Why Your CV is Boring and Ineffective!

Why Your CV is Boring and Ineffective! After reading the book of Seth Godin, Purple Cow… Several ideas and thoughts came to my mind. In this book, Seth Godin explains that companies need to be remarkable to be successful nowadays… beforehand companies could create boring products and put a lot of ads on TV, and that was pretty much it. And it was working well! Information overload: Now the audience is more demanding, has less time and the number of choice is bigger…so you need to be remarkable to get noticed. You need to create a purple cow (because all the “normal” cows are white, black or brown but not purple…) to be remarkable. You also need to be focused on a niche and not selling everything to everyone. You need to focus your money and work on a small niche of sneezers or early adopters who will spread the word. CV overload: A CV is a 2D document made of a boring listing of duties and responsibilities. As a recruiter, I have seen hundreds of CVs, I can tell you, they are all the same. And those that are noticed are not noticed for the right reasons (fantasy font, colors, funny pictures). And even if we need to follow certain rules, people forget that CVs are here to show skills and demonstrate them i.e. prove your skills. They put a job description of their current job on their CV instead of putting figures or quoting some successful case studies. The good old days: But back in the days, you just needed to send a CV and it was working well… I do remember my father telling me he just sent a written CV by mail and got 2 interviews the following week (in the 70s). The number of educated people using CVs was quite low, the word to mouth technique was widespread. So the CV was a very efficient tool. The cut-throat situation of today: Now it does not work so much. The number of people with degrees and strong educational background has exploded over the past decade, and everybody uses a CV whether you are a banker or a plumber. The consequence of that is that recruiters are inundated with CVs. Every time a recruiter posts a job ad, he receives hundreds of CVs from all over the world. So he has less time to scout every CV and your possibilities of standing out are quite reduced. Please don’t give them a reason to delete your CV: When I was recruiting, the button I was using more than anything on my keyboard was “delete”! So the CV is no longer an efficient tool, it is quite boring to read. It is a “normal” cow, you won’t be remarkable just using a CV. The key is focus: The other lesson from this book is that you need to focus when elaborating your CV. You can’t only put everything you have done and hope for the best… You need to be specific and find a niche or a market to stand out. If you put generic things without giving any life to your CV it will be even worse. If you want your CV to look less ineffective and boring, you need to put some life on your CV ie figures, your trademark, your speciality, for example I specialized in coaching European Executives. But please give some life to your CV, and obviously always respecting the basic rules. And you need to know who is going to be your target to customise your CV accordingly. Just one word for the CV: focus, focus, focus! Author: Laurent Brouat RELATED: 5 Reasons Your CV Doesnt Get You Noticed.

Strategies For Writing A Winning Federal Resume

Strategies For Writing A Winning Federal ResumeStrategies for writing a winning federal resume can help you in the hiring process. They will show that you are serious about your career and the experience you have gathered. Knowing how to create a winning resume is an important skill, because it is the first thing an employer will see when he or she begins to screen resumes.Your resume should show the employer that you know what you are doing and you have the qualifications they are looking for. While there are many ways to do this, it can sometimes be difficult to create a winning resume. There are many things to consider, such as space, font size, color, font style, and graphics. But with a few of these tips in mind, you can create a resume that looks professional, and that tells the employer just enough information for them to make a good decision.Be sure to take advantage of all the space available on your resume. Keep all information in as much space as possible, but don't overcr owd the page. Also keep everything looking clear and organized. Don't have too many different sections or sub-categories.Font is important, especially in resumes. Choose a font that will stand out and is easy to read at any size. Avoid using too much font, and don't choose too little, since you don't want it to be hard to read. Always choose a font size that can be adjusted to fit any screen resolution.Select an appropriate title for each section of your resume. You can include your title under your name, under the category you want, or in the body of your resume. Be sure to use at least two titles, to keep it simple and to help you remember it.Style is an important factor in resumes, but is also one of the most overlooked things. It can help to highlight what you have accomplished in your career. Remember that most employers will use their own guidelines when deciding which resumes are to be considered. Be sure to follow the guidelines.Color is the color of professionalism, and it makes you top of the line. Be sure to use only one to three colors, and to use solid colors, instead of patterns or shades. Avoid using graphics or pictures that are not professional looking.Strategies for writing a winning federal resume can help you create a successful resume that will get you the position you are after. Make sure to be professional looking, and show the employer that you are confident, knowledgeable, and your resume will show just that.

