Upskilling the Workforce

Upskilling the Workforce Employers are increasingly finding ways to upskill existing staff rather than recruiting new staff for their organizations. We know that good employees value development opportunities and will seek other opportunities in order to expand their knowledge and skill sets if they can’t meet their needs at work. This incentivizes employers to focus on staff retention in order to avoid increased recruiting and onboarding costs. Engaging with the process of lifelong learning is an essential part of planning for the future especially as advances in artificial intelligence and automation gather pace. It is more effective to reskill and upskill staff you know and who know you; the known quantity has a great advantage here. Upskilling is the process of teaching your employees new skills as technology affords new opportunities and new jobs which require specialized skillsets; by upskilling the organization fills vacancies from their current workforce while creating development opportunities. Invest for success It’s a win-win scenario investing in employee learning and skills training means that the organization enhances their human capital while sending the valuable message that staff are worth the investment and have a place in the future growth and prosperity of the organization, and it makes staff more valuable in the evolving job market. Upskilling has the added benefit that it can be used to address issues around succession planning by providing employees with the training, knowledge, skills, and experience to step up when they are ready. Where an organization’s culture is attractive to applicants who value development opportunities they have an edge over the competition when competing for talent. Additionally, employee brand advocates in the organization are more likely to refer their personal contacts for vacancies when they know the organization invests in the future of staff. Planning career pathways There are so many advantages to upskilling. The employer who provides workers with good opportunities for learning, development, and growth will enhance employee engagement, commitment, and enthusiasm for work. Upskilling affords employees the chance to expand their skills and potentially enhance career opportunities. Individuals can best ensure their future employability is to ensure their value as an employee by learning and growing for the future. Good employers will favor staff who demonstrate a willingness to tackle new challenges. Consider some options: Customized learning and development programmes to meet skill requirements for the organization; Developing talent across the board and encourage participation at all levels with strategies to support lifelong learning; Identify employees who will benefit from stretch assignments and development opportunities to help motivate and engage them. Upskilling works best where it has a focus on the career path and aspirations of the employee. Empowering staff to devise a personal career management plan is crucial to the success of any development initiative, enabling staff to identify the skills and competencies that resonate with them rather than being told what they need to learn. Options and opportunities Technology affords us so many new ways to offer learning and development opportunities that staff can access at need and use at their own pace. Elearning and virtual classrooms offer flexibility and informal options such as micro-learning resources or lunch and learn sessions are cost-effective and time-efficient solutions. It’s important to recognize that upskilling does not only apply to technical skills but is also relevant in terms of skills such as creative thinking, strategy planning, leadership, emotional intelligence, building and maintaining relationships, or resilience. New technology, AI and automation will change the workplace but there will be still a market for people with soft skills in the future; in fact, we need a greater emphasis on the ability to collaborate and communicate in the challenging environment we are likely to face.

How to Write Interest on Resume

How to Write Interest on ResumeInterest on resume is one of the most important aspects of it and very few writers are able to write coherently about this aspect. It should be clear that it's difficult to compose a complete description of it. However, when you think about it logically, writing a write up on resume is not easy and should not be put off in your thoughts because it requires skill, awareness and an effort on your part.Interest on resume starts from the first line and it continues until the end of the paragraph. The topic is chosen according to the subject area of the job. To further add to this skill, if the job involves field research, interest on resume should be about the research work and at the same time, the parts that have nothing to do with the job should be included to make the article clear.Just like any other writing skill, writing interest on resume is about punctuation and sentence structure. But, unlike other skills, it is very important to decide whether it 's about a specific job or a general discussion or article. It is a better idea to provide general information. Therefore, if your interest is on resume for a sales position, your write up on it should also be about the sales.Interest on resume will work in favor of you if you also include facts. You should not copy the words from the article you have written but you should make it unique by adding some extra details. You should have a background of study so that people may find it interesting to read. The sentence structure is also important.In addition to this, write up on resume is all about the articles. You can write your interest on resume in many ways but the basic concept is to explain a specific subject in the article. So, first, you need to write the main idea and then the connection to the specific job.The next thing is to write about the connection between the title and the content of your write up on resume. You need to understand that the title is just one section of y our article. Therefore, if you want your reader to focus on the title, you should prepare them to move on to the next section if they want to know more about the topic.Finally, you should be aware that you should be interested in the topic you are writing about on resume. If you are interested in resume, your first thoughts are likely to be about this. Write about the points that will not only make you interested but also help you in your job search.Writing interest on resume is all about keeping the reader interested in the article. If you want your readers to read your write up on resume, you need to make them believe in the idea that the work you have written is something interesting.

