Sunday, May 31, 2020

What is a Career Management Visualization

What is a Career Management Visualization Almost eight years ago I introduced the idea of a career management visualization, and on this post I shared an example of my personal career management visualization.  How would you word your visualization of your career?  Check out mine here: Career Management Visualization â€" an example What is a Career Management Visualization Almost eight years ago I introduced the idea of a career management visualization, and on this post I shared an example of my personal career management visualization.  How would you word your visualization of your career?  Check out mine here: Career Management Visualization â€" an example What is a Career Management Visualization Almost eight years ago I introduced the idea of a career management visualization, and on this post I shared an example of my personal career management visualization.  How would you word your visualization of your career?  Check out mine here: Career Management Visualization â€" an example

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Resume Verbs To Include On Your Curriculum Vitae

Resume Verbs To Include On Your Curriculum VitaeIn an age where everyone is programmed to read a resume from top to bottom, it's easy to forget the important benefits of resume verbs. This article explains how to place these important words in the right places and to make sure that they stand out from the rest of the resume.The first and most important tool that you can use to boost your chances of landing the job that you want is to position yourself in a positive light. You can use the resume verb 'gained' to show that you were able to make some extra money after graduation. It's also easy to demonstrate your knowledge in the subject matter by using the word 'certified'.One of the more important benefits that you will get from this type of resume is that it will show that you have some real knowledge of the job that you are applying for. The key here is to keep it relevant. If you have a high-paying position, you can use the word 'expert' to show that you have very specific skills, and then later on you can use the word 'experienced' to demonstrate that you have been working in the same job for a long time. Keep this process going for about two or three pages, then just make a list of all the things that you can show for your experience.The next thing that you want to do is to define your career objective clearly and simply. In the job description, write down a concise idea of what you would like to do for a living. You should always use the word 'would' instead of the word 'will', because you want to convey the idea that you are already doing it.Just so that your resume doesn't look too much like a sales pitch, use the resume verb 'learned' to show that you have taken on additional training or education in order to gain the experience that you are seeking. Also, remember to always emphasize the key points in your resume so that it appears professional.This type of job usually comes with a lot of leads opportunities. The best way to demonstrate this is to lis t each lead as an 'opportunity' and include a detailed description of each opportunity. For example, the lead might be an event invitation, the lead might be a part-time marketing assignment, or the lead might be a business meeting.Finally, you can include the word 'managed' to show that you have managed a number of projects for another person or business. It's also good to include the word 'followed' if you are in a leadership position, because then you can show that you have shown initiative.Always remember that when you are writing a resume, you need to create an overview of your career. Then you can start to expand on that information and add all of the other important information that is required for your resume to be relevant.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

