Stop Applying and Work the Relationships Rant - Career Pivot

Quit Applying and Work the Relationships Rant - Career Pivot Quit Applying If you don't mind quit applying on the web for positions! I have said this at any rate multiple times over the most recent few weeks. It makes me need to pull out what little hair I have left in my follicle-tested scalp. Let me clarify my disappointment. Agreement Recruiter A week ago, I had espresso with a budgetary enrollment specialist. She works for one of the national enrolling organizations and enlisted people for little to medium organizations. This selection representative principally puts bookkeepers, money related controllers, and an incidental CFO. She disclosed to me that she gets extraordinary resumes over her work areaâ€"resumes with 30 or more long periods of experience. She stated, I can't get interviews for any of them. The customers are simply not intrigued. I needed to mumble faintly, For what reason would they say they are coming to you? Somebody with 30 or more long stretches of experience is more than 50 years old. The main way they will get before the employing chief is through a referral. Going a resume through an enrolling administration will waste your time! ARGH!! Quit applying and begin building connections to get a referral. Tune in to the latest scene Work the connections! Work the connections!… … More:Headhunters â€" Who Do They Work for? NOT YOU! Resume Writer I got an email from a resume essayist who was searching for exhortation. His inquiry was, What techniques can a vocation changer who is in mid-profession use to contend with more youthful, progressively experienced veterans? Amazing!! When making a lifelong changeâ€"a lifelong rotateâ€"your resume isn't what will get you that next position. It will be a relationship. More often than not, somebody will take a risk and recruit you. In my six vocation changes, all have been half advance profession changes. I had one foot in the old world and one foot in the new world. It was consistently a relationship that helped me over. ARGH!! Quit taking a shot at your resume and quit applying. Go fabricate the connections that will take you across into your new job! More:Combat Age Discrimination with Strategic Relationships Record Manager I have been working with a courteous fellow who is nearer to 60 than 50 years old. He was given up from his record the board position close to the start of the year. I have made them work his feeble ties obediently. He has been connecting with individuals he worked with throughout the most recent 20 years. He has been requesting An I-R (Advice, Insights, and Recommendations). A week ago, he met with an organization and an offer ought to be coming in the blink of an eye. He didn't round out a solitary application in the previous three months. He had various meetings during that time. An individual referral got him each meeting. He has a solid inner supporter helping him at the organization where we are anticipating an offer. On the off chance that you follow his lead, you will quit going after positions and work your connections. Kid, accomplished he work the connections! It was astonishing what number of individuals were eager to support him. No doubt!!! (More on this story in a later blog post)Read the full story:Introverted Sales Guy Job Search â€" Case Study More than 50 In the event that you are more than 50 years old and are searching for an occupation, you have to quit applying and work the connections. In the event that you trust that a position will be posted on the web, you are past the point of no return! Holding up isn't a pursuit of employment methodology! Tirade OVER! I feel better at this point. Marc Miller Like what you simply read? Offer it with your companions utilizing the catches above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Look at the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

Writing a Pharmacy Technician Resume - 3 Tips to Help You Get the Job You Want

Writing a Pharmacy Technician Resume - 3 Tips to Help You Get the Job You WantWriting a pharmacy technician resume is a serious undertaking. Without the proper tools, you can be very ineffective in your goal to land that job. Here are some tips to help you get the best results when it comes to writing a pharmacy technician resume.The first and most important part of the resume is to include the education and training you have received as a pharmacy technician. Most employers want to know that you have had specific training in the field. For example, you may have gone to school for three years and learned how to provide quality service to patients. You will want to talk about this experience in your pharmacy technician resume.When you list your course work and degree, you need to give your full name and your employer's contact information. The next tip for writing a pharmacy technician resume is to list your position title in the first column and your job description in the second col umn. You should be able to write your job title or job description in bullet points so that you are able to keep them straight.Your purpose in writing your resume is to get the individual attention of your prospective employer. This will allow you to stand out from other candidates and earn more of the interview process. You will be able to get the company to offer you a greater number of positions because of your skills and education.With the length of your schooling, you want to be sure to emphasize all of the training you have received and the specific technical skill you have learned. For example, if you received courses on hygiene, you want to state this in your resume. Be sure to include training that will be relevant to the job opening.Next, you need to think about how you will convey your message to the company. Are you going to use your computer, paper, or both? If you are going to use your computer, you will want to include the IP address of your computer on your resume. A lso, if you are going to use paper, you will want to include an electronic resume.Make sure that the resume is simple to read and understand and that it is an easy way to get the information that you want to relay to the person reading it. If the resume is too long, it will take too much time to read and it could also cause you to lose the employer's attention. It is very important that you learn how to use the computer and write the resume properly.As you start looking for the right tools to use to write a resume, remember that education and experience are the first things to include. These two items will help you get the best of the interview process and be able to land that job.

Asking For Important Things

Phil's Careers Blog Asking for Important Things By Tim Staunton It was pure delight! It was 1977, I was three years old and absolutely thrilled to be hauling manure all day within the sun. At that point, my mother and pa have been working in Vancouver. They would drop me off at Grandma and Grandpa’s home on weekdays. Grandpa had an intensive garden. A carpenter by trade, he constructed me slightly pink wooden wheelbarrow of my very own. One day Grandpa took supply of a pile of manure, and I enthusiastically helped him haul load after load to the garden. After I left for the night, Grandpa finished the job. The next day, on finding the manure gone, I was so disappointed I cried. Grandma nonetheless chuckles about that right now. What I didn’t know then was that Grandpa was present process remedy for prostate most cancers. Years later, Grandma would inform me that spending time with me lifted his spirits, making him decided to beat most cancers and see all of his future grandchildren. He did survive, and in the middle of time met all ten of us (I was the second). He lived another sixteen years. A few years after Grandpa passed away, I dropped by Grandma’s at some point for tea. After a couple of pleasantries, she moved to a extra serious subject. “I’m getting all of my affairs so as. My will is finished. Now I’m making a list of all my things, furniture and china and paintings and so on, so that everyone will know which factor goes to every particular person. Is there something right here you desire to?” I seemed around, noticed the wheelbarrow Grandpa built for me once I was three, and said it was all I wanted. Grandma smiled and replied, “You would possibly as nicely take it residence right now.” Today, when my children play with the wheelbarrow, I am reminded to tell them stories about Grandpa, who died before they had been born. Hopefully they’re getting a way of the light, kind man he was. That little wheelbarrow helps his reminiscence live on. As a fundrais er, I actually have the privilege of working with people who are considering giving away their essential issues. Whether it’s slightly red wheelbarrow, a chunk of art work, cash, securities or actual estate, I actually have observed again and again that donors wonder whether their present might be correctly appreciated, and the way a lot impact it will really have on those the charity serves. I find that after I am ready to share about why the reward shall be highly valued, and clarify the way it will save lives or enhance lives, the dialog naturally moves from whether or not the donor will make the present, to how it is going to be made. Whether it will be a significant present today, and/or a legacy present tomorrow, what matters in these conversations is that the donor knows his or her important things are going to the best place. The right place is where they may always be appreciated and proceed to do good, similar to the little red wheelbarrow in my back yard. Tim Stauntonst arted his profession at TD Canada Trust, administering estates, ongoing trusts, foundations and Charitable Remainder Trust. He then joined the Canadian Cancer Society, BC & Yukon Division from , working in planned and main gifts. Currently Tim is Associate Director, Major Gifts with the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. ca.linkedin.com/in/timstaunton Post navigation 3 ideas on “Asking for Important Things” Great blog, Phil and Tim! What an excellent story! I learn it all the best way to the end. =) Beautiful story and essential reminder â€" thanks! Fill in your particulars beneath or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. (Log Out/ Change) You are commenting utilizing your Google account. (Log Out/ Change) You are commenting using your Twitter account. (Log Out/ Change) You are commenting utilizing your Facebook account. (Log Out/ Change) Connecting to %s Notify me of latest feedback via e-mail. Notify me of new posts by way of e-mail. Email Subscription Enter your e-mail handle to comply with my NEW weblog and stay on prime of the latest career opportunities and fundraising news. Sign me up! Follow On Twitter Browse by Category Phil’s Careers Tweets Error: Twitter didn't reply. Please wait a couple of minutes and refresh this web page.

6 Ways to Keep Hold of Your Best Employees

6 Ways to Keep Hold of Your Best Employees An extremely incredible representative can be difficult to find, so when you figure out how to make sure about one, you dont need to release them! Not exclusively do your top specialists help to keep business running easily and lift benefit, however the expense of a supplanting them if they somehow happened to leave can be amazing. Be that as it may, so as to hold your best ability, youre must furnish them with a valid justification to remain. There are various variables that individuals look for in a job, from a company culture that suits their character, to the chance to advance in their vocation; so what would you be able to do as a business to guarantee you are cooking for your workers needs and keep hold of your best staff? 1) Hire the ideal individuals In the event that you recruit someone who is a solid match for the job, just as for your organization culture, they are bound to settle in pleasantly and remain with the organization for a significant stretch of time. By hurrying or holding back on the recruiting procedure, you are in danger of hiring somebody who does not suit the workplace and is high danger of escaping after only a short spell with the organization. 2) Effective correspondence Workers need to be kept on the up and up about whats occurring in the organization, so it is significant that you keep staff refreshed about any huge changes to the business, new customers/ventures, and so forth. They additionally need to feel like they are being tuned in to and their thoughts are accepted, so it is fundamental that they are allowed the chance to contribute and convey any business suggestions. By including your representatives and keeping the educated they will feel progressively esteemed and put resources into the business. 3) Offer representative advantages In spite of the fact that a portion of the largest global firms have a the financial plan to offer extravagant employee advantages like organization vehicles and staff occasions, representative advantages dont must be enormous and something as basic as the alternative to work remotely or finish right off the bat a Friday could help to keep your staff sweet. Offering advantages exceptional to your organization will likewise assist with separating you from different businesses while selecting. 4) A serious pay Workers need to feel like that they are given the pay that they merit, or they are probably going to look somewhere else. Do your examination, with the goal that you have an exact thought of what the normal market wage is for the specific job and ensure you can either coordinate it or even surpass it, in the event that you can bear to do as such. Compensation can be one of the most serious elements for work searchers, so you dont need to miss out on the best applicants since they showed signs of improvement offer. 5) Training or advancement openings Its never past the point where it is possible to learn new aptitudes and enhance existing ones, so a great deal of experts search for employments that offer them the opportunity to attempt further preparing or self-improvement while in the activity. By offering instructional classes to your staff or advancing from inside the organization, workers are bound to feel slanted to remain and develop in the organization. 6) Encourage input Making an open situation, where your workers fondle happy with bringing any issues they may have, can assist with pinpointing issues that should be settled before they can create any harm. Urge your staff to give input and recommendations about ways that things could be improved and zones they might want to see change, to guarantee they dont have any honey bees in their hat.