5+ Best Journalist Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co

5+ Best Journalist Interview Questions Answers - Algrim.co We’ve compiled the absolute best journalist interview questions and answers to help you get hired in the journalism industry. Being a journalist is a changing role these days, meaning, you might not be writing for a newspaper anymore. But generally speaking, there’s still plenty of jobs to be done within journalism. The industry as a whole has taken some impact from social media, which is able to report on the news much quicker. Because of this, news has essentially become a commodity. It is important that before you enter into the job market for journalism that you understand what you are up against and position yourself as more valuable than what is already available to consumers via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social channels. Journalist Interview Questions & Answers Below is the best journalist or reporter interview questions I could find based on hiring and being hired in the advertising, arts, news and media industry. As with all of the interview questions, it's important that you practice these at home with a friend. The more you can feel confident about your answers, the better chance you will have of being hired for that position. Ask your friend to throw in a few trick questions and situational interview questions to throw you off. 1. What is investigative journalism? Investigative journalism is the act of performing ongoing and long investigations into a specific subject matter. Not too dissimilar to what might be a private investigator. But in this instance, what is found and what is being investigated upon is usually placed into a news story versus a potential arrest or conviction. 2. Which newspaper does Jeff Bezos own? Jeff Bezos, the owner of Amazon, own The Washington Post. 3. Why is social media not a news source? Social media is not a news source because it is often not verified. Fact checking is a core part of journalism, and social media does not provide that. Though, for breaking news, where situations are ongoing and the information is quite thin, social media is somewhat perfect for this. 4. Why are newspapers no longer being printed? As the internet has taken over consumers lives in the US, primarily due to access to it and the speeds of which we can get information, newspapers are too far behind in terms of the news. The news is being written and published in real-time versus a one day delay which is what traditional news reporting used to look like on printed newspapers. 5. How can you create engaging content when it's not immediately deliverable to the consumer? Engaging content can be produced simply by going deeper into subject areas than what everyone else is doing. For example, we can create great content that people will read in newspapers if we give them a reason to do so. That reason is usually information they are seeking and the knowledge that we’re doing deeper into the subject matter than what they can get online.

Top 3 Tips for Re-Entering the Workforce - Classy Career Girl

Top 3 Tips for Re-Entering the Workforce If you have been out of the workforce for a time but are now ready to make a comeback, take heart â€" there are many effective ways to re-enter the workforce with minimal stress and difficulty. By investing some effort and planning your return to work, you could be enjoying an exciting new position much sooner than you ever thought possible. 1. Be Prepared Before you rush into your return, think carefully about what you want to do. Consider whether you want to return to work you have previously done or whether it would be better for you to do something completely new. It’s wise to speak to as many people as possible, undertake some research online, and list the options that have most appeal for you. Prepare an inventory of your skills, interests, strengths, and the areas you would like to develop. An important part of being prepared for work is knowing whether you need to update your skills or possibly acquire new ones. Investigate the training and education options available; there is value in enhancing your career prospects through a course provided by a quality provider such as Careers Australia. In any case, connecting with a quality education and training organisation can help you appreciate the opportunities available and how your career may be enhanced through new or refined skills and experiences. 2. Have a Job Search Strategy You should ensure that your resume is updated and impressive. While you may have a range of qualifications, experiences and achievements to list, it’s important to keep your resume succinct. Although there is a massive variety of roles across a range of industries available, there is no benefit in recklessly sending your resume to everyone you can think of. Instead, there is far more value to be gained from taking a selective and strategic approach and ensuring that a cover letter is included. If you email your resume, follow this up with a phone call and make good use of your networks to learn about positions that are not advertised and to let people know that you are available and interested in particular job openings. 3. Be Open While you may have particular expectations about your return to the workforce, it’s advisable to adopt an open mindset and be willing to learn from the opportunities that present themselves to you. Use constructive feedback to your advantage, be persistent, keep the faith, and always be enthusiastic and optimistic. With the right attitude, more possibilities and opportunities will present themselves than you otherwise believed possible. If you have been out of the workforce for a period of time, there is a good chance that your level of confidence in returning to work is shaken. However, you have probably acquired a valuable range of skills and experiences in your time away and, with some thoughtful planning, a strategic approach and the right attitude, there is every chance that you will secure a fulfilling and enjoyable new role before you know it. Do you have some tips of your own for returning to the workforce? Share them with other readers in the comments below.

Veterans Resume Writing Helps You Gain Job Opportunities

Veterans Resume Writing Helps You Gain Job OpportunitiesVeteran resume writing is the most important part of your resume. It can mean the difference between the offer you get and the rejection you receive. The information in your resume is extremely important. You want to make sure that every detail that you provide is accurate.The process of veteran resume writing begins with a brief introduction that is very similar to a cover letter. Your goal is to create a rapport with the employer so that you can persuade them to hire you. Veteran resume writing also requires creating a professional image, writing a clear and concise resume, developing your skills, and knowing how to write a good overview for your resume.The format of your veteran resume is critical. It is important to develop a format that best conveys your message. This format should allow you to save your resume and provide it to future employers. The format must be self-explanatory and concise. The format is designed to cap ture the attention of the reader.Using bullet points will help you to highlight successful experiences and achievements. The words should all be short and easy to read. Avoid using any grammatical or spelling errors.The other important part of your resume is the information that you provide about yourself. Including the information about your job history will allow the employer to see what your accomplishments are. Be sure to include dates and specific work hours.Once you have the right information, you will then present your skills. Your skills may include great customer service, excellent organizational skills, and experience in multiple positions. It is important to use these skills to persuade the employer to hire you.Veteran resume writing can be very difficult to do. Veteran resume writing usually requires extensive research. This is necessary because you need to know what the employer looks for in a resume and how they view the position that you are applying for.Veteran resum e writing can be difficult and time consuming. You will find many places online that will help you complete your resume in an organized manner. By taking the time to learn all of the details about how to do veteran resume writing, you will be able to provide yourself with a solid foundation for the job that you are looking for.

