Thursday, May 28, 2020

Skills Based CV Template Functional CV Examples

Skills Based CV Template Functional CV Examples Changing careers? No traditional, linear work history? Long spells of past unemployment? Or perhaps you dont have much work experience at all? You might feel tempted to write a skills based CV, instead of a traditional, reverse-chronological one.Not so fast.Skills based CVs, though advantageous to some, are suitable for very few groups of jobseekers.A skills based CV (also known as a functional CV or simply a skills CV) highlights your skills and qualifications rather than work experience. Skills based CVs are a good choice for career-changers, candidates applying to highly specialized positions, or candidates in creative industries with lots of freelancing experience.Contrary to popular belief, functional CVs are not ideal for people with major employment gaps. Why?Mostly because, for years, they have been recommended as a perfect means to camouflage imperfect work histories. The effect? The skills-based CV format has become an instant flashy neon screaming Im trying to hide somethi ng!If youre entertaining a thought of writing a functional/skills-based CV, you need to be very careful to avoid some typical rookie mistakes. Luckily, youve come across this guide.Read on and youll see:A sample skills based CV better than 9 out of 10 others.Skills based CV template you can tweak, adjust to your needs, and use to land that big interview.How to write a functional CV step by step.When a skills based curriculum vitae is a good idea and when best to avoid it.For general tips on CV formatting, see our dedicated guide: CV Format and Structure: Examples and TemplatesThe first thing you have to do when writing a skills based CV is divide it into proper sections in the correct order. Heres how:Skills Based CV TemplateContact InformationPersonal Statement/CV ProfileSkills SummaryWork ExperienceEducationAdditional Skills(Optional) Additional SectionsThis way, a CV in a skills based format emphasizes your abilities and qualifications, taking some pressure off of the work histor y. That, however, doesnt mean you can just list all the skills you think you have in whatever order you deem right. You still have to validate your skillsideally, by providing real examples of how you put them to use in the workplace.Read on to see skills based CV examples that illustrate how to do it. Plus, step-by-step guidelines to help you create your CV in no time.How to Write a Skills Based CV Step by Step1. List your contact information at the topList:Your full namePhone numberEmail addressLinkedIn profile(Optional) Home address2. Include a brief personal statement or a CV profileThis section works like a trailer for the rest of your CV. Its the first thing the hiring manager will see.Make the CV profile short (up to 80 words) and relevant. Give an outline of who you are, what skills youve mastered and, most importantly, what you have to offer. If youre working in a creative industry, include links to your professional websites or portfolio.Functional/Skills Based CV Example: Personal Profile/StatementI am a results-driven King's College graduate in Journalism and Social Communication seeking to leverage two years of internship and freelancing PR experience to help XYZ Corp generate more meaningful leads in the upcoming months. Experienced in producing engaging online content (see my portfolio here) and press releases for tech start-ups and local IT companies. Non-profit blogger at www.pr-matters.wordpress.co.uk. I am mainly interested in digital PR solutions including the automatisation of customer relations via AI-based email campaigns and chatbots.Learn more here: CV Personal Statement/Personal Profile Examples a Writing Guide3. Showcase your most relevant skills in the skills summaryThis is the most crucial part of a functional CV. Meat and potatoes, if you will. Heres how to turn it into chateaubriand with dauphinoise.How to Write a Functional CV Skills SummaryRead the job ad carefully and identify key skills expected by the employer.Pick 3 to 6 s kills and list them in your summary.Under each skill, include a short paragraph or 35 bullet points that demonstrate your expertise.If you can, try to pick quantified, measurable results achievements to back up each skill. Be as specific as possible.Have a look at these CV summary examples:The first sample has been written by a candidate writing a CV for his first managerial position in a software development team. So far, shes only worked as a senior software engineer and been in charge of several projects, but shes never supervised a full-sized team. Her CV has to prove that shes not only a savvy programmer, but also a competent leader and manager.Functional CV Skills Summary Sample: Specialized PositionsProgramming and App DevelopmentDeveloped and built 20+ mobile apps and 30+ websites providing exceptional user experience.Named BCD MEs Top Programmer of The Year for three consecutive years 2009-2011.15+ years experience in C#, C++, Java, and Objective-C.C Certified Professional Programmer (2006), Objective-C Certified Professional Programmer (2009).Leadership8+ years experience in project coordination (teams of 310 colleagues).Designed and implemented a new IT management model with Apple London, increasing quarterly productivity by 33% and boosting employee satisfaction by 22%.Trained and mentored 50+ junior developers to help them prepare for certification exams (88% success