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Contact the Resume Lady for a Resume or cover letter. see ad on this page.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Use Career Builder to Make An Online Resume Visible Without Personal Information

Career Builder is one of the premiere online job resources. However, its difficult to make your resume visible with personal information. Having an online resume is great, but when you want to put it on the Internet there are times when you don't want your personal information visible for whatever reason. There are ways to put your resume online without making your personal information visible. Find out how.

http://bizcovering.com/employment/make-your-online-resume-searchable-with-no-personal-info-for-career-builder/


Saturday, December 24, 2011

Top Five Jobs for 2012

Making plans for job searching for 2012? If you are, knowing the top jobs for the upcoming year is nice to piece of information to have in your back pocket. Knowing how to look it not enough. Knowing where to look may make the difference.

This is a wonderful piece of content that gives you the scoop on the top five jobs for 2012.

http://www.infobarrel.com/Top_Five_Jobs_for_2012


 

Friday, December 23, 2011

No one knew!


Contribution by Kennith Griffin
Who would have guessed when I was just a teenager I’d start a business that would see me all the way through to my adulthood? I started mowing lawns like everyone does when I was only about 16 but it didn’t take long for that to really catch on. By the time I was 19 I had my very own lawn maintenance company and I had dozens of clients. I’m successfully running a 250k a year business now and I only have my own hard work to thank for it! Well, I could thank my wife Joanne, too, for doing things like researching small business xo and dealing with the permits we needed to keep this thing going but you know, at the end of the day I know it was my determination that made this whole business possible. I love working for myself and making all the decisions on my own and there’s nothing else I would rather do than this. I think it’s just satisfying working with your hands and knowing your customers.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Chronological Resume or Functional Resume

Trying to decide which is best, chronological or functional resume? Both are great according to a number of experts. Though, there are times when one is better than the other.

This is a terrific article concerning using functional and chronological resumes.

http://www.infobarrel.com/Why_a_Chronological_Resume_is_Better_than_a_Functional_Resume

csd.uwa.edu.au for pic

Top 10 Jobs in the Healthcare Field for the Next 10 years


The healthcarefield has been around for hundreds of years and seems as if it will continue to grow and be a large part of the economy and workforce for the next 10 years. If this happens to be a field where you are currently employed or are considering furthering your education in, you will probably be making a great investment for your future earning power.

These are the top 10 best healthcare field related careers for 2010-2020.



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Top Reasons Why You Did Not Get the Job

http://www.infobarrel.com/Top_Five_Reasons_You_May_Not_Get_the_Job_

Numerous articles published around the web discuss how to get the job, interview for the job and  complete resumes. That includes our own Resume Lady. However, I decided to publish an article on why people do not get the job. This happens to be one where we bypass not qualified and other obvious reasons. You will be surprised to find the top five reasons why people did not get the job aren't related to being unqualified.

This is a terrific article that relates to not getting the job, check it out.

pic is courtesy of answers.yourdictionary.com

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Search for a Job in London


Searching for a job here in America is slightly different than looking for jobs elsewhere around the world. For an example, there are some Americans that may be moving from this country to another and would like to have a job ready and waiting when they arrive. This is a post that gives you information about finding a jobin London.

London is a beautiful city that is extremely attractive for a lot of Americans for a number of reasons. They speak English; they have a lot of Americans that work, live and visit there as well as great salaries that are compatible with American salaries for the same or similar jobs.

Finding ways to search for jobs, apply for them and what you can expect to find during your job search can be found with this article

Monday, December 19, 2011

Jobs in the Aerospace Engineering Field


The aerospace industry has seen a lot of high paying jobs over the years. This has been a field that has been extremely small on positions, but huge on earnings. With the NASA program seeing a cut in costs and money being spent by the federal government,  seeing where the aerospace careers will be over the next several years will be more than interesting.

There are new careers that will be developed just like several other industries. However, in this particular field there will be innovations and changes faster than other fields. Knowing what to expect and what to look for in the future of the aerospace community is important and exciting.

Find out what the top hot careers are for the aerospace engineering industry here;




Sunday, December 18, 2011

the Top 10 Best Hot Careers for the Next Ten Years


At this time it happens to be a great idea to find out what is hot and what is not going forward in the job market. There are some folks that are retraining for careers, going back to school or even find they are laid off or let go from their current jobs right now and looking ahead is a great idea.