Mark Silverman and the Long, Fulfilling Life [Podcast] - Career Pivot

Mark Silverman and the Long, Fulfilling Life [Podcast] - Career Pivot Episode #138 â€" Marc Miller interviews Mark Silverman of Amava. Description: After 30 years advising, building, running, and investing in a variety of consumer and technology companies in emerging markets, Mark Silverman, CEO of Amava, is now focused on the unique needs of the 1.2 billion people moving beyond career and parenting. Our aging population is creating enormous challenges, but also fantastic opportunities to help people live longer, healthier, more content lives. Mark invites you to join him and support organizations (both for and not-for-profit) bringing innovative solutions to a population looking for social engagement and meaningful connections. Key Takeaways: [1:19] Marc welcomes you to Episode 138 of the Repurpose Your Career podcast. Career Pivot is the sponsor of this podcast; CareerPivot.com is one of the very few websites dedicated to those of us in the second half of life and our careers. Check out the blog and the other resources delivered to you, free of charge. [1:49] If you are enjoying this podcast, please share it with other like-minded souls. Subscribe on CareerPivot.com, iTunes, or any of the other apps that supply podcasts. Share it on social media or just tell your neighbors and colleagues. The more people Marc reaches, the more people he can help. [2:09] Marc has released five chapters of the next edition of Repurpose Your Career to the Repurpose Your Career review team. Sign up to be part of the review team at CareerPivot.com/RYCTeam. [2:26] You will receive new chapters as they become available. Marc is looking for honest feedback and would love to get an honest review on Amazon.com after the book is released. Marc plans to release the book in mid-September and do both a virtual and a real book tour. [2:44] Marc has already recorded multiple podcast guest appearances. One is already out, where Marc was interviewed on the Not Old, Better Show podcast by Paul Vogelzang. Marc plans to have Paul on as a guest to tell his story. You will find a link to this podcast in the Show Notes at CareerPivot.com/episode-138. [3:12] Marc will be in Austin the week of September 22nd, the New Jersey area the week of September 29th, and D.C., the following week. Marc would love to meet his readers and listeners. [3:25] Marc has two events planned in Austin, three in New Jersey, and is working on a few more. He doesn’t have anything scheduled for the D.C. area, yet. Reach out to Marc at Podcasts@CareerPivot.com if you’d be willing to give Marc some advice on venues or groups who’d be interested in hosting an event. [3:45] Next week, Marc will be reading the preview chapter from Repurpose Your Career: Playbook for Building Strategic Relationships. [3:53] This week, Marc interviews Mark Silverman of Amava.com. Listen to the most recent episode Now on to the podcast… Download Link | iTunes|Stitcher Radio|Google Podcast| Podbean | TuneIn | Overcast [4:01] Amava™’s mission statement is, “We want you to live a long, fulfilling life. We focus on social engagement because, according to research, it can be more important to wellness than genes, nutrition, or fitness routines. It’s downright scary how dangerous it is to become isolated.” [4:28] Marc welcomes Mark Silverman, the CEO of Amava, to the Repurpose Your Career podcast. [4:45] Marc found out about Mark Silverman and Amava from a member of the Career Pivot Online Membership Community and thought he would like to have Mark on the Repurpose Your Career podcast. [4:59] Mark shares the origin story of Amava. Mark and his Amava Co-Founder KP Naidu had started sharing their personal stories of friends and family. Mark had witnessed his grandfather and his father-in-law decline in health after disengaging. Mark had also witnessed the value of continuing engagement of his parents and their friends. [5:24] About a month after KP and Mark started their early conversations, they were at a meeting of local business and volunteer leaders discussing the concept of Amava. It was not yet a company. They met Claire, a successful physician who had retired, the prior year. [5:42] When they asked Claire how she was doing, she talked about the fun she had in the first six months of her retirement. After traveling and visiting family, she found herself with a lot of time on her hands and nothing meaningful to do. She found it difficult to find people to do things with. [6:44] Claire was only 62, and for the first time, she was struggling to find purpose and friendship. When Mark and KP told her more specifically about their plans for Amava, she immediately asked when she could join. That’s when Mark and KP knew that this was a huge issue for so many people, even for successful people. [7:07] Whether people are struggling to get a positive start on their new post-career lives, or are just looking to find a few more meaningful activities, and people with whom to connect, Mark and KP realized this was something that they really wanted to pursue. [7:21] Marc recalls the beginnings of Sun City. It is not a new problem for retirees to find ways to engage in the community. [7:39] Mark points out that people are retiring earlier and living longer after retirement. How do you make 30 years of retired life meaningful? How do you stay active and connected? It is a massive and growing problem. Research from Stanford, Harvard, and others shows the significant negative impacts on health of