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10 Tips You Should Know to Reinvent Yourself

COVID-19, lockdowns, work-from-home, vaccines, and web-meetings all day have worn many to the breaking point. Recovering from the pandemic may require taking a new job, maybe in a new place, and possibly even a completely new career. This isn’t necessarily a negative though. Most of us, at some point in our lives, are presented with the opportunity to make a fresh start. If you change your job, move to a different town or even country, you can reinvent yourself, tidy up all the loose ends in your recent past and step out into a brand-new persona.

 

You can change the way you dress, live, and how you show up in life. This is a particularly refreshing time for those people who welcome change, because it gives them a reason and a purpose to change everything at the same time.

 

If you relish the opportunity to change, consider these Top 10 Tips to help reinvent yourself:

 

1. Avoid giving in to what is expected, reasonable, sensible, or appropriate.

The point here is to enjoy yourself. For example:

  • If you’ve been ‘the grey suit guy’ all your life and you want to be the Hawaiian Shirt guy, just do it.
  • If you’ve been ‘the modest condo guy’, and you secretly lusted after a penthouse suite with views of the ocean, find one.
  • And if you’ve always been the ‘BMW sedan guy’ but love the idea of driving a 55 Chevy pick-up, this is your time to shine. People will notice that you live life according to your own rules, and you can enjoy every minute of it!

2. If you’re in a new job or locale, this is a time to make new friends

Choose carefully and wisely. You don’t need to be everybody’s friend.

  • Keep your circle small. Sound people out and use your new friends to sound out new places and potential new hobbies too. Others will notice that you’re friendly but have a private side too.

3. Practice being a great listener

You’ll be amazed at what you can learn about people, places, and everything else if you just listen. Ask lots of questions. You’re new here and others will expect you to ask questions. Ask some good ones…and listen.

  • A surprising perk of this technique is that others will refer to you as a great conversationalist!

4. Take time to explore the area …. alone

You’ll notice and appreciate more if you’re alone. Take pictures and make notes. It will make for great conversations later!

5. Be a good neighbor

Take time to help others. Practice random acts of kindness at every opportunity.

  • Others will appreciate you and speak well of you, especially if you help with no thought of a reward. Do it because you can and for no other reason.

6. Stand up and speak out for things you have a passion for

Let others know that you are both willing and able to make your point, debate an issue, or speak up for those who have no voice. People will notice that you are selfless and put others before yourself.

7. Start early

Show that you have a zest for life and can’t wait to get at it each day. Walk quickly and with purpose. Always be the first to volunteer for everything.

  • You will win some and you will lose some, but overall, you will win because everyone will know you as the one who is up for everything.

8. Be generous with your praise for everybody who has earned it

Giving credit to others will show how much you appreciate them, and it will come back to you tenfold.

9. Keep yourself fit and healthy

Set a good example. You don’t have to go crazy – just eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and do some form of exercise that raises your heart rate for 30 minutes each day.

  • The pay-off is phenomenal. Others will notice you and be inspired, which, in turn, will inspire you to continue.

10. Thank others – for everything, all the time

Show your gratitude to as many people as you can, as often as you can. Most people are starved of thanks for a job well done, for sharing their wisdom, or for acknowledging their kindness.

  • People will appreciate you forever if you show them gratitude for good words and deeds.

 

Most of the time, our mind runs on autopilot because how we show up in life is directed by our subconscious mind. When you turn the job over to your conscious mind and really put some thought into it, amazing things can happen.

 

People’s perception of you can change in a heartbeat if you apply any one of these Top 10 Tips. If you apply yourself to all 10, you will, indeed, be a completely different person – one that you consciously designed. Try it – you’ll like it!

 

If you’d like some help with finding some opportunities to explore as you reinvent yourself, check our Job Search Engine.

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Resume Writing With These 11 Essential Tips

Read This Before You Exaggerate in Your Resume Writing

 

There’s a lot of pressure to embellish your resume but lying about your qualifications could be disastrous. You may be confused about where to draw the line, especially if you’re new to the job market or returning after some time off.