Plan Your Resume

Plan Your Resume With the present status of the economy, occupations are more testing to drop by. Hence, it is a higher priority than at any other time that you have an appropriately arranged resume. A half-baked resume can bring about passing up a major opportunity a meeting, which can be pulverizing in this market. In the event that you are a more seasoned activity searcher, abstain from putting certain dates on your resume. There is no motivation to tell a business how old you are, yet on the off chance that you notice on your resume that you got your lone wolves degree in 1975, the questioner will have the option to do some snappy math and verify that you are likely in your 50s. Managers are legitimately not permitted to segregate dependent on age, yet there would be no chance to get of realizing that a business had done as such on the off chance that you dont land the position. Rather than putting dates on your resume, basically put realities. For example, list what degrees that you have, not when you acquired them. On the off chance that you are a more seasoned activity searcher, just rundown significant data on your resume. For instance, in the event that you are a software engineer, nobody thinks about how incredible you were with DOS once upon a time. Posting the entirety of the long stretches of experience that you have with DOS just offers clues to your age. Rather, feature the entirety of the pertinent experience that you have. On the off chance that you are in the field of innovation, by and large just the last ten to fifteen years of your experience is really applicable to your boss. Concentrating on the accomplishments that you have had in this time span makes you look fantastically attractive while staying away from any opportunities for age segregation. On the off chance that you are a more youthful activity searcher, hype the entirety of your experience, however leave your secondary school and school graduation dates off of your resume. There is no motivation to give your questioner motivation to discount you dependent on your childhood. Similarly as with the more established activity searchers, it is unlawful for bosses to victimize you, however in the event that you dont land the position, there would be no chance to get for you to realize that you were oppressed. Be sure that you notice the entirety of the clubs that you are or were a piece of, particularly on the off chance that you held an office or administration position inside the clubs. Hype any volunteer experience that you have. All activity searchers should concentrate on posting their aptitudes and achievements on their resume rather than basically posting their activity duties. Being a clerk doesn't seem like it would have a lot of importance while going after an administration job, yet you can show how being a clerk drawn out your capacities to perform multiple tasks and oversee enormous totals of cash capably in the event that you hype those abilities on your resume. Make certain to recall that your potential manager needs to perceive how you, your character characteristics, your insight, and your abilities will empower you to be an advantage for their organization. On the off chance that you clarify how you will be a resource for the organization in your resume, at that point you are substantially more liable to catch the eye of scouts, land a meeting, and find a new line of work. Dont give the HR staff at your fantasy work any motivation to discount you before theyve even met you.

5 Reasons Why Job Boards Arent As Effective Anymore - Work It Daily

5 Reasons Why Job Boards Arent As Effective Anymore - Work It Daily At once, work sheets were the best approach for work searchers. It's the place you could post your resume for managers and enrollment specialists to view, and apply to employment opportunities. In any case, today, it's an alternate story. Related: Reactive Vs. Proactive Job Search Strategies Employment sheets are basically not as powerful any longer since there are online life outlets like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter where you can practically arrange your way to the correct contacts. The truth of the matter is, work sheets have a 2-4% viability rate while organizing has over a half adequacy rate. Consider in the event that you were an employing administrator: Would you be bound to set aside some effort to meet an applicant you don't know with the exception of what's been given on a submitted introductory letter and resume, or somebody who's been alluded to you? A referral has significantly less hazard, and that is the reason organizing has a higher achievement rate than work sheets with regards to making sure about a position. Here are a couple of different things about the confinements of utilizing work sheets when you're an occupation searcher: 1. Your resume is falling into a dark opening. Over 85% of organizations are currently utilizing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to survey and rank resumes as per abilities, experience, and catchphrases. The straightforward actuality is that organizations utilize inward calculations, so guaranteeing a solid positioning is very troublesome. An ongoing HR administrator disclosed to me that they get a normal of 400 resumes for each position and just glance at the main 10-20 â€" which means 380 resumes are not checked on! 2. Many others have just applied to the activity when it makes it to the activity board. In numerous occurrences, before work posting goes up hands on board, it's as of now been shared around inside at the business and by confided in sources. So you are covered under many other people who applied before you when you experience an occupation board. 3. You're sitting around idly on the grounds that you're not getting to the chief legitimately. Employment postings through occupation sheets by and large demonstrate conventional contact data. You have a greatly improved possibility when you get to the leader legitimately, and that is something you can do through web based life organizing locales, not work sheets. 4. Many employment opportunities never make it to the activity sheets. Challenging task sheets are overpowering with work postings (both applicable and superfluous) to you. This is a comparable point of view for the business when they get a staggering number of candidates to the employment opportunity presented on an occupation board. It's likewise motivation behind why some may want to work exclusively with scouts to source the correct ability. In case you're not organizing with the correct contacts, you're passing up circumstances that will never be secured on position sheets. 5. Employing directors and enrollment specialists are sourcing ability through LinkedIn. Ask any employing director or enrollment specialist where they are going to discover ability. Most will disclose to you they are looking on LinkedIn. Resumes that land presented on position sheets are still seen, however there's a decent possibility the data is obsolete, which is one motivation behind why employing supervisors and selection representatives are depending more on LinkedIn where data is commonly progressively current. The message isn't that activity sheets are dead in light of the fact that there are a lot of specialty work sheets worth going to as a vocation searcher, yet that your pursuit of employment results will be increasingly profitable in the event that you tie in direct systems administration through the correct contacts. This post was initially distributed at a previous date Related Posts Step by step instructions to Job Search While You're Still Employed 11 Job Search Commandments For College Grads 6 Steps for a Successful Job Search About the creator Wear Goodman's firm was appraised as the #1 Resume Writing Service in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Wear is a triple-confirmed, broadly perceived Expert Resume Writer, Career Management Coach and Job Search Strategist who has helped a huge number of individuals secure their next activity. Look at his Resume Writing Service. Get a Free Resume Evaluation or call him at 800.909.0109 for more data. Exposure: This post is supported by a CAREEREALISM-affirmed master. You can study master posts here. Photograph Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our vocation development club?Join Us Today!

The Report Writing Skills Resume Cover Up

<h1>The Report Writing Skills Resume Cover Up </h1> <p>Employers need more an ideal opportunity to squander. Reports must be efficient and composed so they articulate the contemplations you're endeavoring to pass on. Present the people, property and other data before it's talked about. Extremely, it's just that straightforward. </p> <h2> Things You Should Know About Report Writing Skills Resume </h2> <p>Report composing is an ability that might be educated. A business report composing course can give you an easy route to utilizing the absolute best practices. Taking everything into account, the ability to form surprising substance is what isolates activity from inaction. For each situation, the ability to compose well isn't just a significant aptitude yet an indispensable one. </p> <h2> The Nuiances of Report Writing Skills Resume</h2> <p>In the current corporate world, reports play a basic capacity. A report was made to lead individuals all through the information in an organized manner, yet in addition to allow them to find the data they need rapidly and without any problem. Basically, it is a short, sharp, brief archive which is composed for a specific reason and crowd. Is the report timelyif not it won't be used.</p> <p>In any type of report, organizing is essential. You may wish to introduce your report in a simple and compact style that is easy to peruse and explore. To keep on keeping your report sorted out and easy to comprehend, there's a particular arrangement to follow. </p> <p>Study and examine the realities assembled. At the point when it is successful reports. The resume models beneath are made to assist you with ending up being an establishment owner. In case you're ready to go you need so as to compose. </p>

Writing a Resume For a Sophmore College Student

<h1>Writing a Resume For a Sophmore College Student</h1><p>Writing a resume for a Sophmore College understudy isn't as troublesome as it appears, since there are loads of things you have to know to compose a decent one. Remember that the understudy you are composing a resume for ought to be about a similar age and scholarly level as you. The tips underneath can assist you with getting the show on the road rolling.</p><p></p><p>The first basic misstep that numerous individuals make when they are composing a resume is they will compose the data they don't know down. Be that as it may, this isn't the best way to deal with use in the event that you need your resume to be successful. Attempt to keep your resume succinct yet present the data you know.</p><p></p><p>The next thing you should do when composing a resume for an undergrad is that you should have some character in your resume. Specifically, this implies you should appear to be a certain and even presumptuous individual. Make certain to utilize legitimate language structure just as spelling and accentuation. You would prefer not to seem to be somebody who doesn't have the foggiest idea what they are doing or as somebody who is inadequate in proficient courtesy.</p><p></p><p>Another thing you have to do when composing a resume for an understudy is that you should have the option to incorporate your pastimes, qualities, and different characteristics that make you an extraordinary contender for the activity. Try not to put everything you like about yourself down on your resume; write in the a couple of key territories. This will give you a greatly improved possibility of being hired.</p><p></p><p>Another thing you should think about composing a resume for an understudy is that you should compose your introductory letter. It will be the main way you are going to find the activity, so make certain to make it as great as could be expected under the circumstances. Ensure you follow the means beneath so as to do this effectively.</p><p></p><p>Also, on the off chance that you are composing a resume for an understudy, you should be certain that you utilize top notch text styles. This will go far in helping you stand apart from the remainder of the pack. Also, remember to incorporate your contact data. Counting this will be critical to your odds of getting the job.</p><p></p><p>Last, however unquestionably not least, when composing a resume for an undergrad, you have to ensure that you utilize appropriate punctuation. In the event that you are uncertain of the guidelines, give perusing a couple of articles a shot language structure before you present your resume. There are a lot of assets accessible online that can help you out.</p><p></p><p>All taking all things together, it shouldn't be too hard to even consider writing a resume for an undergrad. You should simply follow the straightforward advances recorded previously. Ideally, this article has helped you get familiar with the nuts and bolts of composing a resume for a school student.</p>

