Saturday, May 30, 2020

CV layout examples

CV layout examples by Amber Rolfe Writing a CV is tough, but finding the right layout can be even harder…No matter how impressive the content is, presenting your CV in a way that positively emphasises your skills and experience isn’t always easy.The good news is, how you choose to present your CV is entirely up to you. So whether you want to demonstrate your design skills, or concentrate on the numbers â€" adapting your layout accordingly (and creatively) could be the best way to stand out.We’ve already put together a traditional CV template, but if you’re looking for something a little more unique, here are 13 creative CV layout examples:  1.  The CEO CV2. The design-based CV  3. The skills-based CV4. The well-rounded CV5. The hand-drawn CV6. The experience-based CV7. The photo CV8. The minimalist CV9. The geometric CV  10. The stats-based CV11. The colour coordinated CV12. The employment focused CVImage courtesy of The Career Improvement Club. Download it here. 13. The infographic CV  Final thoughts Although there are many ways you can structure a CV, that doesn’t mean every layout will suit you â€" or your prospective employer.To ensure you’re painting yourself in the best light, always aim to draw attention to the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.For example, if you don’t have much work experience yet, choosing a layout that places an emphasis on your skills and education is a great way to make the best of what you’ve got â€" and those in industries that require certain expertise (e.g. Photoshop or MS proficiencies) will benefit most from making your skill levels in your CV.And remember: although they work particularly well for marketing and graphic design jobs, non-traditional CV layouts aren’t always a good idea. So only use them if you’re confident it’s the right thing to do for the role.If in doubt, keep it as clean, concise and simple as possible â€" just in case.CV layout dos and don’tsFree CV reviewNeed more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s new book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview. Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

LinkedIn Recommendation Generator Free Artificial Intelligence Tool

LinkedIn Recommendation Generator â€" Free Artificial Intelligence Tool A friend just pointed me to a free AI tool you can use as a LinkedIn recommendation generator.Then she showed me a recommendation she “wrote” using the tool (lets call it Hal). She, like many people, doesn’t like to write.  If you’ve ever wondered how much help you should give someone when you ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation, this should encourage you to go for it. Otherwise, your recommender might turn to Hal or one of his business partners (Hals not the only one).OK, I can see your wheels turning. Hal could come in darn handy, couldn’t he?Top Performer Example â€" Written by the LinkedIn Recommendation GeneratorTo test Hal, I decided to write a LinkedIn recommendation for myself assuming I’m a star performer. It was easy, I went through the list of keywords the tool provides, picked five things I like about myself or aspire to, told Hal I was perfect at them, and he came up with this:Regularly produces creative, original ideas, plans, products or methods, well at tuned to the needs and capabilities of the organization, and producing clear benefits.A skillful negotiator, who instinctively reads a situation correctly, understands the motivations and feelings of the other party, and chooses the right time to proceed or withdraw.Applies professional experience and/or knowledge of people expertly to forecast outcomes with at least 90% accuracy.Others trust her judgement  because the choices have usually been good. (Note: Hal needs a spell checker.)Donna enjoys working without supervision and always continues to carry out duties effectively. But also knows when a supervisor’s advice or authority is required, and seeks help at the appropriate time.Always succeeds in explaining ideas clearly. Others find Donna easy to understand. She also has the ability to listen carefully to what others are saying, to understand and then to respond appropriately. Conversations with Donna are two-way.Truth is, it wouldn’t take much effort to turn that text into a LinkedIn recommendation.About-to-Get-Fired Example â€" Written by the LinkedIn Recommendation GeneratorNext, I wanted to see what Hal produced when I checked the worst box on the same keywords for my total slacker performance review:Constantly ignores the motivations and feelings of others, and is totally unsuited for sensitive negotiations.Donna doesnt put across ideas well. Either doesn’t make an impression at all, or others find explanations confusing.Also takes no notice whatsoever of the contributions of others.Donna is incapable of doing the job at all without almost constant supervision. Has not produced a new idea, plan, product or method in the past six months.Donna is unable to apply professional experience and/or knowledge of people to forecast outcomes with any degree of accuracy. Her forecasts are correct less than 30% of the time.Would You Use an AI Tool to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation?I look at these results and see that artificial intelligence will be increas ingly useful. Hal is a decent start, although I wouldnt want anyone to return the favor of one of his negative reviews.Would I use an AI language generator to write a LinkedIn recommendation or a performance review?Perhaps. I would want a more sophisticated program that has the keywords I need and that uses  the Oxford comma (just kidding). Plus, I would edit the results.If faced with a stack of other work, Hal might tempt me. Unless, of course, the person needing the recommendation was smart enough to draft it for me.Let’s Connect on LinkedInPlease don’t hesitate to invite me to connect on LinkedIn here. The more I know about my readers, the better I can make my blog.Featured by  SmartBrief Image: Canva Updated March 2019 2015 2019, Donna Svei. All rights reserved.Donna SveiDonna Svei, an executive resume writer and former C-level executive, retained search consultant, and CPA, writes all of AvidCareerists posts. She has written for and been quoted by leading business, general , and career media outlets, including Forbes, Mashable, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Lifehacker, Ask.com, Social Media Today, IT World, SmartBrief, Payscale, Business News Daily, and the Muse. Let her background and experience inform your job search strategy and decision making.Learn more about Donnas executive resume writing service or email Donna for more information. LinkedIn â€" Recommendations (2 Posts)

