6 Tips for Revamping Your Job Search in 2017

6 Tips for Revamping Your Job Search in 2017 Its  a brand new year, which means its the perfect day to ramp up your job search. But what can you do to pump up the job hunting? Read our top 6 techniques that you should be using in your job search. Read on for the full set of tips! 1) Use social media to its full potential: If youre looking for something to ramp up your job search its definitely social media. Get your personal brand out there potential employers could be on the networks you least suspect them to be on. Dont just stick with LinkedIn get yourself on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Where else do you have access to the top CEOs of your dream job? So get online and start communicating with people who could get you into your dream position. 2) Get creative with your CV: CVs are often thought of as boring documents that are necessary for the job search. And of course, theyre definitely an important factor in any job search. But why not have some fun with your CV? Now I dont mean you have to go crazy, but why not introduce some colour, graphics or design to perk it up? A stand-out  CV could be the difference between an interview and a rejection. 3) Allow yourself time off: If you had a job, would you work 7 days a week, with no weekend or days off? Of course not! Bare this in mind when youre job hunting you need time off to concentrate on other things and refresh your mind. Think of job hunting as a job in itself Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. 4) Network: If you feel like your job search is going nowhere, amp up the networking! Its a great way to meet new people, and discover new positions that you may be suitable for. Networking can happen online and offline, so don;t be afraid to pick up that phone and ask to meet someone for a coffee! 5) Volunteer: Good old fashioned volunteer work can actually be a good way to break into a new industry or gain some useful experience to improve your CV. Companies may not advertise there volunteer opportunities, so ring up and ask at some of the companies you would like to work for. 6) Create a hot list: This is a great way to visualise your targets. Write down a list of 30 or 40 companies that youd love to work for and use these as your focus for job search. Are you revamping your job search for 2017? Wed love to hear your top tips, so tweet them to @UndercoverRec!

The Big Five

The Big Five Woody Allen photo courtesy of swotti.com Tony Alessandra, PH.D, is the author of Charisma: Seven Keys to Developing the Magnetism that Leads to Success. His book discusses ways to increase your personal magnetism, or charisma. His theory is that there are several components of charisma, all of which we possess to one degree or another.   We can also improve our command of all the components. It’s probably no accident that Alessandra’s components of charisma include the same elements that psychologists use to describe personality.   Known as “the Big Five,” the components of personality can be measured and be used to predict how effective people will be in varied situations or on the job. The Big Five traits include: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness,  and neuroticism.   (Follow links for official definitions form Wikipedia.) All of us possess these traits on a spectrum of “very” to “not at all,” and it’s the variety that makes us all unique and human nature so fascinating. Unlike the components of charisma, these traits are hard wired into our personalities, and are not generally something you can simply decide to change. Openness is about curiosity and being open to new experiences.   Some of us thrive on new and interesting experiences and some of us are simply more cautious and resistant to change. If you’re wondering how to learn this quickly about a new acquaintance or team member, ask them about food. In my experience, this is the perfect litmus test of how open someone is to change and new environments.   I have never met a person whose food style did not match their curiosity factor. When you meet someone who says “I’m really just a meat and potatoes guy,” he’s really telling you that he’s most comfortable when things are the way they’ve always been.   That’s not a bad thing, unless you’re a change agent looking to shake things up.   The way we eat is the way we think. Show me someone who’s experimenting with Moroccan cuisine this year (after mastering Korean last year) and I’ll show you someone who is a risk taker and not afraid to try new things in other aspects of her life. Conscientiousness is about structure versus spontaneity.   How likely you are to follow the rules and desire to achieve goals is determined by your score on this trait. Employers often test for this for that reason; psychologists have discovered that workers who score lower are less likely to follow safety guidelines and other procedures. Extraversion and introversion are well understood, and I’ve written about them in business before. We can all exhibit signs of extraversion and introversion at times, and the Big Five models allows for a more nuanced spectrum of behavior instead of simply putting you in one category or the other. Agreeableness is one of those concepts that we always understand intuitively and are surprised that someone takes the time to study and define. This is the “niceness” factor, and there really are places in the U.S. where people score higher in droves.   Midwesterners and southerners do indeed score measurably higher on this trait, according to researchers. And make no mistake about it, this score will affect your ability to get and keep a job. You may not give a darn what people think, but they give a big darn about the fact that you don’t. Finally, neuroticism, a trait that has made as many careers as it has ruined (Woody Allen and almost every comedian, actor and writer you’ve ever heard of.) For average people, it’s a little harder to leverage your neuroses into promotions. We’ve all got an inner Woody Allen, but how much you let him run the show is going to have a big effect on how well you work and play with others. Your level of neuroticism is related to chemical reactions in your brain, and yes, the same study found that the eastern states, including New York, have higher scores in this trait. I suspect Woody Allen has issues with openness, too.  He’s credited with saying, “Im astounded by people who want to know the universe when its hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.”

