How to get your professor's help finding a job

• 2-minute read •
While you’re still at college, there’s probably nobody more qualified to vouch for your performance than your professors—yet they’re often the last people you’d ask to help get you a job. It can be scary enough asking professors to help support you on class projects, let alone asking them to recommend you for a job, right?

But the thing is, most professors have excellent contacts in the professional world. And if they know you and like you, they’d be more than happy to help you succeed once you graduate.

But here’s the rub: They have to know you, and they have to be familiar with your work. For this article, we asked college-focused career experts how you can build those relationships now to put your professors in a better position to help you—so you’ll have one more career ally to help you land a job after graduation.

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How To Talk About Your Biggest Weaknesses In A Job Interview

• 2-minute read •
You’re in the hot seat and things are going well. You talk about your attributes, skills and strengths with ease. Just when you think it’s pretty much in the bag, the hiring manager asks that dreaded question: What’s your biggest weakness?

“This is one of the questions people have the hardest time answering,” says Amanda Abella, a career coach, writer, speaker. “[Your response] tells the interviewer a lot about your character, so it definitely holds a lot of weight.”

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How To Brand Yourself For A Career Change

• 2-minute read •
Job-seekers worry about their branding, but the folks who worry about it the most are people who are trying to change careers.
They wonder whether hiring managers will consider them for open positions when their resumes don't seem to show any relevant experience in their pasts.
Here are some of the branding questions that keep career-changers up at night:
• "I'm accomplished and credible in my traditional field, but there are no jobs in that field anymore. That's why I'm changing careers -- but why would a hiring manager choose me over somebody who's already worked in their function and industry?"

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How to get your resume ready for a job search

• 2-minute read •
Want a new job? First you'll need to know how to create a resume that will help you shine. These seven simple steps can help.
You’ve decided to start your job search, but you’ve already reached a roadblock: Getting your resume ready.
On the job hunt, “your resume is your number one ammo,” says Monster career expert Vicki Salemi, who spent more than 15 years in corporate recruiting. When done right, your resume can open the door to your dream job, she notes.
With stakes that high, it’s no wonder that resume refresh also commonly fills people with existential angst. We get it—condensing your entire work history into a perfectly-worded typo-free single-page document that could potentially determine your entire career future is maybe just a little stressful.

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Millennials, this is how you can prove those negative stereotypes wrong

• 2-minute read •
To some, the word “Millennial” sounds like a dirty word. The “M” word, let’s call it. Unfortunately, being associated with this word comes with a few negative connotations—whether deserved or not. Often, those connotations extend to the way Millennials work.

And granted, the Millennial generation, roughly comprised of people between ages of 21 and 34, has stirred things up in the workplace Recently, Monster’s Multi-Generational Survey found that Millennials tend to not conform to the traditional notion that long hours behind a desk makes for a more productive employee. Managers view them as people who expect more than they deserve; society views them as the “me” generation.

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My job is exhausting. How can I land a laid-back job?

• 2-minute read •
First, I think it’s great that you’re interested in looking for a new job because countless people would say, “My job is exhausting,” and then be miserable and do nothing about it. So bravo to you!

Second, with the end goal of landing a laid-back job, we need to work backwards from this point.

Why is your job exhausting? Is it because the tasks are menial and boredom inducing, or, is your job exhausting because it’s labor intensive and you’re on your feet all day? Or are you mentally stretched and your brain is fried each and every day? Combination of the above?

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How to use numbers to make your resume seem more impressive

• 2-minute read •
Recruiters look at hundreds of resumes per day—sometimes for the same position. How can you make yours stand out? You could hire a pro or create a super creative infographic resume—or in about 10 minutes, you could add data and metrics to quantify your achievements, and upgrade your resume from amateur to amazing.

Don’t worry—it’s not as hard as it might sound. In fact, for a quick 90-second lesson on how to do it, check out our video below. Or, keep reading and we’ll share some pointers here.

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How to convince a potential employer you want to downshift your career

• 2-minute read •
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “career trajectory”? Most likely, you’re thinking of career advancement. That kind of trajectory is admirable because it shows professional progress. You’re movin’ on up.

But what happens when you want to go in the other direction? Family obligations, your personal well-being and shifting priorities can all cause you to need to slow down.