Saturday, May 23, 2020

How To Impress Your Potential New Employer Before you even Meet

How To Impress Your Potential New Employer Before you even Meet How To Impress Your Potential New Employer Before you even Meet We all know how difficult job searching can be, especially when you are trying to impress someone that you have never even met with your credentials.Landing the job you deserve can take a lot of hard work, but it doesnt mean that your job searching process isnt exciting. There is the first initial delight at finding a vacancy that seems perfect for you. Then there is the anticipation of building your application, sending it off and awaiting a reply. Should you land a coveted interview slot, then you can be left buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to dazzle them with your personality and poise. While you may be focused on your job searching activities, spare a thought for what any of your potential new employers will be doing in the meantime. Most employers will not just sit around and wait until candidates turn up for an interview before they can judge them. No â€" they will be doing a lot of homework of their own behind the scenes in anticipation of meeting suitable recrui ts.Retire your worn-out resumeThe key here is to make that first contact and first good impression with a thoroughly prepared and professional resume â€" not forgetting a very well written cover letter to back up your job application.This is no time to dig out your old, generic resume. You need to perfectly tailor your resume to suit each new position that you apply for. Take some time to browse our free resume templates and choose a fresh design that will liven up your application.By doing this stage right, you will be encouraging the employer to take the time to go deeper and do more background research on you and your suitability for the role on offer.You may have submitted a very polished resume and cover letter that contains the key information that the employer is looking for. But even before they decide who to invite in for an interview, they will be digging a lot deeper than you think.Getting your social media sortedOne of the first places an employer will go to check you ou t further is to go and look at your social media pages. It is essential here to take stock and build yourself a very robust social media presence if you want to impress a potential new employer.According to a 2017 CareerBuilder survey, 70 percent of employers use social media to screen potential new job candidates and 57 percent of employers are more reluctant to offer an interview to those without a digital footprint or dont like what they find.Remember that if you are busy looking for a new job, you never know which recruiters will be watching your profile. Try to refrain from posting anything that you really wouldnt want them to see!Research the company cultureA lot of companies try to find suitable job candidates that will be an easy cultural fit for their workplace. Ensuring the mental health and happiness of their staff while at work is becoming even more important for major recruiters.  This is why you need to make sure that your job application comes across well and allows your personality to shine through. By researching the company culture and using the same company-speak or terminology within your job application and your resume will show that your beliefs and behaviors will be a good match for their working environment. Take an extra line on your cover letter to explain why your shared beliefs would make you a valuable asset to their team.Follow up with a letterEmployers can wade through hundreds of job applications and resumes each day trying to find those candidates they consider worthy of making the shortlist. Unfortunately, no matter how good your application, you may not end up making the final cut.In cases such as this you can often be left hanging in silence wondering what you did wrong, or what you could have done better. You can show the employer a bit of extra value here by not disappearing quietly over the horizon. Instead, take some time to follow up your job application with a letter or email politely asking for some feedback from them.Be polite here and say thank you for taking the time to consider your application, but that you would appreciate some feedback about their decision that would help you with your future job applications.In most cases, you may be the only candidate that has taken the time to follow up your application. This in itself can be an impressive move. You may even find yourself being offered an interview in return because of your initiative and drive. previous article Instant Magnifier Resume Template Freebie next article On Point Complete Resume Pack you might also likeThe Best Way to Explain Your Sabbatical To a New Employer

