3 Signs it’s Time to Ask For a Raise.

August 23rd, 2010 by Kira

We all want them. We all need them. The question is when is it the right time to ask for one?

Here are three signs it’s time to ask for a raise.

First – you’re getting more and more work. Your boss is entrusting you with bigger projects that have a higher stake and you are pulling them off and getting great results.  On the other hand, more work on the lower scale doesn’t constitute as a time to ask for a raise.

Second – you’ve upped your playing field. You are over delivering, packing a punch, and bring more value to your employer. You’ve had some significant wins by either bringing in a big amount of business, reducing costs in a serious way, or some other great success.  Note: be sure that your employer sees this as a success as well.

Third – your opinion matters and is making a difference. The management team is noticing the good work you are doing and they come ask for your opinion on something. Not only do they ask, but they implement it and it works.  If you are being included in company changes, now may be the perfect time to ask for a raise.

Remember, the key to asking for a raise is to always showcase your value!

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How to Write a Cover Letter

August 3rd, 2010 by Kira

Writing a cover letter can often feel like a daunting task for the job seeker, yet it can be one of the best ways to get your resume some first class attention.

A cover letter is not meant for you to rehash your skills and qualification that are already listed on your resume. In fact, a cover letter is an opportunity for you to share more about who you are, why you are different, and what makes you a perfect candidate for the position.

Most individuals make the mistake of just re-telling what is already on their resume – instead see this as your thirty second commercial for your future employer.

If you walked into a room and only had one minute to tell your employer why you are different, what’s so great about you, and why they should at least call you in for an interview – what would you say?

Well then – say it.

I like to think that you can be “boldly appropriate.”  This means be bold but do so without moving into too much grey area.  Be yourself – show your personality.  Accentuate your assets! Ask for the interview. Put yourself out there.

Lastly, customize your cover letter. A cover letter just needs as much attention as your resume. Customize it to fit the company and their needs. A standard cover letter is only going to produce standard results.

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Job Search Tips – 10 Time Savings Tips to Speed Up Your Job Search

July 22nd, 2010 by Kira

(This was a great posting on About.com by Alison Doyle).

Is your job search off to a slow start or getting stuck? Here are some quick time-saving job search tips that will help your hunt for a new job go smoothly.

Be Prepared. Have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system in place and sign-up for a professional sounding email address. Put your cell phone number on your resume so you can follow up in a timely manner. This job search toolkit will help you get everything you need set for your job search.

Be More Than Prepared. Always have an up-to-date resume ready to send – even if you are not currently looking for work. You never know when an opportunity that is too good to pass up might come along.

Don’t Wait. If you are laid-off, file for unemployment benefits right away. You may be able to file online or by phone. Waiting could delay your benefits check.

Get Help. Utilize free or inexpensive services that provide career counseling and job search assistance such as college career offices, state Department of Labor offices or your local public library.

Create Your Own Templates. Have copies of your resume and cover letter ready to edit. That way you can change the content to match the requirements of the job you’re applying for, but, the contact information and your opening and closing paragraphs won’t need to be changed.

Use Job Search Engines. Search the job search engines. Use the job search engine sites to search the major job banks, company sites, associations, and other sites with job postings for you.

Jobs by Email. Let the jobs come to you. Use job search agents to sign up and receive job listings by email. All the major job sites have search agents and some web sites specialize in sending announcements.

Time Savers. Strapped for time? Consider getting help writing or editing your resume. Resume posting services that post your resume to multiple job sites at once can save hours of data entry.

References Ready. Have a list of three references including name, job title, company, phone number and email address ready to give to interviewers.

Use Your Network. Be cognizant of the fact that many, if not most, job openings aren’t advertised. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for work. Ask if they can help.

This tip isn’t a time saver, but, it will broaden your online job search resources.

Don’t Stop. Don’t limit your job searching to the top sites like Monster, CareerBuilder and HotJobs. Check the smaller niche sites that focus on a particular geographic location or career field and you will find plenty of job listings.

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What’s Really in a Resume?

