How to advance your career

How to advance your career How to advance your careerPosted July 25, 2013, by Jo Messer Do you feel like youve hit a bit of a wall in your career and want to advance but dont know how? Here are some tried and tested tips to get you on your way. Identify your goals Unless you know where you want to go, you wont get there. Its up to you to take ownership of your career, so figure out what you want, then be proactive and go after it. Lets face it no one else is going to do it for you. Make your goals known Managers are not mind readers, so dont assume your anfhrer or anyone else in your organisation knows what your goals are. If you dont make it known they are most likely going to presume you are happy with the status quo. Let your boss know what you are aiming to achieve, ask for his or her support and seek advice on areas for skill development. Know your company Do you really know what your companys goals are strategically, financially and culturally? If you dont know the answer, th en you need to find out. What are their core values? What types of people get promoted? Seize opportunities Wishing things will happen isnt enough. Its time to start doing Make a list of practical things you can do join an association, do a course, take on a leadership role in a team, present at a conference, go to industry seminars. Remember, it is the small steps along the way that will propel you in the right direction. Network Build relationships with other people in the organisation. It is important to network across all levels of the company so seek out opportunities to meet new people. It all comes down to increasing your visibility and connecting with the decision-makers. Make koranvers you participate in company gatherings and social events such as team building activities or casual drinks after work. Create a positive image Remember do unto others as you would want done to you. That means be nice, keep a smile on your face and at all times, be friendly and approachable. T he more positive you are, the more likeable you are. Avoid entering into negative conversations about others, or the organisation the walls do have ears Establish your presence You want people to see that you are competent and that you have potential. Before you attend meetings, review agenda items and prepare a few questions dont just speak for the sake of it, but be sure to share your ideas when you have value to add. Visibility is the key to advancement and you want to make sure you are the first person management thinks of when it comes to promotion time. Find a mentor A mentorcan help you to focus and can be a great source of ideas for your professional development and growth. Is there someone in the organisation you could approach to be your mentor? Is there an existing mentor program within the company? Look for people to connect with who have been or are in the position you are aiming for. Remember, nothing worth having comes easy, so your best chance for success is to be proactive and take ownership of your career. One of the best ways to advance your career is to expand your skill set. See our range of zugnglich coursesto help you upskill. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchescareer objective for accountant assistanthow to ace your next interviewpersuasive career change cover letterwhy did you choose this careercareer change CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJo MesserRelated ArticlesBrowse moreEntertainment career fact sheetIs show business your calling? Check out our entertainment fact sheet to find outChristmasVolunt eeringGive a little why you should volunteer this ChristmasWhats more fashionable than giving a knitted jumper with a snowman on it this Christmas? Giving your time through volunteering Heres how you can get involved.Animal CareEmployment trendsWhats your job outlook? 10 careers that are on the upTheres one question weighing on everyones mind Is my job safe? Weve put together a list of 10 jobs currently projected to grow very strongly over the coming years.