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How to send your resume to land more interviews

• 2-minute read •
Congratulations! You’ve written your resume, and you’re ready to click send. Now, what?

Are you sure you’ve done everything you can to give your resume a fighting chance?

Having to figure out how to make a resume in the first place was the hard part. Sending your resume to a hiring manager may seem like the easiest step in the resume writing process. But it’s best to not trip at the finish line.

Here are a few tricks that you should try out before you click that send button.

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How to tailor your resume to any job posting

• 2-minute read •
Every day, hiring managers wade through hundreds of applications to locate the elusive Goldilocks Resume. With so many applications, they only have time to spend an average of six seconds scanning each resume for relevance.

What are they looking for? Skills.

How do you know which skills they want? The job posting. If you want a hiring manager to see your application and think: “This person is perfect,” it all begins there.

Here’s how to tailor a resume to any job posting:

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How to choose the right resume format

• 2-minute read •
Are you staring at a blank page? Unsure how to present your skills and experience on a resume? You’re not alone. Many job seekers struggle to come up with a resume structure that accurately represents their professional aspirations and attracts recruiters’ attention. The struggle, however, is real.

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How to: Overcome common cover letter problems

• 2-minute read •
There’s no covering up a bad cover letter….

Although you might feel like your CV is the centre of attention in a job application, never underestimate the importance of a good cover letter. But how can you make yours stand out from the crowd, and what’s the best way to overcome cover letter difficulties?

We’ve already explained what a cover letter is and highlighted some cover letter lines to avoid, but here are five of the most common cover letter problems (and how you can overcome them):

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How To Build Respect With Difficult People

• 2-minute read •
At our last leader training, we asked a simple question. “Show of hands. Who here has a difficult team member who they feel they just can’t build respect with?” Across the room, hands shot up. CEOs of large companies, HR leaders, small business owners, and mid-level managers: everyone raised their hands. There was not a single person in the room who didn’t appear to be exasperated, frustrated, and tired of trying to find a solution to this common problem—difficult people. Teams in every industry have at least one member who doesn’t connect with others in a respectful, trusting way. These coworkers (labeled by one of the attendees as “impossible”) drag down productivity, slow innovation, and suppress team results. Plus, they just seem to ruin your day.

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Resignation letter - how to write a resignation letter

So you're handing in your resignation? Well assuming they don't escort you off the premises straight away, they will probably ask you to hand in your resignation letter. Clearly you can't say, "I hated my boss, I was offered more money elsewhere" when writing a letter of resignation! Well, you could, but you would end up burning some bridges.

This article will cover how to write a resignation letter so you don't end up killing your career a few years down the line!

An example of why you need to write a good resignation letter

A hypothetical situation.

You are in a job you hate. Your boss is a tyrant and the pay sucks. So you start looking for another job and after a while of ducking out for interviews, you are made an offer.

Screw the boss. You walk out without a word - you don't leave a resignation letter.

That's fine at the time, but a few years down the line, your new employer has expanded and you have been promoted. You are going for a new contract for the firm which will mean big money (and big commission). You head out to meet your new potential client and who are you faced with? Your old boss, now in charge of a new department / company / whatever.

Many careers these days are built and broken on personal relationships, so by writing a letter of resignation when you leave a job can help protect possible future relationships.

In the short term, writing a letter of resignation can ensure you receive a decent reference from your ex-employer.

How to write a resignation letter

Writing a letter of resignation can be tough. You are handing in your resignation for a reason - either you don't like your job or you have be offered a better one.

So it's going to be tough to try and write an amicable letter that won't anger your boss. A lot of employers do take a personal interest in their staff and can take it as a personal failure if a valued member of staff leaves. Remember, they also have to report to their boss and explain why their team / department / office is a member of staff down.

Your aim when writing a letter of resignation should be to create a document which your boss can hold in his / her hand and feel absolved of any blame or fault over your departure.

It doesn't matter that they were wrong! You need to put your personal feelings behind you - now isn't the time to say what you "really" feel! (that's the Xmas party - joke! :P)

Some areas you should cover when you write your letter of resignation:

• Thank your employer for your time there.

• Explain briefly why you are leaving.

• If your reasons for leaving are going to cause more ill-feeling then make something up!

