Saturday, May 30, 2020

Review Kinetic Resume (software)

Review Kinetic Resume (software) Earlier this year I met Brian Briggs, founder of Kinetic Resume. One thing I love about meeting entrepreneurs who have invented their own product is that they are very, very passionate about what theyve come up with (and with good reason)! Brian is no exception. Brian is the brains behind Kinetic Resume. Weve had a chance to talk in-depth about where he is coming from and where he is headed, and spent some time going over the product, Kinetic Resume. Heres my very brief run-down of what it is (or, what I like): Kinetic Resume is software to download and put on your PC It presents a hand-holding process that helps you understand what should be on your resume Its almost therapeutic in that it walks you through a number of questions, beyond just the fill-in-the-blank stuff, to help you figure out more who you are and what you want It has all the little cheats, tips and helps such as action words, etc. to help put the shine on your resume It has some kind of logical validation that checks for too many uses of a certain phrase and other irregularities It takes your data and allows you to spit it out into various formats (word, rich text, etc.) this is a life-saver for anyone that knows how easy it is to mess up a regular word document It has some nice features such as drag-and-drop and video tutorials (to help understand the whys of the process, not just how to use the software) A lot of thought has gone into this product. Its not for the faint of heart as youll really need to buckle down and go through the exercises. Introspection is never easy and dont expect this process to be a cake walk. Is this a replacement for resume writers? Not at all. Brian says Wed also agree with you that no software product will ever replace a good professional resume writer. This is for Do It Yourself (DIY) folks that want to try and figure out all this stuff on their own, and think that going through the process on your own adds tremendous value. I agree with this you SHOULD understand all the stuff youll realize once you are done with Kinetic Resume process (or else you didnt do it right).Check out the KineticResume website. Youll want to take the two-minute video introduction and then download the free trial. If you choose to upgrade its pretty inexpensive (right now its $29.95), in my opinion. Also, the folks behind Kinetic Resume are offering a special discount to one of the big layoffs that was announced recently. If you worked at Motorola and got the boot youll be interested in this press release. If you dont get what you think you should, or you arent getting results when you are done, dont hesitate to call in a professional. Have you used resume software to put your resumes together? The only other one that Im familiar with is Emurse.com, but these two are dramatically different products. Tell me your experiences (here are CM Russells thoughts). Employeescreen IQ provides background checks to companies globally. Review Kinetic Resume (software) Earlier this year I met Brian Briggs, founder of Kinetic Resume. One thing I love about meeting entrepreneurs who have invented their own product is that they are very, very passionate about what theyve come up with (and with good reason)! Brian is no exception. Brian is the brains behind Kinetic Resume. Weve had a chance to talk in-depth about where he is coming from and where he is headed, and spent some time going over the product, Kinetic Resume. Heres my very brief run-down of what it is (or, what I like): Kinetic Resume is software to download and put on your PC It presents a hand-holding process that helps you understand what should be on your resume Its almost therapeutic in that it walks you through a number of questions, beyond just the fill-in-the-blank stuff, to help you figure out more who you are and what you want It has all the little cheats, tips and helps such as action words, etc. to help put the shine on your resume It has some kind of logical validation that checks for too many uses of a certain phrase and other irregularities It takes your data and allows you to spit it out into various formats (word, rich text, etc.) this is a life-saver for anyone that knows how easy it is to mess up a regular word document It has some nice features such as drag-and-drop and video tutorials (to help understand the whys of the process, not just how to use the software) A lot of thought has gone into this product. Its not for the faint of heart as youll really need to buckle down and go through the exercises. Introspection is never easy and dont expect this process to be a cake walk. Is this a replacement for resume writers? Not at all. Brian says Wed also agree with you that no software product will ever replace a good professional resume writer. This is for Do It Yourself (DIY) folks that want to try and figure out all this stuff on their own, and think that going through the process on your own adds tremendous value. I agree with this you SHOULD understand all the stuff youll realize once you are done with Kinetic Resume process (or else you didnt do it right).Check out the KineticResume website. Youll want to take the two-minute video introduction and then download the free trial. If you choose to upgrade its pretty inexpensive (right now its $29.95), in my opinion. Also, the folks behind Kinetic Resume are offering a special discount to one of the big layoffs that was announced recently. If you worked at Motorola and got the boot youll be interested in this press release. If you dont get what you think you should, or you arent getting results when you are done, dont hesitate to call in a professional. Have you used resume software to put your resumes together? The only other one that Im familiar with is Emurse.com, but these two are dramatically different products. Tell me your experiences (here are CM Russells thoughts). Employeescreen IQ provides background checks to companies globally.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Writing an Applying For a Job in 2020

