Top 10 CV Mistakes You Really Dont Want to Make

Top 10 CV Mistakes You Really Dont Want to Make We all know how stressful a job search can be. Theres a lot to consider, but one of the most important things to get perfect is your CV. Thanks for this useful infographic from Armstrong Appointments, we can understand what not to do making  adjustments  to your CV. Why is this important? If you avoid these common CV mistakes  you can potentially raise your chances of getting  past the first hurdle to landing your dream job! Takeaways: Please, please, check your spelling and grammar. Dont put your complete  trust in your PCs ability to discover  typos. Read backwards to spot issues with grammar. Treat this as a reflection of you. You wouldnt turn up to your interview not looking your best, make sure your CV looks just as sharp! Keep your CV simple, and concise. Keep information shared relevant. No one wants to know what grades you got in primary school. Dont underestimate the value of white space, as it can make your CV much easier to read. Give your qualifications room to breathe! RELATED:  5 Reasons Your CV Doesnt Get You Noticed

SUBLIMATION - Not For This Woman!

SUBLIMATION - Not For This Woman! I admit it. I love awards shows. Back in January, I looked forward to the Golden Globes Andy Samberg, Sandra Oh promise of a non-political show to help me chill out.   It’s not like we don’t have enough political chaos to shift through during our regular news cycles.  Their reversal of audience shout-outs from personal jabs to soft compliments was refreshing. And, the show, as all of the awards shows go, was slowly paced enough so you could be reading mail or doing social media catch up while watching for the highlights, and of course, checking out the fashion or who was with whom, etc…….  But then, Glenn Close won the award for best actress in a drama for “The Wife.” In that instant, things got very real, very quickly. Her remarks were relevant to the times we are inâ€"#Me-Too, #Times-up, and the more subtle issue she highlightedâ€"“sublimating oneself for her man” was so on point that I was transfixed.  Sublimating Oneself?   Glenn Close was at her best as an actress in this movieâ€"brilliantly playing a woman, and helpmate to her successful author husband who wins a Pulitzer-type prize for his writing. In short, the perfect wife. Nothing short of supportive in all things for her hubby.  I will not be a spoiler for either the movie or the book of the same name by Meg Wolitzer, written in 2003 and hailed as an acerbically funny and intelligent portrait of deception (Entertainment Weekly). But the story of the long marriage of Joan and Joe Castlemen is strained by a secret they have kept for decades.   It reaches a crescendo when Joan, finally confronts the sacrifices she’s made in order to achieve the life she thought she wanted.  That should be enough of a hook to get you to read the book and see the movie. Glenn Close: Best Actress  Close went on to win Best Actress at the SAG awards and was a nominee for Best Actress at the Oscars as well. Perhaps because the Golden Globes award surprised her a bit,   she seemed so unguarded and human in her acceptance speech.    She made a stunning comment that brought the room to attention. She reported that her mother, in her 80’s, confessed to her daughter that she never felt that she had accomplished much of anything. Glenn said she thought of her mother when she took the role, and how she had seen her mother sublimate herself to her father throughout their married life. She then went on to challenge the audience to accept the reality that women have the right to find personal fulfillment and should be allowed to go for it. And, they needed to believe it themselves.  Yes, and of course! But, like institutional racism and cultural bias, these things are not universally understood as socially acceptable alongside more acceptable roles of nurturer, lover, etc.  Glenn used an interesting term to describe her mother’s reality. She said her mother “sublimated” to her father.  In psychology, sublimation is a mature type of defense mechanism in which socially unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior possibly resulting in a long-term conversion of the initial impulse.”  Look in The Mirror Well doesn’t that say it all! Think of all the women who give up on a path, or role or profession in order to stay on a track that maybe more traditional merely because they don’t see other women making it by going a different way. Or, they get so beaten down by the barriers that they stop trying.  This is our challengeâ€"changing the acceptable paths, widening the horizons, and showing them with passion and enthusiasm. And showing them to our daughters, sisters, mothers, and our sons.  We have to be vigilant about not allowing ourselves to be subjugated or made submissive. But we also need to make sure we don’t internalize the acceptable limits and sublimate our own personal fulfillment.   A subtle difference, so two different battle lines. Be wary of subjugation by others and allowing yourself to sublimate your own path.  Contributed by Maren Cooper Maren is the author of forthcoming novel  A Better Next  (5/28/19) which has similar notes of sexism when a  healthcare consultant and wife, learns her doctor husband’s intention to take a prestigious new job on the other side of the country?and relocate with-out her… Both sprightly and deeply felt,  A Better Next  captures the losses, trade-offs, and rewards of the contemporary career woman/wife/mother. Many are the women who will recognize themselves in Jess story.   -Faith Sullivan, award-winning author of  Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse . Main image credit