 

If so, you have plenty of company. About 46% of adults know someone who has included false information on a resume, according to a survey by the staffing firm OfficeTeam.

 

It’s a disturbing situation because the risks and consequences of getting caught are so high. Hiring managers may notice inconsistencies between your online profile and your application or your new boss may have a conversation with one of your former coworkers. As a result, you could lose a job offer or even be fired.

 

You can avoid exaggerating in your resume writing and still present yourself as an outstanding candidate. Try these alternative strategies for making your experience and education sound as impressive as possible without stretching the truth.

 

Being Honest About Your Experience:

 

  1. Seek professional help. If you’re having trouble attracting job offers or feel like you need to market yourself more effectively, consider working with a job coach or a resume writing service. Someone with expertise in human resources can help you deal with weaknesses and showcase your strengths.
  2. List correct dates. Gaps in employment history are common these days. Explain how you used your downtime productively with contract work or volunteering.
  3. State your job title. What if you operated at a higher level than your job title suggests, or few employers would understand what it even means? Include the official label of your position as part of your resume writing, but back it up with additional details about what you actually did.
  4. Describe your role. You’ve probably been advised to focus on your impact and quantify your achievements. Use your judgement and ask others for feedback if you think you may be getting too creative. Persuading one customer to order a $20 entree instead of a $10 dish is different from doubling sales.
  5. Assess your skills. Is there a long list of software programs and foreign languages at the bottom of your resume? Be sure to describe your level of proficiency and fluency accurately. You may be tested during the hiring process or on the job.
  6. Consider your hobbies. Unless your pastimes are relevant to the position, you can usually leave them off. If you do mention them, pick activities you really participate in.
  7. Do volunteer work. Supporting worthy causes is a great way to make your resume stand out. If you’ve been neglecting your charitable side, it’s easy to catch up. Call a volunteer hotline or ask your neighbors about local nonprofits they like. You can also check aggregation sites like Volunteer Match
  8. Disclose your salary. You can get a raise without inflating your last salary. Many employers rely more on market value and their own budget in determining compensation. Practicing your negotiation skills will help too.

 

Being Honest About Your Education:

 

  1. Forget about grades. Outside of academia, few employers will want to hear about your GPA. On the other hand, you might want to brag about graduating summa cum laude if the facts bear it out.
  2. Declare your major. Cheer up even if the job ad specifies a different major than yours. Most companies are flexible about such matters.
  3. Complete your degree. Claiming fictitious degrees can be hazardous to your career. If you need additional credentials to advance, consider going back to school or taking additional courses at a local university or online.

 

Honesty is the safer policy when it comes to applying for a job. Design a resume that will help you sell yourself and double check the contents to ensure you’re painting an accurate picture of your background and potential.

 

If you’re in the market for places to submit your flashy new resume, check our Job Search Engine.

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Career Advancement Strategies To Do At Home

Just a few hours at home can help your career advance more than you might think.

Among the steps you can take to help advance your career progression include making sure your resume is up-to-date and networking with people you meet.  Networking is a key component to a successful career advancement strategy because there are jobs out there just waiting to be filled.

 

Once you have successfully navigated your career advancement journey and landed a job, you need to prepare yourself for a rewarding future that’s even better than the one you’re on now. Being able to cultivate career equity is one of the keys to fulfilling your dreams of advancing professionally.

 

Communicating with Your Crew, Friends, and Allies is Crucial to Career Advancement

Not everyone has a near-perfect resume. The objective of this article is to provide some tips and pointers for you to prepare your resume for your next professional move. There are countless ways to add value to your CV and resume. Here are a few ways you can help make your resume standout from the crowd and stand out from the candidates vying for your services.