9 tips for handling difficult customers

9 hints for taking care of troublesome clients Each business, in each segment, in each industry, is loaded up with troublesome customers or clients who make carrying out your responsibility multiple times harder than it must be. In the wake of a difficult day of work, it tends to be sufficient to make you rage out or fold into a ball and sob. At the point when you have an inclination that youre going to lose it, attempt these 9 supportive procedures. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-advertisement 1467144145037-0'); }); 1. Show how well you can listen.You know they're absolutely off base, however they don't get that yet. They have the circumstance or the realities all inaccurate and you can't stand to hear them go over subtleties that dont bode well. All they get notification from your fretfulness is that theyre not being heard. Attempt simply letting them get it full scale. Listen quietly to what they need to state. Allow them to vent. It will assist you with sorting them out on the off chance that you c omprehend their position better first and in the event that they feel like youve been paying attention.2. Show empathy.Forget for a second that this individual is inconsiderate, mean, and wrong. Whatever their concern, they truly need you to comprehend and support them. Rehash back what you hear as the significant issue. Express your veritable lament that they're making some unpleasant memories, and demonstrate a genuine ability to help. Regardless of whether you need to counterfeit it, use eye to eye connection, non-verbal communication, and verbal signs to give you give it a second thought and are locked in. Try not to talk over your clientâ€"this fair feels like a strategic maneuver. Let them finish first.3. Talk increasingly slow on the grounds that your client raises their voice doesn't mean you need to react in kind. Speak with a softer tone and moderate your discourse down. The quieting impact can be huge. You can even now be firmâ€"the exact opposite thing you need to do is show your dread. Be that as it may, attempt to move the customer to loosen up just with the way you're speaking.4. Search for nuance.Is their fury coming at you from a position of outrage, nervousness, inconvenience, or disappointment? Getting a progressively explicit feeling of where their anger starts can assist you with making sense of how to handle killing it. Take a gander at the circumstance from their perspective and attempt to make sense of what may have set off their (over)reaction. Check whether there's anything you can own up to fault for or fix effectively, and start with that.5. Envision you have an audience.If you're making some hard memories keeping your cool, simply envision you're not the only one. Or maybe, imagine youre in a room brimming with customers or clients. Envision this crowd of individuals is making a decision about your organization on your benefits as a difficult solver. Keep the tone certain and cool. Pulling this prank on yourself is an extraordinary method to remain proficient and gracious, in any event, when you need to scream.6. Discover your foothold.Is there anything, in your clients rant that bodes well? Search for something you can work withâ€"separate the tirade into sensible, significant lumps and talk your client through those. Finding even one thing you can fathom quickly, anyway little, can truly diffuse a circumstance and cause a client to feel heard and respected.7. Profess to be wrong.If you flip the tables and begin concurring with everything your client says to the point of assuming all the fault upon your shoulders (where it doesn't have a place), you may very well discover the client will mellow and begin making statements like, Well, I comprehend it's not your deficiency. It's somewhat of an all in or all out methodology, yet can be too successful in certain situations.8. Give them a splitting gift.Your greatest objective as a contact for your organization is to fix the relationship. Check whether you can gi ve your client a voucher or a reward markdown or some likeness thereofâ€"anything to cause them to feel they've won.9. Try not to take it personally.At the day's end, a few clients cannot be reason with and a few people are nonsensically furious. It's not about you. It's likely not even about the organization. Let it wash directly away from you. Try not to take it home.

The booming Financial Services sector in Scotland Viewpoint careers advice blog

The booming Financial Services sector in Scotland Scotland’s financial services industry has a perfect mix of home-grown and international businesses, resulting in many leading banks and financial services organisations calling Scotland their home. This includes RBS, LBG, J.P Morgan, Tesco Bank, Citi, Scottish Widows, Barclays, HSBC and Sainsbury’s Bank. Impressively, Scotland’s financial services industry accounts for 8 percent of the Scottish economy, generates £8.8 billion and employs around 85 thousand people (HM Government, May 2013) Scotland â€" the second home of financial services Many companies have chosen to make Scotland their ‘second base’ outside of London, and indeed we are seeing an increasing amount of organisations chosing their Scotland sites for expansion plans or development projects over their other UK sites. The main contributing factor being the highly skilled workforce within the financial services sector. The main skills in demand in Scotland at present are within the Change field â€" Programme Managers, Project Managers, Business Analysts etc. both in a permanent and contract capacity. There is always a constant need for support staff in the Investment Banking market â€" front, middle and back office. The Scottish financial sector also thrives on innovative IT and technical support including technical functions of organisations such as JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. As an example, JP Morgan have their Mobile Development Centre in Glasgow which delivers Mobile UX/UI Design, Development, and Testing services into the firm and the Scotland team is leading the way with award-winning app development. Hays are currently working with them to recruit the industry’s best talent from across the world. So, there is a wealth of opportunities within the Scottish financial services sector, as, expatriate Russell Storey a Project and Change Management professional based in Edinburgh explains: “The strong financial sector has given me the opportunity to build a successful career across 3 of the largest financial organisations in the UK. Specialising in organisational change and project management I have compiled a diverse CV â€" most notably first-hand experience of the extraordinary events of 2008 and the subsequent transformation of our industry Hays have facilitated my recent transition from a permanency into a contract role in the beginning of 2013 and the support I have received from the team has been excellent. With so much change already on the cards for the next 5-10 years already I am confident there will be no shortage of work opportunities and Scotland will continue to be a great place to be regardless of what the future holds.” Scotland â€" a better quality of life It’s not just about the way these organisations lead in collaboration, professional standards and world-class industry endorsed qualifications that attracts people to Scotland â€" it’s also about a completely different lifestyle. There are many reasons why living in Scotland is wonderful. With average commuting times of just 26 minutes (Source: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, October December 2009) a better quality of life can be achieved. For those hankering for the great outdoors, stunning Loch Lomond is a short 45 minute drive from Glasgow and the rolling hills of Perthshire just 45 minutes from Edinburgh. Go an hour further north and you’ll reach fantastic ski destinations, an abundance of challenging hills to climb and some beautiful coastal villages to explore. These experiences are shared with many of our candidates, including Storey, a Financial Services professional who relocated from Australia to Scotland, who has shared his experiences with us: “Having moved from Australia to the UK over 10 years ago now, I have called Scotland home ever since. Based in Edinburgh, I love the cultural diversity and of the city as well as its close proximity to Europe. Less well known is the accessibility of an outdoor and adventure lifestyle amongst the stunning natural beauty offered by Scotland. An avid Mountain Biker, Scotland has some of the best terrain in both the UK and in the world to explore. Whilst I have been tempted many times by the lure of London, the work-life balance and overall life satisfaction I experience here in Scotland has proved too much for me to give up. I do love London and visit on a regular basis to visit friends and as needed for work however I still find a gentle sense of relief every time my train pulls in to Waverley or the flight captain welcomes us to Edinburgh.” Would you consider making the move? Scotland has a lot to offer. As well as excellent work opportunities, you will find friendly cities, beautiful scenery, good travel links and a great quality of life. That’s why, for centuries, people from all over the world have been choosing to live in Scotland. Would you consider a move to one of the most important financial hubs in Europe? Visit our website to search and apply for jobs in Scotland. Engage with fellow financial markets professionals across the globe and stay up to date with the latest news, by joining our LinkedIn group. Join the conversation