Finding the hottest jobs in the marketplace can help you plan ahead. You can develop skills and education that will help you make a success of your career for the next ten or more years if you know what the job market will bear and what it will be searching for in a worker.

This is a great article that provides you with the Top 10 Best Hot Careers for 2010-2020.


Saturday, December 17, 2011

Things that Should Never be Said During Your Job Interview


During a job interview you can get nervous or tongue tied. There are time when you may stumble or even stutter. No matter how many times you practice or prepare there may be some moments that seem awkward or stilted. However, above all things there are some things that are taboo and should never be said during a job interview.

Take a look at a great list of some of the things that should never be said during a jobinterview at this link



Friday, December 16, 2011

Follow Up for the Job Interview


The follow up for any job interview is extremely important. Did you know that the follow up for an interview may be even more important than the interview itself? An HR person may not remember all of the interviews they have performed, but they will remember a wonderful interview follow up.
This is an article that outlines the necessary information you will need to make the post interview follow up that you perform one of your best and the best the HR person has seen to guarantee a second interview or at least the position you desire.

Great interviews are wonderful, but a great post interview follow up is extraordinary. The competition is tough and you need to be tougher.


This is a wonderful article for the post interview follow up for your interview.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Where to Find Jobs for Veterans for the Next Five Years


Jobs for the veterans of our country are extremely important. These are brave men and women that have made a difference for all of us with their actions since our country started. Where do you find jobs for veterans now that the war is over?

Now that the war America has been engaged in for the last ten years is coming to a close, many of these brave men and women are coming home. Our veterans coming home need to find a new place to earn their paychecks and the current economy is tight to say the least. A high unemployment number and sluggish economy means veterans searching for jobs will need to know where to look that gives the best outcome.

These are the places for veterans to go when looking for their next paycheck besides the Armed Forces. When veterans are looking for jobs this is where you can find the top 10 High Paying jobs for the next five years.


pic from hubpages.com

Highest Demand and Highest Paid Jobs for the Next 10 Years


The highest salaries for those people working in America may surprise you in some circumstances because the highest demand jobs are not the highest paying. This is an outline of the highest demand jobs and the highest paying jobs in our country for the next 10 years.

Read about the highest demand and the highest paying jobs for 2010-2020 with this article.



A Video Resume guest post from Anne Juniper



Are you considering doing a video resume? These are a great way to make your point in the electronic world while searching for employment.
A video resume isn’t extremely different from other types of resume content you send online with the exception of using the video to talk for you. If you aren’t shy about putting your picture where your words are, the video resume may be for you.
This is a short post because a video resume is actually self-explanatory. You will create a resume in the same format as a paper resume, but make a video to demonstrate your skills, why you should be hired for the open position and other elements of the basic resume.
This is a video resume developed by a demonstrator of the video resume format. Take a peek and see if this is something that may work for you in the electronic world of sending a resume. 


Job Search Email Account-quick note


Quick note-this is just an FYI or quick note

Job Search Email Accounts

When you are searching for a job in this day and age you need to perform a lot of your legwork electronically. It’s important to take a professional approach to your job hunt and a great way to begin is setting up an email account specifically for job searching. Job search email accounts will keep your professional emails separated from your personal emails.  

Create a free email account
There are a number of free web based email accounts, such as Yahoo and Google that you can use. You can check your email account from any internet connected computer so using web mail is a wonderful way to remain on top of your job search efforts. Test your email account before starting your job search labors.

Create a professional sounding email address
When you generate a job search email account an important aspect is making certain you have a professional sounding email address. Generally these are set up with your first name and last name or first initial and last name.

Use these email account for job searching, sending resumes, applying for jobs and networking or contacting employers. Check this email account frequently so you can respond immediately for job opportunities.

Avoid using your work or current employer email account for job searching. Don’t send resumes or cover letters from work email accounts or during working hours.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Write a Job Interview Thank You Letter


It is extremely important to say thank you after your job interview. Whenever possible, send your thank you letter for the job interview within 24 hours of your interview. If you are not able to email your thank you letter, send it snail mail. Get your thank you sent to your interviewer as soon as possible. Make yourself memorable.

If you have had more than one interview, a second interview or even third, say thanks after each one. Prospective employees that say thank you are remembered.

