Blue Collar Job Search Your Elevator Pitch

Blue Collar Job Search Your Elevator Pitch This is a continuation of a number of thoughts Im having as a work with a friend who is in a job search.  For the past four years Ive thought about job search and career management for someone like me (white collar, executive, degreed + MBA, etc.), but I havent thought a lot about a job search or career management for a blue collar professional.  Previous posts include: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want? Shame Today well go to the next logical place how to communicate who you are and what you want to do to others.  The most common time youll communicate that is (a) when others ask how your job search is going, or (b) when others ask what you do for a living. The reasons you have an elevator pitch (aka, Me in 30 Seconds) include: To develop/enhance your personal brand.  When someone wonders who they know who is expert in your space, you want them to think about YOU. This only happens if you help them know that you are the expert in that space. To help them understand what you want/need. To help them understand how they can help you (or at least start to think about it). Today I hope to have a chat with my buddy and hear a few versions of his elevator pitch.  Im guessing they will be about 25% good.  Im biased and think that most elevator pitches can use significant improvement Im sure his will need a lot of help. Can you state, in 30 seconds or less, what your brand/expertise is, as well as help me understand what you want and how I can help you? This is NOT easy.  You get 30 seconds to wow or bore. only 30 seconds to engage or turn off.  If you dont put time and energy in the preparation, Ill bet you will fail How are YOU doing on this?  Want to risk a bit and share your 30 seconds in the comments below? The JibberJobber Blue Collar Job Search Series: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job  (5/17/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job  (5/18/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies  (5/19/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want?  (5/20/10) Shame  (5/24/10) Blue Collar Job Search: Your Elevator Pitch  (5/27/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Personal Values Propositions  (5/28/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Job Seeker Newsletter  (6/3/10) Blue Collar Job Search Your Elevator Pitch This is a continuation of a number of thoughts Im having as a work with a friend who is in a job search.  For the past four years Ive thought about job search and career management for someone like me (white collar, executive, degreed + MBA, etc.), but I havent thought a lot about a job search or career management for a blue collar professional.  Previous posts include: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want? Shame Today well go to the next logical place how to communicate who you are and what you want to do to others.  The most common time youll communicate that is (a) when others ask how your job search is going, or (b) when others ask what you do for a living. The reasons you have an elevator pitch (aka, Me in 30 Seconds) include: To develop/enhance your personal brand.  When someone wonders who they know who is expert in your space, you want them to think about YOU. This only happens if you help them know that you are the expert in that space. To help them understand what you want/need. To help them understand how they can help you (or at least start to think about it). Today I hope to have a chat with my buddy and hear a few versions of his elevator pitch.  Im guessing they will be about 25% good.  Im biased and think that most elevator pitches can use significant improvement Im sure his will need a lot of help. Can you state, in 30 seconds or less, what your brand/expertise is, as well as help me understand what you want and how I can help you? This is NOT easy.  You get 30 seconds to wow or bore. only 30 seconds to engage or turn off.  If you dont put time and energy in the preparation, Ill bet you will fail How are YOU doing on this?  Want to risk a bit and share your 30 seconds in the comments below? The JibberJobber Blue Collar Job Search Series: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job  (5/17/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job  (5/18/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies  (5/19/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want?  (5/20/10) Shame  (5/24/10) Blue Collar Job Search: Your Elevator Pitch  (5/27/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Personal Values Propositions  (5/28/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Job Seeker Newsletter  (6/3/10) Blue Collar Job Search Your Elevator Pitch This is a continuation of a number of thoughts Im having as a work with a friend who is in a job search.  For the past four years Ive thought about job search and career management for someone like me (white collar, executive, degreed + MBA, etc.), but I havent thought a lot about a job search or career management for a blue collar professional.  Previous posts include: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want? Shame Today well go to the next logical place how to communicate who you are and what you want to do to others.  The most common time youll communicate that is (a) when others ask how your job search is going, or (b) when others ask what you do for a living. The reasons you have an elevator pitch (aka, Me in 30 Seconds) include: To develop/enhance your personal brand.  When someone wonders who they know who is expert in your space, you want them to think about YOU. This only happens if you help them know that you are the expert in that space. To help them understand what you want/need. To help them understand how they can help you (or at least start to think about it). Today I hope to have a chat with my buddy and hear a few versions of his elevator pitch.  Im guessing they will be about 25% good.  Im biased and think that most elevator pitches can use significant improvement Im sure his will need a lot of help. Can you state, in 30 seconds or less, what your brand/expertise is, as well as help me understand what you want and how I can help you? This is NOT easy.  You get 30 seconds to wow or bore. only 30 seconds to engage or turn off.  If you dont put time and energy in the preparation, Ill bet you will fail How are YOU doing on this?  Want to risk a bit and share your 30 seconds in the comments below? The JibberJobber Blue Collar Job Search Series: Blue Collar Job Search â€" How To Find A Blue Collar Job  (5/17/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Do You Want in a Job  (5/18/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Identify Target Companies  (5/19/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" What Job Titles Do You Want?  (5/20/10) Shame  (5/24/10) Blue Collar Job Search: Your Elevator Pitch  (5/27/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Personal Values Propositions  (5/28/10) Blue Collar Job Search â€" Job Seeker Newsletter  (6/3/10)