July 5th, 2010 by Kira

When putting together a resume we often remember the basics such as job history, dates of employment, objective, or qualifications summary. But is this really what employers are looking for?

Typically individuals have no problem rehashing their work history, the tasks they completed, and their daily operations; however, what is this really saying about you, the applicant?

Sometimes we forget that these skills can be taught and while a company may write “requirements” that specify all of these things are indeed needed for the job, what they are really looking for is value.

What do you bring to the table that is unique, different, outstanding and will inherently increase the company’s overall worth, culture, or sales?

Take a good look at your resume and see if your resume alludes to your personal value or if it simply retells the tasks that you are skilled in.  Companies want to know “what can you do for us?”

Here are some examples:

“Increased productivity by 5% through uncovering and implementing new systems adopted by internal departments in less than six months”

“Tripled sales revenue at both 90 and 120 days of new product launch, currently averaging an increase of  5% in sales goals every month.”

“Trained and facilitated team members in new procedures that lead to lower turnover and increased morale”

You can see the difference besides just rattling off your skill set  and rehasing your role, instead tell your future employer what it is you’ll REALLY be doing for them!

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How to Answer that Tough Interview Question “Tell Me About Yourself”

June 28th, 2010 by Kira

 One of the most frequently asked questions in an interview is “tell me about yourself.”  This is often the dreaded question by the interviewee – concerned about what the interviewer really wants to know, and how much should one really tell?

 Here are a few tips on answering that question while still gaining ground in your interview.

 First, remember you are still in an interview and while inserting something about your personal life is appropriate here it is not required, nor should it be the primary focus. The question is simply asked to get to know your personality better, your likes, dislikes, strengths, challenges, and weaknesses. 

 If you answered the question by saying in my personal life I don’t do much, but watch a lot of TV and hang out with my friends – well, I’m not so sure it would look that great.  That’s totally okay if you do, but remember the place and the setting of your answer!

Tell the interviewer something they can work with – I love to travel, most recently I went to X. I have the work hard, play hard mentality. Or perhaps you could say that you enjoy being spontaneous and creative, the last trip you took you simply went to the airport and chose a city to travel to.

This question gives you an opportunity to focus on your strengths and talents while utilizing personal examples or professional ones.

You can also answer this question by saying what you like in professional settings. For example, you could say I really thrive in a team environment; I like working with others, and having the ability to brainstorm and feed off each other. I’ve always been a team player. I played sports growing up and a team environment reminds me of that camaraderie.  

Think about some of your strengths and talents and see how you can turn those into a story to answer this question.

Some people get caught up when asked what are your top 3 strengths or challenges and rattle off a few things, but this question and the stories and illustrations you can use here can either support that or discount it.

Finally, just be yourself. This question also gives the interviewer a chance to connect with you on a personal level. Interviewee: I want to Xyz College Interviewer: I went there too, or my wife, or my niece, etc – you get the picture!

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A year from now you’ll wish you had started today!

June 8th, 2010 by Kira

“A year from now you’ll wish you had started today!”

This quote was sent to me a few days ago by one of the many email subscriptions I receive on a daily basis…. I couldn’t help but think about how profound this quote was and since it is still on my mind today, and I know it will be tomorrow, I thought I would share it.

I am certain this quote has a different meaning for each person who reads it. I don’t need to create a list of possibilities because by now you have started your own.  What this quote does, is serve as reminder that every day we have choices to make.  Some of these choices acted upon or not, will impact our future quite significantly.  Others, that are quite minor, we could take or leave and the end result or lack thereof will have little to no impact on us.

So what is it that if you started today would have a significant impact on your life or the life of others?  What have you been putting off by saying, “there is always tomorrow, or I will get to that someday?”

Sometimes procrastinating on a project or an action we should be taking actually carries with it a greater burden then completing the actual task itself.  The figurative bricks start piling up and the weight soon becomes overwhelming ultimately forcing change or action.  Wouldn’t it feel better to be in control of what you want to do rather than be controlled by what you are not doing?

Take a moment and decide what is it that you could be doing to better your situation or that of others.  Set yourself a goal for attaining that.  As of this post we have about 34 more weeks left in the year, or about 238 more days….

