Sunday, April 25, 2010

Avoid Spelling and Grammar Mistakes on Your Resume


It's common knowledge that spelling and grammar mistakes can be extremely damaging to your resume's chances of landing you a job interview. Everyone seems to be aware of this fact, and this is why they are constantly reminded to check and then recheck their resumes.

So then why are these mistakes found all the time on resumes? A lot of times, people are reluctant to share and have their resumes edited by others, and failing to do so can result in small errors going undetected.

Showing your resume to someone else benefits you in more ways than one. For one, it provides an extra pair of eyes to look for any spelling of grammar mistakes. While you may be absolutely positive that there are none, especially since you've edited it numerous times, it can't hurt! I can tell you from experience that 7 out of the 10 resumes I read contain some sort of spelling error, and I'm willing to bet that most of these people did several edits on their resumes.

Have you ever read something so many times that you started memorizing and reciting it more than actually reading it? This happens a lot with resumes. We get so caught up in what we think it says that we sometimes forget how this translates onto paper. I notice a lot of times that people write things like "... responsible updating data..." or "...selected represent the company at various trade shows." If you just read that for the first time, you probably noticed that a few words are missing there. Obvious, right? Read it a few more times and you might find yourself automatically inserting the missing words. This is what happens quite often with people who write and then edit and re-edit their resumes.

Showing your resume to someone else eliminates the chances of this happening as they will be more likely to catch small mistakes like these. They can also provide an objective critique on your resume.

While you clearly know more about your past experience than anyone, translating this onto paper for a stranger to understand is sometimes very difficult, and the person critiquing it can point out any job descriptions that don't make sense or aren't very clear.

Overall, having another person or two look at your resume before you send it off can do nothing but help you. The job market out there is tough at the moment and you want to give yourself the best chance possible - don't let small errors that you looked over damage your chances of landing an interview.

© RedStarResume Publications – www.redstarresume.com

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When Should I Look to Apply For an Internship?


Internships are extremely important and beneficial to college resumes, so if you have the opportunity to apply for one, I would 100% recommend it. Internships are huge resume boosters and will no doubt give you an advantage over the competition when it comes to real world job seeking after your college graduation. The key thing to note, however, is that with internships, planning ahead is always your best option.

Most do not work like jobs in terms of the actual hiring process. With jobs, ads are posted and can be filled within only a few days because the start date is almost immediate. With an internship, the process is quite different – the actual start date could be months away, which is why you need to think about it in advance.

If you’re thinking about applying for an internship with a major corporation (or with one that you anticipate will be accepting applications from thousands of students around the country), you will definitely need to apply for this months in advance. Many summer internships are filled by the spring, and, in turn, ones for the fall are filled during the summer.

While most internships are filled months in advance, this does not make it true for all internships. Colleges all over offer internships with various departments or with school-based organizations that you can usually apply for toward the beginning of the semester. While they may not seem like the most exciting ways to spend some of your free time, they will definitely add value to the resume you send out to that internship you really want.

The main thing is that if you’re just starting to think about internships and haven’t found one you’re interested in yet, it’s never too early to at least start drafting and preparing your resume. You won’t be able to apply for a job or internship without one, and you want to be prepared the minute you see one you like.

© RedStarResume Publications – www.redstarresume.com

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Poll: Rate the Big 4 Accounting Firms

Poll: Rate the Big 4 Accounting Firms

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Top 20 Best Summer Jobs


Ideally the best thing you can do is try to find an internship which is related to your degree or passion. One of my favourite rockers, Ozzy Osbourne worked in a slaughterhouse before rising to fame with Black Sabbath! This is the best way to gain real life experience as well as having something terrific to put on your resume. For example, if you're studying business then an Intern in a big financial bank would be fantastic and also good pay (but long hours!) In reality however you have left finding an internship to the last moment and now you find yourself searching for a summer job that pays well without consuming your entire summer.

No matter what job you're doing over the summer never forget to network. Speak to people, ask questions, learn new skills and most importantly have fun.

And if you think you're too good for a summer job think again. Some of the biggest stars in the world spent their summer mopping floors at a local Dairy Queen (Gwen Stefani) or saved up some extra cash as a paper boy (Tom Cruise). Matthew McConaughey found himself short of cash when travelling around Australia (before he was famous) and took a job on a farm moving chicken manure.

Top 20 Summer Jobs:

Sales: The skills you learn in a sales job will help you for the rest of your life.

Post office worker (great pay!)

National Park services

Camp counsellors (not great pay but accommodation and food is free)

Resort or country club (Get paid to live by the pool)

Tour guide

Restaurant staff

Web design

Tutoring (Be your own boss - great pay!)

