The Workplace is No Place for a Generational Divide

The Workplace is No Place for a in richtungerational DivideWork is No Place for a Generational DivideThe Workplace is No Place for a Generational DivideI once read a controversial blog postthat was likely intended to rile readers mora than make a point. The idea the writer wanted to force feed to older readers was that any work task they can do, the 20-something members of Gen Y (Millennials) can do better.The post riled up enough people that more than 200 readers registered comments in a matter of days. Taken as a whole, they werent pretty.The writer made the following assertionsGen Y is more productive because they can gather information faster.Gen Y is better at communicating.Gen Y has better career mobility (i.e., theyre more adept at job hopping) while Baby Boomers arent as comfortable with it.Gen Y turns to entrepreneurship when the going gets tough in the job market, even if it means moving back home with their Baby Boomer parents.Well, Ill add my comment to all this right her e What a load of generalized, stereotypical horse dungIf it were taken as fact, then - what the heck - lets stop the world from spinning and kick all the Boomers into orbit Work will be so much better for everyone with staff flitting around from job to job, everyone conducting job interviews via email or texting, and giving birth to lots of new small companies while their CEOs text mom and dad with their stellar communication skills YO RENTS WENZ DINR 2NITE? (Of course, itll be hard for the rents to respond since theyll be floating somewhere above the ozone layer.)Cant we all just get along? ur society is polarized enough with political viewpoints. We dont need to feel segregated and polarized in the workplace as well. For instance, the writer boasts of Gen Ys superior command of technology, as if Gen Xers and Boomers scream in horror every time they see a laptop or an iPhone. Puh-leeze...they were the users as well as the inventors of the first computersIf only the generational div ide were that clear-cut. But its not. While Ive seen Millennials who are not as addicted to technology as others, Ive also seen Gen Xers and Boomers who are as technologically with it, if not even more so. The better message should be how each generation can learn from the others. So, heres how I would rewrite those four assertionsGen Y is more adept at using information technology, and can teach their older colleagues how to use it better.Gen Y can communicate, but communication can only be effective if you can be clear with everyone, no matter how old they are. At the same time, Boomers can communicate the wisdom of work that comes with age and experience.Gen Y may have better career mobility now, but when they settle down and start families as they age, theyll want more stability - just like their parents do today.When the going gets tough in the job market, you do what you gotta do, even it means starting your own business. Just be sure you can pay the rent or mortgage while you re in the startup phase.

What Does Vacation Time Mean to You

What Does Vacation Time Mean to YouWhat Does Vacation Time Mean to You?What Does Vacation Time Mean to YouI bought a house in April. I get 15 days of paid vacation and sick time per calendar year, and almost all of them have been used to complete house projects. Paint this, demo that, install the thingamabob. When the dust finally settled, I realized I have only a few days left for the rest of the year (with a couple set aside for the dreaded illnesses Old Man Winter brings with him) and I havent taken a single minute to relax.I love my house and I love the work Ive done to it, but Im kicking myself for not saving more vacation time for a real escape. What does any of that mean to you? Im not sure, but you should tell me.What do you spend your vacation time doing? How important is it to you? Do you use it to take real destination vacations, spend time with the kids, or do you not use it at all?If youre unemployed, are you leise giving yourself time for vacations or nixing them altoge ther until you get your next job?In the meantime, digest this little fun fact from Salary.com Paid vacation time is a voluntary benefit that organizations offer to employees. There are no federal regulations requiring employers to provide vacation days, but it has become common business practice to do so.Did you know that? All along I thought it was mandated, but heres a big fat THANK YOU to all the companies out there that give employees a break

Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters

Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters Building a storytelling resume isnt aboutholding story timeto lull the reader to sleep. Instead, storytelling resumes are akin to miniature action movies. They include a beginning, a middle, and an end or rising action, climax, and falling action in storytelling terms.The problem with most resumes is that they leap from rising action (challenge + action) to falling action (result), omitting the climax along the way. For example, in describing a market and culture renovation, a careerist might sayTransformed regional culture, triggering $1.5 billion boost in regional orders and revenue plus market share gains in 36 months.While the above is a solid achievement, a more energized action movie resume would deepen the storyConverted underperforming, weak team into winning high-performers capable of wrangling down challenges of bureaucratically weighted geography and formidable competitors devoid of meaningful collaborations. Led and influenced complete culture revamp, igniting market share and financial improvements.The point of enriching the story with details is to catch the recruiters attention while also appealing to their emotions. By contrasting an underperforming team with the dragon-slaying high-performers who took on formidable competitors (climax)and ultimately skyrocketed regional orders by $1.5 billion (result), youve painted a compelling and immersive scene for the decision-makerreading your resume.Furthermore, youve satisfied the decision-makers emotional proclivity for winning. By playing the hero in your story, you further sell your value and compel the recruiter to contact you even if just to see whether you are for real.A few more strategies that make a storytelling resume attractive to recruiters include1. Sell, Dont TellA resume that focuses on duties and accountabilities willdrive the reader off and onto the next candidate. Instead, market your wins and your valuable traits that contributed to those wins. For example, if you are an articulate communicator who boils down complexity and youre seeking a technical sales role, tell a storyabout a time when you wrangled down technical complexityin order to landa profitable sale and a long-term client.2. DontGeneralize FocusIf you have been an operations manager in the mobile technology arena and that is the career you wish to pursue going forward, then own it. Headline your resume with this specific title and industry target. Diluting your brand with a senior manager resume will not connect with a recruiters needs. Recruiters represent companies who need to fulfill specific positionsin particular industries.3. Invigorate People, Dont Bore Them to TearsRecruiters are masters at reviewing resumes because they have looked at thousands. Writing developed, produced, or achieved over and over in your resume can be fatal. While using words like skyrocket and slashed may in itially feel unnatural, you should sprinkle this attention-grabbing language throughout your resume.4. Weave in Sophisticated LanguageYour resume is a professional document. It does not need to abide by the myth that everyone reads at an eighth-grade level. Whileyour resume shouldnt send the recruiter to a dictionary every three lines, it is important to incorporate fresh, smart language throughout to demonstrate your refined understanding of the hiring companys needs.5. Clarify Your TimelineRegardless of the strategies you may employ toclose employment gaps, bridge your lack of experience, or deflect age discrimination, you must always be clear on where you worked and when. In other words, getting too creative with a functional resumeon afuzzy timeline wont cut it. Recruiters do not have time to puzzle through and connect the dots. If they are pressed to do so, your resume willbe tossed from the stack.6. Take OwnershipWhether you are submitting your resume for an early career role or a more advanced senior position, make sure you sit at the helm of your resume stories. While team players arevaluable,hiring decision-makers also want to know that you can take the wheel and move a project along. Covering your achievements with the cloak of teammates or managers will weaken your value andyour shot at the interview.Storytelling resumes are not one-and-done writeups of responsibilities interspersedwith metrics. A richer resume that delves into the complexities and nuances of your career will be more likely to spark a recruiters interest. A strategic storytelling resume that uses the above tips and focuses on the target readers needs will help move you from the review pile to the interview shortlist.Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter is CEO and master resume writer at CareerTrend.Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn,Facebook, or Twitter.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pa ce during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