rate).Business ManagementCoordinated 20+ projects with budgets over 200,000.Optimized procurement processes to reduce BCD MEs annual costs by 27%.Successfully cooperated with sales and marketing teams on new business strategies which helped increase Apple London sales volume by 23%.Notice how each of these core skills is supported by substantial evidence.The second example comes from a junior-level marketing specialist. His work history so far has been mostly filled with freelancing projects and consulting, rather than full-time employmentthats why it might seem chaotic. He chose to e mphasize most relevant skills so that employers will grasp his value proposition fast.Functional CV Skills Summary Sample: Creative IndustriesRESEARCHExperienced in working with clients in a wide variety of fields (Tech, FMCG, Sports, Interior Design). Excellent at researching clients' brands, industries and markets quickly and comprehensively.WRITING SKILLSSkilled at writing all types of marketing and PR materials: press releases, blog posts, bulletins, emailing campaigns (outreach emails, sales emails, engagement emails). Able to produce up to 1,500 words of unique, well-researched, engaging content per day.CREATIVE SKILLSIm able to come up with innovative solutions to all types of problems and crises. Excellent in designing and implementing both ATL and BTL Public Relations and Marketing campaigns in collaboration with teams of graphic designers and art directors.SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETINGProficient at managing social media campaigns across all major social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr. Increased clients social media referral traffic by 180%. Boosted Acmes online sales by a quarter.This candidate doesnt have as many quantifiable achievements as the previous one, but he still manages to provide very precise examples of his expertise. It makes this CV skills section much more believable to employers.Curious about the most relevant skills for employment in 2019? Find out here: Crucial Skill Sets to Land Better Jobs in 20194. List your work experienceEven though in a skills CV, you dont need to be particularly elaborate about your work history, you still have to include a list of your past employers.Enter:You positionCompany nameDates workedOptionally, you can add 23 bullet points that outline your key responsibilities and accomplishments.5. Include basic details about your educationThe same goes for your education. Dont drone on about relevant coursework, thesis title, or extracurricular activities.Limit yourself to:Yo ur degreeThe name of the institutionGraduation dateThe only exception is if youve graduated within a year and have little work experience. In such case, put your education section above the work experience on your skills based CV, include academic achievements, list a few relevant courses. If youve graduated with a first or a 2:1, include your honours too. Otherwiseomit them.6. Add a list of additional skillsAll key skills on a skills based CV should appear in the Skills Summary. At the bottom of your functional CV, add a short, bulleted list of extra skills such as:Computer skillsLanguagesLess relevant job-specific skills7. Optionally, add extra sections to buff up your CVThese might include:CertificationsAwardsHobbies and InterestsVolunteer ExperienceFreelance WorkConference ParticipationAdditional TrainingPublications and BlogsAnd presto! There you have ita comprehensive template of all sections you need to include on your skills based CV. Time for a quick recap.Pros Cons of a F unctional CVShould You Use It or Avoid It?Still not sure whether writing a skills based CV is a good idea? Consult with our handy table!Skills Based CV in a NutshellSkills Based CV Pros and ConsSkills Based CV ProsSkills Based CV ConsIt takes the focus off of your work history and emphasizes your skills. If youve done lots of freelancing or single projects, this format will help you show what skills youve mastered through them.Its not as easy to scan for recruiters as a traditional CV written using a reverse-chronological template.When written properly, it showcases your most important skills and validates them with examples related to your work experienceSuggests youre trying to hide something about your employment history.It can be used by career-changers and candidates targeting highly specialized positions.It might not get through older Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scans.Its a good creative CV format for non-traditional industries.Very difficult to writeyoull need to go the extra mile to make sure your skills summary is both believable and relevant to the opening.Key TakeawayTo write a functional/skills based CV that gets you the job, follow these 6 key steps:Open with a personal statement or a CV profile: outline who you are and how youll benefit the employer.In the central part of your CV, put a skills summary: list your most relevant skills and back them up with evidence of your proficiency.Include a succinct overview of your work history: positions, companies, dates worked.Be brief about your education: list your degree, institution, graduation date.At the bottom, put a bulleted list of your additional skills.Finish off with extra sections: certifications, awards, publications, or conferences.Do you have any questions about our skills based CV examples? Facing obstacles writing your functional CV? Let me know in the comments, Ill do my best to help!

