Resume Writing Workshops - Helping You to Land Your Dream Job

Resume Writing Workshops - Helping You to Land Your Dream JobIf you've been in the job market for a while, you will notice that resume writing workshops are becoming more popular. A recent survey of employers has found that they prefer to interview potential employees online rather than on-site because the latter often requires significant preparation.It is not surprising why resume writing workshops are so popular. After all, when an employer reads your resume, he will have a better opportunity to see your entire background, including education, work experience, and awards, which often makes him feel more confident about your chances for success.The good news is that these writing workshops offer some great tips to help you effectively craft a resume. One way to make sure that you get the best benefits from them is to find a workshop that offers both in-person and online instruction. Of course, if you choose an online training program, you will be able to complete your training at h ome and still have access to the same interactive sessions, but a group session gives you the chance to participate in one-on-one discussions with professionals who have a proven track record.Moreover, the quality of the written material you receive from writing workshops is also very important. You should choose a workshop with a panel of experts who have given years of experience in the field. They should be able to show you how effective their written materials are, so you can quickly pick up the tips and tricks that can lead you to a successful resume.Although most resumes are long, informative and comprehensive, you will find some particular materials that are more effective. These are the ones that provide specific examples and explanations of your skills and experience. You can't make up your mind as to which you should use first, but these will make it easier for you to distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd.One of the most commonly used and well-liked materialsis t he flow chart. This is usually filled with information that describes each skill and type of work you have done, such as being an employee, a contractor, or an expert. It is an effective way to sum up the main aspects of your career, and you should have a copy prepared for each of the categories you are considering.Another thing you can do in order to boost your chances of getting hired is to include the resume at the very beginning of your cover letter. As the saying goes, the first impression is the last impression, and it is best to make this right. Plus, a well-written and convincing resume can only work for you if it is well-received by the person you are going to send it to.

How to Make the Perfect First Impression In 30 Seconds, According to a Top Marketing Strategist

How to Make the Perfect First Impression In 30 Seconds, According to a Top Marketing Strategist “The best elevator pitch doesn’t feel like an elevator pitch,” says Dorie Clark. “It feels like a conversation.” Clark is a marketing strategist, an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and the author of multiple books, the most recent of which is “Entrepreneurial You.” The goal of telling someone about yourself, according to Clark, is simply to “achieve conversational liftoff.” You don’t need to cram in every detail about your life and career â€" that will come out over time. We asked Clark for her best advice on crafting and delivering a solid elevator pitch, or “selling yourself,” if you will. Read on for her top tips. Consider your audience and personalize the pitch to them. You wouldn’t send the same exact résumé and cover letter to every company where you’re applying. The same logic applies to elevator pitches: You want to personalize as much as possible. “You can make a better and deeper connection with people if you can be thoughtful about what elements would resonate,” Clark said. Say, for example, that the person you’re speaking with works in finance and you used to work in finance. You might open the conversation by talking about the way your finance background still informs the work you do today. Wait as long as possible in the conversation to give your pitch. Clark said she advises clients to give only a brief answer to “Tell me about yourself” at networking events. The next step is to draw the other person out. “If you can find ways to engage the other person upfront and ask as many questions as possible about them, it will enable you … to find more hooks so that what you’re talking about is relevant to them.” Keep the pitch to about 30 seconds. Brevity is key. Stick to about 30 seconds when you’re delivering your elevator pitch. “The goal is not to stun people into silence with your amazing monologue,” Clark said. “The goal is to engage them in a conversation.” Don’t stick to a script. Having a general outline of what you want to convey is fine. But Clark has noticed that many people get so nervous that they’re “overly scripted.” She said, “It’s like they’re so afraid of getting something wrong or leaving something out that they can’t be natural about it. So instead they sound a little bit robotic.” Unfortunately, your conversation partner is “left with the impression that it’s not that you are really interested in learning about them â€" it’s more that you’re interested in delivering your message to whoever will listen.” Bring a wingman to deliver your pitch for you. If possible, Clark recommends heading to networking events with a friend. “Make a pact with the friend beforehand that you’ll serve as each other’s wingman,” she said. That way, you don’t really have to deliver an elevator pitch â€" they do it for you, and vice versa. Not only does it relieve some of the pressure on you. It also “enables the other person to essentially brag on your behalf to an extent that would be inappropriate for you to do yourself.” If you’re heading to an event alone, Clark still recommends speaking with friends, coworkers, and clients beforehand “to see what it is that they think is most special or distinctive about you.” It works because “they’ll be able to see things” â€" great things â€" “that you might not.” This article originally appeared in BusinessInsider.com.

5 Industries That Are Struggling To Fill Positions - Work It Daily

5 Industries That Are Struggling To Fill Positions - Work It Daily As the economy makes a slow and painful recovery, many workers are finding that a shift toward a field with a high demand for new labor is the key to establishing a lasting and secure career. Here are just a few fields that are struggling to fill positions: 1. Medicine Like law, medicine is perceived to be one of the most prestigious fields to enter for hardworking and talented workers. Unlike the legal field, however, medicine has an active shortage in many of its specialties, particularly in areas where doctors are needed most such as family care practice or rural community care. 2. Software Engineering An degree in software engineering (and sometimes less; industry titans Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg never completed their college degrees) is quickly becoming the golden ticket that a law degree may once have been before the legal market became sated. Software engineering jobs are not just plentiful, they are also well-paid and an elite education is not necessary to attain them. A computer science degree from a good school can earn graduates jobs with even the best companies, where some industries only give out good jobs to the very best and brightest graduating from only the most prestigious of schools. 3. Oil Oil field jobs pay well because they often take place out of cities and sometimes in difficult conditions; however, the benefits of an oil industry job are often quite immense. Workers can expect salaries usually accorded doctors and other high-brow positions. Oil industry laborers can get ample freedom to take time off and relax, also. For many workers in the new economy, an oil industry post is a lifeline that pays high dividends for hard work and a tough disposition. 4. Nursing Nurses have one of the most difficult but rewarding jobs in the world. They are there for patients when patients are at their most needy, and nurses often work long hours. However, for many people, nursing is not so much a career as it is a calling. Because of its demanding nature and turnover, the nursing field is very much in need of more talented and dedicated workers. 5. Graphic Design As a career, graphic design not only pays well, it rewards talent in ways that other industries do not. If you have a good eye for patterns and beauty or enjoy analyzing how paintings or drawings are constructed, graphic design may be a field that you find immensely rewarding. Art and ad agencies exist the world over and can offer dynamic and interesting careers to the right candidates. It is, however, a very subjective field where it can take some time to find a place where your work fits the bill. That said, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of positions in this field. Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles: 3 Questions To Ask Yourself When Changing Industries 10 Tips For Choosing A Technology Industry Career How To Prepare For A Career In The Oil And Gas Industry Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!