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How To Become A Personal Assistant

10/31/2021

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Photo of a young man and woman using a laptop and smiling. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Creative Commons photo
Job Search Ideas October 31, 2021
How To Become A Personal Assistant

How To Become A Personal Assistant

​Imagine a solopreneur advancing in his/her career and beginning to feel overworked. More often than not, s/he also misses spending time with friends and family.
 
It’s time to hire a personal assistant.
 
Hiring a personal assistant can free up his/her time to focus on the bigger picture, spend more time with family, or have more time to spend on other projects. As a personal assistant you will begin to manage the tasks that were time-consuming for your boss.
 
More often than not, you will also be a second pair of eyes and ears. You will give your boss the benefit of someone working closely with him.

Read This Before Interviewing As A Personal Assistant

Know your list of relevant skills. List them in your mind in the order of their strength. In this role, employers often begin with delegating the easy, repetitive tasks out of their schedule.

  • They may need help with administrative tasks such as preparing a meeting agenda, managing their inbox, managing their calendar, or filing documents

  • Travel arrangement such as reserving flights and hotels, booking reservations, or setting up itineraries
 
  • Personal tasks such as grabbing coffee, picking up groceries, or doing errands for the home (i.e. keeping up with equipment maintenance such heating/cooling systems, alarm systems, etc)
 
  • Functions in support your business systems or client relations such as creating processes or meeting with clients.
 
You must know the market value of your competencies. Be prepared to articulate and explain the value you bring forth to this business Employers create a budget for paying your salary. Have a realistic salary range in mind and be prepared to negotiate.
 
Are you applying as an independent contractor, part-time, or full-time assistant? Will you be working locally, or remotely? Find out how much help is needed to begin with, and whether or not the support is needed in person.


  • If you work remotely, will you need to be available during a specific time period so that they can communicate with you?
 
  • As a contractor, you will not be entitled to benefits. As a specialist, you are also expected to require less on-the-job training. That’s why contractors often work at a higher hourly rate.

 
Carefully review the job description. Try to clarify any ambiguity about the level of support that is needed and what qualifications or skills you may require.

  • What is listed as the top priority on this job description? What traits are they looking for in an ideal candidate?

  • If the position is part-time, does it have the potential to grow into a full-time position or is it permanently part-time?

  • What kind of on-the-job training or benefits are offered?
 
Use the hiring process as an opportunity to learn about the operation. Think about a task (or tasks) an assistant would do regularly. During the interview, ask them about their business' internal process to achieve a certain goal or finish a task. Everyone can make a job description look impressive, but that doesn’t always mean that it really is the ideal job. 
Take the time to learn about how to be become a personal assistant. ​​When you master the task that your boss wishes to keep out of his radar (like researching flights), you’ll save his/her time and energy to give to he/her business, friends and family, or personal growth.

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 
Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com
​

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Digital Interviewing

10/31/2021

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Photo of a lady on the monitor of a laptop wearing a headset. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
Interview Coaching October 31, 2021
Digital Interviewing

Digital Interviewing

When the pandemic took hold in 2020, video conferencing became the go-to tool for many businesses. Video provided a way for team members to stay connected regardless of where in the world they were.
 
At the same time, video gave companies a way to host effective training and interviewing experiences. There was an increase of 67% in 2020 of interviews held remotely over video conferencing software.

Top Tips for Making a Positive Impression Over Video

Whether your video interview is with one person or with a group, it’s important to know how to present yourself in the new age of video.
 
Learn how to make a positive impression by using these strategies.

Choose a Professional Setting

First, ensure that your background isn’t going to detract from your professional image. Digital Interviewing can be done whenever you want, wherever you want. However, that doesn’t mean you should be hosting important meetings from your sofa.
 
Ultimately, you want to choose a space that’s going to present you in the best light – literally. Look for a well-lit area in your home where you’re not going to be covered in shadow.
 
Ideally, you’ll want a plain wall, a bookshelf, or something else that seems professional in your background – rather than just a messy spare bedroom.
 
Test the lighting and setup in your video space by turning your camera on and checking to see what you look like. Ensure that the space you’ll be meeting from is quiet and isolated, so that others won’t be distracted by whatever is going on around you.

Ensure That Everything Works Properly

Start by making sure you know how to use your conferencing software long before the meeting is set to begin. You can try a test run with a colleague or friend.
 
Check these items:

  • Does the microphone sound good? Is your audio loud and clear?

  • Is your video stream easy to see? Ensure that you’re not getting any pixelation or blurring as you move around in the shot.

  • Do you have a good internet connection in your chosen space, so you don’t suddenly drop the call?

  • If you’re joining the meeting from a laptop or tablet, is it fully charged? This also applies to any wireless headphones or cameras which might need charging.

Dress to Impress

It's very important to know what to wear to a job interview. Just because you can go to work or a video meeting wearing casual attire, it doesn’t mean you should. If you’re having a professional conference or an interview, dress professionally. Wear a full suit or other attire appropriate for you and the setting.
 
