The Land of New Language and Customs

The Land of New Language and Customs Job search often feels like you are entering a new country. Its like a land of new language and customs, procedures and protocols. This post is dedicated to the lessons I learned from meeting new people and experiencing new things.  These are my take-aways as they apply to job search and career transition. As I delivered training and traveled Madrid, my senses were opened to new people, perspectives and ways of living life and working! Job search often feels like you are visiting a land of new language and customs so thats the parallel Ive drawn. Be Open To Possibilities I didnt know much about Madrid and the people I would be delivering training for, but I gleefully accepted the opportunity. Upon meeting the team the first night, I almost instantly felt I was among long-lost friends. Our conversations felt like we were catching up versus just meeting! Lets not be so set in our ways or limited in our views that we miss out on things!  Instead of making assumptions based on previous experiences can limit your ability to uncover new opportunities. The world we live in is so small and inter-connected. The chances of finding something in common with a stranger or connections in a new company, country or situation are great!   Instead, listen with an open mind. Resiliency The theme of the week for me, in every conversation I had, was resiliency the ability to adapt and adjust to new situations. The women and men  I met with were living proof of the most resilient people Ive ever met. They were Americans living in foreign countries; many of them living in more than one country within the past several years. Adjusting, adapting and thriving! They are expert navigators of travel, customs, and languages. They smile and have a delightful sense of humor! There are new customs and language in your job search as well. Rather than feel overwhelmed, angry or frustrated, try accepting the new land of job search and learn the culture and language. I wish these men and women could bottle what they have and give us all a dose! Have Visual Aids I was excited to see the Museo del Prado and had generally planned  out my route. I checked with the hotel desk to get additional information and departed- but without a map. Upon reaching the metro stop, I was overwhelmed by the rush of people but my eyes caught the orange vest of a metro official, so I inquired on the best route. He, unfortunately, did not understand my question and answered in Spanish. Without a map, I couldnt show him where I wanted to go, so I rushed back to the hotel to get my map and was fortified with the confidence to try the metro again. Before embarking on an adventure of any kind, make sure you have the necessary materials- visual aids are universally understood! Just Try Re-entering the metro a second time, I ventured over to the flashing lights of the ticket machine. I observed people one machine over hitting buttons and followed their lead. Lo and behold, there was an English flag indicating I could get instructions in my native language! After several attempts, I had my metro ticket, and entered through the turnstiles. I couldnt give up. Neither can you. Job search is often filled with new experiences with many unfamiliar processes. It is like a land of new language and customs. But, just give it a try and youll get through it!

Keywords vs Cliches -- The Branding Debate

Keywords vs Cliches -- The Branding Debate How often are you told you need a LinkedIn Profile that is keyword rich, then you read an article on LinkedIn that tells you, Stop Using These 16 Terms To Describe Yourself? The main thrust of the article is that the keywords generally are cliches and should be left out of your branding vocabulary. However, keywords are very necessary in terms of being found on LinkedIn. Whenever I read an article like that, I try to take the time to read all the comments because there will generally be a debate! This particular article, though, has over 3,000 comments so that is probably not going to happen this time. One common reality that many readers mention in this debate is the fact they wont even make it to the interview without the keywords/cliches in the resume so the search engine brings it up to the person who decides on the viability of the candidate. Words are tools. Tools can be poorly made and fall apart the first time used, or finely crafted and used by generations to build things. The goal isnt the tool, although tools can be very beautiful. The goal of a tool is its usefulness in helping the user achieve their goal, what ever it is. But even the best tool cannot do anything without the users skill. When you look at our LinkedIn Profile Development service you see how an expert views this debate: you need both the keywords/cliches and the humanizing factor. The keywords often are cliches, but an experienced wordsmith knows how to use them to get past the computers to the people. If all you have is cliched keywords, the resume stops here. Its that human factor, the individuality brought out by a skillful resume/profile writer, that connects with the person reading about you. There are too many profiles out there for a person to read all of them. Thats what search engines are for! And search engines are computers looking for keywords. The words are tools we use to get you to the persons notice and to bring your brand to the front, where all that makes you unique can shine. Thats the humanizing factor and the other leg your online branding stands on. Use the words that make up your online brand/presence wisely. Remember that you need both the keyword/cliche AND the individual spark that makes you recognizable.

