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Archive for the ‘Online Career Space’ Category

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Practical Resume Tips

Thursday, August 5th, 2010
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Practical Resume Tips

Practical Resume Tips

Today we are going to write about a pleasant experience we had not long ago when we could help out one of our readers.

MyOnlineCareerSpace.com was contacted by an avid job seeker who was not sure how to format his resume and if it in fact was up to scratch. As we’ve written before, having a resume that stands out from the bunch is extremely important. Yet there is a delicate balance to be struck with standing out and still remaining professional.

This was exactly the problem our reader was having so he asked us to have a look. We made a few notes and remarks along the way which we would like to share with you today.

The first problem we ran into was the most serious: we could not open the file he sent us. It was in a file format so obsolete by today’s standards that even a Google search returned mixed results about how to open it or what to do with it. So even if we wanted to, we could not open it. This is something that recruiters will never do. If they can’t open your resume, you won’t get the position. It’s as simple as that.

Luckily this can easily be avoided by always sending resumes in file formats that are considered standards: .doc files are usually accepted as are .pdfs. Some prefer PDF files for their ability to preserve formatting exactly as intended. An excellent article on this matter can be found here.

After we received a file we could actually open, we gave our reader this advice:

1) The formatting of the resume was off. Our reader was an IT professional and as such employers have higher expectations as far as the formatting of the resume goes. It is considered an indication of the job seekers level of professionalism and should not be taken lightly. The formatting has to be constant and easily recognizable for the reader.

2) We recommended a stronger specialization statement. At http://www.ItsNotYouItsYourResume.com there is a free specialization workbook that will help you to clarify this statement and we recommend that you work through this ebook as the opening section of your resume is the most read portion of the resume and it needs to SCREAM what you do and who you do it for. Remember, more resumes have a limited amount of time to make an impression: typically between 20-30 seconds and this objective/specialization statement is key.

3) We advised, especially considering his target position, that you have a professional website that speaks to your specific talents. More and more, employers and recruiters are going online to find their ideal candidates and they are doing more than just checking resumes to find their ideal candidates, rather, they are doing Google searches for your name.
You should take control of that online persona and create a website that you can put on your cover letter and resume that employers and recruiters can click on to find out more about you: your special talents, testimonials and references and what you bring to the table.

Be sure to look for us on your favorite networks:
Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values!

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic]

Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic

How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts

How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts

Video Resume – May Work Wonders, But Not for Everybody

Video Resume – May Work Wonders, But Not for Everybody

How to Develop All Star Job References

How to Develop All Star Job References

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Posted in Career, Job Search, Online Career Space, Personal Branding | 3 Comments »

How to grab the readers attention with your resume

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
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Recuiters and Employers are inundated with resumes - make yours stand out

Recuiters and Employers are inundated with resumes - make yours stand out

When starting off with a resume, the thing to keep in mind is that resumes are read from top to bottom. And when recruiters are looking through a stack of resumes, they always scan the top of the page when looking for someone.

So although it is a good idea to play around with your resume a little bit, to make it stand out of the Microsoft template bunch, always, ALWAYS start with your name and contact information: address, e-mail, phone number. Although some people claim that in this day and age when everything is online and e-mail is most commonly used to contact people, that addresses have become obsolete on the resume. We say that if you are not short on space, just keep it there. No harm in that, but some recruiters might be put off by not seeing your address on your resume.

The most important ‘real estate’ of the resume is at the top of the resume. The first quarter of the resume is what most reviewers will read and it is the best place for you to make an impression. Don’t blow it! Here are a few tips for you to consider:

  • Put your name at the top of the resume along with your contact information so the reviewer can easily get in touch with you.  If your resume is emailed, the file name should be your full name separated with underscores.  (EX. John P. Smith should be john_p_smith)
  • Have your specialization statement near the top of your resume and then use the remaining space of your resume to substantiate your claims.
  • If you have some summary bullets of the information in your job history to support that claim, like the number of years of experience or a claim of projects completed or money earned, then include those in quick hitting bullets under the specialization statement.

Everything else should come next. This kind of a resume is called a combination resume, because you list your skills and achievements that are applicable to the position you are applying for, first. Like in  a functional resume. And then you add your work history, education and so on, like in a chronological resume. So in a combination resume, you get the benefits of both: you  can point out your strong sides to the recruiter first and they can check and make sure you don’t have any gaps in your resume or anything else that might raise any flags later.