Example Resume Writing Tips - How to Use Your Resume Like a Master Resume Writer

Example Resume Writing Tips - How to Use Your Resume Like a Master Resume WriterIt's hard to go through example resume writing tips and examples without falling for a few clever words that you can use. Some examples are too much like another person's resume, using wordiness and jargon that might be inappropriate for your situation. You can feel like you're starting off in the wrong place if you start with a resume that someone else has created.The most common reasons people do this is because they don't know where to begin. It's the same with some of the most successful people in the world. Their resume was designed by someone else and they know this to be true. They know there is no way they could have come up with their own skills, accomplishments, and experiences.Having your own resume can be challenging. It requires an amount of research on the specific job you're applying for and the specific company. You need to create a unique outline of your experiences so you can show the ri ght kinds of experiences you have.That's the first of the example resume writing tips. List your strengths and skills that make you qualified for the position you're applying for. If you didn't apply for the job or haven't worked there before, you should list these in the beginning.List your experiences with them as well. Don't just list how many times you've worked there, include what type of experience. Most of us tend to repeat our experiences instead of changing the names. The best example resume writing tips for this type of experience are in books and online.In order to list your experiences at this level, you should have seen the company before. Most will ask you to show your previous work history and maybe some other relevant information. If this is all you can provide, they may only want to see the few work history boxes you can fill out and list past experiences.However, if you have had other experiences, they will want to know what those were and if they can learn anythin g from them. This is where the idea of combining the keywords in your resume with experience comes into play. They want to know you can teach them something or help them get something accomplished.You can use this to your advantage when you're writing your resume. Using the example and keyword combination, you can highlight your strong skills and experience and create a much more powerful resume. Make sure to keep in mind these tips when looking for example resume writing tips.

To Do List for New Graduates

To Do List for New Graduates Congratulations to the class of 2013. After graduation parties and a few days on the beach, it’s time to focus on your career strategy.   There are several things you can do over the summer to get a jump on your classmates in what may be your first professional job search. Before you leave campus for good, ask your professors and classmates if you can stay connected during your job search. Professors may be willing to serve as references, and classmates in your field of study may turn up job opportunities or connections that will be helpful to you.   This is your first chance to establish a strong network, and the skills you build now will be critical to your future success. Connect with your university’s alumni association; they will be able to connect you with alumni in your field. One of the constraints you’ll face in the job market is your lack of actual business experience.   Select some of your best work from classes in your major to use as proof of what you learned and how you performed.   If you have completed class projects like social media or advertising campaigns, case studies, or financial analysis, keep a couple of samples to offer employers as proof of the quality work you are capable of doing. You may be asked for a writing sample if you’re going into a job that requires writing, so keep what you consider to be an example of your best writing as well. Set up an effective LinkedIn profile and start following companies that are leaders in your targeted industry or profession.   (Be sure to get a professional, well-lit head shot for your profile; this is no place for a blurry self-shot.) You can also find university alumni through a LinkedIn search, and your recent graduation is a great reason to ask for a connection. There are plenty of good resources out there to help you craft a profile that presents you as a serious job candidate. Try these: How to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Irresistible How to Make Your LinkedIn Headline Stand Out How to Create a Kick Butt LinkedIn Profile LinkedIn on How to Create a Great LinkedIn Student Profile Start your research on how to market yourself. Here’s a list of blog posts and online articles for young jobseekers or anyone starting out in a new job. Guest Post: Corporate America Myths Every New Graduate Should Know Guest Post: Landing Your First Job Out of College Guest Post: What your College Degree Means to an Employer First Job, First Day The New Graduate Advantage Guest Post: 5 Websites for Finding Awesome Internship Opportunities Tough Love Tips for College Seniors Entering the Job Market Experts give tips to college grads seeking first job 10 common job-search mistakes recent college graduates make ‘Don’t despair’ and six other career tips for new college graduates Readers Respond: How to Make a Good Impression on Your First Job New Grads: Survival Tips for Day 1 of Your First Job Ask the Headhunter: How New Grads Can Get in the Door for a Job Interview The 6 things all new employees should be told