For those that were interviewed by more than one person, you can send one a job interview thank you letter or email to each interviewer. It is okay to combine them into one thank you letter after your interview. If you are not certain of the exact names of the people involved with the interview process, ask the person that scheduled the interview for you.

Some employers may thank less of interviewees that don’t write a thank you letter for the interview.

Include your name, address and contact information with your thank you letter. The body of the thank you letter should be kept simple and focused. Single space your letter and leave a space between each paragraph. Keep your letter professional, this includes the font. Select a font size of 10 or 12 and use Arial, Times New Roman or Verdana.

The first paragraph addresses the hiring manager and simply thanks him for the interview. Your second paragraph should include why you are a strong candidate for the position. Don’t forget to include your specific skills related to the job you interviewed for.

If you forgot to mention anything during the interview, this is the platform to do so. Include things such as something you may have wanted to explain in detail more during the interview, but didn’t get a chance to discuss or ran out of time.

Close your job interview thank you letter with repeating your appreciation for being considered for the open position and acknowledge you are looking forward to hear from the hiring manager soon.

Close with best regards and your signature. Handwritten letters should have a handwritten signature followed by a typed signature.

Companies that are making a decision about an open position should be contacted immediately. Bypass mailing a letter and send an email instead.

Send a job interview thank you letter for every interview you have. Whether you have one or twenty this month, you don’t know which hiring manager may think your letter makes the difference in hiring you or someone else. 



Saturday, December 10, 2011

Hunt for a Job in December


Searching for a job during the holidays can be done. Many people want to take the holidays off are believe the myth that no one is hiring during the month of December. Stop believing the myths and search for your next spot in the workforce during the month of December. This could be the one.
These are several job search myths

No one is hiring during the holidays

This is a myth not to be believed. There are employers that hire during the holidays. Several industries, outside of retail, are hiring during the holidays. Even if you want to work a temp job, don’t be discouraged.

Budgets for the year are exhausted

This is not true. In fact, many industries are finding extra money come the end of the year. They may have left overs that need to be spent. These surplus dollars may be spent on you if you are searching for a job in December.

Nothing is happening during the holidays in the job market

These are usually the busiest weeks of the year for many markets. Companies are getting ready for the upcoming year and need the extra help to get ready. They are starting to hire for the New Year, before the New Year.

Take off job searching for the holidays

Don’t take off for the holidays. This is usually when people are in a better mood, especially for hiring managers. Take advantage of that good mood and hunt for a job in December.

These are several great tips for job hunting during the holidays;

·         Send the hiring manager a Christmas card and enclose your business card for open positions

·         Network at holiday parties. This is a small world and you don’t know who may be at your brother in laws holiday get together. Network

·         Network at family functions. Another small world that you don’t know who may be at your sister in laws holiday party either. Take advantage and go where invited.

These are several great ways to hunt for a job during December. Don’t take the holidays off when searching for a job. You never know what Santa may bring you.


related posts you may enjoy 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Success with a Phone Interview

Phone interviews are becoming more prevalent in our current work environment. Some phone interviews are a weeding out process to determine which candidates will receive the face to face interview. Numerous phone interviews are how employees are actually hired. Find out how you can get past the phone interview and get hired. Read this extraordinary article.

http://www.infobarrel.com/Success_with_a_Phone_Interview

pic is courtesy of jobinterviews.attorneyfountainhills.com

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Checking the Status of an Application


After writing a killer resume and submitting it to a prospective employer you want to check the status of your application. This is usually best if you haven’t heard anything back in a reasonable amount of time. Whether you are expect ting a call, email or letter, hearing back after you submit an application or resume can be nerve wrecking. How should you check on the status of an application?

In today’s job market hearing back from an employer can vary. There are so many applicants for so few open opportunities that a reasonable amount of time can certainly vary from where it was several years ago. When you submit your application online, drop it off or even mail it in.

Online postings
If you responded to a job opening via an online posting, confirm if the post is still online as an open job. This is a great way to determine if you are expecting a response too soon.  If the post is still online, applications or resumes may still be accepted for the open position. If application or resumes are still being accepted the employer may not have made a decision yet. This means that you may not hear back anytime fairly soon.  If the job is no longer online or posted, chances are that applications or resumes are no longer being accepted and you should hear something fairly soon. This is a great way to gage not only where the employer is in the application process, but when you can expect to hear something concerning the job.

