Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
by David Jensen, CPRW, CARW, CEIP, ResumeEdge.com Editor
While glancing at various blogs to gather some client data, the CEO of a public relations firm noticed a post about the PR industry from an undergraduate student. In her blog, the student commented about how the PR industry was changing. After reading this post, the CEO invited the student to visit his firm and ended up offering her a job. This method of employee/employer match-up is becoming more common, which means that blogging (if done properly) is a good idea.
Starting a Blog
A good way to decide whether to start a blog is to answer these two questions:
- Do you have something to say?
- Does anyone care about what you are saying?
Blogs are inexpensive to create. In fact, they’re mostly free, but they’re only beneficial when your information is worthwhile. When you regularly post new and meaningful information on your blog, you show your readers (and potential employers) that you invest time in expanding and strengthening your expertise. This means that it’s important to genuinely elevate your professional development and expertise and stay current with your industry’s trends.
Update Your Blog Regularly
Starting a blog is not hard to do. Sustaining a blog and frequently updating it might be a challenge because an effective blog needs to contain fresh content. In addition, blogging is more than writing; it is creating a forum for dialogue and a chance to promote your specific areas of expertise to your audience. The best blogs are those that provide valuable information and also request readers to comment and provide their own insights.
Avoid Disclosing Personal Information
Your credibility is on the line whenever you blog. Make sure your information is accurate, timely, and free of grammatical errors. Even more, don’t allow yourself to divulge too much personal information. When you post a blog, it’s out there for the world to see and what you write is a reflection of you. People follow blogs to obtain information they can use, not to read about your personal exploits. If you post unethical or questionable content, it can come back to haunt you if a current or potential employer happens to see the post. Your best strategy is to make your posts meaningful and concise. If your readers cannot see the end of your post without having to scroll down (around 800 words) they might not read to the end.
Blogging is about Exchanging Ideas
Simply creating a blog is not enough. Create awareness about your blog by including your blog address in all your business communications and emails. Blogging is a community effort. Expert bloggers recommend that you spend some time reading and commenting on other blogs. They also encourage you to spend time in blogging communities where positive energy is flowing and link to people who are experts in your field and promote on-going, dynamic communication. You can have a positive experience with blogging when you are gracious, professional, and practice professional reciprocity.
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
By David Jensen, CPRW, CARW,CEIP
The ability to create and post short audio and video clips on personal Web sites and video sharing sites such as YouTube has taken online communication to a new level. Job seekers are even using video technology to promote their employment candidacy by creating and distributing video résumés. Despite the growing popularity of this trend, it still begs the question, do video résumés really work?
Video Résumés Call For New Technology
The human resource professionals and recruiters interviewed for this article all said they would review a video résumé. The reasons they gave were that they were curious about the technique and it would allow them to see how candidates present themselves and their public speaking skills. Still, video résumés are a ways out from becoming a mainstream form of résumé distribution because someone can review five or six paper résumés in the time it takes to view one video résumé. However, larger companies are investing in applicant tracking systems that will likely include a feature that enables hiring managers to quickly open and view video résumés.
A Properly Produced Video Résumé can be an Effective Job Seeking Tool
The fact that HR professionals have said they would review a video résumé means that it can be an effective tool to promote your candidacy. However, as with a text résumé, not only does it need to capture and retain your audience’s attention, it needs to compel a hiring manager to contact you. With a video résumé, you employ a combination of your appearance, presentation ability, and content to make your case. You have between 60 to 90 seconds to provide enough of the right information for the hiring manager to make an informed decision about you.
Take the Time to do it Right
Video cameras are very unforgiving. The first time someone goes in front of a television camera, they usually receive some coaching because the camera amplifies every movement and vocal slip-up. Your audience focuses on you the entire time so it can be very noticeable and distracting whenever you look away from the camera, move your arms, or stutter. Make sure you get clean video and audio recordings and edit out all mistakes to provide a clear and coherent product.
Video résumés will eventually become a common job seeking tool. And it won’t be long before the most skeptical employers will come on board. However, even the most top-of-the line production technology cannot compensate for a poorly produced résumé. A well-crafted résumé, whether on paper or on the screen is an investment in your career. It’s worth your while to devote the time and resources to create a good product.
To request David for your resume, cover letter, or other ResumeEdge.com product, please ask for him by name at time of purchase.
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
During the worst job downturn since the Great Depression, there is one bright spot – the Federal government. According to ABC news, the Feds will have added 273,000 jobs by the fall of 2012.
ResumeEdge.com is committed to providing the very best in Federal Resume writing services. We have helped thousands navigate the tricky Federal application process to secure their dream jobs.
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To read the ABC article, please visit: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/job-recession-federal-government-hiring/story?id=8572300
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
by Lou Huskey, CPRW, ResumeEdge.com Editor
Transitioning from the military world can be a challenge, but many candidates find great success in job searches when they are able to target specific companies that search for employees with this type expertise. Most individuals coming out of the military have valuable experience in leading teams and making strategic business decisions that greatly affect the projects they have been involved in. Accentuate strong leadership backgrounds to show how you can easily move into management positions. In the corporate world, employers look for people who can work independently without lots of direction, so focusing on being a self-motivated, disciplined individual is important. Be sure to highlight the demanding work schedules that the military typically imposes. Being able to work in fast-paced environments and handle highly stressful situations typically creates an outstanding level of integrity and gives you an above average work ethic that many others don’t offer.
Emphasize communications skills by showcasing knowledge of various languages and the ability to work with individuals with varied cultural backgrounds. Highlight your computer proficiencies and technical strengths, eliminating technical jargon that simply does not apply outside of the military world unless it pertains to the job you are applying for.
Many companies specializing in defense, homeland security, and other government markets seek out experienced employees for job opportunities throughout the world, so indicate that you are able to relocate and travel. When contracts are lost, employees can be required to move as well, so being open to these situations will help a company see that you are the best selection. Defense companies search for applicants with security clearances and many times individuals aren’t even admitted to job fairs geared towards these industries without one.
Closely analyze the job advertisements you find interesting. It is so important to show how your capabilities clearly parallel their job requirements by bringing out the matching skills to indicate your expertise is what an organization is searching for. This can be achieved not only within your professionally prepared resume, but also in a cover letter. These documents should highlight the most important aspects of your career and be crafted in a concise, yet informative manner. A long document that is jam-packed with too much detail simply won’t be read in this tight market.
To conclude, candidates with military backgrounds have so much to offer commercial employers, even those who are not involved in government-related ventures. By researching potential positions and marketing your most important abilities, you will be able to utilize the best of what you have learned while serving in the military and find an exciting, rewarding career opportunity.
To request Lou for an order, please key in her last name in the select your editor section of the online order.
