Friday, October 5, 2007

Resume Writing Secrets

You may be the best person for the job, but the fact is, you'll never even get an interview in the first place, unless your resume is good.

Your resume should be designed to show off your skills, experience and qualifications. In fact any information that is related to the job which you are going for. It is also well worth including any awards or successes in your particular field.

I should mention that there are a several things that most employers really dislike seeing on a resume. Most people believe that interviewers don't read all of a resume. I'll tell you a secret - they actually do! Here are a few of the things that should be avoided at all costs on your resume.

* Hiding or not including vital information on a resume is like death. A recruiter needs to see all of your important information without having to search for it.

* Major gaps in your employment history leave a recruiter wondering about your work ethic. Be prepared to answer questions if you have such gaps in yours.

* Avoid writing your resume as a narrative or in the first or third person. It is really irritating for a recruiter, and comes off as arrogant and/or egotistical.

* Keep your resume as short as possible, while still including the important details. If it includes too much waffle it will not be read.

* Lying or putting misleading information on your resume is a major no-no. There are always ways for a recruiter to check up on you and many do, so don't lie. Getting caught in a lie on a resume just says that you can't be trusted.


http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/Article/Resume-Writing-Secrets/4200320092003393634

You Should Earn An Online Master Degree - Your Career Need It!

Like most of undergraduate students, you probably are using your associate degree or bachelor degree to kick start your career. While associate or bachelor degree may be able to get your career started smoothly, but in order to move your career to next level, you will need a strong education background to pair with the working experience you gain so far. Online master degree provides a perfect solution for you to upgrade your degree while continue your effort in your career building.

Nowadays, The job market has becomes more competitive because of more and more new graduates who are holding higher degree such as master or doctorate degree are graduated and enter the job market to complete with you. No doubt you have a good working experience to support you and help you to stay competitive, but a strong education background that has proved with a paper degree certificate is essential to ensure you win a career opportunity.

There are many types of online master degree programs offered by prestige online universities; such online master degree programs cover almost every subject in all career fields. You should find one online master degree that you can enroll to upgrade your degree and enhance your knowledge in your career related field. You may wonder why you should go for an online master degree, can't your current associate or bachelor degree enough to help you climbs to the top level of your career? Review these reasons:

* Many companies scale their salary ranges based on degree level. For the same job position, a master degree holder get high pays than bachelor degree holder. That's why sometimes you find that your new colleague who is a master degree graduate get almost or higher salary than yours.

* A better education background increases your chance in any job promotion opportunities. Many of your colleagues with the same job qualification will compete with you on a job promotion opportunity; a strong education background or a master degree that you earn through online may make you look outstanding in both working experience and strong in knowledge of your working field.

* Some positions require a specific master's degree or offer substantial monetary incentives for graduate degrees. You will lose your chance if you do not own that master degree.

Earning your master degree through an online master degree program is the best option for you as a working individual. It allows you to continue with your career and enable you to plan your time of study. Flexibility and self-pace learning style enable to put your priority on both your career and your study. With online study, you can choose any master degree program offer by any university or college worldwide, just click to reach the university and attend the classes at your own time from your workplace or home.



http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/Article/You-Should-Earn-An-Online-Master-Degree---Your-Career-Need-It-/4200320092003394113

Used Car Lease Tips

Many people struggle with the decision to buy a new car, or lease one. But what you may not realize is that it's also possible to lease a used car. Leasing a used vehicle is an attractive option for drivers wanting an affordable alternative to get behind the wheel of a luxury sedan or SUV.

As with new car leasing, you need to do some research to help secure the best deal. First and foremost is price research.

When you research price, focus on the initial market value and the estimated residual value. These are the vehicle's key figures. It's harder to predict these figures with used cars, because there are no pre-determined factory sticker prices and the residual percentages are determined by the subjective current retail value. That's why it's important to gather several value estimates and then find a median price. You can find this information by visiting local dealers or searching online at sites like cars.com and edmunds.com.

Another way to pin down a good estimate is to compare the used car lease with a lease on a new car of the same make and model. This will give you an overall picture of the differences between new and used car leases. Just like leasing a new car, a used car lease is more attractive when residual values depreciate the least. You will have a better chance of finding a bargain with a high-end, luxury vehicle that holds its value.

Your next step is to verify the initial mileage and the overall condition of the vehicle. The used vehicle that you choose should not have mileage that exceeds 12,000 miles per year. If you find a three-year-old care with 50,000 miles on the odometer, keep shopping. It's not your best choice for a used vehicle lease.

In addition to actual mileage, check for signs of excessive use, like worn seat fabric and damaged interior elements, worn pedal pads and a dirty engine, which can indicate poor maintenance or even an odometer roll-back. Even if the car is being marketed as certified, it's in your best interest to have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified mechanic you know and trust.