Avoid simply dressing up the top half of your body. You might end up standing up. As countless events have shown, it’s easy to forget that you’re not wearing your bottom half of clothing when you’re in the middle of an animated conversation.
 
It’s also worth noting that dressing correctly can give you a crucial confidence boost too. Dressing appropriately makes you feel like you deserve the job you’re applying for. 
Be Prepared
If you were having a meeting or interview in the real world, then you would probably have notes and presentations to take with you. The same can be done in your video meeting. Simply ask to present a slideshow in your video conference (and learn how to do that beforehand).
 
If you want to have notes handy, keep them on your screen, so you don’t have to glance away and look down at your lap in the middle of a conversation. You can also have a cheat sheet stuck somewhere close to your camera, so you can grab quick pieces of information without being obvious.
 
This is one of the biggest benefits of conducting a video interview or meeting instead of connecting with someone in person.
Pay Attention
Finally, like in any conversation, you’ll make a better impression if you pay attention.
 
These techniques will help:

  • Avoid looking at your phone or flipping through your emails when you’re in the video. People will notice that you’re not focused on the conversation.

  • Give the person you’re meeting your full attention and respond to any questions or queries when it’s appropriate.

  • Take notes if you need to.

  • Remember to mute your microphone if necessary to avoid distracting other meeting attendees when someone else is talking.
Video conferencing is now an important part of our lifestyle and of the business landscape. Learn to excel in using video and take advantage of these tips to make a positive impression via video. You’ll be glad you did!
Source: www.market-connections.net/blog/digital-interviewing

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.

Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

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How To Be More Efficient

10/27/2021

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Photo of two pencils. There is a quote about being efficent. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
How To Be More Efficient
Learning October 26, 2021
How To Be More Efficient

How To Be More Efficient

You hear all the time that you or your company needs to be more efficient at work. But, do you know how to accomplish that? Efficiency seems like a word that is thrown at as the end-all-be-all answer to problems within an organization. Without a proper plan, the likely result will be confusion and chaos. The following tips can help you when you are given the initiative to be more efficient.

Time Management

If you and your team are not managing your time efficiently, you are going to find it hard to move the company forward. The team will constantly be missing deadlines and playing catch up. This makes the group look bad and causes undue stress on the team. The likely result will be high turnover at times when team members are needed the most.

Learning

Always be on the lookout for how to improve your job or your teams’ jobs. This often requires learning new skills. The more you learn, the easier it will be to find alternative methods that work better. For example, a skill like "effective communication in the workplace" is crucial to being more efficient at work.

Organization

If your office environment is cluttered and there is no sense of organization, it can impact the productivity of the entire group. Some professionals can assess your current situation and make recommendations on how to improve the environment. This can include such aspects as desk clutter, filing, and even ergonomic issues and proper placement of fixtures or furniture

Automation

When you find ways to automate, this frees up your staff to work on more important tasks. Mundane tasks that eat away the time of your staff are the best candidates for automation. It is possible to go overboard with automation which can cause slowdowns when the automation processes fail. Try to determine the best tasks to automate without overdoing it.
Delegate
If you are micromanaging the work of your team, you won’t have time to handle your own tasks. Your team won’t respect the fact that you are doing tasks that they should be doing. You hired them for a reason. Let them get their jobs done. It’s okay for them to come to you when they get stuck. But, you should guide them rather than simply do everything for them
Outsource
With corporate cutbacks, delegating may not be easy to accomplish. Companies are expecting their employees to do more with less. But, managers still need to get their work done. In such cases, it may be worthwhile to consider outsourcing some of the tasks of your team. The benefits of outsourcing are that it does not increase the company’s headcount. ​

Source URL: www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-be-more-efficient
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​Should I Put My Vaccination Status on My Resume?

10/25/2021

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Image by ronstik from Pixabay;
Resume Writing Ideals October 25, 2021
Should I Put My Vaccination Status On My Resume?

​​Should I Put My Vaccination Status on My Resume?

Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19

Should you include that information on your resume?

​
I have recently seen many polls on LinkedIn about including one's vaccination status on the resume. It seems as though the reactions are varying with time. In the meantime, my clients have been asking me about whether or not medical information (i.e.: vaccination status) must be included or listed on their job search documents. At this point, there aren't any solid Yes or No answers that would apply to all situations like a regulation. Today, it still depends on each job's requirements.

Mandatory Vaccine

The Biden administration announced a new rule from the Department of Labor on September 9, 2021 that will require all companies with 100 or more employees to ensure each worker is fully vaccinated or can show a negative COVID-19 test at least once a week. The standard, which will be enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), will affect approximately 80 million workers.
 
Requiring employees to be vaccinated as a condition of employment is legal. Many large employers — including Disney, Tyson Foods, and United Airlines — already require employees to be vaccinated.
 
When you log into Indeed, you will note changes. For example, the number of job postings on the site requiring vaccination against COVID-19 has increased by 34 percent at the end of the first week of August 2021 compared to one month prior. Job postings requiring vaccination were up 90 percent over the same time period.
 