How to Write a Good Resume For a Specific Job

How to Write a Good Resume For a Specific JobIf you are looking for ways to write your resume, then you have probably tried your hand at other resumes and noticed that they either didn't make you stand out, or that they felt rushed and did not give you enough time to lay out your experience. If you are the type of person who likes to get things done the right way, then you should definitely know that a resume that is just about the same as the one in front of you, just isn't going to get you anywhere. You need to take the time to look at a resume that is different from the others, and you need to find a way to make it stand out.To make a resume that really stands out, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. One of these is to make sure that you make yourself presentable, even if you are working part-time. A well-designed resume will help you with that and show that you are a good person to hire. If you are a work at home mom, then maybe you should be sure to make yoursel f presentable in this area.Another tip is to make sure that you use a variety of formatting techniques in your resume. There are many different types of formats to choose from, so if you can find one that will work for you, then you should definitely do that. With that said, the more different formats you can use, the better. A resume that uses just one format doesn't tell the reader anything, and so using several formats in a row can do wonders for you.Perhaps the most important things to remember are that it should not be grammatically correct, and also that it should tell the reader something. The thing about resumes is that they are supposed to give the employer some kind of information about you, and these two factors should be considered when you are trying to come up with a good resume. Make sure that you use an effective resume template in order to accomplish this, as well as tomake sure that you do not copy-paste the same information over again.In addition to all of this, a resume should be short, concise, and to the point. It should not overdo itself, and it should give the employer everything they need to know about you in just a few lines. There are plenty of places on the internet where you can find great templates that are short and to the point, and that can help you in making sure that you make the right impression on the hiring manager.Writing a good resume should be a skill that you have. As with all things, practice is the best teacher, and you can do a lot of practice, by using the resources that are available to you. There are resume writing tips available, and many companies offer online workshops, or they may even have a resume writing kit that can give you a head start. All of these things will help you put together a resume that will show that you are someone who is worth the time and effort put into it.Resume writing is just a skill that you need to develop, but one that can prove to be very useful for you in your career. If you take the time to look at a resume that is different than the ones in front of you, then you will be giving yourself a leg up in the competition for a job that is only open to the best of the best.

Game of Thrones Who Makes the Jewelry

Game of Thrones Who Makes the Jewelry There’s a scene in the fifth season of Game of Thrones that made fans lose their ever-loving minds. Daenerys, a.k.a. Khaleesi, a.k.a. the Mother of Dragons, finds herself in the middle of an ambushed sword fight. As the people around her drop like flies, her beloved dragon shows up in the nick of time and puts the hurt on some swarthy barbarian-types. It’s an important plot point and it got all the usual accolades. But not for the usual reasons. This time around, a dragon-shaped necklace that cuffs Daenerys’ neck like a silver safety harness stole the show. A genius bit of costumery-as-foreshadowing, the piece resonated with fans, and after the episode aired, many took to social media to ask for their own. “There was an immediate response to it,” says jewelry designer Eliza Higginbottom. “It’s a real turning point in Khaleesi’s story, and she’s wearing this sterling silver dragon that’s a display and protector at once. There’s a lot of symbolism there.” Higginbottom and her husband, fellow designer Yunus Ascott, collaborated with Throne’s costume designer Michele Clapton to create the now-iconic necklace. After fans went gaga for it, the trio launched an online jewelry brand, with earrings, wrist cuffs, and rings inspired by, and sometimes worn on, the show. The line starts at about $100, and goes up to $2,730 â€" the price of a handmade replica of the dragon necklace from season five (cash strapped GOT diehards can get a stripped-down version of the piece, sans wings, for a cool $2,000). Sculptors by trade, Higginbottom and Ascott are relatively new to the fashion world. The London-based pair fell into jewelry design sort of haphazardly. While mucking around with some experimental sculptures in 2008, they made a miniature piece, modeled after the Greek god Poseidon, that was small enough to wear as a ring. A journalist from The Independent spotted the design on a visit to the couple’s studio, and ran a photo in the UK newspaper. The couple quickly brainstormed a company name, and mocked up a website to direct prospective buyers to. Now, it’s their full time gig. “Yunus Eliza,” as it stands today, is a bespoke jewelry brand that blends wide swaths of art history â€" a Salvador Dali-inspired ring that lets negative space drip around the wearer’s finger, a cuff that invokes the figureheads on old viking ships, a colorful mask necklace that looks almost Vaudevillian. The entire line ranges from $400 to $15,000, Higgenbottom says. courtesy of the subjects True to their sculpture background, Higginbottom and Ascott start each new design by molding it into wax, and use hot pens and fine tools to make changes as they go along. Once perfected, they cast the wax into fine metal, like the sterling silver shown on Thrones. “Because we’re not trained as jewelers, we don’t have to conform to a certain way of doing things,” Higginbottom explains. “We don’t have to worry about how a traditional ring sits on your finger, or the steps it takes to get it there. Our jewelry doesn’t just sit with you, it’s a symbiotic relationship.” Higginbottom declined to give specific sales figures, but says their personal line seen a bump in sales since the HBO partnership. Two seasons later, the trio has collaborated again for the latest iteration of Thrones. Higginbottom can’t give many details, but she says fans will know the piece when they see it. courtesy of the subjects It was a logical pairing, she adds. Higginbottom, Ascott, and Thrones’ Clapton have a shared aestheticâ€"a mix of old and new; renaissance and science fiction â€" and an interest in creating jewelry that “reveals the intent of its wearer,” Higginbottom says. As for the rabid nature of Thrones fans, she admits that her recent work has forged an unlikely path to success. But she credits one person, really. “The association with such a global hit is great for exposure and building brand strength,” she says. “Everybody wants to be a bit like Khaleesi.”

