6 things you need to do before applying to your dream job

6 things you need to do before applying to your dream jobAny of us who have spent time on the job hunt trail have been here before While checking out job boards and researching companies who are hiring in our industry, you come across the coveted dream joba posting thats so perfectly aligned to what youre looking for in your next career step that you can almost convince yourself that it was tailored precisely for you. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Everything about it seems just righta position with an industry-leading company who has a great reputation and culture, job responsibilities that really match what youre looking to take on, and opportunities for lasting growth and success. In sum, what appears to be the perfect job. When we stumble across the dream job, we all know what happens next. A wave of anxiety washes over you like an unavoidable tsunami, with thoughts of all the great candidates who may have beaten you to the applicat ion punch, and fears that your window for applying may be closing and that your chances of getting the job may be slipping away with each passing moment.Yeah, weve all been here before, and at this point, youre going to be struck with the urge to frantically rush to apply for the job before its too late. This is precisely the point where careless and unprepared candidates slip up and make the sort of mistakes that prevent them from being taken seriously by hiring managers. Dont be one of these people.If youre really intent on landing your dream jobor any job for that matterthen its in your best interest to slow down, take a moment, and make aya you take care of these 6 important things before applying.Review the postingMany candidates get so excited after reading a great job posting that they overlook key details, which often include specific instructions for how to apply. Rookie mistakefailing to comply with all application instructions can ruin your chances of being seriously cons idered for the position. Read the posting more than once to make absolutely sure that you have all of the details down cold.Review your application materialsSure, you want to get your resume and titelblatt letter in for consideration before its too late, but incorrect, error-laden, or incomplete application materials are almost impossible to recover from. Trust us, taking the time to slow down and confirm, several times, that your materials are perfect and error-free is time well spent.Tailor your approachHaving a canned cover letter and resume for every job posting you come across is not your best approach, and savvy hiring personnel are going to notice. Crafting your resume and cover letter for every position you apply for and highlighting why youre the ideal candidate for each specific company is a much better strategy for grabbing attention and getting your foot in the door for interviews.Answer the question Why you?The scary truth of the job world is that there are tons of qual ified candidates for every open position, and candidates who dont clearly demonstrate why they should be considered from all those among the candidate herd have little chance of standing out from the crowd. Make sure your application materials showcase your full potential value and detail why youre a candidate to be reckoned with and taken seriously.Mind your social mediaMany candidates become so laser-focused on getting their application and materials just right that they forget to mind the other detailslike making sure their public social media doesnt contain anything that may hurt their chances. Checking a candidates social media footprint is industry-standard today, so make sure that anything hiring managers and personnel can see reflects as positively on you like your cover letters and resumes do.Dont forget to re-reviewIts never a bad idea to take a little time to re-review your entire application package before sending it off to make sure its in perfect shape. If you can get a person you trust to review it with a fresh set of eyes, even better. Consider it a little extra insurance towards making sure that youre doing everything you can to land an interview.If youre hot on the job hunt trail and eager to land your dream job, make sure you take care of the 6 key things mentioned here before clicking Send for any application you submit.

