OK, after much anticipation - and a fair amount of blood and sweat, but no tears - the website and blog is up and running at CV4.biz!
We transferred over the blog entries from here on Saturday, and I have been running through editing them up into a "standard" format - still a fair way to go.
This blog will stand for a while, as the entries here and over at CV4.biz will form the basis of other online services from Ajiri - plus the SEOing of the entries is good as well... ;)
So please follow along over at CV4.biz......
Sunday 21 December 2008
Friday 15 August 2008
When is the best time to look for a new job?
Richard asks: When is the best time to look for a new job?
In answer:
It is always a crazy market out there for jobs, but particularly at present. Even if you think your job I secure in your current post, you should always be doing the following.....
Always keep an eye on what is available – spend a few minutes each week surfing your favourite internet site, or reading the local and national newspapers jobs section. You may realise what you are doing is not what you want to be doing
Always keep your CV/Resume up to date – the best time to look for a new job is when you are comfortable in your current one, about 2+ years in to the position
Always increase your skill set – employers will often invest in ambitious employees through college or professional education programs, but make sure they are externally recognised/benchmarked. These make you more valuable to the employer - and even if you are released, it makes you more employable to others in a better position
Be kind to the people you work with – at least pretend to like them! Go to events organised by the company and outside organisations like unions of professional staff groups
Save some cash – have enough for around three months of redeployment, so you are not desperate to take the first job offer
If you are fired – don’t take the first severance offer: NEGOTIATE!
Good Luck!
In answer:
It is always a crazy market out there for jobs, but particularly at present. Even if you think your job I secure in your current post, you should always be doing the following.....
Always keep an eye on what is available – spend a few minutes each week surfing your favourite internet site, or reading the local and national newspapers jobs section. You may realise what you are doing is not what you want to be doing
Always keep your CV/Resume up to date – the best time to look for a new job is when you are comfortable in your current one, about 2+ years in to the position
Always increase your skill set – employers will often invest in ambitious employees through college or professional education programs, but make sure they are externally recognised/benchmarked. These make you more valuable to the employer - and even if you are released, it makes you more employable to others in a better position
Be kind to the people you work with – at least pretend to like them! Go to events organised by the company and outside organisations like unions of professional staff groups
Save some cash – have enough for around three months of redeployment, so you are not desperate to take the first job offer
If you are fired – don’t take the first severance offer: NEGOTIATE!
Good Luck!
Can you recommend CV/Resume tactics for someone with a varied career background?
Kim asks: Can you recommend CV/Resume tactics for someone with a varied career background? Over the years I've had several positions varying in responsibility and skill levels - I've always been more about finding the right fit for a company than being concerned about the job title. In every position I've held, I've always accepted more responsibility, worked very hard, etc. Over the past year I've discovered (yet another) career path which I'm doing very well in and would like to continue in. I've already achieved a good industry certification in my field (and passed with flying colours, which will be noted on the resume) and am looking to continue in my field. Part of the reason that I've done so well is because of my past experience. My difficulty is in finding someone to help me put together a resume which accents my skills and accomplishments without appearing to be "flighty". Any advice is appreciated - Thanks!
In answer:
In all honesty Kim, I don't see that much "flighty-ness" in your career history....
- June 2007 – Present (1 year 3 months) - Asst. Property Manager, Lutheran Social Ministries
- September 2006 – June 2007 ( 10 months): Best Buy Consumer Assistant, selling computers
- January 2003 – May 2006 (3 years 5 months): Same-Differences (Privately Held) Owner of a scrapbooking product manufacturing company
- 1999 – 2000 (1 year): Chief Operating Officer, Saba Software
- June 1996 – September 1998 (2 years 4 months): COO, Regional Internet Company
So that's - three years of ISP/Software; three years in self employment; one year after that companies (sale or collapse?) back in the IT industry; and now one year in property management. Assuming your next job is in property management, honestly there is no problem! And if the scrapbooking company did fail, don't worry about that either - you now have a new and at least semi-qualified career path
Recruiting and HR managers will look at the gaps between positions as much as the achievements in a position. Its the "why" of drive/goal and change that matters in their view of career management and (hence) why you are applying for their post, as much as the skills that you can apply when in post.
