Ive CV-een It All Before!

Ive CV-een It All Before! If you watch the X Factor, you’ll be familiar with the following phrases: “It means everything to me” and “I want this more than anything” usually followed by a short sob story and some tragic music. We love a good ‘rags-to-riches’ tale after all. If, like me, you’re also an avid reader of thousands of CVs as part of your job â€" you may also be familiar with reading the following phrases within personal profiles: “Excellent communication skills, effective with all levels of management” and “I work well using my own initiative and as part of a team”. Cliches: I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen these classic cliché’s and, after loudly criticising them in the office one day, I started to wonder where they came from â€" shortly before realising I too had fallen victim to the familiar phenomenon myself. I think it was one of those bad pieces of career advice we were given at school in the nineties. Ensuring employers could see that you could work well on your own as well as part of a team seemed paramount to landing a great job. The thing is â€" it just doesn’t mean anything to anyone, which I believe is why most recruiters scan straight down to your experience without even reading your carefully-worded profile. Personality: Anyway, in order to get noticed by a recruiter, if you’re going to have a personal profile at the top of your CV (and why not? It’s a great chance to inject some personality into an otherwise formulaic document), how about writing something a bit more catchy? For example, I changed my standard mantra: dedicated and hardworking individual to this one: I’m interested in adding value to the businesses I work for by finding the right candidates quickly and efficiently I find that reading candidates profiles, or even cover letters (remember them?) so much more entertaining and likely to receive a call from me if there’s a real reason to pick up the ‘phone and enter into some dialogue by having some initial engaging information. Suddenly as a recruiter, I’ve got a conversation opener already and you as a candidate have a key opportunity to show off. Think about the aspects of the role that you enjoy and get the most from doing, and make a point of highlighting them right from the outset. This is also a good time to mention any specific achievements the idea here is to sell yourself, and so many people forget that. Interests: Another favourite habit of mine â€" nosy parker that I am â€" is checking out their interests. Sport, hobbies and the like are usual suspects; I’ve seen some more entertaining ones, including an accidental joke version of a CV that detailed a female’s sexual prowess within her organisation as well. If you’re going to make a joke version of your CV, try not to apply to jobs with it! I also never quite understand why candidates might include “family” as an interest. Personally, I would say my family are more than a passing interest to me, but each to their own! Relevant: Overall, my tips for revamping your CV are based upon being engaging, succinct, and relevant. Personally I prefer bullet pointed nuggets of information (no one likes wading through massive blocks of text) â€" you’ll only do yourself a disservice if you have a CV that goes unnoticed because of the layout and style. I would also never use Times New Roman as a  CV font having seen it so much. Whilst on the subject of fonts, be sure to use the same font throughout, and use the bolding function sparingly. It is very hard to read through different fonts and styles of text.  If you want to stand out, add a bit of colour to your headings, or even the page. If I open a document and its coloured, it’s silly, but I notice it straight away. Writing about yourself in the third person is hated by most recruiters I know, as is a career history in the wrong order, which is your very first job at the top of your CV. I’m sure I’ve accidentally discounted CV’s thinking that they are totally irrelevant on that basis. Make sure your contact details are clearly at the top of the CV. Simple to do, but many bury away this key information at the bottom, or some don’t include it at all, relying on the job board or CV database to provide that information. Accurate: There’s no one way to write the perfect CV so above all else, make sure it’s an accurate reflection of your skills and experience. There’s nothing â€" I repeat, nothing more embarrassing then a candidate that’s oversold themselves on paper and hits every flat note possible on the auditions. Good luck people! Author: Gemma Duncan is a recruiter and resourcer.