What to do in college right now

What to do in college right now It used to be controversial to say that college is a rip off. At this point, I think the arguments have reached the mainstream. The problem is that, while some kids win the intellectual lottery, its too risky for most kids to skip out on the credentials. So the question is: how can you make the most of the fact that you are going to college at a time when most people think college does not prepare you for the next step in your life? Here are seven things you can do right now: 1. If youre taking out loans, transfer to a cheap school. Believe it or not, there is no undergraduate degree that is worth taking out student loans to complete. This is true even for the Ivy League: Alan Krueger, an economist at Princeton, found that the indicator of whether someone will be a super achiever is not whether they attended Harvard or Princeton, but whether they applied. So the act of seeing yourself as a high achiever is more valuable than taking out loans to attend a high achiever school. Here are many other arguments as to why you should not take out student loans for college. And Zach Bissonnette wrote my favorite book on the topic. But the bottom line is to figure out how to transfer to a very cheap school right now. Because the biggest thing you can do to preserve your ability to land a job in the future is to keep yourself debt-free now, so you can afford a job that does not pay well. 2. If youre rich, get your parents involved. For those of you who have rich parents, expensive schools are a possibility. I, for one, am a big fan of using the money you would have spent on college and instead, start a business. Even if you fail, the failure will do more to prepare you for your adult life than college will. But if youre not going to take that advice, whats the best way to make sure you grow while youre at college? The answer, according to the educators themselves, is that you need to rely on your parents. The value of college is personal growth, but that value is hard to get to, according to Richard Arum, professor at NYU and author of the book, Academically Adrift, He writes that No actor in the system has the students growth as their primary goal. So Arum argues that parents need to take a bigger role. Which, finally, is a seal of approval for helicopter parenting. (Which I have said all along is great for kids to have.) 3. Start looking for an internship. Look, you can tell me you are at college for the love of learning. But if you really love to learn you can do it your whole life, every free hour you have. But not if you starve to death. Which is why recent grads say one of their biggest regrets about the time they were in college is that they didnt get good internships. According to Vault, 90% of students graduating from college have had an internship. So its not like a leg up on the competition if you get one. Getting one is just surviving. If you want a leg up, you need to get a good internship, and most of those get locked up in the fall. Thats right. Before winter break, most of the people who are going to get great internships have already spent tons of time making the perfect application and sending it in. So get moving now to line up a good summer job for next year. 4. Invent jobs for yourself. Actually, you dont need an internship to build a resume. Start and sell a company. Thats a great way to look like a college prodigy without even having rip-roaring success. Also, start adding bullets to your resume by making up projects for yourself. You do not, for example, need permission from Nike to do a social media campaign. You can write a great tweet and link to a page on Nikes site. Then you can count the retweets. And heres what it looks like on your resume: Designed and executed a social media campaign for Nike. In the interview, when you have to talk about what you did, talk about how you decided to drive traffic to that page, and how to quantify success by counting retweets. Youll sound smart. No one cares if you got paid to be smart once they notice how you sound smart. 5. Understand yourself. Take a personality test. Your score isnt going to change anymore. So change your major to match your score. Because you are likely to discover that whatever your parents raised you to be â€" doctor, lawyer, artist â€" is not right for you. Thats okay. Better you should find out now, when you can get a grip on who you are and what you can expect from yourself in the workforce. Also, while youre being honest with yourself, now is the time to face the fact that you have been a depressive, or neurotic, or drunkard for too many years of your life. Because many mental illnesses are largely latent until ones early 20s. So if youve got it, its probably going to get bad in college. Investigate mental illnesses, and get help for it in college, where theres a built-in support system. 6. Read Lolita. Reading fiction is a great way to understand yourself and other people. It is not cool to say there is a western canon, but I think there is a canon, its just different. Its not Harold Blooms list, because, lets just all admit that we did not read Thomas Kyd and Charles Lamb. The list is not fun. It is tiresome. So dont bother with it in college. However the idea that we have a shared frame of reference is fun. And there is a group of books that so many idea-oriented people have read that the books become part of the fabric of contemporary thinking. And, to begin the discussion about what is the new canon, Id like to propose we measure literature by how many people have made entries on a books Wikipedia page. Lolita has 2,300 changes. Note: While researching links to support my claim that Harold Bloom is a bore, I did come across Thomas Kyd, who is on the list for writing a grisly report of a wife who poisons her husband. Now that I grow all my own food and cook three meals a day, I wonder why more women do not poison their mate. Surely this topic should be part of the new canon. So maybe we can each read Thomas Kyd, and make an edit to the Wikipedia page.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Four Ways Video Games Are Good For Your Career