6 Questions Your One Sheets Must Answer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

6 Questions Your One Sheets Must Answer - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career One sheets must answer 6 important questions if want them to build your personal brand and successfully sell your speaking services to event planners and conference organizers. One sheets, as I described in an earlier post, are single-page author marketing materials that authors use to build their brand, promote their books, and increase consulting, coaching, and speaking profits. Because one-sheets can be printed as needed on desktop printers, distributed as e-mail attachments, and downloaded from their websites, one sheets combine low (or non-existent) cost distribution with enough space to communicate your story to event organizers and conference planners. 6 questions event planners want answered To succeed in engaging your prospective hosts interest and selling your speaking services, your one sheets must answer 6 important questions. These are: Who are you? When an event planner or conference organizer asks who you are, theyre not asking about your name. What theyre really asking is, Whats your brand? What are you known for? How well known are you? They want to know that your name on their event marketing materials and program is going to add attraction-power to their event. Whats your background? One sheets are not resumes, theyre not about your major or your grade point average. One sheets only require as much background information as needed to convince the event planner that you know what youre talking about. Photographs of your book, or books, go a long way in terms of creating instant credibility, especially if your book covers are accompanied by testimonials from well know experts in your field. What topics do you speak about? Even though your personal brand establishes your expertise, event planners and conference organizers need to learn some of the specific topics , or titles, that you can adapt to their event. Ideally, each of your speaking or presentation titles should be accompanied by a short description of the benefits that audiences will gain from your speech or presentation. What kind of events have you spoken at? Just as no airline passenger wants to be on a pilots first flight, event planners and conference organizers are looking for evidence that you are an experienced professional speaker. List some of the key events where youve been a key speaker or presenter, and list some of the clients youve worked for. Your client list will play a key role in positioning you as a desirable speaker. When appropriate, you can also list the sizes of the audiences that youve spoken to. What have audiences said? Whenever possible, provide attendee comments, quotes, or evaluations to reinforce your expertise as a speaker. If possible, try to provide evidence of changed attitudes or behaviors resulting from your speech or presentation. Look for opportunities where you can document that, for example, 93% of the attendees at your workshop rated your presentation Very Helpful or Helpful. What have clients or event organizers said? More important than what attendees have said is what your event planner or conference organizers peers have said about your presence at previous events. Its one thing for you to say, I galvanize audiences to action! and quite another when an event organizer from a Fortune 500 corporation says the same thing! What the appearance of your one sheet says about you One sheet example courtesy of Steve Savage Carefully proofread your one sheet, andif possiblehire an editor to proof it from an outsiders point of view. A single spelling error or misused word can be enough to torpedo your chances of being asked to speak or present. Pay particular attention to the design and layout of your one sheet. Use color, type, and layout to guide the readers eyes through your one sheet. Use lists and subheads to organize information. Design your one sheet for easy reading on screen or when printed by choosing the right combination of typeface, type size, and line spacing. Include hooks back to your website Be sure you include links to your website, where your event planners and conference organizers coworkers and supervisors can view streaming videos of you in action speaking at an event. Even though your website or an e-mail may have delivered the one sheet to your prospects desktop, its likely to be printed and shared with others, sent as an e-mail attachment or discussed during meetings. Those who read your one sheet as a pass-along may want to view a video of you in action before making a final decision. Collect and study author one sheets One of the best ways you can learn how to prepare your own one sheets is by collecting and studying one sheets created by other authors in your field. Study their examples, and analyze how their one sheets answer the 6 important questions one sheet must answer. Author: Roger C. Parker shares ideas for planning writing, promoting, profiting ideas and strategies in his daily writing tips blog. His latest book is #BOOK TITLE Tweet: 140 Bite-Sized Ideas for Compelling Article, Book, Event Titles.