How to Improve Your Recruiting Success at Networking Events - Spark Hire

Instructions to Improve Your Recruiting Success at Networking Events - Spark Hire Love it or abhor it, organizing has become a foundation of the cutting edge selecting industry. In spite of the fact that it's frequently unbalanced, those constrained discussions and too-strong handshakes interface you with new ability and feature your unwavering quality to make sure about the best possibility for your association. So as to stay with your serious, you should have the option to discuss viably with work searchers, intrigue them in your work, and get rid of the individuals who aren't adequate. In this way, it's essential to keep your aptitudes sharpened and do your exploration before every occasion. The following are a couple of approaches to improve your capacity to select top-level up-and-comers at any systems administration occasion you join in: Get Your Work done Ensure you're placing in the work to investigate every occasion you join in. You need to guarantee you completely comprehend the necessities of each position you're attempting to fill so you can work to distinguish key qualities in the individuals you meet. Doing a little prep work early is critical to helping you organize the occasions that will be generally gainful to your association's recruiting objectives. Most occasion solicitations will have an outline of the night and a rundown of different organizations going to the occasion; utilize this to illuminate your examination. Investigate which ventures will be spoken to, the occasion's area, and the kinds of positions your association is hoping to fill. Investigating will likewise give you much more understanding into how you should dress and carry on. For instance, a get-together at a meeting place will probably require an alternate clothing regulation and correspondence style than one at a nearby bar. Be certain you expertly coordinate the environmental factors and disposition, regardless of whether that implies not wearing a tie or having a beverage close by, so as to stay congenial and affable to other people. Look Polished But Approachable Everybody knows it's basic to dress expertly in systems administration settings. You need to guarantee you're speaking to your customer or association and your very own image well. It's additionally significant, in any case, to keep up a little amiability with your appearance. Consider wearing a school nail to your lapel to strike discussion over your institute of matriculation, or splendidly shaded socks. These little bits of blaze will give you some greater character and help pull in applicants without bargaining your polished skill. Your appearance likewise assumes a huge job in your general certainty. On the off chance that this is something you battle with, evaluate some force postures or self-confirmations before strolling into the occasion. In the event that you have half a month to save in advance, you can likewise attempt a few drugs for male pattern baldness, skin inflammation, or tooth staining to improve any frailties that may keep you away from feeling certain at an occasion. Speak Generally In spite of the fact that it appears to be counterproductive, consider pushing exchange about explicit employment positions to the rear of the discussion. Rather, draw in the other individual by asking them inquiries about their inclinations and profession direction. At that point, effectively tune in by keeping in touch, gesturing and asking followup inquiries. This will separate you from different enrollment specialists and make an increasingly paramount human association with possible competitors. It ought to likewise give you a superior comprehension of them as people and how they could fit into your association. Take Notes In the wake of meeting many anxious experts, it very well may be hard to separate one face or association from another. Give yourself time directly after the occasion to question. When only you're in your vehicle or the metro, work out the most significant applicants with whom you need to development. Alongside every quality activity searcher's name, incorporate distinctive attributes, any discussion themes you secured and objectives or profession exhortation you talked about. These little bits of personalization will assist you with keeping up your association with the possible applicant, and set your followup email separated from the others they may get. It will likewise assist you with remaining composed on the off chance that you seek after this applicant in the recruiting procedure. Simply make certain to do this quickly following the occasion. This will keep the data new in your mind and furthermore dodge off-putting note-taking for the duration of the night. Keep your hands free and eyes up to welcome individuals to talk with you and cause you to appear to be considerably more open and expert. Viable systems administration relies upon your affability, enthusiasm, and influence. Give yourself the toolset you have to discover accomplishment by planning and organizing individual associations. Eventually, these tips should assist you with finding the best contender for your association and increment your enlisting achievement rates at occasions.

Negotiate Your Job Offer Like a Pro - milewalk

Negotiate Your Job Offer Like a Pro - milewalk Negotiate Your Job Offer Like a Pro You know that expression often used in sales negotiations, “He who speaks first, loses”? Well, that doesn’t always apply in negotiating your employment offer. There are so many factors to consider, the first of which is when the employer inquires about your current or desired compensation. The turf youre standing on is everything Speaking of many factors, I’d like to mention before we dive in that the remainder of this post will not be about the standard steps and responses you should take when negotiating an employment offer. I think you’ll end up on the short end if you think there’s such a thing as “standard.” No siree! A master of negotiation understands that the landscape upon which you negotiate is ultimately what helps you negotiate anything effectively. The more you understand about the landscape, the more effective you’ll be. The When is everything, uh, else In the case of negotiating your employment offer, the most important success factor in achieving what you want is making sure to request it when your “stock” is highest. This is unlikely to be during the first interview. You simply haven’t had enough opportunity to dazzle them. If it is, you won’t be in the process very long nor need to be concerned about this. So, if during the first interview, the employer asks your desired level of compensation, I would recommend responding with something such as, “Here is my current level of compensation. I am certain if we are the right match for each other we will be able to come to an agreement that’s amenable for both of us.” You’ve now provided the company with valuable data (if they didn’t have it already). But in the end, compromise is really what matters most Keep in mind, the more they like you, the more they’re willing to pay. The more you like them, the less you’re willing to accept. (In the same vein, I don’t recommend employers explaining up front what the position pays. In the same manner the candidate has not had a chance to impress the company, the company has not had a chance to impress the candidate. The candidate might, in fact, be willing to negotiate away dollars for the pure joy of working there. She doesn’t know that yet because she has very little information.) If the employer indicates they would like to extend an offer to you, position yourself to review the offer in its entirety. Review your current situation, requirements, timing constraints, and compensation. Take a close look not only at the potential compensation level but also at the company outlook, culture, role, professional development, coworkers, autonomy, work and life balance, location, travel, and benefits. (See 5 Questions to Ask Before You Job Search and The Top 12 Happiness Factors for Employees for more insight.) Being a team is way better than either party being selfish Perhaps the most important thing to remember at this stage is that as soon as the employer announces it would like to extend you an offer, you have instantaneously become teammatesâ€"not adversariesâ€"in the negotiation. You either both win (if you accept) or both lose (if you do not). What do teammates do? By connotation, they work together to accomplish a common goal. That means communicating with each other to express your needs, areas that are important to you, where you can be flexible, and your rationale for wanting certain components in your overall compensation package. To the extent you can convey to them that you “want to make this work,” you will substantially increase the likelihood of realizing what you want. How much “think time” should I request? This is a critical decision, so make sure to request the appropriate amount of time to consider it. There is no one set industry standard for the duration. The most important factor is to provide the company with a definitive date you will respondâ€"and stick to it. If you need a few days, you can simply indicate so and respond at the appropriate time (or before) with a verbal, e-mailed, or written confirmation. I recommend the verbal response, especially considering the magnitude, but also realize all situations are different. If you need a few weeks, I recommend agreeing to a touchpoint with the employer sometime in between so as not to have an extended period of silence. This checkpoint serves as good opportunity for both parties to ask questions or provide clarifications.

Featured Job Facilities Project Coordinator @ Raymond James - Copeland Coaching

Featured Job Facilities Project Coordinator @ Raymond James Raymond James was founded in 1962, and has been a public company since 1983. Consisting of three broker/dealer subsidiaries, Raymond James Financial employs over 6,600 financial advisors in over 2,700 locations worldwide. The company serves over 2.7 million client accounts, and total client assets are approximately $480 billion. The Facilities Project Coordinator: · Coordinates relocations of home office associates and departments; inclusive of creating move documents in AutoCAD, scheduling and coordinating in-house move support staff for electrical/voice/data wiring including outside vendors, and overseeing the physical relocation thru completion and subsequent follow up. · Schedules and facilitates all coordination meetings for home office campus relocations. · Update and maintain electronic floor plans, inclusive of posting current drawings on RJnet for department viewing. · Primary liaison and on-site supervision of outside vendors as it relates to department relocations and reconfiguration construction from proposal to approval to job completion. · Calculates, analyzes and reports rent allocations as changes occur. · Assists with interior space planning. This position is based in Memphis, TN.  To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Raymond James website here.

Study You make 5 times as many writing errors on your phone

Study You make 5 fold the number of composing blunders on your telephone Study You make 5 fold the number of composing blunders on your telephone New research from advanced composing right hand Grammarly found that we make a normal of five fold the number of composing mistakes on our telephones than when we use PCs, despite the fact that less words are composed on mobile.More explicitly, they determined that it adds up to 42 blunders for each 100 words composed on portable, versus only eight for each 100 words composed on a computer.Grammarly likewise identified the nine generally normal issues that emerge when conveying on versatile for business purposes, including: tedium, incorrectly spelled words, latent voice, dubious words and states and missing articles.As for how the exploration was done, Michael Mager on the Grammarly Communications Team told Ladders that Grammarly recognized mistakes from a huge number of clients composing with our composing aide programming on both versatile and PC.So, should you send significant messages on your cell phone?It relies upon the idea of the circumstance. For example, in case you're mes saging on your telephone, you're probably going to accomplish something different at the same time, such as having your gadget work as a second screen while you sit in front of the TV. This is the reason you should be extra cautious sending to messages to individuals at work from your cell phone particularly your boss.Diane Gottsman, a writer, present day habits and behavior expert, and proprietor of The Protocol School of Texas, delineates why it's essential to maintain a strategic distance from sentence structure and spelling botches in messages composed on telephones in a post on her website.Be sure to take the additional couple of moments to peruse your email before you hit 'send.' If spell check isn't turned on, allude to the email settings on your cell phone to actuate this component. Auto spell check can likewise be risky, particularly on the off chance that you aren't taking that additional moment to re-read your reaction, she composes. Composing 'to' when you intended to ty pe 'do' can totally change the importance of your message. What's more, that is a best case auto-right scenario!Remember to alert others that you're composing on your telephone the privilege wayJillian Kumagai (presently a web maker at ProPublica), recently composed on Mashable's website about how while messaging on portable, you should change your signature as you see fit.Avoid looking tasteless by precluding the versatile mark that peruses, 'Sent from my iPhone' or 'Sent from my Android.' It's extremely simple to change your mark in the Gmail application. Consider making the conventional mark (name, organization, contact data) for your telephone in the event that you send numerous messages for business purposes, she composes. In the event that you know you're inclined to grammatical errors on your telephone, consider including a message saying 'sorry' for versatile typos.We get it: Accidents occur. Grammatical errors are practically difficult to maintain a strategic distance from, however that is the reason you should be extra cautious when composing a business message on your telephone.