This Linkedin Lawsuit May Make You Consider Deleting Your Account - Work It Daily

This Linkedin Lawsuit May Make You Consider Deleting Your Account - Work It Daily Social media has destroyed privacy, and it’s not the users we should be worried about. It’s the developers of the platforms. Related: What Your Social Media Says About You To Employers In 2010, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was on record stating that “the age of privacy was over.” He went on further to explain, if he were to create Facebook again today, user information by default would be public, not private as it was for years until the company changed dramatically in December. When the founders, co-founders and developers of social media platforms are confronted with the question of privacy, they often answer the question with a pseudo-philosophical response about how the world is evolving and everyone is becoming more connected. This is nonsense. The real reason these platforms are continually exposing more of their user’s private information to the public is to monetize their platforms. As a social media marketing manager for seven years, I’ve seen social media rise since it's infancy. I’ve also done a great deal of ad buying. One of the things that’s always been a hinderance to conversions (leads and sales) has been the lack of information social platforms such as Facebook or Twitter offer to advertisers. This makes for terrible conversion rates because the demographic you advertise to is too broad. As such, Facebook is constantly on the prowl to gain more personal information from their users. Linkedin has apparently taken notice of advancing their ad platform as well, which is why they’re facing a class-action lawsuit. You should be very concerned. The lawsuit alleges that a product developed for premium users (typically job recruiters or employers) violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a law passed in 1970 to protect people from being unfairly denied access to a mortgage, credit, or employment based on a background check or credit report. The product being referred to is Linkedin’s “Reference Search” tool. This tool allows premium users to check the references of a Linkedin user and send them a private message using Linkedin’s Inmail system. This opens up Pandora’s Box for obvious reasons, because it allows a recruiter or employer to contact a prospect’s former co-workers or employers to ask for details about a job candidate that are not allowed to be legally obtained, according to employment laws in most states. Instead of simply saying yes or no to the question, “Do you deem person X hireable?” a conversation could carry on about a person that leads into illegal territories by exposing excessive information about a job candidate that leads them to being denied for a position. This is especially true when considering that a prospective employer could contact a former co-worker of a job applicant who may not have a favorable opinion of that person. That opinion could then be used to sway the opinion of the hiring manager or recruiter, and therein lies the problem. This is a gross violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. At least, I think it is. In case you think this is all a bunch of theories and hypothetical circumstances, you’d be wrong. One person involved in this class-action lawsuit has had a prospective employer come forth who admitted to denying her a job because of a reference she contacted from Linkedin. Linkedin claims that the information premium users have access to is information that the user’s have already made public, which takes them off the hook legally. Unfortunately, that’s true. By nature of Linkedin’s public resume’ platform, your career history and everyone you’ve worked for and worked with is on display for the entire world to see. So, is Linkedin really responsible for the abuse committed by those who use their platform? The answer to that question is irrelevant. The real question is, do you feel comfortable continuing to be a member of Linkedin, knowing that the information you opt to post publically can be used against you? The most frightening thing is that you could have been denied jobs and didn’t even know it because backdoor conversations could have been taken place without your knowledge. 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 About the author Michael Price is the author of What Next? The Millennial's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Real World, endorsed by Barbara Corcoran of ABC's Shark Tank. He is also the founder of Conquer Career Course, where he teaches students how to increase their salary, build a career with longevity and become unemployment-proof. View the trailer below:     Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!

