Useful resources for resume building

Give Your Resume Some Extra Sizzle

January 18, 2020 by with comment off

Build Your resume Smarter Not Harder

Resume writing can be daunting. You can research details online, or look to a professional resume service. It is always handy to have resources on hand to help in composing or rewriting your existing resume and/or cover letter. These four books can offer you with a wealth of details on resume composing to give your resume some extra sizzle.

A primary resource to help give your resume some extra sizzle is: The Elements of Resume Style, by S. Bennett.

This book, as its cover states, will supply you with fantastic guidance on composing resumes and cover letters. Here, you will find important guidance of working through and setting your career objectives. Also, marking your credentials, providing your resume to your companies and composing your cover letter.

The 2nd book is entitled Competency-Based Resumes,  by Kessler and Strasburg.

Competency-Based Resumes is a fantastic resource for experts that are confident in their professional objective and searching for a more targeted method to establish their resume in order to get discovered in the particular market of their interest. Discover methods utilized by companies at numerous markets that scan resumes in order to determine candidate’s experience based on their work routines and skills. So, this also book shows you a brand-new and reliable method. One to create resumes making your skills and your education the number one top priority. You’ll also learn highlighting of particular skill areas in order to produce a winning resume.

The 3rd book includes 101 Best Resumes by Block and Betrus.

Members of the Professional Association of Resume Writers have actually come together to supply 101 finest resumes for this book. The resumes found in this volume will provide insight to winning resumes with samples. You will also gain techniques in developing an effective resume of your own to help get the interview and the job. Learn about personalizing your resume to positions that you want, highlighting your qualifications, and composing cover letters. In addition, you will find excellent suggestions on what to do as soon as your resume is all set and how to win over your possible company in an interview.

The last book to help expand your resume building has Resumes That Knock ’em Dead  by Yate.

The author discusses how to collect all the info you will need to begin composing a resume. How to choose the verbs in your statements and select the appropriate format. Plus, how to go about sending your resume via email or posting on the Internet. In addition, this book offers an excellent sag-way into cover letters, and how to produce one that best compliments your resume.

The book offers a new and effective method to create resumes that makes your abilities and your education the number one focus.  All while offering you guidelines of highlighting particular locations in order to create a winning resume. Once you’re in that prize position, make sure to make the most of your communication around the office, too!

Take the step to give your resume some extra sizzle. Find these books in your regional bookstore, your library or online. They supply more than a great starting point; you can hold on to them and as continuous resources as you progress in your profession.

Effectively Dealing With Workplace Harassment

September 3, 2019 by with comment off

Workplace harassment is one of the most difficult and devastating experiences you may have to deal with while on the job. It’s something that happens regardless of workplace or industry. While workplaces can always strive to be safer, it’s impossible to guarantee that any space is fully safe or free of harassment. These behaviors are possible to prevent, difficult to predict, and damaging to deal with.

What Does Workplace Harassment Look Like?

We often imagine a common scenario: a man in a position of power harassing a woman who is his subordinate at the company. This is with good reason: 38% of women report having experienced sexual harassment at work. That doesn’t mean men don’t experience harassment from women or from other men, as 1 in 33 report an issue.

 

Harassment can include:

 

  • Inappropriate sexual advances: This is a more brazen and obvious attempt, such as unwanted touching or verbal propositions.
  • Favor trading: This occurs when a person in power offers something (like a promotion or a bonus) in exchange for sexual favors.
  • Stalking: Stalking includes unwanted contact, especially outside the office, such as an unreasonable amount of personal phone calls, aggressive online interactions, or hoarding information about someone’s life or family.
  • Grooming behavior: Grooming behavior occurs when a person in a position of power conditions a subordinate or equal to crave rewards and praise from them. This process usually takes time, and the offender seeks to fill a role that is missing in the victim’s life.
  • Intimidation: Offenders sometimes use intimidation to bully victims into sexual attention or activity. This includes threatening someone’s job, health, emotional, personal, or financial safety and security.

 

That said, harassment isn’t limited to the sexual variety. It can include any repeated and unwanted contact, particularly outside of the office, and the subject matter can include, “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature,” according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Perpetrators often use electronic communications to accomplish this.

