How to Beat the Odds During Your Job Search

How to Beat the Odds During Your Job Search Applying to hundreds of jobs online isn’t the best solution for landing an interview or job.  So why do you spend so much time doing this? Less than 50% of hires come from job boards: Finding a job online and applying is relatively painless, or less painful than networking, so that might explain why so many job seekers find themselves defaulting to the job boards. However, these account for less than half of all external hires according to multiple studies. 75% of resumes dont make it through the ATS: Applicant tracking systems are flawed. They often knock out qualified candidates based how your resume is formatted and the words you use. an estimated  75 percent of candidates are knocked out of the running due to formatting inconsistencies and key words. So why would a company use an ATS if they may miss out on a candidate? Because the average job posting receives 50-100 applications according to CareerXroads Sources of Hire study. Often  this isnt the only open job they are trying to fill learn how to play the ATS game by reading Meet the Robots Reading Your Resume. Your odds of landing an interview based on blindly submitting an online application are slim at best. So is there a better way? Proactive  targeting: Many career coaches and job search experts recommend creating a list of target companies you would like to work for. This allows you to identify  people you know (or don’t know YET)  within these target companies so you can  networking, especially if there aren’t any jobs posted. Yes, some hiring managers will always be on the look out for great talent, whether they have an opening or not. But an even better reason is that jobs are posted internally before they are posted publicly. Do the two-step   find a job, find a contact: The reality is, life gets in the way. You can’t always be as proactive. And let’s face it, sometimes, it feels good to find a job and apply. So for those of you who are using the job boards, heed this advice. Let’s say you find the perfect job on a job board. Your first instinct is to submit your online application and resume- stop. Don’t do that yet. Go to the company’s career site and check the job out. Look for contact information or clues about who the hiring manager might be. Now go over to LinkedIn and search for the contact’s name or job title of the likely hiring manager. If you do find a the persons profile on LinkedIn, you probably won’t be connected. How will you reach out to them? One option, if you dont have a premium LinkedIn account is to see what groups the hiring manager belongs to (if you can) and join one of the  groups. This will allow you to engage in a conversation they are in within the group or send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Another option is to Google the name and look for their account on an open social network like Google+ or Twitter, where you can reach out to them without restriction. If you can’t find the  hiring manager anywhere, look for someone in the company who you could reach out to using those same steps. Your short invitation to connect or outreach should peek their interest. You can do this by referencing a shared interest (personal or professional), or referencing something in their profile or status update. You want to cone across as interesting or  likeable, not a desperate job seeker. Make  the connections: It is awkward, uncomfortable and perhaps even ill-advised to immediately jump to asking for their help getting the job. Before your new “best friend” is willing to help you, they have to know and/or trust you. Flattery will get you everywhere, as long as it is genuine. Asking for advice is usually well-received. Ask how they like working for the company, how long they’ve been there, how they landed their job. Increase  your chances by 40% get referred: Now that you have established rapport with a company insider, it is now time to ask if their company has a referral program. If the company does, you should know there are financial incentives for the employee if you are hired. Referred candidates are twice as likely to be interviewed and 40 percent more likely to be hired according to Bank of New Yorks research. Let your contact know what job you are interested in and  keep your fingers crossed that your contact is  willing to be a referral. If not, they may still be willing to be an informant, someone who can keep you up to date on where the company is in filling the position. The key to your success is making the company insider feel good about the exchange. Did you make them feel like they helped you? This is up to you. Show your gratitude and appreciation by sending them a thank you. And, by all means, be sure you keep them in the loop about your candidacy.

