How to use Facebook in your job search

How to use Facebook in your job search I got this question from a client: Would it be advantageous to put some of my past work experience on Facebook as well? How much do employers use Facebook? So heres the deal: Facebook is different than LinkedIn, which is different than Twitter, which is different than your resume, which is different than Imagine going to a network meeting and, when you get hte chance to stand up, you say: My name is Jason Alba. Im a ______ and Im looking for a job in _______.  Im especially looking for introductions to ______ or ______ and ______. Would that be appropriate? Well, if its a job club, then YES, it would probably be appropriate.  But if its a home and garden show, and you are just mingling with vendors, it would probably seem really out of place. The idea is context. Who is your audience, and what types of messaging or communication or conversation seems right for the meeting? Take this concept online, and consider what message you are sending out on LinkedIn (here are my professional competencies) and Twitter (Im hungry, wheres the taco truck?) and Facebook. What kind of message is appropriate on Facebook? Lets first consider who you are connected to on Facebook.  Typically friends, and some associates, and maybe some professional acquaintances.  What kind of message is appropriate to put in front of them?  I have a little different approach than what Ive heard from others (which is, LinkedIn is for professional, Facebook is for personal (only)).  Consider this: do your Facebook Friends have any ability to help you find a new job?  Im not talking about looking up openings, Im talking about knowing someone who might know someone (aka, help you network). Ive seen this numerous times over the last few years: someone posts that they are now out of work, and looking for a new job. Its a casual mention, not going into detail, but the comments on that one post start to pile up. Comments come from family and friends who seem like they wouldnt be able to help.  Some of them are out of the workforce (retirement or homemakers), others are in completely different fields, and some are just teenagers who surely wouldnt know anyone. But every grandma on there has a daughter or son who might know someone (or, be that someone!).  Every teen has parents and/or aunts or uncles, or other adults they have a relationship with that might be able to help. See what we are doing? Were bypassing the idea of you are in my target company, thus, you are the right person, and going straight for the heart of what networking is. Reconsider your messaging so that, instead of saying does anyone have a job for me, you simply say I need help heres what Im looking for, heres how you can help me. And the heres what Im looking for is usually not a job in xyz industry.  Usually its an introduction to someone who does this type of thing. Most people are not going to know about a particular opening in xyz industry, but a lot of people will think I wonder if I know anyone who can help this person? Bottom line: Facebook can be an excellent place to do a job search.  You just have to rethink what your question is, and how you get that in front of your Facebook Friends. (oh yeah, this is not a one-time post keep this in front of your connections!) How to use Facebook in your job search I got this question from a client: Would it be advantageous to put some of my past work experience on Facebook as well? How much do employers use Facebook? So heres the deal: Facebook is different than LinkedIn, which is different than Twitter, which is different than your resume, which is different than Imagine going to a network meeting and, when you get hte chance to stand up, you say: My name is Jason Alba. Im a ______ and Im looking for a job in _______.  Im especially looking for introductions to ______ or ______ and ______. Would that be appropriate? Well, if its a job club, then YES, it would probably be appropriate.  But if its a home and garden show, and you are just mingling with vendors, it would probably seem really out of place. The idea is context. Who is your audience, and what types of messaging or communication or conversation seems right for the meeting? Take this concept online, and consider what message you are sending out on LinkedIn (here are my professional competencies) and Twitter (Im hungry, wheres the taco truck?) and Facebook. What kind of message is appropriate on Facebook? Lets first consider who you are connected to on Facebook.  Typically friends, and some associates, and maybe some professional acquaintances.  What kind of message is appropriate to put in front of them?  I have a little different approach than what Ive heard from others (which is, LinkedIn is for professional, Facebook is for personal (only)).  Consider this: do your Facebook Friends have any ability to help you find a new job?  Im not talking about looking up openings, Im talking about knowing someone who might know someone (aka, help you network). Ive seen this numerous times over the last few years: someone posts that they are now out of work, and looking for a new job. Its a casual mention, not going into detail, but the comments on that one post start to pile up. Comments come from family and friends who seem like they wouldnt be able to help.  Some of them are out of the workforce (retirement or homemakers), others are in completely different fields, and some are just teenagers who surely wouldnt know anyone. But every grandma on there has a daughter or son who might know someone (or, be that someone!).  Every teen has parents and/or aunts or uncles, or other adults they have a relationship with that might be able to help. See what we are doing? Were bypassing the idea of you are in my target company, thus, you are the right person, and going straight for the heart of what networking is. Reconsider your messaging so that, instead of saying does anyone have a job for me, you simply say I need help heres what Im looking for, heres how you can help me. And the heres what Im looking for is usually not a job in xyz industry.  Usually its an introduction to someone who does this type of thing. Most people are not going to know about a particular opening in xyz industry, but a lot of people will think I wonder if I know anyone who can help this person? Bottom line: Facebook can be an excellent place to do a job search.  You just have to rethink what your question is, and how you get that in front of your Facebook Friends. (oh yeah, this is not a one-time post keep this in front of your connections!)

