5 Job Search Tips for Baby Boomers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

5 Job Search Tips for Baby Boomers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career By the time many of us turn 50, there is a good chance we have been working for 35 or more years. Of course, this is taking into account those teen summer and college jobs that helped pay for books, clothes and parties. That is an awful lot of work experience regardless of what those jobs were. Even your first babysitting or lawn-mowing job required a certain amount of know-how and the ability to take on responsibility. If you’re feeling a little tired, it’s no wonder. You’ve been hard at it for most of your life. Have you been contemplating a job change recently but are concerned about where you are in terms of age? It can be a hard thing to consider, but take heart. You are not alone. Many successful businessmen and women begin to question their place in the workforce about this time of their lives, especially when they are no longer excited about the career that in many instances has chosen them, instead of them choosing it. Others are comfortable and anything that looks like change causes angst, so they prefer to stay put regardless of how miserable they may be. Their living expenses have risen and they have a few kids in college and a mortgage, which  means going even a short period without a paycheck would prove devastating. Of course, with fewer and fewer companies feeling anything that looks remotely like loyalty to their employees, making a change may not even be your choice at this point. So what do you do at your age if you’re bored, miserable or through no fault of your own, find yourself without an office to go to? The following suggestions may help you through a planned, or unplanned change as you navigate a mature career. 1. Take advantage of the fact you have so much to offer. You have been tried by fire and survived it all: bad bosses, broken promises and disappointments that only someone of your maturity could have withstood. These things have made you who you are and will be your armor  when going up against younger competition. 2. Choose wisely. Don’t accept any position you are not excited about. You’ve been in the trenches of ‘what you have to do’ long enough. Now it’s time to do what you want to do, regardless of who your previous job experience says you are. 3. Be willing to sacrifice a little income for a lot of peace. Do you really need that extra $50k per year if it means more 80-hour workweeks and no time to pursue your personal passions? Many mature professionals have awakened to the idea that money isn’t everything and chasing it for so many years has left them less than fulfilled. When they learn to live on less, many times their lives become so much more. 4. Strike out on your own. It is amazing how much your corporate experience has taught you about running your own business. Draw on that lifetime of learning to build your own empire. The list of niche businesses catering to a select group is ever growing and many of these businesses are created by people just like you. Let your imagination run wild and let the naysayers be damned. There is always a market for unique products and services. 5. Above all, be kind to yourself doing this time. With so many people working well into their 80s and beyond, don’t believe for a moment you are too old to start over. You are in your prime, and time is definitely on your side. Now go out and get what you want and enjoy the best part of this ride we call life.

How To Write A Resume Summary

How To Write A Resume SummaryResume summaries and professional summary are usually the same but sometimes it can be a big difference. Summaries are for careerist, resumes for career seekers. They do not always follow the same format in which they should be written.Jobs that are categorized as 'careers work' will have these documents which are further subdivided into the categories of career, career related and education. At this point I will only discuss the summaries and resumes for careers work that must be submitted on employment sites because they are the easiest to find.A resume summary is designed to bring a professional resume to life. It is meant to highlight job qualifications and accomplishments for the reader to see. The most basic form of resume summary is what is known as a market research job summary.In this form of a summary of the candidate presents a brief synopsis of their job and their main accomplishment. This summary should not be much longer than two pages and t hen a brief list of the applicant's skills and abilities that they gained through their employment. The resume summary can also focus on a brief summary of each experience such as work experience, volunteer work, and education. For students a brief description of the educational experiences will be required.Another kind of resume summary is a skill and experience in response to one of the following: skills or abilities (Qualified, Experienced, Credentialed) or experience. This has become the most popular type of resume summary as there is less of a need for hard-to-remember accomplishments and more available experience. The difficulty is in distinguishing between these two types.The best tip I can give you about how to write a resume summary is to start with a skill and experience but then to use the description section to add more information. To help you with this step-by-step guide I have included the instructions below. You can copy my advice and go on your own to write a good r esume.-Step one: Draft a resume summary of a skill or experience that is relevant to the position that you are applying for. This is done by listing down all the qualifications that are listed in the opening statement and then putting a paragraph or two on that information.-Step two: Now that you have an outline of the skills and experiences that you have listed put them into a rough summary. You can then describe these skills and experiences in one or two paragraphs. You can also include a few anecdotes about your skills and experiences.