Personal Branding Lessons From Justin Biebers Hairstyle Backlash - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Lessons From Justin Bieber’s Hairstyle Backlash - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Worthy inspiration may not matter Bieber is dedicating some of his locks to Ellen DeGeneres to auction on behalf of Gentle Barn organization and is doing the same with other celebrities. This good natured inspiration and the fact his hair is merely a shorter version of the same style give little comfort to super fans who loved him for his look. Take your time Vanessa Price, hairstylist, stated in an article by Robert Dougherty, that the Beebs had to think this over for six months before finally choosing to make the cut. The new look took away more than his signature style; it removed his innocent appearance to his fans. His new style, and in turn his brand, is more mature. Change is difficult When you decide to change your personal brand, be ready for the change volume to turn up even more. Nearly a month ago when I changed my hair (similar to Bieber I cut it much shorter, although I’m not nearly as popular!), I had no idea what type of change I was making. Clients, friends, family, Facebook followers, Twitter fans and colleagues have commented and voiced their opinion. Your brand is as much theirs as it is yours, in their opinion and change can be difficult for some. Justin Bieber’s super fans quickly responded to his change; he lost 80,000 Twitter fans when he lost his locks. Embracing backlash Decisions in life, personal branding or otherwise, always have a response. It’s what you do with the response that matters. Justin Bieber has embraced the backlash and suggested that his super fans, which adored his long locks, purchase a piece of them in support the charities he donated those famous locks to support. Your response will dictate that of those around you. Embrace your new brand and prospective employers, or clients, will embrace it as well. Likewise, shy away or claim you made a mistake and they will see it the same way. Author: Adriana Llames is a veteran career coach and acclaimed author of Career Sudoku: 9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game, released with top book seller Amazon.com. She is creator of   “HR In-A-Box,” a Human Resources software product helping small businesses across America and a professional keynote speaker motivating and inspiring audiences with her focused programs on “9 Ways to Win the Job Search Game”, “Confessions of a Career Coach” and “Nice Girls End Up on Welfare.” For more information, visit www.adrianallames.com

How to Succeed With The New Instagram Algorithm - Classy Career Girl

How to Succeed With The New Instagram Algorithm This is making a lot of people worried! Its a new Instagram Algorithm that changes how you view your feed. If you havent heard yet, Instagram is now headed in the direction of Facebook and Pinterest where unless your followers are liking and commenting on your posts, they may not see what you post any longer. What this means? Now Instagram will show you photos it thinks you want to see.  But wait, why is this bad? I think this is great! Do you know how many BAD photos (and ads) I see on a daily basis. I am excited about this change! Anyone else? If you think I am crazy  that this Instagram algorithm update is actually  GREAT news, here are the mindset shifts you need to make ASAP.   How to Succeed With The New Instagram Algorithm 1. Focus on Building Your Email List, Not Your Followers In my Corporate Rescue Plan course,  I teach  that it is more important to rely on building a solid EMAIL LIST than it is relying on one social media platform. If you have a list with 15 people right now, you may have more going for you than the Instagram followers with 100,000 followers with no list. Seriously! There is a reason why the lessons in my course I prioritize the lessons so my students know what they need to tackle first. Starting your email list is lesson 6. Starting an Instagram account is lesson 13 in advanced training. Having an email list is a million times more important than having a popular Instagram page so before you read any farther, start your email list now. [RELATED: How to Build a List] 2. Dive Into Instagram Ads   Instagram ads work beautifully and when we tested them did even better than Facebook ads for us. I know we all hate looking at them but lets face it, they can be improved SO MUCH right now. The Instagram ads I am getting make me so annoyed but the ones that catch my eye are the different and creative ones. Thats where you come in to stand out and bring something unique to the table. We need you! If you are annoyed that you have to pay to be seen on Facebook and Instagram, remember that the whole point of advertising isnt to be throwing money away. The goal is to put $1 in and get way more than that out. You arent throwing money away, you are getting a return if you test and tweak and dont give up! Did you know? Facebook now has  coaches  to walk you through this and its free.  Someone on our team  talks directly to a Facebook ad coach every few weeks. Why is this important? Because Facebook owns Insatgram! They want you to succeed. Be willing to ask for help. 3.  Start Snapping Get on snapchat as soon as you can. Its something to investigate especially now that swarms of people are moving over from Instagram. I joined a few weeks ago and actually am shocked that I love it.  You can find me on Snapchat @classycareer. [RELATED: How to Use Snapchat Even If You Are Just Getting Started] 4. Focus on Quality, Not Quantity Heres the secret to standing out on Instagram, create great content. As long as you are creating great stuff with great pics and ENGAGING with others, the algorithm isnt a problem. It is a problem if you arent spending time creating quality content for your target market. Maybe its time to step it up? If you have been using Instagram for awhile, look back and see what content does great! Republish it or create more photos and quote images just like what did great previously. 5. Collaboration At this time,  its more important than ever to regram and share other peoples content on Instagram (and every other site) and help each other out. Grab a partner or two in here and offer to repost pics, like, comment or share feedback and tips and tricks.   Follow CCG on Instagram and see how we are standing out and not caring about the algorithm change that everyone else is worried about.. www.instagram.com/classycareergirl Questions about the Instagram Algorithm update? Post them in the comments below and also post your Instagram links so we can make sure we are following you!