Is Freelancing the Right Career for You - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Is Freelancing the Right Career for You - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Freelancing and being your own boss might be the dream come true for many. However, being a freelancer requires some personal traits and sacrifices and unfortunately, it is not for everyone. Some people notice, after they start freelancing, that they are not as productive as their 9 to 5 jobs. Therefore, you should think twice before start freelancing. If you have the below skills, freelancing can be the right career  for you. Can Deal with Isolation: As a freelancer, most of the time you will be working alone by yourself. If you are used to working in an open office environment, you can feel lonely as a freelancer and this can affect your mood and productivity. Renting a space from shared offices or partnering up with someone for some tasks can help you deal with the isolation problem. Have Self-Discipline: As a freelancer, you have no boss to tell you what to do and when. You should determine your schedule and plan your work flow. You are also accountable to yourself because you are running a business and you should also work on administrative tasks of running a business. Therefore, you have to have self-discipline and know what to do when. Also, if necessary, you should be willing to work late nights and early mornings. Be Professional: You will be dealing with your clients yourself now and therefore, you should know the rules of the game. For example, you should dress up for all your client meetings even if you don’t want to. In this way, you will look more professional and clients will know that you are taking your work seriously. You can also think that your client is your new boss now and therefore,  you should behave accordingly. Be Flexible: As a freelancer, you must be flexible. You should easily adapt to new market needs, conditions or services. You should closely follow trends and move in that direction. You don’t need to apply all the new trends or concepts but quickly figure out what will be best for your business and keep on doing that. Be Financially Strong: Before quitting your job to be a freelancer, you should have savings to support yourself for at least a year. Setting up a business from scratch takes up time and effort. You should go out to the field and network a lot in order to find people who will pay for your services.

6 Best Resume Writing Services in Colorado Springs, CO

6 Best Resume Writing Services in Colorado Springs, CO The Colorado Springs job market is booming. And because the Pikes Peak Region is teeming with opportunity, job seekers (especially millennials) are flocking to the Springs in droves.How can you make a great impression on potential employers in such a competitive market?What you need is a professionally written resume.A resume crafted by a pro will help you get more interviews. Without one, the job search process will feel like tackling a fourteener.To help you find a Colorado Springs resume writer who will do justice to your career and to your investment, we’ve created this list.Best Resume Services in Colorado SpringsIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Writers in Colorado Springs:Find My Profession (that's us!) A Platinum Resume Expert Resume Pros Career Magic Career Pro Impressive Resumes Colorado Springs ResumeAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Profession is not just a top-notch r esume service available in Colorado Springs. We are a global company headquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. This allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profession commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 2 business days.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, check out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. A Platinum ResumeA Platinum Resume writer Kara Varner invites you to unlock your potential and make your job search more efficient using her custom, branded resume. She has a special certification in resume writing for military-to-civilian transitions, so if you are in that particular boat, take note. There are many handsome samples on her website to browse through and you are sure to get an eye-catching finished product using her service. As an add-on, she offers a job search video course you can do from home.Pros: If you need to update your resume in the future, you can do that for just $15 7.Cons: If you prefer a face-to-face meeting with your resume writer, there is typically a 2â€"4 week waiting time for that.Turnaround: 8â€"15 business days with rush service available.Cost: $307â€"1267 (the top range includes LinkedIn optimization and job search extras).Phone: (719) 339-26593. Expert Resume ProsExpert Resume Pros is a resume writing service with four Colorado locations, including one in Colorado Springs. They have 22 industry-specific resume writers working for them across their locations, so you are sure to get one who is a good fit for you. If you are interested in an infographic resume, you can add this to your package for just $69.Pros: This company offers a headshot service if you need one. That could make them a one-stop-shop for you if you don’t have a current headshot. They will also do a 24â€"48-hour rush service for just $69, which is a bargain.Cons: You will be able to make unlimited revisions to your resume, but only for 14 days.Turnaround: 3â€"5 days .Cost: $149â€"409.Phone: (720) 551-86304. Career MagicCareer Magic is a company that works mostly virtually, but they have meeting spaces in the Denver Tech Center and in Colorado Springs if you prefer working in person. If you are interested in interview coaching, salary negotiating advice, or outplacement services in addition to resume services, they can do it all.Pros: Resume editing is also available at a reasonable cost if that is all you need.Cons: There is an $80 surcharge for meeting in person.Turnaround: 2â€"5 days.Cost: $250â€"530.Phone: (303) 424-17005. Career Pro Impressive ResumesCareer Pro Impressive Resumes promises to be there for you before, during, and after your interview. Along with your resume service, you will get interview tips and workbooks so you can be ready when opportunity strikes. Reviewers, including military-to-civilian job seekers, rave about the effectiveness of these resumesin getting interviews and better-paying jobs.Pros: You will get lifetime res ume updating with this service.Cons: The website offers little information beyond why a professionally written resume is important and how to get in contact. Some more pricing information and samples would have been a nice touch. Also, there are only four resume styles to choose from.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $95 and up.Phone:(719) 591-61556. Colorado Springs ResumeColorado Springs Resume writer Dodie Thompson has more than a decade’s experience helping Springs-area job seekers land the positions they deserve. She serves a range of job seekers, from students looking for their first summer jobs to those undergoing big career transitions.Pros: Reviewers mention that Dodie is great at launching students into the working world with her resume help.Cons: No fees are disclosed on the website.Turnaround: 5â€"7 days with rush service available.Cost: Not stated.Phone: (719) 419-9216This List Serves The Following Areas Near Colorado Springs, Colorado:Fountain, Pueblo, Alamosa, Durango, C anon City, Montrose, Trinidad, La Junta, Lamar, Walsenburg, Grand Junction, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Monument, Peyton, Ellicott, Woodland Park, Limon, Parker, Centennial, Canon City, LakewoodBest Resume Services In AmericaNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? Check out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top-rated resume writing services we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you find what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