Four Ways Video Games Are Good For Your Career What image enters your mind at hearing the words ‘video gamer’? Melted brains? Bloodshot eyes? Mega-corporation-owning, multi-billionaire geniuses? It’s long been said that it’s the nerds wholl write our future. Computer games lie at  not only the epicentre  of the geek  movement but the cutting edge of modern storytelling. And as  VR looks set to take over the world, it’s no longer a topic solely for the boys, with women counting for half of the gaming community. Read on to discover how games can teach you valuable skills, improve your productivity and help you feel better about yourself. Get smart “It’ll rot your mind,” Mama Quirke said to eight-year-old me, confiscating my Banjo Kazooie cartridge for the fifth time. Clearly she hadn’t seen this recent study, indicating that children who play video games develop superior cognitive and social skills to their peers. It’s not just the kids who benefit. A 2013 study found that playing Mario for 30 minutes a day literally expanded the subject’s hippocampus, the ‘memory centre’ of the brain. So marked was the volumetric increase that researchers think video game therapy could be useful for patients with disorders involving decreased brain size, such as schizophrenia or PTSD. Game designer and performance academic Jane McGonigal agrees that games are an untapped resource for  cognitive self-improvement. But it’s not sudokus or Nintendo Brain Training she suggests. Apparently, it’s mainstream works like Final Fantasy, Mass Effect and Call Of Duty that are worth your time. Traditional video games are more complex and harder to master,” says McGonigal, “and they require that the player learn a wider and more challenging range of skills and abilities. Seems Dr Kawashima was a quack after all. Gamification What do the U.S. Army and Dyson have in common? Both depend on  video game concepts to attract potential employees. From ‘Virtual Army Experience’ units to that Dyson recruitment puzzle to ‘Badgeville’ solutions, employers are using virtual rewards to incentivise their workforce and drive engagement. Take ServiceSource. This year, the company instituted a Game Of Thrones-themed workplace competition that offers rewards to teams with the biggest sales. Results have included improved pacing of sales and a resultant reduction of stress in the month’s final quarter. The team  set-up encourages colleague camaraderie. In short, by ‘gamifying’ its workplace, ServiceSource has recognised the value of gaming culture in everyday life. Gamification in the workplace is a growing trend. From single-woman start-ups to multi-continental corporations, it is an easy way to bring some joy to the daily grind. Knowing how to use this valuable tool in the office could be the difference between employee disillusionment and satisfaction. The daily grind Gamers know their grinding â€" and no, we’re not talking club dance floors. ‘Grinding’ is a gamer term for the process of undergoing dull, repetitive tasks â€" usually fighting monsters for experience points â€" in order to level up and progress within the virtual world. Sound familiar? The term actually evolved from ‘the daily grind’ â€" that is, your regular working day. If games function as a training ground for everyday life, grinding can teach us a valuable lesson in perseverance. Life is not all fun and games. Weirdly, nor are most virtual worlds. RPGs from Pokemon to Final Fantasy require long periods of exploration and skill development in order to complete. In an article discussing his job as a World of Warcraft avatar, Eric Ravenscraft talks about ‘mundane’ fantasy tasks as a temp might an Outlook spreadsheet. “When I was doing work I couldnt stand, I errantly believed that the tedium of a boring job was what was getting to me,” writes Ravenscraft. “I thought that if I got a job I found more fulfilling, suddenly the grind would magically be fun. Its not. It doesnt feel as soul-crushing because the high points are enjoyable, but theres almost always five days of grunt work for every one evening of having a blast.”’ The right kind of games don’t just challenge you, but teach you patience. They show you how to self-improve slowly and surely. Crucially, they give you the confidence to bide your time, push through the pain and reach your goals. Relax-em-up? Find yourself reaching for the bottle at the end of a working day? You might do better to grab your PS4 controller. A 2014 UCL study showed that the number of hours spent weekly playing games correlated strongly with reduced work-related stress in both genders. And that’s not all.  Research from 2009 suggests that playing games results in reduced physical and psychological stress, increased mood and improved outlook. The study recommends video games as a potential tool in treating stress-related medical disorders. How does it work then? Cyber-psychologist Berni Good believes that video games are an effective tool in eudemonics, the practice of maintaining happiness. Research shows that games provide a means for humans to fulfil three fundamental psychological needs. The first,” says Good, “is the strong human need to feel competent something the mastering of gameplay and progressing through levels helps with. Next we have the human need to relate to others in a meaningful way… [Third] is human need for autonomy, the idea that we need to be the masters of our own destiny. In gaming this need is obviously addressed very well, with choosing what paths or maps we take in the game, or with our characters. Make ours a Skyrim on the rocks. Like any form of art â€" and probably more so â€" there’s an endless number of things we can learn from video games. They can foster leadership skills, improve creative thinking, help you lose weight or even make you a better parent. What’s more, games are replicable, scalable and cheap as a training tool â€" the perfect resource for any inventive employer. So next time you call someone a nerd, shake their hand with it; they’re probably going to go a lot further than you, and quicker with it. Inspiring Interns is a  graduate recruitment  agency  specialising in  internships  and the many  graduate jobs London  has to offer. Image credits. Main.  Games.     Monitors.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Merchandiser Resume - Building Your Resume For Jobs in Merchandising