Shed the anxiety over what you are not doing and feel better by doing what you know you should.  So, anytime you are feeling the weight stack on your shoulders, think about what is causing this and make a decision to take action and you will feel pounds lighter and much happier.   Here’s to losing that figurative weight!

If you liked this post, please let us know…

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Top 10 Job Searching Tips

June 7th, 2010 by Kira

By Paula Stenberg
How many of these have you read? Here we go again, but this time I am concentrating on those matters which have emerged over the last two to three years, that we often neglected or failed to use in the past; mainly it’s to do with new technology.

1. Get a professional email address.

Ditch the babyangel@gmail.com. Now is the time to professionalise yourself, use your proper name or professional name.

2. Google yourself.

Sounds egotistic doesn’t it? But just in case you wrote something many years ago, and it raises its head to bite you in the foot, it is better to check what is out there on you in cyber space. Also while we are at it, blog your email address, telephone number and address as well, all these can leave a digital footprint exposing yourself to other information .

3. Add your email address to your CV or resume.

How many times do I see this omission?

4. Start blogging.

This is a free way of getting yourself known and building your profile.

5. Register on online job sites.

There are many: seek.com, TradeMe/jobs.co.nz, and also check out your local newspaper online listings.

6. Use social networking sites to your advantage.

Make a special professional Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Bebo etc account specifically to your work environment, keep your personal social networks to your friends.

7. Network.

Join societies, organisations and clubs associated to your career. Check out the Yellow Pages and online directories to see what is available, then network with these people.

8. Specialize – Become a Subject Matter Expert.

A sophisticated society has many specialist roles, therefore, the more specialised you are or can become, the more expertise you can provide, and more value to an employer’s team. But don’t forget to be a generalist in all areas connected with your career.

9. Lead from your strengths.

If you know what you are good at, or above average, or just brilliant at … then move from that area first. If you are good at public speaking then use that as your primary form of accentuating your strengths.

10. Mitigate your weaknesses.

Similar to number nine. Play down your weaknesses. Avoid (especially in those first couple of meetings) those things that you are not so good at, or generally don’t like doing.

Paula Stenberg, 2009
http://www.cvstyle.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paula_Stenberg

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Job Search – How to Handle Rejection and Follow Up

June 7th, 2010 by Kira

Writen by Don Schenk

Last Saturday evening my wife and I visited friends at their home. They are a couple I have known since elementary school days, seventh grade as I recall. Yes, childhood! They grew up living next door to each other, dated during high school, and are still together. Last year they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

They had invited several people for dinner – all of whom I have known since childhood. After dinner we were seated in their family room talking about some of the silly stuff that has happened over the years. Suddenly their cocker spaniel, who happens to have run of the furniture, wanted attention, and jumped into my lap. I was a little surprised, because at home we will not allow our dog on the couch, and I was not expecting little Rex to land on me. But I decided that is okay. I am a dog-person.

I petted Rex for a while, and when I stopped he stuck his muzzle under my arm and pushed upward – hard. He wanted to be petted more. A few minutes later when I again stopped, he gave me the muzzle-up treatment again. I said, “No, Rex,” but he continued to want me to rub under his ears. He would not take “No” for an answer. So he persisted. Rejection did not bother him. He simply continued to let me know what he wanted.

People do not enjoy rejection, and most will go out of their way to avoid it. Therefore they will no ask to be hired. They might be turned down. Then they do not try to contact the interviewer again a few days later to see how things stand. Have you been there? You have gone through an interview, did not get the job at that moment, and a couple days later when you want to call back, suddenly the telephone seems to weigh 2,000 pounds. You can not bring yourself to call.

Relax. The business is looking for a particular person to fill the job position, they had more interviews to do, and the owner wanted the office manager to interview everyone who applied – whether or not they qualify. You are on the list, and you helped put yourself at the top of their list. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. You just have to call to keep reminding them you exist. You have to be like little Rex, and not take no for an answer several times.

Almost nobody calls back to follow-up with the interviewer. How crazy is that? Other people applying for the job all have telephones that seem to weigh a ton. When you follow-up you are making yourself stand out again. Do it. You will be surprised.