Writing an Applying For a Job in 2020Writing an application for employment has become increasingly difficult with the internet playing such a large part in the way we work and live. Gone are the days of a standard resume and cover letter when we were all used to having a job, getting to work on time and spending time with our family.However, the increase in internet and technology has also led to the increase in bad resumes and applications. With the use of a template you can rest assured that you will be receiving a resume that matches your current skills and experience level. The majority of companies now rely on a structured application form which you can submit from the comfort of your own home.Most people who have a professional degree now have the opportunity to attend university or college on a computer and hence the need for using quality paper and ink based printing company. They have the technology to print custom resume and cover letter templates that allow you to find a p erfect match between your resume and cover letter.With a template to make sure you can create the perfect resume there is nothing stopping you from having the best outcome from your application. The fact is that most employers are looking for a candidate who has applied for a position in the past.You should now have a resume to match. But now comes the next step of making sure you put the same into practice. The problem with most resumes is that they are not effective because of spelling errors, grammar errors and poor formatting.The point of a resume is to get the employer to read it. This should be an appealing and eye catching resume and cover letter that stands out above all others. It should be simple and easy to read.However, if the resume is hard to read the chances are that it will not get you a call back. These are mistakes that you do not want to make. Some things that you should always do when creating a resume and cover letter are always taken the time to proofread it pr operly and save any mistakes or spelling errors that you may have made.Also you should always keep the templates that you have in front of you at all times. The templates will help you create your resume and cover letter for the perfect job application. If you want to avoid these mistakes then you need to use templates that are easy to use and they will be able to save you a lot of time and effort.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Pay Attention - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Pay Attention - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Weve heard this since time immemorial. From the time we were in kindergarten and first grade all the way through college and into our professional careers. Pay Attention One of my favorite movies is Inside Man where the main character Dalton Russell, played by Clive Owen, says something  near the end of the movie. He says: Pay strict attention to what I say because I choose my words carefully and I never repeat myself. ~ Dalton Russell Then he follows it with very crisp, cogent, and concise instructions for what you should pay attention to. Where he details The 5W’s  â€" The Who, Where, What, Where, and Why. If youve seen the movie you know what Im talking about. If you havent seen it I highly recommend it. I wrote How to use POP on the Job   where the The 5W’s play a critical role. He knows precisely what he is Paying Attention to and uses The 5W’s to help us  know too. You may want to try this model to focus your attention. You are what you pay attention to I have said for years that I can tell you everything you want to know about someone and specifically about what they prioritize, by looking at their calendar. Which is really just another way of saying you are what you pay attention to Everyone only has 24 hours in a day. Everyone can only do so much in those 24 hours. Choose Wisely! See Plan Your Days … or Else for more about paying attention to the time you have. Hint: 86,400 If you want to stand out in your career … pay attention. Manage your time and your calendar wisely. There is no judgment here The point of this post is NOT to tell you what to pay attention to. It is also NOT to judge on anything that you prioritize and you pay attention to. It is merely to point out this somewhat obvious fact that we are what we pay attention to. What are you paying attention to?