Gap coverage is a type of insurance that is offered on a new car lease to protect the driver against vehicle loss, theft or damage. However, this type of coverage is not typically offered on a used car lease. Your automobile insurance policy may only cover the value of your car at the time of loss, and not cover the amount owing on the lease. This difference can run into thousands of dollars.

For your own peace of mind, arrange your own gap coverage before entering into a used car lease. You can make these arrangements directly with the dealer, or through an automobile insurance company.

If you've been dreaming of driving a high end car, but can't manage the high monthly payments, a used car lease can be just what you need to cruise in high style.



http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/Article/Used-Car-Lease-Tips/4200320092003394364

Cut Down Jobhunting Time With Cover Letter Examples

Did you know that by national average, your typical American could easily take 9 months to find a new job? I don't know about you, but most of us just can't afford to wait that long. What if there was a way to "magically" cut that jobhunting time down into ribbons?

Well, it just so happens that there is...and it's called a cover letter. Well, if you want to get really accurate, it's called a great cover letter. Most job applications are going to require that you submit a resume, and really what would ever possess you to turn in an application without one? Well, the same goes for a cover letter...what would ever make you want to turn in a resume without a cover letter?

When a corporate paperpusher is trying to sift through hundreds of job applications in the pursuit of finding ONE person to fill the slot, do you really think he or she is going to sit there and read through every single resume, check every single source, and give every single applicant the same chance? No! Nobody in the world has time to do that. What that person is going to do is look at all the cover letters. It's the first thing they'll read, and it's your first elimination to get through.

It's a simple process: the resumes with great cover letters move on to the next round, and the ones with the so=so cover letters --or Heaven forbid, none!-- will be tossed into the "Kindling" stack.

So if your goal is to manage to survive the original culling, you'll need to have not only just a cover letter, but the best one you can possibly come up with! Dont get me wrong, your resume is important and naturally you're going to have to be an appropriate candidate, but the perfect cover letter can not just open the door but set out a velvet welcome mat as well.

But all of this is well and good if you know how to write a killer cover letter...but what if you didn't go to college for four years to get a degree in Cover Letter Writing? What if you're just that guy out there who's looking for a job? Well, ask yourself...what's the best way to learn how to do something?

You have somebody teach you! You find somebody who's written a great cover letter in his life, and see what he did. You learn by example. And why just one person? Learn from dozens of examples...see what works, and learn how to adapt it to your own personal needs. By no means am I telling you to plagiarize or rip off of other people, but by seeing what others have done you can see how you can do it as well.

But there's a little problem...where exactly can you find these sorts of cover letter examples? How do you distinguish between the ones that are worth looking at and the ones that are garbage? I happen to know of a place where you can get what you need.



http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/Article/Cut-Down-Jobhunting-Time-With-Cover-Letter-Examples/4200320092003394494

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Continuous Improvement

Let me say from the outset that the burden of responsibility for improving your skills in your chosen profession rests with YOU, not your employer. Your company may offer supplemental training but more than anything YOU are responsible for your development, not anyone else. YOU must take the initiative. In most cases, your company will assist you in your development, but YOU must demonstrate your willingness to learn and improve.

Regardless of the type of job you have, you will observe changes over time in terms of how it is performed. This is because new methods, techniques and tools are introduced to expedite how your job is performed. Staying abreast of new technology, therefore, is an important part of your development. Continuous improvement is an inherent part of craftsmanship. You must either evolve and adapt, or be left behind.

There are numerous sources available to you for ongoing professional development:

1. Personal Observations - there is probably no better instructor than your own power of observation as you will be able to watch others succeed and fail in their assignments, their work habits and ethics, as well as their office politics. This requires an attention to detail, the ability to detect changes, and an inquisitive mind that constantly asks "Why?" As a new employee, pay particular attention to interoffice memos, not just for what they say, but why they were written.

"A memorandum is written not to inform the reader but to protect the writer."
- Dean Acheson

When studying people, consider their strengths and weaknesses, what motivates them, their character, and their formulas for success or failure, e.g., what worked and what didn't? Never hesitate to ask questions, particularly as a new employee.

2. News and Trade Journals - just about every industry has some form of publication, either printed or in some electronic format, to report news and discuss trends. Such periodicals are invaluable in order to stay abreast of developments in your field. Many such publications offer free subscriptions, others require a modest charge. It is not uncommon for companies to pay for such subscriptions as they want to help their employees stay sharp in their field. But if such is not the case and you have to pay for a subscription out of your own pocket, the IRS will typically allow you to report it as a deduction on your income taxes.