 

If you find yourself dealing with harassment at the workplace, you may initially feel shocked or confused. You might even laugh, brush it off, or assume you’re just taking it personally. When that happens, listen to your instincts. Your safety comes first. Get to a safe location before taking the next steps.

Document Harassment

If you feel uncomfortable, the first thing you should do is to document the instances of harassment you experience. This can involve texting the information to a trusted contact, writing down a report immediately, or maintaining any footage or evidence of the harassing behavior.

 

If the behavior happened online or on your phone, take a screenshot of the behavior, such as repeated phone calls. If it happened in front of a security camera, note the time and place so your office security personnel can pull the footage before it’s overwritten.

Notify Human Resources Immediately

Sexual harassment is among the most underreported crimes, with only a very small percentage of cases being reported to law enforcement or human resources. When you experience harassment of any kind, it’s natural to feel embarrassed, confused, and violated.

 

Despite that, if you feel able, report the behavior as soon as you can. Your human resource department is there to prevent liability and minimize risk. In short, they want to help you, and they want to avoid a lawsuit against the company.

 

Human resources should document the incident and give you a copy of your statement. Before talking with your manager or confronting the offender, they should speak with you and get your permission after outlining recommended next steps. Good, trusted leaders know how important it is to do the right thing.

Understand the Psychology Behind Harassment

What happens to you once you’ve been harassed? Over time, bullying and harassment of any kind can lead to trauma and anxiety. Specifically, victims of harassment can experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms. PTSD can affect your mood, sleeping habits, and your relationships at work and at home.

 

Continued exposure to the harmful office environment can also expose you to triggers. When you encounter one, you may find yourself reliving traumatizing moments. If the effects are so extreme, it’s important to find allies who believe you — as well as legal counsel ready to stand up for you in court.

 

To be clear: harassment isn’t only wrong, it’s illegal. Violating the law as outlined by the EEOC is grounds for a lawsuit.

Why Does Harassment Happen?

Remember that harassment does not happen due to anything you did. Work environments should provide a supportive setting in which to conduct business. Unfortunately, people are still people, and they often bring their prejudices and privileges to work with them and may behave inappropriately.

 

Harassment occurs more frequently when an employee is working in a role not common for someone of their gender or race. In cybersecurity, for example, 51% of women in the field have experienced discrimination or harassment.

 

If you’re in a situation like this, you still have every right to exist and excel in your field. Don’t forget to consult a therapist, especially if you’re feeling sad, isolated, or angry. The ongoing and informal support of your family and friends can help as well.

Consult Your Support Network

If you’ve been victimized at work, pursue available resources as you feel comfortable. It’s typical for someone to feel uncomfortable talking to a parent or spouse about what’s going on at work immediately. However, that same person might feel comfortable seeking religious counsel or talking to a childhood friend.

 

As you deal with the repercussions of what someone else has done to you (and how they made you feel with improper actions or advances), you will need a healthy network of people who care about you. Some professionals refer to this group of people as their “editorial board,” featuring teachers, professors, friends, family members, mentors and counselors from different points in their lives.

 

Keep your discussions about workplace harassment private. This is also something your lawyer, should you choose to seek justice legally, will advise. Outing your abuser on social media might feel good, but you shouldn’t put your case in jeopardy or risk a counter-lawsuit.

 

Therapists specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also teach you valuable techniques to help you face your fears and confront your traumas in a healthy way. CBT can help you take control of your own fears, thoughts, and feelings, giving you a sense of agency over your own life. Your life and well-being belong to you, not your harasser.

 

Along with your support network, your therapist can remind you that you’re not facing the harassment alone. Your support network can help you form and execute an action plan to handle the harassment and move forward.

Consider Your Next Move

It’s not giving up to move on to another job or industry. Freeing yourself from the presence of your abuser is a gift you can give yourself. If you choose to pursue this option and the HR department is apprised of the situation, you’ll likely have their full support in securing a role somewhere else.