3 techniques for networking at big events

3 techniques for networking at big events 3 techniques for networking at big events Recently, I attended the Puget Sound Business Journals annual Book of Lists event, held at Seattles beautiful Museum of Flight. It was a huge gathering, so I interviewed attendees for their insights on networking at big events. Who was it that didnt have much fun? Well, extreme introverts. Granted, most introverts probably didnt register to attend in the first place. However, for those who braved the throngs of people, it was probably challenging to begin some new professional relationships. I caught a few people standing in a dark corner behind the bar, pretending to check e-mail. Others were strolling through the museum exhibit pretending there was no event going on in the main hall. Thats okay, I give them kudos for at least going. But for everyone else, there seemed to be three main strategies that worked well: 1. Have a networking goal My first question was, Why are you here? And I got the standard, Oh, this is a fun event at a great venue. But when I followed with, What are you hoping to get out of networking here? then the answers got much more interesting and meaningful. Tony Yee, vice president at Umpqua Bank, wanted to make people aware of his bank and to meet more people. Taji Degross, a Windermere Real Estate broker, is a recent Puget Sound Business Journal subscriber and came to see whats going on in the Seattle community. Darrin Evans, an estimator with Snyder, is new to his industry as a result of a recent career change. So, he is eager to meet contractors and others in the construction industry. Kate Chan is a co-founder of the Seattle Women in Technology (WIT) organization, and although she also has a full-time job, she came to this event to find future speakers for WIT as well as future members. In general, each of these attendees had a goal when it came to networking, and they had enough awareness to recognize and advance that goal without being pushy. 2. Approach total strangers Ironically, the bigger the event, the harder it is to meet total strangers, and even more difficult if you have a specific targeted need like Evans, who was looking for those in the construction industry. I asked him for his top trick and he said that he relied on the nametags. That can be tricky, as many people were talking to other people, so name badges arent easy to see. Andrea Driesen, Chief Boredom Buster with No More Boring Meetings wears a button on her lapel that says NO BOREDOM and that is a great conversation starter. She recommended looking open and saying hello. Almost everyone said they make eye contact and say hello, but it takes one person to stop and make an introduction! 3. Know the challenges Networking techniques are not just about learning what people do successfully. Sometimes just hearing the challenges that even the most experienced networkers face is helpful. In the hundreds of networking events I have attended, some have been extremely rewarding and others were simply duds. There are so many factors, ranging from the event layout to my own attitude that day or evening. Some challenges that attendees can face are knowing when to break into a seemingly established group, finding something in common, maintaining a good attitude and being open to new ideas. Another challenges can be exiting a conversation gracefully. For some people, showing off a friendly and outgoing personality can be misinterpreted as flirting, so its important to make sure you emphasize that youre there to build professional relationships. Parting words of wisdom There are many ways to make big events work for you. Here are five that I picked up that Ill use at future events: Be interested, not interesting Be the one to start the conversation, walk up to groups and introduce yourself Have one or two go-to questions that you like to ask. Mine is, What brought you to this particular event? Always have lots of business cards and ask for cards if they are not offered; if your contact is out of cards, write the information down Connect with those you met on LinkedIn within 24 hours and request a follow up meeting to begin building a long-term relationship What are your big event networking tips and challenges?