• If you can't think of anything then just use the catch-all excuse of being offered a better package elsewhere!

• REMEMBER! "Always forgive your enemies....nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde. As much as you want to shout and scream at that boss who you hated, thanking them, even apologising for your behaviour can be the sweetest revenge! ;) And it doesn't hurt your career!

Example of a resignation letter

It's hard to come up with an example of a resignation letter, because like covering letters and CV or resumes, they are fairly personal documents. But there are some general points you can remember.

• Personal opening. You know your bosses name, so use it. Open your letter with Dear John, etc.

• Get to the point. Your opening sentence (and subject line) should be brief and to the point. Subject: Letter of Resignation

• Briefly state your reasons. Note the points in the previous section about this.

• Make sure you have tied up loose ends. If you have work that someone will need to take over, create a separate document to attach to your resignation later which lists important stuff like urgent work or passwords, etc.

• Offer to stay a reasonable amount of time. More often than not, it won't be taken up on, but it is a good parting gesture to make. Offering time to train up a replacement (or hire one) is a good way for your employer to remember you (ie, as oppose to just walking out).

• End professionally. Thank your employer for your time with the company, stating how much you appreciate it.

Your resignation is a fragile period of time. Writing a resignation letter isn't easy - you need to handle it professionally or it could have a serious impact on your career in the future.

How to Get Off on the Right Foot on Your First Job

Here are 10 common sense guidelines that can make their journey smoother and more rewarding

1. Realize the scoreboard is operating from day one. But don't expect to conquer the world in six months.. Hit the ground running toward specific goals. Master the fundamentals. Seek out responsibility, but never take on more than you can deliver in a first-class way.

2. Work, work, work and then work some more. No substitute, no short cut will replace work. Immerse yourself in your work. This means more than working diligently from eight to five. Take work home. Never miss a deadline and deliver what your boss orders, even though you may not agree with it.

3. Arrive early and stay late. Get to work 30 minutes before the specified starting time. Take this period, before the interruptions start, to get routine chores out of the way and organize your day's work. Often you will find your boss is in early, also. (That may have something to do with his being boss.) It's a great time to get better acquainted with him. Ask for that extra information and guidance you need.

Stay at least 15 to 30 minutes after the regular hours. Clean up your work place. Make a list of actions you will take the next day.

4. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek help when you have gone as far as you can go on a project. You are not expected to know everything. Asking for help is a sign of strength and not a sign of weakness. Seeking assistance shows you are confident and focused on the job. Find a mentor who is willing to provide coaching and share experience. (This will not be difficult to do; most people like to be asked for advice.)

5. Learn how the machinery of the organization works. Absorb the folklore. The processes may be quite different from what you read in the training and policy manuals.

6. Don't join cliques or deal in office politics; leave the gossip to others. None of these is good for your career health.

7. Respect the hierarchy. The organization is bigger and stronger than you are; you can't change it in the beginning. The sooner you accept this fact, the better. You have a boss and the chain of command is real. ­ You are not likely to "make it" as a rebel.

8. Know the business of the business--its objectives; what it does, what it sells and what values it represents. Learn how your job fits into the overall picture.

9. Adapt to the environment. Observe the style of dress and be guided by it. Is business done in an informal manner or strictly by the rules? Is the primary mode of communications by memos and formal meetings or by face-to-face discussions and chance meetings in the hallways?

10. Be loyal to the organization. Loyalty to organizations may be declining, as some say, but it is still highly valued.

These guidelines do not guarantee a pot of gold, but one thing is certain: they raise the odds for success.

How to Ask for the Job

One of the great qualities that children possess is the ability to ask for what they want, from extended playtime to an extra piece of cake for dessert. Not only do children ask for what they want, but they don’t give up. They conspire, they’re tenacious, and if one method doesn’t work, they try another.

Then something happens as we grow older and we acquire hang-ups that hold us back from going after what we want. We develop emotions such as pride, embarrassment, and self-consciousness that hinder our professional and personal growth.

These feelings tend to creep up during the interview process. Consequently, most candidates are intimidated to ask for the job because they are afraid of a “no” response. But there are a few ways you can broach the subject without actually saying, “Can I please have the job?”

Let’s take a look at a few alternatives.

