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Articles from Maria Hebda | Selfgrowth.com
- Part II: Resume Makeovers; I Should Hire You? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThis is the second of a two-part series on making over your resume. If you read Part I, we talked about having a focus. Now, that you know how important that is let's talk about the next topic. I've said in the past that you have 8-10 seconds in grabbing the reader's attention. That's not a long ...
Views: 882 - Is a Cover Letter Necessary? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaOne of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to the job hunt has to be: "Do I need a cover letter?" Yes, you do! "Can't I just send my resume without it?" Only if the employer, recruiter, or software refuses to let you submit the cover letter! Why? Because the resume doesn't ...
Views: 1033 - How to Brand Yourself with Your Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaIn our world today, inventors and developers pride themselves on developing products that will do several functions - like the cell phone that is also a camera and a GPS device. But a resume is not such a product. It needs to do one thing - make the employer want to interview you - and it needs ...
Views: 1241 - Five Steps to Job Fair Success - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaWhile you will need a strong resume for any job fair, don't forget - attending a job fair is not just about submitting your resume. It's about socializing and networking with the representatives of the companies and showing off your communication skills. In order to do those things ...
Views: 854 - Be Honest on Your Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaNothing tells a prospective employer that you are not the right person for his or her job more quickly than a resume that does not match the job description or the stated needs of the employer. Your resume should be written in a way that reflects your education and accomplishments. Resist the ...
Views: 1083 - 5 Resume Red Flags - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaProspective employers may spend as little as six seconds looking at your resume to make an assessment of your abilities and to match those abilities to their job opening. In those six seconds they do not read every word on the resume! Instead, employers look at the overall format - is it easy ...
Views: 1138 - So Why Do I Need A Resume Anyway? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaI must say there has been a lot of talk about resumes this year. It's one of the most talked about topic next to social media and networking. But why is there so much talk about 2 pieces of paper? And, why is having a resume so important? I can think of a reason why having a resume is so ...
Views: 1017 - Technical Careers: It's Not Just a Paycheck - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaEven in the toughest of job markets, it's important to keep your values in sight. Certainly money matters, but we all want to work for more than just a paycheck. We need to be able to articulate what matters to us and what gives us satisfaction, whether it's in solving complex problems, ...
Views: 1134 - So What's Your Story? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaSome people are natural storytellers. They describe events and circumstances in a way that captures attention, compels interest, and engages listeners. Storytellers are a direct contrast with those who use language solely for targeted and factual communications. In interviews and professional ...
Views: 1064 - Part I: Resume Makeovers; Does Your Resume Have A Focus? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThis will be a five part series in helpful tips on making over your resume. As I have stated in previous discussions everyone can create their own resume if they had the proper tools in which to do so. It takes time and in depth research on your part when it comes to writing down what your ...
Views: 889 - Does Your Resume Need A Facelift? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaMany people don't realize is that if you put your resume together without much thought or reason, simply writing down your life's story and distributing it to potential employers, chances are you'll experience less than impressive results. In fact, you'll probably end up in the unenviable ...
Views: 1104 - Is Your Resume Employer Driven? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaAre you interested in knowing what potential employers are looking for in a resume? If you haven't updated your resume over the last few years, you might be surprised to learn what companies (large and small) are requesting in today's resumes. In the past, resumes would begin with an ...
Views: 973 - Creating a Resume for a Mom Returning to the Workforce - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaI am often contacted by people (oftentimes mothers) who took an extended absence from the workforce to raise children. Those children get older and more self-sufficient; the stay at home moms decide they would like to return to the workplace. Oftentimes these women had good careers, working as ...
Views: 1398 - Top Secrets of The Expert Job Search - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaEvery day I talk with top professionals and executives looking for a better job. But deep down, they know they want more than a job - they want more fulfillment. They need to see a greater value and satisfaction in the 40-50 hours of brainpower and expertise they put forth every week. They ...
Views: 806 - Top Ten Excuses Why People Don't Network - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaI don't want to ask for a favor. Many people think that when you network you are asking someone for a job. But this is not the goal of networking. When you network, you never ask for a job. You ask for information about an industry, company, or position. Fear of rejection. Many people fear ...