Understanding How To Manage Your Finances After Graduation - CareerAlley

Understanding How To Manage Your Finances After Graduation - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Completing a college degree is a big milestone in ones life. But it also means that you are now all set to step into the real world. Life after graduation will be totally different as there are opportunities bundled with responsibilities. Whether you decide to start a business or take up a job, managing finances is vital. The biggest challenge for fresh graduates is the lack of experience with handling money. Even those who may have studied commerce can actually have their own share of struggles with finance management. Here is a guide that can help you understand how to manage your finances after graduation. Plan a budget First things first, you need to plan a budget while keeping in mind your regular savings, income, and expenses. Right from the day one you step out of the college, you will probably be on your own unless there is parental support. A carefully planned monthly budget can actually help you survive until you get a good job. If you have savings, calculate how long they will last. Stick to your budget diligently to consolidate your financial health. The biggest challenge for fresh graduates is the lack of experience with handling money. Even those who may have studied commerce can actually have their own share of struggles with finance management. Tweet This Pay off your student loans The biggest concern after graduation for most students is their student loan because probably every student has one to repay. As soon as you graduate, start working on a loan repayment plan that aspires to clear the debt earliest possible. Consider factors like interest rates, repayment period and grace period to plan out how you will clear the loan. The sooner you repay, the lesser the interest you will end up paying. Obviously, this can save up a lot of money in the long run. Between working to perfect your resume, gaining the right experience and pay off your student loans, its also important to get a handle on proper finance skills that will help propel you to success and make life easier. How to Finance Life After College Track your expenses As a part of your budget planning, you should track your expenses on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Right from food to rent, transportation, student loan payments, and leisure, have every single expense on paper. This will give you a fair idea about where you stand and how much you earn to sustain right after graduation. Additionally, you will be able to understand your saving capacity as well. Understand income and taxes When you step out of college, you will probably be excited about your first job. However, you will need to understand income and taxes well enough as a beginner. For example, your salary offer may sound amazing but what you take home may not be that exciting because there are several deductions your salary is subjected to. Similarly, you need to be careful about filing and paying taxes right from day one. Looking for experienced tax attorneys youll swear by is a good idea. These professionals can guide you from start to end and keep you out of trouble with the IRS. Keep an eye on your credit score A healthy credit score right from the start of your career or business is a strong trust signal. You should seriously work on building a good credit score if you want to have a reputation for being a responsible borrower. Of course, you may want loans later in life, for buying a house, growing your business or anything else. A solid credit score will surely help you get one with ease. Follow some basic rules to consolidate your credit score. Pay your bills on time, keep the oldest credit cards open and avoid maxing out cards. Live within your means Another useful tip for students who have just completed graduation is to live within your means. You may be tempted to join an expensive exercise class, eat out every weekend or splurge on vacations when you start getting your first paychecks. But remember that this is the time to consolidate your savings rather than waste your hard-earned dollars. Be mindful of every single dollar you spend and you will learn the value of saving for the long run. Have long-term financial goals Having an emergency fund and focusing on short-term savings is just half the work done for fresh graduates. Rather, you should have long-term financial goals, even up to retirement planning. This may sound too far-fetched but having a financial strategy right from a young age promises a better financial future. Remember that long-term financial planning is not just about saving money but spending smartly and at the right time. If you have just graduated and money management seems to baffle you, these tips can be of great help. Dont hesitate to seek professional guidance over matters like tax and financial planning because being smart with your money definitely helps you live better. What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Social Media Choosing, Using, and Confusing

Social Media Choosing, Using, and Confusing **I am a member of the Career Collective, a group of resume writers and career coaches. Each month, all members discuss a certain topic. This month, we are talking about Social Media and our careers. Please follow our tweets on Twitter #careercollective. You can also view the other member’s interesting posts at the end of the article. +++++ Today it seems that everyone from your 10-year-old nephew to your Great Grandmother Mildred has at least a Facebook account filled to the brim with information that you may or may not want them, or other people from divulging â€" everyone, which includes the same hiring manager you sent your last resume to. Now its just much easier for prospective employers to Google your name and find out information about you, your family and your habits. So, whats the best site and the best methods to keep your personal information private? With the vast resources of personal data so readily available through social networking sites, it is very tempting for recruiters, HR managers and even yourself, to use these methods to screen prospective employees or to just find out information about an old friend. Microsoft recently released a commissioned study that shows 79% of people will look at an applicants online profile. Reviewing a candidates social networking site can help companies know more about how those candidates handle themselves, both personally and professionally. It can also provide information that is illegal to ask during interviews. Its true that in todays world you have to be online in order to get noticed, but what sites are right for keeping your personal information private, while still giving you a measure of freedom online? The most well known sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Myspace all have their ups and downs. Myspace has virtually vanished as a peer-to-peer social media information site in favor of its traditional focus as being a music house for artist. Facebook has its many detractors thanks to gaping security holes and the ability to gleam information quickly and easily, even after that information has been deleted. Twitter doesnt really carry the same weight as the other sites, its good for quick burst of information but you cannot really customize it in order to share professional information. LinkedIn is the site that many professionals think of when they are looking for another job. People post links to jobs, information about their companies and things they are looking for. If you stay diligent and become friends with people in your industry, there is no way that LinkedIn would not benefit you. It also presents an ethical conundrum. What if an HR manager stumbles upon your Facebook page with pictures from a wild party or of your growing baby belly? Would they be more or less inclined to hire you based on what they determine online? According to Microsoft’s study, 84% believe that it is OK to use social media to gather information about a candidate. Do you know what that means? It means you have to stay up on what you have posted online and watch anything that could prevent you from finding that job. Make sure that you pick the right social media site and use it properly. In the right hands social media can be a very powerful thing, but it can also prevent you from gaining what you want. ++++ Read on for more great Career Collective articles: Make Your Career More Social: Show Up and Engage, @WalterAkana, #careercollective You 2.0: The Brave New World of Social Media and Online Job Searches, @dawnrasmussen #careercollective How to Get a New Job Using Social Media, @DebraWheatman #careercollective Social Media: Choosing, Using, and Confusing, @ErinKennedyCPRW #careercollective How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search, @heatherhuhman #careercollective Updating: A Social Media Strategy For Job Search, @TimsStrategy #careercollective Your Career Needs Social Media Get Started, @EliteResumes @MartinBuckland #careercollective We Get By With a Little Recs from Our Friends, @chandlee #careercollective Expat Careers Social Media: Social Media is Potentially 6 Times more Influential than a CV or Resume, @expatcoachmegan #careercollective Social-Media Tools and Resources to Maximize Your Personalized Job Search, @KatCareerGal #careercollective Job Search and Social Media: A Collective Approach, @careersherpa #careercollective How Having Your Own Website Helps You, @keppie_careers #careercollective Social Media: So whats the point?, @DawnBugni #CareerCollective Tools that change your world, @WorkWithIllness #CareerCollective HOW TO: Meet People IRL via LinkedIn, @AvidCareerist #CareerCollective Effective Web 2.0 Job Search: Top 5 Secrets, @resumeservice #CareerCollective Jumping Into the Social Media Sea @ValueIntoWords #CareerCollective Sink or Swim in Social Media, @KCCareerCoach #CareerCollective Social Media Primer for Job Seekers, @LaurieBerenson #CareerCollective