disengagement and isolation. [8:26] When Mark and KP started researching Amava and the solution they proposed they found research that with as little as five hours a week of meaningful activity where you are connecting with other people, you can live a long, healthy life. [8:42] Marc has no plan to retire. He wants to work less at something he enjoys, and on his terms. Marc recalls his interview with Andrew Scott, co-author of The 100-Year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity. Andrew had written an article on NextAvenue called “Is 75 the New 65? How the Definition of Aging is Changing”. [9:07] Andrew proposed that the mortality rate for a 75-year-old today is the same as it was for a 65-year-old 20 years ago. We’re going to live for a long time. [9:21] Amava helps their members find meaningful, socially-engaging things to do with their time. This is as important to longevity as eating right and exercising. [9:38] The Amava editorial team works with employers, non-profits, educational institutions, group travel organizations, and the members, to surface opportunities to earn, learn, give back, or achieve some other personal objective. [9:55] Amava also offers, from time to time, products and services that are designed to support their members’ socially-active lifestyles. Many Amava members are primary caregivers of a loved one and are looking for advice and support.[10:08] Caregiving is the one purposeful activity that can increase isolation and loneliness. Amava seeks to help their members find balance through other flexible activities that meet their often-hectic schedules and also help them find support for their caregiving activities through Amava partners and members. [10:26] Amava has tens of thousands of members. A typical Amava user is somebody who has or is about to leave their full-time job or become an empty-nester. There is a balance of people retiring at a traditional retirement age and empty nesters who have left their careers early and have lost their sense of purpose with the children gone. [11:08] Among Amava members, age is less important than stage. People become empty-nesters and leave their careers at a broad range of ages. [11:30] Mark shares a story about a member who volunteers with Meals on Wheels in the Denver area and was looking for volunteers for an all-day activity. She asked Amava to post the opportunity. The result was finding several much-needed volunteers and creating new connections in her local community for herself and Meals on Wheels. [12:21] Mark shares the experience of an early Amava member empty-nester and former executive. She was looking for a flexible part-time position with a meaningful social component. The most important thing to her was staying active and staying social, more than the amount of money. [12:46] Amava suggested a number of local opportunities, both paid and volunteer. She ended up working part-time for a regional espresso shop that had a position in her community. She worked there for over a year and made a lot of connections. [13:11] A marketing executive grew tired of the daily grind and travel. Instead of a part-time position, she decided to open a small gathering place in her town, where people could connect with each other, and listen to local musicians while enjoying hand-crafted food. While she had challenges, it has become a big hit in the community. [13:45] Amava helped by bringing together experienced people who knew how to open a shop, and creating awareness in the community for her shop. She was a self-starter and didn’t need a lot of help finding her “next.” It was an incredibly rewarding experience early on for Amava. [14:19] Amava is looking at bringing people on who can help people set up their own businesses. A lot of people leaving their full-time careers look forward to controlling their own destinies and experience what it means to build something on their own, now that they have time and a little flexibility. [14:54] In the case of the marketing executive, she reached out to Amava, then started connecting with people in her community, online and in person. Amava’s goal is to help people move from an online connection to experience connection with people in their local community that would support her and help her. [15:45] Amava members are spread out across the U.S., with maybe 1% of the members outside the U.S. Amava has not reached out internationally, so the international members found them by searching. Amava grows by about five to ten thousand new members a month. [16:14] Amava is engaging with employers and organizations to help them understand how to communicate with an aging population and to have hiring and management processes that support a workplace that is age-friendly and attractive to Amava members.