 

Those newer to the workforce (age 24 and younger) have already held an average of 5.5 jobs. Regardless of your age, moving forward when a job isn’t a good fit is often the right thing to do. This may be the push you need to move on from that toxic work environment.

 

Whether you choose to handle workplace harassment internally at your company, seek therapy, take legal action, or all of the above, the important thing is that you take steps forward to deal with the harassment so it doesn’t control your life. Every harasser stopped is one who is hopefully unable to victimize anyone else.

 

Also, check our Career Search Engine for positions you haven’t thought of, And, our blog for more tips and timely information to help you succeed!

Recruiting Women

Recruiting Women: Where Do You Start?

March 11, 2019 by with comment off

If your goal is to recruit more women for your workforce, where do you start?

First, it’s important to realize that having a desire to recruit and recruiting are two entirely different things and that even if a company’s HR program, recruiting group, and hiring team all agree that their company should hire more women, certain legal issues come into play.

Companies cannot, obviously, reserve spots for women or deny jobs to men. No matter how much they’d like to balance the scales during the employee selection process, companies can’t reject an overqualified man in order to hire an underqualified woman. The good news is that they don’t have to. No company must resort to these tactics, and no company should hide behind them as an excuse for a staff comprised almost entirely of men. Women make up 51 percent of the world’s population, and if they don’t make up a similar percentage of a company’s workforce, the problem isn’t the women themselves. The problem lies in the recruiting practices the company employs.

5 keys in recruiting more women

When you improve those practices, the number of working women at your company will naturally increase. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Create a united front. Your recruiting team, your interviewers and each member of your HR team should all be taught that recruiting, hiring, and retaining women is an extremely important goal for your company. Get to know your team members. Make sure that they each share this vision.
  2. Spread your recruiting net. To find many qualified female applicants, focus your recruiting efforts on places where women are easily reached. Research local women’s organizations and women’s employment websites. Look into job boards and career fairs at women’s colleges. These efforts won’t exclude men from applying or from being selected, but they will result in a higher number of female applicants.
  3. Create a female-friendly benefits program. What is your company’s maternity leave policy? Do your benefits cover family planning, prenatal care or gynecological exams? When a company offers benefits packages that more fully support women, it’s easier to find qualified applicants during the recruiting process. Female-friendly benefits also help keep valued employees where you want them – at your company.
  4. Take sexual harassment seriously. When you treat sexual harassment and gender discrimination with the seriousness these matters deserve, you create a positive environment for the working women in your company. A zero-tolerance policy will make retaining female employees easier, and when word gets out that your company isn’t afraid to stand up for its female workers, more women will respond to your job openings.
  5. Put women in positions of power. There’s a big difference between a board full of female executives and a male-dominated typing pool. When women are represented in the highest levels of your company, other talented women will notice. Recruiting star female candidates then becomes much easier – but don’t be surprised if highly qualified women approach the company on their own, too. The mentoring that new hires can expect to receive from female execs is another huge draw.

Remember, talented and qualified women are everywhere out there, and if your company’s hiring practices don’t reflect that reality, it could be time to change the way you go about recruiting. Make your company a better place for women to work overall and adjust your recruiting tools and practices to make your open positions more visible to women. When you do, it will be easier to find the qualified female candidates you need.

10 Non-Traditional Careers in Healthcare

February 14, 2019 by with comment off

As a woman entering the healthcare field, your experience with all there is to offer may be somewhat limited thanks to how women are presented on television — do you choose to become a nurse or physician?

However, your options are not nearly so limited. In this article, we’re going to explore 10 career options available to those of you with a sincere desire to help people. Though, like Irma Cota, President and CEO of North County Health Services, helping people doesn’t always mean working directly with patients.

Cytotechnologist
Cytotechnologists are medical laboratory professionals who study cells and their anomalies and evaluate tissue samples for disease. Women in this profession tend to enjoy chemistry, biology, and math, as well as sitting over a microscope for large portions of their day.

To become a cytotechnologist, a bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in one of those focuses listed above. As well as passing the certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology
Perfusionist
Perfusionists operate the cardiopulmonary bypass machines (also known as heart-lung machines) that help patients’ organs function during cardiac surgeries. Perfusionists form part of a team that includes cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and physician assistants.