Views: 1050 - Thriving in Trying Times - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaIn this difficult economy, it can be far too easy to focus on the economic pain that has undeniably affected everyone. Many people are unemployed. Households are stretched financially. Discouraged job seekers struggle to maintain their self-esteem. Even people who are employed fear for their ...
Views: 780 - Show Me the Money! - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaDo you want to negotiate a salary increase this year but are unsure of how you would justify it? Here are some strategies you can implement now to build a strong case for the raise you want in the future. Document Your Accomplishments Throughout the Year Keep track of all the projects you ...
Views: 748 - Seven Strategies for Reducing Stress During a Job Search - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaJob loss ranks high on the list of most stressful situations. Many report going through a grieving process, similar to the stages people go through after the death of a loved one. Shock, denial, anger, and depression are all common reactions to the loss of a job. These emotions are important and ...
Views: 750 - Make Your Network Work for You - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaNetworking is the art of building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships. Frequently when I coach people who are in a job search and we discuss networking within the context of job search, many will say "Does that really work?" Like anything else, networking requires a bit of practice ...
Views: 743 - Interviewing Authentically - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThe goal of the interview is to showcase your accomplishments while developing a relationship with the hiring manager. The quality of the relationship hinges on the job seeker's ability to build credibility for their candidacy and effectively gain the hiring manager's trust. Despite this, ...
Views: 719 - Accessing the Hidden Job Market - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThe Truth Behind the Open Job Market Most job seekers relay on the open job market which includes job posting boards and help wanted advertisements in local newspapers to source job leads. While it appears on the surface that these search vehicles have an abundant number of job leads, the ...
Views: 826 - Set S.M.A.R.T. Resume Goals & Get Your Dream Job - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaLocating and securing a job is a job in itself. In fact, many people dread the employment search process because it is often very tedious, grueling, time consuming and unrewarding. We are frequently mistreated, misunderstood and misrepresented. The up side to this dilemma is we can eliminate ...
Views: 1609 - Why Should You Keep Your Resume Updated? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaWhether the economy is crashing or booming, it is crucial to keep your resume updated and ready to be sent out on a moment's notice! There is no such thing as job security in today's world. Many unfortunate people were shocked to learn that when they found themselves jobless in 2008 and 2009. ...
Views: 1480(1 vote) - Leveraging a Reentry Client's Volunteer Experience - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaIf you are reentering the job market and have relevant volunteer experience, be sure to include it. It counts! A recent client wanted to reenter the job market after taking time off for children. Her earlier career had been in residential real estate and Xerox equipment sales. Her new job ...
Views: 1368 - Your Cover Letter's Magic - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaWhat magic is involved in preparing a cover letter? The cover letter - sometimes known as an application letter for employment - literally covers, or is placed first, over your presented or mailed resume. Usually read first, it is intended to encourage a potential employer to read over your ...
Views: 1285 - Top Secrets of Expert Resumes - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaIt seems no matter how good we have it, we all want a better job. That means keeping track of job listings, networking, tracking down leads, analyzing potential employers and scheduling interviews. But these depend on other people, word of mouth, and the quality and quantity of job postings ...
Views: 1227 - The Perils of Online Posting - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaI was captivated by a CNN interview with an unemployed father named Eric Bell. Mr. Bell was laid off and immediately took the shotgun approach to job hunting that I passionately argue against. As a mid-level manager with a solid employment history, Eric figured he'd simply post his resume ...
Views: 1123 - Getting The Most Out of a Job Fair - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaYou spend days preparing for that big career fair, where you'll meet your dream employer who will throw lots of money your way because YOU are the one they've been waiting for. However, the reality is that many people who attend job fairs are left disappointed, frustrated and jobless. Here ...
Views: 1065 - Why You Need a Personal Brand - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaWhat do the most successful people over 50 have in common? They know and express who they are. They have honed and communicated their professional identity and made others aware of their personal attributes - their expertise, talents, and deepest commitments. In other words, these people have ...
