10 Things to Leave Off Your Résumé

Everybody knows that in most situations, less is more -- your accessories, eating habits and especially your résumé.

Job seekers do themselves a disservice when they send out résumés with too much information. Employers don't have the time or the patience to sift through irrelevant information like your hobbies, interests or how many grandchildren you have. Just stick to the basics and you're good to go.

Here are 10 things to leave off your résumé and why:

1. Your picture
Why to leave it off: Unless a job posting specifically asks for your picture (and very few jobs will), don't include it just for fun. Not only are your looks irrelevant to your potential as an employee, but you're putting employers in a bad spot. If they have a picture of you and choose not to hire you, it's possible that you could come back with a discrimination lawsuit. In most cases, they'll throw your résumé away without looking at it, to avoid the issue altogether.

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Preparing well for your maternity leave

Having a baby is a wonderful thing but if you are a working woman, you have to plan well in advance for a smooth return to work. What are the tips to aid you in this difficult phase of life? Have a look at these.

Confirmation of pregnancy is great news and as you start making plans for the new baby, make sure you have a plan ready for your office too.You will definitely have a lot of things to manage before you go on leave. Right from breaking the news to your boss to managing complete detachment from office, to informing the return date – there are many things that need to be tackled smartly and hence, the preparations should begin early. How does one handle this situation?

A mom-to-be: Obviously, you’ll be skeptical, it’s likely to ring in more worry than happiness at work. Here are some things that you need to manage, soon after you spell the news.

Decide on a time-line: Let the concerned people know the date till which you would like to continue working. Some women work right up to their delivery but some like to begin the leave a little early to prepare for the road ahead. Hence, spelling out the exact date is important unless some unforeseen event happens. Never be vague about the return date even if you aren’t sure about returning to work. Make that clear from the beginning, so that your employer is not left in the lurch.
Sort it all for colleagues: Your leave will certainly impact work and therefore also impact your colleagues who might need to handle it in your absence. So, figure out who will handle your work in your absence and sit with him/her for a thorough knowledge transfer. Share all the relevant details so that nothing obstructs the workflow in your absence. Always keep your boss in the loop.
Know your rights: Know your company policies and how you’ll be paid during the leave. Manage your leaves and finances accordingly. Also, have the information regarding emergency handling and medical insurance on your finger tips and do inform your spouse of the same.

A new mom: Setting aside the initial euphoria of holding the baby for the first time, it's time to take hard professional decisions.

Set limits of contact while on leave: By all means, keep in touch, but set limits to restore sanity with the tribulations of new motherhood. Make sure you attend to the queries of your colleagues either through e-mail or phone but only at a particular time of the day/week, as per your convenience.
Know the point of contact: If you have any problem, make sure you have a point of contact in office, who can give you clarity on all fronts.

Getting back to work: With too much to do, this is undoubtedly a difficult phase.

Coming back: During this transition period, decide how you'll like to get back to work. If the company permits, you may want to take a half day or avail of work from home option for some time. Though these days flexible work arrangements are encouraged, you should be ready to negotiate well in advance.

Getting back to work: It’s undoubtedly the most turbulent phase, adjusting to work, new colleagues, new clients and new activities. Expect the unexpected and be thankful to the co-workers who stepped in your absence and did your work.

By planning better, you’ll be able to manage your priorities on the personal as well as professional life. Though a tough balancing act, learn to enjoy your new motherhood despite the work pressure. You shall soon be surprised at the new energy and enthusiasm in you.
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Email: jobs@aarenconsultants.in

Leaving your job - don't burn those bridges!

The time comes for everyone where their job isn't what it used to be (or perhaps it never was!). So you have to leave. Some people don't understand that being unhappy in a job is more important than your income at the time. You just have to do it.

So what's the best way to go about it? How can you minimise the impact on both your career and your soon-to-be ex-employer?

Tie up loose ends!

You weren't thinking about just walking out were you?

It's a move a lot of people make and can be a big mistake. It could be argued that there are a lot of issues in the workplace that could mean just getting up and walking out would save a lot of hassle, but it could also be argued that you should at least try to resolve these issues first.

If you have outstanding work, then try to get it finished. If other departments are relying on you to do their jobs, then it is only professional courtesy to not let them down. How would you feel if you couldn't hit the deadline because someone just up and left?

Creating a list of pending tasks to complete for your replacement and going over them with your manager is a very simple task and should be the least you can do. Ideally you want to make it easy as possible for someone to take over your work.

Should you give notice?

Well, yes - if you can.

Nobody likes to be left in the lurch and no matter what you think of your boss or your colleagues, they are just people doing their job.