10 Tough Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)

10 Tough Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them) By now, its widely known that tech companies like Google and Facebook have a little black book filled with tough interview questions and puzzles to test the way their job candidates think. Luckily, fruchtwein of the questions that youll receive from a potential employer will be nothing like this.A quick Google search of Tough Interview Questions reveals that most HR departments rely on the same tried and true list of questions but, over time, the wording has changed ever so slightly. Use this list to become familiar with the newest phrasing for interview questions and prepare the answers to land your dream job.1. Tell Me About Yourself.This is open-ended ask isnt the toughest interview question, as its one that many new interviewees are very comfortable answering. Here, the hiring manager is asking you to give your elevator speech. Youve practiced this a million times, so let er rip. Other ways that you might hear this question i nclude describe yourself or how would a former coworker describe you? In each of these, the employer is looking for a general idea of how you see yourself. Humble-brag to the max because this is where you want to show your potential coach that you can shine and that you know how to advocate for your own abilities and successes.2. Whats Your Biggest Weakness?Okay, lets clarify no one is going to ask you what your biggest weakness is. Its like verbal clickbait the manager asks the question and the response is some tacky, rehearsed answer that sounds bad before you even open your mouth to reply. But there are new questions along the same vein,like what do people often criticize most about you?The answer to this question can actually be substituted in for your biggest weakness. The odds are good that youll give some thought as to how others may see you in a negative light, but youll probably also provide some detail as to how youre trying to improve. Its this ability to self-improve th at the hiring manager is really looking for.3. Why Do You Want This Job?Big red flag here Do not say because Im broke, and I need a job. Everyone likes to feel special, and this is your chance to tell the supervisor why the company is so amazing. This question sometimes rephrased as why should I hire you? or convince me to hire you is just a test about whether or not youve done your homework.Check out the web and social media pages for the employer, and make sure that you know the ins and outs of the products that they make, the culture or vision that they ascribe to and what the hiring manager needs from this fleck. The correct answer sounds something like, I have taken professional training/received education/gained experience developing the skills that you are looking for. This company is amazing because something meaningful about culture/vision, and I believe that my ability to list skills here makes me a unique fit who can contribute to this company.4. Where Do You Picture Yo urself in Three Years? In Five Years?This open-ended question continues to be used in the interview because the supervisor hopes you will talk about your excitement for this position and where you hope it will lead. If youre coming in as an entry-level associate, talk about running your own gruppe someday. If youve been hired to work on or manage a specific project, talk about new ideas that you might like to implement once this project is complete.Heads up this question can also be framed sarcastically, as in if I hire you, are you going to try to take my job? Bring the focus back to your career goals theres plenty of room at the top, and by the time a promotion is in your sights, your manager may have gotten one herself.5. Tell Me About a Time You Failed.This question can also be worded as describe a decision you made that was a failure or tell me what you would do differently with your career if you could start over. Personal questions like these are about overcoming adversity. Believe it or not, work is work. Sometimes, things dont go according to plan.The interviewer wants to know that when youre on a deadline and projects get tough, youll push through it and, if applicable, that you will learn from your mistakes and ensure that it doesnt happen again. Some personality types take failure very personally, but this is an opportunity to show that you can focus on the positive. Recognize that failure happens to everyone and show that how you absprache with it is what separates you from other candidates.6. Describe a Situation When You Didnt Work Well with a Supervisor or Coworker.The way that you answer this question tells a manager how you might deal with conflict and whether your reactions would work well in the managers team. Theres only one wrong answer here Ive never been in this situation or had a disagreement with a colleague. Everyone, even the best of friends, has disagreements, so to deny that youve never had this experience sounds disingenuous. Be honest, and describe a time when you had a different opinion about how a project should be tackled.Next, either explain how you defended your preference and won or how you lost and saw the merit in someone elses suggestion. Other phrasingsfor this question might be tell me about a time when a coworker wasnt doing their fair share, when you have two projects that need your urgent attention, how you decide which gets top priority? or who was your best/worst boss? This is about looking objectively at the situation and being able to make a thoughtful, ethical and professional decision.7. Tell Me About Your Last Employer or Supervisor.This is a bit different from the brde question in that its easier to focus on the skills and abilities you cultivated during your last work or educational experience. Also framed as, describe your experience in a team or collaborative setting, this can be a great opportunity to highlight your relevant experience while showing that you can give credit to ot hers. For example, explain how your most recent manager helped you with a difficult task or assignment that went on to succeed, or explain how the projects and assignments that you were given helped you learn a meaningful career skill.8. So, What Do You Do for Fun?Also known as how do you deal with stress? If the job that youre interviewing for is in a region of the U.S. that is well-known for a specific recreational activity, you can do a little bit of sleuthing into the companys social media pages and give an answer that shows that your extracurriculars match the interests of your coworkers (and that you would fit well in the company culture). Skills are important, but a personality fit is also essential for team cohesiveness.9. What Are Your Expectations for Salary?We cant have a list of tough interview questions without bringing up the necessity of negotiating your salary. In a world where women arent always equally compensated for their skill set, this question must be answered though, if youre not comfortable answering the question at this point, the best answer to give is that you expect your wages to be fair and competitive compensation. You can mention that youd like to know more about benefits and specific job responsibilities before you start talking numbers, and that youre focused on the opportunities of this position rather than the starting salary. (For real though, when you get the job offer, negotiate like a boss.)10. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?Uh, yes Asking the HR recruiter your own questions shows that youve been paying attention and that youre interested in the position. If youre having trouble coming up with something, stick to general questions that work for almost any occasion is this a new position or a replacement position? How many other people will I interact with on a regular basis? How long has my direct supervisor been a manager? What is it like to live here? Can you tell me more about your expectations for list a job respo nsibility that youre not so confident in?Its important to remember that there is no right or wrong answer for most of these questions. The hiring manager, HR recruiter or supervisor is looking to fill a space on their team and they have a specific skill set and personality in mind as theyre interviewing you. Be yourself, and youll land a position that hires you for who you are and what you can do.*Before you go, you might be asking yourself whats the answer to the airplane question from the beginning of the article? Well, there are multiple answers, since there are several different ways to calculate weight and the contents of the plane will add to the final total. (FYI this is why we calculate the weight of luggage.) But, by far, there is one answer that I have received overwhelmingly read the manual.Still on the hunt and looking to land the interview? Check out these resume skills you should NOT forget to include, or for ways to shine in the new workplace, try 10 Ways To Be Unbeat able In The Office.--Jane Scudder is a certified coach workshop facilitator. She also works as a strategy marketing consultant and teaches a Career Development Preparation course at Loyola University Chicago. She lives and works remotely in Chicago, IL. Learn more at janescudder.com.