Other types of applications
If you have submitted your application or resume through other avenues, two weeks is a reasonable amount of time to wait for a response. Many jobs will advise a time frame for receiving applications so expect to count two weeks from the ending date of when the employer is accepting resumes and apps.      
  
What to discuss when you contact the employer
After a couple of weeks have passed contact the employer either by phone or email. This is a common script to follow to utilize as a guide for asking the status of the job and your application;
Hello, my name is____________
I recently applied to _____________for the open position of______________ with your company. I submitted my application/resume on _________________ and would like to find out the status of my application for the open position.
When you provide your name, give your full name as submitted with your application. Use the title of the position as outlined with the open position posted by the employer.

Things you should know
·         The employer will more than likely let you know where they are at in the hiring process.
·         it is always best to contact the employer the same way you submitted your app. If you submitted electronically, contact the employer electronically, by email.

·         Attach your original docs when sending your electronic inquiry
·         Let the employer know you care about the position and the importance of it and you are not applying to every open app online
These are important points to follow if you would like to know the status of your application or resume submission of an open job opportunity.


Sunday, November 13, 2011

Writing a Terrific Resume during Tough Economic Times


These are hard times for everyone searching for a job. A terrific resume is a must in this economy. Many employers receive hundreds of inquiries for a job via a resume and having one that can stand out that catches an employer’s eye can get you in for the next step in your job search, an interview. A terrific resume is an essential component in these tough economic times.

For anyone that searching for a job a awesome resume is the starting point to search for a job. If you already have a resume, even if it is several years old you can build upon the original foundation to create your resume during tough economic times.

This is a wonderful article that outlines getting your resume prepared and having a super resume during tough economic times.


pic is courtesy of hubpages.com

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Using a Hiring Kiosk



A hiring or job kiosk permits an applicant to complete an online application while in a store or office instead of a paper application while you are in a store or office.  When an application is completed with the kiosk the manager responsible for hiring has immediate access to the information. Some kiosks are even used for process benefits. Many employers as well as applicants find kiosks extremely convenient.

Employers like kiosks because of the amount of money they save. They help to reduce costs that companies see associated with hiring that includes posting online jobs or in the newspaper. Additionally, the amount of time spent with seeing hiring managers spending time with prospective employees. Hiring kiosks are a quick and easy way for many applicants to get an application submitted for a company. This is especially true when you don’t have the time to wait to speak with a hiring manager or don’t want to come in and wait to speak with a hiring manager on a certain day of the week between specified time periods. The drawbacks for the hiring kiosks are basically the same for applicants as well as employers, no face to face contact with an employment prospect. There are some things that cannot be relayed on a piece of paper that are missed when using a hiring kiosk.

When you complete an application at a hiring kiosk it works best if you bring along a copy of your resume with all of your information detailed. You won’t leave a copy of your resume when you complete the information at the kiosk. However, you won’t miss anything that you may need for your application at the kiosk if you have a copy of your resume available.

The numbers of companies that are using hiring kiosks continues to grow. Many retailers and fast food restaurants are the majority of companies that use hiring kiosk. Though, the number of other types of employers that are utilizing hiring or job kiosk continues to grow each month according to Kronos which is the leading company responsible for building hiring kiosks. 

pic is courtesy of kronos

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Creating on Online Resume

Creating an online resume can be done with minimal effort. Companies are becoming more web saavy and requesting a resume in a digital format. These are great ways to see that happening in your own home with little or no fees paid out.

This content provides great information for the pros and cons of creating your online resume.


Create-an-Online-Resume-with-Ease

pic is courtesy of hubpages

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Reasons Not To Share Your Job Interview


Getting a call back and finding out you made the cut and got a job interview is a terrific feeling. Countless people feel so good they want to shout it from the mountain tops. However, this may not be a great thing. If you are thinking of doing it, think again. Discussing your job interview with everyone you know may not be such a wonderful thing after all. There are reasons not to share your job interview you may not have considered.

Discussing your job interview is not a great move for a variety of reasons. Only discuss a job interview after you have been offered whatever position you applied for and you have accepted the job opportunity.

