Monday, April 20, 2020

Why Should You Consider Resume Writing Services?

Why Should You Consider Resume Writing Services?Angie's List is one of the best places to start your search for a resume writing service. But what does that really mean? What do Angie's List and resume writing services mean?Angie's List is an internet based company that provides members with access to the internet at no cost. The site has the usual resumes listings, job boards, classified ads, and a forum. The membership fee is really quite small, so why not sign up if you are considering starting a career in the human resources field?The membership process is pretty straightforward. You fill out a profile and, within seconds, you will have access to thousands of websites dedicated to job openings and service providers who are on the list. All of these websites have a forum where people can chat about things like job seekers, realtor listings, home salespeople, and even medical professionals. As you can see, it is really the perfect place to get advice or to get some advice.So why wo uld anyone need resume writing services? Well, a resume is one of the first pieces of business communication that you will ever receive in a job interview. It is also the first thing that a hiring manager will see when they look over your resume.Job descriptions for various job positions have a very specific format. If you do not follow the proper format, your chances of being passed over are high. Besides, if you do not provide the proper information in your resume, it may not be very effective in getting you the position you want.Even if you do not intend to put together a long resume, having a shorter one prepared ahead of time is a good idea. A resume is the most important document of your career, so you want to make sure it looks professional and impressive.Resume writing services are very affordable and often allow you to tailor the resume to meet your specific needs. While you do not need to spend a fortune on a resume writing service, remember that your first impression is c rucial.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

How to Ask Your Boss to Work from Home

How to Ask Your Boss to Work from Home How to Ask Your Boss to Work from Home For today’s information workers, offices don’t make sense. Why commute in rush-hour traffic to sit in a cube and write, research, and make phone calls: all things you could do anywhere? For many workers, endingor at least reducingdaily treks to the office may be as simple as asking their employer. Especially in challenging economic times when employers cant always offer raises, companies may actually see telecommuting as an affordable way to keep employees happy. If you have ever considered telecommuting but don’t know how to approach your manager about working from home, here’s a look at things to consider before requesting a telecommuting arrangement and a way to propose working remotely to your manager in the best possible way. Is Working from Home a Good Idea? Even in a recession, younger workers “still value work-life balance above all else when listing top characteristics of an ideal entry-level employer, placing it well above other factors such as salary and meaningful work,” according to a BusinessWeek survey. The ability to work from home certainly helps with work-life balance. But as great as working from home sounds when you’re stuck in gridlocked traffic or smelling your officemate’s leftover fish tacos, there are drawbacks. When you work from home, you Give up social interaction with co-workers Lose visibility with management Must become extremely self-disciplined Blur the line between work and home Employees that work from homeeither by choice or because their employers require itrisk being passed over for promotions. According to a report on executives opinions on telecommuting: More than 60% of global executives surveyed by the Korn/Ferry International subsidiary believe telecommuters are less likely to advance in their careers in comparison to traditional office workers. Interestingly, though, 78% of those execs feel telecommuters are either equally or more productive than those who work in offices. Whats more, remote workers may also find themselves working at odd hours; answering emails at 10 p.m. or picking up the phone when it rings after five. Given the downside to telecommuting, working from home isn’t for everybody. If your career plans involve moving up the corporate ladder as fast as possible, it’s best to stay in the office where you’ll be in front of managers all the time. Are you terrible at managing your time? Another sign you should probably stay office-bound. If, however, you spend the majority of your workday online or on the phone and still like the idea of working remotely, it’s time to make your dream a reality. Selling Your Boss on Letting You Work from Home Before you approach your manager about telecommuting, you need to put yourself in his/her shoes. Even better, but yourself in his/her manger’s shoes. As you begin to ponder that, write down the answers to the following questions. 1. Why do you want to work from home? Obviously it’s not because you want to slack off, but if you don’t give your boss a better reason, that’s what he/she might assume. Are you trying to mitigate the stress and cost of a horrendous commute? Do you want to spend more time with a young child? Best yet, do you feel you can be more productive working at homewithout the distractions of meetings and office gossip? 2. What’s in it for your bossand the company? Whenever you want something from your employer (be it a raise, a promotion, or a flexible work schedule), you had better be able to offer something of value in return. You shouldn’t approach your boss about working from home unless you believe your contributions to your employer are valued. You should also be able to explain how working from home will enable you to deliver even more value. E.g., you’ll be more focused, more productive, and less distracted at home. 3. How will your boss manage you? Many managers’ big fears about letting an employee work from home is losing control. How will your boss know you are being productive? To alleviate the concern, suggest clear ways for your boss to measure your performance working from home. Perhaps you’ll set weekly goals and report back on what you accomplished. 4. How can you compromise? Unless your company is cramped for office space or actively promoting telecommuting, don’t expect your boss to say “Great idea! Start tomorrow!” when you ask to work remotely. He or she will probably say “no” or “I’ll have to think about it.” So be ready with some compromises. See if your manager will let you try out working from home one or two days a week, for example. Or, offer to sacrifice your next pay raise (a great bargaining chip if you’re a great employee and the company is tightening its belt in the economy; they’ll want to keep you happy, but would love the opportunity to do it without paying you more. Sample Work from Home Proposal Complete this proposal, schedule a face-to-face meeting with your manger to bring up the idea, and then email this proposal as a follow-up. As we have discussed, I continue to make tremendous contributions to [your company name] by [describe your contributions]. In fact, just last month I [Give a specific example of something really great you did.] I believe I can be even more productive and deliver even more value to our company with the opportunity to telecommute. Because my position requires work that is solely online or on the phone, I can perform my job with fewer distractions and even more productively from my home office. Telecommuting will improve my work/life balance and job satisfaction and will hopefully contribute to a long and successful tenure here. If you will consider my request for telecommuting privileges, I am confident we can establish clear and actionable goals and reporting mechanisms that will allow you and I to work even more productively together. Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to discussing the possibility further. I have known dozens of former coworkers who have used these tactics to successfully arrange full- and part-time work-from-home privileges…even four day work weeks. If you’re interested in working from home, I hope they work for you! What do you think? Did you go from working in an office to working from home full- or part-time? How did it happen? What other strategies would you recommend for somebody dreaming of working from home?