Merchandiser Resume - Building Your Resume For Jobs in MerchandisingA Merchandiser resume is a must if you want to be employed in the field of selling. In order to be employed, you must have a good resume. These days, a Merchandiser resume can only be crafted if you have experience in this field.Merchandising includes selling of merchandise. It can also refer to wholesaling or carrying out of the business of selling merchandise by way of a wholesaler. If you sell products in a store that includes retailing or wholesale outlets, you are a Merchandiser. While a Salesperson is a person who deals with sales, the person may also be the one in charge of merchandising or business development. A Merchandiser often calls for a combination of both sales and merchandising skills.If you want to build a Merchandiser resume, start by reviewing the type of skills needed to work as a Merchandiser. You may start with the following:Store management experience is essential. A manager will be responsibl e for setting up, purchasing, stocking, collecting merchandise, and arranging sales activities. Some managers may also carry out the role of a merchandiser. A Merchandiser manager must have the ability to take orders, make buying decisions, and be a problem solver when it comes to delivering the merchandised goods to the right people at the right time.Being an organizer can be important if you want to be a Merchandiser. This is because you will be responsible for ensuring that a lot of things go well. If you are able to organize your workload and delegate tasks, you can be promoted to be a Merchandiser manager.You should also show that you are detail oriented in your Merchandiser resume. People will noticeif you do not have the ability to prioritize work and concentrate on a certain task. They will also notice if you show impatience when you notice that you will have to work on a very important project. A Merchandiser must be willing to sacrifice the time for a task that is importan t because it is important to your business.The skills that are needed for a Merchandiser to have been the ability to get along with others, communicate effectively, motivate employees, be able to see a problem from different perspectives, be resourceful, and be able to learn and be adaptable. The versatility of Merchandising skills is crucial. You should be flexible enough to change the plans when required.Knowing what you are supposed to be, that is, a Merchandiser, is the first step in developing a resume for yourself. You can be employed in this field, but the thing that is needed is a decent Merchandiser resume.

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Could A Higher Degree Improve Your Nursing Career

Could A Higher Degree Improve Your Nursing Career Have you been thinking about seeking a higher education degree? There are plenty of advantages to this possibility especially in a Nursing Career. It’s possible that once you have obtained your new degree or additional accreditation, you find yourself a lot happier in your career.Let’s look at some of the other benefits of taking your nursing career to the next level.1. Higher IncomeevalIt’s not unfair to say that most people are interested in how much money they make on their chosen career path. Once you have obtained a higher degree or qualification, you will find that you are making considerably more. How much more depends on the position you’re taking and what industry you’re working in.2. Rise Up The LadderOnce you have obtained a higher degree, you will find that new positions are open to you. You’ll be able to apply for jobs that were previously closed off. This will bring you new challenges, new experiences and it will allow you to reach fresh goals.3. Responsibil ityAfter you have a higher degree, employers will be able to trust you with more responsibility. This can make a job fulfilling and give it the meaning that employees often crave. It can be the difference between being happy in your chosen career and seeking another.4. Helping Other PeopleDid you know that a higher degree can even benefit people who you help in your career?According to the infographic below getting a BSN qualification as a nurse improves patient outcome. It seems that improving your skill with a new qualification could literally benefit someone else’s life. Infographic Design By Top 4 Reasons RNs Should Earn Their BSN