Being discreet about your job interview is a great idea for a number of reasons for nearly all job hunters;

Stay away from social media

Social media has become where everyone can find out everything about anybody at any time. There appears to be no boundaries and everyone has all of their business, personal and professional, spread virally. Privacy is a word not associated with the world of social media.

Social networking sites are not a place to share your job interview information at any time. After you post information on the web at social media sites you cannot verify who may be reading or accessing this information. Many people that use social networks post content for the world to see and the world contains coworkers and bosses. They may receive the information first hand or even second hand. Anyone can read the material and communicate with your boss or coworker.

Don’t visit with coworkers about your job interview

Coworkers are the competition for job interviews, believe it or not. They may be excited to know all the details of your internal interview, but did you know their sister is also a candidate for the same position? There are some things that you may not know that coworkers may be in the loop with. A coworker that you may not know well, but shows unusual excitement about your interview for a job may be seeking content and material to pass on to another source that could hurt your opportunity for your new job.

The job market is tough at this time

The current job market is more than a little tough. There are approximately 10 people seeking every one open job opportunity. These are 10 unemployed people not counting those that are under employed and would like to earn more money and benefits and each opening is eyed with envy.

Keeping information hush is paramount at this time. Don’t allow them to have a heads up for questions that may be asked so they can be more prepared with better answers and get that job right out from under you. If you want your new position part of the work is keeping things close to the vest. Easier said than done, but in the long run you will benefit from playing the part of cool.

related content you will enjoy



job-interview-techniques.com for pic

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Getting a Job in our Current Recession

Times are hard is a nice way of saying we are in a real muck right now. Resumes are a wonderful way to get noticed. However, after you get your foot in the door you need to seal the deal and get the job. This is a wonderful article on how to get a job in our current recession.

Getting a job in our current recession is an extremely difficult job within itself.

/How-To-Get-a-Job-in-this-Recession


pic is courtesy of hubpages

Monday, October 24, 2011

Our Company



Guest post from: Constance Rodgers
My brothers and I decided to start a car repair shop a few years back and it’s been a lot of fun. We’re all really good at mechanics stuff but none of us know a lick about running a business and things like marketing or small business xo or talking to accountants, so it’s been a real learning process. We’ve gotten a lot of really loyal customers over the years and business is actually “booming,” I guess you could say, but there’s nothing like doming into work and knowing it’s your company, your business with your name on the door. It’s hard sometimes like when we all want to go on vacation together and we can’t because someone has to stay back and run the shop but you know, at the end of the day we all get to work together and that’s enough to make me happy. There’s something to be said for spending all your time with family and that’s what I’ve made out of my life. It’s not a bad gig if you ask me!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Six Words You Should Never Use In Your Resume


Writing your resume is one of the most important jobs you will ever have. Make sure the words you use convey what you want them to. There are some bad words you can use in your life that are not four letter words, but could cost you a job. Make certain you use the right words for your resume. These are six words you should never use for your resume.

Hiring managers will review a resume and notice certain words that will put your resume in the “don’t call” pile. How do you turn the right words out for your resume? Turn wrong words into the right ones.

Responsible for
Don’t use the words responsible for on your resume. No one is responsible for something when it comes to your job. You are should detail how many, how long, who, what or when. Don’t list a vague list of responsibilities. Detail information and use quantitative terms.

Employers enjoy numerical facts, provide them and make your resume stand out. Provide facts.

Wrong use-responsible for writing user guides on deadline
Correct use-wrote six user guides for 15,000 users for two weeks before deadline

Experienced
Detail what your experience details. Saying you are experienced at something and providing factual information or facts on that experience can make or break your resume. Never use on your resume.

Wrong use-experience programming in PHP
Correct use-programmed an online shopping cart for a Fortune 500 company in PHP
Employers want to know exactly what your experience, skills and qualifications are.

Excellent written and communication skills
This phrase is too vague to be of any use for a resume. Although this is a phrase, but it still qualifies under the six words you shouldn’t be using on your resume.

Wrong use-I have excellent written and communication skills
Correct use-wrote online help document which reduced our customer support and customer wait time by 3 minutes in one month

If you have excellent written and communication skills, provide details that demonstrate that. Have you written email campaigns or company manuals? If so, provide that information.