A Tale of Two Job Markets - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

A Tale of Two Job Markets - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week I played golf with a highly successful recruiting firm owner. As  usual, I took the opportunity to ask for his opinions of the job market and to learn how he connects hiring managers with the candidates they want to hire. One statement he made I found particularly interesting. He said There are two job markets. I had no idea what he meant, so I asked him to explain. In essence, here is what he was saying: There are two job markets. One is available to employed people, the other is available to the employed as well as the unemployed. I asked, based upon the recruiters experience, what portion of the job market is available to both the employed and unemployed and he answered 20%. In other words, he felt that unemployed job seekers would be considered for 20% of the jobs available. Why?, I asked. He said that his estimate was based upon the percentage of employers he has observed willing to  interview and hire unemployed job candidates. Independent recruiting and staffing firms fill approximately 15% of all jobs. His comment was specifically addressing this portion of the job market. However, it has broader implications for  the entire market because it is also true that some percentage of ALL employers tend to ignore unemployed candidates. Based upon my experience, I would estimate this portion which is unavailable to the unemployed to be  60%. In addition,  it is also  important for the unemployed to be aware that their marketability is reduced the longer they remain unemployed. (See my previous post titled Employment Date Coding). Regardless of whether my 60% estimate is high or low, it is undeniable that  a significant portion of the job market  is not available to the unemployed. This fact has the following implications for your career management: Employed people need to think carefully before resigning from their jobs and downgrading  their personal branding  from employed to unemployed as this  will reduce their marketability. Knowing this, I always try to sensitize my clients to this and  suggest they try  to hang in there while looking for their next job. If it is too late and they have recently resigned, I suggest they not be too quick to update their employment status on their resume or LinkedIn profile. Unemployed people need to make maximum efforts early in their job searches, when they are more marketable. The  recruiter  told me the story of a friend who was given a twelve month severance. She came to him after taking off for a year, earnestly desiring help with her job search. He told her You are not hirable. While I believe this was an overstatement, it points to the fact that many recruiters will not propose such a person for  positions  they are seeking to fill. Here is an analogy that sums up this matter.  You are like a new car. It  immediately loses value the day it is purchased and driven off the lot. As it continues to age, it continues to depreciate. Likewise, the day you become unemployed your marketability drops  and it continues to drop the longer you are unemployed. I imagine that unemployed job seekers will consider the previous  information to be  negative. However, if it causes the employed to be more careful before quitting their current jobs and causes the unemployed to work harder at their job searches earlier rather than later, then my work here is done. Good luck and best wishes for your success.

Why Female-Centric Co-Working Spaces Are Taking the Industry by Storm CareerMetis.com

Why Female-Centric Co-Working Spaces Are Taking the Industry by Stormâ€" CareerMetis.com Source: ShutterstockCo-working spaces have become a must-have option for the workers of today. As the number of remote employees continues to rise, more and more individuals are looking for a place to work, communicate and brainstorm with others when they’re not in the office.Co-working spaces are on the rise, and with that trend, owners need to stay in-tune with their customers. That means meeting demand, providing all of the right office tools and offering unique spaces that tailor to each worker.Fortunately for remote workers, small businesses, and freelancers, now is a great time to be a part of this demographic. Chances are if you’re looking for a specific type of co-working space, there is one already open or one on its way to serve you. One of the many unique examples that are growing in popularity is female-centric spaces.evalThat’s rightâ€"women who are in search of a female-only workspace can now sign up at these exclusive locations and enjoy an environment of smart, forward-thinking women.So, why are female-centric co-working spaces taking the industry by storm?1) Less Peer PressureevalIt’s no surprise that many of the existing co-working spaces before now have been male-dominated. Even though women are more than capable of holding their own when it comes to their passions, many women value a more relaxed atmosphere, like what exists in a male-free environment.Women have shared that they feel less pressure in a female-only zone, and they feel more confident to speak their mind and share ideas with other workers. Even though all co-working spaces encourage a sense of community and belonging, something about a female-only location offers a more welcoming, less judgmental atmosphere.2) More Feminine Décor There is no denying that it’s much easier to work in a space where you feel comfortable. Women-centric workspaces have considered this and have already embraced more feminine décor that is a little bit cozier and female-focused.Perks like l arger washrooms, female-authored bookshelves, and softer color schemes have made the co-working spaces a more relaxed place to be. Instead of seeing pool tables and video game rooms, women can enjoy cozy reading nooks, lots of greenery and Zen atmospheres.3) Forward-Thinking Options Source: PexelsOf course, there is much more than just the interior design that appeals to women, and these co-working spaces have taken lots of important issues to heart as well.evalSome of the spaces, including Hera Hub with six locations, has an angel investment arm that seeks to support female entrepreneurs. Other places offer program options for young women, who can come into these environments and shadow one of their mentors.Additionally, there is a growing focus on the mental health of women, as well as the pressures and responsibilities that they juggle on a daily basis. One space, known as The Wing, recently added a book club to their space. They’ve also begun to host seminars on depression and anxiety and guest speakers.All this is in an attempt to support and empower women from all walks of life who are dealing with all kinds of different struggles and triumphs. These spaces are taking the industry by storm not only because they provide a much-needed safe space for women, but also because they encourage women to support one another.These types of spaces are hard to find on a daily basis and are much more capable of being maintained in an environment that promises women-only.4) Interest Keeps Growing evalThe first female-centric co-working space opened in New York City in the Flatiron District. All kinds of powerful women flocked here, including models, writers, and fashion designers. The waiting list regularly sits around 3,000 people at a time, so it’s no surprise that three new locations are going to be opening up in SoHo, Brooklyn, and Washington.Other hot spots for this idea include Shecosystem in Toronto and Paper Dolls in Los Angeles.Why Should Women Join a Co-W orking Space?For many women, especially those just starting their business, it’s not easy putting yourself out there. Often, freelancers and small business owners will spend an excessive amount of time on their own, and the potential for anxiety and depression can intensify.Heading into a co-working space is the ideal approach to getting outside, becoming social again and pressing your business forward. Business owners have the opportunity to share their ideas with other like-minded individuals creating the ideal environment to bounce ideas off one another.The advantage is this: Women can improve their confidence and spread the word about their business all while getting some genuine help and support from others in the space.Your Growth Will Be Exponential evalThe idea of the co-working space for small businesses is to become so big that you no longer fit the space anymore. What often starts as a team of one or two can quickly become a team of five or ten who now need their own of fice space to expand and explore the business’s potential.In a female-centric co-working space where women support women, you’ll be able to gather advice and expertise from individuals with all kinds of talents and experiences. This is a great way to learn the dos and don’ts that others have learned or to provide your knowledge to others.In a supportive space, such as a female co-working space, the knowledge you gain from others will be critical in making good decisions going forward.CONCLUSIONevalCo-working spaces are meant to offer a place for workers to expand their horizons, or to just get some of their work done. Whatever the goal of the day is, these spaces provide the location, and the tools workers need to complete that project, find a new idea or hire some new talent.However, not all co-working spaces are equal. You absolutely should do some shopping around before you sign up for any memberships. Whether you want female-only or not, look for things that are important to you, such as quality office supplies, affordable prices, a large floorplan or keyless entry.Whatever it is, spend a day at your top three locations. This way you can gauge the atmosphere of the co-working space and choose the one that’s right for you.