Photographs to Enhance Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Photographs to Enhance Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career A photo is around a long time, plus, in seconds, it can be transmitted around the world via social media. Good spontaneous photos don’t just happen. You need to think it through in advance so you have the photo readiness not the photophobia â€" that delivers the message you want. I saw comedian George Carlin during a promotion tour of one of his books. When people asked to be photographed with him he agreed, and in every shot would hold his hand in a “thumbs up” gesture toward the other person. It instantly animated the photo plus maintained the self-esteem of the person by making it look as though Carlin was giving him or her thumbs up. A friend of mine talked about her friend Carly Fiorina. “During Compaq negotiations she didn’t want to be photographed, but she was aware that she was anyway. She held her head high, maintained a slight smile so when it happened it turned out favorable.” Later I read a quote from Carly Fiorina, CEO, Hewlett-Packard, “I’m a very deliberate person. It doesn’t mean I’m infallible. But deliberate. Very little happens by accident.” If you have to have one done, you might as well take action to ensure the photo sends the message you want. At an event, size up the area and move to where the photo has better background and lighting. Light facing you, not behind you, is better so that you don’t look “shady.” Button your coat jacket to appear neater and conceal your stomach hanging out. Turn at a slight angle, it’s more flattering to the camera’s eye than straight on. Have an arm bent at the waist slightly away from your sides (like you were holding a drink) to look relaxed, even though it doesn’t seem more relaxed. Don’t be holding a drink in your hand, even if it’s water. To the photo viewers you’re a “drinker,” a party person. It becomes your “history” because it’s in print, and it sticks in their heads. The cliché “a photo is worth a thousand words” is true. Reach out and touch another person in the photograph if possible. But keep your posture erect and don’t slump or lean on someone or something. Widen your eyes, make your neck longer, but also lower your chin and put your head like sliding it on a shelf so the photo shot isn’t up your nose. Push your face forward slightly to jump into the picture. Keep your head level. Look the photographer in the eye (even though you can’t really see the person’s eyes). The famous paparazzi, Ron Galella, said, “Eye contact makes for a good picture.” Have a comfortable smile and engage your eyes. If it’s a formal setting with a professional photographer think through what you want as a finished photo; don’t just rely on the photographer posing you. Prior to the session review business publications you read and pay attention to photographs of executives. Think how different poses, dress, backdrops, and so on affect you. Tear out and give samples of the ones you’re impressed with to the photographer. It’s more efficient for him or her to see what you have in mind.