The No. 1 Way to Make Yourself Irreplaceable at Work

The No. 1 Way to Make Yourself Irredistributionspolitikable at Work Congratulations, you got the job Now, heres how to make yourself indispensable in it be relentlessly you.You were chosen ahead of others for this role. Let yourself benefit from that vote of confidence. Think of being indispensable as bringing value that only you can. Be relentlessly you, and they wont want to reimagine your role as anyone elses Heres howStep 1 Looking back is the first step forward.Relish this window of time winding down at one corporate home, before starting the next. Nostalgiais inevitable this close to making changes, and you might be surprised to know that it plays an important role in making yourself indispensable in the new job. As you reminisce, let what matters about those memories pop to the surface. When you think about where youre leaving, what are you grateful for? What have you learned? What matters about ansicht things? How have you played to your strengths? What didnt work and why? Wh at were you most passionate about? And what have others valued about you?Its not always easy to be with the identity-shift triggered when we leave a role, especially if weve been in it for some time and feel like we belong. This kind of reflecting creates a neat ending, but also feeds into your new beginning as evidence about your approach to work and change is revealed.Next, work to clear this job from your mind so you can focus on optimizing your next career step. You dont want the old taking up headspace once you start your exciting new opportunity. Be considered as you tie up loose ends. Although your work here is done, the people will remain your connections. And you never know when you may cross paths again. So do thank a mentor or give advice to a colleague. But dont run hot and give anyone a piece of your mind as you exit When its time to cross the finish line, you will do so with a clear mind. Refocus your energy. Put those insights to good use as you shape the way to bec ome indispensable in your new corporate home, both now and in the future.Step 2 Get a few quick wins.Being the newbie brings vulnerability as the warm glow of being chosen translates to an unspoken pressure to perform. Its inevitable, so accept that feeling and use the energy thats here to seek out ways you can add value. Not because your new colleagues are expecting to see a return on their investment in xx days / weeks (they just want you to settle in quickly and become part of the team), but because quick wins demonstrate something extra. That extra? Your commitment to understanding the landscape, and creating your unique place in it. Heres how to identify what quick wins look like draw two circles, overlapping like a Venn diagram does. Put the strengths and passion-points revealed in your past role in one circle. Then, as you identify your new companys priorities, note them in the other circle until both are evenly populated. If thats too broad to grasp, just pay attention to yo ur immediate bosses / departments priorities.Lastly, look for where your natural competencies and interests intersect with the needs of the business. These belong in the overlapping section of your diagram and should become the focus for quick wins. It doesnt matter if these ideas feel easy or obvious to you. Your input is fresh in this new environment and thats the value you uniquely bring.Health Warning if youre drowning in on-boarding and top priorities arent becoming clear, do let your inner-leader out and ask for clarity. Just asking the question demonstrates initiative and strategic savvy. Signposting the added-value you are destined to bring. Thats a quick win itselfStep 3 Deliver value where its neededBring good value to every meeting and interaction. Think of these early meetings as sequels to your interview performance opportunities to showcase you, at your best. But when thats hard.Here are some Dos and Do-Nots for your first few days that will help you deliver valueDoMa ke connections between what matters and who to.Be present. And literally be on time. Stay actively engaged, bringing a can-do attitude.Be aware you may feel overwhelmed by asks that sound straightforward now.Do Not Align to any individual before you understand the politics. Just make connections with everyone.Defer to more established colleagues. Have an opinion and be heard (even if you do frame it as a question to be diplomatic). Raise a problem without proposing a solution. Over-invest. Demonstrating value doesnt mean sleeping under your desk. Still tempted? What glaubenszeugnis is sent if at first you work at weekends but change that boundary later?Remember, your unique contribution and being consciously can-do makes you equal indispensable.Step 4 Focus on the future.As much as you cant imagine this now, there is a dark side to being indispensable especially if you get stuck in an entry role. So, once youre settled, build towards a long-term vision.It doesnt matter if youre not sure what that looks like yet. You will evolve as your skillset develops and experience expands. Be agile. Keep learning. And demonstrating the fresh thinking that sparks. When the time is right, people wont be surprised at your appetite for growth. This brand of career agility being what makes us truly indispensable in our careers and how we thrive at being who we uniquely are in life.Its not always easy to articulate your uniqueness yourself. But expressing our core values in what we do is what makes us feel alive and our work feel aligned. If you want some support with this, just clickherefor a (free)Values Activation exerciseI use with clients - designed to guide you to your uniqueness.

Job Hopping Frustrates Employees as Much as Employers

Job Hopping Frustrates Employees as Much as Employers If youre reading thispublication, youve probably heard that job hopping is the new promotion. Rather than wait years for a raise or a chance to climb up another rung on the corporate ladder, todays employees millennials in particular seek opportunities elsewhere to advance their careers.What you may not realize, however, is that these employees dont like to job hop any more than companies like to see them go hopping.Workers want to build a career without having to frequently change companies, says Gary Beckstrand, vice president of the O.C. Tanner Institute and coauthor of Appreciate Celebrating People, Influencing Greatness.While moving to a better opportunity affords value to the employee, frequent job hopping can create stress and dissatisfactionbecause employees have to to get up to speed on numerous learning curves, adapt to new workplace cultures, and establish new relationships. Show Them You CareWhat employees want is, essentially, what employers want To hunker down somewhere for a longer period of time to help the organization innovate and thrive. But employees will only wait so long to be recognized for their contributions. If rewards and new opportunities are slow to arrive or seem not to be arriving at all then the job hopping starts.If you dont want to see your employees bail for better pay and opportunities elsewhere, make koranvers you engage them. They need to know there is something in store for them if they stay with you. If an employee sees a clear path to success, they will be far more likely to hang with a company they know than take a risk with one they dont.Its all about creating a workplace culture where employees feel a connection to the companys purpose, feel they have opportunities to grow and develop, are a part of a successful team doing meaningful work, feel appreciated for their contributions, know that the company cares about their overall well-being, and receive coaching and support from leaders, Beckstrand says. Slow Your HopAs for those workers who have one foot out the door Not so fast. If you want opportunity, ask for it. If you want cultural changes, take part in creating them.Successful employees take accountability to contribute to their workplace cultures, says Beckstrand. They put forth effort to do their best work, they acknowledge and recognize the work of others, they proactively find ways to contribute beyond their job description, and they find ways to align their work to company purpose. They also always try to be part of the solutions to the challenges that inevitably manifest in any organization.Recruiters and hiring managers often distrust candidates whose resumes are full of many periods of short-term employment. The suspicion is understandable, but its really up to recruiters and employers to weed out the compulsive hoppers from those whose professional ambition drove their movements. There are, a fter all, many good reasons to leave a job.Often, there are reasonable situations that contribute to job changes that dont reflect poorly on the individual, Beckstrand says. Its helpful to ask the questions that will best give an indication of fit within the organization. If a company hires to fit, it can reduce the chance of unexpected turnover.In other words If youre not sure about why a candidates has moved around so much, just ask them. The ensuing conversation will be more illuminating than any baseless conjecture could ever be.Employment isnt so different from a relationship. Its a two-way street. Employers owe it to their workers to provide opportunity, recognition, and engagement. On the flip side, employees must invest in the company to create the change and the opportunity they want to see. Unless both sides are engaged, everyone loses.

