Skill Selection The Key Ingredient to Cooking Up a Tasty CV

Skill Selection The Key Ingredient to Cooking Up a Tasty CV Everybody loves food, right? Right. Now that I have your attention, lets take a look at what cooking culinary treats  can teach us about creating careers. All workers rely on special tools to help them create masterpieces in their jobs. For chefs, its all about their knives.    They almost become part of them  throughout their careers, along with the accompanying sharpener. Without them, theyd be lost. For a chef, selecting a knife  not an easy task, and the answers dont come without a lot of research and effort. They have to sift through loads of alien terminology  and an overwhelming number of options, before finally finding which ones work best for them. And then theres the question of which knife for which dish? Its a rabbit hole and gets  expensive fast.  Does this sound familiar? If youre a job seeker, it probably does! How to select skills for your CV For job seekers, the most important tool is  their skill set, which is enhanced by  experience. Its then  a skill in itself to be  able to articulate in writing why youre the best person for the role (referencing this skill set), and be able to back  it up with examples. Tricky stuff. If I asked you to jot down 5 of your key skills, could you do it  easily? When selecting which skills highlight on your CV, job seekers need to think about the end goal and what sort of profile they want to create for each role they apply for. Just like a chef  or  cook a special dish and trying to find the right knife to help them pull it off, there is so much noise job seekers  have to cut through to find the best  choice. Ask five people or recruiters for feedback on how best to bring your experience alive, and you will  receive 5 different answers. The  advice is endless and the choice of which skills  to choose is challenging so  I suggest starting with three steps: 1. Brainstorm Use whatever gadget is handy, or a good old fashioned pen and paper and start writing down what you  believe are your core skills. Start with five and keep adding and remember to include both your  professional and personal life. Many people I meet do incredible things outside of work, I have met  professional musicians, football coaches, volunteers and many more and all of these activities come  with new and diverse skills. If you find this tough go back and think about what tasks you did daily in  your role. Ask colleagues or check your work appraisals. 2.  Rank Secondly once you have a list of ten or more get a red pen and circle the skills you enjoy the most. As a  cook, one of the things I enjoy is making something out of nothing.  This means finding random ingredients and bringing them together to create a meal.  This ranking process is  very important as it helps in your third and final step. 3. Elaborate Chefs rely on their knives to help them create masterpieces; the chopping, dicing or slicing is important  depending on the dish they plan to create. If they have created something nice they know they can do  something similar the next time. The same applies to your successes or achievements. Now is the  time to look at each of the skills highlighted in red. For each of the skills, can you remember something you  did that made you feel fantastic? A great way to make this easier is to break it down and think about a  situation you faced, the challenges involved and how you dealt with those challenges to create a  positive outcome. Example:  Your children told the school you were happy to make a cake for the  bake sale and forgot to tell you until the night before. Situation: No problem! you said, until you went  to the fridge to get the milk and realised there was not enough left. Challenge: There was no time to go to the store for  more so what to do? Action: You checked the fridge saw there was a bit of single cream, so you used  the cream and remainder of the milk and combined them together but you were still short! Given the  cream is thicker, you added some water and added it to the batter. The outcome was a cake that  looked and tasted amazing, your children were happy and you could relax. Result: This is a simple  example but if you apply the same process to documenting your key achievements and skills, then writing your CV and preparing for an interview will be easier. The choice is up to you. With chefs, the more they use their knives, the easier preparing the plate is and this principle  applies to all of us in the job-seeking process. Can you identify your core skills and achievements? If you take the time to  lay your foundations, the chances of finding the role you want increases! About the author:  Cindy Etsell is an author, career coach and marketer at  www.cookingupsuccess.co.uk.

Resume Writing Links - Are They Allowed During Interviews?