Monday, May 25, 2020

Job Interview 101 How to Avoid Mistakes

Job Interview 101 How to Avoid Mistakes Job hunting can be hard. The endless emails, the countless rejections and the insane amounts of cover letters saved in your documents. It can be a long process, but theres no better feeling than landing a job interview. Yes! Finally you can prove how  perfect you are for the position at stake. Resume Writing Lab have created this interesting infographic, filled with only the best job interview tips and tricks. But now youve bagged yourself an interview, you need to ensure you make the perfect first impression in the interview room. Top 3 mistakes: Over-explaining the reasons why you lost your previous job:  Whatever you do make sure you dont spend too long explaining why you lost your previous job. Its easy to sound unprofessional and irrational which you definitely dont want! Be concise, honest and professional. Not asking any questions:  An interview should be a two way conversation make sure you show your interest by asking questions. Think of it as an interview for them too why should you want to work there? Overselling yourself:  No one likes a show-off. Other non-verbal mistakes: Avoiding eye contact Knowing nothing about the company youre applying for Bad posture Bad handshake Biggest influencers in an interview: What an applicant says is the number one influence that employers take into account during an interview. Confidence levels comes in at a close second along with level of grammar and quality of voice. 55% of employers think that clothes, behaviour and the way the applicant enters the door has the biggest influence on their decision Does it really matter what you wear? 70% of hirers admit they dont want applicants to be trendy or fashionable. 65% of employers prove that clothes can become a decisive factor in a choice between two candidates. So in other words, yes, clothes do matter. 3 top tips for a successful interview: Show up to the office 10 minutes early Be prepared Make sure you look smart. RELATED: 5 Things You REALLY Must Do Ahead of a Job Interview Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics [Featured image: Shutterstock]

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Why Gamification is the Key to Employee Engagement [INFOGRAPHIC]

Why Gamification is the Key to Employee Engagement [INFOGRAPHIC] Organisations across industries are turning to gamification to crack the employee engagement code. Gamification has been used by companies to engage their customers for some time now, using social media and mobile technologies to deliver contests, challenges and rewards. Now, however, enterprises are beginning to uncover the value that games can add inside the organisation to drive business performance by motivating employees. Growing seriousness about gamification marks a dramatic change in the way enterprises engage with their employees, and  is emerging as the software component that binds employees, organisational values and objectives. Global researcher Markets and Markets predicts that gamification will be worth $5.5 billion by 2018, compared with its present size of $421 million. Getting started with gamification is one thing; sustaining users’ interest levels is much tougher. There will be several challenges along the path of transforming employees from novices to masters. The Keys to Successful Gamification in the Workplace According to our friends at Cognizant, the  following steps and considerations are prerequisites for the successful gamification of work: Develop a clear view of where and what change in behaviour and skills is desired. Ensure the effort reflects business goals and rewards activities that add value. Design the game so that it’s inherently social in nature. Make the game simple and easy to understand. On-board employees into the gamified process through easy-to-use instructional material. Target and leverage employees’ competitive nature. RELATED: What are the Pitfalls of Workplace Gamification?

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Time For New Home Decor Heres Some Uncommon Ideas

Time For New Home Decor Heres Some Uncommon Ideas I love it when I have guests who comment about the unique items Ive found over the years that no one else has.  Some of them are found treasures from garage and estate sales.  Others Ive found in little one-off shops in locations from eclectic shopping areas to off-the-beaten-track country stores.  And then Ive found a few websites that specialize in uncommon items.  Which makes it easy to understand why one of my favorites calls themselves Uncommongoods.com.   Theyre pretty unique in ways other than just what they sell.  Because they focus on sustainability.  Handmade, recycled, and organic products, none of which contain leather, feathers, or fur.  So not only can you find some great decor for your home, but youll be supporting environmentally conscious commerce. Heres a peek at some of my favorites. Home Decor Its my experience that its the unique pieces that everyone is attracted to.  Who wants to put a thermometer on their cocktail table?  I have one similar to this that never fails to garner attention.  Besides being practical, its fun and interesting. When shopping for decor,  what works best is to just browse.  If I go with a mindset of a certain thing for a specific space, I often come up with nothing.  But if I simply wander around the shop or website I often find things that are perfect for that little space thats just been waiting for something to come along to fill it. Door Mats Some years ago I received a door mat as a present that Ive probably hung on to for a bit too long, because its now faded and a little more difficult to read.  But its always been a conversation starter so its going to be following me where ever I land. UncommonGoods has a wide variety of doormats that not only welcome your guests but make a perfect statement about you and what matters in your life.  You can check out their collection here. Uniques Candles What self-respecting girls home is complete without candles?  And whether its a unique design or a yummy fragrance, theres always a candle that can add just the right finishing touch to a room, shelf, or table. Heres just a sample of four from their collection.  My favorite? The wine cork candles.  How perfect is that? Whats yours?  Pick one out along with some other new home decor items and make that same old space look fresh and new!