Reach the Emerging Workforce with College

Reach the Emerging Workforce with CollegeReach the Emerging Workforce with CollegeReach the Emerging Workforce with College Customer Service Team Recruiting the emerging workforce to your company has always been a challenge. Our customers consistently ask us for advice on how to get their job postings in front of college students.Campus information sessions and job fairs are great, but these practices severely limit the reach of your message. Also, the travel and costs associated with these visits can be a drain on the recruiting budget.MonsterCollege is student-focused site that allows employers to promote their recruitment brand to qualified college students and recent grads. MonsterCollege provides studentseekers with a unique erreichbar community where they can search jobs and internships, find interview tips, review resume templates and find articles that focus on their specific job search experiences.As an employer, you can post your college entry level jobs on and further ex tend its reach to active and passive seekers on MonsterCollege.Even better The job search function on MonsterCollege displays entry level, student and internship job postings at no additional cost.For a job posting to appear in the MonsterCollege job search widget, it needs to be set up with at least one of the posting types described belowAll jobs with Emerging Workforce Career Ad Network (EW CAN)All jobs marked with the Career Level Student (Undergraduate/Graduate) and with Work Experience = Less than 1 Year or 1+ to 2 Years*All Internship jobsis excited to afford you the opportunity of reaching the emerging workforce in a more convenient way than ever before.*Note Non-Emerging Workforce Career Ad Network (CAN) job postings marked as Entry Level will only display when the Career Level and Work Experience is set as indicated above.

10 ways to indulge and stay healthy this holiday season

10 ways to indulge and stay healthy this holiday season10 ways to indulge and stay healthy this holiday seasonBefore the holidays ruin your wellness plan and make you turn as green as the Grinch, try these 10 ways to help you stay on track and keep your festive spirit.Often we feel if we cant stick to our regular routine, then why bother? As researchers in nutrition and physical activity behaviours, we know that maintaining wellness over the holidays is easier than starting over again in the new year.Going into the holidays with a plan to overcome adversity (think letzter gang tray) is more effective than no plan at all. Indulge, a little, while still feeling good about yourself.1. To start, cut yourself some slackExercisers who show self-compassion after an interrupted routine do better at getting back on track with their exercise goals. If you over-indulge at a holiday party, give yourself a break, and plan to regain control the next day.2. Plan (and make a backup plan)Planning is key to healthy eating and staying active. If the great outdoors inspire you, plan a few outdoor activities each week, but have a few indoor activities as a backup should Mother Nature have plans of her own.If numerous parties threaten to derail your healthy eating habits, plan on a small, protein-rich snack before heading out. It may seem silly to eat before, but a pre-party snack will keep you satisfied and less likely to overeat when youre there.3. Choose wisely at the food tableUsing a small-sized plate for snacks may actually trick your brain into thinking youre eating more and leave you feeling fuller compared to using a large plate.If theres only one size of plate available and its huge, dont despair Pick four or five foods youd really like to try, and take the smallest portion necessary to satisfy your cravings.4. Get creative about exerciseBe creative about sneaking in some ways to add activity time to your festivities.Being active doesnt have to mean counting reps at the gy m - go sledding and run back up the hill or plan an indoor scavenger hunt if the weather is too cold. Get the whole family involved and off the couch.5. Stick with a routineInterruptions to routine make it easy to abandon all good intentions. Its hard to regain healthy behaviours once weve taken a hiatus and enjoyed the good life.Stick with a few elements of your routine to make getting back into the swing of things easier after the holidays.6. Try mindful eatingEating is enjoyable, but overdoing it can leave us feeling less than cheerful.To keep your stomach connected with your brain as you eat, try mindful eating - the practice of being fully present while savouring each bite.Experiencing food this way forces you to focus on feelings of fullness and satisfaction, and may even help control how much you eat.7. Choose activities that feel goodBy picking activities and healthy foods that you enjoy, youre more likely to stay active and eat healthy. When you choose activities that mak e you feel good, youre more likely to come back for more, so even if you do some intense exercise, build in time for a relaxing cooldown.8. Know what youre drinkingRaising a glass goes hand-in-hand with the holidays, but can quickly sabotage plans for healthy holiday living. Cocktails often contain hidden calories, can cause us to overeat and make it harder to be active the next day.To stay on track while enjoying some holiday cheer, familiarize yourself with actual serving sizes for alcoholic beverages, and follow each alcoholic drink with sparkling water or another non-alcoholic beverage.9. Make your own festive foodsWhile the holiday season can be a whirlwind, take time to prepare your own foods as much as possible. By DIY-ing meals, you can create healthy alternatives to holiday favourites.And while youre at it, get the kids involved in whipping up the holiday feast kids who learn how to cook gain skills beyond food prep that they carry into adulthood.10. Crank up the musicMusi c can help motivate you to persist in and enjoy exercise, so crank up the Boney M. Christmas tunes while you run on the treadmill - find music you like and youll find it easier to get moving.No matter which of the 10 ways you choose to help you on your wellness journey, we wish you a happy, active holiday season with friends and family.Melanie Gregg, Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, University of Winnipeg and Danielle Defries, Associate Professior of Nutritional Sciences, University of WinnipegThis article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Resume Guides for Specific Industries Marketing, Sales, Accounting and More