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Dont Be Naive When Working From Home

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Don't Be Naive When Working From Home If you work from your home, either full or part-time, you probably feel pretty lucky. You dont have to fight the traffic, you get to wear your bathrobe if you want, and no co-worker is hitting you up to contribute money for another employees baby shower.Everything is pretty cool. In fact, youre so relaxed you havent bothered to lock the doors, you dont hesitate to brag to everyone in the grocery store that you work from home and anyone can look in the window and see all your nice, expensive office equipment.With that attitude, working from home could become your worst nightmare.Just because you dont go into an office does not mean you are not vulnerable to thieves and others who want to take advantage of your lax attitude. In fact, just as carjacking gained in frequency after annoying car alarms made it easier to just grab the car with the person in it, home invasions may become more likely because burglars have to become more aggressive when people are at home working.Security exper ts say home invasions are extremely dangerous because once a criminal gets into your home or apartment, he is now out of sight for easy detection and now has free rein to do what he wants.It's naive for people to believe rising violence in the workplace will not follow them home. This si especially true if your work involves contact with people who may have a reason to want to confront you personally -- and that could mean in your home office, with your family nearby.For that reason, experts advise a number of steps be taken by those working from home, to protect themselves and their families. Among them:1. Getting a dog. In a fenced yard, the dog can provide good company for your children, as well as signal trouble outside. When inside, the dog can alert you to anyone near the house when you are working.If you must have clients in the house, have the dog trained to sit quietly in the same room.2. Securing the doors and windows. In addition to keeping doors and windows locked at all times, get an intercom for the front or back doors. These inexpensive systems are easy to install and allow you to listen for outside activity as well as inquire who is at a door without opening it. Also, use covered peep holes for solid doors. Uncovered peep holes allow anyone on the outside to look in the peep hole and determine when you approach.At the same time, use window blinds that lower from the top, so that you can still get light, but dont display expensive equipment to outsiders.If you can afford it, a video system is the best for screening visitors. If not, a good perimeter alarm system -- that is turned on while you are at home -- is a good idea.3. Protecting your privacy.Theres no reason everyone has to know you work from home. In fact, the fewer people the better. Use a company name with a post office box, or some other delivery address other than your home. Use your company name in the phone book without the address listing, and answer the phone with your company na me.Forget just putting your first initial with your last name in the phone book. Everyone knows this is a trick mostly used by women -- a perfect tip-off to the bad guys. Have a male voice on your answering machine.4. Being aware. You may be running around on company business, your mind on the work you have to do when you get home. That makes it easy for a criminal to follow you home, and drag you inside. Make sure you check your rear view mirror when driving. If you suspect someone is following you, drive around the block. If you are suspicious, use your cell phone to call police or drive to a well-lit place or police department.5. Covering the bases. If you must have an associate or client come in your home on business, always have another appointment to keep -- lunch with a husband, another meeting, etc., so that they know someone will be checking up on you.Always meet someone for the first time in a public place. If it is a sales person, then call the company to confirm the pers ons identity, and try to get a physical description. Call your local Chamber of Commerce if you are not familiar with the business.6. Delivering the goods. Overnight package deliveries and courier services probably will be a fact of life if you work from home, but anyone can put on a uniform and use a van to pose as a delivery person. If you are not familiar with the delivery service, do not open the door, but have the package placed on the step. Wait several hours before retrieving it -- bad guys can hide in the bushes and grab you when the door opens.Only open the door to sign for a package if you are sure it is a legitimate service.del.icio.us