Visualization Approach: This method is where you talk as though you are already part of the team by using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our” during the conversation. Doing so will allow the interviewer to visualize you in the position.

Here’s an example:

“As a team member of The International of the Intercups, I would provide our clients with thorough information regarding their accounts, and would handle all inquiries and discrepancies with confidentiality.”

If you use this approach throughout the interview, you will notice that the interviewer will begin to use the words “we” and “us” as well. This technique will bring you closer to a job offer.

Summation Approach: Lay out all the facts—the exact reasons there is a match between you and the employer.

Here’s an example:

“Throughout our conversation today, I have learned about the dynamics of your company, its culture, and the responsibilities of the position. I’m glad to see that your requirements match my experience to the letter—from my ability to manage corporate accounts to my ability to cultivate new business. I look forward to participating in the rest of the interview process and optimistically anticipate being a part of your team.”

Don’t assume the interviewer will connect all the dots. It is up to you to enlighten the interviewer on why there is a mutual benefit and why they should extend a job offer.

Straightforward Approach: This approach is simple, clear-cut.

Here’s an example:

“I’m interested in the position. Have I provided all the information you need to offer me the position?”

Rumor has it that some interviewers are disappointed when candidates don’t ask for the position. Try it. You may be surprised by the interviewer’s response.

How to Handle Counter Offers

Congratulations, you’ve just accepted an offer for the job you’ve been chasing for months. You are excited and relieved, but you’re wondering how your boss is going to react when you resign. Will the reaction be understanding, angry, shocked or dismissive. How do you react when one of your best performers resigns to you?

Some of the more common thoughts that the boss may have are:

• He’s one of my best performers. How am I supposed to replace him, keep the team together, and achieve budget?
• What inconvenient timing – I was about to go on annual leave for 3 weeks
• How am I going to look to the board/senior management for losing this person?
• Where is he going?
• Can I get her to stay until I find a replacement and have an effective hand over?
• How can I get her to stay?

If you are a valuable resource, then your boss and your company won’t want to see you walk out the door, especially to the competition. They will make every attempt to convince you to stay, either by:

• Making you a counter offer
• Making you feel incredibly guilty and disloyal
• ‘Loving’ you liked they’ve never ‘loved’ you before – be suspicious of this

Being made an attractive counter offer is instantly good for your ego, but you must take a number of things into consideration before saying “thanks” or “no thanks”:

• You have only received a counter offer because you resigned. It is a purely reactive tactic from your employer and should make you wonder whether you need to resign every time you want to improve your situation. If your employer thought you were truly worthy, why didn’t they improve your situation anyway?
• Do your reasons for wanting to leave still exist? You may have a number of reasons – salary too low, no promotion in sight, don’t like your boss. You may be offered more money to stay, which can be tempting, but if you still have other issues outstanding, you’ll probably end up leaving anyway.
• Despite what your employer is saying to you, they will probably now consider you a risk and may make contingency plans without your knowledge. You may not be seen as a true member of the team
• The counter offer could simply be an interim tactic from your employer to bridge a gap whilst they look to replace you.

Much research and many surveys have been completed over the years to measure what happens to employees who accept counter offers. Only 6 out of 100 employees are still with their company after 12 months, and 2 important points become apparent:

• Salary was hardly ever the prime motivator for resigning – more money didn’t ultimately change the true state of play
• Things didn’t take long to return to the way they were before the resignation

Before accepting a counter offer, ask yourself why your employer has made the offer. There is a strong possibility that the cons will outweigh the pros and you will realize that your decision to resign was right after all.

How To Get A Raise: Stress Value, Not Need

No one likes to ask for a raise. But there are situations when it makes common sense to say to the boss, "I believe I am worth more to this organization than I am being paid. I would appreciate a raise."

Never try to make a case for a raise on the basis of need. Organizations can stay in business only by paying people what they contribute to the bottom line, not their needs.
You are justified in asking for a raise when one or more of the following conditions exist.

• You are making a contribution toward your employer's goals above and beyond what is expected from your position. . You have been filling a more demanding position, which usually pays more money, for a considerable time.
  
• There is no formal system in place for performance reviews and you haven't had a raise in a reasonable period of time.
  
• You have an offer from another employer for more money and you are prepared to make a change if necessary.