Saturday, May 9, 2020

Volunteer Work is the Ultimate Interview

Volunteer Work is the Ultimate Interview If you think doing  volunteer  work is just filler to pad the  resume while you are looking for a real job, then think again. It can make or break you during a job search.Pro bono work can include anything from nonprofit projects to community service and even religious or alumni events.No matter what you invest your time in, its all a lot like an extended behavioral interview. These experiences are a great way to shine, build credibility in professional circles and get your name out there â€" if you have the right attitude.The bottom line is: People talk. And people are more likely to refer someone based on past successes. In other words, your volunteer resume should be just as outstanding as your professional one.Here are some tenets to remember during your pro bono work. Ive seen them all, and I know that people who demonstrate these behaviors end up on the short list when organizations are looking for people to fill paid positions.1. Have the attitude you would have at the office. Yes, we know they dont pay you to do this; thats why its called volunteering. Go in with the attitude that, for the short term, you will give more than you receive. Nevertheless, you are volunteering to give back to your community, and this will build long-term trusting relationships.2. Lead, even if you’re not the team leader. Volunteer appointments are a great way to showcase your leadership, organization and communication skills. If you can help take some of the burden off the team leader, your efforts will be noticed. If the decision that needs to be made falls within the responsibilities of your role, make it and keep the team leader informed. Dont send 200 e-mails a day asking for guidance or permission. Doing so makes you appear indecisive and unsure of yourself. These are not great qualities to display in front of people who may be in a position to refer you somewhere down the line.3. Showcase your management style. It is equally damaging to make decisions that are not wi thin your role of responsibilities, which could potentially damage or muddy the relationship you have with the team leader. Theres a fine line between being supportive and being power-hungry, so make sure you dont cross it. Your actions will reflect how you might go about managing a team or staff in the business world, so treat volunteer teams as such.4. Endure as you would in a real-world role. Sometimes volunteers make commitments to projects with the best of intentions and then stuff happens, and they fall off the face of the earth. This puts an extra burden on teammates and causes resentment. And if thats not enough, it damages your professional reputation. It is unlikely that you will be trusted with a paid role if you cant deliver on a volunteer project. Stick it out as you would a turn in the market or an unanticipated business need. If you volunteer for a project, stick with it to the end â€" even if it means doing some juggling.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Avoid These 3 Mistakes at Your Next Job Interview - Hallie Crawford

Avoid These 3 Mistakes at Your Next Job Interview No matter how long you have been a successful business professional, a job interview can be nerve-wracking. It’s normal to feel the pressure of being analyzed by a hiring manager, but sometimes anxiety can cause us to make mistakes. Here are 3 mistakes to avoid for a successful interview. You are underprepared. We all know we should prepare for an interview, but some feel that printing out their resume and being at the designated location 15 minutes early is enough. This is not enough for a successful interview. Others feel that since they have already been on many interviews they know what questions will be asked. But not all companies are the same: do your homework! Look up the company online to find out what you can about them and be prepared to compliment them on something that you appreciate about them. You brag. You want to sell yourself as a good fit for the job position, but be careful not to overdo it. Only choose 3 of your top strengths to talk about. When talking about your strengths, keep it short and to the point using a sentence or two to explain how you use each strength. Only elaborate beyond that if the hiring manager asks for more information. Don’t pretend that you don’t have a weakness; hiring managers appreciate sincerity. When asked what your biggest weakness is, be honest. You don’t show emotion. Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. If you want the job, ask for it! While you don’t want to seem overeager or desperate, if you are excited about the job position let the hiring manager know. You can do this through your facial expressions, body language, and positive expressions. For more interviewing tips, get your copy of Career Coach Katie Weiser’s new book, Answers to the Top 20 Interview Questions: Conquering the Job Interview Process today!