Team player
Are you applying for work with the NBA? If not, we need to get hard facts on how you are a team player.
Wrong use-team player working well with others
Correct use-worked with clients and internal drivers, developers, writers and pit crew on several major projects each year

Detail what teams you played on as a team player

Detail oriented
This is two words, but they still mean one thing---bad use of words of a resume. Provide details for detail oriented. Display your skills

Wrong use-detail oriented public relations professional
Correct use-wrote custom press release triggers for 13 subcontractors with the company

Share your detail orientation and management professional skills with the prospective employer

Successful
Successes should be listed on your resume. Show what your successes are or where.

Wrong use-successfully sold the service
Correct use-increased the sales of our overseas product by 25% in less than 12 months

Don’t be shy to strut your stuff when it comes to success. Sing your own praises
These are the six words (or phrases) that you don’t want to use on your resume. Remember to market yourself and allow your sun to shine to remove you from the herd. Get your foot in the door with the right words for your resume.


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Writing a Killer Resume


How do you get your resume past the reject pile and on the top of the interview or hire pile? There are things you can do to a resume to make certain that you get past the resume stage and into the job. The best thing you can do for a resume is writing about things a hiring manager will care about.

These are 10 things you can do to make a killer resume

1.       Make your resume about something other than you. Your resume is about how you fit into the job or position, not about you. Always organize your skills and experience. Focus on a job title and address the employers needs
2.       Your resume must sell you to the employer in a matter of seconds. An employer needs to review your resume and know you are not like everyone else in a matter of seconds. At a glance you need to show what you bring to the table.
3.       Your resume is a marketing tool to sell you for the job, keep it professional. Don’t add personal information that convolutes what your job skills and experience are. Keep your resume professional and sell yourself for the position
4.       Your resume should focus on the future not the past. Don’t become an historian. Make your resume show your future with the company. Be careful how you word information included.
5.       Highlight skills you enjoy. This is something many would be applicants leave out. If you have skills matching the position that you enjoy, you can find these easy to write about with flourish. Add this to your resume.
6.       Don’t make a resume a confessional. You never have to tell it all. Many people that have been in the workplace for 20 years want to tell it all. A 20 page resume will not get a second glance. Be careful how you work it. No one wants to know about your 8 kids, believe it or not.
7.       Perfection for grammar and spelling will sell a resume. Edit and correct. Make certain you don’t let a misspelled word allow you to miss out on a job.
8.       Make a clean layout for your resume. Make it easy to read. Keep it short and simple.
9.       List important facts first. The hiring manager won’t read through 300 words to find out how the story ends. List important facts first.
10.   Stick to what is important, marketable and relevant. Don’t allow your resume to tell how you bowl on Wednesday nights and do PTA at your child’s school, they don’t want to know.
These are things you can do to make your resume a killer resume and make it stand out from the rest. Get your interview by making your resume all that it can be.

pic is courtesy of swakfox.com

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Guest Blog from Nancy Karidan- Startups Shouldn’t Hire People with Graduate Degrees


Graduate school can make many people have a difficult time translating their strengths into a strong workplace performance, especially startups. Graduate degrees and startups are usually not a recipe for success for several reasons.

Almost everyone that went to grad school did it to actually prolong adolescence or getting into the workplace for serious employment. This particular analysis was produced from writers at the Chronicle for Higher Education. The grad school model is really outdated for today’s workforce. High performers will generally identify this before they enroll in grad school. Those that are afraid of holding their own in the workforce see grad school as a way to delay the inevitable difficulties in finding a job that you can enjoy or could realize as a place to lay down roots and stay for an extended length of time.

These are several reasons why a startup is not the ideal setting for grad school degree candidates;

Humanities are for people afraid of the responsibilities that come with being an adult.
Numerous grad school students will attend and major in degrees such as English. One example was a student that majored in English and admitted she went because she couldn’t figure out what she was qualified to do. The kicker is she wasn’t qualified to do any job before attending grad school, but grad school didn’t prepare her to do any job either. She had the same qualifications before attending as well as after graduation.

Humanities PhDs suck up a lot of time and money with little in way of returns. Many students will defend attending grad school by admitting how much they love the topic. However, if you love your topic you can certainly enjoy it after work. Open a book and read it on your own. Save the money and the time and don’t invest in Humanities for grad school thinking it will certainly open every other door for a job and security. Even before the economic crisis you had a better chance of surviving the Titanic than getting a job as any type of Humanities professor.