Resume Writing Links - Are They Allowed During Interviews?Do you know the best time to incorporate resume writing links into your job application? Is there a time when they are more useful than others? Is there a time when it is not so good to include them at all? This article will discuss some of these points and help you understand the best way to go about this process.First of all, let's start with resume writing links that can be found on a resume. These are primarily used for links to your resume. If your resume contains a link to another site, you need to be sure that the link is a direct link to your resume, not a link to a page on the other site. So, you might end up appearing as if you had a link to your resume on the homepage of a site where your resume is hosted!When your resume is in your head or in your hands, you might be tempted to include links to other websites. When you do this, you need to make sure that the links are clickable links. This means that when you click on them, you need to have the URL of the site that you are linking to in your hand so that you can then change it before you click on the link.The second thing that you need to know about the best time to incorporate resume writing links into your job application is when you are applying for an interview. In most cases, you will not be allowed to change your resume until you actually get an interview. Therefore, you should incorporate resume writing links into your resume as soon as you get an interview.Additionally, there are some employers who want to see some sort of testimonial from a previous employer, or an interview that you attended, before they are going to invite you to their interview. These testimonials and interviews should appear at the very top of your resume. So, if you want to use resume writing links, you should make sure that they appear as soon as possible.There are also some employers who might not allow you to link to your resume on the Internet. Therefore, if you are not allowed to place links on the Internet, then you might have trouble placing them on your resume. So, again, it might be a good idea to mention this point at the very beginning of your resume.Finally, there are many resume writing links that are commonly included with resumes. These usually include links to your personal website, as well as links to your e-mail address. These are generally used for contact information, but don't use them as the main reason for including them in your resume.Resume writing links are usually used in order to build links to your resume. However, you should be sure that your resume does not contain any resume writing links. This might seem like common sense, but it is often forgotten when people are using resume writing links.

Why Modern Offices Stop Millennials Leaving

Why Modern Offices Stop Millennials Leaving Did you know that 16% of 18-24-year-olds have left a job due to poor office design and 31% of UK workers claimed that their working environment makes them feel uninspired? Recent research also shows that one-fifth of millennials are actually rejecting potential employers due to dull and uninspiring office layouts. Millennials are already the largest segment in the workplace which makes it crucial that companies cater to the younger generation and what they look for in a workplace which is flexibility, modernized offices, and improved collaboration.   Benefits of a Millennial Office Space   Switching to a millennial office space can have many benefits including the following:   Employee and talent retention   Sustainability   Stronger collaborative workforce Attracts millennials   Makes workers happier   Creates a positive working environment   Increased productivity and morale   Efficient use of space   How to Improve Your Workspace   Whether you’re an employer looking to retain your staff, are self-employed or work from home; making a few simple yet effective changes to your workspace can have massive, positive results. As a business, switching to a millennial office space will help you attract some of the top talent in your industry, make you stand out amongst competitors, promote a positive company image, create a stronger collaborative workforce and also improve morale. Here are a few things to focus on when designing your millennial office space:   Bright color scheme and plants â€" the colour is proven to have a huge impact on our mood, motivation and productivity levels while plants can help reduce stress levels. Natural light natural lighting is known for having a positive impact on wellness, mental health, and productivity. Artificial light can also have a negative effect on those working in an office, so if it can be avoided always opt for natural light.   Increased space open spaces prevent employees from feeling trapped or claustrophobic in their workspace. Clear, clutter-free spaces with plenty of room for movement and collaboration will mean people aren’t restricted. Clutter also makes us feel more stressed, so minimal furniture is always best.   Multi-functional desks invest in a sit/stand desk to allow people to have flexibility and versatility within their workspace. This will improve their physical and mental health by keeping them active and energized. Ideal room temperature nobody can work in a room that is too hot or too cold, therefore finding the right balance is key.   21 degrees Celsius is said to be the perfect temperature to work in and also improves productivity and focus. It will also ensure that your staff are happy and comfortable at all times.     Updated technology up to date systems and technology is required for millennials due to how tech-savvy they all are! Multiple computer screens were also shown to increase productivity amongst employees by 50%.   Hot Desking   Being committed to a desk and seat in an office environment is a dated concept that not many people are actually a fan of. Unless you’re happy with who you’re sitting next to and don’t like change, you may end up feeling tied to your desk. Hot desking is one of the latest innovations in the workplace that many millennials are enjoying. Hot desking basically consists of flexible seating arrangements that allow employees to work remotely while freeing up desk space it could also save the UK up to £34 billion a year!   Office Pets   Who doesn’t like the idea of a furry friend sharing your office space with you from time to time? Office pets are becoming increasingly popular and Google, Amazon and Ben Jerrys are just some of the world-famous companies adopting this into their working environment. It’s not a bad idea either, 39% of employees felt that pets at work would increase productivity and 50% claimed it would increase their happiness. You can either invest in an office pet or allow employees to bring in their own once a week it’s a great way to improve the mood around the office and can also help different teams interact. Check out this infographic for more ideas on how to create an office suitable for millennials. Author bio:  Century Office are experts in all things office design with over 30 years of experience working within the industry. They provide ergonomic workplace furniture as well as modern office design services.

