep to it. This will help you put tasks in order of importance and track progress so you'll always be able to see what your priorities are at any given moment, from wherever you are working.
Tip #3: Create a prioritization code
Find a way of categorizing project tasks that means something for you. That could be High, Medium and Low or giving them a number from one to three. You could use colors and mark the tasks red, yellow or green. Choose something visual that will work on screen and on paper. This will help wherever you are making notes as you'll be able to instantly tell what you should be working on first.
Remember, just because a task is marked on your list as Low priority now, it won't necessarily stay that way. Keep going back to your task list and reviewing the priorities that you have allocated to each item. You'll have to update your categorization as and when something becomes more urgent or important.
Tip #4: Delegate
What can you give other people to do? It might feel as if you have to keep a lot of the project tasks for yourself but there probably are other people on the team who could complete them just as well as you. Look at the workload of the whole team and think about who could take on a few extra tasks.
You could delegate the high priority work but you might feel better if you can keep control of that and delegate some of the work that you have categorized as of lower importance. It depends on how much you can count on your team members and whether you think they will be able to turn around urgent work quickly given their existing workload. However you decide to delegate, it will really help you as it frees up your time to do other priority work and makes you think about how you should be spending your time most effectively.
Tip #5: Ask your supervisor
Still not clear about where your priorities should be? You can always get a second opinion. Talk to your supervisor about what tasks he or she thinks are the most important for moving the project forward. Then focus your time and energy into completing those tasks. Just be sure to ‘sanity check' the tasks that your sponsor highlights as important—they may be essential to your sponsor but not urgent or important to the project overall, so you may have to adapt your priorities accordingly.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Top 5 most content places to live in the US - 2013
Most content No. 1: North Dakota
Well-Being Index score: 70.0
Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)
Pct. obese: 26.0 (24th lowest)
Median household income: $53,585 (19th highest)
Pct. with high school diploma: 91.7 (tied-5th highest)
Due in large part to profitable oil discoveries in the region, North Dakota's economy grew by more than 13 percent in 2012,and continues to grow well into 2014. The state's unemployment rate has also been very low in recent years, clocking in at 2.6 percent in December 2013 compared with 6.7 percent nationally. With such low unemployment, it's perhaps not surprising that economic confidence levels in the state were among the highest 10 in the country.
More than nine in 10 adults were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, one of several reasons the state's residents rated their work environment best in the nation. Supervisors in the state were more likely to treat their subordinates as partners than in any other state. With good wages and plenty of jobs, the vast majority of residents had enough money for adequate shelter, food and medicine. This growth continues
5- Montana
4- Minnesota
3- Nebraska
2- South Dakota
1- North Dakota
Well-Being Index score: 70.0
Life expectancy: 79.5 years (tied-18th highest)
Pct. obese: 26.0 (24th lowest)
Median household income: $53,585 (19th highest)
Pct. with high school diploma: 91.7 (tied-5th highest)
Due in large part to profitable oil discoveries in the region, North Dakota's economy grew by more than 13 percent in 2012,and continues to grow well into 2014. The state's unemployment rate has also been very low in recent years, clocking in at 2.6 percent in December 2013 compared with 6.7 percent nationally. With such low unemployment, it's perhaps not surprising that economic confidence levels in the state were among the highest 10 in the country.
More than nine in 10 adults were satisfied with their jobs in 2013, one of several reasons the state's residents rated their work environment best in the nation. Supervisors in the state were more likely to treat their subordinates as partners than in any other state. With good wages and plenty of jobs, the vast majority of residents had enough money for adequate shelter, food and medicine. This growth continues
5- Montana
4- Minnesota
3- Nebraska
2- South Dakota
1- North Dakota
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
5 common interview questions, and how to answer them.
An essential part of interview preparation is formulating answers to
specific questions. And there are some standard questions that frequently
come up during any interview. Here are five of the most common interview
questions, as well as what the employer is looking for in your response.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all
interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of
her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present
yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the
job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes
maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company,
including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers
are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly
investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check
current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview
to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively
straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and
identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths
that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your
suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just
one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to
demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a
weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what
benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer
ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you
can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience
will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are
currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to
focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your
predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new
employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible
to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking
for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred
candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that
you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may
also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the
company in five years' time.
specific questions. And there are some standard questions that frequently
come up during any interview. Here are five of the most common interview
questions, as well as what the employer is looking for in your response.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is the most predictable yet sometimes the most frustrating of all
interview questions. The interviewer has a copy of your résumé in front of
her so why ask the question? This is simply your opportunity to present
yourself in the best possible light.
For best results:
•Focus on three or four areas within your résumé that are relevant to the
job opening.
•Be concise. Limit your moment in the spotlight to two or three minutes
maximum.
•Show enthusiasm. Hiring managers love a genuinely interested candidate.
•Don't get personal. Focus solely on your professional achievements.
2. What do you know about the company?
A vital element to interview preparation is researching the company,
including its background, structure and current industry trends. Employers
are most impressed by candidates who have taken the time to thoroughly
investigate their brand. To stand out from the competition, always check
current press releases or company updates on the morning of your interview
to reiterate your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
This is another favorite from the lineup of interview questions and answers.
Responding to the strengths element of this question should be relatively
straightforward if you have thoroughly analyzed the job posting and
identified the key skills needed. By highlighting your personal strengths
that most closely match the company's needs, you are emphasizing your
suitability for the role. When it comes to weaknesses, restrict it to just
one. It's not a trick question; everyone has weaknesses. The key is to
demonstrate your willingness to work on improving them. Admitting to a
weakness also shows a level of self-awareness.
4. Why do you want to leave your current position?/Why do you want this job?
Most candidates typically respond to this question by outlining what
benefits they will gain from accepting a particular job. The employer
ideally wants to know not only what the company can do for you but what you
can do for the company. What aspects of your qualifications and experience
will add value to the organization if you are offered this job? If you are
currently employed but miserable in your present role, it is essential to
focus on the benefits of joining the employer, rather than how terrible your
predicament is. A negative attitude is one of the principal reasons that new
employees fail to succeed in a new job.
5. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
Unless you've been peering into your crystal ball recently, it's impossible
to give an accurate answer to this question. What the employer is looking
for is an indication of long-term commitment. If you are the preferred
candidate, will their investment pay off? Your response should imply that
you intend to stick around and grow your career with the company. You may
also want to turn the tables and ask the hiring manager where she sees the
company in five years' time.
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