Be sure to look for us on your favorite networks:
Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values!

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

Check out these hot articles!

This makes us laugh… every time we see it

This makes us laugh… every time we see it

The First Step to a Job You Love

The First Step to a Job You Love

Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job

Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job

Beef up your email signature

Beef up your email signature

Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview

Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview

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Posted in Career, Job Search, Online Career Space, Resumes | 2 Comments »

The 10 Commandments Of Job Search (Slides & Text)

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
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We did a presentation a few months back called the ‘job search commandments.’ We uploaded it on SlideShare and since then every week we get one email from the Slideshare teams saying it’s hot on some platform. We think it’s about time we shared it here too. As of now the slideshow has received more than 18,000 views, 30+ embeds and 50 favorites. We are sure you will find these job search commandments helpful. We have included both the slideshow and the text version. If you would like to add to the commandments feel free to do so through your comments.

The 10 Commandments Of Job Search

And here is the text version.

1. Get Over The Fact That You Are Jobless

There is a saying you’ve heard, that you say and apply quite often – don’t cry over spilled milk. Job loss can be quite a blow to one’s esteem and financial situation but pondering day in and out isn’t going to help either. Get yourself recharged and head out in full gear for the next lucky employer who will think you are a steal.

2. Connect and Interact, Online and Offline

Business cards and handshakes are much needed but tweets and linkedin connections can’t be ignored. The job search landscape has changed with emerging social media platforms. Utilize them. Interaction offline is critical, but in this day and age it’s not sufficient. Reach out to others, both online and offline.

3. Worship Your Search For a Job

And you better be loyal. Job search in itself is a job and whether you like it or not someone has to do it. Unfortunately, this might be you. If you are searching for job think of it as a job itself. Dedicate yourself towards the goal of finding a job. Make it a religion until you can land a job and once you get the job you want, switch your religion to the job itself rather than the job search. keep worshiping.

4. Always Diversify Your Job Search

Everyone wants everybody specialized in a particular field, no doubt about that. But a handyman who can fix plumbing and then nail the shingles on my roof always gets my business over the plumber. Diversify your job search. Don’t always rely on what you know, but think of how that reliance can help you apply your skills towards other things.

5. Ignore The Job Data

Numbers. Usually higher the number the better but not in this case. If you recently lost your job you tend to see more people who recently lost theirs as well. This does nothing but causes depression. I am sure it has happened to you, you buy a new car and all of a sudden you see the same model all over the road. Exactly. It has always been there, you just didn’t notice. Ignore the fact that your friend, uncle, aunt and even mother in law is unemployed. It’s about you.

6. Lose The Negative Attitude

Do you find yourself buried under negative feelings? Well, get over it. Negative attitude gives birth to negative outcomes. Positive outcomes are the results of positive attitude. It propels you to do better. It pushes you further. Think positive. You might not have found a job today but what’s the guarantee tomorrow will be the same as today? There isn’t. Think positive.

7. Plan a Schedule, Stick With It

I have said it before that you should think of job search as a job itself. When I was out hunting for jobs, I had a calendar marked with what I was going to do on a particular day. As weird and crazy that might sound, it really helps to organize your job search schedule. Anything on a piece of paper (google calendar or whatever) is much better to follow than to simply pull it off of your mind. Create a schedule, a mind map and go with it. it will help you focus and execute much better.

8. Online and Offline Resume

I have heard a few people say that there will be a time when there won’t be a need for a resume. All I have to say to them is – you’re wrong! When it comes to employment, there is only one thing that can give a peak into the potential candidate’s skills and experience. Create a resume, dust it off every once in a while. Make sure your resume doesn’t just stay in paper and ink form. Use networking sites such as LinkedIn where you can use your profile as an online resume. Resume will exist, forever. The only thing I can’t guarantee is the paper and ink form. Get on the web and build one out as soon as possible if you haven’t already.

9. Brush On Your Skills

Think of a pipe that hasn’t had water flowing through it for couple years. You turn it on and all you can see is rust coming out. That’s you if you don’t brush your skills. Let’s be honest here, sometimes luck does have a big play in our job search. If for some reason you don’t get a job when you expected you would, there is a high probability that you might lose a few golden touches that you had in your field. Keep them brushed. Shine them every once in a while. Your skill is what sells you, can’t let it rust. No way!..