[16:45] Many organizations use age-specific labels that can offend. Businesses are not prepared for how to handle over-qualified applicants who are no longer focused on building their career or making the most money possible but want to stay engaged. [17:09] If the interviewing and onboarding processes aren’t handled appropriately, a lot of applicants can feel as if their years of experience make them less qualified for a less-skilled, lower-paying position, than overqualified for it, creating a bad experience for the employer or the brand. [18:03] To get involved, start at Amava.com and explore the types of opportunities. A lot of members start by exploring and opening their minds to the various possibilities. Some think that their only path is to do what they did in their career, but less of it. But skills can be used in different jobs, especially if you are flexible in the status or pay you receive. [18:52] Then, dive in deeper. Over time you will find various kinds of very specific opportunities in your local community, either developed by Amava or by others. Amava continues to reach out to communities where the members live. Amava has a concierge service to match people. So far, hundreds of people have taken advantage of it. [20:29] The basic platform, to search Amava and look for opportunities is free. Members can sign up for the newsletter and receive opportunity concepts twice a month by email. Some things on the site require a member profile, which starts with your email address and your location. Amava does not sell information and keeps it private. [21:04] In the future, there will be tiers of membership associated with folks that represent particular types of organizations and want to promote those organizations or services. At this time, the entire platform is available during this phase. [21:18] The ability for everyone to search for and get inspired to do things with their time for social engagement will always be free to Amava members. Their mission is to make sure that everybody has the opportunity to stuff in their community where they can connect with other people. That aspect will be funded by employers looking to hire. [21:56] What Amava is building is nothing less than the largest opportunity or experience marketplace for the post-career, post-parenting generation. At their rate of growth, within the next few years, they will have between five and ten million members and between half-a-million and a million opportunities directly targeting that population. [23:03] Amava is not looking to become a social platform for people to connect online. Their focus is connecting people in a particular stage of life with the real world. By 2030 there will be over one billion post-career people, so there is potential for growth. Their most important focus is on serving members and creating value for their needs. [24:05] Boomers want face-to-face or auditory communications. Marc tells Millennials in his Multi-Generational Workplace Workshop that if they have a Boomer boss, they need to go talk to the boss. Marc is pleased that Amava is intended for people to talk to one another. [24:35] Amava is looking to build an organization that is for its members and by its members. Over the next several years, they look to encourage large organizations, employers, and educational institutions to provide opportunities to connect with this member base and to encourage members to post their ideas and opportunities. [25:26] Mark hopes that everybody will join Amava and start to experience it. They invite your feedback. As they are early in their growth, they always want feedback, even critical feedback. They are very thoughtful about living a socially engaged life. [26:03] To reach out to Amava, just go to Amava.com. It’s really easy to sign up for the newsletter. You simply put in your email address. You can explore from there. There are a number of support opportunities on the website. You can also write directly to Mark at Mark@Amava.com. [26:51] Marc thanks Mark for being on the Repurpose Your Career podcast. [27:00] Marc hopes you enjoyed this episode. Marc is excited about what Mark and his team are creating. Subscribe to their free service at Amava.com. [27:14] The Career Pivot Membership Community continues to help the approximately 50 members who are participating in the Beta phase of this project to grow and thrive. The community has moved on to the next phase where community members who have experienced success share their successes and teach others. [27:32] This is a community where everyone is there to help everyone else out. Marc is recruiting members for the next cohort.[27:39] If you are interested in the endeavor and would like to be put on the waiting list, please go to CareerPivot.com/Community. When you sign up you’ll receive information about the community as it evolves. [27:54] Those who are in these initial cohorts set the direction. This is a paid membership community with group coaching and special content. More importantly, it’s a community where you can seek help. Please go to CareerPivot.com/Community to learn more. [28:16] This Fall, they are moving out of the beta phase into full production. If you would like to have input on this project, please and sign up CareerPivot.com/Community.[28:30] Marc invites you to connect with him on LinkedIn.com/in/mrmiller. Just include in the connection request that you listen to this podcast. You can look for Career Pivot on Facebook, LinkedIn, or @CareerPivot on Twitter. [28:49] Please come back next week, when Marc will read the preview chapter from Repurpose Your Career: Playbook for Building Strategic Relationships. [28:59] Marc thanks you for listening to the Repurpose Your Career podcast. [29:04] You will find the show notes for this episode at CareerPivot.com/episode-138. [29:12] Please hop over to CareerPivot.com and subscribe to get updates on this podcast and all the other happenings at Career Pivot. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, the Google Podcasts app, Podbean, the Overcast app, or the Spotify app. Marc Miller Like what you just read? Share it with your friends using the buttons above. Like What You Read? Get Career Pivot Insights! Check out the Repurpose Your Career Podcast Do You Need Help With ...