Before you rush in to ask for a raise, you should understand that one of three things could happen. One, you may get the extra money. Two, you may find out you are not nearly as valuable as you thought you were, and that your future is limited to your present position. Or, three, you could lose your job when you cause the boss to focus on your performance in terms of hard cash.

Be prepared; be sure of your facts. Remember, you are making a sales presentation for a product (your service to the organization) to a buyer (your boss) who has a limited budget from which to buy answers to a number of highly competitive needs.

Make sure you know how things are going with your boss and the company.

Common sense tells us not to ask for a raise when the company is in the doldrums or when the boss, himself, has just been passed over for a raise. Choose the time and place when your boss is most apt to give you a fair hearing.

Find out how your compensation compares to other jobs in the company and in terms of what other employers are paying for people with similar responsibilities and experience. Know what the fair market value is for your talents.

Get a reading on how your fellow employees and your boss rate your performance. (It had better be a reasonably good report before you ask for more compensation.)

Get directly to the point when you meet with your boss.

Review your contributions, being as specific as possible in such terms as savings, increased productivity, growth in sales.

Underscore your loyalty to the organization. Suggest your potential for even greater contributions based on demonstrated performance.

Present hard data to prove you are not paid up to scale when compared to similar jobs inside the organization and in your employer's business category.

Be prepared to define a range of increase you think is fair, if you are asked to do so. Do not demand. Be ready to discuss the pros and cons of your performance. Keep your cool. It will be a rare boss who will not be a bit annoyed that you have had to ask, either because he has allowed you to lose touch with reality or because he has failed to recognize your worth and frustration. Don't be surprised at some backlash. Accept both praise and criticism with equanimity. Be ready to work out a compromise.

It is unlikely you will get an answer on the spot ... unless it is a resounding negative. Leave the door open for a positive answer or at least further negotiations later.

If the final answer is "yes," express appreciation (but do not go overboard) and work twice as hard to prove your boss made a good decision. Start right then earning the next raise. If it is "no," buckle down, do a better job and prepare for another chance. Or leave for a more rewarding environment.

How to Cope When You Are Overqualified for a Job

Are you professionally overqualified for your job? Are you having trouble finding a job that fits like a glove? Have you settled for a job that has no relation whatsoever with your professional skills?

When you are professionally overqualified, there are usually lots of stressful issues, which have to be dealt with. You may be forced to adjust your entire life and mold it to fit your current situation. This can be very stressful, frustrating and can even lead to depression.

It is therefore important to equip yourself with some tips on how to cope during this period when you feel like you have been hit under the belt.

6 coping tips for overqualified you:

1. Talk to your boss.

You may have to schmooze to do this; you have to do what you have to do to get where you want to be. Don’t be shy about telling your boss or any other significant person in your organization about your other professional skills.

Let them know that you would be interested in applying for other positions within the company, which match your skills better. Ask your boss to let you know about suitable positions that are open. Inquire about policies relating to internal candidates seeking to fill vacant positions within the company. Speak out…Mother luck may just smile on you!

2. Prepare to mentally re-adjust.

Life is tough as it is and being professionally overqualified means that you have to have the right mental attitude to adjust to your situation.

Mentally re-adjusting involves accepting your position and planning how to deal with it. You have to be prepared to not only deal with being a direct report to a boss who may be less qualified than you but also a leaner paycheck and a bruised ego.

You may also have to trim your resume and down play your qualifications to suit your current job description. The ability to maintain a positive attitude will do so much for you in terms of preserving your sanity. It never hurt anyone to look on the bright side.

3. Search for a more suitable job.

One good thing about being overqualified is that there are always other options available. Mount an aggressive job search, update your resume and keep all your relevant job related documents ready.

Begin to research your industry while look at current job listings on the Internet. Check for job openings posted in the classified section of your local newspaper and contact temporary employment agencies that hire professionals.

Be aggressive about your job search. Find out what additional skills employers are looking for and what you need to do to get a cutting edge over the rest of the job seekers in your field. Network with people who can give you leads about job availabilities in the sectors that interest you. Don’t give up.

4. Don’t be afraid to start fresh.

It is sometimes easier to get a clear perspective of what you really want to do when life is not going as smoothly as you expect. Take time to search your soul and take an inventory of what matters most in your life.