If you are looking for a CV/Resume writer, look for one with a professional qualification such as the Council of Professional Resume Writers or the National Resume Writers Association - and stop worrying about your flighty career, when it honestly is not!
Good Luck!
In answer:
In all honesty Kim, I don't see that much "flighty-ness" in your career history....
- June 2007 – Present (1 year 3 months) - Asst. Property Manager, Lutheran Social Ministries
- September 2006 – June 2007 ( 10 months): Best Buy Consumer Assistant, selling computers
- January 2003 – May 2006 (3 years 5 months): Same-Differences (Privately Held) Owner of a scrapbooking product manufacturing company
- 1999 – 2000 (1 year): Chief Operating Officer, Saba Software
- June 1996 – September 1998 (2 years 4 months): COO, Regional Internet Company
So that's - three years of ISP/Software; three years in self employment; one year after that companies (sale or collapse?) back in the IT industry; and now one year in property management. Assuming your next job is in property management, honestly there is no problem! And if the scrapbooking company did fail, don't worry about that either - you now have a new and at least semi-qualified career path
Recruiting and HR managers will look at the gaps between positions as much as the achievements in a position. Its the "why" of drive/goal and change that matters in their view of career management and (hence) why you are applying for their post, as much as the skills that you can apply when in post.
If you are looking for a CV/Resume writer, look for one with a professional qualification such as the Council of Professional Resume Writers or the National Resume Writers Association - and stop worrying about your flighty career, when it honestly is not!
Good Luck!
Can you provide me with information on Teaching English in a foreign country?
Janice asks: Can you provide me with information on Teaching English in the middle east? I am looking at Dubai and to teach english as a forgien in language schools to adults (TEFL/TESL). I am looking for any information such as qualifications, living conditions, names of schools, what kind of compensation packages to expect etc. Thanks!
In answer:
My sister did this post University - great fun, great travel, but think about it as well paid travel over averagely paid work.
For Brit's - and many non-Brit's - the main provider of recognised qualifications is the British Council. You will need a recognised TESL/TEFL (Teach English as a Secondary/Foreign Language) qualification to become a teacher at a BC or other nationally recognised school, but a combination of both is then a passport to work where ever you want to. Japan should be your ultimate goal, where the rates of pay are very good - you will need a minimum of two years experience
The biggest problem in TESL/TEFL programs is recognition - the qualification is non-regulated, so hence authority of approval is key to employment opportunity. Research schools who provide either a BC and other body recognised certified qualification (normally a Trinity College TESOL Certificate in most of the world); or in North America a program certified under the Cambridge University CELTA Program or the North American University Certificate Programs.
If you don't get a TEFL/TESL, then you are into the private/in-country level of schools, and that's tough work - not well paid, not well supported. Leave well alone.
For approved schools in a particular country, contact either the British Council directly, or the in-country British, Canadian or USA embassies.
Good Luck!
In answer:
My sister did this post University - great fun, great travel, but think about it as well paid travel over averagely paid work.
For Brit's - and many non-Brit's - the main provider of recognised qualifications is the British Council. You will need a recognised TESL/TEFL (Teach English as a Secondary/Foreign Language) qualification to become a teacher at a BC or other nationally recognised school, but a combination of both is then a passport to work where ever you want to. Japan should be your ultimate goal, where the rates of pay are very good - you will need a minimum of two years experience
The biggest problem in TESL/TEFL programs is recognition - the qualification is non-regulated, so hence authority of approval is key to employment opportunity. Research schools who provide either a BC and other body recognised certified qualification (normally a Trinity College TESOL Certificate in most of the world); or in North America a program certified under the Cambridge University CELTA Program or the North American University Certificate Programs.
