5 Things Youre Forgetting to Do Before Sending Your Resume

5 Things You’re Forgetting to Do Before Sending Your Resume If you could choose between a beautifully tailored outfit designed to fulfil all of your wildest fashion dreams or a ready-to-wear baggy tee from some random retailer, which would you pick?  That’s a rhetorical question.  You’d obviously want that tailored outfit. Did I mention it comes with bespoke pockets? Well, it does. In the age of personalization, we want everything to be made to fit us. So, why would we expect a hiring manager to want anything different when they get a stack of resumes in response to a job offer?  See here’s the rub. Whenever a hiring manager posts a job offer, they receive 250+ other resumes on average in response. From that pile, they need to find the one diamond that shines brighter than all the others. How can you expect your resume to shine bright like a diamond (yes, I just quoted Rihanna) if you send in a generic resume that you didn’t tailor to the job offer?  You can’t. Plain and simple.  I know, you probably think that tailoring a resume is a difficult and time-consuming process.  Here’s what I have to say to you no, no it is not. Not if you make a good use of the infographic by Uptowork Your Resume Builder    below and use the following tips: Starting off on the right foot: a master resume You probably don’t realize it, but there’s a good chance you already have the makings of a master resume.  Do you have a working resume that you want to revamp? That’s almost the same thing as a master resume.  All you need to do is add all of your work experience, skills, and information.  Everything.  Once you’ve done that, you have a document from which you can pick and choose the most relevant skills and experience for your tailored resume.  Having everything in one place, to begin with, will make things easier when you start to tailor your new resume. Here’s what recruiters really want to see Because hiring managers get flooded with so many resumes, they will only spend an average of six seconds scanning each one for relevance.  So, what is it that they are they trying to find?  Keywords.  They are scanning your resume to find the skills and experience they asked for in the job description.  So, where is the best place to start looking for those keywords?  That’s right! In the job description. Grab your highlighter or trusty pen and mark all of the skills and required experience you can find.  If you are applying for a job online, adding keywords to your resume is even more crucial.  When you send a resume through an online application, it is likely that it will go through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).  That means that your resume is going to be read by R2D2 first. The program is designed to scan your resume for keywords that match those from the job description.  If your resume is a good match, it will go higher on the recruiter’s list of relevant resumes, and that’s where you want to be. Do keep in mind that these systems are sophisticated enough to know if you’ve used the keyword within a proper context or if you’ve simply stacked your resume full of keyword gibberish. So, what do you do once you’ve found all of the keywords? 4 tips for tailoring your resume Now that you have a list of skills recruiters want, and a master resume full of skills that you have, it’s time to match them.  I’d like to bring to your attention the fact that skills can fall under a few different categories: Job-related Skills These are the skills that are mandatory for you to have to do the job. In that respect, most of the skills on the job description will fall under this category. Example: Burger-flipping Transferable Skills These are key skills that you can take with you from one job to another. There will probably be quite a few transferable skills listed in the job description as well. Example: Microsoft excel Adaptive Skills These are skills that you carry with you for survival. Often, they are skills that you develop on your own and use in regular, everyday life. Example: integrity Tip 1 Have a look at the job description and try to find the job-related skills first. What skills can you find that you must have?  Your resume should include all of the job-related skills that you have that match those required in the job description. You should write them in as close to the top of your resume as possible, and they should be first in line in your skills section. Tip 2 To draw attention to the skills you find most important or relevant, you should demonstrate how you’ve used these skills in the past. Use numbers and achievements to illustrate your use of these skills.  Using facts and figures has two benefits. First, it draws the eye of the recruiter, making it easier for the recruiter to locate skills on your resume. Second, it allows the recruiter to imagine that you will provide them with the same results. Here’s how it works: Instead of writing: “Management Skills” Write: “Management of Large Teams (100+ people)” For your experience section, instead of writing: “Responsible for increasing sales and retaining customers.” Write: “Increased quarterly sales by 10% over the course of two years, and increased customer retention by managing the launch of a new customer loyalty scheme in 2014.” Tip  3 Now, look at the remaining skills and find those that are transferable. These are the “nice to have skills” that are easy for you to have, as they are usually picked up in past jobs. If you have any of them, add them to your experience and skills section where relevant. Microsoft Excel should simply go in your skills section. Remember to add details: Microsoft Excel (proficient with macros and pivot tables) Transferable skills that you feel strongly about can go in your experience section. You can also add other valuable transferable skills that you have that the job offer did not mention. Transferable skills are always relevant. Tip  4 You can add adaptive skills throughout your resume to describe yourself. For example, you can start your resume summary off with an adaptive skill as an introductory adjective. Highly Ambitious Marketing Manager OR Detail-oriented Sales Associate Now, don’t trip at the finish line: tailor your cover letter You need to tailor your cover letter to the job description as well. Yes, you still need a cover letter.  And in most cases, recruiters will scan them in the same way they will scan your resume.  They will look for keywords from the job description. So, add them where relevant. One more quick trick for you Here’s a nice trick drop your resume into a cloud generator. It will help you physically see whether or not you’ve done a thorough job tailoring your resume.  That’s because you will be able to see which words are most prominent.  If the words that appear are not skills or keywords, reconsider a brief rewrite to make these words show up more often across your resume. After using a cloud generator, go to Jobscan. Here you will be able to drop both your resume and your job offer into an ATS simulator.  Jobscan will show you if your resume can make it through ATS, plus it will show you how well you tailored your resume. So, it’s a win-win even if you don’t need to get your resume through ATS. Key takeaway Resume tailoring is by far one of the most important things you can do to show a recruiter that you care and that you are the person who is most fit for the job.  And you should be tailoring every resume you send in response to every job offer every time. I can’t stress that enough.  While it may seem like common sense, the steps above should at least streamline the process for you. Happy tailoring! About the author: Natalie Severt is a writer for Uptowork, the  resume builders.