Feeling Like a Fraud How to Overcome Your Impostor Syndrome

Feeling Like a Fraud How to Overcome Your Impostor Syndrome Do you ever get that niggling feeling that youre going to be exposed as a complete fraud in the job you do? Are you a  normal person in relatively normal job who has an impending sense of doom that youre going to be exposed for the fraud  you  really are? Whether you feel like  youre not qualified enough, good enough or winging your way through life: its time to change your thinking. If youre a spy, or an undercover detective however, you can resume business as normal, this articles not for you. 1) Case study yourself Whenever youre feeling extra fraudulent, take a look back into the case study of your career. Remind yourself of your successes and experiences. You actually know what youre talking about, believe it or not! It can even be useful to keep a physical file of these things collect peoples comments, emails and testimonials. This way, youll never forget how good you actually are. If you need reminders, go ahead and ask people around you what they think. 2) Dont compare your insides to other peoples outsides Comparing yourself to others is where impostor syndrome begins! Its most definitely easier said than done, but if youre able to avoid comparing yourself to others youll feel much better for it. TOP TIP: Stop reading the biographies of successful people. Nobody Knows What Theyre Doing http://t.co/yKxONgaAqy. Dont compare your insides to other peoples outsides! pic.twitter.com/AAHMUxTOSt Lili Millar (@lili_millar) February 17, 2015 3) Perfection aint real Constantly striving for perfection is both tiring and a strain on your mental health. Perfection doesnt exist youre chasing something youll never catch. Instead, work on improving parts of you that already exist. Focus on the value you bring already. 4) Talk it out If you feel like a genuine fraudster why not out yourself to your colleagues and friends and let them know how you feel. Talking about situations at work (and life in general!) often makes them easier to figure out than if you were to handle them alone. A problem shared is a problem halved. 5) Forget the fear of looking foolish Sometimes, the fear of looking foolish can stop you  from taking the actions you need to reach an end goal. Its a ridiculous and irrational fear to have, but its one that we all share at some point in our lives. When youre worried about doing something because youre nervous youll look foolish, its important to recognise this feeling and work on it. If you can recognise your irrational thoughts its easier to handle them. I have written 11 books, but each time I think, Uh-oh, theyre going to find [me] out now,'- Maya Angelou. 6) Own it Sometimes, when you practice something for so long it can work its way into your daily life. Something that is pretty useful to be fraudulent about is your confidence. If you enter a situation and pretend your confident, its going to come across well, and in the end, youll be a little more confident than you were before. Do this multiple times and youll actually find your confidence levels improving. 7) Learn, learn, learn Impostor syndrome is sometimes a product of low confidence in your work. Keep on top of your game by diving in to as many learning experiences as you can. Attend conferences, sign up to evening courses or simply read a new book. This will keep you on the ball! Everyone feels the effects of impostor syndrome at one point or another in their life. The trick is to recognise and work on overcoming it.  Do you have any tips on overcoming impostor syndrome? Let us know in the comments below. Main image credit: Shutterstock

Phlebotomist Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co

Phlebotomist Cover Letter Sample - Algrim.co Phlebotomist Cover Letter Template Download our cover letter template in Word format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Related Hiring Resources Phlebotomist Job Description Sample