Thursday, May 14, 2020

How Video CVs Can Give You an Edge in the Job Market CareerMetis.com

How Video CVs Can Give You an Edge in the Job Market How to Make a Video CV Photo Credit- newswise.comIt feels like finding a job is harder than ever these days. But why?Well for starters, we know that college degrees don’t mean as much as they used to anymore. An article on Forbestalks about the phenomenon of “degree inflation” and how “employers increasingly require college degrees from job applicants, even when applying for positions that did not previously require such credentials.”There’s also this little thing called the Internet. Increasingly available Internet access is widening the supply and demand of jobs globally.evalCompanies can reach out to a bigger market of job seekers, making it more likely for them to find the person of the best fit for them. At the same time, people have more opportunities to send their job applications out en masse, so companies are receiving and having to process more applications than before.There’s also the issue of millennials being more likely to switch jobs more frequently compared to previous generat ions. Companies are adjusting to this by looking more closely at how committed applicants are to their company specifically.So educational credentials aren’t turning as many heads, the number of job seekers to compete against is increasing, and companies are having trust issues on who to hire. This is where the video CV comes in.A video CV is a short video created by employment candidates that allow them to supplement their written CV by talking more about their experience or their credentials.While Video CVs aren’t supposed to replace your submission for an actual, written CV it can help your chances of proceeding in the application process in several ways.1) It Makes You More MemorableSince video CVs are not very common, merely having one already makes your application stand out among the others. When employers scroll through hundreds of CV emails daily, finding an additional file or attachment breaks from the monotony and forces them to pay attention to the name that submitte d it.Having employers watch a video where you introduce yourself also helps in putting a face behind the credentials. The recall value of your name and who you are goes up because you are no longer just a list of job positions printed in black and white, but a person that introduced his or herself and shared stories about what he or she has done in the past few years. You’re more memorable because employers get to meet you even before you get to the interview.2) It Lets You Demonstrate Relevant SkillsevalThis is usually more relevant for jobs where soft skills are very important like teaching or sales, although more technical jobs like analysts and engineers benefit from this as well. A video CV lets you overcome the limitations of a written CV which is having to convey your competency by means of past job titles explained in just 1-2 concise sentences.Even more technical jobs that revolve around engineering and numbers have a social aspect to them. Analysts come up with findings and recommendations which they’ll then need to present to management.The same goes for engineers, accountants, and the like. Even for a job that doesn’t require any of those, companies would want to hire people that are pleasant to work with at the very least, which brings us to benefit number three:3) It Helps Build TrustWith the aforementioned issue of employees leapfrogging from one company to another, it wouldn’t hurt to have companies build their trust in you from the get-go. After all, a CV is just a piece of paper you can submit to any company.evalEven if you compose your CV for a specific company, type-written words will never be as warm and personal as you talking about why you would want to work for the company.How to Make a Video CVThe making of a video CV can be divided into three stages: pre-production, production, and post-production.1) Pre-Productiona) PurposeevalThe first thing you’ll want to do when coming up with the video CV is to establish the purpose of why you’re making the video. For example, if you were applying for a job in sales, your purpose would be to show how you entice people to an idea. If you’re applying to be a project manager, your purpose can be to talk about the story behind your project and how you influenced its success.b) ScriptKeep the script short but sweet. Don’t expect the employer to go through a 15-minute video of you giving a monologue the way they would go through a 15-minute discussion in an interview. Highlight what the company needs to know and what you can show best through video.c) ResearchIt’s also key to do some research on the company you’re applying for to know how you’re going to craft the video. How casual or formal you’re going to be, the focus of what you’ll discuss in your script will be based on what you know about the company.2) Productiona) EquipmentModern smartphone cameras can be used as your recording device given that you’re not shooting it hand-held. Make sure the c amera is stable, and that the framing and lighting are flattering on you as you want to leave the best impression possible.Make sure the room you are recording in is quiet. If needed, you can have a secondary audio recording device on you to get better recording quality or you can record an audio dub to overlay onto the video. Do test shots and listen back to see if the camera can pick up your voice clearly.b) PresentationevalMost people feel awkward when speaking to a camera, and this is often reflected in the resulting video. It takes time to get used to this, so as much as possible keep practicing the script and do multiple recordings until you have several “safe” choices to pick from. Like with anything else, confidence is built as you get familiar through practice runs.On the topic of presentation, also make sure you’ve dressed appropriately for the video. Put on your best buttondown or business attire and make sure it’s not creased or soiled. You may not necessarily ne ed a tie, but when in doubt, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.3) Post-productioni) EditingevalMinor editing like trimming out dead air goes a long way in making your video both concise and engaging. Sometimes it’s only in reviewing the footage during editing that you’ll realize what parts were unnecessary and what parts you could expound on more.If you’re going to reshoot some parts and edit it into the video after, make sure you keep a sense of continuity so as not to distract the viewer. Wear the same clothes and shoot under the same conditions as much as possible. If this can’t be done, you’ll have to make the choice of doing a whole reshoot or leaving the part out.ii) Visual AidsWhen discussing things like graphs, products, or places editing can also be used to add visual aids that can help the viewer quickly grasp what you’re talking about. Note that visual aids should be used to supplement what you’re saying rather than distract people from it.ii i) FeedbackThroughout the post-production process, it’s best to consult with other people and see what they think can be improved on. It’s essential to get other people’s perspective because in being part of the production process for a video, it’s easy not to realize what parts were underexplained or didn’t have a logical flow.When you’re happy with your video, it’s time to bring it to its target audience. It’s best to pair the video CV with wherever you’re submitting your written CV. If you’re submitting a physical copy, you would have to burn the video onto a disk, copy it onto a USB or leave a message with whoever’s receiving the CV on where they can watch your video.evalThe most accessible place to upload your video would be to YouTube as an unlisted video. This way the video will only be accessed by the people you give the link to. Uploading to your LinkedIn profile is also good if you have a video CV not specific to any company since LinkedIn is a go-to place for employers to do background research on candidates.As a final reminder, keep in mind that once you upload a video and share it with someone, what happens to it is no longer within your control. Make sure you keep things professional, with nothing that can come back to bite you.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Targeted Networking Through Your Circles of Power - Part 3 - Hire Imaging