Exploring Office Casual What it means in 2014

Exploring Office Casual What it means in 2014 The idea of clothing in the workplace is one that continues to divide opinion, as trends continue to change and adapt with time. The idea of clothing in the workplace is one that continues to divide opinion, as trends continue to change and adapt with time. Whereas the sight of an industry professional without a tie would have been unheard of two decades ago, for example, the modern trend is for wearing an open-neck shirt with an optional suit jacket. This will no doubt alter further as time progresses, depending on emerging fashion trends and specific industries in question. The main area of debate around workplace clothing focuses on the importance of image. While Lady Baird Johnson was once quoted as saying “Ive really tried to learn the art of clothes, because you dont sell for what youre worth unless you look good”, for example, others believe that your attire has little impact on performance or progression within the workplace.   Business Casual: What does it mean in 2014?  If we accept that your choice of workplace attire is important to how you are perceived in a professional environment, it is crucial that you are aware of each individual dress code and its precise meaning. This not only enables you to comply with your businesses code of conduct and standards, but it also ensures that you are able to showcase an awareness of appropriate dress regardless of your circumstances. One of the most important and commonly referenced dress codes is known simply as ‘business casual’, while this style is also often misunderstood by modern-day workers.   More specifically, the introduction of increasingly relaxed executive attire has taken the ‘business’ out of business casual and encouraged professionals to cultivate a more laid back appearance. As a result of this, they can project a less than professional image and ultimately devalue the way in which they are perceived by customers’, colleagues and clients alike. While this may not be too detrimental in a company this drives these values, it can be damaging when interacting with rival firms or external service providers.   With this in mind, it is worth fully appraising ‘business casual’ and understanding its precise meaning. While there are multiple variations throughout different cultures, there is a standard definition that all professionals should bear in mind. This requires individuals to wear attire that reflects well on the business environment, while also offering more freedom than formal garments. Traditional business casual attire includes smart and everyday items such as cashmere sweaters, dress shirts and polo tops, in addition to chinos and an optional tailored blazer. These garments strike the ideal balance between professionalism and everyday wear, and are therefore ideal for dress-down Friday’s or informal workplace events.   The Last Word  With this definition in mind, you should be able to create a wardrobe of business casual garments that can help you to maintain a suitable workplace image. The most important thing to remember is that you are representing your employers at all times during working hours, so there is a pressing need to ensure that every outfit helps you to appear as professional as possible. Business casual outfits should be no exception to this rule, especially when you consider the wide range of garment available in the current marketplace.