The Tsunami of 2009

The Tsunami of 2009 I teach/facilitate weekly workshops to job seekers on topics ranging from improving resumes to networking. I love what I do and I am incredibly grateful to have job that allows me to help other people. Something really scary happened this week in my workshops. I had 32 people inthe resume workshop and 31 people in the interviewing workshop, compared to 8 people last year at this time in the same workshops.The numbers grew overnight.There they were, packed into a room on a Monday morning, 32 bodies looking for work. I knew there had been lay offs over the past few months, but hadnt seen people coming to workshops. I suppose I was hoping that most of those laid off had secured jobs quickly. Sadly, what I think happened was that they took the holiday season off.They probably said to themselves, after the New Year, I will really kick my job search into high gear. They didnt ask for help sooner because they probably didnt think they needed it. I cant be sure about this hypothesis, and it may not be applicable to all 32 people in that room. What I do know is that the job market is incredibly flooded with people looking for work. There is a severe competition. With extreme conditions, we need to take extreme measuresI wish I knew what that looked like The realist has spoken.

Communication Resume - Creative Ways to Make a Communications Resume

Communication Resume - Creative Ways to Make a Communications ResumeCreating a communications resume is not a job you can do by yourself. Although, there are many things that you can do to build your resume, having a professional who can create this kind of document is necessary to effectively make the best use of your efforts. If you are not familiar with the art of writing a communications resume, consider that there are many websites on the Internet today that can help you make this document. For those who are already experienced in the area of communications resume, they can give you a thorough assistance when you want to write it.First of all, you have to know what the purpose of your communications resume is before you start. The goal of this kind of document is to show your competency in the field in which you want to apply for a job. To avoid any mistakes that might prevent you from getting the position you really want, it is essential that you know the details of your job or career goals.With this kind of document, it is important that you use good communication skills. Using the wrong language or sentences and words can be counterproductive and waste your efforts. To avoid this, you should make sure that your resume will not sound so easy and it will appear professional.Your document should include relevant information about your work experience, education, and your research and intellectual achievements. Apart from this, you have to include some personal achievements, hobbies, and hobbies of interest. This is an opportunity to describe your previous experiences, the reasons why you are suitable for the job or position, your strengths and weaknesses, and any other relevant information. Make sure that you include only things that you really think are relevant.To create the document, you have to hand the written version to a third party, such as a contact of your job agency, and make sure that they make it a hard copy instead of a digital version. You h ave to send the hard copy to the company. Nowadays, there are companies that will help you create a comprehensive communications resume. However, you have to ensure that they can deliver the most professional document at the lowest cost possible.Nowadays, there are many online companies that offer online services that can help you design your communications resume. A professional writer can also create a one-page resume for you with a very minimal fee. However, to make it more appealing, you can add some graphics and personal photos to it. A good writer can easily add relevant graphics, such as charts, graphs, and maps, to your document.It is vital that you understand the job that you want to apply for, the company that you want to work for, and your specific needs when creating a communications resume. All these factors must be carefully taken into consideration when you create your document.