Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Getting Your Dream Job

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

woman_laptop_beachWe all have our dream jobs we wish we could become involved with. Yes, it is a very common desire to want to work at a dream job. But, wanting to work a dream job and actually landing a dream job are two different things. That is why you need a clear methodology of getting your dream job. So, here is a brief rundown of some of the common strategies that could be employed in order to achieve your dreams and goals.

Much is written about the less than adequate means of getting a job. That is, many job hunting gurus will mention that sending errant cover letters and resumes to human resource departments, newspaper classified ads, and head hunting agencies is not a good idea. Actually, it is not a good idea to do these things exclusively. To completely ignore and avoid these venues in your job search adventure would not be a great move. That’s because it costs very little to apply and the reward could be a job interview. So, leave no proverbial stone unturned when looking for a job. The “classic” methods are not to be dismissed. However, there are other things you need to rely on as well.

While this is all good advice, there needs to be a more proactive approach to getting your dream job. Usually, this comes in the form of networking. That means you need to get out and meet people that can help further your employment goals. Of course, this begs the question where you can meet such people. There are many avenues one can explore to make professional contacts. Professional organizations, trade shows and expos and educational seminars are among the most common. Visiting these events and exchanging business cards can often yield solid networking connections and leads.

Please note: if you make a contact, it is important to remain professional in your follow up contacts. Namely, do not pester or harass people to help you meet your career goals. Such overly aggressive tactics sometimes backfire as they may drive people away as opposed to solidifying your network.

Of course, when you wish to pursue your dream job you need to put an enormous amount of effort into achieving such a goal. In the past, you would be limited by traditional business hours. Now, the internet presents many excellent opportunities for networking and researching 24 hours a day. There are message boards, chat rooms, social networking sites, and many other means of promoting yourself. This means you can massively present yourself to individuals in your field in a positive light. With enough diligent effort, you can eventually achieve your goals.

Is there a lot of work involved with getting your dream job? Yes, there is and it is all worth it. As the old saying goes, when you end up with the job you always wanted, you will never work another day in your life. Needless to say, that end result should be quite motivating for the pursuit of that elusive dream job.

How to Write a Good Resume: Tips for True Success

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

resume writingLearning how to write a good resume is not as difficult as you may initially believe. In fact, it is one of the best investments you can make in your goal to be hired by a quality company. The best resumes reflect well on you. It is important to realize that a resume is the first impression that individuals who potentially could hire you will have of you. Therefore, it is critical to make good decisions. Make sure every word of your resume displays the type of person you are, what you can offer to the company and your professionalism.

What Should Be Included

In a quality resume, there are several things you should include. Ensure your resume contains these all important five parts:

#1: It needs to have a clearly stated job objective. This should be a statement of what you want to do and who you wish to do it with. What level of responsibility do you expect to have?  This is a statement, no more than one to two sentences.

#2: Highlight each of your qualifications. What makes you right for this job? You need to show that you are qualified for the position being applied for, based on what that position requires. Secondly, you also need to show why you are especially talented, what you offer that someone else does not. This helps the company to see why you are a best fit for the job, over other applicants.

#3: Present your work history in a chronological format. You want to make a list of what employers you have worked for. It should include the dates started and ended working, the job title you had at the employer, the company’s name, city and state or the organization’s information if for a volunteer or not for profit organization.

#4: Present your relevant skills and experience. Determine which skills are important for those who will work in the position you are applying for. Then, determine when you have used those experiences in the past. More so, you need to communicate in this section of your resume how you have used these all important skills, developed them, and/or why you have them.

#5: Education and training should also be put onto your resume. This is a clear way for your potential employer to know what you have to offer. You should include the schools you have attended including any specialized training you may have had. List degrees, honors, the dates you attended and the school’s name and city and state. In addition, be sure to list any field learning you have done, any certificates or other important credentials you have.

When it comes to how to write a good resume, these facts are the must have. You need to have the best resume to dazzle those who will hire you. Here are a few more tips and strategies to have the best possible resume.

*Do use standard letter size paper, and do invest in a bit higher quality. Always use ivory or white paper only.

*Do have a list of references ready to go when asked for. This is almost always to be included with your resume, especially in a highly competitive field.

*Do rewrite your resume for the company you are applying for. It takes more work but it can give you the best chance at getting a job that you really want.

*Keep your wording short, concise and on target. Paragraphs should be short and to the point. It is essential to do this as people will not read drawn out material.

*Use proper American English. Use a standard typeset for your font.

*Be sure there are no errors!

Doing these things can help you to have the best resume to give your perspective employers. It is best to invest time in the resume writing process as it can help you to land that perfect job. Learning how to write a good resume does take practice. Ask yourself one question: “do my listed qualifications show that I am the best fit for this job?”