To become a perfusionist, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject plus a CCP (Certified Clinical Perfusionist) credential, or a four-year perfusion education degree from an accredited university.

Space Psychologist
Being a space psychologist doesn’t actually involve space travel. You are, however, helping those astronauts who will be traveling in space. From advising selection panels to pre and post-mission counseling, you’ll be making sure our astronauts are emotionally and mentally fit.

The minimum you’ll need to break into this field is a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology, organizational psychology, or another discipline. Though, most space psychologists have their Ph.D.

Orthotist/Prosthetist
Orthotists help to enhance a patient’s limb, while prosthetists help to replace it. Both, however, work through the evaluation and assessment processes to ensure their devices are a proper fit for each patient.

Most orthotists and prosthetists have master’s degrees in their respective fields and participate in one-year residency programs, followed by certification. A state license may also be required depending on which state you reside.

Pedorthist
Pedorthists are experts in feet, from anatomy to shoe construction. There are a number of conditions that require special footwear needs, including diabetes, arthritis, flat feet, and bunions. The pedorthist’s job is to evaluate those needs and customize footwear that will help these patients with whatever mobility issues or limitations they’re experiencing.

To become a pedorthist, you need at least a GED plus 1,000 hours of practical experience. And you’ll need to be certified through either the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics or BOC International.

Consultant
There are a number of options here, including legal consulting and TV/media consulting. Legal consultants are not lawyers, but they do have a background in both law and medicine, and typically go through the same training as lawyers. They provide legal guidance to clients and businesses.

TV/media consultants make sure your favorite movies and television shows are depicting what hospital life is really like, including all that medical jargon that nurses and doctors use.

Medical Writing/Illustration
Medical writing is a broad area that includes everything from marketing/ad copy to regulatory documents. Medical writers combine medical knowledge with writing ability and communication skills, and can work in a number of settings: clinics, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical journals, and more.

Medical illustrators are designers, graphic artists, photographers, and videographers with some medical experience. Though, this tends to be less of a requirement than it is for the medical writers.

Clinical Social Worker
Clinical social workers help patients improve their mental and emotional well-being. This area of social work focuses on assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a number of behavioral disorders. Clinical social workers can be found in a variety of environments, including clinics, hospitals, schools, military facilities, substance abuse clinics, and child welfare agencies.

Clinical social workers must first earn a master’s degree in social work from an accredited university, followed by supervised clinical experience. They also have to pass the required licensing exams for their state.

Art Therapist
Art therapists use the creative process to improve mental well-being. Much of their work is helping patients to express themselves through art using crayons, paint, chalk, and other mediums. Their work, while having a strong creative component, is based on psychotherapeutic theories.

Art therapists must be registered and board-certified. And they typically have master’s degrees in either art therapy or psychology.

Medical Interpreter
Medical interpreters combine their knowledge of medical subject matter with their language abilities. They work to convey the complexity of healthcare procedures that can be lost in translation or misunderstood by non-native English speakers.

Medical interpreters must be fluent in their native language and second language. It also helps to have relevant healthcare industry experience. Most medical interpreter jobs can be found in large, urban areas that experience the most immigration.

Conclusion
It’s easy to get caught up in the obvious, and when it comes to healthcare professions for women, the first thing people usually think of is nursing. But even beginning your career in nursing doesn’t mean there aren’t numerous other career advancement opportunities beyond just that.

Just because you begin a healthcare career in one area, it would be wrong to assume that other options are not available. Just ask Dr. Naishu Wang, President and CEO of Alfa Scientific Designs Inc. While Dr. Wang began her career in China working as a medical doctor, she realized there are many other ways in which to help people.

“Through it all, I never lost faith in myself,” said Dr. Wang. “I realize how hard it is to switch careers mid-stream, but it’s even more difficult to make the transition in your adopted country.”