Targeted Networking Through Your Circles of Power - Part 3 - Hire Imaging Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. ~ Babe Ruth In Part 1 of this three-part series, we covered first using your Hot Circle in networking family, good friends, and those people you know well and who should feel very approachable. Part 2 addressed stretching to your Warm Circle acquaintances and people you know on a casual first-name basis. Read on for part 3 and learn more about targeted networking. To review the thought process here, it can be helpful to approach networking from the concept of a visual target consisting of your circles of influence. Your hot circle is the bulls-eye in the center; your warm and cold circles are the outer circles. See Part 1 for further explanation of the three circles. EXPAND TO YOUR COLD CIRCLE! Cold Circle True Stories: Story #1: My client, a purchasing agent, had just relocated to a new town. He didnt know anyone, so he picked up the phone and called potential employer companies he thought might use purchasing talent. He introduced himself and briefly summarized his experience. On the fifth call, he reached a company where someone in Purchasing had just taken an extended sick leave. The manager asked him to stop by with a résumé. He started work the next day. Story #2: Another client, a web designer, had made as many contacts as she thought possible through her personal network. She started to call companies out of the phone book. On about the tenth call, she connected with the owner of a small company. He wasnt looking for anyone, but he was so impressed with her introduction on the phone, he suggested she deliver her résumé and come in for an informational interview. She went in that afternoon. The owner created a job for her on the spot she started working the same afternoon! By now you should have gained confidence and practice in lining up appointments. Its time to move into your cold circle of influence, the largest circle available to build into your personal network. This is where it gets exciting! To recap, your cold circle is the largest circle available for your search. Simply put, its all the people you do not know personally. Ideally, youve become more and more comfortable with the idea of meeting and networking with new people. At this point, you should: Continue to talk to people in your hot and warm circles. This is a big circle of people; and one that will certainly benefit you in the long run. Keep track of all the people you are talking to and giving your résumé, business card and other marketing documents to. Make a point of touching base with people periodically, even though they may not have been able to help you when you first approached them. They may come up with ideas, information, or suggestions for you as time goes on. Be sure you are keeping appointments and continually scheduling new ones. Remember that you have probably moved people from your cold circle to your warm circle just by asking acquaintances to introduce you to people they know! HOW DO YOU APPROACH YOUR COLD CIRCLE? Be Prepared. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself, your skills and your experience when you are talking to people whom youve never met. In most cases, these will be companies and potential employers. These people will probably want to know a bit about you before they commit to any time in meeting with you. There is no doubt they will want to know more about you before they put their reputation on the line in referring you to others! Before you take any action, be prepared to: Inspire and boost yourself before picking up the phone. Have a resume or other success story documents in front of you for reference. Sell yourself; convince contacts that it is in their best interest to see you. Respect peoples busy lives; be brief and to the point. Try hard to get an appointment or another name to call before hanging up. Drop off, email or fax a resume with a cover letter, reminding them of your phone conversation. Send a timely thank-you note. Always get a name. When you begin to work within your cold circle, you will probably face two potential scenarios. Perhaps you dont have a contact name, but know you are interested in working for a particular company. The other likelihood is that you do have a contact name of someone within the organization, but have not yet been introduced. You may have simply called the company and asked who you should speak with. How you approach a company will vary depending on whether or not you know who to contact. If you dont have anyone specific to speak with at your target company, getting a name is your first priority. How might you do it? Call the human resources or hiring office to inquire about positions available. This is the least effective method. The hiring office is not always completely aware of what is happening in each department until staff must be hired. You need to meet people and sell yourself before positions are advertised. Call the department you wish to work in and ask to speak to the manager. Even if youve reached a person involved in the work that interests you, they still may not be the most appropriate or productive contact. Call the department, explain to the gatekeeper (receptionist, etc. ) that you are looking for contacts in your field, and ask who they think you should speak with. This is usually a good starting point. The gatekeeper will often refer you to someone willing to take the time to answer your questions. Regardless of whom you speak to