From Dancing to Accounting Overlap in a Huge Career Change

From Dancing to Accounting Overlap in a Huge Career ChangeFrom Dancing to Accounting Overlap in a Huge Career ChangeThese days, people are no longer satisfied with punching the clock at the same company for 25 years. Theyre changing not only their jobs, but also theirentire professions multiple times.For me, changing careers was a great move, but it was, no doubt, a challenging and enlightening endeavor. I went from pursuing a career in professional dance to building an accounting company - a path atypical of any creative professional.Here are six lessons I learned on my journey1. Building a business is creative workDespite their inherent differences, dancing and starting a business share the need for creativity. As a dance artist and choreographer, youre asked to solve problems with your body - to find ways to explore the potential within the constructs of the menschenwrdig frame and to push your creativity to its limits.I saw building a business as an opportunity to continue my e xploration as a creative person. A new business is a blank canvas, and its all a matter of leveraging your creativity to create something worthwhile within the context of your resources.2. Huge transitions happen in stagesI didnt simply pick my next career out of a hat. After college, I worked at a nonprofit while I honed my dancing. That nonprofit taught unemployed and low-income individuals how to enter the world of accounting through a comprehensive training program. That program, DISCOVERBOOKKEEPING, introduced me to the world Im in today.They say accounting is the foundation of a business, but I think of it as the architecture. Both are calculated and precise, but theres an art to them.My specialty as a dance artist was choreography, which focuses on the way in which you build your dance. Choreographers move and organize bodies in space and time to produce the experience the audience is left with - this experience is your output as an artist.Discovering the overlap between the outputs of dance and accounting paved the way for me to effectively take on a CEO role. I choreograph the dynamics of my business to achieve a desired output and experience for my customer, and I work with the dancers of my company to provide an experience that delivers not only meaningful and compliant financial systems but also a branded customer experience.3. Boundaries are there to be crossedI went from working with dancers in leotards to managing CPAs in three-piece suits.Because I wasnt tethered to the status quo like more experienced people, I had no preconceptions of how things should be done. As a result, I found it easier to be creative and innovative. My blank slate made it easier to run a business with a commitment to the unconventional.4. Your why keeps you goingYou have to define your why if you hope to persevere when the going gets tough. Its what makes your efforts fulfilling and keeps you grounded when all the new experiences threaten to sweep you away.For me, its as simple as an unrelenting curiosity. The desire to try and know everything is what drives me forward. I cant know everything, of course, but its the thirst for knowledge and the desire to put my best foot forward for my customers and my employees that drives my success.Understanding your own drive will help you survive a big transition. The unknowns can make you doubt yourself or feel discouraged, but taking a moment to journal or talk through concerns can help you get rid of the clutter and remember your why.5. You have to discover how you learn bestTheres a lot of new information to absorb during a career change, and because youre playing catch-up, you have to quickly determine how you learn best by exploring a variety of ways. One day - after constant studying - youll find that you may just know more than the next professional.Remember You must be aware of what you dont know. Youre already starting off two steps behind with a career change, and being unbewandert of your ignor ance puts you another step behind.6. Just because you should do something doesnt mean you have toMy life coach once told me that should can become a dirty word when youre taking on a big endeavor. I know that I should, for example, get an accounting degree, but Ive discovered that I dont have to. Should tasks generally come from someone elses expectations, but the only expectations that matter are your own.When you get good at something, its natural to start to form your identity around your skill set, but you have to be careful not to pigeonhole yourself. Instead of seeing myself as only a skilled dance artist, I looked at what made me a choreographer and found that my talents applied to more than just the stage. Thats what a career change is all about finding how your skill set translates across industries and learning what youre really made of.Search accounting jobsDancer-turned-accountant Mathew Heggem is CEO of SUM Innovation, a company that assesses, designs, implements and ma nages accounting solutions for fast-growth startups, international businesses, established and growing businesses, and nonprofits across the U.S. Mathew is also the founder of the SUMTech Summit and the AccTech Cooperative meetup group in New York City, which explores the intersection between accounting, technology and entrepreneurship.