10 Tips for a Better Cover Letter

10 Tips for a Better Cover Letter Learning how to write a cover letter that  provides insight about your experience, desire to work for a company, and personality  can make a big difference in how many job interviews you get. A poorly written cover letter can make you come off as lazy, and a poorly optimized one can come across as a copy-and-paste job which turns hiring managers off. Here are 10 easy tips on how to write a cover letter that boosts your chances of landing an interview. 1. Avoid copying your resume One of the most common mistakes  job seekers  make is to squander their cover letter by essentially converting their resume into paragraph form. This redundancy doesn’t actually help the hiring manager decide whether you are right for the job, or convince them that you are passionate about getting the opportunity. Use your  cover letter  as an opportunity to tell hiring managers what your resume can’t. 2. Skip the generic salutation A lot of cover letters start with “To Whom it May Concern.” While this practice was once widely recommended, it has now become outdated. You can skip the salutation line and dive right in to the heart of your cover letter instead. The exception is that, if  you know the hiring manager you are writing to, you should absolutely address it to them specifically. 3. Research You can  research a potential employer  by visiting the company’s website, talking to current or past employees, and looking at employer review sites such as  Glassdoor.A good cover letter can become a great one if you pepper in some information based on what you’ve learned about the company. Get a sense of the company’s culture and goals, and write your cover letter to reflect how you would be a great fit into. 4. Get the opening right Don’t waste the first sentence by stating which position you’re applying for. Instead, open with a one-sentence pitch that will convince the hiring manager they should consider your cover letter and resume. Try a line such as, “I’m an experienced broadcaster with more than a decade of experience in radio and television production.” Grab their  attention, and make them want to continue reading. 5. Keep it brief Three paragraphs should be enough to answer the important questions a hiring manager would want answered. Who are you? Why do you want to work here? Why are you the best person for the job? If you can’t answer these questions in three paragraphs, consider recruiting a friend to help you trim the fat. 6.  Focus on the company’s needs It’s easy to get caught up in what a position would mean for you and your career. But a hiring manager isn’t interested in why the job is perfect for you; they want to know whether you’d be a good fit, and how you could help their company. Sell yourself, and forgo the common mistake of explaining how the job would benefit  you. 7. Don’t mention weaknesses Honesty is great, but a cover letter is not a place to volunteer negative information about your qualifications. An interview will provide the hiring manager with the chance to find out about your weaknesses Focus on your strengths, and avoid statements such as, “Despite not having worked in sales…” You can get a sense of what a hiring manager is looking for by throwing the text of the  job description  into a word cloud creator such as  Wordle, which will take the text and present it with frequently-used keywords appearing larger than the rest. Determine which keywords are most applicable to your experience, and work them into your cover letter. Try  Jobscan’s resume analysis tool  to make sure you have effectively incorporated the right keywords into your resume as well. 8. Tell your story How do you associate with the company? Is there something interesting you can share that describes your relationship with the company to this point? If you’re applying for a job at a tech company, you might take a sentence or two to describe your experience as a user or customer, a favorite feature, or a suggestion or insight. 9. Customize the letter for the company and job Don’t use the same cover letter for every application. Not only does doing so increase your chances of  submiting a letter with the wrong company name (which does happen, and which immediately removes you from consideration), it wastes your opportunity to introduce yourself in more depth. Remember, this is your chance to prove that you are passionate about working for a given company. If you’re sending out a form letter that offers no personal connection with the brand, the hiring manager will have a hard time seeing the connection, too. Take the time to write a tailored cover letter for each position. 10. Inject personality Don’t forget to be yourself in your cover letter.  In most cases, the hiring manager will appreciate reading something written by a real human being instead of bland  corporate-speak. If you asked  your best friend to read your cover letter, would they hear your voice in the words? If so, then you’re on the right track. For a detailed look at  how to write a cover letter, check out the  cover letter template  available to Jobscan members.