initially when you call a large organization, you will probably be passed along to several different people before you meet the person who can really help you. Do not be discouraged by this. You want to speak to the person most closely associated with the job you would like to have. Be patient and impress as many people along the way as possible! Eventually youll have the name of someone specific to speak with. Whether or not this person is the last one you need to speak with remains to be seen, but it is a starting point. A Script Can Help. You may find that you are nervous and uncomfortable on your first few phone calls with your cold circle. After youve made a few calls and have a better idea of what people tend to ask and what you need to say, you will probably revise your approach (which will become smooth and polished). Do not read from a prepared script when you are speaking on the phone. Inevitably, they wont say what you were expecting, and you will become frustrated and flustered. Use the script for inspiration and jumpstarting your confidence. Here are two examples: SCRIPT ONE Hello Mr. Smith, my name is John Doe. Im calling because I am changing directions in my career and looking at some of the opportunities that are available. I have worked as a Software Developer for 10 years, and am known as the fix-it  guy, because I solve problems and make things work. Im interested in expanding into project or other technology management roles. I thought I would give you a call and discuss the possibilities of employment with your company. Okay. At this point, Mr. Smith will decide if he wants to talk to you further, pass you along to someone else, or tell you he and his company are not interested. If he passes you along, the script might go something like this: SCRIPT TWO Hello Ms. Brown. My name is John Doe. Mr. Smith gave me your name and suggested I call you. I am a Software Developer known as a fix-it guy for solving problems and making things work. Im looking for project or IT management opportunities. I have 10 years experience with XYZ [company], so Im used to a fast-paced environment with strict budget and time deadlines. Im interested in learning more about your company and the possibilities of working with you. I realize your time is valuable; and that you may or may not have an opening right now. A brief discussion of what youre looking for in IT talent, as well as future potential opportunities would be great! I wondered if you might have 15 minutes this week when we could meet? Now it is Ms. Browns turn to decide what direction your relationship will go. If she says there are no openings currently and she is simply too busy to meet with you, you might respond with something like: Thats fine. I understand the hectic nature of the business (Stay positive!) May I pop by in the next day or two and drop off a résumé for you in case something opens up in the future? That would be great. Is there a time that would be best? Thanks very much for your time. OR OK. No problem. I certainly understand how busy you must be. I wonder if you have any ideas or suggestions of other people I might call? Excellent. Thank you. (Scribble, scribble â€" the sound of you writing down the name(s) she gave you. ) Thanks very much, Ms. Brown. I appreciate your help. I wonder if I might stop in and give you a résumé just in case something comes up? All right; I will do that. Thank you again. The above are only suggestions and basic outlines for your initial contact with people. You will definitely have to do this in a way thats comfortable for you. The key is to do it!! Above all, be prepared. You will usually be asked what you are good at or why they should see you. Sell yourself! Some of your conversations will leave you feeling encouraged. Some may have you feeling discouraged and negative. Dont let these get to you! Think like a salesperson. A common rule of thumb in sales is that for every yes you will hear 10 nos. Indulge in some self-care exercise, playing with the dog, meeting a friend, etc. And then get back at it! With persistence and practice, you will become an expert networker with all of your circles hot, warm and cold. And you will find that job with your name on it! Tips For your script(s), do prepare an opening sentence or two. The first few seconds is when a potential employer decides if they even want to continue with you on the phone. Have a general idea of what you would like to say during the rest of the conversation, but dont be so concerned about reading your script that you cant answer the questions you are asked. Its also a good idea to set a time limit to your proposed meeting. When employers realize you are not asking for an hour of their valuable time, they may be more receptive. And always have pen and paper by the phone (or your computer handy) to help you remember the name of the person you are speaking with, as well as the names and contact information you may be given. Keep a list of names of all the people in the organization you speak to. When you make your second call to that company, it will be effective to be able to say, Ms. A, the manager in the B Department suggested that I call you. Bonus Cold Circle Tip: In todays job market, many potential opportunities may be found in small businesses (its common for recession to be a GOOD time for start-ups and emerging businesses). When you call a small company, you may need to speak to only one person. That person might wear all the hats of owner, manager and human resources director!