If you don't get a TEFL/TESL, then you are into the private/in-country level of schools, and that's tough work - not well paid, not well supported. Leave well alone.
For approved schools in a particular country, contact either the British Council directly, or the in-country British, Canadian or USA embassies.
Good Luck!
Thursday 14 August 2008
What are your thoughts on CV/Resume writing services?
Corey asks: What are your thoughts on resume writing services? I was just contacted by a resume service and the cost was over one thousand dollars. How can spending this much on a CV/Resume service be justified?
In answer:
As a CV/Resume writer, recruiter and someone who employs career coaches, my bias is obvious!
It is always a personal decision as to whether to use a professional services firm for a specific project. As a Certified Resume Writer, I have helped literally thousands of candidates to land great new jobs and promotions. In an overwhelming majority of those cases, the hiring manager or interviewer remarked that the resume was outstanding and was the decisive factor in the decision to award an interview in a highly selective process.
For instance: Would you cut your own hair? Would you wire your own home (and live in it) if you aren't an electrician? Fix your own car if you aren't a mechanic? Every day, we pay for services because we seek expertise.
The same holds true with CV/Resume writing. Yes, you can go get a book or find a template for very little money. You can certainly write one yourself. But, are you really willing to take a chance that your CV/Resume isn't the best it can be? Are you interested in investing the time (time is money) in researching all of the ins and outs to ensure that your CV/Resume is positioned to get you an interview?
It is critical to understand that there is a major difference between a CV/Resume typesetting/formatting service and a certified, experienced resume writing/composition firm. Depending on how much you earn (or hope to earn), the fee may seem a lot of money: and if someone simply writes a resume for you, it is likely that it will seem flat and not personalized. But having your CV/Resume professionally prepared can dramatically increase your chances of being invited to interview and shorten the amount of time you are on the market.
CV/Resume and coaching services provide their greatest benefit when you are looking to change industries, upscale roles, or have been through a period of unemployment. For instance:
- If you are looking to cross industries or change your career track (i.e. tech to general business) a good resume service will help you identify skills and accomplishments that would be otherwise neglected
- If you have faced a period of unemployment, you are likely into a circle of continual rejection. A well written CV/Resume can make a dramatic impact. Once provided with a good resume and some coaching on how to market themselves, people quickly find interview
My suggestion is to check out the service you are to be provided with before handing over your money. If the resume writing service you pay for includes helping you through the placement process (e.g., cover letter, interview prep) then spending some money may be worthwhile. Paying for a package of career management services - including assessments, cover letter, resume, interview prep, etc. - normally costs around £75/$150 per hour and may require anywhere from 2-5 one-hour sessions. This may seem steep but getting the "right" job rather than simply getting "a" job is better in the long run and probably worth the expense if you can afford it.
Our mission at CV4.biz, and the reason I started a CV/Resume service was to advise, encourage and enlighten job seekers. Maybe you don't want to spend over one thousand dollars on a CV/Resume service, but I hope you'll keep an open mind about the idea of hiring a resume expert to help you.
In answer:
As a CV/Resume writer, recruiter and someone who employs career coaches, my bias is obvious!
It is always a personal decision as to whether to use a professional services firm for a specific project. As a Certified Resume Writer, I have helped literally thousands of candidates to land great new jobs and promotions. In an overwhelming majority of those cases, the hiring manager or interviewer remarked that the resume was outstanding and was the decisive factor in the decision to award an interview in a highly selective process.
For instance: Would you cut your own hair? Would you wire your own home (and live in it) if you aren't an electrician? Fix your own car if you aren't a mechanic? Every day, we pay for services because we seek expertise.
The same holds true with CV/Resume writing. Yes, you can go get a book or find a template for very little money. You can certainly write one yourself. But, are you really willing to take a chance that your CV/Resume isn't the best it can be? Are you interested in investing the time (time is money) in researching all of the ins and outs to ensure that your CV/Resume is positioned to get you an interview?