There will also be considerable information made freely available to you over the Internet, such as the trade publication web sites, along with pertinent blogs, discussion groups, news services, and podcasts.

The important point here is you should develop a habit of staying current in your chosen profession, and you should perform such research either at home or during off hours at work. Managers generally frown on employees reading periodicals during normal working hours.

3. Participation in Industry Groups & Trade Shows - like the trade press, just about every industry has one or more nonprofit organizations to provide a forum to discuss your specialty. Such groups typically offer its members monthly meetings to listen to guest speakers, workshops and seminars, and access to a library of research papers. More importantly, it provides a venue for its members to network and compare notes pertaining to their profession. Participation in such groups are normally encouraged by businesses to promote the employee's continued education. However, some companies are leery about participation in trade groups as it is sometimes viewed as a vehicle for exchanging resumes and changing jobs. If you still want to participate in a trade group without the support of your company, again, the IRS will typically allow you to report your dues as a deduction on your income taxes.

Major conventions and trade shows are also useful for learning about the latest technology in your field. Here you will meet vendors, obtain literature, view presentations, and touch and feel the latest gizmo. Companies encourage attendance at such shows, but typically not during business hours. And if the trade show is being held out of town, it is unlikely your company will sponsor your trip as it may be perceived as a boondoggle. The only exceptions to this is when such a trip is being used as either a form of reward to the employee or for a special fact-finding mission.

Check with your employer about their policy on participating in such organizations.

4. Professional Training - there are numerous commercial training programs offered by experts in their field. Most are instructor-led seminars or workshops held either on the company's premises or off-site, and vary in length anywhere from a couple of hours to a week. There are also many independent study programs available that are implemented by books, DVD, or over the Internet. Regardless, your concern is the quality of education provided, and does the venue suit your needs?

5. Certification Programs - many professions offer certification programs which authenticate your level of knowledge in a subject area. Such programs typically require the person to take a test or examination, which can be rather extensive. To prepare people for the exam, the sponsor of the certification program (which is normally a nonprofit trade group) will offer a study curriculum to prepare the applicant for the test.

As a new employee, you should pursue certification programs, especially if your company supports it and pays for it. Not only will you personally benefit from it, but it could mean an increase in pay to you as well.

It is one thing to earn a certification, quite another to maintain it. Most certification programs require people to renew it periodically, such as every three years. A lot can happen in three years, which is why you should constantly stay abreast of developments in your profession.

6. Supplemental Education - many companies encourage their employees to either complete their formal education or pursue a higher degree. To this end, companies may offer financial incentives for you to complete High School or College. And if you want to obtain a Masters or Doctoral degree, they may offer programs to help you pay for such degrees. Be sure to review the benefits policies of your employer.

7. Mentors - years ago there was a period where mentors were assigned to new employees to chaperone them on their journey through the corporate world. Mentors were basically a "Big Brother/Sister" program where senior employees would offer sage advice to neophytes on adapting to the corporate world. But this is a program that has slowly been phased out over the last few years. Nonetheless, if you find someone you respect in the company who is willing to act as your mentor, by all means listen to them carefully. A mentor has three primary duties to perform:

* Role Model - a mentor has attributes the subordinate wants to aspire to attain.

* Teacher - a mentor has to be able to teach, not just academic or technical lessons but also those pertaining to corporate life; e.g., policies and procedures, ethics, socialization, politics, etc.

* Guidance Counselor - to guide the subordinate on their path through life, explaining options and making recommendations.

Very important, both the mentor and the subordinate must realize the mentor will not have all of the answers, but should be able to point the subordinate in the right direction to get the answers they need. The mentor also has to know when their work is complete and allow the subordinate to move on to the next stage of their corporate life.

8. Other Vehicles - there is a variety of other ways for perpetuating professional development in your company:

* Employee-led training or roundtable discussions - held on a regularly scheduled basis to discuss pertinent subjects. In other words, your own in-house trade group. The only problems here are: having access to suitable company facilities to hold such meetings at off-hours (most companies do not have a problem with this), and getting people to participate (many of whom will not stay beyond quitting time). But if you can develop such a forum, it can become invaluable as a learning aid.

* Private Blog or Discussion Group - to use as a clearinghouse to discuss problems and solutions pertaining to your trade. Some companies frown on such electronic forums as they suspect it is used to plot against the company or management. But if such forums are properly administered, they can be beneficial in the exchange of professional job-related information.

* Corporate Boot Camps - representing off-site retreats for in-depth discussions or training.

If such vehicles do not presently exist in your company, you might be able to earn accolades from management and your coworkers for setting up such forums.