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

How To Send an InMail That Actually Gets a Response

How To Send an InMail That Actually Gets a Response You are probably reading this because, like most people on LinkedIn, you want to know how to send an InMail message that gets a response.We have all struggled with knowing the best way to get someone to respond.The suggestions you’ll see below will make getting a response much more likely.As a result, it should improveyour chances of reaching the goal you have for communicating... whether it's building a network or landing a job. Be RelatableWhen sending an InMail, you want to find something relatable you can talk about in order to make the message personal.Take time to visit the person’s profile on LinkedIn. Look through it to find something you can mention to them. Find common ground and utilize it in your message.This will make the recipient more likely to respond to you because your message stands out from all the other messages they’re receiving.It shows you took the time to get to know them before sending a message.Be EngagingUse words that suggest you want to engage with this person.They are more likely to respond when you say things that suggest continuing a conversation, such as, “Let’s connect.”Give them something to talk aboutand respond to.You want to sound like a human took the time to craft a thoughtful message, not a robot that sent a mass message to 100 different people.The other person is not as likely to respond if you don’t ask them a question, or provide them with a relevant topic to converseabout.Be StraightforwardLinkedIn allows up to 2,000 characters when sending an InMail.In order to have the highest response rate, we recommend sending anywhere from 500-1,000 characters to avoid being too wordy.While you should be straightforward, don’t ask for too much right away. Make sure to keep it natural, explain why you’re trying to connect. Don’t make it all about what they can do for you.If there is too much content, there is a chance they won’t read everything.Get to the point yet rememberthat you are trying to create a co nversation.Don't Worry About TimingPeople tend to think of sending messages as a form of science.In reality, you should feel free to send a message when you have one to send.There is no need to waste time or energy figuring out when is the best time of day or the best day of the week to send messages.Studies have been done and found that there is no right time to send messages.We worry about avoiding Mondays and Fridays, thinking people won’t respond.We often feel that time of day is important too ... but don't worry about it. It turns out thatpeople will respond on their own time, regardless of where the stars, sun, and planets were whenyou sent them the message.Don't Be Too SpecificIt can be tempting to get too specific in your initial communication, but you want to wait to provide all the details after their first response.Avoid discussing things like a time they might be available for a call, or mentioning salary detailsif you are looking for a job.Don’t want to provide so m any details that you overwhelm the reader. Allow them time to warm up to you before you give them too much information. If they don’t feel that initial bond, they won’t feel any desire to help you.If you take the time to find a commonality, they will be more inclined to continue the conversation.Provide an IntroductionYour recipient will not likely visit your profile to figure out who you are.When sending a message, always be sure to give a brief description of yourself as a polite and convenient form of introduction.Providing this lets them know who you are. It shows you’re serious about connecting with them.This is also another way for you to be relatable.Without an introduction, the person reading your message will have a difficult time trying to relate to you.They want to know who you areand why you are messaging them.Remember the Subject LineThis may be the most important step.Be sure to remember the subject linewhile crafting your InMail on LinkedIn.Keep it interesting, personal, and simple. Keep it to no more than five words.Many people don’t take the time to go through every message they receive.If the person doesn’t even take the time to open your message, you will never have the chance to connect with them.Create a thoughtful subject line andyou will be much more likely to get them to open your message and continue reading.ConclusionIn conclusion, there are a lot of ways to send an effective InMail on LinkedIn.Make sure to follow these do’s and don’ts before sending your next InMail.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Boardroom Resume Writing Jobs Is More Common Than You May Think