10. I Can Do It

Yes you can! ;-) Be confident.

Be sure to look for us on your favorite networks:
Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values!

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic]

Higher Learning Leads to Higher Earnings, Especially for Men [InfoGraphic

How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts

How to Ace the Interview BEFORE it Starts

Video Resume – May Work Wonders, But Not for Everybody

Video Resume – May Work Wonders, But Not for Everybody

How to Develop All Star Job References

How to Develop All Star Job References

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Posted in Career, Job Search, Online Career Space | 4 Comments »

During the Interview, Frame Your Responses

Thursday, July 15th, 2010
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Provide a context for your interview responses

Provide a context for your interview responses

Give your interviewer the chance to meet the real you.

When answering questions, be aware the employer is looking not only for the content of your answers but also for the subtext beneath them, the part that reveals who you are and how you respond to different situations.

Once you understand this, you can control how you are perceived by crafting your answers appropriately.

Consider the following six example questions now:

1.    Problem Solving
Describe a situation in which you used good judgment to solve a problem quickly.
2.    Leadership
Explain steps you’ve taken to get cooperation from others who disagreed with your ideas.
3.    Motivation
Describe a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to get the job done well.
4.    Communication
Explain steps you’ve taken to successfully communicate with an individual who did not like you (or vice versa).
5.    Interpersonal Skills
Describe a situation where you had to defend an unpopular decision to your team and how you handled it.
6.    Planning and Organization
How do you prioritize your day? Do you address interruptions or focus on the task at hand no matter what?
Answering these six questions is an excellent way to get prepared for your next interview and get comfortable with the types of skills employers look for during an interview.

Be sure to practice this response as it may not be in your ‘normal’ conversational pattern.

Be sure to look for us on your favorite networks:
Visit Our Bookstore for Great Values!

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

101 Tips Every Job Seeker Should Know

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

The Ultimate Online Job Seekers eBook

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Interview Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

10 Biggest Resume Mistakes

Check out these hot articles!

This makes us laugh… every time we see it

This makes us laugh… every time we see it

The First Step to a Job You Love

The First Step to a Job You Love

Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job

Palestinian Traffic Cop Loves His Job

Beef up your email signature

Beef up your email signature

Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview

Questions every job seeker should be prepared for BEFORE the interview

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Posted in Career, Interview, Job Search, Online Career Space | 2 Comments »

Beef up your email signature

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
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Check your email signature

Check your email signature and online presence.

You’re on the hunt for your dream job, you’re making progress, and you’re doing most of it on the Internet…

…But are you taking advantage of your e-mail signature?

If you’re looking for a new job, chances are you’re sending lots of emails – to prospective employers, recruiters, contacts, and acquaintances – and every email you send is a golden opportunity to get yourself noticed.

In addition to providing basic information like your full name, title, and contact information, your email signature is the perfect place to distinguish yourself among the pack of jobseekers and promote your unique attributes.

-          Do you have a slogan or tagline that expresses your value to an employer? Make one up.

-          Do you have a professional website or online resume and portfolio?  Be sure to include the link.

Here is a good example of what your email signature might look like:

John Q. Public
Senior Marketing Manager
“Linking Real Results with Cost-Cutting Marketing Strategies for Upstart Companies”
johnqpublic@xxxx.net
415-555-5079
www.MyOnlineCareerSpace.com/johnqpublic

The goal here is to make it ridiculously easy for people to learn about you. Often, making this simple change to how you conduct your online job search will boost the # of responses you receive, so don’t be shy…

Use your email signature to sell yourself and you’ll be happy you did!

This is just one of the 100’s of tips, techniques and how-to’s in a new eBook called “The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook”. For more about the job search and career development process, including mistakes to avoid on resumes, the most important interview questions, appropriate interview attire and creating your online presence head over to the store and get The Ultimate Online Job Search eBook today!

Related articles:

First Impressions Are Important

Simple Steps to Quality References

On Unprepared References, Lies

Five Tips on How to Ask For More Salary


Resume Zapper

The internet, being an extremely popular source, makes competition for getting that job highly competitive. Get started with your My Online Career Space and let that prospective employer know you are the primary candidate for them. With your own personalized career space you will rise above the rest of the job seekers on the internet.

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Posted in Blog, Job Search, Online Career Space, Social Media | 2 Comments »

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