Take the Networking Challenge with me in July!

Take the Networking Challenge with me in July! Hi friends!   So I havent given you lovely readers an update  on my 4 X 4 networking challenge  lately.   You may be thinking, did she give up?   Wellyes and no.   After going through some personal challenges (which I will share with you sometime soon), I decided to take June off from networking.   But, my goal is to start this challenge back up  in July again and I cant wait.   This challenge  really excites me and  I know everyone that I talk to each month will  help push me one step  closer to my goals.   This is why YOU need to knock down your barriers to networking and join me in July also! In case you are new here (welcome!), the  challenge that we  are taking is: 1) Each month,  we will meet with 4 people that  we already know but would like to get to know even better. AND 2) Each month,  we will meet with 4 people that  we dont know but  we would like to get to know. So join me in  writing down  your goals for the month and we will keep each other accountable!    Next month  I will be  meeting with 4 amazing  friends that I  currently know (but havent seen in forever!).  I will also be  starting fresh with people I dont know.   The past few months I have had many referrals but this month I am just finding some very interesting people to talk to all on my own!   Emails just went out to 4 people I found online so hopefully they all email me back! ?? Who are you meeting with this month?

Professional Resume Writing Rules and Guidelines

Professional Resume Writing Rules and GuidelinesBefore you even start creating your professional resume, you should learn some of the basic professional resume writing rules and guidelines so that you can make sure that you do not make any mistakes when putting together your document. Here are some tips for using the proper formatting and style while you create your document.o Be concise and to the point - Using the correct format for your professional resume will allow you to focus your message to the reader. Use simple words so that they are easy to understand and remember. Use different fonts and bold the most important information to get the attention of the reader.o List down only the points that are important to you and your company. Include any personal experience that you may have or even skills that you may possess in your resume. Use bullet points to highlight your main accomplishments and skills so that the reader will see your achievements as a person first and foremost.o Organize your information according to the industry you are in. You should choose a field that is closely related to your field of work so that you do not have to write a section about it. Keep the job opening/position/position type information to one side of the page while your employment history and education are listed to the other side.o Follow proper formatting when you are making your professional resume and make sure that all the numbers in the document match up properly so that they are not difficult to read. The right format will help you to catch people's eye and give them a clear understanding of what you have to say.o Remember to be brief and concise. You should go over a topic to a point that you can remember and relay the same information in your professional resume. You want to let the reader know about yourself and what you can bring to the table without repeating yourself too much.o List down your name first. If you are trying to pass as someone who is close to the reader then put your full name at the top of the document and give your title after. This will ensure that they know who you are and where they can find more information about you.Following these tips will help you create the professional resume that you need to land the job of your dreams. Once you have your professional resume created, you can then apply to jobs more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