How To Win The Battle Of Resume Writing And Cover Letter Writing

How To Win The Battle Of Resume Writing And Cover Letter WritingAustralia resume writing and cover letter writing are an effective strategy to secure your future success. However, you can still create a wonderful resume and cover letter on your own. Just be creative, but use only the most authentic elements. Let's discuss why it is important to keep it professional, even if you're applying for a job in Australia.We live in a global community today. It's the same when it comes to job hunting. The first thing we notice about any country is its quality of life.If you are from a country where great weather is abundant, you may feel better about applying for a job. You'll also feel more secure. A regular, weather-worshipping attitude will win over the imbeciles who normally apply for jobs in Australia. Your resume and cover letter will look much better, too.In addition, it will send a strong message that you value the career prospects you have. If you don't, they're not going to take your application seriously. With a well-written resume and cover letter, you'll be able to stand out among the crowd.Have you thought about what kind of lifestyle you enjoy? Is it more time for relaxation than work? If so, then applying for a job in Australia should be an easy task. You could enjoy a high-quality life if you know how to behave.A well-written resume and cover letter are your initial weapons in your battle to land the dream job in Australia. They are your public relations tool to bring attention to your credentials. You've got to be creative and present yourself as a serious candidate.You can't spend hours polishing your resume or cover letter without considering your personal attributes and skills. For example, if you're writing a cover letter, it should clearly state your experience, education, and training. That means if you have extensive experience working with people, you want to emphasize that.To summarize, write a brief summary of your professional history, show y our experience in various industries, and indicate your training and education in specific details. Then get down to the business and apply for the job!

Reduce Overwhelm - Handle the Holidays in 10 steps - Classy Career Girl

Reduce Overwhelm - Handle the Holidays in 10 steps As the holidays approach, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burned out with family gatherings, covering for others at the office, traffic at the malls, and so on. When we go about our busy lives, remember to take a moment to take a step back for breathing room. On the energetic level, when the mind quiets, insight develops. In the absence of distraction, we can connect to ourselves and hear ourselves think.  It is time to reduce overwhelm. If you have been feeling overwhelmed, take a look at these ten suggestions to help you recharge and gain clarity: 1. Worry Less Having a hard time sleeping? Did you know the biggest reason for insomnia is worrying about insomnia? Did you know your body gets almost the same rest when you lie still in bed as it would if you were sleeping? 2. Think While You Eat Try eating one of your meals without a newspaper, book, or the TV in front of you. Just you and your meal. This helps us be more mindful when we eat to reduce overwhelm. 3. Reduce Sugar Intake So tough! But little by little each day, just like with #2, mindful steps of consuming fewer sweets will help you rely less on sugar to fuel your days which has a big impact on stress and overwhelm. 4. Get (and Stay) Active. Whether it’s yoga, cycling, or dancing, try to make working out a routine in your schedule. 5. Take Comfort in Being Present Even starting your day off with 1 minute of meditating will do wonders for your mental and energetic clarity! If you dont have time in the morning, you can still take a moment out of any part of your day to be present. 6. Have Self-Compassion What is one thing you can treat yourself to today that will bring you joy? What is one thing you can forgive yourself for? Are there any self-criticisms that you’ve been replaying to yourself? 7. Listen to Your Intuition This one goes hand in hand with #5. When you are still, your intuition gets louder. When we don’t listen to our gut, we get stuck in a rut. 8.Invest in What Makes You Happy Align your time by prioritizing it around with what inspires you. There’s an art to staying inspired, and it’s simple! 9. Learn Something New Hopefully, you are learning new things from reading this article  or diving into the care packages and freebies! 10. Set a Small Goal or Start a Mini-Project Having a small goal with a beginning, middle, and end helps give our mental mind something to focus on and reduces the likelihood of negative self-talk to creep in. By giving the mental mind a project (like a puzzle or cleaning out a kitchen drawer), we are also our energy to recharge. **Bonus: Journal** If you have a lot on your mind, get all your thoughts down on paper in a journal. Writing out all that is on your mind will give your emotions an outlet. After a week of daily writing, youll begin to notice a sense of mental, emotional, and energetic clarity as your mind declutters. May you enjoy all the silver linings this holiday season has to offer! How Do You Reduce Overwhelm in Your Life?