Got a Bad Job Reference Blame Yourself

Got a Bad Job Reference Blame YourselfGot a Bad Job Reference?Got a Bad Job Reference Blame YourselfIn the courtroom, you NEVER ask a witness a question unless you already know the answer. Every lawyer from Atticus Finch to Denny Crane has taught us that. And the same principle holds true for your job references NEVER list anyone as a reference unless you know theyll speak highly of you.I read a newsletter recently that included a question from a woman whod been given a schwimmbad reference, and, as a result, did not get the job. She was especially ticked because the hiring manager would not tell her which former employer had badmouthed her (thats a pretty typical policy, BTW.) In the reply, executive coach Joan Lloyd rightly stated that it was the womans own responsibility to figure out who the naysayer was and revise her reference list accordingly. Taking that one step further, I would add that the bad reference was the womans own fault because she obviously failed to check her own references before she gave them out.OK, I confess Ive done the same thing. We probably all have. But we also know the risks you run when you assume that anyone you list as a reference will talk about you in glowing terms.I know it can be awkward to contact an old boss or colleague to ask for a favor. If you really cant face doing it yourself, there are fee-based services that will check your references for you.But there are at least three powerful reasons to just do it yourself1. Its the polite thing to do.Its simply not cool to submit someones name and contact information to another party without their knowledge and consent. If theres time, make your request by email to avoid putting the person on the spot which brings me to my next point2. It gives them a chance to say NO.There are all sorts of reasons a person might NOT want to be a reference for you (which may or may not have anything to do with you). When asking someone to be your reference, its important that you give them a n easy way out. If you just ask point-blank, Can I use you as a reference?, theyll probably feel obliged to say yes, even if they want to say no. To be safe, always include a line such asIf you wouldnt feel comfortable providing a positive reference, please feel free to decline. I know a lot of employers frown on giving out references these days, so I completely understand if you cant do it.That way, they can save face by saying, I wish I could, but its against company policy. The last thing you need is to have someone agree to provide a reference, only to damn you with faint praise.3. It allows you to coach them on what to say.Once you have an enthusiastic yes from your reference, go ahead and let them know what youd like them to share (or not share) with your prospective employers. Youre actually doing them a favor by providing suggestions, since they might find it tough to come up with specific compliments off the cuff. Dont write a script, but give them some ideas by using such statements asIm applying for ___ jobs, so Id appreciate if you could address my ___ qualifications more than my ___ skills.It would be great if you could mention my success on the ___ team. Remember that time we were up against that crazy deadline with no budget?They seem really interested in my ___ background, so if you could mention how thats one of my biggest strengths, it would definitely help my case.I also highly recommend sending a copy of your current resume and cover letter to all your references so they can see exactly what youre saying about yourself. It will help refresh their memories of what you did for them and give them ideas of other nice things to say about you.On a related note, if youre asking your references for an online recommendation on LinkedIn, help them with some reference material, such as this one from JibberJobber.com.On another related note, dont put References Available upon Request on your resume. Of course youll provide references if they ask you do nt have to waste valuable resume space spelling it out.Bottom line Pre-screening your references is the best way to avoid the surprise stab in the back. When it comes to bad references, theres no cure, only prevention.UPDATE 10/08 Heresa link withsome suggestions for bad-reference damage control Have you had employment references who really helped or hurt your job search efforts?Add your thoughts or questions to the Comments box and well post a reply

Why Youre Unhappy at Work and How to Feel Better - The Muse

Why Youre Unhappy at Work and How to Feel Better - The MuseWhy Youre Unhappy at Work and How to Feel Better Ever elendice how nine out of 10 people run cold when the subject turns to how someones job is going. People who hate what they do struggle to respond without anger and contempt. Reporting to a horrible boss or being forced to do boring and mundane work all day, every day, are among the chief complaints. While we can all agree that these are valid issues, I think theres also something to be said for causing your own dissatisfaction at work.Before you X out of this piece and go back to being miserable, hear me out.For years youve been taught that if a job makes you unhappy, you should quit, because its obviously your boss fault or your co-workers or your moms. But, what if you actually have mora control over your happiness at work than you think? Id be willing to bet that you know at least one person who is a serial job hopper. He gets a job, finds an issue with said job, and be fore his work email is completely set up, hes already logged onto LinkedIn trying to find a new gig.Yes, there are many valid reasons for wanting to leave a company- no one should be forced to stick it out in a hostile work environment- but, if your main reasons always seem to be centered on the fact that your co-workers just dont get you or that youre bored (again) and not sure how to stay motivated, its time to take a long, hard look at the person in the mirror and be honest about the root cause of your unhappiness you. Its not an easy task to see beyond your dissatisfaction to lay bare the ways in which youre contributing to the madness, but its undoubtedly helpful. Here are three ways you may be sabotaging your own happiness on the job- and, because I want you to be happy, solutions for how to nip these practices in the bud.1. Youre Not Setting the Right GoalsGoals are what motivate us in every area of our lives. Whether you want to lose weight, learn to cook, or get a promotion , the first step is to get really clear on what you want to accomplish and why. The key here though is that its not enough to just set goals for the sake of doing so. In order to be successful, you have to make sure youre setting the right goals.Just because your colleague wants to become the supervisor of the department or your best friend wants to take on a huge client at her company, it doesnt mean that these need to be your aspirations as well. If youre chasing something you dont genuinely want in the first place, or worse, if you have nothing to work toward at all, its only a matter of time before you lose your motivation and it becomes an exercise in will power and positive self-talk to make it into the office every day. The first question to ask yourself is Where do I want to be in the next one to five years, professionally? If this one doesnt get anything turning in your head, instead ask yourself what makes you feel fulfilled professionally? Once you have that list, you can start plotting out your path on how youll get from where you are now to a job that hits as many bullets on that list as possible (a.k.a., a five-year plan).2. Youre Not Building Your Following at WorkGrowing your followers isnt something that should be relegated to social media. When I think back to the best work environments Ive been in over the years, its clear they were on teams where I felt supported- not only by my boss, but also by my colleagues. Having a group of people who encourage you to be your best, who care about your well-being, and who provide a good laugh every now and then goes a long way in making your job satisfying.Many people complain about working in an unfriendly environment, but never stop to think about how theyre contributing to this dynamic. In order to develop a community of allies at work, you need to be likable and a team player. Youve got to show up as someone who is worthy of support and collaboration by also being supportive and collaborative with o thers. It wont be something that comes without a little bit of work, but anyone can tell you that working around people you actually like (and who like you back) is one of the most crucial aspects of work happiness. Why not volunteer to help your colleague run point on the big project due next month when she asks for any takers? Or challenge yourself to go to lunch with a different co-worker at least once a month to get to know something more than how he signs off on emails.3. Youre Not Being Your Authentic SelfAbove all else, one of the major ways people sabotage their own happiness at work is by not keeping it real with themselves. Any time youre doing, saying, or acting in a way that isnt aligned with the real you, youll naturally feel uncomfortable. The fix may seem easy- just be yourself- but in a lot of cases, its not that simple to carry out.Certain workplaces encourage you to communicate, act, and dress a certain way so that you fit in and avoid rocking the carefully crafted boat. It can be daunting to think about breaking away from the status quo. And yet, think about what you stand to lose if you dont. Most people who are unhappy at work immediately see their perspectives shift as soon as they start to bring their real selves to the office each day. Theres always a way to infuse who you really are into everything you do at work- whether its by not being afraid to give your honest opinion, standing up for yourself when needed, or even just decorating your desk- without being unprofessional. Think about who you are outside the office and who you are when youre there. Of course you cant always use the same language or dress the same in both places, but who you are- at your core- shouldnt be that different.Work is a fact of life for most people. This is why the goal should be to make it as enjoyable as possible. After all, we spend more time sitting at our desks than we do anywhere else, and it would be disappointing if you spent all that time unhappy. I know its easier said than done (especially when youre buried under feelings of aggression and resentment), but if you can take a moment to stop complaining and instead consider that it may just be younot your positionthat needs to change, you could be well on your way to liking your job. Photo of man looking frustrated courtesy of Frisco/Getty Images.

