Recruiters Red Flags to Watch Out For

Recruiters Red Flags to Watch Out For Whether you’re looking for a job or in charge of filling a position, there are a few key red flags to be aware of. The economy is still recovering, which means you either have a lot of competition to deal with or a lot of resumes to sift through. Only a select few will make it to the top, and some common faux pas can easily put a CV in the slush pile. Red flags on resumes are instant easy reasons to pass on a job applicant. This goes beyond the typos on your cover letter, although that’s a very common red flag. If a job applicant can’t put in the effort to spell check their application, what does that say about their work ethic? From positions selling computers to planning corporate events, applications should be grammatically spotless. However, there are a few less obvious warning signs to watch out for. Copy and Paste Many cover letters say the exact same thing, in the exact same language. Of course you’ll be an asset to the company and can provide leverage on a certain project. Steer clear of any application that uses job search lingo, because this instantly makes a recruiter’s eyes glaze over. Even worse, it says that you’re completely unoriginal and have likely used the exact same cover letter for dozens of other applications. To really make your application stand out, apply directly to the position. Big words don’t get you anywhere, but facts and statistics do. Dear Manager Sometimes it’s impossible to find the name of the HR manager or director for a company. However, if it’s fairly easy (and especially if it’s listed on the job ad), using a generic greeting is a big turn off. First of all, it’s unlikely that you’ll get the title right. A number of people might be looking at resumes, from an entry-level recruiter to the CEO depending on the job description. A generic greeting is an easy way to offend. Put some research and work into those applications. If you’re a job seeker, you already know you have some serious competition, and you’re not doing yourself any favors by taking the easy route. If you want the job, you can prove it from the start. Know the company, including the people who work there. Date Check Unless the job applicant is a freelancer or business owner, there should be dates that make sense on the application. Some experts say spotty job history dates are more common since the recession, and that may be true for some people. However, if the applicant has zero solid job history experience, be wary. The most important thing a recruiter can do is actually cross check the resume. It’s easy to lie about degrees, jobs, and dates. A little effort now can pay off big time when it comes time to make an offer. The job seeker needs to do their job when applying, but the recruiter also needs to stay on top of things throughout the process. RELATED: How to Spot a Problem Candidate [Top 5 Tips]

The Dirty Little Secret to Employee Motivation

The Dirty Little Secret to Employee Motivation Summer holidays. Arent they just magical? Nothing beats those hot afternoons, warm breezes and tropical getaways. Lazing at the beach, coconut in hand, straw in mouth, reggae tunes pumping in the background. A beautiful dream that is cut drastically short when you find yourself walking back into work after an amazing vacation. During the summer period, people really have time to think about themselves, their careers and lives in general. What else are we to do while we lay under a palm tree soaking up the rays?  People often come back to work with a greater sense of ambition and readiness to tackle the second half of the year, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. On the other hand, employees can also  return begrudging the daily grind full of seemingly menial tasks. Needing motivation This is where employees need serious attention.  Management needs to up its game and motivate, hard. Officevibe  has put together the below infographic outlining different types of motivators and how to encourage personal growth. Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation Intrinsic motivation comes from the inside, like pride satisfaction and fun, whereas extrinsic comes from the outside,  like  money, trophy and prizes. Obviously everyone needs to earn a living and bonuses get people excited. Instead of foscussing on this as the main motivator, and avoiding bribery for good work, try focussing on intrinsic motivators, which will see people take ownership over their own output. Autonomy Autonomy is all about the desire to direct our own lives. Encouraging autonomy is all about giving employees the freedom they deserve. Let them work on projects that actually mean something to them, and forget micromanaging! Keeping them on a tight leash will make them feel stifled and patronised,and all theyll be thinking about is how they can break free! Mastery Mastery is all about people wanting to become better at something. You can encourage this in your employees by assigning them work that matters, not just menial tasks which seem pointless and really dont hold much weight. Letting your employees experiment with approaches and test their own ideas will allow them to feel like they are carving out their own success, not being force-fed a list of boxes they need to tick by the end of the day. Purpose Purpose is huge when it comes to motivating employees. If they dont know WHY they are really doing something, how can they feel passionate about it? Employees need to feel as though they are part of something bigger than their own daily tasks. Allowing employees to give back to the community is a great way to boost motivation, encouraging team work as well.  You should also have a strong company mission, that employees can identify with.