What You Must Know About Cybersecurity Resume

What You Must Know About Cybersecurity Resume The Cybersecurity Resume Game There are likewise a selection of certifications that may be earned by cyber security professionals. Youre going to compose a cyber security resume. The cyber security field provides numerous rewarding career paths. Fortunately, there are an increasing amount of choices for cyber security education. The Supreme Approach to Cybersecurity Resume There are numerous cyber security certifications available from a selection of organizations and institutions, Royster said, in addition to free on-line certification curses and tools. If you intend to do your certificate work in a real-time classroom make certain you can finish your degree on the internet if you choose. On-line masters degree programs are now increasingly popular since theyre intended to accommodate busy working professionals. Besides individual opportunities to buy and take the exam, enterprise-wide training programs are readily available. What Cybersecurity Resume Is - and What it Is Not Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. Objective statements convey the explanations for why someone is appropriate to submit an application for the job. The summary should be specific. The executive summary is going to be the component of the security assessment report which is going to be read fruchtwein often. New Ideas Into Cybersecurity Resume Never Before Revealed Last, evaluate your private philosophy against the listed job responsibilities and the way you would fulfill them. The resume ought to be geared toward the needs of the particular position. Employers will nonetheless be interested to landsee whether youve got relevant IT certifications. They react in different ways--candor is the best approach. To begin with, you must know an entry level position in cyber security generally requires a greater degree of education and experience than in quite a few other fields. With each position, you may need to refine the resume so that it matches with the business culture and language. Possessing the capacity to communicate in person is critical, but having the capability to communicate via technology is a developing hot commodity in the modern workplace. Make certain your entry-level IT position will offer you some security-related experience. Why Almost Everything Youve Learned About Cybersecurity Resume Is Wrong Whenever some cyber security certifications are created for entry-level workers just getting started in the area, others require years of specialist experience and might even be covered by your employer. Although it may appear to be an intimidating endeavor, writing resumes for a cybersecurity job isnt that difficult. Therefore, your cybersecurity resume should be visibly terrific. If youve got the patience to manage teenagers and coordinate the specifics, a cyber camp is a good method to spread the MSP gospel. For entry-level employees who are making an attempt to break in the area, the most crucial point to communicate is an urge to learn, Gaughf explained. Make certain you have a minumum of one instance of a time once you demonstrated each one of the top five skills listed here. For instance, when youre referring to the abilities and technical experience youve collected through the years, its extremely simple to fall in the trap of writing about each detail youve achieved within each function. While it could be tempting to try to sell yourself in the very best way possible, writing down your abilities and talents in a means that may force you to seem overqualified for the position youre applying for can actually lower your opportunity of you securing an interview. Whispered Cybersecurity Resume Secrets For instance, if the candidate were searching for a position inside an industry beyond banking, he would probably omit the particular items geared exclusively towards financial serv ices firms. The work hunting market is an extremely competitive location, let alone when it concerns the cybersecurity job business, so you are going to need all of the information to secure that all-important job interview. Getting in a position to demonstrate the way that it can be utilized in your work, or to create the team or company more efficient with threat detection, may be precisely what you have to receive a higher-paying position. For instance, if youre asking for a job as a Cybersecurity Specialist in a particular company, read the work description to find out what they are searching for. If you wish to land a fantastic career, contact us to figure out how 85% of our clients can land interviews after working with us. Marc Grandmaison Operations Director Marc is an extremely experienced, skilled, and talented hospitality professional that has been in the business for over 20 decades. Provide only relevant info and techniques that suit the role and the corporation may be considering. When it has to do with hiring, enterprise security teams can use all the help they can rally. Gossip, Lies and Cybersecurity Resume Companies will still must hire carefully to find the results they want, which usually means you are going to want to make job applications that get results. Recruiters yawn at education, so you need to too. To start with, once the recruiters go through your resume, they receive a very first impression of your profile. The Basic Principles of Cybersecurity Resume That You Can Benefit From Starting Right Away If youve changed positions frequently, you should explain the explanations for leaving in 1 line at the close of the description. Which format you select will depend, in part, on the sort of work youve performed and whether you are likely to continue in the identical field. Then here are a few critical points to take into account before creating a resume. Since each work opportunity differs, the resume you use for every sing le application ought to be marginally different. Ruthless Cybersecurity Resume Strategies Exploited You are going to be asked to supply your email address and enter a password, but you dont need to confirm your email address as a way to proceed. The military ought to be able to use their judgment within the limits of law to establish where and how to conduct an offensive cyber operation. Guarantee that the business accepts PDF resumes. Our clean, easy, easy-to-read format will cause you to stand out to hiring managers and simple to discover in applicant tracking systems.