Do I Really Need to Send a Cover Letter With My Resume

Do I Really Need to Send a Cover Letter With My Resume Do I Really Need to Send a Cover Letter With My Resume Some career experts say deckblatt letters are an absolute must and that the notion of omitting the cover letter is absurd. Others, however, believecover letters are dead or dying slowly.Studies have shown that cover letters dont matter all that much to many employers. According to Addison Group, a Boston-based employment agency, only 18 percent of hiring managers rankthe cover letter as important. fruchtwein hiring managers feel interviews, resumes, and references are much more important.Its clearthat the emphasis on cover letters has decreased throughout the years. So do you really need one anymore?It depends.If youre spending time submitting job applications online and anemployer asks for a cover letter, I say CYA and write the cover letter.But if youre smart, and you agree with me that you shouldfind people, not jobs, then the traditional cover letter may not have a plac e in yourjob search process. What youll need is an introductory note instead.What Is an Introductory Note?An introductory note is what you write when you have been referred to a hiring manager or have found your future babo through research and are ready to reach out to them directly.Of course, youll attach a resume, but in the body of the email, youre going to write an introductory note which is quite reminiscent of a cover letter, although shorter.But its 2017 Who has time to actually read their emails?Skimming is the name of the game. Thats why you want to keep your note short and sweet. You need to get right to the point and cut the fluff. Your note should pack a real punchWhere your traditional cover letter may have started off with a paragraph about where you found the job ad and how delighted you were to learn of the opportunity (blah blah blah), the modern-day introductory note or eNote conveys your value in a meaningful way, shows the benefit of having you on board, and a sks for a follow up conversation in 200 words or less.Here are some ideas of what to say in your note, in caseyou need help gettingyour creative juices flowingHighlight accomplishmentsWithout repeating whats in the resume, including quantifiable achievements is a great way to portray your unique value. Just remember to make it meaningful and relevant to the new role.Mention why you are a good fit for the companyEach business has a certain culture and takes pride in a set of core values. If you were drawn to certain aspects of the companys business model, mention this and show how your work ethic aligns with itsvision.Demonstrate your industry knowledgeMentioning aa historical fact or recent happenings related to your chosen field or target company shows your interest level and enthusiasm not to mention its also impressive.Add the reason for your career change If you are looking to pursue a new career, this could be an ideal place to discuss the reason you want to get into this new area and how your background has prepared you for a successful vocation in the new industry.You could go a few different directions with this note, but make sure you understand your audience (the person youre emailing) and appeal to their specificneeds.With the eNote, you have an advantage. Because you knowexactly who will be reading your note, you are in a much better position to appeal to them and speak in their terms. For example,writing to a hiring manager (your future boss) is much different from contactingan HR representative.I alwayssay go for the future boss they will be most impressed with your skill set and background. Since they are closest to your day-to-day work duties, they can appreciate your capabilities, achievements, and passion.So, my take on the cover letter debate?It may appear to be dying, but it certainly isnt dead. Its somewhat of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, morphing into something much more beautiful and inspiring than before.Melanie L. De nny is president ofResume-Evolution.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were SHRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.