The major key to finding a job that you love - CareerEnlightenment.com

A3 Mentors allow you to see a clear picture of the job by learning from their experiences. It can save you a ton of time and pain #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016A3. Find a mentor that has no stake in the outcome. Your boss or others might have their own agenda. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A3. by leveraging on his/her experience for industry insight networks for available openings #BizChatsâ€" tai chi chai tea (@nmadielson) February 10, 2016A3. A mentor who has the role you would like to have can help you avoid pitfalls. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A3: Dont expect your mentor to be the only answer to your career questionshave more than one! #bizchatsâ€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A3: They can share their experience and give valuable advice along the career #BizChatsâ€" Trims Unlimited (@TrimsUnlimited) February 10, 2016A3. Learning about your men tors experiences can actually help you figure out what you dont want to do as a career. #bizchatsâ€" Scott Clark (@MrScottClark) February 10, 2016A3. Mentor = support and clarity. They can identify fits with emerging fields and pockets of opportunities. #BizChatsâ€" Vicki Salemi (@vickisalemi) February 10, 2016A3. Have a mentor and BE a mentor. Being a mentor helps you be a better mentee. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A3: Mentors can help you craft a blueprint, but at the end of the day, its your job to build the house. #BizChatsâ€" Jeff Seevers (@jseevers) February 10, 2016A3. Remember, though: Mentorships arent handed to you… you have to ask for what you need. #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A3b Choose a mentor who has what you want, not only in business but in life. Success without balance can lead to misery. #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016 Question 4:Q4. What are clever ways to get your foot in the door at a company where you don’t have any connections? #BizChatsâ€" Mashable Business (@mashbusiness) February 10, 2016A4: Follow companies on @LinkedIn @Twitter and give them shout outs in your feed to get noticed. #BIZCHATSâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016A4. Get a connection. There’s always a way. A friend of a friend, etc. 70-80% of jobs are found via a connection. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A4. Use the #LinkedIn alumni feature to find a connection. It is a valuable tool for getting a warm lead. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A4. Follow potential hiring managers on Twitter and start conversations with them. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A4. Thats easy. Get you butt on LinkedIn and start InMailing people at your level. Use my scripts here: https://t.co/NoxbsGe0PN #bizchatsâ€" Joshua Waldman (@JoshuaWaldman) February 10, 2016A4: Approach com pany before there is an opening! More likely to stand out. And stalk insiders to see where they hang out. #bizchatsâ€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016A4. Do a #LinkedIn search to find employees, then connect. Ask for informational interviews. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A4 Grab a beverage after work at the local watering hole near your dream company and make friends with other patrons #networking #bizchatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A4. Find the 5 key contacts, then stalk them. See where they are online â€" then follow, subscribe, friend, etc. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A4 Build a personal brand that speaks to your target field/industry/company so they have a reason to want to speak with you #bizchatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A4: Be an expert and in the know of whats going on in the industry and suggest ways on how to improve th e business #BizChatsâ€" Trims Unlimited (@TrimsUnlimited) February 10, 2016A4. Follow the company on social media sites and start a conversation with them! It shows you are are interested and proactive. #bizchatsâ€" Jannat Choudhury (@SimplyJannat) February 10, 2016A4. Do some research on LinkedIn. Its a great way to learn about the people of the company #bizchatsâ€" Scott Clark (@MrScottClark) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness have a strong social media presence and brand to truly stand out. #BizChatsâ€" Tania Moya (@taniamoya14) February 10, 2016A4. Its important to network, network, network to get a foot in the door. In recruiting, I never responded to cold calls. #sorry #BizChatsâ€" Vicki Salemi (@vickisalemi) February 10, 2016A4. Reach out to your alma maters career office which is often free ask for alums at employers/industries on your radar. #BizChatsâ€" Vicki Salemi (@vickisalemi) February 10, 2016A4 Dont underestimate your personal contacts. Your roommates best friends uncle could be the key to your dream job #bizchatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness Become a Volunteer, it will give you experiences and allow you to prove yourself to the company. #BizChatsâ€" Elijah Stroman (@ElijahStroman) February 10, 2016 Question 5:Q5. What are practical everyday steps you can take to set yourself up for success in the future? #BizChatsâ€" Mashable Business (@mashbusiness) February 10, 2016A5: Volunteer, be a life-long-learner, and stay up on industry knowledge to start the process. Then add in social media know-how! #bizchatsâ€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016A5. Meditate, drink water and exercise! Get some interesting hobbies. #bizchatsâ€" Joshua Waldman (@JoshuaWaldman) February 10, 2016A5. At the end of each day, note 1 thing you’re grateful for, 1 thing you learned 1 thing you accomplished. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A5. Be impeccable w/ your words, behaviors attitudes. Not only your work but how you carry yourself interact respectfully. #BizChatsâ€" Vicki Salemi (@vickisalemi) February 10, 2016A5: Your network is your net worth. You should network as habit Like brushing your teeth! #BizChatsâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016A5B The more branding behind YOUR name, the more transparent your application. Consistency shows stability and companies love that #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016Q5: read books, blogs, and ask for feedback. Do whatever you can to improve your skillset #BizChatsâ€" Garrett Roy (@HRbyGarrett) February 10, 2016A5 #BizChats Be present daily, whether posting related topics or replying to your networks on social, but being present sharing dailyâ€" Arielle Q. (@ArielleQ4) February 10, 2016A5. Create a wins journal Record all your successes. It’s important for your review and career mktg tools. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A5. Carefully evaluate your personal brand. Does it speak to your current goals? #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A5: Build your personal brand/#social presence and establish short terms goals that lead to you landing your dream job! #BizChatsâ€" Rymax Marketing (@RymaxInc) February 10, 2016A5 Make a long term goal and a short term to do list. Check it off. Lets you stay on point. #BizChatsâ€" Yasin Abbak (@YouFoundYasin) February 10, 2016A5. Do a brand-building activity: update your #LinkedIn activity feed or reach out to a former colleague, etc. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A5: Always be learning and growing in your field. Success is no accident. Sharpen and grow your skills every day. #BizChatsâ€" Tania Moya (@taniamoya14) February 10, 2016 Question 6:Q6. What are your favorite apps, tools, products you use that can help professionals find a job they love? #BizChatsâ€" Mashable Business (@mashbusiness) February 10, 2016A6 # LinkedIn is the best tool for finding a job and doing your job better â€" when you know how to use it. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A6 Twitter. 2 years ago I was a nobody with a new book. Last year I had 107 million twitter impressions. I love it for networking. #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016A6. LinkedIn has a great jobs app, as well as ZipRecuriter, Career Builder and Indeed #bizchatsâ€" Scott Clark (@MrScottClark) February 10, 2016A6. Never underestimate a good ol fashioned Google search when creating target company lists, looking for contacts, etc. #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A6. #Jobaware it lets you sync all your job search activity and link it with #LinkedIn #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A6 Sites like @CourseHorse @coursera @skillshare @edXOnline @lynda are great for continued learning/professional developement #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) Febr uary 10, 2016A6: I love @LinkedIn, @Glassdoor, @twitter, @instagram for researching employers. #BizChatsâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016@jtodonnell @LinkedIn @Glassdoor @twitter @instagram Instagram is great for getting a sense of culture at a company! #BizChatsâ€" Rymax Marketing (@RymaxInc) February 10, 2016A6. Heres a great list of #jobsearch apps to help you find your #dreamjob while on the go: https://t.co/8lu745K0Rg #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016 Question 7:Q7. What are the biggest mistakes professionals make when looking to transition over to their dream job?â€" Mashable Business (@mashbusiness) February 10, 2016A7. Not saying thank you or offering to do something in return when a mentor gives you a hand on something. #BizChatsâ€" Tracey Edouard (@talkthattrace) February 10, 2016A7: When switching careers, research salaries before jumping into training or going back to school. Speak w/ people in the career #bizchatsâ€" Han nah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016A7 Just because its YOUR dream job doesnt mean youre their dream candidate. Getting the job is 1/2 the fight. Can you keep it? #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016A7. They cut ties with the past. Stay connected with people from the past. Diverse networks are powerful. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A7. They let fear impede success. When you make the decision, jump in without hesitation. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A7: assuming they can take a break from developing their career. Always keep growing! #BizChatsâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A7: not having patience overlooking small opportunities that can lead to bigger things! #BizChatsâ€" Janice Camacho (@JaniceWasLike) February 10, 2016A7b Landing the job doesnt mean take your foot off the pedal. The first 90 days is critical in reaffirming their great decision. #BizChatsâ€" B renden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016A7: Not researching the company culture. It may be your dream position, but does your vision align with the companys? #BizChatsâ€" Rise (@riseofculture) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A7. Not researching, the role, the company or opportunity #BizChatsâ€" Christopher Leafe (@cplbusiness) February 10, 2016A7. Sometimes you need to take a step backwards or sideways to move up. Some jobs are necessary stepping stones toward your dream #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A7: Also, taking a break from networking because they finally got a job. Never stop networking. Things can change in an instant! #BizChatsâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016A7. Some people don’t plan. I didn’t plan my change from corp exec to entrepreneur. Don’t do what I did! #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A7: Not giving enough time to properly prepare for their dream job. Get security first. Dont ju mp in too fast. #bizchatsâ€" SilkRoad (@silkroadtweets) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness Q7. If your dream job is entrepreneurial in nature, figure out a way to test the waters before jumping ship! #BizChatsâ€" Jeff Brown (@jffrybrwn) February 10, 2016 Question 8:Q8. What final tips do you have for helping others acquire a job that they love? #BizChatsâ€" Mashable Business (@mashbusiness) February 10, 2016A8. Know your message, build an strong online presence, then use that as a platform to network into new opportunities. #bizchatsâ€" Joshua Waldman (@JoshuaWaldman) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A8 Dont stop until it happens, it will happen if you dont stop. #BizChatsâ€" Elijah Stroman (@ElijahStroman) February 10, 2016A8: Your career happiness is your responsibility. The best opportunities are usually hidden. Up to you to find them #BizChatsâ€" J.T. ODonnell (@jtodonnell) February 10, 2016A8. Take it one step at a time. Start by clarifying your goals, then building a strategy with s maller goals to get there #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016A8. Dont be your worst enemy. Dont let the Nos make you think youre less than. You will acquire that job with time and work. #bizchatsâ€" Jannat Choudhury (@SimplyJannat) February 10, 2016A8 #BizChats Research the culture of where you want to go, align yourself your social presence to show how you belong. That + résumé = ?â€" Arielle Q. (@ArielleQ4) February 10, 2016@mashbusiness A8: follow dreams and not money, follow your skills + goals. Culture is key to happiness and happiness is key to successâ€" Abhirukt N. Sapru (@abhirukt) February 10, 2016A8. It all comes down to self-awareness. When you know who you are, you can get clear on the ideal job. #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016A8. Be patient. Do your research! Salary, company, opportunity, everything. Dont quickly accept 1st offer just bc its the 1st. #BizChatsâ€" Vicki Salemi (@vickisalemi) February 10, 20 16A8: Finding your dream job isnt rocket scienceJust follow these simple steps! https://t.co/N931CdrTEX #bizchatsâ€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016A8: It is the journey, not the destination! Thats what your career is! #bizchatsâ€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 10, 2016A8B Dream jobs are like dream spouses. The one you think you want arent always the best one for you so dont despair over a no #BizChatsâ€" Brenden Dilley (@Hublife) February 10, 2016 Closing Comments:What fun! Thanks @joshuawaldman @careersherpa @JobSearchAmanda @jtodonnell @vickisalemi @mashbusiness #bizchatsâ€" WilliamArruda (@williamarruda) February 10, 2016#BizChats was great!Thanks, @williamarruda, @mashbusiness, @careersherpa, @JobSearchAmanda, @JoshuaWaldman, @jtodonnell, @vickisalemi!â€" Reach Branding (@reachbranding) February 10, 2016Had a great time! Thanks everyone! @mashbusiness, @careersherpa, @JoshuaWaldman, @jtodonnell, @vickisalemi, @williamarruda #BizChatsâ€" Amanda Augustine (@JobSearchAmanda) February 10, 2016