It is critical to understand that there is a major difference between a CV/Resume typesetting/formatting service and a certified, experienced resume writing/composition firm. Depending on how much you earn (or hope to earn), the fee may seem a lot of money: and if someone simply writes a resume for you, it is likely that it will seem flat and not personalized. But having your CV/Resume professionally prepared can dramatically increase your chances of being invited to interview and shorten the amount of time you are on the market.
CV/Resume and coaching services provide their greatest benefit when you are looking to change industries, upscale roles, or have been through a period of unemployment. For instance:
- If you are looking to cross industries or change your career track (i.e. tech to general business) a good resume service will help you identify skills and accomplishments that would be otherwise neglected
- If you have faced a period of unemployment, you are likely into a circle of continual rejection. A well written CV/Resume can make a dramatic impact. Once provided with a good resume and some coaching on how to market themselves, people quickly find interview
My suggestion is to check out the service you are to be provided with before handing over your money. If the resume writing service you pay for includes helping you through the placement process (e.g., cover letter, interview prep) then spending some money may be worthwhile. Paying for a package of career management services - including assessments, cover letter, resume, interview prep, etc. - normally costs around £75/$150 per hour and may require anywhere from 2-5 one-hour sessions. This may seem steep but getting the "right" job rather than simply getting "a" job is better in the long run and probably worth the expense if you can afford it.
Our mission at CV4.biz, and the reason I started a CV/Resume service was to advise, encourage and enlighten job seekers. Maybe you don't want to spend over one thousand dollars on a CV/Resume service, but I hope you'll keep an open mind about the idea of hiring a resume expert to help you.
Opening lines for a sales CV/Resume?
Kat asks: there are (apparently) several theories regarding the best way to start out a sales CV/Resume. What do you recommend?
In answer:
The difficulty in writing good and great sales CV/Resumes is the analysis of pitch between "deliverer" and "shiny suit/wide boy" - so that you achieve engagement and realism.
The content of this posting has been moved to the Professional CV website, CV4.biz. Click here to read the full article
In answer:
The difficulty in writing good and great sales CV/Resumes is the analysis of pitch between "deliverer" and "shiny suit/wide boy" - so that you achieve engagement and realism.
The content of this posting has been moved to the Professional CV website, CV4.biz. Click here to read the full article
Citing numbers in CV/Resume
Margaret asks: When citing the revenue of a company that you previously worked for on your CV/Resume, is it best to list current numbers or those relative to your tenure (assuming your role had nothing to do with making that number specifically)?
In answer:
If you had nothing to do with the number, why state it? Its irrelevant to you!
If you were responsible for a numbers delivery, always use those relevant during your tenure, not present or historical just to make you look better. Use words that make it clear it was "then an XMillion TO company in ABC sectors," and by the time the person left a "then YMillion." They are then the relevant numbers in the relevant context, as they relate to you. The relevant "when you were there" status should be applied to all things in a CV/Resume, from finances to staff and sectors, etc - other wise you are over or understating it for gain/impact.
If you still want to include the revenue figure as part of a company description, then use of numbers tends to suggest the company is small and not easily known, and present day data inclusion in the companies description could be argued easier to make it found for reference checking.
In answer:
If you had nothing to do with the number, why state it? Its irrelevant to you!
If you were responsible for a numbers delivery, always use those relevant during your tenure, not present or historical just to make you look better. Use words that make it clear it was "then an XMillion TO company in ABC sectors," and by the time the person left a "then YMillion." They are then the relevant numbers in the relevant context, as they relate to you. The relevant "when you were there" status should be applied to all things in a CV/Resume, from finances to staff and sectors, etc - other wise you are over or understating it for gain/impact.
If you still want to include the revenue figure as part of a company description, then use of numbers tends to suggest the company is small and not easily known, and present day data inclusion in the companies description could be argued easier to make it found for reference checking.
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