Strategic Partnerships Propel Career Professionals and Entrepreneurs - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Strategic Partnerships Propel Career Professionals and Entrepreneurs - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career How to Identify A Potential Strategic Partnership A nearly universal American high school experience is hearing a high school math teacher brag about the subject of math being far superior to English because, “math does not have exceptions like the English language; one plus one always equals two.” Higher level math teaches us that, in fact, one and one does not always equal two, and we can take advantage of this fact when calculating the benefits of entering into a strategic partnership where, in truth, one plus one can equal three. A strategic partnership is simply an alliance (legal or informal). Businesses often enter into strategic partnerships. Career professionals can also benefit from the mutual leverage gained in these partnerships. Imagine you own a company specializing in unique shirts for canines. You partner with a company that creates customized hats for dogs. Several of your designs compliment those of your partner. Rather than creating hats, partner with the hat company and offer packages featuring both of your products. Negotiate a price so that your shared packages are offered at the same retail price on your websites and in your physical locations. Because you’re providing “one stop” options for clients, and offering them upsell opportunities with additional products, you may find that, when combining sales between your two brands, you sell considerably more than anticipated. Your combined influence may more than double your profits! For a professional example, imagine that you work as a commercial real estate broker for a firm and blog about marketing in the industry to demonstrate your knowledge. You identify a commercial real estate attorney who also has a popular blog. Partnering with the attorney, across blogs, to create blog posts, videos, or even write a book would be a great way to extend each of your reach with potential clients. How to Identify A Potential Strategic Partnership Trust is imperative to a successful strategic partnership. Spend time building a relationship and rapport with a strategic partner.  Remember that the primary goal of your partnership is to extend your company reach and/or personal brand. A good collaborative partner already has the ear/pocket of yoru target market. Both parties should experience benefits as a result of the partnership. Spend time brainstorming potential ways you can each benefit by collaborating and then create a document outlining goals and objectives. If applicable, create a contract with terms to protect each party.

Entrepreneurship Will Leap Frog Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Entrepreneurship Will Leap Frog Your Career - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Entrepreneurship and career advancement make the perfect couple! The combination is equivalent to having your cake and eating it too. When you next move to doing the exact opposite of where you currently are at, you will learn at a far more rapid rate. Especially if you prefer the type of position you have but are stopped from advancing forward, there is definite advantage in making the detour for a while. In the end, you will find an accelerated outcome making the detour well worth the effort. Let me provide a couple of examples for better understanding. Years ago, I was in the business equipment industry selling printers. After a two-year stint, I opted to sell print services. While this new position was not ideal, I learned in-depth the reasons why some companies prefer purchasing print services rather than investing in equipment. But I also learned the downside of print services. While on this job, I questioned every department head at major corporations on how they viewed the pros and cons of one service provider over the other. By the time I ended that job to return to the business equipment industry, I was well prepared to make a huge difference in my sales numbers and bonuses. Likewise, if you have been unemployed for a while or just received your notice, seriously contemplate what you have learned in the corporate world and apply that to an entrepreneurship. Reviewing the knowledge in your head, you may be able to begin consulting or create products and additional services. You might begin training others and employ someone yourself. Additionally, you can turn around to teach someone new to your field and feel good that you are helping others. Don’t get me wrong, entrepreneurship presents an enormous learning curve and the hours are long if you are an over-achiever. But by the time you have achieved a few important goals that you set for yourself, the reward will be invaluable. In addition, your confidence will soar as will the excellent connections you make along the way. Now with all of the experience under your belt, you will be well positioned, should you choose, to return to the corporate world in an advanced capacity from where you left off. The lessons are invaluable. You gain far more appreciation for what a company provides you as an employee. For starters, your hours are much shorter and you are more likely to fully enjoy the weekends. Secondly, if you aren’t a tech person or a bookkeeper, or you dislike managing details, employment becomes a great relief. Finally, in the moment of appreciation is when you are better able to build solid relationships with management versus fighting them every step of the way. As an entrepreneur you also learn the value of collaboration or in the corporate environment of teamwork. Putting all of these pieces together, you are far more likely to leap frog your career. And as you do this, your personal brand is brilliantly built as “the perfect employee”. Adapting these entrepreneurial and corporate insights to your style will advance you to the Smooth Sale! For further sales and business development advice, consider our online Summer Sales School roster of classes. Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC, (800) 704-1499, was honored by Open View Labs with inclusion in their international list of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012.” Elinor authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, Sourcebooks and the best selling career book, “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”, Career Press. She provides team sales training, private coaching and highly acclaimed inspirational keynotes for conferences. Elinor is available for consultation.