8 Expert Tips for Getting Past Resume Screeners

8 Expert Tips for Getting Past Resume Screeners As a job seeker, you’ve likely heard of resume screeners, or Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), before. And if you do your research, it’s pretty easy to learn the basics. They have multiple uses for companies, but most commonly, they are used by hiring managers and recruiters to filter large amounts of job applicants. So it’s important you know how to “beat” them to get your resume through to the hiring manager. When thinking about ATS, your perspective makes a huge difference. It’s easy to approach ATS from the perspective of the job seeker, but if you flip your perspective to that of the recruiter, you can learn a whole lot more. Check out our 8 recruiter tips for getting past applicant tracking systems. 1. Take Your Time Your resume is your number one ticket to getting a job. If there is any part of the job search process where you should spend the most time, it is on building your resume. As robots, ATS will not parse (organize into the database) errors correctly. Recruiters are experts in reading resumes, which means they are also experts in catching spelling errors, formatting errors and other mistakes. Take your time to make sure every part of your resume is done well for the sake of getting past ATS, and for making an impression when it lands in the recruiter’s hands. 2. Take Keywords Seriously You’d be hard pressed to find a recruiter that doesn’t recommend using keywords to tailor your resume. From a recruiter’s perspective, keywords are important because those are the search terms they use to narrow down candidates in ATS. For example, if the job posting calls for a candidate with “JavaScript” knowledge, “JavaScript” will likely be a search term the recruiter uses to filter through applications. Use important keywords in your resume to make sure it gets seen. Some ATS will even rank your resume higher if the searched skill is included more than once. Important note: If you are going to use a keyword more than once, do not go overboard. Recruiters do not tolerate keyword stuffing. 3. Use a Format That Works for You Your resume format determines how a recruiter (and ATS) sees you. For example, the chronological resume format puts an emphasis on work experience, while the functional and hybrid resume formats focus on skills and accomplishments. It is a common misconception that the chronological format is the best match for ATS. In reality, that isn’t necessarily true. The best format is whichever format highlights the best parts of your work history. A recruiter’s first impression of you will often be whatever information is located at the top of your resume. Keep this in mind when choosing a layout. 4. Kill the Objective Statement The resume objective statement should stay in the past, where it belongs. As far as your ATS-optimized resume is concerned, no introductory statement is necessary. It is best to keep your resume clean and include only vital, measurable information. However, if you insist on a statement, most recruiters will suggest a summary statement if you have more than 10 years of experience. While an objective statement explains the job seeker’s goals, a summary statement shows  your  accomplishments. If you include a summary statement, use it as a source for relevant keywords. 5. Keep it Short and Sweet If you are on the fence about including a piece of information in your resume, it probably shouldn’t be included. Some ATS score resumes using a noise-to-keyword ratio, meaning if you include too much irrelevant content, it can lower your overall rank. Trust your instincts when they tell you a past job or skill is not relevant to a specific job opportunity. Unsure?  Consult the job posting as a reference. Tailoring your resume for each job will naturally keep irrelevant information at bay. 6. Don’t Try to Be Fancy As a rule of thumb, your resume is about what you can do, and the interview is about who you are. You are unique, and you have qualities to offer that no other candidate has. Recruiters want to see your personality, but not before they see your capabilities as an employee. Let your professional abilities take the stage in your resume through your measurable skills and accomplishments. Dont use a fancy font or over-the-top resume templates to try to showcase your personality. Instead, focus your resume on the hard, factual evidence that will get it past ATS and the recruiter to land  you an interview. Then, use the interview as your chance to show your personality. 7. Say Hello to Bullet Points Recruiters will recommend bullet points for two reasons: The human eye can skim them quickly They parse easily by ATS Below each job description, use bullet points to describe your role and accomplishments, including programs and software you often used. These bullet points should include measurable informationthink percentages and dollars. Stick to 3-4 single-line bullet points to keep it concise. Recruiters hate to see chunks of text on your resume. 8. Don’t Sound Like a Robot The ATS-optimized resume serves a specific purpose: to get into the recruiter or hiring manager’s hands. When writing your resume, be sure you are keeping that end goal in mind. The trick is to add the components needed to get past ATS without making your resume sound unnatural. Find the balance between making your resume a match for the robots and appealing to the recruiter. As you are optimizing your resume for ATS, do a quick check every so often by asking yourself, “does this part sound forced?” Applicant tracking systems were built to alleviate the tasks of recruiters. If you put yourself in the position of the recruiter and consider their tasks, the functionality of ATS is revealed. For example, to mimic a recruiter, an ATS must scan each resume, pick out relevant information, choose the top applicants based on relevant search, and be able to contact the candidates. Now jump back into the position of the job seeker and use that knowledge to optimize your resume for ATS. About the Author This post was written by James Hu, the founder and CEO of Jobscan, a tool that helps job seekers land more interviews by comparing one’s resume against any job description for keywords and match rate. Follow Jobscan on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  Instagram Get everything you need to create a career you love  by signing up for the newsletter.