Telemarketing - Can you sell? Are you a talented speaker? Telemarketers may annoy you but the good ones can make a lot of money

Campus Jobs - Working in the labs - Check out jobs area in your university

Construction worker

Valet

Pet and House Sitting

Writing articles for sites that will pay you

Convention Worker - Is the boat show in town?

Landscaping

Lifeguards

Dog walker

Barista

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.redstarresume.com/

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

Dream Job ... Is there such a thing?


What is a dream job?

Do you know someone who has the dream job?

Is there really such a thing as a dream job ?


RedStarResume posted this question on LinkedIN. Here are your answers:

“It depends on what is the basis of somebody defines his/her dream job.. Is it learning, Money, Foreign trips, Brand Name etc. etc.

According to me, its about identifying who you are, what your natural talents are and then getting into a job where you get to apply your talents on a day to day basis. In other words you have an opportunity to do best every day and you look forward to coming to work everyday.

Therefore, there is something which an Individual has to do to get a dream job (identifying what is he looking for and what talents he brings on table) and then there is something which Organizations have to do (identify the talent, put him in a right role and give him a great manager) and you might land into a dream job” - Ashish

“A dream job is one that makes you look forward for the Monday throughout the weekends, week after week, month after month & year after year” - Souri

“The phrase to ‘create a personally satisfying career path’ doesn’t sound as snappy but is probably more helpful. The idea of ‘finding your dream job’ makes several assumptions, each of which has it’s limitations:

1) There is only one job that would fit you – you may have many options and you can’t do them all

2) It already exists out there – you may have to invent it

3) You will stay the same forever – your priorities and talents will change over time

4) The job will stay the same forever – the nature of the job may change

Sometimes the biggest problem is not ‘finding’ the job but recognising it when you see it. As an afterthought. Some people talk about a dream job as being something that has personal meaning. The question remains. Do you find a job that already has meaning or do you try to find the meaning in your job?” - David

“There is potential in every job, to be a dream job? Well, I think so. Any job can be a dream job through your attitude, gratitude, and choice.

Are you a clerk at a bookstore? Are you a city garbage truck driver? or is it washing cars or fixing computers ? Maybe you love to mow people’s lawns. Well, there are no menial jobs; only menial attitudes. Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life and that is your dream job” – Abdul

“Walking to work with a big smile on your face on a Monday morning in anticipation of the day and week ahead is probably a good indicator. I also think that the challenge once you’ve found it is to continue to appreciate it, to be able to walk away from it on a Friday or in the evenings and not to covet it too much. Otherwise the ‘Dream Job ‘ may be fleeting” – Richard

“A dream job is one that you’ll do even if you’re not paid for it” -Y.K.

“A dream job is one in which you are able to utilize your talents in meaningful ways, participate in activities that serve others and your higher self, and compensation becomes a byproduct of personal reward and satisfaction. Many people are fortunate enough to work in situations that inspire passion and growth in themselves and others. Learn what makes your heart sing and pursue it relentlessly” - Monica

“This depends on your definition of the “Dream Job.” If you mean perfect in every way, obviously no one has this type of job.

However, if you mean a job that has its hiccups along the way, but offers job satisfaction, self-fulfilment, the opportunity for advancement, the potential for increasing salary–the “Dream Job” certainly exists. My father once told me he had the best job in the world. He was teaching at a renowned university. He loved teaching. But he was also doing research and grant writing, and bringing in a lot of money for the university. He had the freedom to coach my baseball teams and attend any of our games. The money wasn’t great, but that increased over time.

With realistic expectations, the “Dream Job” exists. It is not perfect, just as dreams are not perfect. I suppose a job without its problems would be boring and lack challenge” – Bob

“Absolutely!!!! It is when your passion, lifestyle, and abilities come together. I happen to have had several dream jobs” - Robin

“I had the pleasure some years ago to be driven at high speed around a race track by a professional racing driver.
Talking to him afterwards I said that he must have found his “dream job” or words to that effect.
He replied “It’s not bad but I really wanted to be a porn star!”
Some people are never happy – funny old world isn’t it! “ – John

“NO! You can have a job you enjoy, however keep in mind that a job is a job. There are things that you are not in control of when it comes to a job like keeping it or the attitude of your superiors. I would say the best situation you can be in is if you work for yourself” - Jeff

“The dream job is the one you really like to do, matching exactly with your competences, your capabilities and your expectation, the one where you will face challenges, bringing you from competence to excellence, the one where you can give the best you can do, source of blooming and happiness” – Eric

“No, there aren’t any dream jobs. There are jobs that you live to do, that you can’t wait to do. But even with that type of passion, every job has its negatives. Co-workers you don’t get along with, managers, who don’t see eye to eye with you, too long hours, too little pay, and the possibility that your job will be eliminated or outsourced. If you enjoy what you do and are eager to come to the office in the morning, that’s pretty special even if it’s not perfect” – Darlene