Boardroom Resume Writing Jobs Is More Common Than You May ThinkIt is a fact that more companies are looking for qualified candidates for boardroom resume writing jobs. In the past, companies often held on to their resumes for years, which allowed the writers to feel as if they were less important when it came time to find jobs.The companies that were willing to accept resumes had to do so by using search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN and others. All they had to do was type in the job title and then pay any fee that might be charged by the companies that provided this service.The companies were not happy about this process as it took them longer to search through the resumes, but they were willing to take the time to review the resumes, as it was cheaper to hire someone to write a boardroom resume than it was to employ a new employee. The programs actually saved the companies money because they did not have to pay the workers that wrote these resumes and the writers did not get a chance to make any sales.Nowadays, the process has changed as there are companies that offer the services of hiring the writers, while also providing the writers with the right resume templates that they need to write resumes for boards. Since the goal of these companies is to provide a free service to the individuals who will be writing resumes, they are willing to offer templates that fit the needs of the writer. They have developed a writing system that allows these individuals to write a resume in just a few minutes that requires less work.The programs are designed so that the individual's skills can be put into practice and the resume can be quickly formatted so that it is easy to read and easy to analyze. The job that the writer will be writing for each company will be located within the header of the resume and the person will receive an e-mail alert as soon as the job has been filled.This means that the person who is filling out these resumes can easily determine which job was found and which one was not. It also makes it easier for the individual to get the job that they want, especially since most job listing sites offer a multiple candidate application, which means that the more resumes that are submitted to the company, the greater chance that the individual will get hired.These companies have created resume writing software that makes it easy for any person to write resumes on their own with little or no experience in this field. The software makes it possible for the writer to create a very professional resume that will highlight their skills and abilities.The entire process is so simple that it makes it easy for anyone to fill out resumes for boards with a little research and a lot of practice. They can learn how to create the right format to attract the attention of the potential employer and how to update these resumes as they apply for jobs in a relatively short amount of time.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

How To Cope With FOMO

How To Cope With FOMO How do you choose what to attend and what to skip? For my husband, it’s easy. He’s got a clear set of priorities and if something doesn’t fit into one of the buckets, he doesn’t do it. No anxiety, guilt or anguish before or after the fact. All I can say is, “Wow. Can I have some of that?” If you’re one of those lucky people who can parse through the myriad of choices we have in life dispassionately, the rest of us would like to learn from you. FOMO Can Happen to Anyone I was reminded of this when reading Jayne Ronayne’s post “The Conference Conundrum: FOMO” where she writes about the Fear of Missing Out when choosing which conferences to attend. FOMO /‘foe-moe/ Fear of Missing Outnoun â€" Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere Oxford Dictionaries As a longstanding FOMO sufferer (expert?), I had two reactions. First, what a relief that there’s finally a 2-syllable diagnosis that I can even admit to in public. And second, I am not alone. Right now, I’m just loving the 21st Century and the Millenials (and fellow FOMO types) who coined the term! All that said, it’s really worthwhile to get over the FOMO state of living. It’s exhausting and keeps us from doing our very best work. And the world needs us to do our very best. 4 Ways To Handle FOMO Here are four strategies I’ve learned to cope with FOMO (well, actually I’m still working on it…!). Head Check: You can use logic if you’re a [left] brain type. Ask yourself these questions. The answers should clear a path to the best choice for you. What’s my ultimate goal? To what extent does this opportunity contribute to my achieving that goal? What is the likelihood of this opportunity (or a similar one) coming around again later? What the upside of saying yes versus the upside of saying no? Heart Check: This is particularly helpful if you’re an empathizer (rather than a systemizer â€" see Simon Baron-Cohen’s book, The Essential Difference: Men, Women and the Extreme Male Brain) who doesn’t want to hurt people’s feelings, has a hard time saying no, and has a strong sense of obligation. In which case, here are a few questions to ask yourself before saying yes: What assumptions am I making about the other person’s feelings, and what proof do I have that they are accurate? Is it really going to hurt the other person if I say no? Am I projecting my own feelings and my worst fears onto them? Gut Check: This one is about trusting your gut instincts. You have to create the conditions that allow those gut instincts to shine through. That means stepping back and creating a calm headspace to figure out the following: What’s a time when you felt truly in your element? That’s a 10 on your gut check scale of 1-10. Then think of how this opportunity makes you feel â€" how does it rate on the gut check scale? If it isn’t at least an 8, then don’t do it. Tough Love: The truth is, of course there are other interesting events going on and you will be missing them. In fact, you’re missing things right now that you don’t even know exist. And is that ruining your life? No. So stop worrying about making the wrong choices. Just choose one, learn from it, and make adjustments the next time if necessary. You’re going to have loads of choices to make. Stop worrying about making the wrong choices. Just choose one, learn from it and make adjustments. Leaders Say No To FOMO The bottom line is that if you’re going to be an effective leader, you’re going to need to make choices about how you spend your time, what projects you take on, and where you place your strategic chips. That means staying “on mission”, and saying yes to only those things that keep you on the through-line to your goal. And keeping that FOMO under control. Sometimes, saying no creates more opportunity than saying yes. And experience is what helps you make the right choices. So, the more choices you make, the better you’ll be at making them… and making them well. Just keep choosing, and know that to succeed, we will by definition miss out on more things than we take on. Now, what’s your best strategy for dealing with FOMO? Share it in the comments below.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How to Master the Finer Details of Interviewing