Views: 1139 - Objectives in a Resume: Yes or No? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaArguments abound, even among career professionals, about whether or not you should put an objective on your resume. Here are some PROS and CONS to consider about objectives: 1. You need to know where you want the resume to take you, and you need to make sure it's crystal-clear to the ...
Views: 2340 - No Second First Impression - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaAs the saying goes, "you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression." People tend to form judgments based on what they see and hear during the first few seconds. Extended contact may modify their initial judgment but probably won't change it significantly. In terms of job or ...
Views: 1063 - 5 Sure-Fire Steps to a New Job - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThe new year is here - budgets are fresh, positions are open and every statistic points to aggressive hiring. Here are 5 sure-fire steps that will get you a competitive edge and land you that job. 1). Get a professional resume done. Don't even think about doing it yourself as the state of the ...
Views: 1133 - Bringing Out The Real You In Your Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaThere's a widespread frustration held by business executives that their resumes' cannot adequately describe "the real me." I've challenged this notion with the following comments and suggestions: I'm pleased to read how many executives are put off by the idea that they might be encapsulated ...
Views: 1086 - ASCII Resumes: An Essential Ingredient to Today's Job Search - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaASCII (pronounced ask-ee) stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. So what's that mean? Computers can only read numbers. Technically speaking, ASCII is a numerical representation of the letters, digits, punctuation marks, and other symbols used in conversational English. ...
Views: 1066 - Age-Old Question: Should I Lie About My Age On a Resume? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria Hebda"Should I Lie About My Age On a Resume?" * I am too old * I've never managed anyone directly * I don't have Microsoft Excel experience * I have a job gap from 2002-2004 You'll never see these above items on a resume because the purpose of the resume is to put your best foot (or ...
Views: 1595 - 4 Steps To A Perfect Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaLooking for feedback on my work, I sent the exact same resume to 2 trusted recruiters and got the following two gut reactions: * "Great format but the writing could be more salesy." * "Compelling content but the format is bland." The take home message: You can't please everyone. That ...
Views: 1138 - 3 Reasons Never to Include Your Street Address on Your Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaBelow are the three reasons never to include your street address on your resume: 1. Personal Safety If you post your resume online, you're opening yourself to security risk. Most of us wouldn't include our home address on Facebook posts, personal Web pages, or tweets but we never think ...
Views: 1126 - How to Impress Employers Before They Even See Your Resume - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaAh. After much hard work, your resume is beautiful! You've spent countless hours (and perhaps a chunk of change) perfecting both its content and appearance and now you're ready to send it out to fulfill its primary duty--landing you an interview. Or several. And fast. What you may not ...
Views: 1590 - Why the Resume is an Endangered Species - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaAs a professional resume writer, I don't like to admit this, but the resume is going the way of gray suit, the fax machine, and the generous pension plan. No, the resume isn't in danger of immediate extinction. But it is certainly endangered. Resumes are a relic of a traditional employment ...
Views: 1045 - Publishing an Ezine: Why bother? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaHere are the Top 5 reasons that I suggest you publish an ezine: 1. Staying in touch with your clients and prospective clients shows them you care about cultivating a relationship with them and that you have their interests at heart. 2. An ezine is a simple and straightforward way to ...
Views: 662 - How to Price Your Services - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaWhether you're a new or established career professional, pricing can be a constant puzzle; especially when you start talking to other people in the industry or surfing the web. There are so many pricing models, fees, products and services out there. Don't sell yourself short or get caught up ...
Views: 773 - Creative Ways to Invest in Your Development Without Spending a Fortune - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaHowever long you've been in business, there is always something new to learn. It's essential to keep up with the trends of your industry and not get left behind. You'll not only provide better service to your clients, you'll also find new ways to grow and improve your business. Formal ...
Views: 830 - Building Your Network of Experts - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2012 from Maria HebdaOne of the most important things I did to grow my business was to step out of my comfort zone and begin to expand my professional network. It was a stretch for me to transition from being a certified career coach and resume writer to being a resource for my career expert peers. My ...One of ...
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