Friday, April 10, 2020

7 Reasons Why Nobody Wants To Talk To You At Networking Events - Work It Daily

7 Reasons Why Nobody Wants To Talk To You At Networking Events - Work It Daily Are you ready to get HIRED? Networking events can be SUPER intimidating, especially if your number one fear is that no one will talk to you. No one wants to stand in the corner alone with their mini crab cake appetizer and glass of wine watching everyone else socialize (well, maybe you do, but for the sake of this article, you’re in it for the networking -- meeting new people is fun!). (Psst! Can’t get hired? Watch this free tutorial.) If you’re having a hard time holding a conversation with someone at networking events, one of these things could be the root of the problem. 1. You’re uninviting. People strike up conversations with people who seem genuine, personable, and excited to chat. However, if you’re nervous, intimidated, or bored, you can come across as uninviting, which will discourage people from starting conversations with you. When you attend networking events, make sure you’re smiling, excited, and genuinely happy to be there and meet new people. Not only will it encourage people to walk over and say hello, but it will also give you a sneaky confidence boost! 2. You didn’t outfit yourself correctly. These days, everyone thinks of “professional attire” at little differently. For some, it means a suit and tie and for others it means “don’t show up in sweatpants.” As a result of our industries changing and our unique styles developing, the rules of wardrobe can be a little grey. However, it’s important to be presentable when you’re attending professional events. Dressing up is a sign of respect. While it’s important to embrace your unique style, it’s just as important to consider the environment you’ll be in so you can dress appropriately. People will see that you’re taking it seriously and want to strike up a conversation with you. Also, wearing something that makes a statement is actually a great way to get people to start conversations with you. I typically wear something bright and fun because it represents my personality and also encourages people to come up to me and start chatting. It helps me stand out! Insert your personality by wearing pops of color, a cool tie, or your favorite shoes. 3. Your manners are lacking. Manners go beyond the handshake. If you’re constantly interrupting people, talking with your mouth full, or making rude comments, people aren’t necessarily going to want to continue the conversation. So, just be mindful of your behavior. 4. You don’t clearly explain what you do. When you don’t have a branding statement and can’t clearly articulate what it is that you do without going into a long, drawn out rant, sometimes people aren’t sure how to keep the conversation going because they’re not clear on who you are and what you do. Develop a short introduction for yourself that is easy to understand and free of jargon. It’ll be easier to remember and will encourage others to learn more about you. 5. You’re a total Debbie (or Donnie) Downer. Some people don’t even realize they’re doing this, but they always seem to tie things back to something negative. Whether it’s a hard job search, bad boss, drama at work, or something else, try to steer clear of these types of topics. No one likes talking to a Debbie Downer! Think about what excites you and talk about that instead. Or, put the focus on the other person by asking them questions about their life and career. (P.S. If you’re having a hard time with your job search, watch our free webinar “How To Get ‘Unstuck’ In Your Career” with J.T. O’Donnell.) 6. You’re a conversation hog. No one wants to talk with someone who doesn’t allow them contribute to the conversation. Why would someone waste their time listening to you ramble away when they could have actual conversations with other people at the event? No one wants to get stuck with “The Rambler” at networking events. If you find yourself controlling the conversation, step back, take a deep breath, and ask questions to encourage a two-way conversation. Plus, you might actually learn something valuable or interesting about that person that you can reference later. 7. You’re too focused on you. When you meet someone new, all you’re focused on is, well, YOU. You know, how can someone help YOU get a job, or what someone can do for YOU. Networking isn’t just about you - sorry ‘bout it. Think of it as a collaboration between two professional friends. How can you help each other? Always find ways to offer value before you ask for something from someone, especially if they’re a brand new connection. First impressions matter, and you don’t want people instantly thinking of you as a selfish networker. If you do your best to avoid these things during networking events, you’ll have a much easier time getting conversations started, keeping them going, and building strong professional relationships that will work for you. Are you ready to get HIRED? Watch our free tutorial “8 Ways You’re Being SHUT OUT Of The Hiring Process” with career expert J.T. O’Donnell to find out what’s holding you back from getting hired… and how to fix it! WATCH NOW This post was originally written by Ariella Coombs.   Related Posts 6 Social Media Mistakes To Avoid While Job Seeking Social Media Guidelines For Young Professionals Why You Should Connect With Co-Workers On Social Media Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!