Tuesday, April 21, 2020

A Closer Look at Rates For Resume Writing

A Closer Look at Rates For Resume WritingOne of the things that you will probably need to do is find out what rate for resume writing is. You can only pay for certain services if you are willing to pay them. What's the point in paying more when there is a cheaper way?The idea behind resumes is that employers look at them before making decisions. In order to make sure that you stand out from all the other applicants, you need to have your resume as one of the first things that they see.How do you get a rate for writing a resume? One way is to contact the recruiting firm or company and ask for a quotation. Make sure that you put in the exact wording of the job you are applying for, so that the recruiter knows exactly what he/she has to write. The entire description should be something along the lines of how good the skills you possess are for the position you are applying for.Once you have sent them the request, keep in mind that there are some firms that are not open to this kind of t hing. Since you cannot guess how good the skills and talents of a candidate are, you might just end up getting rejected. It could also be something like, 'we do not quote rates for resume writing'. It would not be uncommon for a recruiter to turn you down right away if you are asking for the quote without any idea as to the kind of services that are being offered.However, there are some companies that are willing to offer special rates for resumes. You will just have to be patient because it could take a while before you get the details of their special rates.Another good thing about these firms is that they are usually flexible with the deadline you might need to reach. The more creative and innovative you are, the more they would appreciate your proposal. This is one way of putting them at ease so that they could give you the rate for resume writing.If you still cannot find a great rate for resume writing, then at least you know that you are in the right place when you write. Many times, it will pay off for you.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Networking With Co-Workers Is a Crucial Skill

Networking With Co-Workers Is a Crucial Skill There’s no shortage of networking advice on how to introduce yourself to a sales prospect, strike up a conversation with an expert at a conference, or stay in touch with a potential job lead. But all of those tips leave you with one big, gaping hole in your interpersonal skills: How to create friendly, social relationships with the people you actually see at work every day. Yes, you probably have a core crew of co-workers you eat lunch with, and you might even be one of those people with a “work spouse,” but that’s not enough. You’ll boost your career prospectsâ€"both within and beyond your workplaceâ€"if you strengthen your connections with your existing colleagues, explains career coach Todd Dewett. “The professionals with the best network breadth and depth win in the long run,” he says. Here’s how to go from uncomfortable elevator silences to being that person who seems to know everybody in the building. Just say hello. “If you’re approaching someone you’ve seen on a regular basis but never spoken with, find an opportunity to introduce yourself,” says Amanda Augustine, a career advice expert at TopResume. Strike up a conversation when you meet on the way to the parking lot or run into them in the break room. And don’t be afraid to point out the obvious. Career experts say something as basic as, “I don’t think we were ever introduced,” or, “I’ve seen you here a million times and I’m sorryâ€"I never caught your name,” is a perfectly fine conversation starter. Aim for “business casual” formality. That is, your tone should be somewhere between introducing yourself to a presenter at an industry conference and grabbing coffee with your best office pal, according to Dewett. “It is acceptable to be less formal initially, yet you should be more formal than you would be while interacting with your close colleagues.” Avoid being too familiar at first, especially if it’s someone you’ve never spoken with before. “Be respectful that you don’t know them, even though you’re technically on the same team,” Dewett says. Stalk them (just a tiny bit). Even if you’re just aiming to introduce yourself at the vending machine, it’s a good idea to get at least a little bit of background beforehand. “Google their name, look them up in the company directory, and check out their professional social media accounts such as their LinkedIn profile and possibly their Twitter handle,” Augustine suggests. Stay off Facebook or other sites that skew more social than professional; it could be off-putting if you bring up parts of their personal or social life they’ve never mentioned to you. Seek out people outside your circle. Workforce diversity is a key issue for companies these days, so you need to be willing to and comfortable with reaching out to people who, on first glance, might not seem to have much in common with you. “We do have a tendency to interact with people who are similar to us in some way,” says Adelphi University president and leadership expert Christine M. Riordan. Make an active effort to engage with people outside your “in-group,” she says, because that will help you overcome any latent biases you might harbor. “Recognize your biases and stereotypes and make sure those don’t hold you back from talking with people who are different from you,” Riordan said. Raise your profile. Stumped on how to meet people outside your floor or department, especially if you work for a large employer? “Make connections across organizational chart lines,” Dewett says. Volunteer for committees that draw members from beyond your department and keep an eye out for work projects that will put you in contact with people in other departments or divisions. Look for mutual acquaintances. Alternately, if you see someone you do know heading out to get coffee with someone you don’t know, ask if you can join them. “Have a colleague who knows the individual you would like to meet introduce you or invite both of you to lunch,” suggests James Craft, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business. Stay away from lightning-rod topics. Almost all career experts say it’s a bad idea to bring up politics or religion (unless you happen to work in one or the other, and even if that’s the case, tread lightly). And don’t speak negatively about anyone else at work. Not only could you come away with an unwanted reputation as a gossip, you never know who the person you’re talking to is friendly with or where your words could travel. Don’t forget to shut up and listen. “Too often, people talk too much, or worry about what they will say next,” Riordan says. If you’re preoccupied with what you’re saying, you’re not going to be able to really listen to what the other person is saying and respond in a manner that lets them know you’re paying attentionâ€"crucial for relationship-building. “Good listeners paraphrase what they’ve heard and ask clarifying questions,” Riordan says. “They make eye contact, nod their heads, and are fully engaged in the conversation.”