How to Start the New Year with a New Job

How to Start the New Year with a New Job Of all the ways you hope to spend Christmas, job hunting is likely not one of them. But if you’re a  jobseeker, Christmas could be the most effective time to apply for a new job. In today’s world, job competition is fierce. With 77 per cent of people saying they would be willing  to work on Christmas Day if it secured them a new job, those willing to sacrifice some time to stay  ahead succeed. The best advice to jobseekers in the run up to Christmas is to stay in the loop and  not let your job search lose momentum. Christmas offers a golden opportunity for the proactive jobseeker. A recent survey by reed.co.uk*  reveals that just over half of jobseekers believe that companies and recruiters are less likely to  read job applications over the Christmas period. But in fact many employers are actively looking for  employees. According to Katie Edwards of media recruitment agency PFJ: Jobseekers are holding off  looking until the New Year and employers are using up the rest of their headcount for the year, so  there are far more jobs than candidates before Christmas. While other jobseekers are cooling their heels in the run up to Christmas, here’s why you should be  actively pursuing new opportunities: 1) People are still working: Many jobseekers postpone submitting applications until the new year, believing their CV will  languish in an unattended inbox if sent over Christmas. In truth, 33 per cent of employees will be in  work this Christmas and a further 10 per cent will be working from home. Even on Christmas Day  your application may well be read, with 56 per cent of workers expecting to check their emails on  December 25th. Many job sites will forward your application to a recruitment agency or a general company email  that, with fewer personnel on hand, may not get regularly checked. Instead, skip the middleman.  Once you find a job that’s a good fit, do a little research online before sending your application to  email addresses that will land your CV under the right noses. 2) More jobs around than you think: Christmas may fail to bring snow but it will likely bring a flurry of new job opportunities. With  thoughts spanning to future business ventures and new budgets being defined, Christmas is often  a time when employers look to use up additional headcount or hire new staff in order to meet  upcoming goals. Job sites are a great source of new, exciting opportunities but if used incorrectly they can eat up  your time and may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Make job sites work for you by applying filters  to your search terms. With advance options, you can tailor your results to show only jobs within the  area, pay scale and schedule you’re looking for. 3) Less competition: With over half of jobseekers putting their employment search on hold until the new year,  competition for jobs is at a yearly low. Headhunter, Martin Ellis, advises making the most of the  opportunity â€" before someone else does: Its a competitive world out there, and if youre taking  time out to let the days drift by, there will be others beavering away to take advantage of your  lethargy With the Internet delivering a constant stream of employment opportunities around the  clock, jobseekers have to move fast if they want to secure their ideal job.  Even if your perfect job doesn’t pop up over Christmas, spending time brushing up on key job skills  can put you ahead of the game. According to reed.co.uk Marketing Director Mark Rhodes: For those  willing to go the extra distance, Christmas is the time to focus on your job search, tidy up your CV  and polish your interview skills before the January rush. 4) More technology equals higher efficiency: Online job listings, careers sections on company websites, job opportunities delivered straight  to your inbox and accessed on the go via your smartphone technology has revolutionised job  searching. Recent graduate Harriet McWilliams employs technology to find relevant opportunities and also  valuable future contacts: Through the brief experience I have had during internships or looking  for a job I have come to the conclusion that it is most certainly more who you know than what you  know. Gaining a large network consisting of a variety of people is important, as even if some of these  people may not be specifically relevant to you they may have knowledge or contracts that are. By adopting a tech-based approach, you can greatly improve the efficiency of your job search,  leaving you more time to enjoy Christmas with family and friends. Harriet explains: Overall, I have  found technology not only makes my search for jobs around the Christmas period more efficient, but  also enables me to reach a larger and more targeted audience. Will you be stopping your job search over the festive period? Let us know in the comments below! (*Online survey of 1,254 on attitudes to working at Christmas, conducted by reed.co.uk in November, 2013) Author: Anneke Lombard of Reed.