Don Schenk has been conducting hiring interviews for four decades. The real, insider’s secret to Job Search is not what you think it is! Discover the 3 little-known strategies that will make the interviewer want to hire you within the first 30 to 40 seconds of the interview! Go to:

http://www.HowYouFindAJobFast.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Schenk

Platinum Quality Author

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Job Search Tips – How to Create Your Ideal Position

May 17th, 2010 by Kira

Are you looking for the next great position, but can’t seem to find a job that matches your qualifications – or what you’re looking for in a position? This can be a tough position to find yourself in. However, it’s not the end of the world. With the right approach, you may even be able to reinvent your career.

How exactly can you play your cards right, and what cards do you have to play? Well, your cards are your skills, accomplishments and inherent talents and playing them right would be creating your own position with them. Believe it or not, there are ways to create a position without having to become an entrepreneur. Let’s take a look at what it takes to create the position of your dreams.

Locate Some Companies You’d Like to Help

If you know that you bring certain skills to the table then you need to find some companies that you think you can help. This can take some research; you’ve got to find a company that lacks the type of experience and vision that you provide, yet provides a good work environment that you can excel in.

You can find out whether a company’s work environment is right for you by looking online at company documents like bios, mission statements, press releases, and more. More importantly, you’ll be able to find out how you can help them.

Make Your Pitch

Once you’ve narrowed down a few companies that you’d like to work with, it’s good to create a pitch letter – but not a blanket pitch – an individual letter that will be sent to each company explain exactly what you can do for them. So if you notice that the company seems to be missing a strong PR presence, you may want to offer to do a specific campaign for them.

Or if you’re a better marketer, you may suggest ways that you could get the company into trade shows and other events to spread the name in a positive way. You want to show that your work, specifically, will benefit the company in new, fresh, and profitable ways.

Set Meetings to Push Your Agenda Further

When you’re offering your time and services, you want to also let it be known that you’re available for an in-person meeting and then list the days and times that you’re available – as well as give your contact information. When meeting in-person with prospective hiring managers, be prepared to prove your worth–bring visual aids that can show how valuable you’d be to their company.

Depending on a number of factors, your hard work could result in an offer for the new position, or you might simply be offered a contract position. At that point, it is up to you to decide whether you accept.

When contacting companies, it’s important to remember that persistence is the key. Some companies will not be interested in your services, but don’t let this deter you. In time, you will be able to secure the position of your dreams.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Eagar

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In Transition and Frustrated…Hit the Re-Start Button by Getting Physical

May 10th, 2010 by Kira

Being in transition or encountering any major change in life might just be best served by a change in scenery.

It is easy to fall into a routine in your job search that serves you well on some days and not so well on others.   If you are like most, you begin your day searching the job boards and web crawlers for the opportunities that were most recently posted.  Then you send your prepared resume and cover letter, track your efforts on your calendar or spreadsheet, and allow the days to go by waiting for a response.  Better yet, you might get out and network with your peers, hit the coffee shop and meet new people all the while being prepared with your elevator speech about who you are and what you do and how they can help you with your search process. 

The good news, this and other job search focused efforts will eventually land you your next dream role.  However, if that is not working for you just yet and you find yourself frustrated, try changing your scenery or routine.

When was the last time you cleared your head by getting out and doing some kind of physical activity?  If you haven’t done so lately, tie on your walking or running shoes and get out for a great head clearing experience.  Pick a time of day that is best for you….I find mornings work best for me and it does wonders for my psyche.   Give yourself 20-30 minutes or longer and walk, run or bike at a pace that is comfortable for you and your mind will do the rest….yoga works too!  It is amazing how many problems can be solved while taking the focus off of the issue at hand.

The benefits of physical activity = improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, and improved mental health and mood.  You’ll have a great sense of accomplishment and a renewed and upbeat focus.  Take this positive experience with you as you hit the re-start button on your search every day.  A refreshing experience for sure.

Got a hot tip for getting re-charged in your search process… let us hear about it.

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