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Are Your Work Expectations Realistic - Work It Daily

Are Your Work Expectations Realistic - Work It Daily Are Your Work Expectations Realistic - Work It Daily Are Your Work Expectations Realistic? Expectations. We all have them. Our expectations motivate us and drive us to do things both good and bad. We might expect a great time at a party or expect to get bored at grandmas. We have all sorts of work expectations. We have expectations of our peers, our boss, our company, and even our customers. RELATED: 5 Tips For Keeping Your New Job Our expectations serve us like a yard stick where we kind of measure people both ahead of time and after an event. We think we know what to expect of others and ourselves, so we check to see if all of that expectation is missed or met. What happens when our expectations are continuously missed? We turn grouchy, to start with. If our expectations are continually abused, it can become the catalyst of unrest and great unhappiness. Depending on your position in the company, you can bear down on the source of your missed expectations with unrelenting focus. We hate to be disappointed. The question is â€" Are your expectations realistic or are you a control freak? It’s good to be good, but it’s annoying to work with someone who wants to be perfect. Besides, it’s just not possible, so you could be unrealistic and also be a real pain in the backside. Are Your Work Expectations Realistic? Here are some questions to ask yourself, as well as thoughts to help gauge your expectations: 1. Are You Clear About Your Expectations? Sometimes we have them, but we can’t exactly pinpoint what they are. If you can get clear first, you can examine them more closely. 2. Did You Manufacture Your Expectations Without Validation? Especially with others, we sometimes cook up expectations and fail to communicate to get agreement. 3. Is Someone Being Inconsistent? One day they do things a certain way and the next day, they do them differently. You’re now confused and don’t know WHAT to expect. Time to ask. 4. How Do Your Standards Compare To Others? There is a fine line between wanting to be the best and being obsessive. Make sure you know where the bar is set for your peers to see if it is within a reasonable range of your own. 5. Do You Need To Communicate Your Expectations? We often go about doing our work without really communicating what we need, when we need it and what details go with it. If you haven’t shared those details, you need to have a discussion. 6. Are You Getting Feedback? You might need to calibrate what your expectations are with someone who can give you some objective feedback and understanding of your environment. Depending on your situation, you could do that with your boss; but if that isn’t an option, consider a respected mentor or peer. Don’t’ seek out your work BFF, as they won’t be objective or candid. 7. Are They Impacting Your Work Or Career? One sure way to know if your expectations are reasonable is if your work is being negatively impacted by someone else. It’s not unreasonable to expect others to meet quality, quantity and deadlines as it relates to the work you do. If it turns out you are being unrealistic about your expectations of others, you probably need to lighten up. If you don’t, you risk making yourself continuously unhappy and disappointed with those around you. It’s hard to feel any kind of kinship with the people you work with when you’re disappointed with their behavior. If your work expectations are reasonable, but aren't being met, then you have some work to do with others. It will be worth it in the long run if you do. This post was originally published on an earlier date. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!