Business School is for those people that lack ideas as well as initiative
Business school graduates should all be asked “if you are a business grad school student, why did you dump $100,000 into a degree when you could have dumped it into your own company or business venture?”
If business school grads really would like to work for a startup company, wouldn’t they have launched their own? Money wasn’t the barrier because the invested tons of money in their education at grad school. Did they lack something else? If so, grad school didn’t provide it.

Many believe business school grads are lacking in ideas and creativity. In some cases they do have ideas, but doesn’t have the confidence or believe enough in their own ideas to give them a shot. This is someone that shouldn’t be involved with your startup.

Law school is a place for people who lack creativity and will likely fail in the average or normal workplace
This is an enormous generalization when it comes to describing those that have followed the law to earn a living. There is evidence to support this generalization.

Most attorneys or lawyers hate being an attorney. There are several myths about being an attorney, but it boils down to be accepted for law school you need to perform great with reading, writing, and regurgitating back to professors information they want or need and great at taking tests and the stress involved.

Basically law school will select people that are rule followers and like being told what to do. This makes it very difficult to apply your strengths and skills at a startup. Unless the startup is totally surrounding the legal profession or you are working as legal counsel, this is not the place for you.

People that have multiple degrees are generally a pain in the butt
Why would anyone get two degrees? It’s like being a triple major as an undergrad. If you have two degrees you certainly enjoy school and more than likely you enjoy school more than the workforce.

There is no good reason to have a triple major unless you are insecure in your identity and trying to impress. In a world where it is certainly clear that an undergraduate education does not teach you anything about your major anything. Remember that nearly 70% of all college graduates don’t work in their field or major. That says a lot about the importance of a triple major or multiple degrees.

The best hire is someone that is ready to face the world and workplace head on without the “benefit” of graduate school. A prospective employee that has taken the time to develop social skills and test their own ideas along with taking risks that may seem scary, but are certainly necessary for growth.

Startups and grad school degrees just don’t happen to be a good fit. If you have the time and patience to pursue a graduate school degree, more power to you. However, if you find one of these three prospective employees sitting across from you at the interview table, don’t hesitate to advise them that a better fit could be had elsewhere.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Research Suggests It’s Better to Be Confident than Right

Resume Lady is a blog with posts centered around working and getting a job. However, every once and a while I will present a post that is touching on the fringes of our niche. This is an interesting little tidbit concerning confidence. Confidence is outlined with several posts featured on interviewing, building resumes and other work related material and should not be diminished in it's importance.


This happens to be scientific proof of what confidence can actually provide to a person.



For those of you that are “know-it-alls” a recent study has revealed that it’s better to be confident than right. Therefore, if you go through life with an inflated sensibility of being correct all of the time may actually benefit more than their peers that actually are right or correct all of the time. A study out of University Edinburgh and the University of California in San Diego has recently published these findings.

The scientist at these universities reviewed the effect of overconfidence in people of different generations. Evolutionary biologists have historically known that humans have a tendency to be over confident, but failed to know how this information could be useful. Men will exhibit more false confidence than women, presumably (in evolutionary provisions) because it will supposedly help them find a mate. However, some scientists believe it also is useful for establishing a pecking order or who is the alpha in the male relationship scenario. Overall the new research does establish that overconfidence will help in a variety of different settings.

Researchers work was based upon mathematical models that predicted how well overconfident, under confident and realistic people performed in different circumstances and situations. They reviewed the prospects of two people battling over a prize which could be anything from money to an attractive mate. Situations were modeled after two opponents on diverse levels of confidence and differing abilities to tell how formidable the opponent was.

The results have been published in the journal Nature and reveal overconfidence was more often the best strategy to win the prize whether or not the person was right. An interview was provided to the National Geographic  by study author Dominic Johnson, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh. Dominic Johnson stated that as long as an uncertainty existed for the outcome of the prize or resource which was valuable compared to the costs incurred or fighting for, the best strategy was overconfidence with one exception. The exception to delivering overconfidence as the best strategy was when the conflict or competition was high and all for a fairly worthy prize, caution is better than overconfidence as a strategy.