5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Personal Brand

5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Personal Brand Social Media has dramatically changed the job landscape. Todays job seekers must remake themselves as a brand. Think of McDonalds golden arches or Fords iconic script logo. People remember these brands because they set themselves apart from the rest. People dont settle for any old hamburger when they know what they will get at McDonalds. Brands build trust with people and that trust translates to increased business and a reliable customer base, which is exactly what you want your online brand to do for you. Your personal brand builds trust in prospective employers and opens the doors for you to find new positions. Unfortunately, most people dont think that they need a personal brand, and they are so wrong in assuming this. Below are 5 reasons why you should establish a personal brand on your resume and online: 1. A personal brand differentiates yourself When an HR Manager scans the pile of resumes on their desk, they look for someone who stands out. But, they dont just focus on the resume, they also look for your online presence because the internet contains much more information about you as a worker. Do you have an industry specific blog or website that you regularly update? Is your personal brand listed on your LinkedIn profile, along with your best career achievements? Listing a successful work history and any extracurricular activities that youre involved in helps to build your online brand. 2. Make your name a well-known brand Who do you think HR Managers are going to go for? The new guy fresh out of college or the big name attached to great companies and amazing projects? Of course they are going to go with the big name. So to capitalize on your opportunities, you must make yourself into a brand name. Instead of seeing John Smith New Graduate, they see John Smith Marketing Guru. 3. Set you apart from your peers Your goal is to set yourself apart from your peers. Youre in direct competition for open positions. Its just the way it is and having an online brand sets you apart from the rest of the pack. Start an industry blog, start a side business or develop a new marketing strategy that you can pitch to prospective employers. There are so many things you can do to highlight how you are a notch above your peers and get your brand out there. 4. Make you more attractive to employers Establishing your brand makes you more attractive to prospective employers because they know what they are getting. Youre not a faceless employee; youre the one who wrote a new programming language, the one who developed supply chains that drastically reduced company overhead, etc. Match your brand to your achievements and employers will stand up and take note. 5. Open yourself up to new opportunities You want to find open positions and sometimes they may not be in your chosen profession. But, does that really matter? What if the perfect position is in another industry that you have minimal experience? Well, having an online brand opens the doors to those new arenas. HR Managers are looking for people with experience, and thankfully, your online brand is built around your experience. By viewing your online brand, HR Managers and potential employers can see what you offer the company. They are excited to find somebody with your expertise and skills, and you should be too. You have clout that you never knew you had and your personal brand should reflect the best you have to offer. Guest Post by:   Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW, BS/HR, is a Certified Professional Executive Resume Writer/Career Consultant and President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. She is a nationally published writer and contributor of 9+ best-selling career books. She has achieved international recognition following yearly nominations of the prestigious T.O.R.I. (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award. Erin has written thousands of resumes for executives and professionals. As a proud member of PARW, CDI, AORCP, Erin also sits on CDIs Credentialing Committee for new certification candidates and serves as a Mentor for CDIs Member Mentoring Committee. She also is a featured blogger on several well-known career sites http://exclusive-executive-resumes.com.   For additional tips and advice on resumes and cover letters, follow us on Twitter @GreatResume or visit our blog.

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Top trends in Truck Driver Hiring

Top patterns in Truck Driver Hiring Top patterns in Truck Driver Hiring Top patterns in Truck Driver Hiring With an announced truck driver deficiency that might be declining, Intelligence dove into whos employing and for what in trucking nowadays. On the off chance that youre selecting truck drivers, youll need to realize what we found. On the off chance that youve read the Truck Driver Shortage Analysis 2015 report from American Trucking Associations, you realize that there is a noteworthy lack of truck drivers. Almost 890,000 new drivers are required over the coming decade to supplant resigning and recareering truck drivers and bolster industry development. Around 147,000 new truck driver occupations are required by 2024 as indicated by the 2012-2024 work projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2015, the yearly normal joblessness rate for truck drivers was 4.9% which is 0.2 rate focuses over the national pace of 4.7% for all US laborers 16 years and over. In excess of 3 million truck drivers are utilized in the US today, and trucking employments represent over half of all transportation occupations posted on Monster. To give you some understanding into what your selecting rivals are doing, our Intelligence group broke down information from the CEB TalentNeuron apparatus to distinguish which organizations are posting the most occupations, and which employments are generally recorded, and which employments are most looked. What are organizations employing for? Most Common Trucking Jobs Include: Truck Drivers, Heavy Tractor-trailer # utilized: 1.8 million Middle compensation: $40,260 Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery/Sales # utilized: 1.3 million Middle compensation: $27,760 Top Companies that Have Hired Trucking Talent C.R. Britain, Inc. *Profile Quick Transportation Roehl USA Truck, Inc. Barr-nunn Trucking Jobs: 45% of accessible Transportation employments are for Truck Drivers Of all open trucking positions, 55% of trucking occupations are explicitly for Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers What are work searchers searching for? Most saw Trucking Jobs: CDL Drivers Conveyance Drivers Section Level Drivers Class A Drivers Nearby Drivers Course Drivers Class B Drivers Local Drivers OTR Drivers Low maintenance Drivers Top Trucking Job Searches: Driver Conveyance Driver Truck Driver CDL Transportation CDL Driver Stockroom Low maintenance Conveyance Nearby Truck Driver Most elevated Volumes of Trucking Talent Found In: New York Los Angeles Philadelphia Houston Chicago Dallas Atlanta Tampa Miami Cleveland Need to find out about the top patterns in trucking recruiting? Look at the Trucking Market Overview from Intelligence. Information finding depend on investigation of all accessible online occupations revealed by the TalentNeuron apparatus and employment looking for action from in excess of 22 million one of a kind visitors1. 1comScore Media Metrix, 1Q 2016, 3-month normal, (incorporates all US Mobile + PC traffic) *FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COMPANY PROFILES, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE OR 1-800-X6333 TODAY.

Veteran Resume Writing Help - Avoid These Common Mistakes

Veteran Resume Writing Help - Avoid These Common MistakesIf you are trying to get veteran resume writing help, there are some things that you should avoid. Here is a look at what not to do when it comes to getting veteran resume writing help. Most of these things are simple and easy to avoid.o Avoid using your real name on the resume. The resume is going to be the first thing potential employers see. You don't want to come across as a fly-by-night or even a scam artist. Get a second or third opinion on the name.o It's best to stay out of your employment history if possible. If you were fired in the past, that won't make a difference in your application. Use your own story instead.o Don't use color. It will only make your resume look terrible. You want to present your message in black and white so that it stands out clearly.o Leave out everything that doesn't pertain to your career. If it doesn't pertain to your field of choice, it probably doesn't matter. If you have had any other jo b offers before this one, remove them from your resume.o Include the dates of the jobs. This is more important than your current position. Include the dates you were laid off or fired.o You don't need to include them all, but include all of the addresses, phone numbers, and even the websites if they were connected to your past employers. Many of these things can easily be found on the internet.These are some tips for getting veteran resume writing help. If you follow these tips, you should be fine.

5 ways to de-stress in ten minutes or less

5 different ways to de-worry in a short time or less This post was composed by an outer supporter. Susannah Keogh gives us her top tips for de-worrying in very snappy time. From reflecting to simply having a tirade to your mum, dont neglect to take care of yourself, people The new term is certainly in progress and with summer a distant memory, its a miserable fact of life that your feelings of anxiety are unquestionably going to rise. So if youre going to brave it until Christmas, it's a smart thought to get a few strategies for de-pushing rapidly so you realize how to quiet yourself down when everything gets excessive. Chill out and read on to discover how to de-worry in a short time or less… Work it out In some cases the most straightforward arrangements are the best. Snatch a companion, housemate, parent, sister, sibling â€" essentially ANYONE â€" and simply take ten minutes to visit through what's worrying you. Who knows, they may have a few recommendations which could assist you with tackling the circumstance. Or on the other hand, in case you're similar to me, simply go on a brief tirade. You realize you need to. An issue shared is an issue divided, as is commonly said. Similarly, on the off chance that you discover your feelings of anxiety are proceeding to raise and it's affecting your day by day life, it may be valuable to converse with somebody who's expertly prepared in psychological well-being support. Get careful A couple of years back, you may recollect care turning into the following huge thing. The promotion encompassing care hasn't left, in any case, and there's truly 101 different ways you can join care into your regular day to day existence. Extraordinary compared to other is taking a couple of moments to contemplate. Famous application Headspace shows you the essentials of reflection, and you can even do an excessively snappy brief meeting. The activities help to truly ground you and you'll be shocked at how rapidly the time passes. Could you ask for anything better? On the off chance that you want to have something to possess you, take a stab at purchasing a care shading book â€" trust us, they're not only for kids. Organize In case you're finding that everything is starting to overpower you, a fast method to refocus is to get a pen and paper, and work out all that you have to do, total with practical cutoff times. At that point re-request this rundown by how significant each errand is, and separate what you have to accomplish for every one. By defining practical objectives, and removing whatever you're worrying about from your brain, and onto paper, you're making them progressively reasonable. A few people discover writing in a diary, similar to the ever mainstream and very Instagram commendable projectile diaries, supportive. On the off chance that you discover working out your feelings accommodating, at that point this could be one for you. Be with nature Truly, this one truly works. At the point when cutoff time season hits at college, it tends to be so natural to simply fall into the snare of going through the entire day at the library or in addresses… before you know it, it's 6pm and you've scarcely been outside throughout the day. While it tends to be enticing to go through your brief investigation break looking through Facebook and getting an overrated espresso, this likely won't help your feelings of anxiety. Rather, get together your books and go on a snappy stroll in the new air. Sometimes a difference in landscape is all you need. Tune in to your upbeat melody We as a whole have one â€" that melody that brightens you straight up the subsequent it goes ahead. I'd suggest September by Earth Wind and Fire yet to be straightforward, any mushy, cheery tune will do. In a clinical report, it was discovered that patients demonstrated better dispositions and lower circulatory strain when they tuned in to music or worked with a music advisor â€" so who knows, perhaps we're on to something here? Associate with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more vocations bits of knowledge.