How to Land Your Dream Graduate Job

How to Land Your Dream Graduate Job Earning your college degree opens doors to a number of career choices, but it takes surprising effort to step through those doors. Those with masters degrees may have an easier path.  No one expects to be handed a job, but many don’t expect challenging interview questions and online assessments either. Graduates must carefully prepare for their job search. They must know who they are, what they want and the proper steps to succeed. The following tips will help you maximise your potential for landing your dream job. Get your CV together Know who you are and be expected to share that information with potential employers. This is where the curriculum vitae (CV) is important. Employers request a CV from every applicant, which means they’ve seen one from every person who’s received an interview. Your CV must stand out to them. There are a number of templates from which you can work, but as that’s the route many will take, it is worth the extra time and effort to start from scratch. Begin with the job description for each job you are applying. What important points and key terms stand out to you? These are items you’ll want to include in your CV. Along with your personal details and references, you will list your educational background, your work experience and any relevant skills that aren’t work-related. With each of these sections, include achievements and responsibilities wording them specifically to fit with the information gleaned from the job description. Be sure to keep it between two and three pages; use reverse chronological order as well as action verbs when describing your education and work history; and search for CV examples to help you perfect your formatting. With an all-inclusive, custom curriculum vitae, you’re ready to prepare for your interview. More on CVs at Why Your CV is Boring and Ineffective. Get your applicant collateral together Your CV already holds a wealth of knowledge, but you will be asked to expand on the information you provide. Write out a list of examples describing times you’ve led a team of others, solved a problem or handled unexpected obstacles. Add to that list any instances you are particularly proud of explaining what happened, how you were involved and the outcome. Now memorize this list, and you will be equipped to answer any of the questions that typically catch interviewees off guard. Get suited and booted Knowing what to wear is equally as important as knowing what to say. Dress as though you already have the job. Is a suit required, or is it a business casual environment? Never wear denim trousers or t-shirts. In fact, if it’s a casual workplace that has no dress code, the interviewee should still dress professionally. There is only one time this rule can be disobeyed: if the interviewer specifically tells you to dress a certain way, listen to them. More on how to dress at Professionalism in the Workplace: Myth, Mystery or Must? Get in the right frame of mind Your choice of clothing won’t matter if you do not have the right attitude. Being negative, arrogant or outwardly terrified will be detrimental to your job search. Instead, keep it simple: be friendly and be confident. Remembering you manners, using eye contact, sitting up straight and speaking clearly and thoughtfully will guarantee you your best possible interview. Get ready for interviewing Many employers are using pre-screening online assessments to filter through applications even quicker. These tests examine your skills and ethics, and while answering honestly is the easiest way to pass, many applicants find them to be intimidating. The fact is, by following the tips above; you’re already prepared for the test. You need to know the company, and you need to know yourself. By completing a custom CV preparing for your interview, you’ve already got these answers. Familiarize yourself with additional information about the company that could be quiz-worthy, read each question carefully and take your time answering. Finally, take practice tests beforehand. Online assessments are available from a number of sites for your benefit. Practice tests will familiarise you with the structure as well as providing sample questions. More on interviews at 17 Ways to Interview Like a Pro. Get ready for success! Writing a custom curriculum vitae, preparing for your interview, dressing the part and practicing sample pre-screening tests will guarantee you a successful interview and a higher probability of landing the job. Earning the degree was your first step. Now making it count is your second. More on this topic at How To Apply for Your First Graduate Job.

Make Your Own Resume - The Simple Solution

Make Your Own Resume - The Simple SolutionYou could probably make your own resume, but would you want to? The reason is that it isn't going to be as effective as one that was created by a professional, right? Wrong. It's actually easier than you think.Doing your own resume is actually quite easy. And that doesn't mean you can sit down and write it from scratch, although that may be your goal. It simply means that you can get a well-written resume from a professional without having to write it from scratch.One of the first things you need to do is develop a way to create your resume. What you'll want to do is create a document that consists of your resume (even if it doesn't look like one), an introduction, your contact information, and a page or two that has your employer information. If you want to make your own resume, you'll have to get a template. There are a lot of free templates on the internet, so there's no excuse not to get one. Just find one that you're comfortable with and take the time to put it into Word.Next, get your employer's information. This is really the only time that you can get a little creative, so it's something you should start thinking about right away. Start with your company, then move on to the department or position that you're applying for. Next, start listing your accomplishments for each job, including your work history, education, awards and promotions.After that, start writing the job description for your resume. You'll need to list each of the relevant job duties so that the employer can see what you can really do. Then add a summary section at the bottom, detailing how many years you've worked in that position. It's important to remember that your resume needs to look professional and that includes formatting and how it looks.Finally, list your references. Of course, there's no need to write all of them down at once. Instead, go through each one and write down your contact information. But the trick is to include their cont act information, including phone numbers and email addresses. Now, you have to make sure that the references don't contain any company information, so you'll need to make a list of all of them.To summarize, it takes a few simple steps to write your own resume. First, you need to develop a resume template. Next, you need to write your employer information, then you need to write the job descriptions, and finally you need to list your references. In addition, make sure you format your resume with the help of a professional template and you should be set.That's how you can make your own resume. You don't need to hire a professional to do this, and you don't need to sit down and write the whole thing from scratch. You'll just need to follow the steps above, follow a template, and make sure you include your references.