The study also provided another insight that many people will appear overconfident when they don’t feel very confident at all. This was especially true the more difficult the situation or circumstances. In other words these individuals are bluffing. Though in general the study did discover the old saying “fortune favors the bold”.
Overconfident people should also be more willing to approach the opposite sex to find a mate because they are likely to succeed with mating and had more children than their shyer or more insecure counterparts.

pic is courtesy of the wing girl method

Friday, September 30, 2011

Why Your College Major Doesn’t Matter Anymore for Employment


There are some careers where a college major does matter. For example, if you happen to be in the field of accounting you will need your CPA or other major to land a job. However, most employers advise that they don’t care much about a college major when they are looking for the candidate to fill the position.

There are other things employers may value more in the current economy and industries. Corporations may have an interest in the classes you took and why, but you may find yourself working in an industry totally unrelated to the major you spent years studying in order to get a degree.

Experience

Experience is what virtually every employer has an interest in when reviewing a resume or interviewing an applicant. This is one of the most valuable things a candidate can offer. Whether you gained your experience from another job or internships, experience is a plus.

You can list experience you achieved through internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities or part time jobs. What matters most is you have experience or professional skills for the industry you want to be part of or are applying for.

Skills

Skills are hand and hand with experience. These are tools you possess that are either inborn or learned. They will help you complete the job with little investment from the employer. For example, the performance displayed on a simple coding project will matter more to an employer than what you college diploma says to them. You may have majored in dance, but your skills as a computer coding expert through your experience with a summer internship makes you more attractive than someone else that may have majored in computer science, but bring nothing to the table as far as experience.

Passion
Passion is an enthusiasm for the work that cannot be taught or learned at college. It is something that is reflected in your work and will usually show an employer an employee that will perform at the highest level possible if hired for a position.

A passion for a field or industry can typically be reflected or conveyed during an interview process and spotted and identified regardless of what your college major says.

A college degree cannot be discounted for employment opportunities or getting your foot in the door. However, what your college major was isn’t as important as these others things listed. Employers want the best of the best and the cream of the crop. Our current economy makes it necessary for you to display yourself as such to acquire the position you want.

Almost 9 out of 10 people in the work force are in a field or industry that they didn’t go to college for. This may be due to the fact that our economy necessitates many people take positions that may not necessarily want, but need. It can also say that experience, skills and passion are more important than what your diploma makes you out to be.

pic is courtesy of bostinovation.com


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Monday, September 26, 2011

Get a Job during a Recession


Getting a job in our current economy can be a struggle to say the least. America’s current state of affairs includes a very high unemployment rate that has an average of 20 people applying for one position. There are some communities that have documented hundreds of people applying for one position. Job hunting is difficult at this time, but not impossible. There are some things you can do as a current job seeker during a recession to better your chances of getting your job.

1.    You need to be better than the next guy

This means that you want to be better, faster and smarter than anyone else that is seeking the same position that you are.
·         This includes updating your resume and making certain everything is current.
·         You want to make 4 calls a day to network contacts instead of 4 call a week
·         Attend  networking event for your niche
·         Follow up immediately after you meet someone or learn of an opportunity you are interested in. return phone calls as quickly as possible, send a thank you email after you interview and fax your resume as soon as you learn of a prospect.

2.    Find new strategies if your current ones are working

It can be very easy to get into a rut and get discouraged while hunting for a job over a long period of time. Things change and so should you. If current tactics are not producing the results you would like or hope to see, try something new.

Getting a job in a bad economy will require you to cast a wider net and be more ingenious than ever. Find new or different keywords when searching online. Consider moving to another type of employment platform; find new websites to search for employment. All of these changes will help you build a new approach to locating work opportunities and prospects.

3.    Try and find new ways to make a little income while you look for the big one

If you are able to make a small amount of income while you search for the job you want or need it can help with the stress surrounding job searching. Stress can make your state of mind not the best it can or should be while job hunting and hurt you.

Freelancing are great ways to make extra income and many people have found that this leads to a new career. This doesn’t work for everyone, but if you have ever considered entrepreneurship now may be the time to jump into it.

4.    Consider moving to a different location

Depending upon where you are located you may need to move in order to find the job you need or want. A different city or town may offer you more in the way of opportunities for your field or expertise.  Moving is not for everyone. However, if you are able to move to find employment consider it carefully. Review the area you are considering through research and resources at hand before you make this enormous decision.

These are tips and techniques to utilize during a recession to find employment opportunities.

pic is courtesy of distinctiveweb.com

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