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

The Key to Success Not What You Think

The Key to Success Not What You Think The key to success lies in getting to the top, yes? Well, not always. And certainly not for all folks. Yet management books and many organizations  focus on the definition of success as being the top dog, the CEO. Which is what makes Richard Hytners new book,  Consiglieri: Leading from The Shadows, so interesting. Consiglieri  questions why the role of counsellor, deputy, basically anybody-but-#1 is not viewed as worthwhile for an aspiring leader. And it spotlights the value of the second-in-command role in an organization. Those who gladly advise, assist, influence counsel their top  leader, with no desire for the actual  top role itself. A former CEO, and now Deputy Chairman of Saatchi Saatchi, Hytner shares his story of changing roles from #1 to the #2 spot that suited him better and why. After discovering that he was rarely happy making the big, ugly decisions but that he loved influencing them being second became his first choice. Here at Careertopia, were all about  matching a persons  natural strengths to a job theyll love, so we appreciate Hytners view. And his commitment to making a career move that suited him best. As Hytner writes, Sticking with a role just because others think it suits us can be a lazy option born of anxiety. What is there to be anxious about if youre a good leader intent on a life of leading and learning? Beyond sharing his personal career path, Hytner also demonstrates how certain personalities can actually be more successful and effective by  not being the front man. He focuses on two main types of leaders, one suited for the lead role, the other for the supporting role. He examines what makes each tick, what they  bring to the table, and how the two can get the best out of each other. With examples from history, current government, and literature, Hytner also provides interviews with leaders from business, sports, and current research  to entertain support his points. Our favorite? The example of Robert Tanseys career path, during which hes willingly tried both roles. Currently Development Director at Sky Sports,  Tansey states, Could I do the job of No. 1? Probably. Would it get the best out of me? No. Would it be the best thing for Sky? No. So thats where you have to subsume your ego, and go, this is not rightLife is not about a constant linear progression through functions, companies, departments. That is not the way to general happiness. Satisfaction is achieved by doing something that youre really interested in, knowing that youre contributing, and that may be as a No. 1, a No. 2 or something else altogether. So if your definition of advancement and success has been all about the top dog position, take a look at Consiglieri. You might just find yourself  considering an alternate definition.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Help With Resume Writing - Houston

Help With Resume Writing - HoustonIf you need help with resume writing, then you can start by searching the internet for expert resume writing help. This can save you a lot of time and money spent on professional help when it is available online.Resumes have become a priority for employers when they are considering any person for a job. Having a good work history with accomplishments and a quality job history will be beneficial when it comes to getting a job.People are in need resume writing help when they need help to create their own resumes. A quick search on the internet will allow you to find a large amount of resumes that you can download to use. These are easily found through job search websites and by checking out a job agency website.Make sure that you take the time to search out professional services to get the best advice that you can when it comes to creating your resume. There are a number of options that you can choose from to help you create your resume.You can also fi nd software programs that will help you create a resume without the use of your hands. This can save you a lot of time and make it easier for you to understand and follow. You can choose to take advantage of these programs that will make creating your resume a breeze.There are also a number of websites that will offer free resumes for you to download. Some of these companies offer you an online consultation before you give them your information and resume. This will make the process easier and more professional looking if you choose to use these sites.Remember that even if you choose to hire someone to help you with this process. There is no way to guarantee you that they will not forget your important information. Withthis in mind, it would be best to hire an individual who is professional enough to understand that the need for writing resumes may come up at some point.By using a professional service or doing this on your own, you may not always be able to complete a resume as quic kly or correctly as you would like. However, with the information that is available online, you can still create a strong resume and one that shows that you have what it takes to succeed at the professional level.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Staying Ahead of the Curve Think about the top Fortune 500 companies for a second. Well, maybe not all of them, but the automakers, IBM, Xerox, Kodak, those guys. They were running profitable businesses for long time. They were utilizing lean principles, six sigma, and other quality initiatives. They probably also were committed to implementing and sharingbest practices. In this rapidly changing world, what these mammoths were unable to to was implement really new ideas. To do this would require innovation and risk taking beyond what they were capable of. Katie Konrath wrote a poston Personal Branding Blog citing CK Pralahads opinion on the topic of innovation. Unfortunately, when a company gives all their focus to “best practices”, they actually set themselves up for failure in the future. Why? Because the very thing that makes them improve (intense internal focus) is what hurts them in the long run. Pralahad calls the innovation next practices. We have to be able to see the forest through the trees. Looking ahead and outside instead of intense internal focus. Not just as a business but as individuals also. Continuous improvement and best practices are important. However, mixing in some innovation is also necessary. Manageyour careeras if you were an innovative business. Strive to create excellent customer service, push the boundaries of what that means. Be passionate about the work you do. Manage spending and budgets like it was your own money. CareerSuccess! has a helpful post on thinking like a business which is truly worth the read. It talks about the nine elements of successful business: Demonstrate passionProvide outstanding customer serviceTake caringof your peopleExceed expectationsGo the extra mileCreate systemsLook for opportunities to improveBe frugalLook to the future We are all now responsible for managing our careers. Develop the tools required to take your business to the next level!

