Archive for 'career management'

Job Search Apps

I don’t have an iPhone myself but this looks like a neat tool to me. The Audio Job Interview app allows job candidates to create an actual audio interview they can record from their mobile device and send via a unique URL to employers. This could really add another dimension to resumes that include URL for recordings!

Here are links for more information:
A Video Demo on the product in use on Facebook. A brief sample interview.

Here is a promo video and demo to check out:

Audio Job Interview Pro iPhone App from Bradford Peterson on Vimeo.

 

FOR ANDROID

Also, for Android phones, I ran across this handy list: 20 Best Android Apps for Your Job Search.

Book Review: Awaken Your CAREERpreneur

Awaken Your CAREERpreneur book coverI received a complimentary copy of “Awaken Your CAREERpreneur” by Alexia Vernon for review and wanted to share it with you because it reflects an idea whose time has come…everyone as CEO of their own career. I received no other compensation for this review.

Alexia Vernon gave us a lesson on personal networking and building your All-Star team in a previous audio post. After reading her book, I must tell you, she has got it going on as a trainer and expert in career development.

In her new book, “Awaken Your CAREERpreneur: A Holistic Road Map to Get from Your Calling to Your Career,” she pulls together a spectacular process to help you to your dream career and she offers spot on coaching insights along the way. Her process goes from creating the vision and overcoming barriers right on through to crossing the finish line. I really like the written exercises she has developed including, to name a few of my favorites: writing a letter from an employer offering your next perfect opportunity, the tolerations list, the first impression questionnaire, and the sticky factor top ten list.

She also organizes a step-by-step plan for interview preparation and personal network building that is top notch. Most importantly, she emphasizes the often forgotten step of attitude and mindset prep work as a daily habit. I just love the fierce concept that she creatively intertwines into the networking chapters too.

I recommend this book and Alexia’s other work. You can find the book on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. Also see the book website at AwakenYourCAREERpreneur.com.

CEOs Without Business Degrees

A short summary of some successful CEOs who didn’t major in Business. Cool report!

These Are Good Ideas

There comes a point in unemployment where there is time to spare. Here is a list of Inspiring Productivity Ideas for you to consider if you find yourself unemployed and feeling a little bored or lost.

Next Generation Career Coaching

  1. Skill Identification is a process that expands client’s personal skill vocabulary and effects and builds a positive change in self-confidence.
  2. Explore both old jobs and new options. “New career direction.”
  3. Development of different career options through a method/process that opens doors of opportunity that otherwise would be overlooked or discarded.
  4. Personalized training and individual attention to those things that will set you apart from all other candidates.
  5. Developing a clear self-presentation and unique marketing materials as well as learning key job searching tools.
  6. Campaign focused mainly on personal one-on- one informational contacts where the jobs are in the making. When there is a vacancy or posted opening, “client usually gets an interview.”
  7. In addition to posting a LinkedIn & Facebook profiles, all kinds of e-media are explored to build visibility and credibility in your chosen market.
  8. Three-stage controlled networking campaign. Adeptly using internet for background research to locate, and connect with “countless” contacts.
  9. Dual-approach to get interviews from employer-
identified ads: applying through personnel and
 approaching Hiring Decision Maker(s) directly.
  10. Primary interview training: Referral Interviews, which build connections to the hiring decision makers. without waiting for “openings.” These interviews also train candidates for actual job interviews.
  11. Step-by-step coaching to handling salary negotiations/questions given at the beginning of the search. Coaching at time of the offer generally increases comp package by 10% and more.
  12. Client continues to build visibility and credibility in his/her chosen field. 5-year goals established as well as the development of your network “Power Team” that has been built to advance your career now and in the future.

Negotiating Tips

You probably feel pretty aware of how easy it is for an employer to find someone else who will take the job. But you are selling yourself short if you assume that is their attitude and you don’t even ask.

They key to remember to is they probably don’t want to hire just anyone. They are looking for they best they can get. So, do your research and ask. If you don’t ask, you already have your answer…its no!

There is also the matter of acting with respect throughout the negotiation process as you did through the hiring process. Don’t take it personal that they will try to hire at the most advantageous pay rate for them. Of course, you will work to help understand that they get what they pay for…this is your leverage.

Remember this too: the wage you accept will impact your attitude on the job. It will either be in a positive way or a negative way. The salary you accept now determines the raises you will get later because raises are based on percentages usually.

All that being said to help you see the importance of negotiating, here are some techniques you may want to consider.

  • It is important to buy time when a number is thrown out there. Pausing for just a few seconds when a number is mentioned can give the impression that they will have to come up on something so you can meet in the middle. It could be money, time, or perks that they come up with but something more. They say a number and you pause as you are considering your response. Sometimes those few seconds can make you thousands of dollars! If not now then certainly as you work for them years and each future raised is based on what you accept at the start.
  • You also buy time when negotiations are closing for the day. You sum up what they are offering and say, “I will sleep on it and speak with you tomorrow if that sounds okay with you.” Or you may sum it all up and say (as long as it is true), “I expect another offer to come in soon, when is the latest I can get back to you? Can I reply by Friday, does that sound acceptable?”
  • Sometimes you do have to say “no” to an offer if you feel they are just too low and it will affect your attitude and work ethic to accept. There is power in walking away if they refuse meet your needs and you feel you can get your needs met elsewhere.
  • One technique to use is to say something like this, “after careful consideration, I must decline your job offer. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me and please do call if the budget changes.” That way you give them room to come up to your expectations if they are really pained to see you walk away.

Free Resume Help

Here are suggestions to improve your resume. I review resumes often and these mistakes are very common but easily fixed.

  • Use bullet points for easy scanning.
  • Keep paragraphs to no more than two to three sentences long.
  • Use the title of the job you are applying for as a resume objective.
  • Use a strong summary of qualifications. This section needs to be a big picture view about the dynamic and professional person you are.
  • Don’t use I’s on resumes. Instead, start sentences with action verbs.
  • Use common section headers such as Professional Experience or Related Experience or Education instead of something unique.
  • Use year dates for the jobs held throughout your resume…2008-Present; 2006-2007; 2004-2006.
  • Use keywords relevant to the type of  job you are applying for on your resume.
  • Get rid of the responsibility/job duties bullets. Instead use accomplishment statements. One way to do that is to finish the thought by telling, “which resulted in…” at the end of each bullet point.

Virtual Assistant (VA) Business

Have you thought of having your own Virtual Assistant (VA) business? I have had several help me over the years and it seems like a great way to work at home if that is a kind of transition you would like to make.

VA’s can specialize in bookkeeping, clerical, multimedia…whatever they are good at and enjoy.

You can also freelance picking up a project at a time on sites like:

http://www.elance.com

http://sologig.com

http://guru.com

http://odesk.com

Here is a professional association to check out and learn more about Virtual Assistants.

http://www.ivaa.org

Accomplishments and Goals

I encourage you to spend more time tracking your accomplishments than your goals. Accomplishments are actions you have already taken. Goals are actions you intend to take. Make it a habit to log your weekly accomplishments and turn them into bullet points for your resume and power stories for reviews, networking, and interviewing.

You may also want to add a space on your accomplishment log to mention how you felt while working toward each accomplishment. Say a 1 to 5 star rating, 5 being the best. This will help you recognize what activites juice you up so that you can make arrangements to do more of those.

Career Development Planning

The beginning steps to getting to the next level in your career.career development planning

  1. Identify what the next level looks like.
  2. Track your accomplishments.
  3. Identify your personal brand.
  4. Start talking to people and thinking often about what you are wanting.
  5. Plan your networking.
  6. Be on the lookout for the right opportunity.
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