You tweaked your resume and cover letter to fit a specific job posting (or outsourced both to an expert writer), your application caught the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter, and you rocked the interview process. So . . . what now? Though it might feel like the rest is out of your hands, there is one more step that can really help you stand out as an applicant: following up. In this post, we’ll explain why it’s important to follow up after a job interview, when to do it, and how to craft the best follow-up emails.
We get it. The idea of paying someone to write your resume can seem counterintuitive, especially if you consider yourself an above-average wordsmith. But here’s the thing: just like outsourcing marketing and branding tasks allows businesses to maximize productivity in their day-to-day operations, hiring an expert to take over the resume writing process allows you to focus on searching for jobs, networking, and planning out your career path.
Still wondering whether it’s worth using a resume writing service? In this post, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons, explain the general process, and offer you a few tips to get the most out of the experience (if it makes sense for you). Wondering how to add a quick response (QR code) to your resume — or if you even should? In this post, we explain the pros and cons and give easy to follow directions for generating effective QR codes, adding them to your resume, and sending them to recruiters and potential employers.
If you are over a certain age, you might remember a time when looking for a new job involved searching the classified ads in your local paper and mailing your resume to a physical address — then waiting for acknowledgment in the form of a phone call or letter. Well, we don’t need to tell you that a lot has changed since then.
Technology has completely transformed the way we search for and apply to jobs. So, if you haven’t had to seek out a new position in the last few decades, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the current landscape before you start applying.
One of the most common questions we get from job hunters is, "What's the difference between a CV and a resume?" Though the two terms are used interchangeably abroad, in the US, they have very different purposes and formats.
If you are returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent for a long period of time, you’re probably obsessing over the gap in your career and wondering how your resume could possibly compete with other professionals in your job search.
Thankfully, it’s less complicated than you think. A stay-at-home mom or dad resume can be just as appealing, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. Here are some of our expert tips for explaining the "mommy/daddy gap" in your resume — and starting a new chapter in your professional career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8.4 million Americans were classified as unemployed as of September 2021, yet there were more than 10 million job openings reported just a few months prior. So why are so many people still out of work when there are 2 million–plus more jobs than there are job seekers? Unpopular opinion: Many job seekers have unrealistic expectations. If you are one of the many people who aren’t getting interviews, let alone job offers, no matter how hard you try, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your approach. Here are three changes you can make right now to increase your odds of getting hired:
Emotional intelligence — the ability to recognize, understand, and utilize emotions in a healthy, constructive manner — has significant impact in the workplace. In fact, research shows it is the strongest predictor of performance, as well as a crucial characteristic of successful and authentic leaders.
Core competencies (sometimes referred to as core qualifications) are the skills, certifications, knowledge, and personality traits that make you a desirable candidate for a specific job. Though it may seem redundant to include a core competencies or qualifications section at the top of your resume, this section can be very useful. A well-placed, well-written list of specific qualifications can grab the attention of recruiters who often judge resumes after mere seconds of scanning.
According to a CareerBuilder survey, 70% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, and 57% found content that caused them not to hire candidates. Also, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 36% of companies have decided not to give people jobs because of what they discovered through online searches and social media. Your social media accounts are an extension of who you are. Therefore, the content you post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms could have serious repercussions on your professional life. Here are some important steps to take to clean up your online presence before conducting a job search:
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