Looking For Resume Writing Services For School Guidance Counselors?

Looking For Resume Writing Services For School Guidance Counselors?Finding a resume writing service for school guidance counselors is one of the most beneficial things that you can do when you are looking for ways to improve your job search. These companies can help you write a resume that can land you interviews and eventually get you a new job.You can get several different types of help. You can get help from a certified resume writer, an experienced copywriter, or even one who specializes in this field. All of these services will have different strengths and weaknesses, but they all have something to offer.The first thing that a professional can do for a person's resume is to create an eye-catching introduction. The introduction is often what catches the attention of a potential employer. This is usually the most important part of a resume. An excellent introduction can make a real difference in your chances of getting hired.A professional resume writer can take your resume and lo ok at it over until he or she can determine what is really important to you. They can then match the wording and make it the most interesting part of your resume. They can also look at the different sections of your resume and add new ones that will make the section stand out. All of this combined will make your resume stand out.There are many kinds of resume writing services for school guidance counselors. Some specialize in a specific type of counselor, like academic counselors, psychological counselors, or child psychologists. Others can write various types of school counselors for many different types of schools. This makes it easier for a company to write a great resume for each individual counselor that they are helping to get hired.If you are going to hire a company to write your resume, you should be aware that you will be working with them for a minimum of four weeks. During this time you will be provided with advice about how to write a resume, but your resume will not be completed. A professional needs to know exactly what to include in your resume, and they cannot work on something until they know exactly what they are writing.Even if you have no idea what a school guidance counselor does, you can still write a great resume. The key is finding a writing service that specializes in this kind of job. You can find out about them from friends, referrals, or browsing online.Once you get your resume written, then you will need to be prepared to answer all of the questions that are asked. You should be able to explain all of the qualifications you have, any training that you have received, and how you can help the school and the students. You can tell all of this and more in your resume writing services for school guidance counselors can make this happen.