3 Fun Group Exercise Classes You Should Try This Summer

3 Fun Group Exercise Classes You Should Try This Summer Its summer and we want to look our best in our bikinis, sundresses, tank tops, and shorts.  So what do we do? We hit the gym.  Theres the elliptical, the treadmill, some free weights, machine weights I dont know about you ladies, but doing the exact same workout day after day becomes so mundane. Exercising is sacred time you have with yourself.  You are making yourself better each time you are working out.  Not only are you making yourself physically stronger, youre flushing your mind of all stress and negativity.   You are literally ripping apart your old self and creating a new and better you.  But how many people do you know (including yourself) who approach exercising like this? Probably not many. And thats where I think most people have it wrong: they consider their exercising time as more of a chore than valuable me time.  Workouts become so routine that it becomes not fun anymore. They dread their workouts each day until finally, they stop completely. But it shouldnt be like this! If this sounds like you, its time to kick your workouts up a notch! The best way to do so is to try out different group exercise classes at your local gym or rec center. I have always been a fan of group exercise classes.  Each time Im in a class, I slack off less, make new friends, and since I dont want to look like a wimp among my other classmates, I do my best to do each exercise correctly and completely. Dont know where to start? Here are 3 fun and trendy group exercises classes to try! 1. Bikram yoga Who says you have to cool off in the summer? Why not turn up the heat? Widely known as hot yoga, Bikram yoga is typically run for 90 minutes in a room that is heated up to 106 degrees! Yes, its hot, but after the 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, many people feel great.  Benefits include weight loss, increased flexibility, better strength, and posture improvement.  Be careful, though: You may not make it through the entire class on your first few attempts.  Listen to your body and tell the instructor any discomfort you are feeling. Hot yoga isnt for everyone.  Oh yeah, and dont forget your ice cold water bottle! Photo from fitness.makeupandbeauty.com 2. Barre Barre workouts have been very trendy lately.  Barre studios are popping up around the United States like crazy, not to mention hundreds of new DVDs that have come out that allow you to perform these workouts at home.  But what is barre? Its a type of workout that is designed to give you a long, lean, dancer-like physique.  If youve ever done ballet, chances are youre familiar with the ballet barre, which is what this workout utilizes.  Basically, barre is a combination of pilates, yoga, and ballet and relies mostly on ones bodyweight for resistance.  Being an ex-ballet dancer, Ive found barre to be very similar to my old ballet classes without the bloody and broken toenails.  So if youre looking to have that dancer-like figure, barre is for you! (Photo from barreworkouthq.com) 3. Trampoline Fitness Trampolines arent only fun for kids,  theyre great for adults who want to get in a fun workout too! Last year, I decided to try out another trendy fitness craze that utilizes trampolines as part of  its routine.  That place is called Urban Air, located in Southlake, Texas. When I walked in, there were about 30 mini square shaped trampolines, each with one person jumping on it. Our instructor would make us do a variety of regular exercises while jumping on the trampoline, which is a lot more challenging to do than on solid ground! Its a full body workout and a great way to get your dose of cardio without the high-intensity impact on your joints.  Some even say its better than running (I am a bit skeptical of that claim since I am a huge fan of running, but it is a good workout!). Plus, jumping on trampolines is ALWAYS fun. (Photo from launchri.com) Dont be shy, find your nearest hot yoga, barre,  and trampoline fitness classes and give them a try! Its never a bad idea to  introduce some variety into your daily workouts! Have you tried any of these workouts? What did you think?