How Advances in Health Technologies Are Building Careers - CareerAlley

How Advances in Health Technologies Are Building Careers - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The health information management (HIM) profession is recognized as one of the fastest growing occupations in the US health industry, with a growth of almost 50 percent over the last 10 years. Even with this rapid growth rate, it is clear that demand still exceeds supply, as most organizations report that there is a shortage of qualified applicants to fill available positions. This means that the field is wide open, and is an ideal career choice for those with the right aptitudes and qualifications. The reasons for this phenomenal growth in the health information management field lie mainly in the changes that have taken place in health care systems over the past couple of decades. The process started with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which came into effect in 2001 and contained comprehensive new provisions for the privacy and security of patients health data. The aim was to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the nations health care systems, by making the use of electronic data transmission as widespread as possible. This legislation created a surge in demand for HIM professionals during the first decade of the 21st century, in order to work on the implementation of these provisions. Many providers of health care have found that they have to make major changes in the way they operate, in order to accommodate these changes. Digital Patient Records Another major procedural shift that is fueling the demand is the move to digital patient records from handwritten notes. The US Department of HHS (Health and Human Services) has mandated that every American patient should have an EHR (electronic health record) by 2014, and by 2011, this was only halfway to completion. To achieve this move, it is estimated that the current HIM workforce will need to double in size. Health Information Infrastructure This change forms one aspect of a wider national strategy, which aims to build an infrastructure that enables health information to be shared among consumers, providers, and insurers as efficiently as possible in a way that puts the patient first. To facilitate this, health care consumers are encouraged to make use of personal health records (PHRs), to manage their own information, and ensure it is shared with the correct people. In addition, there is a push towards national and local health information exchange (HIE) systems, so that information can be accessed instantly in real time. Health Information Management Professionals Health information management professionals clearly have an essential role in implementing the changes on all these fronts. HIM professionals are needed for work within a whole range of settings not only hospitals and medical groups, but nursing homes, mental health facilities, and public health agencies. Their basic task is to capture and analyze the information, which is taken by the health care personnel who treat the patients, concerning the observations they have made, and the treatment the patient has received, as well as tests, x-rays, and diagnoses. Following on all the latest developments, as well as selecting and implementing the new software and hardware systems, they have the task of optimizing the systems so that they can be easily adapted and used by medical staff in these different environments, with their specific and individual requirements. Although health information professionals are working towards the 2014 deadline for adopting electronic health records, their career prospects after that date will continue to be very robust. Health information technology is moving forward all the time, and HIM professionals will be on the front line of implementing these advances in their day-to-day work. The medical community relies on these professionals more than any other to create a quality system that is fit for the 21st century. Author Bio Sarah Daren is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to health. This article was written to discuss how technology is building health related careers and to promote further study in this field with a Health Information Management Degree. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

To Pay or Not To Pay, That is the question

To Pay or Not To Pay, That is the question My general advice to job seekers is not to pay for something you can do for yourself. This is what I mean. There are literally thousands of free and reputable resources for job seeking advice. Find them and use them. That is part of what my blog is for. Never pay for someone else to find you a job Never pay money to have someone email your resume to 100s of companies Dont pay to access jobs paying $100K+ Dont pay someone to write your resume The old saying, if it sounds to good to be true then it probably is applies. We look for shortcuts- ways around doing the painful acts associated with job search. Paying someone else doesnt make the situation immediately better, you are still out whatever you paid and still not in the dream job. The journey through job search is a valuable life lesson. Something you will undoubtedly experience again in your life (sorry, sad but true). It is also a life skill that you need to pass along to your children, no matter their age. There are some things you MUST pay for. Your own personal development. Dont become stagnant. Invest in you and the rewards are much greater. I was overseeing a workshop this week and a woman expressed her concern over not being able to get into a free workshop. I empathized with her and told her she could get similar training for $25 which included lunch. She shook her head and said she didnt want to pay the money. I then offered her the names of some books that also addressed the topic she was interested in, she didnt write them down and seemed less than interested. Oh well. How badly did she really want the skills from the workshop if she wasnt willing to work at it. When was the last time you attended a professional development workshop? A seminar related to your occupation or industry? Shut up, that long ago Your development is definitely worth paying for!