From the Music Industry to Own Business

From the Music Industry to Own Business Success Story > From: Job To: Startup From the Music Industry to Own Business “I wanted the freedom to choose where, when and how I worked, as well as whom I worked with.” * From the Music Industry to Own Business Caroline Wylie was feeling uncomfortable withthe moral direction of the accounts she worked on, and a boss whom she didn't click with. So, working for herself became anappealing next step. Here's how she found a financial route to make her shift bothpossible and safe. What work were you doing previously? I'd trained as a music business admin â€" I did a course whose in-house record label have previously produced Belle and Sebastian and Snow Patrol. I landed my dream job shortly after completing the course, working for London Records and then Sony. Later, I shifted sideways into advertising, where I worked for big companies like AMV:BBDO and Euro RSCG Riley (HAVAS). It was very much a 9â€"5 role. What are you doing now? I run a virtual assistant (VA) business â€" we complete admin on a freelance basis. I started about 15 years ago which makes me one of the 'older' VA businesses. It's a big change from working for big corporates. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make the change? It was frustrating working for companies where you could see how much money that you made the business, but where you didn't necessarily see the rewards. Change took such a long time to happen â€" if I wanted a new computer or to change how I was working, it took months to get it approved. I was a serial job hopper â€" I would do 18 months to two years in a role and then get bored and want to do something else. Why did you change? Short version: I wanted to wear jeans to the office every day! Working in music is tough (and not particularly well paid), and while there were opportunities to climb the ladder in advertising, I wasn't convinced that it was what I wanted to do... When was the moment you decided to make the change? I'd been feeling a lack of control about my job for a while. I was being asked to work on certain accounts that felt morally wrong to me. I wanted the freedom to choose where, when and howI worked, as well aswhom I worked with. I also had a boss whom I just didn't gel with, which is so different to how I normally worked. It made me look into working for myself, and the whole thing just fell into place. How did you choose your new career? Being a VA had appealed to me for a while, but until I found out about being able to fund working capital via loan funding, I hadn't seen how I could do it as a singleton with a mortgage to pay. I've always done admin roles. I tended to work faster and be more open to new technology compared to other PAs I knew. 15 years ago, being a VA was very novel â€" I got some great PR which really helped to launch the business. Ironically, it also spawned a lot of interest from other people who wanted to become VAs and I continue to help them via the Society of Virtual Assistants (which supports UK-based VAs). Are you happy with the change? Very much so! By becoming a VA, I've been able to cure the 'wanderlust' of job hopping â€" working with different clients is like having a new job every two to three months. I learn all about different industries, different kinds of marketing, new CRMs, or software. I'm continually learning, and I love it! Personally, it's been great because the business has been able to adapt as I've grown up. I started as a young professional singleton; I'm now middle aged and have a husband plus two kids. Being able to work part-time has been great and it's let me indulge other interests too â€" I mentor young people one day a week and I've also renovated a Victorian tenement whilst working as a VA. The great thing about being my own boss is that I make the decisions. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I do miss the Christmas parties... That camaraderie is hard to replicate when working alone. It's something we try to recreate with Society Of Virtual Assistants and there are lots of VA meetups, which I love. I don't miss office politics, I don't miss the morning rush hour, and I certainly do not miss my suit! How did you go about making the shift? I went to a business start-up show and suddenly realised that I could make it work financially. Within six months I'd told my boss what I was doing, built a website, and gone part-time at work to make a real go of it. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? Numbers really aren't my thing. The Princes Trust really helped with planning cash flow and made me realise I was going to have to work at least part-time in my day job for a while. I ran into a copyright issue with the name I'd chosen just a few months into the business. Fortunately, I managed to resolve it, but at one point I thought I was going to have to scrap six months' work, lots of investment into design, and all the publicity I'd generated. Through the years I've hit points where it seems like it would be easier or more profitable to go get 'a proper job', but really it's a case of 'the grass is always greener'. The reality of having to get up at the crack of dawn to drive through rush-hour traffic in my suit usually convinces me that it's worth persevering! How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I had some flexible soft loan funding from The Prince's Trust. I also had a Business Gateway grant of £1,000 ($1250) for people under thirty starting a business. It sounds like a lot, but the barriers to entry back then were a lot higher. My website and phone system alone cost £5,500 ($6900) back then â€" today you could get the same sort of systems for £500 ($630). There was no Plan B â€" my mortgage needed paying â€" so I remained part-time working for about 18 months whilst I built up my client base. The business has always run full-time even when I've been working part-time though. Having no safety net probably pushed me outside my comfort zone. I had to be ambitious and tenacious otherwise I'd be back in that suit! What was the most difficult thing about changing? My brain. It's hard to do something which is scary and which perhaps you've never done before. One phrase which I found useful was 'Well, what's the worst that could happen?' and usually the answer was 'Well, you could be in the same situation you are now...' so I had nothing to lose by trying. I also suffer from perfectionism â€" I don't want to launch something until it's perfect. But really there's no such thing: done is better than perfect. You can always tweak it later. What help did you get? The Prince's Trust â€" their help was invaluable. Business Gateway â€" the Scottish version of Business Link â€" which still has some face-to-face help to support new or expanding businesses. My family â€" luckily my dad is self-employed and that was very useful when I needed to ask questions or find out whom I needed to speak to. What resources would you recommend to others? As a VA, do check out the Society Of Virtual Assistants. For service-based businesses, I always recommend C.J. Hayden's book Get Clients Now â€" it's all about marketing yourself. The E-Myth Revisitedby Michael Gerber is also worth a read. What have you learnt in the process? Oh, everything! Genuinely I learn something every day. In terms of change, I learned that planning change and thinking of the most-likely scenarios makes most things possible. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Cash flow your project. Speak to other people who are already doing what you want to do â€" you will be surprised by how helpful everyone is. To find out more about Caroline's business, visit www.virtuallysorted.com. What lessons could you take from Caroline's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

How Much Will Writing A Resume Cost?

How Much Will Writing A Resume Cost?The average cost for resume writing services vary depending on the type of service provider you choose to work with. The best way to choose the best firm is to figure out a ballpark figure for each service and then compare those costs.The best way to find out what it will cost you for resume writing services is to use a variety of different sites and pricing calculators to figure out what it will cost you to write an essay. This works well if you need help determining how many resumes you need written or how many hours you will be working. If you do not need to work this much time for resume writing services, this method will not work well for you.Then the next method to determine how much it will cost you to write resume essays is to check the samples provided by the service provider. This is also a good idea if you need help determining how many resumes you need written. Many professional resume writing services provide samples of their work and you can get a good idea about the length of time it will take to complete the project.The next method to use to determine how much writing services are going to cost you is to find out what the rates are for different types of projects. Many people do not know this but you can get a huge discount on your projects if you write in a certain style. Many writers will offer to cut your rates in half if you are willing to work in a certain style.The most common method to determine the average cost for resume writing services is to check into the reviews submitted by current clients. Many people who get great job offers and this is because of the reviews they have left for the resume writing service they hired. You will want to read through the reviews and make sure you get an honest one.It is also important to do some research work to find out how much writing services are being offered and for how long. There are many companies that are going to give you very low rates for large projects but then charge you more for smaller projects.A good company will give you their charges at the beginning and end of each project so you can see what you are paying for. You can also make sure you know what your project is going to cost before signing up with any company to get your resume written.As you can see, there are many ways to find out the average cost for resume writing services but the best way is to use the free method to get a feel for how much writing services will cost you. Then once you know this you can get a feel for how much you can expect to pay.

(En)Counter Culture - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

(En)Counter Culture - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Whether you realize it or not, we are at a pivotal juncture in the marketing and advertising industry. This industry is one that is (and always has been) located at the point where information, entertainment, politics, technology, society culture converge. The last four elements listed have become more prevalent since the turn of the century. The byproducts of these have affected the way we as marketers and advertisers work as well as the ability for companies to maximize revenue. Many business owners don’t know where to begin and feel overwhelmed at the thought of figuring this out on their own. Thus, I mark my return, inspired by an upcoming session at Seattle Interactive Conference, fully equipped with the answer: it all starts with culture. The word culture, when used in our industry, is much like the word brand. Both words are often used interchangeably with terms that are, in fact, components that define each concept in part (i.e.: logo vs. brand or customs vs. culture). This type of misuse makes it hard to do what’s best for your business when it comes to making the best connections with your customers via clarity and effective communication. Since the controllable detail within communication is internal, this is as good a place to start than any. One of the initial references to culture in business is that of comfort or convenience. Many companies â€" from startup to large conglomerate â€" provide their employees with amenities to make an employee’s workday easier. These comforts at work can include snacks or meals, spirits and beer, exercise facilities and, of course, diversions such as ping pong, foosball or console games. Please note: I am not here for the amenity slander. I see each and every one of these enhancements as a wonderful and even functional addition to any workplace. However, the problem that can arise comes when business stakeholders stop at this stage. When companies call the distribution of these frills alone company culture, the change in the quality of work is ultimately marginal. True culture, in a business sense, is more than just comfort or convenience. In order to address culture as a way to improve your company, it is best to approach all aspects both individually and collaboratively. Identifying ways to improve internal company culture is an advantage beneficial to all businesses. Yet and still, this is only one method of brand enhancement. Comfort and convenience are good pillars on which to build your company’s culture. Next week I will present another principle of culture that will help better your business and your brand.