The Damn Good RSum Guide to Rowing

The Damn Good RSum Guide to RowingMy friend Eddie, being a fellow spender of online poker, sent me the Damn Good Rsum Guide to Rowing. He is always looking for new ways to spend his money, and he wanted to find something that would benefit him. The guide included some lessons in rsum basics, and I thought it was worth giving a try.Rsum writing is one of the most important aspects of poker playing. There are a lot of aspects that go into a well-written and properly implemented Rsum transaction. It is a skill in itself to be able to write a successful Rsum transaction. That is why it is a must-have for everyone who ever participates in online poker games.One of the greatest aspects of the damn good Rsum guide is that it doesn't just address the topic of Rsum, but it addresses the writing aspect as well. No matter what the purpose of a Rsum transaction may be, there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration. These are things that most of us do not even think about when we are writing our Rsum transactions. For example, let's say that you are playing a game of fantasy baseball with a few friends. If you want to create the most profitable Rsum transaction possible, then it is necessary that you use some of the following ideas.Use the info from the above paragraph to incorporate them in your Rsum writing. I have covered most of these things in the damn good Rsum guide.The damned good Rsum guide is not just about what to write but how to make sure that you are able to put your thoughts and ideas into words. It has sections on proper etiquette and how to write in such a way that you can communicate effectively with the other players.Of course, even if you are a novice in the art of RSum writing, it is still possible for you to learn. There are hundreds of RSum games played on various poker sites worldwide, and plenty of free time for beginners to try out different strategies in each of them. Just be sure that you use what you learn in your Rsum writin g in your actual game play.Once you get more familiar with the terms and guidelines of online poker game writing, it will definitely be easier for you to pick up on the basics of writing a winning Rsum transaction. Use the tips I provided in the Damn Good Rsum Guide to Rowing and incorporate them into your online poker game. Soon enough, you'll be writing winning Rsums all by yourself.If you are an amateur player or a seasoned veteran of online poker, it is always a good idea to learn more about the basics of RSum writing and its application. The damned good Rsum guide can help you get started.

Deferring questions about salary expectations

Deferring questions about salary expectations My clients often ask me when is the appropriate time to discuss salary expectations. Its in the candidates best interest not to discuss compensation until there is an offer on the table. You need to first get the employer to love you and feel that theyve got to have you. Once youve accomplished this you will be in a much better position to negotiate your employment package. If asked for salary expectation early on in the interview process, you can respond by saying Im happy to discuss salary at the appropriate time but for now Id like to discuss how I can add value to your organization and learn more about the position to determine if it is a good fit. Would that be alright with you? or Im sure that your company pays competitively and I dont anticipate that salary will be an issue.Another strategy is to turn the question back on the employer and ask a question of your own. For example, you can ask what the salary range is for the position. Once you have this information, you can let the employer know if this range is consistent with what you are looking for without disclosing an actual dollar amount.

Once The Kiss of Death Job Hopping Is Becoming More Acceptable

Once The Kiss of Death Job Hopping Is Becoming More Acceptable Once The Kiss of Death Job Hopping Is Becoming More Acceptable A series of shorter stints at different companies no longer carries the same stigma it once did according to a 2014 study by CareerBuilder. More than half of employers (55 percent) responding to the survey said they have hired someone considered to be a job hopper and nearly one-third (32 percent) said they expect people to change jobs often. While the study indicates that a significant number of employers (43 percent) still won’t consider a candidate who has moved often, other respondents believe there are benefits to hiring candidates who have worked for several companies. CareeerBuilder noted that more than half (53 percent) of employers said that job hoppers tend to have a wide range of knowledge and can adapt quickly (51 percent). Survey results particularly benefit new graduates. CareerBuilder found that employers expect younger workers who are still trying to develop a career path to switch jobs more frequently than older employers. Almost half of respondents (45 percent) said that when they hire a new college grad they expect them to stay with the organization two years, or less. But employer expectations change somewhat with a job seekers age. Many employers (41 percent) said that frequently changing jobs is less acceptable when workers reach their early-to mid-thirties, while others (28 percent) find job-hopping less acceptable after the age of 40. The study also found that by age 35 twenty-five percent of workers have held five jobs or more, while twenty percent of workers 55 and older have held ten jobs or more. The study showed that some industries, like Information Technology where there is a talent shortage, have a higher percentage of employers who expect workers to job hop. The top five industries are: Information Technology (42 percent), Leisure Hospitality (41 percent), Transportation (37 percent), Retail (36 percent), and Manufacturing (32 percent). As a side note, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that individuals born between 1957 to 1964 held an average of 12 jobs before they were 50.