The Newly Leaked Secret to Extracurricular Resume Uncovered

The Newly Leaked Secret to Extracurricular Resume Uncovered Extracurricular Resume No Longer a Mystery Due to how you have shown your capacity to work with others effectively towards a mutual goal whilst also having maintained a competitive spirit to attain a particular objective. You wont usually require any former experience or skills (although you might require some practice to develop into a team member), so providing you place the work in, it provides a good opportunity to learn and develop. No matter your degree of work practical experience, your resume structure is essential to making your program stick out. Whatever your level of work practical knowledge, it is vital to making your program stand out. The trick is to try a selection of activities in high school and find one which you love. Nobody activity is much better than another. The genuine activity doesnt much issue. Extracurricular Resume Features Certain extracurricular activities are clearly beneficial for particular jobs. Involvement in extracurricular activities can be a terrific approach to acquire the needed experience for the present job marketplace. With so many choices out there, all students need to be able to locate an extracurricular they want to know more about and can develop a passion for If you would like to work in a non-profit after university, then the capacity to bring in funding is a huge requirement of several jobs. The Extracurricular Resume Cover Up Extracurricular activities are a crucial element of your college application, and you should impress colleges with your interests. Financial Aid forms can be finished in October. Early entrepreneurship may be a positive contribution college program, particularly in the startup age. Top Extracurricular Resume Secrets Extracurricular activities arent only an excellent method to demonstrate your interests and individuality, they also prove to recruiters that youve got an array of valuable skills you could apply to their vacancy. If youre elected to any of leadership positions, it is going to be a very clear indication that youre somebody who has developed his communication and interpersonal skills well. By leveraging your extracurricular pursuits and not only adding a very long collection of whatever youve ever participated in youll reveal that youre a well-rounded candidate. When youre volunteering for a particular project, youre portraying that youre capable of working for the larger good of the institution rather than for personal gains. A commitment to an extracurricular activity on a very long time indicates a focus and dedication that is extremely impressive on a resume and can cause a work interview, especially if youve received honors or awards for your efforts. Colleges are seeking applicants that are deeply engaged in somewhere between one and a number of pursuits. Honors are a distinct category since theyre a recognition of achievement, not a true activity. For instance , a student could be given a Presidential or Elon Engagement scholarship along with a Fellows scholarship.

Hiring Climate for Creatives, June 2015 Update

Hiring Climate for Creatives, June 2015 UpdateHiring Climate for Creatives, June 2015 Update*/Read the infographic text.HIRING CLIMATE FOR CREATIVESJune 2015 UpdateWhat are your companys hiring plans for full-time creative employees?Second half of 2015First half of 2015Expanding/adding new positions21%33%Maintaining/filling vacated positions65%56%Freezing/not filling vacated or new positions13%5%Reducing/eliminating positions1%6%How challenging is it for your company to find skilled creative professionals today?*35% Somewhat challenging38% elend challenging21% Not applicable/not looking7% Very challengingTop areas creative executives expect to hire in for the second half of 201527% Creative/art direction27% Account services26% Content marketing26% Interactive mediaMost challenging areas for companies to fill1.Brand/product management2.Account services3.Web design/production4.Public relations5.Marketing researchSource The Creative Group survey of more than 400 marketing and advertisin g executives in the United States*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding. 2015 The Creative Group. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. 06-15

Writing A Successful Veterans Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 1

Writing A Successful Veterans Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 1Writing A Successful Veterans Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 1Writing A Successful Veterans Resume for Corporate Jobs, Part 1Many veterans are drawn to federal government jobs because of their desire to continue serving their country, because of the benefits, because of veterans preference hiring initiatives, and at least in some cases translating military skill-sets to federal civilian work makes sense. But in the era of sequestration, many veterans are finding that the federal job market has become increasingly competitive. In such an environment, it makes sense to broaden the job search to private sector companies. And, yes, military veterans can be competitive in applying for corporate jobs.Here are a few tips for veterans seeking to expand their job searchCorporate America wants to hire you.The Top 100 Military-Friendly Corporations listed by GI Jobs are certified by ernsthaftigkeit Young. And they really do want to hire veterans Many of these corporations use online application systems, and veterans need to understand the importance of conveying military experience in terms of corporate job qualifications. Recruiters need to possess a clear picture of how you can contribute to their company, and find the right fit for you based on the skills and abilities you developed during military service.Your resume must use corporate terminology.Your resume is key to demonstrating your skills and abilities to the corporate world. But, to be effective, your resume cannot use military-speak (or military acronyms). You need to translate your experience into something that the private sector will understand. Your resume must clearly introduce your skills and abilities while demonstrating that they are transferrable to the corporate mission, services, and programs. If you use their terminology to show your experience, youll be well on your way to having an impressive resume that can get you hired into a n ew career.Here are some tips for building your corporate resumeYour resume is the most important document after leaving military service.As a veteran, you are familiar with the importance of documentation. Once you leave the military world and enter the private sector context, your most important document is your resume. No question. Your resume is what makes the difference between employment and unemployment. It is the key document that shows private sector employers who you are, what qualifications you possess, and why you would be an asset to their organization. Since this is such an important document a document essential to your future great care and attention must be placed on crafting a resume that accurately reflects your military career in private sector terminology. This can be challenging, as military language and experience is often hard to translate. Consider professional writing help by an expert resume writer to help you make your case.Your private sector resume mus t be targeted.Regardless of context, a one-size-fits-all approach to resumes simply doesnt work in a competitive job market. Your resume simply must be targeted to the job it has to match the qualifications and skills required. And you must convey your experiences, skills, abilities, and qualifications without military acronyms and in easy-to-understand plain language. If you use a general resume that employs military-speak, you will NOT get interviewed. Review specific job announcements and craft your resume to reflect the announcements.Part 2 of this series will focus on specific examples of how to translate military experience in a way the private sector can understand