How to Use a Search For Your Resume

How to Use a Search For Your ResumeIt is a fact that job search strategies and resume writing policies are changing. Every one has a different job search in mind, and there are certain criteria that one must meet for career opportunities to be offered.One of the top changes that job search strategies and resume writing policies have experienced is the increase in the pace of job search and selection processes. Almost everyone wants to be selected for a job, no matter how they like to do it. With so many other jobs for people and the ever increasing cost of living, finding a job has become even more important. There are so many methods to search for the job, it seems overwhelming.One new way that people use to search for jobs is online college campuses. Some schools are free to students to attend. Others charge for the use of the facilities and equipment. The University of Phoenix is one of the most popular schools and has led to increased competition between students.If your area of interest is not being offered at a university, one of the other ways to go to a job search is an internet research. One of the most popular search tools for this task is online resumes. This is the area of employment.There are two types of internet searches that will be used for a job search. The first type of search is a physical search. This means that a person goes to the school and goes inside the building or office to be sure they are at the right place. Many people are afraid to walk into the wrong building, or classroom because they fear being attacked or something similar.The second type of search is a search through the internet. When people search for a job through the internet, they are more likely to go online and find the job. This type of search will make people make a pre-filled out resume.When a candidate needs to use a search for their resume, the purpose is to use the internet. In this way, the search will still give the candidate the chance to do it himself or her self. If a person can do this with no errors, the person will be more confident about getting a job. Although, it is important to follow these job search strategies and resume writing policies to maximize the chances of getting the job.

What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume for Dummies

What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume for Dummies When you're looking for an instance of a resume consider that the manner of your resume will be contingent on the industry you work in. Scroll down one fold and you will observe an ideal research assistant resume sample. If you're hunting for resume samples for a career change, consider researching resume templates of men and women that are in that field to learn what the norms are. The Benefits of What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume If you don't supply the info necessary for the hiring agency to find out your qualifications, you may not be considered for the job. Your resume, after all, isn't an autobiography, but instead a summary of your previous experience and qualifications. Resume writing templates are segregated into various types based on the profession and achievements of an individual. The 30-Second Trick for What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume If you're attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you r equire averystrong resume. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. In starting a resume writing business, you should learn to compose resumes for various professions. If you're searching to customize professional, pre-formatted resumes, take a look at our completely free downloadable templates. Writing a strong application is a challenging procedure and we would like to make it simpler. Resume writing formats consist of whole collection of categories of profession to decide on the most suitable format. You may also Book Writing Template. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. An assignment from a company or technical writing class would likewise be appropriate. If you take a close look at all our free resume writing examples, you will see they employ clear, succinct sentences that get right to the point. You always ought to match the s ort of writing in your sample to the type of writing required in your intended job. Your writing sample ought to be the very best legal writing you've done. The Basics of What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume Like a superb stew, you shouldn't rush content. It may also be valuable to resume a sample with content much like the topics you may be writing about. It may also be beneficial to supply a sample with content much like the topics you may be writing about. What Is a Writing Sample for a Resume - Dead or Alive? You may also read more on the ideal approach to use our resume samples here. You always need to match the kind of sample in your language to the sort of sample required in your intended job. Perhaps while looking for examples you noticed poor samples all around the internet. You will never know when you may be requested to submit a writing sample. Writing the ideal research assistant resume objective or summary can be challenging. Writing a resume for employmen t in the art industry can be difficult. If you wish to turn into a Freelance Writer you have to write all of the moment. Don't be concerned if you've got an entry-level Freelance Writer resume.