Professional Resume Writing Services in India

Professional Resume Writing Services in IndiaProfessional resume writing services in India are on the rise. Many of these are working for multinational corporations as well as organizations who wish to hire a new employee.Of course, all these companies have made an effort to seek out professionals with diverse experience in various fields in India. They do not just need resumes and applications but also know that they need someone who has many areas of expertise. It is not always easy to find the right person.That is why a few decades ago when professional resume writing services in India began, the quality was not of the best. However, times have changed. There are many reasons behind this.For one, people have become more open to different ideas and viewpoints. As a result, hiring managers are no longer willing to settle for the resumes that people come up with. This is not only true of India, but it is a global phenomenon.Also, there are many talented resume writers who work from h ome or are outsourced from places like Singapore. Sometimes, it is not very clear what the end product will be. However, hiring a professional resume writing service in India has the ability to improve the resume and create a winning one for an organization.When you want to hire professionals to create professional resumes for you, make sure you check out the list of services in India. The one thing that must be on top of your list is to make sure the company you are considering for your resume writer is recognized in India. You want to make sure the professional you choose is doing a good job.But another thing you will want to do is ask questions about the writing process. Ask if the service in India has the capability to produce high quality resumes. Be sure you ask about the specific processes they use and the processes they do not use.Remember, professional resume writing services in India can make a resume stand out above the rest. This means having a resume that speaks for its elf. Take a few minutes to check out a list of them so you can hire one that will be ready to go.

Invaluable Advice for Launching a Freelance Career - CareerAlley

Invaluable Advice for Launching a Freelance Career - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Freelancing Career At some point in their career, many people consider taking their career in a freelance direction. There are pros and cons to doing so, but its the freedom of doing the work you want that attracts so many. If youre thinking about launching a freelance career, you likely already know that its not going to be easy. It takes a lot of hard work to build an independent career, where its up to you to find the work you need to keep going. Before you decide to go freelance, you need to come up with a plan to decide how youre going to do things. Sourced from Investment Zen Start Off with a Side Hustle If youre currently employed, suddenly dumping your job to start freelancing usually isnt ideal. If youre lucky, you already have some valuable contacts that can get you started in the freelance field. However, even then, it could take you a while to build a reputation and an image as a trustworthy freelancer. When youre first getting started, it often makes more sense to begin with a side hustle. You can continue to build on it until it becomes your main hustle. It means youll be short on free time for a while, but thats the sacrifice you make if you want to become a freelancer. Freelancing is one of the fastest, most affordable, and easiest ways to get started working from home, especially if you offer services in a skill you already excel at. In some ways, freelance sits in between entrepreneurship and employment. Randy Duermyer thebalance.com Find the Right Places to Advertise Your Skills Knowing how to promote your skills is essential for finding clients. Its a good idea to have your own website or social media pages, of course, but there are also various appropriate places to advertise your services. Online, you will find that there are sites that cater to a huge range of skills, but its often best to find those that are specifically for your skillset. People will choose to hire AV freelancers with AV Junction for an event, rather than look at a generic freelance site like Upwork. Consider whether you offer your services online or in person when you choose how and where to list your services. Sourced from Pixabay Create a Business Plan When people decide to launch a freelance career, they often dont think of it as a business. If youre just working on your own, it can be difficult to view your efforts as a business and not just an individual doing some work. But its important to view your freelance career as a business and to take the steps you would take when building one. A business plan is one of the important things you should have, helping you to create a vision for the future. Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash Build Yourself a Brand You should also make sure you build a brand for your business. It might be built around you as a person, or you might give your business a different name and make it a little less personal. This is a good idea if you might ever think of selling your business in the future. To build your brand, work on your online presence and know how you want to come across to prospective clients. Starting a freelancing career is not an easy road, so before quitting your job, consider if you have the contacts and in-demand skills to make a go of it. Tweet This If you want to start a freelance career, dont expect it to happen overnight. You need to be prepared to put in the effort. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