How to Manage Highly Engaged Teams

How to Manage Highly Engaged Teams When working in a team environment, many managers reasonably assume that treating people differently is a bad thing, and showing favouritism, bias or nepotism is never going to help in those regards it certainly is. However some of the best managers I have come across are those who have been able to understand how individuals like to be managed, and what type of approach they respond to above others. The most successful managers I have seen in my career have been able to adapt their style to suit individuals within the team, whist managing the team as a whole to achieve a common goal. This is quite a balancing act, as people will require different approaches, the truth of the situation is that everyone has different personalities, and the more discussion that connects with each person the better. Acknowledging limitations while building on strengths: The key to being a successful manager is a combination of understanding those who work with you and understanding yourself. There is too much negative focus placed on people’s weaknesses or limitations, but it is nonetheless important to know what they are, and to acknowledge them. Some of the best leaders in history have not been well-rounded, and this does not mean you are any less of a leader, paradoxically it is more important to be very good at a few specific things, that suit your given area, than trying to be good at everything. There simply isn’t time to build a specialisation in everything, and those who try often risk lacking depth. Knowing your limitations will allow you to find and recognise in others the potential strengths that you may be lacking, and surrounding yourself with those skills not inherently found in yourself will give you a strong team. It is important to celebrate the strengths of the people who work for you and allow them to further build on those natural abilities. Don’t judge: It is easier said than done, but a fundamental part of developing individuals and making improvements is to remain open-minded about their behaviour or the causes behind certain actions. It is often easier to assume you have understood a person’s motivations based on past experience of their character, but in a work situation where you are encouraging them to make changes it is important that you give them a second chance in explaining their actions before you assume you know what has occurred, or you could lose them when they were actually on-board. If you are someone who normally reacts quickly to situations, it is especially important not to react at all. Time will allow you to consider other avenues, and you simply have to give people the belief that you will see them change. If you are usually the type of person who doesn’t openly react, you might have the opposite issue where a person may not realise the  seriousness of their actions and it is imperative to explain these at a time when things are going well (rather than at a time of conflict) and ensure they understand they must make the changes required. Define your management style Speaking broadly, I think most managers fall into four approximate categories. The key to successful  management  lies in a combination of good understanding both of yourself, and those who work for you: 1) The Authoritative Boss: Key Characteristics:  Strong  management  style, able to influence to a high level, managing through concern to achieve results. This manager is able to push their staff to new levels and they find their teams deliver best when they are managing them very closely and reporting to them frequently. Many managers in this category feel this is the only way to achieve consistent results, although they can push too far at times. They tend to be very good at delivering short-term results but in the long term can have complications building solid teams as they create very competitive environments. They are more often found in firms with classical heavy hierarchies, or sometimes within owner-managed businesses. This can be any kind of SME business (within asset  management     family offices, private equity funds, hedge funds, or small law firms). Structures where the majority of decisions are taken at higher levels with little team communication. The manager maintains the team through occasional praise, although this is not consistent and team members are left trying to please. Often such managers have been trained in this way and assume this is the right way to keep on going, and they do work well, especially in more transactional environments, where dealings are at a higher-volume, with shorter-term involvement. Typically team members are more junior, so for example, would probably be successful managing a team within a Transfer Agency environment due to their focus on urgency and results. 2) The Analytical Activator: Key Characteristics:  This is the  lead by example  management  style where the manager is leading the way in setting expectations and standards. Work is organised according to tasks, priorities and assigning these to team members, then overseeing them through to completion. These managers are typically well-organised, with good concepts of time and priority. Such managers are very good at overseeing complex projects where there are several different ongoing requirements that need to be juggled, but at times they can become very ‘hands-on’ and take on too much. This type of manager is well suited to a Programme or Project  Management  role, or a position that requires a strong operational component, such as Risk Compliance, where needs can be analysed first, and then delegated to appropriate team member(s). They keep their team  engaged  through effective allocation of tasks and the freedom to complete them. This style of  management  requires hiring team members who are highly- motivated and competent in their own roles, or the manager will be compromised. Activator managers often display inherent skills in understanding complex problems and are able to carve out suitable business frameworks from new understandings, they simplify complexity. This is therefore a very useful  management  style for areas of business that require in-depth understanding of the business. This is the type of manager who will have all bases covered, projects completed to schedule, and a team where each person has clearly defined roles. This is a very pragmatic and responsible manager, and I often see many managers of this ilk reach Chief Risk, COO or CEO positions as a result of their strengths. 3) The Visionary Leader: Key Characteristics:  This is the type of style which combines strong interpersonal skills with business relations, with a strong ability to inspire, motivate and energise teams. Although this  management  personality suits many people who reach the top of organisations, the more classic examples of this type lie outside of finance and make me think of Politicians, Activists, and your classic CEOs of FMCGs. They are normally those with a personality that is seen both inside and outside their business. They provide long-term direction and vision, both through common discussion with the team and through their own unique ability to understand the business, which is the reason they are often found steering firms large and small. In order to lead, people have to follow, and this  management  style is very effective in giving people the hope and vision to develop the organisation into a better place. Organisations lacking in direction hire visionary leaders to turn them around, as they pro vide the vision and the belief that can make things change. In order for this  management  style to work effectively, the leader must develop their employees, and they must appear credible. This is about both style and substance, and it is only in this combination that visionaries make successful leaders. Managers who have this style can come from any area of the business, but often people who have this style come from sales, relationship  management, or investment backgrounds, as these people often have the combination of business and interpersonal skills, with being good under pressure, that are required to be successful in a visible role like this. 4) The Friend and Mentor: Key Characteristics:  These managers are close to their staff. They approach their teams with a depth of understanding and a depth of feeling that brings their team towards them, given that they take the time to understand individuals within their teams, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Because of this understanding, people working for them respond to them very positively, as they have taken the time to establish how they like to be managed and this leads to honesty and trust. Employees are given clear career paths, and feel they know where they are going. As well as understanding individuals within the team, these managers appreciate the differences between them, and are keen to see harmony among their employees, creating a pleasant place to work. This style can also involve a lot of meetings, as individuals are typically invited to share their views, and consensus of approach is sought. This  management  style works best in environments where there isn’t a large amount of stress and where the manager will have the time to approach issues with the time they require to get the best out of their staff. While they are the best managers at giving personal help to their employees, this manager isn’t so effective if the employee is more task-oriented and not really interested in having a relationship with them. In order to avoid this, the  Friend and Mentor  manager needs to ensure that they hire staff with the same kind of approach, those who are looking for a friend as much as a boss. Conclusions: Im afraid I have to mix everything up again!  I think it’s instinctive to analyse yourself whilst reading the various personality styles and to assess yourself; which style is most similar to yours, your personality and character. That approach is probably the best you have found, the winning style most of the time. My guess is that while you probably felt akin to a particular style, you realised you were similar to a couple or more of them, and you didn’t fall neatly into any one of the boxes. No ‘right’ path to  management: I am not really a fan of putting people in boxes, and with  management  much like anything else, I don’t think it works.  There is no ultimate  management  route out there, no ‘right’ way that works above others. The best leaders use all styles, in the right combination and at the right times, to achieve the results that they need. While it is true that certain traits come through more in one person or another, it is very rare for effective managers to use one style exclusively. It’s all about balance, between you and your team, the workload, the hours and the energy you put into it. If one party feels they are pulling all the weight it ultimately doesn’t work. You could look to those last  techniques  to try and help you address that, as there is good in all of them. It could be that more direct  techniques  might help, or on the opposite hand, giving your team more flexibility might help your team to feel good, and help you to redress the balance. Why balance is important: Just because you are the manager and have the final responsibility it doesn’t mean you need to be working late every night, and just because your team members are doing well this isn’t the cue for you to disappear. At a fundamental level we are all just the same, with personal drivers and emotions, regardless of title or hierarchy. If one of us feels the balance is out it affects everything and everyone else. Imbalanced teams don’t work effectively although sometimes it isn’t clear why, because on the face of it everyone is pretty good. This is the reason that many organisations with heavy hierarchies lack fresh talent and innovation. Also, some organisations that lack clear reporting lines and decision-making powers don’t get anywhere fast. Finally, and I know someone  will  kill me for writing this, but I think it is important to have gender balance, if possible, in organisations. I just believe that on every level, organisations work better this way. Too much of one or t he other invariably leads to problems, and I think we all know what that imbalance can feel like. Reflect on the following : directing / telling , leading / following , mentor / friend , do-er / activator. I deliberately placed the words side by side, I think the human brain has a way of automatically zoning in on one, but the right response is good use of all of the above. I personally err more on the side of  directing  than  telling, but I know you need both at times, especially when you have deadlines and need to get things done. Be up for the challenge: There is no secret to good  management, it is challenging, and there are always new things you discover. I find that often much of the learning isn’t about others but actually about what they tell you about yourself, and sometimes they are the hardest things to follow. I believe it is a little more straightforward when managing a team with more transactional-based work, but the minute that complex business issues and client relationships get involved, it becomes more difficult. In order to manage well, it isn’t just about good ‘management’ skills but also human or people skills. I deliberately use the word ‘human’ because I think it is much closer to what I mean than ‘interpersonal’ skills. That word gets banded around a lot, and to me it has lost a little meaning…  There are no short-cuts. It is the same qualities that people look for in other people; honesty, hope, trust, and compassion, that create the kind of leaders that people want to follow. Management  is just another term for dealing with people, which requires you to understand your staff on a personal level, not as your employees, but as people that they are. Only then can you motivate, mentor and develop them into becoming the best that they can be, and that is the only sure route to building a strong organisation. Author: Rana Hein-Hartmann is Director EMEA of  Funds Partnership,  a specialist firm for mid-senior hires in Asset Management and Asset Servicing operating throughout Europe and Asia. RELATED:  Are You a  Manager  of Teams or a  Leader  of People?