If you feel that you may have a better chance in another professional field, don’t be afraid to start a new. New beginnings can be a welcome relief especially if your current skills are standing in the way of better opportunities.

It’s never too late to start a fresh. Be prepared to adjust your life to new experiences and other opportunities

5. Join a professional association.

Volunteer or seek membership in a professional association that addresses issues in your field of expertise. This will keep you abreast of the latest developments in your field and keep you intellectually challenged.

Making contributions to the association and being actively involved in its activities will give you a chance to indirectly pursue what you are qualified to do. It will also give you a chance to meet and network with stakeholders who may widen your chances of getting hired in your preferred field.

6. Consider it a learning experience.

There are many lessons to learn from being professionally overqualified. Apart from acquiring new job skills, you may discover that you have strengths in other fields which your never knew you had.

Sometimes it takes hardship for the best attributes we have to surface. This may also be an opportunity to view things from another perspective.

How to Successfully Cope with a Job Loss

How prepared are you for an unexpected turn of events? What if the foundation upon which your income was based was suddenly shaken? How would you cope if you lost your Job today?

In these tough economic times, the unemployment rate is high and job scarcity is a common problem. The importance of getting a steady job to guarantee some form of job security cannot be underestimated. Having a regular job is as relieving as drinking a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.

With this in mind, you probably can’t afford to lose your job, because the key word is bills, bills, and more bills! The only way to settle the “bills” issue is to get a job and try to stay hired.

Most people assume, and rightly so, that they can't get laid off or fired. But what if it happens to you?

When you are caught off guard, your coping mechanisms may fail and you may just not know what to do and how to react. But, if you cannot plan for an unexpected job loss, you can definitely equip yourself with tips on how to cope when you have lost your job.

7 Valuable Tips for Surviving a Job Loss Crisis:

1. Don’t panic
When you think about all your bills and the other issues which depend upon your paycheck, it is very easy to panic.

The uncertainty of the future ahead and the possible reality that you may no longer be in control may be very overwhelming. As tempting as it may be, don’t panic because this is the time when you most require a clear mind to focus on the future.

2. Accept your situation.
The sooner you accept your situation the better. Don’t stay in a state of disbelief and denial. Don't allow the bitterness you may be harboring toward your ex-employers to consume your life and precious time. It is not worth. It is just not worth it!

Every case is different but if you intend to sue for wrongful dismissal, consider whether the measure is worth pursuing. Accept your situation as it is and remember that life does not always turn out as we expect. It may be tough but you have to deal with it.

3. De-stress yourself.
Losing a job can be a terribly stressful ordeal. It can cause sleepless nights as you constantly worry about a future over which you may have no control.

The uncertainty ahead may cause an overflow of negative feelings and you may need time to recover from the shock and to clear your head. If necessary, take some time off to think about your next step. Do not make hasty decisions. Talking to a trusted friend or family member about how you feel will always make you feel better.

4. Start a new job search.
The sooner you begin looking for another job the better! As soon as you get the motivation, undertake an aggressive job hunt campaign. Update your resume, do some research on the internet which offers a lot of information about current job listings and allows you to post your resume online, visit employment agencies and let them know about your availability to work and the position that you would be interested in, get the classified section of the newspaper that has job listings, network with people and let them know you are looking for a job. Send out your resume to employers who have job openings that may interest you.

5. Stay positive.
Don’t allow yourself to be engulfed by negative feelings of self-pity, worthlessness, anger, bitterness and etc.

These feelings may rear their ugly heads but keep them in control because they will take away your power and introduce depression in your life. This will accelerate ineffectiveness on your part. Motivate yourself daily by looking on the bright side.

6. Budget your finances.
Now that you don’t have a steady flow of income, consider putting a tighter reign over your finances by making reductions in your expenditures. Keep all the ‘luxuries’ at bay especially if you don’t have any emergency money saved up. This may entail making clear distinctions between what you really need and what you want.

7. Move on.
Hey, it’s not the end of the world. Always remember, “Every exit from somewhere is an entrance somewhere else.” Tom Stoppard.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make a turn. Do not be afraid to move on and start afresh. This may just be the beginning of something beautiful.