What Does Your Boss Desk Say About His Work Style

What Does Your Boss Desk Say About His Work Style Understanding how co-workers and bosses give and receive information is important, and knowing their preferences can help improve communications and general job satisfaction. Savvy professionals are always looking for clues to a persons preferred style of communication.Most social psychologists recognize that there are four basic temperaments or communications styles. One widely accepted concept for acknowledging the four basic styles is known as the DISC method. The DISC is easy to understand, learn, remember, and apply. Heres what the DISC stands for.The D stands for the Driving style and is a measure of how people respond to problems and challenges.The I stands for the Influential style and is a measure of how people influence others to their point of view.The S stands for the Steady/Stable style and is a measure of the intensity levels of a persons behavior toward the pace of the environment.The C stands for Compliance and is a measure how people respond to rules and procedures s et by others and their need for information.When you are looking for clues into a persons preferred communication style, remember that the indicators will not always be verbal. You can uncover significant insights about a persons communication style by looking at their office. I spoke to certified professional behavioral analyst Jane Roquelplot, owner of   JaneCos Sensible Solutions, to learn more about what office style says about a persons communication style.D: Driving (fast-paced and task-oriented individuals) When entering D styles offices, look around! The overall tone suggests authority and control. Their desks may be covered with projects and papers, stacked in neat piles. Both their in and out-boxes typically bulge with busywork. They tend to surround themselves with trophies, awards, and other evidence of personal achievement. Virtually everything about the place suggests hustle, bustle, formality, and power. This type often favors a large chair behind a massive authority structure known as a power desk. Besides non-verbally announcing, Im important, the desk separates them from visitors, literally keeping them at a distance. The walls may include diplomas, commendations, and other evidence of success. One wall may have a large planning sheet or calendar on it the better to juggle tasks with. If D styles have family photos, they may hang behind them or somewhere where they do not readily see them. To this type, their offices are places of business, and the fewer distractions they have, the better.I: Influential (fast-paced and people-oriented) When you enter the working area of an I style, look around his office. What does it look like? Even if you have never been to this types office before, you may recognize it from across the room. Remember Oscar Madison? He and other I styles may strew paperwork across their desks, sometimes trailing it along the floor, too. They react to visual stimuli, so they like to have everything where they can see it. Con sequently, their desks often look cluttered and disorganized. If anyone comments, How do you find anything? they like to say that they are organized in their disorganization. I style office walls may sport prestigious awards. They may be adorned with a broad range of decorations including liberal arts degrees, motivational or upbeat slogans, generalized personal comments, or stimulating posters. You may see notes posted and taped all over the place with little apparent forethought, rhyme, or reason. Overall decor in these offices usually reflects an open, airy, lively atmosphere that often reveals the personality of its occupant. Likewise, the furniture arrangement tends to indicate warmth, openness, and contact. An I style seldom sits behind a desk when he talks. He often opts for comfortable, accessible seating, enabling him to meet his goal of getting to know people better. He prefers to sit next to others at a table or on a couch so he can see and hear them.S: Steady/Stable (slo w-paced and people-oriented)When you enter an S styles office, be alert for conservatively framed personal slogans, group photos, serene landscapes and posters, and other personal items. Since S-types tend to seek close relationships, also look around for telltale family pictures and mementos, usually turned so they can view them from their desk chair.They often favor nostalgic memories of stabilizing experiences and relationships in our increasingly high-tech world. These remembrances of a pleasant, uncomplicated past allow them to transform their offices into an environment of friendly, warm ambiance. They prefer to arrange seating in a side-by-side, more congenial, cooperative manner. No big power desks for them! If they do have one, though, they will typically come out from behind it and reach out, opting for a more personal touch.C: Compliant (slow-paced and task-oriented) C styles often carry their organizational tendencies into their work environments. Environmental clues inc lude neat, highly organized desks with cleared tops so they can work unimpeded by clutter clean, shipshape, and professional with everything in the appropriate place. Charts, graphs, exhibits, models, credentials, and job-related pictures are often placed neatly on their office walls or shelves. C styles favor a functional decor that will enable them to work more efficiently. They tend to keep most objects within reach, readily available when needed. Where appropriate, you may notice state-of-the-art technology to further enhance efficiency. C styles are non-contact people who prefer the formality of distance. This preference is reflected in the functional, but uninviting, arrangement of their desks and chairs, usually with the desks physically separating them with other.