Note: There are several online tools to help you create and customize your own resume, one of which is Resume Workflow. You can also find many of these tools at Employers and Credentialing websites. However, some of these tools are better than others at certain key areas. If you are looking for one tool to help you create a good resume then don’t hesitate to consider these free online tools: Resume Generator, resumesByIvy, EHM Resume Maker, and Guidance

You’ll get some paid tools if you’re willing to shell out money, but it’s ultimately about being a team player. If you don’t communicate with others, it’s much harder for others to grasp your value. Furthermore, you may have trouble establishing a work-related relationship if you cannot convey the same value that is intrinsic in your resume.

Staying in touch with your network can help your career advancement

1. Increase your Structure

The most important aspect of your resume is the structure of your information. There’s a way to tell the truth without being honest. A nice way to begin is to be brief. If you’re writing a new resume, it’s advisable to explain where you’ve worked before you get started. By telling people about your previous job, you show they are able to learn from experience.

 

What you need to consider when writing a resume that gives a real sense of what you do is how you use structure. It’s important to be clear, concise, and to the point. Some people just write one page of resume, but some do a lot more. Here’s how to break up your resume to be clearer:

 

Use words that will cut through…Be specific…Don’t forget to pick your favorite words

2. Use Google to find relevant jobs

Finding new jobs is always helpful. You don’t have to get a job. We just need to get you the kinds of positions you need to fill.

 

The best way to get free information is to do research. Sometimes the web is a great place to start. At other times, you may need a professional search engine to get the answers you need for your career advancement and eventual retirement. 

 

Asking yourself questions is the most important step of all. What are the skills I need to have? Why should I be seeking a new job? How can I tell if the job will be great? What do I need to know about the organization? What information should I have before I go to interview?

Ask someone you know from school, a professional colleague, or someone you know from work how to fill out a resume. Remember: At an interview, they will look at the information you gave them and then be able to make an accurate assessment of your skills and experience. (See “The Perfect Resume For Your Interview”)

Having a current resume is an excellent practice

Look for chronological order of accomplishments.

All resumes have two basic sections: career experience and education. (If you have any questions about any of these factors, consult with an HR professional.) Once you know how much education you have, consider creating an account on LinkedIn. In addition to your Education section, you should also include important Career Advancement Summary information such as:

Organization experience (company, division, project, job, position, position manager)

Job title (where did the job originate and what was its duration)

Firm structure (how many persons do you have reporting to you)

City of residence

Employment options

Name of personal and professional home (if you have one)

Time worked at the organization (how many hours per week)

Employee rating from supervisors (or business partners)

You can sort your education/employment information in two ways: Alphabetically and Chronologically.

 

The searchable LinkedIn LinkedIn Education section indicates which jobs have you held (whether you are listed as “on the job” or “succeeded”).

 

Additionally, the education section displays an extensive list of jobs available to you.

 

To request a free LinkedIn search, you need to create an account and upload your resume.

 

Other Employers

 

Though no job search on LinkedIn is foolproof, several websites can help you find some of the best employers and positions on LinkedIn, including the following:

 

Employers and managers on LinkedIn search through multiple sources to find candidates for new positions.

 

Recruiter I-Square searches over 5 million LinkedIn profiles and has over 100,000 “sign-ups” per month.

 

Employers on LinkedIn do not have access to your private profile.

 

Employers only access your public profile and can not search through it.

 

LinkedIn.com is a Business

LinkedIn is a valuable tool for job searches and career advancement

Although LinkedIn is most popular as a workplace network, there are benefits of using the site as a business tool to help your career advancement.

 

Even if you don’t plan to start your own business, LinkedIn still offers access to a broader pool of candidates than just company personnel.

 

As a member of many HR systems, employers can see what you’ve done, what you look like and which areas of your LinkedIn profile you would be most interested in talking to.

 

If you’re actively looking for a job, your profile and cover letter can help you stand out from the crowd. This will also help you in your search and provide recruiters with the information they need to write a better cover letter.

 

How to Go Further with LinkedIn

 

There are hundreds of profiles with dozens of LinkedIn Groups just for employers, from popular “best” employers to smaller. However, the information you can uncover through these groups is far from complete. Keep digging and you’ll find your way. But most of all, try to enjoy it!

Check our job search engine while you’re at it.

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