If you really have your heart set on being a physician, opening up a private practice is a great way to escape the hamster-wheel environment in most hospitals and clinics. Just don’t forget the insurance. If you’re not sure about when you’ll need business insurance upon opening a private practice, it’s important that you take extra time to learn the ins and outs of protecting yourself and your future patients.

Many of the professions on this list are likely ones you hadn’t heard of before today. However, when it comes to the healthcare sector, this is just a fraction of the different jobs that are available to women looking for a career that involves the one thing common in all health and wellness professions: a strong desire to help people.

Considering a Career in Public Relations?

November 30, 2018 by with comment off

Public relations is a fun and fast-paced career that often places you at the forefront of an organization or company. Public relations is a great choice for any career-minded woman and often offers the chance to take on a greater leadership role within a company or organization.

 

But what exactly is public relations? What skills does one need to succeed in this ever-changing industry? Let’s take a closer look at the field of public relations, what makes it tick, and what you should consider when deciding if a career in public relations is for you.

 

What Is Public Relations?

Public relations professionals wear many hats. First and foremost, their job is to orchestrate a positive public image for the company, organization, or person they represent. A typical day might include writing a media release, launching a diverse social media campaign, or holding a press conference, for example. It’s likely that no two days will be the same in this field, and PR professionals must always be on their toes and ready for change.

 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations specialists make close to $60,000 a year on average and are typically required to have a degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, or business. The industry is growing significantly and is expected to continue doing so, which means public relations specialists are and will be in high demand.

 

How to Excel in Public Relations

Public relations is a varied and exciting career choice. According to Norwich University, communication, cross-cultural management, flexibility, teamwork, analysis, negotiation, and autonomy are essential skills for a career in public relations. Anyone wishing to pursue a career in PR should be prepared to either bring these skills to the table or seek to develop them to gain more experience.

 

Social media is another area that’s important for public relations professionals. Since almost everyone is on social media in some form these days, having a positive social media presence is extremely important. Social media is always changing and updating, so a successful PR professional must do the same by staying up to date on the latest developments on social media and web presence.

 

An informational science background could also give you an edge when it comes to being in PR in the fields of policy or politics. There are so many industries being shaped by information science today that having that background could really put you ahead when competing for job openings.

 

Another thing that can help you succeed in public relations is knowing when to be honest and apologize when the organization or individual you’re representing is at fault. Knowing when to concede instead of deny is an important skill that the best PR professionals possess.

 

Things to Consider

When considering a career in public relations, there are a few important things to consider. Public relations experts are very much leadership-oriented, and a career in public relations could very well lead to a career path as a CEO, CFO, or similar role at the top of the chain of command.

 

Women in leadership roles have their own set of obstacles to overcome due to the prevalence of sexism and discrimination in the workplace. Some people expect to find only men in leadership positions, and women sometimes have to work twice as hard and be overqualified to land the job they’re interested in.

 

However, as more and more women take on leadership roles, the culture changes and the path for the next wave of women becomes easier and more accessible. The practice of being strong and confident in your abilities will go a long way in landing a job in public relations.

 

A career in public relations is a great choice for anyone who excels at communications, leadership, multitasking, and management. Public relations professional must always be willing to change, learn, and adapt as the industry grows with new trends and technology.

 

At its core, though, public relations is about relationships. That means people come first. If you’re a people person with great communication skills, a good grasp of social media, and strong attention to detail, you might thrive in the field of public relations.

5 Tips to Clean Up Your Resume and Land an Interview

5 Tips to Clean Up Your Resume and Land an Interview

January 2, 2018 by with comment off

5 Tips to Clean Up Your Resume and Land an InterviewLooking for a new job is no fun, especially in a world where the best practices for applying and following up are changing faster than you can follow.

Before you start stressing about whether or not to send a thank-you note after the interview or if it’s still encouraged to wear power colors when meeting recruiters, you have to score the invitation.

Getting offered a meeting or interview starts with your resume (or an online application, but let’s face it, they still ask you to attach a resume). Job hunting means it’s time to spice up your resume — for each and every job you’re applying for. This is not a one-size-fits-all world anymore.

Follow our advice to get your resume in tip-top shape, no matter what you’re applying for.