Again I remind you, your professional development is up to YOU, not your employer. In most cases, your employer will encourage and support you in your professional development, but they cannot spoon-feed you. YOU must show the initiative.



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Nailing that Job With A Killer Cover Letter

Your success in the job market could depend heavily on how good your cover letter is. Statistics show the average American's jobhunt lasting up to or over nine months! This makes it more critical now than ever that you get your foot in the door before you get it slammed in your face. With the right cover letter, that goal can be a lot easier to reach.

When your potential bosses are sitting in heaps of applications, and all they want is one single person to do the job, the cover letter is usually their first line of inspection. From the cover letter, they derive their first impressions of you, which makes this stand out as your first chance to be the better guy for the job.

Getting through this first inspection is 100% key to getting the job. This could easily make or break your chances of getting the job you're applying for. The resumes with successful cover letters will pass the test and stay in the running...but the applications that fail the test will be dispassionately disposed of.

Not many of us manage to go to college majoring in Cover Letter Writing, so having a good one being so essential may be a little disheartening. Well cheer up, you don't have to be born an expert. You just need a teacher!

One of the best teachers out there is the tried-and-true example. It's always been wise to learn how to do something important by getting in touch with people who have either done it successfully or have risen above to become "masters" of whatever skill you're trying to learn. However, finding these "experts" isn't always easy, which can make the process rather difficult.

Luckily, the "expert" you're going to be looking for in this field isn't a person, it's the cover letter itself! It just isn't necessary to go hunting for the person who's written successful cover letters...instead go hunting for the cover letters themselves! They're a lot easier to find, and frankly they can tell you more than any person ever could.

Being able to analyze and adapt something is a skill you'll be glad to build while you're at it, because such a skill is highly valued in the workplace. Too many people just get lazy and plagiarize, which gets you nowhere...if you take the time to learn what makes a cover letter good, not only will it allow you to create your own successful cover letters, but it'll also improve your analysis skills and make you even better in the eyes of potential employers!

Always remember that your cover letter needs to do two things in particular: present your personal qualification information, and get you set up for an interview. And while the first one is important, the true purpose of the cover letter is always to raise your chances of getting that interview. You get the interview, and it's up to you to impress the employer...but without a great cover letter, you could never even get that far.



http://www.content.onlypunjab.com/Article/Nailing-that-Job-With-A-Killer-Cover-Letter/4200320092003394727

Using Cover Letter Examples to Get A Job Faster

In today's working world, the competition is staggering. With over 300 million people in the USA, finding a good job is a tough chore for almost any American. National estimates show that your average American citizen can be on the jobhunt for almost 9 months! With competition like that, you're going to need an edge if you want to find any kind of decent job.

Such an edge does exist. It's not a sure-fire employer snare, but it can drastically raise your chances of getting a better job and cut down your time spent out of work. It's all about the cover letter.

The right cover letter is like showing up to your interview in a beautiful, perfectly-fitted Armani suit. It exudes professionalism, makes you look good, and makes you appealing to employers. Now imagine that same interview, except you show up in a ratty pile of rags that look like you stole them off of a bum on the street. Imagine that interview going a little differently? That's what the wrong cover letter is like. And the worst thing is, to use no cover letter is like showing up naked! Yikes!

Now, first elimination is always the cover letter. The people who show up naked to their interviews get thrown out first, while the guys with the best, most expensive suits go much further. The better your cover letter, the better you start out. Of course you'll have to be qualified for the job and ace your real interview, but a great cover letter can GET you that interview.

So what do you do to improve your cover letter? Why don't you try looking at some example cover letters that have worked for other people? It'd be a bad idea to copy someone else's letter, but learning from examples and utilizing someone else's technique is pure genius. Ask yourself a variety of questions as you read the examples, such as why this worked for them and what makes it different from yours.

And another good thing about taking this particular road is that you'll also be building important critical thinking and analysis skills. That sounds boring and difficult, but it's really not a big deal, and it looks really good to employers. Skills like that make you valuable as an employee, and that means job security.

And if you pay attention to nothing else that I say in this article, pay attention to this: the cover letter has two very important key purposes, and if they aren't met you should consider it a failure. It must both outline your qualifications for the job, and above all push for an interview. Now, the first is fairly obvious. A cover letter goes with a resume, so of course it'll want to describe your skills and qualifications.

However, you must remember that the highest priority of your cover letter is to promote and/or request an interview with the potential employer. If your cover letter doesn't do this, rewrite it. Never forget that making perhaps the single most important part of applying for a job is getting the jump from "the next piece of paper in the large stack" to "person sitting in my office" in the minds of your potential employers. You are no longer just another application, and instead become a serious potential employee...that's when the cover letter can be considered a success.



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