Most employment contracts require that you give a certain amount of notice and you should try to adhere to that. In a lot of cases, your employer may not want you to work your notice (but you should still get paid for it).

Telling the boss.....

This can be the hardest part of leaving a job for most people and for many the response of your boss can be just as hard. Whether they say, "Oh, OK then...bye" or "Nooooo! Don't leave!", it is going to be an uncomfortable situation.

You should be prepared to discuss your reasons for leaving (it may not be necessary), but do not expect your boss to turn around and offer you a pay increase and better package. In 9 times out of 10, if you quit, then you quit. Threatening to leave is not the way for you to get pay rise!

Why do all this?

Hey, you're leaving right? What do you care if you rattle a few cages doing it?

Well, for one thing, most jobs require a reference from your previous employer and if you can't offer one then you will find it very hard to get a new job.

Another good reason to keep things amicable is that most people will be moving on to another job in the same industry. As years progress you will find out exactly how small a world it is we live in! The person you tell to shove their stinking job where the sun don't shine could, in a few years, be the person you have to deal with for that new business contract.

In the UK at least, employers cannot give you a bad reference. They can however neglect to say certain things and it's the stuff they don't put on the reference that can speak volumes. For example, if they don't say you were reliable and trustworthy, then your future employer may question why.

Summary

As one door closes, another opens and all that....

Going for that new job can be the opportunity that changes your life. Just make sure you don't mess it up by saying the wrong thing! You don't know who your boss knows in the industry. You don't know how much influence they have.

In an ideal world, each employer would take us all on our merits and capabilities. But we don't live in an ideal world.

How To Leave Your Dead End Job

This is for everyone who is sticking with a job that no longer fits. Maybe it was right for awhile, for a certain time and place in your life. But not anymore. When was the last time you jumped out of bed with excitement about what the day would bring?

"But I love the people I work with."
"It's so convenient."
"The money's pretty decent, considering... "

I've heard all the excuses. Hell, I've made them. You know that job is sucking your soul and it's time to leave. The only thing left to decide is how.

Above all, you want it to be your decision. Don't let boredom and apathy lead to an attitude that gets you fired or passed over. Who wants to work with a burnout no matter how skilled they are?

The number one reason people stay in bad jobs is fear of the unknown. Are you hanging on to something that doesn't fit just because it's familiar? What if the unknown wasn't scary? What if it was filled with joy and delightful possibilities? Sure, there's that transition period where you leave what you can do in your sleep and head into new territory. I assure you that the downhill slide of staying too long is far greater than the steepness of a little learning curve. How might you make unknown territory more comfortable?

1. Make It Known
Learn about it. Do research. Talk to people. Do informational interviews. Volunteer, be a trainee. Find ways to educate yourself. Go to school. Hire a trainer. Shine some light on the stuff the scary ignorance and it's no big deal. If you're drawn to it you probably have a knack.

2. Make It Up
There are a lot of successful people in the world who just decide that they know what they're doing. I'll never forget my friend Susan, a beautiful and confident woman who discovered her gift for public speaking in Toastmaster's and went on to become a highly paid consultant just because she decided she was worth listening to. I had just finished grad school and was trying to get my nerve up to go pitch companies. She read a book or two, made a presentation, and was suddenly crossing the country getting big fees. There's a lot to be said for chutzpah.

3. Try It On A Small Scale
Part-time or pilot projects work well particularly if you're thinking of venturing out on your own. The hours are long when you don't give up your day job but if you're pursuing your passion you generally can find the energy. Cater a friend's party for the cost of the supplies. Print some business cards on your computer. Do some pro bono work for a civic group for the testimonials. Before long you'll feel ready to go for it.

4. Dive In
This is my favorite. I get enormous energy from leaping off metaphorical cliffs. Instead of screaming "NO", try saying "Wheee!" or "Geronimo." I've crossed the country on three occasions with no job and no place to live. I keep having soft, successful landings so I keep leaping. Sometimes it takes a geographic change to get yourself out of a rut. Try something out there and see if you can fly.

5. Be Prepared
So maybe you're not a leaper. You can plan for contingencies, save that nest egg. Find an answer for all the what-ifs. But be careful not to over prepare. Just how likely are those eventualities that you're covering? There comes a point when it's time to take steps.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now". -J. W. von Goethe

Remember, if you only do what you already know how to do your world would get pretty stale. Growth is an essential part of life. There comes a time to move on. You can feel when change is due. When that time comes the universe makes it easy for you. The money for graduate school appears, child care arrangements work out, an article about a new company catches your eye. Pay attention to the signals. Then trust your judgment. If something tells you this new opportunity is right, it probably is.