Word Document Resume Templates

Word Document Resume TemplatesWord document resume templates are an ideal tool for any job seeker to use when preparing a CV or resume. A CV or resume can prove extremely useful in securing the job that you want and in creating a resume that is worthwhile. The following are a few things to think about when using the word document templates that are available on the market today.A recent market survey showed that word document templates were found to be one of the most used documents on the internet today. The reason for this is that most of us have received them as a part of some training course or other. After a few uses they have become a part of the job market and have already started to appear in resume templates. If you do not use word document templates you will find it more difficult to make use of them.A Word document template can take on many different shapes and forms. It is therefore important to choose the right template to suit your needs. For example, many of the people who have received them are using them to fill in their CVs for the first time. Therefore, it is essential to choose a template that will appeal to people who are just learning how to write a CV or resume. One of the reasons why CV or resume templates are so successful is that they tend to be more suited to students than to those who have been on the job market for some time.As with all other forms of writing, when you get to know how to use a word document template you will find that there are many variations that you can take on. Some will be designed to be used for different levels of education, while others can be used for professionals in different fields. For example, if you are applying for a job as a carer, you will be looking for a template that is designed to be used by those who are aged carers. The need for this is because carers cannot rely on the CV or resume that they write to carry much weight when applying for jobs, which is why a template is so important.Word docum ent templates are usually very flexible in the way in which they are formatted. However, you will find that they have a number of limitations. For example, while they will be flexible they will still restrict you from doing certain things. So when choosing a template, the best way to go about it is to learn how to use it before you go off and start creating your CV or resume. Once you have learnt how to write CV or resume using the template, you can then use it to create a CV or resume for other fields.Word document templates are also very good for beginners when it comes to spelling and grammar. You will find that most of the templates that are designed are English friendly. This means that there are not going to be many letters or words that are difficult to read. Therefore, you should find that the chances of someone not understanding what you are trying to say are lessened. It is also likely that this will be less expensive when compared to having an English speaking translator to do the job for you.If you are a student, Word document templates are likely to be at the top of your list of possible tools to use. This is because these are very easy to use and are very professional looking. They are also going to be much easier to use than resumes that are designed by professional writers.Word document templates are probably the most common forms of resume or CV and cover letter templates that are used today. It is therefore wise to use a template for the first time when applying for a job. You should be able to make use of this document and create a CV or resume that can impress the people who will be reviewing your application.