Avoid Using Annoying Business Jargon at Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Avoid Using Annoying Business Jargon at Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Many employees use buzzwords at work. While they may think using these phrases will make them seem smarter, it is actually the opposite. These phrases are often annoying and meaningless. Also, they may hurt your credibility at work. If you want to move up the career ladder, you should be careful about how you speak and the words you choose. Therefore, think twice before using the following phrases at work. Think Outside the Box: This is a phrase especially consultants like to use. Let’s forget about the box and just say ‘Think differently’ or ‘Think from a different perspective’. Nobody needs a box to look at things from a different angle. Take it to the Next Level: Well, everybody understands that it means to make something better than it is now. However, unless that next level is defined, how are you supposed to know what to do? This isn’t a video game where you collect points and reach to different levels. Therefore, next time when you hear this phrase, ask that person ‘how?’ Low Hanging Fruit: This phrase is one of the most annoying ones. Why don’t you just say ‘this is easy’. Why do you need to express this with a buzz-phrase? Circle Back: Instead of saying ‘let’s circle back’, just say we need to meet again or discuss this again in the future. Take it Offline: This phrase has nothing to do with the internet or being online/offline, unless you are working in the IT industry and you are really trying to take a web page offline. It means discussing the issue later because it has nothing to do with the current issue or discussing the issue separately because other people in the meeting don’t need to be involved in this discussion. Therefore, just say ‘let’s discuss this later, after the meeting’. This will be much clear for the other person. Open the Kimono: If there are Japanese people working in your office, don’t get surprised if they get offended the first time they hear this phrase. Why don’t you just tell ‘reveal all the information’ or ‘share everything you know’. It is much easier to understand what you are actually trying to say when you don’t use buzz-phrases. Boil the Ocean: This phrase has nothing to do with global warming. It means whatever you are trying to do is not possible. Therefore, as an alternative to this phrase, you can use ‘this is not reasonable’ or ‘we cannot do this in this short period of time’.

Writing Accounting Resume - Increase Your Chances For an Interview

Writing Accounting Resume - Increase Your Chances For an InterviewA writing accounting resume should be easy to understand and short, to the point. With a resume you can impress your future employer and get noticed. Whether it is for a new account or as an update of what you have done, it should detail all of your experiences, and show potential employers that you are an excellent writer.Writing accounting resumes can be time consuming and tedious. They need to be accurate, simple, and concise. They also need to be detailed and impressive. But at the same time, they should not read too much like a boilerplate job application. When you apply for several jobs at the same time, it's more helpful to keep things simple, and make sure you have enough to back up your claims of abilities and experience.In the business world, clients expect you to provide everything needed for their needs. It can be as simple as a check for a weekly mortgage payment, or as elaborate as maintaining a large, an d often virtual, accounting server. The former is especially important, since the client may be depending on you to handle their accounts. So they will want you to be clear and specific with your requirements and will be impressed if you make a serious effort to explain them. On the other hand, if you are trying to catch the eye of a new client, then a simple explanation could get your own hiring by a larger business.You also need to tell the clients how you came to begin with this particular field, and your own interest in this type of work. You will want to note whether you have previous experience in an accountant position, and how that relates to the new position. This is an important detail to be aware of. There are several kinds of accounting positions that you could fill. Depending on what kind of work you enjoy, could determine what type of accounting field you will be interested in.With the help of a personal computer, and basic writing skills, you can go through an account ing resume as a format, or edit it and rewrite it to better suit your own writing skills. Some of these examples would include editing for grammatical mistakes, to enhance your writing abilities.You should always consider getting help with your writing if your resume doesn't suit you or is not useful to your current employment. However, you can add in any necessary information and give clear and concise examples of past jobs, if you feel it is appropriate.The most difficult part of creating a good and interesting writing resume, may be finding the time to do it. However, don't let it stop you. There are dozens of free online tools that you can use. Just search for something such as 'writing accounting resume' and you will find many sites that offer these formats and examples.This writing resume must be able to clearly outline your strengths and skills and show your ability to develop the skills needed for this specific career path. Write as quickly as possible, and avoid wasting val uable time by reviewing the resume to find spelling errors.