Technical Director Job Description - Algrim.co

Technical Director Job Description - Algrim.co Technical Director Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs.

Why Remote Work Matters for Your Company

Why Remote Work Matters for Your Company 5 Reasons Remote Work Matters Today Photo Credit- Pexels.comAs a business owner, manager, or supervisor, you likely know about or have heard of remote work. It allows employees to work from homeâ€"or a coffee shop, co-working space, restaurant, etc.â€"either part-time or full-time.In the past, this kind of work was hard to achieve, but today’s internet connectivity and technology make it easier to implement.In and of itself, remote work is fairly straightforward. But questions remain. For example, you probably want to know why remote work is increasing in popularity or how it benefits your business. Answers to those questions, as well as tips and tools for managing remote employees, follow.5 Reasons Remote Work Matters TodayevalTo understand why remote work matters today, you need only examine the latest data.Global Workplace AnalyticsevalFlexibility means you and your employees can work when and where it’s best for you. In return, you all experience better work-life balance, which translates into higher productivi tyand employee happiness.2) EfficiencyFlexibility and productivity almost always lead to greater efficiency. CoSo Cloud’s “Remote Collaborative Worker Survey” finds that 30% of remote employees “[accomplish] more in less time” and 24% “accomplish more in the same amount of time.”3) SustainabilityMany businesses have sustainability goals. Remote work can help you meet yours by decreasing your carbon footprint.4) RetentionRemote work sometimes produces a decreased turnover rate. It can also prevent talent gaps and “brain drains” and attract top talentinstead.5) Cost savingsevalevalWith fewer employees in the building, you see reduced utility bills. And, if you allow for total remote work, you can eliminate rent or mortgage payments on office space.If you invest in remote work, even if only on a limited basis, you can experience the benefits listed here. Don’t be surprised if you discover additional advantagesâ€"remote work offers dozens of perks and possibilities o ver time.5 Tips to Initiate Remote Work at Your BusinessIf the reasons for and benefits of remote work convince you to invest in it, use the following steps to implement it:a) Set your objectivesEvery business is different, so figure out why remote work makes sense for yours. Then, measure against that goal to ensure telework provides the highest return on investment possible.b) Craft a remote work policyPolicies cover everything from allowances You’ll also need the right tools to make sure you can manage your remote employees as efficiently as possible. These tools typically fall into one of five broad categories: project management, document management, communications, productivity, and timekeeping, and any of these five popular tools can work wonders for you and your employees:1) SkypeText and telephone are one thing; video is another. Go for the face-to-face encounter whenever possible to stay in touch with employees and see how they’re doing and feeling.2) SlackThis communi cations tool aims to cut down inbox clutter through a live chatting platform. It accomplishes that and a whole lot more with its channels, threads, and emojis.3) AsanaIf Skype and Slack are for day-to-day details, Asana is for the big picture. Use it to track projects and workloads. Similar tools include Basecamp and Trello.4) MuralIf you need to run remote brainstorming sessions, give Mural a look. The tool facilitates online idea mapping and collaborative creative thinking.eval5) DropboxFor online storage and file sharing, Dropbox works great. It isn’t the only option, though, so research data storage options that work best for you and your team.Plenty of online toolsexist to help your business and its remote workers get more things done. To find the ones best suited to your organization, think about your current and future needs. Next, test a couple of options before committing to one.Remote work seems to be here to stay. Employees want it and employers benefit from it. To get started with the trend, use the insights and tips shared here.