Updating Your Old Resume For Todays Job Search - CareerAlley

Updating Your Old Resume For Today’s Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. Vince Lombardi In todays tough economy, there are numerous people out there who are unemployed and looking for work. Much has been made of the 20-something, recent college grad who cannot find employment, forced to live with their parents while peddling between job fairs. But middle aged Americans and baby boomers, although on the whole better off and less likely to be unemployed than the average person, have still seen numbers from their ranks faced with layoffs and job searches. Although more advanced in skills and experience than the recent college grad, these people often lack the know-how for finding jobs in todays world. Whether they are looking for construction work or physician employment, secretarial positions or freelance contracts, they often dont have the internet capabilities, they havent interviewed in decades, and references are often far more difficult to procure. Additionally, theres another aspect of the search process where older applicant are often out of touch: the resume. If you were working at one company for several decades before a recent layoff, chances are that your resume looks nothing like the resumes of today, and not simply because it was written on a typewriter. If you find yourself in this situation, here are a few suggestions for modernizing your resume: Remove The Objective Line For years, job applicants would begin their resumes with a brief objective that states exactly what they are searching for in a job. This section has gone the way of the dodo bird. Instead, simply begin with your educational background. Education Matters More If youve been working for years and college seems like a distant memory, you may be tempted to set aside almost all your resume space for a description of work experience. While experience will usually take up more work than education, employers care more about the latter these days than they did in the past. They want to know your major in college, any honors you received, your GPA, and even the topic of your thesis or dissertation. Make sure, then, that your educational background is fully laid out on your resume. Add A Personal Touch In recent years, a growing number of applicants have added a personal section at the end of their resume. This section may include interests, volunteer activities, language proficiency that is not relevant to your desired job, or anything else that tells a potential employer a bit more about yourself. By adding this section, the applicant can mention minor strengths and come across as a more well-rounded person, thereby standing out more from among the hundreds or thousands of resume that may be viewed. While these tips may seem like minor ones, getting a job is an incredibly competitive undertaking these days; consequently, every little details matters more. If youre searching for employment, and havent updated your resume in years, it may be a good time to sit down at your computer, spend a few hours, and make these corrections to your resume. Good luck in your search. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines.

Student Advice When University is Not Right for You - How 2 Become

Student Advice When University is Not Right for You - How 2 Become Student Advice: When University is Not Right for You University is a huge step. Most people from parents to teachers push for you, as a student, to further your education by attending university. However, there are some cases when university just is not right. What happens when you find out that University may not be the right fit for you? The first thing to know is that university is not for everyone. There are many people who do not have the patience to sit through lecture after lecture to obtain a degree, which might land them a better job. If you are, for example, someone that works well with their hands and mechanical parts, going to university may be a complete waste of your time. You might find a better career solution by working on automobiles or other machinery. If you are good at building things, such as carpentry, you do not need to go to university to become an apprentice or start a carpentry business. In these instances, university would be a waste of time and money bec ause it would not provide a valid return on your investment.  Affordability Obtaining the funding necessary to attend University is not always as easy as it might seem. There is a great deal more to obtaining scholarships or applying for financial assistance than just filling out applications. In many cases, you may not qualify and have to figure out how to pay for it on your own. This can cause a serious financial concern. The maximum cost of university for a UK student is £9,000 a year and most universities are tending to charge this rate as they do not wish to appear to be inferior to other learning institutions. If you have not planned and saved, or if you simply could not afford to save, and finding a job that could cover this in addition to living expense is not on the cards, then university may not be an option. This does not mean that you cannot further your education through other means. There are plenty of opportunities available.    Making a Determination The first ste p to determining if University is right for you is to create a list of the advantages and disadvantages for you. This list might include, monetary concerns, career goals, job prospects, and include your own personality and desires. For some people this might be a difficult task. Many people feel a great deal of pressure from peers and family to go to university. Everyone says you must go to university in order to be able to compete. However, that is only the case when looking at certain career options. There are other options, which can be equally profitable that do not require university, even if they may require additional education, this education can be found through a variety of means. Ultimately, whether or not university is right for you is something you determine.    Other Educational Opportunities Even if University is not the right option for you, for whatever reason, there is still a variety of different educational options. For example, if you cannot afford university or for financial reasons must work, consider online education. Many universities offer a variety of courses for reduced fees for individuals who are not looking for a degree. In some cases, junior colleges and online colleges offer options that allow you to take whatever courses you like without having a career in mind. These courses can be taken individually. Open coursework is also a growing educational segment. These courses are offered for free, however, by paying a small fee some of the universities providing the courses are willing to provide completion certifications for individuals who pass the courses and assignments. These courses are all online and can be done on your schedule. The fees for these certificates are drastically reduced from standard course fees and the certifications can be added to your CV and career experience.  Certifications Many support jobs such as administrative assistants, medical transcription, billing and coding, real estate, insurance, and so fort h, do not require a university degree. They do, however, require certifications. This is also true of many computer- or technology-based jobs. In some cases, you do not need to have a degree; you only need to have the knowledge and the certification in whatever type of programming or structures you need.   Certain medical positions do not require university training. For example, a certified nursing assistant can be obtained through vocational training. These assistants provide a valuable resource for hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, hospices, and as home health aids. When university is not the right option for you, there are other options available. You can still have a valuable and profitable career. Before making the commitment to attend university make sure it is the right choice for you. This entry was posted in Career Advice. Bookmark the permalink. Richard Army Eligibility Criteria: 2018/2019 Entry RequirementsOvercoming Nerves before Attending an Assessment Ce ntre