Friday, May 8, 2020

4 Tips for Boosting Your Confidence for an Interview - CareerAlley

4 Tips for Boosting Your Confidence for an Interview - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Job interviews are pretty daunting, in all sorts of different ways. Its already a pretty harrowing thing to be put in a situation where you are going through a make or break test to obtain a job you really want and care about, and when you add in the importance of personal presentation, a well-formatted CV, and all the rest, it can be difficult to stay calm and composed. The worst fear for many of us, in a job hunting context, is that we will be arbitrarily denied the role, due to some prejudice or personal act of malice on the part of the recruiter. If and when any such form of workplace discrimination becomes apparent, you should strongly consider contacting an agency like Yeremian Laws employment attorneys to take up the case for you. Far more often, though, whether or not we land the job will depend primarily on the way we present ourselves, and the mindset we take into the interview with us. And, in any case, its always more productive and empowering to assume that the odds are good that we will walk away with whatever position we applied to. One of the most essential things for interviewing well is to go into the interview with as much confidence (but not arrogance) as possible. Of course, though, be confident is much easier said than done. Here are a few tips for boosting your confidence for an interview, that may make all the difference in how you feel going into it. Image via Pixabay Put in the work in advance To a large extent, confidence is a matter of believing that we have the potential, ability, and wherewithal, to succeed in a given domain of life. Our level of confidence doesnt always correlate exactly with how prepared we actually are to meet and overcome the obstacles that face us, in reality, but there certainly is some strong correlation there. One of the most effective and direct ways of building your confidence for an interview is to put in a lot of work in advance, to prepare. This means going over your CV with a fine-toothed comb, considering all the different kinds of questions that you might be asked, and coming up with potent answers to them. Rehearsing questions over, and over again. And so on. In essence, you should work on preparing for the interview, until you become absolutely sick of it. At that point, youre much likelier to feel a sense of confidence, competence, and capability, when you walk into the room and meet your interviewer. One of the most essential things for interviewing well is to go into the interview with as much confidence (but not arrogance) as possible. Of course, though, be confident is much easier said than done. Tweet This Rehearse the interview with a friend, relative, or even just in the mirror Practice makes perfect is a well-worn old saying that were all familiar with. And the great thing is that it applies, effectively, in all areas of life. If you train and practice consistently at a given sport, you will become a better athlete at that sport, no questions asked. If you practice your writing over and over again, you will become a stronger writer. By the same token, practising your interview with a friend, relative, or even just in the mirror, can work wonders in helping you to familiarise yourself with the situation, to be quick on your feet and charismatic with your replies, and to manage your emotions. Mock interviews can feel pretty silly to do, when all is said and done. But its impossible to overstate just how significant an impact even just interviewing yourself in the mirror can have. And, if youre able to get a friend or relative standing in as the interviewer, youll be in the much more realistic position of carrying on an active, work-focused, and critical dialogue with another person. At the very least, rehearsing in this manner will make you feel a lot more like youre entering familiar territory when you step into the interview room, and this, in turn, will likely mean that youre entering the situation from a position of much greater confidence. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Practice a bit of positive visualisation before going in for the interview Positive visualisation doesnt always get treated with a lot of respect, as a strategy for pursuing and achieving success in the business world. Largely, this is due to its associations with the new-age spiritual movement, and with metaphysical concepts in general. In reality, though, even some of the most hard-nosed business professionals of all time have actively written and talked about the importance of positive visualisation in their own lives, and in ensuring their own professional success. In fact, positive visualisation can be such a potent technique for increasing your confidence, that its standard practice among many high-level athletes who routinely visualise themselves performing to the peak of their abilities during a tough game. And, suffice to say, professional sports are very physical, and practical, professions. Before you go into the interview, spend a decent amount of time visualising yourself performing excellently, being relaxed, and having great rapport with your interview. All of this can help to put you in a much more success-oriented state of mind, and can work wonders on your confidence and ability to relax into the interview. Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay Be sure to get enough sleep the night before the interview, and do things that help you to relax and unwind You could have the perfect skill set for the job youre applying to, you could be a naturally likable and charismatic person, but if you go into an interview and you are an absolute bundle of nerves, youre unlikely to feel and express a high degree of confidence, or to make the best possible impression. One great tip for increasing your confidence for an interview is simply to ensure that you dont do anything beforehand that puts you in an inordinately stressed out state of mind. Among other things, that means that you should eat well before your interview, shouldnt over-caffeinate yourself, and you get a good nights sleep before attending your interview. Various other specific tricks and techniques might help to get you in a relaxed frame of mind. As a general rule, you want to be quite at ease when you enter the room. 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