Friday, May 8, 2020

List The Best Resume Words To Use

List The Best Resume Words To UseThe best resume words to use are of course, those that you have spent the most time and energy on writing. Although there are some great resumes on the market these days, there is no such thing as a free lunch. You have to spend time and money and be willing to go through your resume to find these words. This way you ensure that you have very powerful words that convey your resume to employers.The good news is that there are tons of resume words that you can use to make your resume stand out from the rest. So you don't need to spend hours and go through the first or second page of every resume you receive. There are simply too many great words in the English language to try and memorize everything. Using just the best resume words will ensure that you are creating the best resume possible and you can easily find these words.There are some traits that you should look for in the resume that you write. While it is easy to find these words when you are tr ying to hire a job, they can become more difficult if you are trying to create your own resume. The best words to use when you are trying to find these words is one that says to someone who looks at your resume, 'I want to know more about you.' Don't just say that. Don't use superlatives like 'the best'the best recruiter' in the opening paragraph because most people will quickly tune you out.A power word that is commonly used when you are trying to create a power words list is the word 'information.' In your resume, include all the information you have about yourself including things like education, interests, skills, work history, and hobbies. This is important because it shows that you are an authority and that you take pride in what you do and what you have to offer.Another important thing to do is to include the skills that you possess. It doesn't matter what skills you possess. If you have the right skills, you don't have to worry about writing the best resume words ever. You c an include a few keywords and use them in your resume as skills so that you are able to generate jobs faster.Finally, you will want to highlight your strong points and then give a short, but powerful, summary to back up what you are saying. Keep in mind that the goal of creating a power words list is to draw attention to things that will create the right impression to the employer. Although you may wish to include power words that have no real value, you can't forget that these words will be the deciding factor when it comes to getting a job. So don't worry about writing boring, lame resume words.These are the best resume words to use that will allow you to be able to create your own unique resume. If you don't put these words into your resume, you could end up with a job offer that has very little to do with what you actually have to offer.