Bad Things to Say in an Interview

Bad Things to Say in an InterviewBad Things to Say in an InterviewYou have a right to get nervous during a job interview. The next phase of yur career depends on nailing it.What could go right? PlentyWhat could go sour? PlentyThe key is to prepare diligently so you dont succumb to self-inflicted errors. Following is a list of some wrong things to say in an interview, followed by some things you can say that you thought were verboten.Wrong things to say in an interviewSorry Im late Talk about getting off on the wrong foot. If youre late to the interview, employers will presume that youll be late to work, youre badeanstalt at time management or you just dont care. So, what does this company do? You might as well say, The dog ate my homework. Interviewers expect you to have a good understanding of the company by the time you arrive at the job interview. Its fine to ask questions about the company, but not what the organization isWhat does it say on my resume? If you have to refer to you r own resume to answer an interviewers question, its going to make him or her wonder if you made it all up.Im a perfectionist. Offering up a thinly shrouded positive as a negative when asked about your strengths and weaknesses is so transparent. Prepare truthful answers to common interview questions and explain what youre doing to work on your weaknesses.No, its fine, I can talk. If your phone rings during an interview - and it shouldnt, because it should be set on silent or airplane mode - dont answer it under any circumstances.GET HELP FINDING A JOBMy dream job is something else entirely. If the position youre interviewing for is not your dream job, keep that fact to yourself. Express a passion for the job and field at hand rather than signaling to the interviewer that youll be leaving eventually.Ive never made a mistake. An obvious lie. Interviewers will often ask questions like, Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you fixed it, to determine how you deal with diffic ult situations. They arent looking for people whove never made mistakes - they know they dont exist.No, I dont have any questions. Asking no questions is almost worse than asking bad questions. If youd done your research, youd have prepared some thoughtful queries.Whats in it for me? The interview is not the time to ask about how much vacation time youll get or which types of specialists you can see under the companys healthcare insurance plan. Asking about salary is also presumptuous if its your first interview.So did I get the job? The interview isnt over until you actually leave the building Every interaction you have with employees will be considered when evaluating whether to make you an offer.Acceptable things to say in an interview that may surprise youNow that you know some things to say in an interview that are off limits, here are a few that are OK, though you may not have thought so.Im a little nervous. Acknowledging that your nerves are getting the better of you might a ctually help you shake off your nervousness. Most interviewers have been there, too, at some point in their career and will understand.What would success look like for this position? This question will help you get a real understanding of how the position contributes to company priorities and what the hiring manager expects of you.Thats a good question - let me find out and get back to you. Job seekers might be afraid to admit they dont know something, but its OK. When an interviewer stumps you, be honest and say youll find the answer and follow up. If the intent of the question is to evaluate your problem-solving skills, explain how youd find the answer.What do you enjoy most about working here? When it comes time to ask questions of your interviewer, this is a good one to get an insiders perspective.No matter what job youre going for, youll feel more confident and relaxed when youre fully prepped with the right things to say in an interview.Check out our tips on how to dress for an interview. Tags