Resume Guides for Specific Industries Marketing, Sales, Accounting and More Resume Guides for Specific Industries Marketing, Sales, Accounting and More So many people write a resume focused on their needs not the needs of the employers. In other words, they focus on their previous work history and responsibilities and what they want to do next. A good resume, however, focuses on results and achievements, and matches the needs of the job description for each specific job, and how they can help the company succeed going forward.Its tricky, but it helps to follow specific resume writing trends, guidelines, and resume tips for each specific industry. For example, a ausverkauf resume should have different results and achievements than an information technology resume. In sales, the focus should be on sales figures, number of accounts managed, proof of new business development, or exceeding sales quotas. In IT, achievements relate to project-based work, technologies used, and the end resu lts of those projects, implementations, or developments.To best align your resume with the latest resume writing trends and resume writing best practices by industry, we have put together this list of resume guides that highlights resources that can help job seekers with backgrounds in marketing, sales, accounting, finance, information technology, nursing, and even for those seeking part-time jobs How to write a marketing resume recruiters will noticeDespite knowing how to sell products and services, many marketers have a hard time selling themselves. Creating a standout resume is a skill all marketers need to perfect if they want to grow their career.How to write a winning sales resumeWhen a recruiter or hiring manager is looking at a sales resume, her eyes naturally search for several must-have key elements that are unique to only the sales field. Find out what they are here. Resume tips for new accounting gradsWriting an effective resume can be a challenge for newcomers looking f or entry-level accounting jobs. Follow these tips for success. Resume writing tips for finance professionalsFollow these seven resume writing tips to help launch or take your finance career to the next level.Resume tips for information technology jobsInformation technology jobs are hot, and IT professionals are in-demand. Those with the best resumes get noticed, and get interviews. Follow these tips to get noticed. The Ultimate Guide to Nursing ResumesThis guide serves as an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide for nurses looking to fix common resume writing mistakes, and develop a targeted, well-written nursing resume that will help you take the next step in your career. How to write a resume for part-time jobsIf youre among the growing number of people seeking part-time work, this is for you.Resume writing is challenging, follow these tips within your industry, to stand out and create a resume that gets results.To gain further insight, check out Jobscans ownresume guides.About Matt KrumrieMatt Krumrie is a professional resume writer who has written over 2,000 articles on resumes and titelseite letters, the job search and other trending career-related topics. He was named a top 50 career professional to follow on Twitter, and works with job seekers of all backgrounds and experience. Follow Matt on Twitter. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn. Hire Matt Krumrie to write your resume.