How to Master the Finer Details of Interviewing How to Master the Finer Details of Interviews   Killer resume? Check. New suit for the interview? Check. Hair and  makeup  on point? Check.  You  have  probably  mastered these important aspects of job hunting and interviewing.  But, what about the often overlooked but equally important  finer details?   “When you’re competing for that one job opening and going against so many other highly-talented individuals, it’s the finer details that are going to help you stand out,”  says  Sharon Schweitzer, an employment attorney, cross cultural trainer,  and modern manners expert.   Once you  have been  asked to come in for the initial interview, the first five seconds of meeting the recruiter or hiring manager  are  critical.  â€œAs the saying goes,  it only takes a few seconds to make a first impression,” Schweitzer said.     When recruiters search for talent, the reality is it can be challenging to find the best candidate because so many people have years of experience and strong skills.  Therefore, instead of focusing on IQ or traditional intelligence, the focus in recent years has  been  on  the  finer details, like  EQ or emotional intelligence.   Schweitzer adds:  â€œToday, the trend is for hiring managers to pay more attention to EQ, and many give it more weight than IQ.  EQ helps recruiters gauge how well you will interact with clients and your coworkers. It shows us if you’re empathetic, understanding, flexible and the right fit for the team.     By paying  attention to the finer details,  you just might  get a recruiter  or hiring manager  to take a liking to you.  Be sure to keep the bar high with your networking meetings, too.  Here are three ways to improve your EQ and stand out from the crowd at your next interview  or networking meeting.   1 Tell your story.   “The secret sauce is storytelling,” Schweitzer  says. Show up to the interview with short stories demonstrating how you put your skills to use. Describe a time you kept your cool in a pressure-packed situation. Recount the day you turned an angry customer into a lifelong one. Recall the meeting when everyone was out of solutions and your non-traditional idea saved the day.   2 Use your manners.   Perhaps one of the most important skills in both a professional setting and in life is having good manners. Afterall, who wants  someone with a great skillset who is rude, obnoxious  or  rubs your customers  or employees  the wrong way?   Schweitzer suggests:  â€œSay please and thank you. Hold the door  open  for people. Avoid speaking poorly of your previous employer or anyone else. If your interview is over lunch, exhibit excellent table manners because this is a direct reflection on you and your character. Immediately after the interview, within 24-48 hours,  send a handwritten thank you note.”  You know, all the stuff your parents taught you.     3 Do your homework.   Remember  that  an interview is not only a chance for an employer to get to know you, it  is  also  your chance to show your knowledge about them.  â€œWhen  talking  with the interviewer, drop in some facts that  show you’ve done your homework,”  Schweitzer said. Show them you are familiar with the company’s history, some of their recent success,  or  key stakeholders. Even better, come prepared with a  challenge  they are currently facing, and show them how you  would  help solve  it.   Today’s  job market is tight,  and you are competing  with  a lot of  great talent. Everyone has the basics covered.  Paying attention to the finer details that others often neglect  will make you  stand out  and  help you land your next  job.     Join Dana Manciagli’s  Job Search Master Class ®  now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!