how to be more productive and boost your career through health

how to be more productive and boost your career through health Im not a nutritionist, health trainer or sleep expert but I have a story from a client about a big transformation he made recently. -Coach Wolfgang I enjoy being productive and want to improve my output. Part of me thinks that Im somehow addicted to some chemical my brain releases while Im working and being productive. Conveniently, I have a demanding full-time job and lots of hobbies Im always trying to work on. My challenge is to find out how to be more productive and how can I deliver on my goals more efficiently so that I have a bit more free time. I decided to attack this problem in three ways. Diet One day it dawned upon me that my diet was actually getting in the way of that productivity high. I was tired, nodding off at my computer and ending the day with a disappointingly small amount of work completed. My trick was to ingest caffeine when that happened but it never really worked. Eating something sugary didnt provide a real boost either. So I went the other way, keeping sugar low, eliminating soda, cutting back on caffeine, and embracing salads and lean meals more. I completed a 2-day juice cleanse (you only drink specialty juices for 48 straight hours), and it really helped with kicking some of my cravings and getting me on the path of eating a lot of vegetables and avoiding carbs and sugars. I also stopped eating after 8 pm, and if I had a snack it was something low calorie. Sleep My problem was working until late at night trying to get ahead of my tasks or working on a project that I was really excited about. I tried to push through when I got sleepy and just trying to finish a few more things on my list. It made those hours very inefficient and carried over to the next day, hurting my productivity. My solution was to require 7.0 to 7.5 hours of sleep, every night of the week except one weekend night. If I missed any time then I had to squeeze in a nap to make it up. Sleep became my #1 priority. I set my phone alarm for 10:20 pm, giving me 10 minutes to put away my tasks and start my bedtime routine. Working straight up until bedtime was causing some restlessness which Im still working through. I either need to cut off my work time earlier or try some meditation. Exercise The last change was exercise. Diet and sleep alone were big strides but I wanted to be extraordinary when I sat down to do my work. This meant being in good shape through cardiovascular exercise and strength training. I was already reasonably active but decided to try P90X. I purchased adjustable dumbbells and some other equipment and put it in my garage. I only lasted 45 days, but it got me in the habit of working out 6 days per week. Plus, I felt great. Results What happened? The results werent obvious at first. The first week I was still groggy and had bags under my eyes. I still had cravings that I gave into occasionally and sometimes my body was sore from the exercise. After 4-6 weeks, most of that went away as my body started consistently receiving: 6 or 7 nights per week of 7.5 hours of sleep lots of salads, smoothies and reasonable snacks 3 days/week of cardio vascular exercise and 2 days/week of strength training My weight hasnt changed much but I can see changes in my body shape, now that Im 4 months into these new habits. I went on vacation and splurged on my diet but countered that with longer runs more often. The sleep has been the hardest part but Im doing it I listen to my alarm. Whats great about all of this is that Im happy and optimistic all day. I dont feel sluggish most afternoons. While I didnt measure my productivity difference, I realize that Im more effective at work. Meaning, Im actually thinking about issues and solving problems on a larger level than I did before. The work will always be there but now I have a better quality of life, feel better about myself and Im more efficient with my time when Im working. Challenge. Figure out how you are going to get 7.5 hours of sleep each night. My advice is to set an alarm to GO to bed. When it goes off tell yourself, Theres nothing I can get done tonight, that I cant get done tomorrow faster with a good nights sleep. I also think about the sluggish feeling and the poor results that will come up the next day. Its negative but motivates me nonetheless. The key is to form a habit and make it a priority over work. Set a plan for moving to more vegetables and fewer sugary foods. Remove tempting sugary, salty and starchy foods from your home and workplace. Start to incorporate fruit, vegetables and lean proteins. Research some healthy recipes. When you go to the grocery store, look at the items you put on the cart. What percentage of your items are healthy, natural options? See if your company or your health insurance program gives you access to a health coach its a very good investment! Load up on vegetables and find creative, fun ways to consume them multiple times EVERY day. Experiment to find the best times to exercise at least 3 days per week. There are two times when I do my workouts: early in the morning or immediately after work. Trying to exercise after dinner just doesnt work for me. Figure out what is easy for you. I shortened my strength training workouts but do them more often it works for me. Watching a good movie or show while on my exercise bike makes me look forward to my next workout. Game of Thrones has been wonderful motivation for working out at 6 in the morning! Please note that you need to check with your own health professionals before following my path. Good luck and dont worry if you fail the next day is a new day and a great day to get back on track!