Left-handed CEOs share their best career advice

Left-kralleed CEOs share their best career adviceLeft-handed CEOs share their best career adviceAny Google search about lefties and youll be confronted with lots of studies about Southpaws Theyre more creative. They use both sides of their brain more fluidly. They tend to be better at multitasking. The list goes on - and science has plenty to conclude about lefties. Though your dominant hand likely has little to do with your performance reviews (and hey, chances are slim your boss even knows if youre right or left-handed), this estimated 10% of the population approaches work differently. Or rather, because of how theyve adjusted to life in a world designed for righties, theyve learned different strategies for success.Regardless if your hand gets smudged when you write on a whiteboard or not, these smart nuggets of wisdom from left-handed CEOs are beneficial to any careerEmbrace your challengesIf you ask the CEO of Thursday Boots, Nolan Walsh, growing up left-handed welchesnt a negat ive experience, but rather, an advantage. He never felt insecure or burdened by his South Paw preference, but rather, he saw the benefits. He could effectively play basketball, baseball, tennis, and soccer as a leftie.He also studied differently than his classmates explaining, While right-handed people can see the words they write as they move across a page, when you write left-handed, your vision of the previous words you write is obstructed by your hand. I think this taught me to be more thoughtful and precise is my writing, he shared.All of these experiences presented challenges if you look at them that way, but for Walsh, embracing his differences and seeing the perks of being unique made him into a stronger worker.Get comfortable with the uncomfortableThough the CEO and co-founder of Babyation, Sam Rudolph writes and eats left-handed, he does everything else with the opposite side.I swing a bat right-handed. I cut right-handed. I use right-handed scissors, and I kick with my ri ght foot. Im pretty sure thats because growing up, my teachers and parents couldnt figure out how to do things backwards, he explains.Though it might have been an uphill battle at the time, he thinks of it as early training in adaptability and being pushed out of my comfort zone - a skill thats carried him through his life and career.To this day, Im most comfortable when Im uncomfortable. I didnt realize it at the time, but it was perfect training for running a startup, he adds.Worry less about what people thinkWhen the CEO of Sheree Cosmetics, Tiffany Herrmann was in elementary school, she was sometimes viewed as different since she needed the corner desk to avoid bumping anyones elbow when she wrote with her left hand. As she got older, others found her left-handedness intriguing. But as the daughter of a leftie, she worked to accept and foster her unique skill, instead of fighting it. The process was one that taught her to embrace who she is - regardless of what others think.I learned a little more creative than the others growing up, and Im not sure if its because of the left-hand/right brain, but it taught me to not worry about what others thought of me and to just be me, she shares.Be open to critical feedbackAdjusting - often in real time - to right-handed everything requires a nimble approach to life. And perhaps, the ability to be open-minded when others critique your performance or give you feedback. For Walsh, being open to opinion - positive or negative - is an important pillar of success. On the belastung Saturday of every month, he sits down to read all of the bad reviews, all in an effort to improve his business strategy and customer satisfaction.While it can be painful at times, this openness to criticism has lead to exponential improvements and has allowed us to form strong relationships to supporters who were formerly some of our strongest critics, he says.Look at the entire landscape of your careerWhen youre a lefty, you view the world differently. Often times, lefties are able to process information quicker since they use both sides of their noggin, and they tend to focus on the overall, long-term vision instead of the small details of the here-and-now. Rudolph recommends this approach to the tenure of your career, too.Instead of climbing in a linear progression, evaluate new roles based on an opportunity to learn something completely different and develop a new side of your professional self. The more knowledge you have, the better you can put the pieces together and see the big picture, he explains.Always believe in yourself and keep your eyes on the targetNo matter how successful someone is, how much money they earn each year or how often they are recognized by their industry or peer groups, everyone has those no-good, terrible days. Your dominant hand doesnt determine this - but rather, is a fact that threads of all together. Herrmann says its important to always keep your eyes on the target and to be your own number one fan.Dont feel sorry for yourself, because its normal to hit walls - just keep moving forward, she says. A lot of entrepreneurs and professionals tend to fail around the downs because they give up and walk away. If you have a goal in your career or a promotion that you are going for, and you dont get it the first time - its ok. Work on yourself. Get back up and try again.Treat people rightThough Walsh wasnt personally teased for being a lefty, some South Paws are. This might motivate them to write with their right hand, even if it isnt comfortable. Or in the case of Herrmann, she figured out how to use a marker on a whiteboard with her submissive hand, just so she wasnt embarrassed when her sleeve wiped away her scribbles in front of her friends.No matter the circumstance or human - from your employee to your client and beyond - Walsh stresses the importance of treating people right. For many, its a no-brainer way to conduct daily interactions, whether professional or personal, but its often forgotten in the heat of the moment or during stressful periods.The easiest way to get your team and customers to care about you is to show you care about them. Theyll notice, he adds.