The New Angle On How to Say You Are Good at Writing in a Resume Just Released

The New Angle On How to Say You Are Good at Writing in a Resume Just Released The Fundamentals of How to Say You Are Good at Writing in a Resume Revealed If youre an experienced candidate, the abflug of the resume should contain details about your experience in various businesses and firms. A great resume format is simple to scan. You should invest time into each application and guarantee that your resume is tailored to every employer and the job that youre applying to. The info above should demonstrate how sample manager resumes are best structured, to find an interview and find that job. Gossip, Deception and How to Say You Are Good at Writing in a Resume In all likelihood, youll get caught, because itll be obvious you do not understand how to competently do your work properly. Even if your work experience is ideal, a subpar resume could sink your probability of getting a work interview. Unless youre a graphic designer looking for employment, theres no need to over think the plan of your one-pager. In reality, in regards to first resumes and job applications, the idea ought to be to take care of the process for a learning experience. Writing in complete sentences will make you be descriptive. If youve got many abilities, the previous skill paragraph may be called Additional Skills. What Everybody Dislikes About How to Say You Are Good at Writing in a Resume and Why Also, if youre able to, have someone that has lately gone through an IT job search look at your resume and offer you suggestions. Analyze job ads You will binnensee a great deal of helpful info on job ads. Attempt to comprehend the market of the organization youre asking for work, and identify what type of difficulties they may be going through. Your job (while youre attempting to find a job) is to make certain to fit what theyre searching for.