●     Keep It Brief

Your resume should provide the necessary information, and only the necessary information. It is better to have a clean, concise resume with less information than one cluttered with irrelevant facts. Take some time and trim the fat.

●     Use Specific, Quantifiable Examples

The first bullet point under a previous job can showcase duties and requirements, but the subsequent ones need to detail your achievements in the position. Use numbers to make accomplishments concrete and action-focused language to illustrate cause and effect.

●     Customize Everything

Yes, it’s a pain, and yes, it’s necessary. Updating the details of your resume not only makes you a more relevant candidate, but it shows attention to detail. Make sure you proofread each section as it’s updated.

●     Don’t Neglect Your Education

Even if you’re out of school and have been for years, your education is relevant. Additionally, consider any recent seminars or continuing education sessions you’ve attended, even if they weren’t labeled that way. Think outside the box.

●     Ditch the Objective Statement

When you applied for the job, you told the recruiter what your objective was; there’s no reason to take up precious resume space with something you’ll address in the cover letter. While an objective may serve you well if you’re making a vast career change, you might be better off using an alternative tactic.

Paring down all your achievements to one page can be a daunting task. If you’re having trouble deciding what to cut and what to keep, try the following: Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. If you were looking to fill the position, what traits would you be looking for? Review the job posting for clues. Use the answers you come up with to guide what you include on your resume.

Even then, it may be hard to decide. If there’s something you absolutely feel the need to include, but it doesn’t have a home on your resume, utilize your cover letter. With a concise and tailored resume, you’ll have plenty of time to elaborate on your accomplishments during the interview. 

 

Avery T. Phillips is a freelance human being with too much to say. She loves nature and examining human interactions with the world. Comment or tweet her @a_taylorian with any questions or suggestions.

Outdoorswoman

Wild Women: Women In The Business Of Hunting And Fishing

August 30, 2016 by with comment off

OutdoorswomanMany people still think of hunting and fishing as men’s sports and hobbies. However, more and more women are getting into these pastimes that take them out into the great outdoors. Yes, there are even women in trapping and in taxidermy. In fact, there are many outlets in the world of wildlife and the great outdoors where women can work, make money, and have fun.

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Use These Pro Tips to Keep Your Blog Fresh

Use These Pro Tips to Keep Your Blog Fresh

July 27, 2016 by with comment off

Use These Pro Tips to Keep Your Blog FreshIt’s easy to fall into a trap of repetitive business blogging. You’re juggling your other business tasks along with kids, carpools and the house and it’s hard to make enough time to find new, creative ideas.

However, the success of your blog requires you to engage your users, and they don’t want re-spun content or irrelevant tips that aren’t impactful.

To avoid posting the same boring article over and over, use these five proven ways to keep your blog content fresh and engaging.

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The 2016 Women In Business & Industry

2016 Women In Business & Industry Out Today!

July 19, 2016 by with comment off

The 2016 Women In Business & IndustryThe 2016 edition of Women In Business & Industry is live and ready for viewing. Inside we interview Jocelyn Allen and Chandra Lewis, powerhouse CEOs of corporate PR firm The Allen Lewis Agency; how to navigate today’s fluctuating job market; venture capitalists looking for female entrepreneurs; how to prepare for the coming boom of the senior market; and more. Check it out today!

Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE

The Power Of Constructive Impatience – A Key To Resiliency

June 30, 2016 by with comment off

Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAEFor those who abhor change of any kind, I believe there are an equal number of us who want to challenge the status quo, to move quickly and to leap ahead. Some of us might finish people’s sentences. We click “send” before we re-read our email and tap our foot while the microwave works. We have two speeds: full speed ahead and stop.

Recognize yourself in that description?

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Fashionable Wearable Tech

6 Tech Gadgets for the Stylish Businesswoman

April 7, 2016 by with comment off

Fashionable Wearable TechWomen’s technology buying habits outpace men, according to Parks Associates. More women are playing video games, buying tablets and smartphones, and having higher purchase intentions than men. Overall, Parks Associates urges manufacturers to give women practical and social reasons to buy, and they’ll follow suit.

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