How to Present a Resume As Objective

How to Present a Resume As ObjectiveIf you are looking for resume writing tips for objective, then this article will show you some of the ways that you can benefit from it. Objective is one of the first things that many people think about when they write a resume, so learning how to present it in the best way is one of the best resume writing tips for objective.To start with, consider how you will be presenting your objective. It is important to think about what it means to you. For example, if you have been working as a customer service representative for a long time, your objective should be to help others, not get paid by doing so. You may want to make it more personal, such as 'I want to help people'I want to be able to do something that makes me happy'.Once you have chosen your objective, write your job description. Your job description should be clear and specific, and you should outline the responsibilities for each position in your company. If you can include objectives that apply to each job description, you can also use them throughout your resume.Be sure to include your business name as well as your phone number, address, fax number, and e-mail address. Keep the contact information organized. This will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to contact you if they need to interview you.One of the best resume writing tips for objective is to explain your position in detail. It should not only include the job title, but you should also mention the duties and responsibilities that you will be responsible for.Remember that employers do not look at the content of your resume. They are looking for keywords. You should be using relevant keywords that are linked to your objective.Once you have finished writing your objective, think about how you will attach it to your resume. Try using bullets, bold text, or a heading that lets the reader know where to stop reading the resume.In conclusion, if you are trying to get your resume noticed, think about how you can present your objective. It will help to focus on the 'who' rather than the 'what' of your job.

10 Things that can Really Bomb Your Job Interview - CareerMetis.com

10 Things that can Really Bomb Your Job Interview Source â€" Pexels.comYour interview is with a reputable organization and there are significant opportunities for advancement.If you practice these 10 steps, however, you will look like every other candidate and reduce the chances of getting recruited to zero.1. Have askin-deep understandingof the organizationThis is an effective way to communicate that they’re not all that important to you and that whatever their challenges are, your skills and experience will save their day. Make it about you not them.2. Showing minimal interestevalMention that they are only one of many organizations vying for your talents so it’sno big dealif they want you or not.3. Stress yourplanning skillsand the strategies you have developed in previous positions. If you have no practical experience creating strategic plans, promote the business courses you have taken as the primary tools of strategy success.Point out that the strategy development process is, after all, an academic exercise. Wax on about th e importance of spending as much time on the plan as needed to enhance the probability of success.Never mention theimportance of plan execution; it’s messy and definitely not a “sexy” thing to talk about.4. Focus on the importance ofbeing perfectSay that your education has taught you to be a perfectionist. Show that you will go to great ends and spend as much time as is necessary to seek perfect solutions to the challenges you are given.This will definitely display your immaturity and enhance your non-candidate status.5. Bevery generalwhen answering the question “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”It’s very important to be as vague as you can. You don’t want to be pinned down with anything specific as you could be pressed for specific achievements.evalFor strengths, use phrases like “strong interpersonal skills”, “a good team player” and “effective communicator”.For weaknesses, “I take on too much” or “I haven’t solved the work-life issue yet; I work too much” are good responses.6.Don’t askthe interviewer tough and penetrating questionsLob gently to enable the interviewer to feel smart about his answers and superior to you. This is critical for not standing out.You don’t want the interviewer to feel that you are interviewing him to determine if your interests are best served by their organization.7. Wear standard boringbusiness attireevalIt’s important to not display any imagination orwillingness to be contrarian.8. Play down yourambitionYou will certainly be asked where you would like to be in five years. Don’t make it appear that you have bold aspirations to advance. Avoid being specific.Possible answers to consider are “If I do a good job I would like to get a promotion at some point” or avoid the matter completely by answering “I don’t really know. I just want to make a solid contribution and trust that my efforts would be duly recognized.”9. Never show you have abackboneRun from pointed questions. Avoid sticking your chin out with anything that could be construed as controversial.10. Be ready for the “Why should I hire youas opposed to one of the other applicants?” Your answer to this is critical if you don’t want to be viewed as remarkable and unique. The key is to actually ignore the intent of the question.Talk about what you think are your strengths and ignore the fact that everyone else has them. Paint yourself into thecrowd of peoplewho generally have the skills and experience you have. You can’t be identifiable in the crowd.Follow these steps and you will blend in with all other interviewees; step out and you will be noticed and just MAYBE get what you want.Which do you choose?

Assessment Centre advice - QA - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Assessment Centre advice - QA This article is a QA with Jeremy Kin. Mr Kin is an MSc organisational psychologist, assessor and coach at JobTestPrep. Listen to him give his invaluable Assessment Centre advice to a JobTestPrep team member: Why are the Assessment Centres used? Past research has shown that Assessment Centres are good at simulating real workplace scenarios. In particular, they can induce real stress and show how people interact with both superiors and subordinates. As an assessor, what is your role at an Assessment Centre? My role is to assess candidates in four main areas. Let me break them down for you: One is cognitive skills. This includes the candidates ability at coming across intelligent, planning ahead, seeing the full picture, self-expression, being creative, fluent thinking, procedural thinking and being aware of the consequences of their actions. The second area I explore is the candidates working etiquette. I look to see if the candidate is serious, energetic, reliable, independent, initiative-taking, task-orientated and competitive. But! Its important to remember that different traits are valued differently depending on the position you are applying for. So, be sure to research the position before attending the Assessment Centre. Next, we have interpersonal capabilities. Whether the candidate is cooperative, easy to get along with, empathetic, a good listener, compromising and respectful of his or her superiors. Truthfully, I am really focusing on the candidates criticality of others and, if there, how it is used in a constructive manner. Meaning, how do they cope with criticism? If its relevant, the last category I look into is managerial capabilities. Is the candidate assertive, dominant, capable of making decisions? Does he or she show strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others? In your opinion, how do people usual slip-up during an Assessment Day? Stress is a big one. Many candidates allow stress to manage them instead of managing the stress they feel. Secondly, their approach or passive or aggressive behaviour. You have to realise that the Assessment Centres can last for hours. As the hours pass, candidates become angry about a situation they deemed stupid. They become easily offended by the psychologist or other people in the group. Always remember to not take anything personally and breathe. Is there anything a candidate could do at an Assessment Centre that would be an immediate red-flag? Being disrespectful to the situation or the psychologist. This is apparent when candidates roll their eyes, laugh inappropriately or answer their phones during Assessment Centre activities. Dont be offended by the psychologists behaviour! â€" It is often intentional to see your response. What really impresses you? It depends on the role I am assessing. In general, I look for calm, task-orientated candidates who take the day seriously and are respectful to others. Furthermore, determination â€" when the candidate keeps trying even after he has failed personally or during a group exercise. Do you have any Assessment Centre advice â€" particularly when a candidate interactions with the psychologist? The psychologist is your manager for the day. Approach the psychologist as you would your manager in real life. How should candidates go about introducing themselves? Firstly, in terms of non-verbal communication â€" sit straight, look others in the eye, be confident! As for what to say start with biographical info, then your education (what/when/where) and then go on to your work experience. Do you have any advice for candidates who are requested to give a presentation at the Assessment Centre? Dont put hands in pockets. Look your audience in the eye, confidence is the key! Also, be aware of your time frame. Ill give you another tip. If appropriate, appoint someone in the group to watch the time for you and let you know when to move on â€" this also shows the assessor that you have taken time into account. And, of course, be clear! Your presentation should have a clear structure. Introduce your topic in a nutshell. Present the problem, present your answers, summarise and leave room for questions. Do you have any advice for the group decision-making exercise? In the group exercise, be sure to express your opinion and be willing to really listen to others opinions. Moreover, if after assessing the legitimacy of someone elses opinion you deem it to be better than yours, you should be willing to accept their opinion. If, however, you think its not â€" try and convince the others that your opinion is more suitable. Can you give any advice on the in-tray exercise? The big issue around in-tray exercises is prioritising. I recommend splitting the tasks into three: very urgent, important and can be postponed. Start addressing the most important things. What the Assessment Centre assessor is looking for is differentiation.  For example, if you decided that your priority is a budget meeting an hour from now, this makes all items to do with budgets critical. This means that an email about your sons birthday or other important company issues is not your first priority. If you have two urgent matters and have to decide what to prioritise, you have to make a decision that you will be able to explain later. It is important that you are aware of your decisions and that you can explain them. My last piece of advice is that while it is important that you take care of critical matters, less critical tasks can and should be delegated to others. You should take advantage of websites such as JobTestPrep who allow you to take full-length in-tray exercises. How can candidates prepare for an Assessment Centre? Is there such thing as Assessment Centre practice? Know the job you are applying for and being aware of the skills that you will need so that you can best play to your strengths is a start. You can also become familiar with the tasks used at your specific Assessment Centre â€" knowledge is power as the saying goes. Another tip is trying and integrate some de-stressors before or during the Assessment Centre. This could be as simple as having a cup of coffee, talking to someone from the group or reading your favourite novel â€" whatever works for you. My company, JobTestPrep also offers a real Assessment Centre simulation, conducted face-to-face. This is a great way of reducing your stress by giving you the awareness of how the real day is likely to pan out. Do you look for different things at a Graduate Assessment Centre? Not entirely. For graduates, I look for potential â€" someone motivated to succeed, who is energetic and task-orientated. I would expect graduates to have the ability to learn new things, accept criticism and be respectful to managers â€" or in this case, the psychologists. Most of the other things come from experience which the graduates will learn on the job. Can you give an example of where someone really stood out at in an Assessment Centre? There was a time when the group was requested to build paper planes to fulfill certain criteria. Someone offered to do a quality assurance check for the group at the end. This indicated broad-thinking, and that the candidate was task-orientated. And when did someone stand out for negative reasons? The group was requested to build a bridge out of pipe cleaners and forgot to add a platform for the cars to reach the bridge. When asked why they didnt build a platform, instead of taking responsibility for their failed planning, the group made the excuse that they werent asked to do that â€" which exhibited narrow-mindedness. Do you have any other Assessment Centre advice? Yes! Approach your Assessment Centre day knowing that you are the only person who is responsible for the impression you make. Dont make excuses like the psychologist isnt nice, the other people in the group are too aggressive, I felt awful. Regardless of all environmental scenarios, it is you and you alone who are responsible for your behaviour at the Assessment Centre.