5 Transformative Executive Job Search FAQs - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

5 Transformative Executive Job Search FAQs

Whos Hiring Recent College Grads Vol 2 - CareerAlley

Whos Hiring Recent College Grads Vol 2 - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Education is what remains when one has forgotten everything he learned in school. Albert Einstein You graduated when? Its September and you dont have a job yet? Have you heard these words lately (like from your parents)? Okay, so it is September and youve been looking for a job (just like the 10s of thousands of other job seekers out there) but you just havent found your thing yet. Maybe played a few video games while searching on the web for your job, but you have been mostly job hunting. So, what next? So unless you are thinking about starting a leaf raking service for the Fall, it is time to refocus your job search. September is actually a good time to find a job. Everyone has finished their vacations (potential hiring managers that is), kids are back in school (less distractions) and the rush is on to fill those job openings that are out there before the year ends. The best place to start when you refocus your job search is the basics, which of course starts with your resume and works through everything that is included in the Job Search Marketing Toolkit. Resumes Resources: Recent College Graduate Resume This list of links, from one of my favorite college career sites www.collegegrad.com, provides a number of different resources to help you in writing or updating your resume. The links provide examples, templates and advice on references. This is the best place to start if you are reviewing or writing your resume. Recent College Graduates: Ignore Your Parents Resume Tips A good article, provided by University Language Services, provides information to ensure your resume is up to current standards and does not reflect something that would have been good 20 years ago. The article is comprehensive and is filled with related links (including links on the right hand side of the page. Recruiting Job Search: Gradgrad.com This site focuses on recruiting for college grads. It appears to work like most job search sites sign up (add your resume), employers search for you and then, according to the site add you to their list. You can do a job search by several different criteria. Collegecentral.com This site offers quite a few options. You can click on student central which focuses on entry level jobs, alumni central which focuses jobs for recent grads and Career Services Central which allows you to connect with mentors. The site also has a job search kit, which provides resources on resumes, cover letters and interviews. There are also a very wide range of articles on the first page. Aftercollege.com Aftercollege offers searches for internships and entry level jobs. You can register or just search. You can search by job categories and there are a number of job tools on the main page. This site also has endorsements which are similar to recommendations on LinkedIn, which allows professors, managers or anyone you want to put in the good word for you. EntryLevelComputerJobs.com As the name of this site implies, it is a job search engine that focuses on entry level Tech jobs. You can post your resume, search for jobs and peruse the information the IT Resources page. The home page is divided into the main Tech job categories for easy search. Honorrollonline.com In addition to providing a newsletter, a blog and career advice, this site matches employers with college students and graduates. In order to enroll in their program, your school must have signed up to participate (you can check to see which schools are included). They also have a link to Student Union which is an online community and resource. NACElink.com This is an alliance between NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), employers and a number of other associations. Clicking on the Student link takes you to a page that has links to the NACElink Network (job search and career center), Jobweb (employer profiles and job search articles), Jobchoice (career development and job search guide) and Playing Fair (rights and responsibilities as a job searcher). JobWeb This site offers career and job-search advice for new college graduates. The main page has a section for job search (for college students and alumni), research employers (some are listed on the page with a link for additional searches), Market yourself (sounds like good advice), Job Market (top 10 majors in demand) as well as some additional links. Career Advice: Ten Careers that Pay More Than $50k the First Year While money isnt everything, unless you are opting for volunteer work, it is an important consideration. Yahoo! Education provides a list of the top paying careers (starting salary) with links to additional information. Collegegraduatejobsearch.com This site provides a broad range of articles, advice and links to help Entry Level and College Grads in their search. eRecruiting.com As per their website banner, eRecruiting is the Nations Largest Network of Students, Employers and Universities. You start by selecting the state in which you school is located, followed by the school name. It looks like you first need to get an id from your school (there are instructions on the screen). There is also a link for Employers to post their jobs. Ask your college career office for additional information. CollegeRecruiter As per the sites banner Featuring hundreds of thousands of internships for college students and entry level jobs for recent graduates. You can post your profile by clicking MyCollegeRecruiter and follow the links for registering. From the main page you can search for jobs or follow the links for internships (a pretty amazing list) or click on entry level jobs (another amazing list). Good luck in your search.

Update! - Career Advice Blog for Millennials

Update! - Career Advice Blog for Millennials Next up: I do! Todays the day! Today, the love of my life and my best friend becomes my husband. After seven wonderful years together, we are tying the knot! So, why I am telling you this when Punched Clocks is *clearly* not a personal or a wedding blog? Well, getting married is the most exciting thing Ive ever done. But its also a lot of work. So after months of planning and pushing out content, Im taking a  little break from writing to enjoy my time as a newlywed! Ill be away on my honeymoon taking  some much needed time to relax, which means posts may be sparse for the next couple of weeks. But dont worry, Ill be right back at it when I return in mid-May. In the meantime, here are a few photos of our beautiful engagement! Where it all happened! The Arboretum at Penn State. July 11, 2015. Announcement! Are you really engaged if you dont announce it to the world via social media? No. No, youre not. Luckily, we have a beautiful Boxer, Bella, to help us with that! Just a few  of my favorite engagement photos, courtesy of the wonderful Casey Albright. First comes love then comes a home And a dog. The newest addition to our family: Sadie, a Boston Terrier puppy we rescued through NEBTR. *Resisting the urge to fill this entire post with pictures of our girls* Of course, I also need my girls. A few from my bridal luncheon and shower. Next up: I do!