LinkedIn Best Tactic for Undercover Executive Job Search - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Best Tactic for Undercover Executive Job Search Are you job hunting now or planning a search in the near future, but afraid your employer will find out, so you’re hunting on the sly? Most of my clients are employed c-suite executives who either see signs of a possible layoff, or have become dissatisfied with their jobs and want to test the waters to see if there’s something better elsewhere. I counsel them to create a fully-fleshed out, keyword-rich (and hopefully branded) profile, or revisit their existing profile â€" I know many of you slapped up a perfunctory profile months or years ago and then forgot about it â€" and get it up to snuff for their current search target. Download my free e-book if you need help, Executive Branding and Your Profile. Some are resistant to having a profile, or any online presence, and putting themselves out there. They fear, and rightly so, that if their profile indicates that they’re in the market, they’ll sabotage their career. They think it’s safer to limit their search campaigns to responding to job board postings. Theyre unaware that, although this active search method requires a significant investment of time, it yields dismal results. At most, maybe 5-7% of executive job seekers land jobs through the boards. You  can easily optimize  your profile to make it more search-friendly, without shouting out Im looking for a job. Make sure it’s updated with your latest achievements and contributions, and clearly communicates your value proposition. Be careful about your Answers and Groups activities â€" your co-workers probably belong to some of the same groups and will know if youre discussing your job search there. NOTE: Please see Bill Cohns comment below for advice on adjusting your privacy settings to keep your network from receiving notification when you update your profile. is an accepted (and vital) part of ongoing healthy career management. Chances are your companys other executives and c-suite all have presence, and your company itself probably has a profile, too. Take a look at your co-workers profiles. Anything there hinting that theyre job searching? Did you know that something like 85-90% of recruiters rely on to source talent? If youre not there, you may be invisible to them â€" the very people you NEED to find you. By merely positioning yourself with your profile, youre leveraging a key strategy for passive job search. See my post, Does Your Online Identity Scream Hire Me?, to find out what one recruiter says you need to do with and your profile to tip the scales in your favor. Youve already worked on, or are updating, your executive resume in anticipation of your search, right? If youre doing it correctly, youre building all the information in it around what your target hiring decision makers are looking for in candidates. You do know who your target audience is, dont you? If not, back up and work on identifying companies that will fit your career needs, how you will meet their needs, and the hiring authorities within each one that you hope to attract. Need some help here, see my post 4 Executive Job Search First Steps, Before You Write Your Resume. Your updated (hopefully branded) resume, with strong positioning summary sitting above the fold, along with bites from your career biography, become the foundation for your branded profile. Read what Jon Burke, a computer software major accounts executive, had to say about and his job search, in Elizabeth Garones Wall Street Journal article, Job Hunting Under the Bosss Nose: In this market, having a profile on doesnt necessarily mean youre looking, says Mr. Burke. Unlike wearing an interview suit to work, using such websites isnt a clear sign of job hunting, since many people use these portals as part of their job. For Mr. Burke, who uses the site daily as a sales tool, it was the easiest way to search for a job without being too obvious. After Mr. Burke made the changes to his profile, he says he was contacted on a regular basis by recruiters. Hed respond via to ask what they had to offer. Mr. Burke was able to quiz the recruiters almost exclusively through email. I was very picky, he says. I … couldnt afford to waste my time. Theres just no getting around the fact that, in todays executive career and search landscape, you HAVE to have a 100% complete (according to ’s standards), keyword-rich profile and pump up your network with new connections through . Don’t be afraid to broadcast your brand and value proposition in your profile. Just keep the job search part under wraps. Related posts: 10 Steps to an Authentic, Magnetic Personal Brand How to Write An Irresistible C-level Executive Brand Resume in 10 Steps How to Write a C-level Executive Career Brand Biography Stalled Executive Job Search? Get Busy on and Twitter The 20 Most Common Mistakes 00 0