Job Search Quick Bits Preparing for Your Search

Job Search Quick Bits Preparing for Your Search Job Search Quick Bits:  Preparing for  Your Search   We know you’re busy and sometimes a little is better than a lot. When you need “a bit” of information or inspiration, take a look at our  Job Search Quick Bits.   How can I brand myself?   Branding is the  feeling  part of how we market ourselves.   To  drive towards a meaningful career,  you need to drive towards a personal brand.   It starts by understanding who you are and what your reputation is.   Once you understand who you are  and what you want, think about your desired reputation and how you can get there.   Describe yourself authentically  based on your skills and experiences.   How specific should my goal statement be?     When crafting a goal statement, is it acceptable to say broad locations as preference such as East Coast or West Coast?   East  Coast, West Coast, South, North â€" these are way  too general.  Be very comfortable  naming  a city  (or two).     Have a preference.  Where do you really want to live?   Your elevator pitch might include, “I would like to move to Charlotte, North Carolina,  and find  kind of  job.     If you have  family, friends, or your spouse want  you  to move to a different city, a  long-distance  search is totally possible.  Just be clear about your preferences and go for it.   How should I prepare for a job fair or hiring event?   Know which companies will be there and what positions they have open.   Have a strategy before you go.   Ask more questions like,  Tell me more about what you do.   When in doubt, be interested instead of interesting.   Take lots of business cards!   Take notes.   Why is  my  LinkedIn Headline important?   LinkedIn searching is an algorithm  and key words in your headline make it easy for the algorithm to select you.   About those key words… put yourself in the hiring managers’  shoes and think about what keywords they are looking for.   Add the  city  where  you are searching  for a job  in  your headline.     Where can I  find information about the culture of a company or what its like to work there?   Check out  Glassdoor.com  where you’ll find:   Job Board  with job listings.   Company reviews the YELP of companies based on employee submissions.   Salaries  review  â€"  discover your market value. Join Dana  Manciagli’s  Job Search Master Class  now  and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

Happiness at work and Goal-Free Living. Event in Copenhagen on Oct. 5 - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Happiness at work and Goal-Free Living. Event in Copenhagen on Oct. 5 - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ive been hard at work over the last couple of days putting together a tremendously cool event here in Copenhagen. The theme is goals. Do you have the right goals in life and at work? What do your goals do to you? Are you always chasing goals other people set for you? Are you one of the people who never seem to reach their goals? Or do you reach them but forget to enjoy it? Maybe youre a goal-a-holic, like so many others these days. You can test yourself here, to see if you are. This event will highlight: How to find the right goals How to find the energy to reach your goals How you can live goal-free The speakers include Nicolai Moltke-Leth, one of Denmarks leading business speakers, Stephen Shapiro, author of Goal-Free Living and yours truly :o) The event takes place on Friday Oct. 5 from 1-4 PM in Copenhagen. It will be partly in English and partly in Danish and it only costs 300 DKK per person. Sign up fast, theres only room for 200 people and I have a feeling this is going to be huuuuuge :o) You can learn more and sign up here. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related