The Business Of Growing Your Property Portfolio

The Business Of Growing Your Property Portfolio When it comes to playing a successful portfolio game, you only need to think back to all those family-arguments had during and after a game of Monopoly; a game that teaches you all you need to know about building wealth through property acquisitions because, let’s be real for a moment, whoever has the biggest portfolio always wins. The hardest part is making that initial investment. It’s taking that daunting first step, biting the metaphorical bullet, and using your first success to go from one property to a collection of money-makers and wealth-builders. It takes time, it takes money, it takes effort and, above all, it takes guts. But get it right and you are sitting prettier than Beyonce in a gold throne. To help you get to this stage, we have pulled together a list of steps you’ll want to study. We speak about how to finance a buy-to-let property, how to turn it into a super-profitable investment, what it means to make a smart decision and how to build from a sturdy foundation. So, without further ado, let’s take a peek into the world of property portfolio building shall we: It All Starts With A Single Good Investment There are a million cliches about the importance of that first step and how an adventure of a million miles starts with a single step. The same rule applies. It doesn’t matter if someone has accumulated a portfolio of five, ten, twenty or a hundred properties, they all began with one investment. The problem is, this first one is always referred to as the hardest one of the bunch. But as tough as that pill may be to swallow, there is a silver lining: get the first one out of the way and all subsequent property purchases will be significantly easier. The trick is to start small, not get ahead of yourself, focus on getting that first purchase right, buy somewhere local and to work with a property broker that’s both experienced and trustworthy. The better you start your portfolio journey the better chance you have of being a success story, quickly. Get it right with your first effort and you’ll have better foundations to build from (excuse the pun). Don’t Pay Market Value. Ever. If you want to be the prince of property and grow a portfolio fast, you need to remember one rule above all others: buy low and sell high. That’s the not-so-secret to success. Now, you may be thinking it’s impossible to buy a property for less than the market value because people are savvy sellers these days, but you’d be surprised just how many properties get sold for a bargain (read: less than they’re worth). There are so many reasons people need a quick sale, from a change in personal circumstances to an injection of cash for business reasons. The trick is knowing how to find these types of investment opportunities. It’s about looking in the right place, having a great relationship with local realty agents, having a look at auctions and keeping your ear to the ground. Once you’ve found a possible opportunity, hit them with a low offer and see what comes back. The lower you can pick a property up for the more you can make on the return. Look For Off-The-Bat Money-Makers When we talk about positive cash-flow, we’re talking about properties that will make you money straight away, which is to say a rental income that outweighs the property expenses. This will give you the leverage (and equity) you need to add more properties to your portfolio. Obviously, the greater the positive cash flow the quicker you can invest in another place which, let’s be honest here, is the aim of the game. It’s a rise from nothing to something in the shortest time possible. Don’t Let Emotion Get A Say The thing that separates amateur investors from serious property portfolio players is emotion. Amateurs can’t help but invest in properties that pull on their heartstrings and make them feel a certain way. Don’t be one of these people. Don’t let emotion dictate what you buy. Instead, look at potential investment opportunities with a more creative outlook, one that lets you see a property as it could be and not as it is right now. And don’t just stick to residential properties either. Yes, they may be the obvious choice, but investing outside the box and looking for motels for sale, industrial warehouses, commercial property, gyms, leisure centers or anywhere else that might return a healthy chunk of rent without much tenant turnover is well worth a second thought if you ask us. Wiping your emotion down will allow you to invest in all sorts of properties below the market value, and that will allow you to stretch your equity and finances further much further. Life Is All About Timing We’re going to do away with Monopoly example this time around and make you think of this from a farming point of view instead. Why? Because the property game goes through ups and downs. It’s a cycle. So in the same way a farmer needs to sow their seeds in order to get the best results, the same principle of timing has a role in good property investing. The most successful investors buy at the most prime time of the cycle. The trick is understanding your local market, keeping an eye on the prices and picking up properties you believe to be at rock bottom prices knowing there is only one way they can go from there up. Getting this perfect is no easy feat, but so long as you don’t pick up a property at the peak of a market boom, you should be able to make a decent stack of dollar bills off it. If you do pick up a property at the height of the market, you’ll be waiting a long time to make any dollar of it. Become Best Friends With Your Broker In order to become a successful property player and build an enviable portfolio, you need to be able to secure financing for every single investment. This can be tricky. Or it can be made a whole lot easier by having an ally in the form of an experienced, reliable and trustworthy finance broker. Have someone like this in your corner and you have a far better understanding of the finance you’ll need, the best possible deal you can get your hands on, what the best terms to suit your needs are and just generally boosting your return. We can’t stress this enough: getting a great finance deal when investing in a property is one of the safest ways you can grow a successful property portfolio quickly. Research Everything You Can Think Of When you think you’ve found a great investment opportunity, the next thing you need to do is pull on your researcher’s cap and analyze everything you can about the area this property is in. Location is everything in the investment game, so make sure you know everything there is to know and whether this ticks all the right investment boxes. Local amenities, employment growth, young graduates, number of creative types, schools, hospitals, transport links all of these will tell you whether an area is up and coming. If it is, and you’ve found a gem of a property in there, grab it. You can be sure you’re not buying a dud if you’re buying in a good area.