“A dream always remains a dream. I wanted to be an artist but end up selling photo albums and in the printing industry. I have a dream about a girl I love when young, but gain it was a dream. Wild and silly dream like wanted to be John Travolta….but never happen….anyway, dreams keep me going” – Daniel

“I think there are “dream roles” that you can envision as you grow and develop over your career. These tend to involve greater scope, stretching, and drawing on a different basket of skills that you want to strengthen. The goal is always elusive though, as you quickly grow into whatever dream role you eventually land, and it gets replaced with a new dream. To paraphrase Browning, a person’s reach should always exceed their grasp…

PS. I have had some amazing jobs but NEVER ONCE have I woken up first thing on a Monday wanting to do anything other than go back to sleep!” – Rob

“I think there are as many “dream jobs” as there are people in the world! I believe there are a lot of elements that come into play when somebody defines their dream job. They are in the right environment, with the right people, using the their strengths, compensating for weakness, doing the right things, achieving the right goals, etc…

A seemingly simplistic view of a dream job might be when your life’s mission or purpose is fulfilled in the job you do. That’s certainly been the case for me and I am living my dream job!” – Shellie

“Yes, Dream Jobs Do Exist! But the definition of a dream job is different for each one of us.

I understand where some of the previous responders are coming from, referring to the fact that a “job” can’t be compared to or labelled in the dream category.

However, in the context of having a job, I have met many people who have described their experiences as “Dream Jobs.” There are people out there, my sister for instance, who are absolutely passionate about what they do and are living out their dream doing it – she is a Chief Nursing Officer and is dedicated to excellence in patient care and the professional development of nurses.

This is not to say that dream jobs aren’t full of challenge and bad days. Most jobs are.

Having a dream job does not mean your job is perfect. It just means it is exactly what you want to be doing, and for whatever reason, you find the ultimate satisfaction in doing it, whether this be through intrinsic rewards, professional or social benefits, monetary rewards, etc – you are living your dream job”

I hope you find yours!
Marjorie

“Does a nightmare qualify as a dream??? I always try to keep in mind that any company with a career opportunity created that opportunity for a reason. The company more often than not is looking for some one to step up to a major challenge. If you are dreaming of being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, then you can have your dream job” - Kenneth

“Sorry to put a bit of a damper on this discussion, but at some point those of us engaged in job search have to be realistic and make the best of what we can get” - Judy

“A dream job is just a job that you look forward to going to. A job that makes you happy, it doesn’t have to be something outlandish or farfetched. And as for dreams go, once those die then we’re going to have issues” - Dexter

“Absolutely they exist! I have it – I LOVE going to work, love where I work and my job duties are well suited to my talents and personality! I encourage everyone to find this type of position where they are appreciated and can grow” Wendy

“Many people would like to find their “dream job”. But whether they are able to find it or not is finally the outcome and what defines the existence of a “dream job”.

If people have the talent to turn their dreams into reality – then yes, they are able to find their “dream job”. If they are not able to do so, then they keep searching and some find it successful, some not and the cycle continues.

WHAT IS A DREAM JOB
Basically, there is no such thing that is lying out there in the world as a qualified, identified entity that could be called as a “dream job”. Its all in the perspective and thoughts of the person searching for such an opportunity.

JOB SEEKER PART
If people believe and wish to attain something then its up to them to find out whether they are eligible and capable of achieving it, in the first place – in terms of everything like expertise, experience, skills, etc. And, if they do not possess any or all of such things, whether they can learn, improve, acquire such things. Once they feel eligible, they can start looking for it – BUT HERE IS THE CATCH – they should be clear on what they are looking for and they should search in the right place at the right time thru the right means, clarity is critical. If not, they have to keep searching and whether they will get it or not is a question.

Above all, the core skills or “life skills” or “soft skills” like communication, presentation, personality related, leadership skills come in to play apart from the job related skills and technical skills. If people possess such skills and talent, if they are able to attain that particular position/title/level in job or career then they feel they are in that “dream job” – that dream is a reality.

DREAM JOB – HOW TO MAKE IT A REALITY
But yes, dreams can be turned into reality and it all depends on the person, but not necessarily all in a particular time frame expected – that’s the most important, what really matters whether there is a time factor attached to it – to convert that dream or goal or objective into reality. Only such time factor associated clear goals have chances of becoming a reality. So that dream has to be a goal, and that goal has to be associated with time, and this should have proper plans and means in place – then yes, this dream job can become a reality” - Venkdesh

© RedStarResume Publications – www.redstarresume.com

Tips to find your next job

What can you do to be competitive when looking for a new job? Writing a quick resume late at night and applying for random jobs is NOT going to get you the job you are looking for. Is there an educational or university course being offered which could help you now or in the long term? What skills do you have to shine above and beyond other candidates. Make a portfolio of your accomplishments you have achieved in your academic or professional life. In the current economic climate employers want to know what YOU have to offer them. You need to sell yourself! and sell your success.