Not doing this dramatically decreases your chance at landing an interview

Not doing this dramatically decreases your chance at landing an einstellungsgesprchNot doing this dramatically decreases your chance at landing an interviewYoung professionals seeking to distinguish themselves in a sea of peers boasting similar assets might do well to consider boosting their visibility online-specifically via the massive business and employment-oriented service, known as Linkedin.Anew resume study conducted by ResumeGo posits that job applicants with comprehensive Linkedin profiles can increase their chances of scoring an interview by a shocking 71%.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhat does a comprehensive profile looklike?ResumeGo began with a field experiment that compiled 24,570 fictitious resumes between October 9, 2018, and March 8, 2019. These resumes were sent to job openings found onvarious recruiter sites, namely ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and Glassdoor.One- third of these fake resumes contained no Linkedin profile whats so ever, abedrngnisher third featured bare-bones Linkedin profiles and the final third contained a link to a detailed Linkedin profile. Callback rates were then recorded based on these precursors.The authors defined a bare-bone Linkedin profile as one that featured a bio under 500 characters, five connections or less, no descriptions filled out for any of the work experiences listed, and no profile picture.Conversely, a comprehensive Linkedin profile was defined as one that contained summaries over 1,000 characters, 300 connections or more, dense bullet-point or paragraph based descriptions for every work experience section list and a professional headshot.These applicants sent their resumes off to 8,190 jobs in a wide range of industries, including finance, marketing, accounting, human resources, technology, science, engineering, education, retail, and healthcare.Based on the results of the field experiment, job applic ants who included a link to a comprehensive LinkedIn profile on their resumes received a callback rate of 13.5%, which is 71% higher than the 7.9% callback rate of job applicants who didnt have a LinkedIn profile at all, the authors of the study report.Interestingly enough, not only did having a bare-bones Linkedin profile offer no discernible boosts to callback rates, these resumes actually were slightly less likely to receive a callback than resumes that didnt have a Linkedin profile at all.The researchers noted how their data affected different job levels. Employers seeking employees for higher level positions were not as affected by comprehensive LinkedIn profiles as employers seeking workers for low-level positions. The authors explain, The findings showed that as job level increased, the gap in callback rates decreased between job applicants with a comprehensive LinkedIn profile and job applicants with no LinkedIn profile at all.All in all, if youre going to have a Linkedin pr ofile at all, be sure to put time and effort into it otherwise, it can only hurt you.The study believes this is the case because employers, on some level, associate bare-bones Linkedin profiles with low-quality work. The authors continue, Theyd rather see no LinkedIn profile at all than see one that lacks any effort put into it. This is, of course, just conjecture, and more research and professional input would be required before drawing any strong conclusions.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

3 reasons why you should start your New Years resolutions now

3 reasons why you should departure your New Years resolutions now3 reasons why you should departure your New Years resolutions nowJanuary 2018 is almost here, but if youre looking to go into next year in better shape than before, now might be the time to start working ahead to achieve your goals.Heres why you should consider starting your new years resolution in December instead of January, when everyone else will be in the same boat.Youll give yourself a head startTheres nothing like getting the ball rolling on something thats been in your mind for ages.So why wait? You might as well get started now so youll be able to enjoy the momentum youve put into place.Youre competing against yourself, so you might as well do everything you can to push through, if working toward the resolution is something you feel like you cant live without.Plus, youll already have done some of the work, so there will be less of the daunting pressurethat comes with starting something new at the beginning of t he year.Youll be ahead of the gameSay you want to get back in shape, but have super busy schedule - instead of waiting until the holidays are over and 2018 is here, head to the gym before masses of people flock in during the first week of January.The same thing applies to your resolutions for next year If you want to beat the competition in your field, and/or enhance your skills,you might as well start now, before everyone is trying to do what youve set out to accomplish.Youll be able to get any additional resources you think youll needChristy Wright, business coach and author of Business Boutique, talks to Entrepreneur Network partner Emily Richett at a Business Boutique event about how to get a business off the ground in a video about how to stop dreaming and start doing.One of Wrights tips is to start with what you have.When you start with what you have, what you do is you reduce your cost and you reduce the risk, and so it makes entry into the marketplace so much easier, she sa ys. Make it easy on yourself. What skills or experience do you have? What are you naturally good at? When you start with that, you make it easy on yourself to win.That being said, when you start a big project for 2018 from that perspective, its a lot easier to see what additional resources you might need down the line.Wright later adds that if you dont go ahead and launch, you never get that feedback from your audience of what they need more of.

The Hidden Gem of Manufacturing Engineer Resume

The Hidden Gem of Manufacturing Engineer Resume From it, youre going to be able to comprehend whats important to the employer for hiring for the engineering position, after which it is possible to craft an outstanding objective that meets their needs for the position. Identify distinctive and impressive work youve done related to the position. Just make sure to tailor your resume to the particular job position which you are targeting. Possessing several desired positions or an overall statement about working in engineering may be negative. Your engineering Resume Templates is a powerful advertising tool, so make the the majority of it. In your CV, you are going to want to be certain you highlight the specific skills that you have that force you to excel at what you do. Do leid incorporate any information on your CV which might be deemed controversial. Its possible to find out more about what things to put in your CV from our mechanical engineer CV example. Its possible to be a project manager or maybe to specialise in a specific area and concentrate on research and development. The only way that you can do so is to learn more regarding the building firm and why youre a critical addition to the workforce. A structural engineer is to blame for designing all kinds of structure so it can fulfil a particular purpose, and stay safe, economic and functioning throughout its intended lifetime. Another factor of the employment increase is the expanding need for companies to cut back production expenses and boost productivity. What Has to be Done About Manufacturing Engineer Resume Before Its Too Late Also, let people know that youre looking for work and the sort of work youre hoping to find. Being an engineer means having the capability to address complex issues and do tasks most individuals are usually incapable of. You are able to help change the Earth, but well help you become hired first. Similarly in the event you belong to the area of academia, t hen you could have a 5 to 6 page resume also. So demand is growing day by day. After the work market isnt moving, its your choice to produce your own momentum. There are several things you have to take into account while creating a winning resume to acquire industrial engineers post. There are also lots of opportunities for working overseas, as youll be qualified to work any distributions-mix in the world. As soon as you have met the academic requirements for your favorite grade of membership you may progress towards professional status. Review your states requirements to make sure you satisfy the minimal qualifications before applying. Depending on the businesss requirement developer has to develop the program. Overview A candidate applying for the place of a desktop support engineer will have to put a whole lot of information pertinent to supplying hardware and software solutions. The Little-Known Secrets to Manufacturing Engineer Resume Engineers typically utilize kinem atics in the plan and analysis of mechanisms. Manufacturing engineers enjoy improving the manufacturing process from beginning to end. They can work in a variety of environments. They can be involved in all stages of producing goods and are responsible for determining what equipment will be used and the specific method that will be followed to produce particular items. Details of Manufacturing Engineer Resume Although engineering job profile encompasses a wide variety of specialties, efficient resume strategies are required for particular disciplines. In the manufacturing engineer CV example above, you can understand that the duties and abilities connected with the position are highlighted. Opportunely, engineering resumes have an extremely straightforward format. Demand for manufacturing engineers is anticipated to go up. Furthermore, you can find out more about manufacturing careers and hund for manufacturing engineer jobs on Monster. So you would like a job for a manufa cturing engineer. For an engineer whos into designing and innovating, its crucial to write what it is you are good at on your resume. Manufacturing Engineer Resume - Dead or Alive? Long resumes convey the image that youve got a tough time articulating your point. You are going to have to tailor each one to every work description. It is crucial to present a thorough job description. Making work description is a significant task that should be taken seriously. However much experience that you have, the cover letter is your opportunity to spell out why youre the very best fit for the job. As a way to impress the employers and find the position you want, a suitable cover letter and resume is needed. Ensure everything you list is pertinent to the job which you desire. Youre able to easily create winning resumes and cover letters designed to help you have the job you desire.