Below are some further ideas and suggestions to find yourself a new job

Learn new skills: It’s never too late to try to learn a foreign language, or a new piece of computer software. (Best example was a senior archaeologist of 10 years who came to me wanting to change life direction. After 6 months learning spanish then travelling through Spain for another 6 months, The senior archaeologist is now a junior English/spanish translator)

Research: Find out where the demand is. While many industries are having trouble in this recession and laying of employees other areas are increasing employment

Sell yourself: Take time writing your resume, and tailor your resume specifically to each job you are applying. Do not send out the same resume to every job advert you see. Remember if you’re sending out generic resumes then you will get the same generic responses

Use your social network. Don’t be embarrassed about looking for work. Tell your friends and family. You never know who may be looking at hiring staff with your set of skills

Use free networking sites to advertise yourself and your skills. Promote yourself via sites like LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/

Use a recruitment agency that specialises in your particular area. Get to know the recruitment consultant, and follow them up weekly. The more you appear visible, the more they will remember you

Share with friends: Brainstorm ideas and share experiences with friends that are also looking for jobs. Exchange advice, strategies, and plans

Act straight away:
When you get a lead or hear about a job opening apply immediately. There is no need to wait. Prepare your resume and send it immediately. The longer you wait the more likely another candidate will apply ahead of you

Don’t let a lack of experience discourage you from applying for jobs: When tailoring your resume towards the job you are applying for, concentrate on the skills and abilities you have to match that certain job

Most importantly: Don’t give up – Never stop looking. While you’re searching for your new job is there something else in the meantime you could be doing. Do you have skills to freelance? Maybe you can sell goods online. Keeping yourself occupied helps you to stay positive and upbeat rather than moping around the house feeling sorry for yourself

© RedStarResume Publications – www.redstarresume.com

Why Am I Not Getting Called for the job Interviews?


A true story…

A candidate was applying for a job that he felt was probably beyond him in terms of experience and skills, however he figured he’d apply and “hope for the best”. The job application asked for a resume and personally written cover letter to be submitted to the hiring manager. When the candidate went to send the resume and cover letter he decided that instead of writing the generic “To whom it may concern” on the top of his letter, he would call up the company and find out the name of the hiring manager. Thus, he began his letter with “Dear Mr. xxxx”

As insignificant as this seems, the candidate ended up getting the job. Years later this young man became the right hand man to the hiring manager who had now become the CEO of the firm. When the hiring manager was asked why he had originally employed the boy he said, “He was not the strongest academically or experienced candidate, but he was the only person out of 100 candidates who had taken the time and effort to find out my name…”

Although gaining employment is subject to many unpredictable factors that are far beyond your control (such as employer perceptions, competition and personal choice), there are countless factors that are controllable that you may be doing wrong. Remember, your resume only has 10 seconds to make an impact. When the hiring manager has 100 resumes on his or her desk and needs to pick the top 5, all it takes is the simplest error for your resume to be deleted.

My advice is this: If you’re going to spend time applying for jobs then DO IT PROPERLY. You are not going to get an interview by sending out a resume that is written or formatted incorrectly. By doing just the smallest things correctly you will find that success is just around the corner.

Is your resume full of clichés? Do you use words such as “hardworking”, “loyal worker” or “enthusiastic”? Do you send out the exact same resume for every job? If the answer is yes, then you need to take greater effort to differentiate your resume and make it stand out from the crowd. Include your achievements with examples. Don’t just write “I am a hardworking individual” as this does not inspire. Rather, explain to the reader why you are a hardworking individual. If you’re not inspired by your resume then why is a hiring manager going to be inspired?

Your resume is your selling tool. Take a look at it. Are you proud of how it reads? Does it sell your strengths, skills and accomplishments? In this tough economic climate you need to go the extra length to get an interview.

Find below 15 reasons why you may be missing out on getting that interview:

• Generic resume

• Resumes that do not inspire

• Clichéd resume

• Your resume does not use key words

• Your resume is formatted incorrectly

• Your resume is not targeted

• You don’t use a cover letter

• Your cover letter is boring/generic/clichéd

• Your resume and cover letter are too embellished

• Your job search is restricted to the Internet/Google/Yahoo

• You are only seeking out the perfect job (Is there such a thing?)

• Spelling mistakes / bad grammar

• Lack of professionalism

• No follow up

• Unqualified / Overqualified (you need to be realistic)

© RedStarResume Publications – www.redstarresume.com

The Job search market can be a tricky place to navigate. Whether you are just starting out, moving up the ladder or changing your current situation, RedStarResume have all the resources to help improve your chances of success. http://www.redstarresume.com/