According to a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com in August 2021, 33 percent of hiring managers will automatically eliminate résumés that do not include vaccination status. And 69 percent of the 1250 hiring managers surveyed say they are more likely to favor candidates who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
 
ResumeBuilder.com also reports that 63 percent of companies surveyed are mandating vaccinations for employees as of August 2021. Another 32 percent will give priority to candidates that list they are vaccinated on their resume.
 
Seventy-seven percent of hiring managers surveyed say they prefer applicants include vaccination status on their resumes.
 
As with any information you include — or exclude — on your resume carefully consider whether the information is relevant (in this case, it would be if vaccination status is requested in the job posting) and whether including the information (if not requested), might disqualify you from consideration. (Some recruiters or hiring managers may be turned off by the disclosure.)

General Guidelines About Disclosing Vaccination Status On Your Resume

  • ​DEFINITELY YES — Disclose you are vaccinated against COVID-19 if vaccination is listed as a requirement in the job posting you’re applying for.

  • PROBABLY YES — Disclose vaccination status for certain roles — especially in the medical field or public health or for positions with progressive companies that have been publicly supportive of vaccine mandates. Consider including it for tech and financial positions where in-person/in-office attendance is required.

  • PROBABLY NO — If you are not vaccinated for COVID-19, it’s best to leave vaccination status off your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile and address it in a job interview instead (if asked). If you disclose you are not vaccinated for COVID-19, that could be a negative to some hiring managers and recruiters.
 
Don’t want to include your vaccination status on the resume itself? You can list your vaccination status in the cover letter — although, be aware that some recruiters and hiring managers do not read cover letters.
 
Immunization records are protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, you are always free to disclose your own medical information voluntarily.
 
No matter whether you disclose your vaccination status on your resume or not, this may be part of a background check conducted after a job offer is extended, in the same way a drug screening may be required.

SOURCE URL: 
https://www.market-connections.net/blog/should-i-put-my-vaccination-status-on-my-resume
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How To Step Down The Corporate Ladder

10/24/2021

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Photo of a man holding a graph maquette. There is alos a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay;
Career Counseling October 24, 2021
How To Step Down the Corporate Ladder

How To Step Down The Corporate Ladder

Most career advice revolves around moving up the career ladder. However, there are also those times when you must step down the corporate ladder.
 
If that is your current situation, chances are high you had not planned for the changes. Our economy is fluctuating and the pandemic is not fully over yet. Certain businesses or industries were hit harder than others. Despite having a great job at a successful company, you may still be considering a career change. Or, you may just wonder about what to do if you are in a declining industry.
 
In the end, you just may have to resize your career. Regardless of the reason, one thing is for sure. Making conscious choices and decisions will make it easier for you to move into your next role. Learn the modern rules for stepping down the career ladder with finesse.

Benefits Of Stepping Down The Corporate Ladder

  • Less stress. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has posted a report from Northwestern National Life in which 40%+ of workers claim their job is extremely or very stressful. Keep in mind, a less stressful daily routine might transform your life and overall wellbeing.
​
  •  Prepare to retire. Were you hoping to continue working during your retirement to stay engaged? Transforming your career by slowly moving down the career ladder will ease you into the next phase of your career.

  •  Change careers. Considering The Great Resignation, many people are changing jobs, but more often than not, people are changing careers. Being open to other careers or industries can open many new doors. You’ll also learn new things.

  •  ​Pursue other interests. Maybe you’re less focused on your job than you used to be. You’d rather shift your time and energy to spending time with your family or working on personal projects.

Strategies To Step Down The Corporate Ladder

  • Re-evaluate your finances. If you must settle for lower pay, it’s important to first ensure that you can live on your new salary. A reduction in housing costs is often most effective. Eating out less often and cancelling unnecessary subscriptions may help as well.
​
  •  Know your strengths. Take a thorough assessment of your transferable skills. Make an actual list and you will be surprised how it will help you guide yourself to your new career.

  • Know your WHY. You will have to practice explaining why you left a job to potential employers. Their concerns may have to do with your stability or your job satisfaction factor. Leverage cover letters and use interviews to explain why it may be time to change your job.
​
  • Edit and audit your resume. You may want to hire a professional who knows how to make your resume stand out. Consider editing and auditing your resume to make it more appealing to the hiring managers in the new industries you are targeting. If you think you can do this on your own, use a resume and cover letter checklist. Highlight your transferable skills and your relevant achievements. Avoid using the terminology and lingo that is only known to your old industry.

  • Ask your boss. Your current manager may be a great resource. Once you have a plan in place on how to quit a job, make one last attempt to negotiate salary with your current manager. Perhaps you can stay with the company and work remotely or have a lighter schedule. Or perhaps you can still collaborate with the company as a consultant.

  • Use your network. Your other contacts may be valuable too.  If you have been neglecting your network, learn how to revive your personal network. Chances are your contacts will have leads for you or they may be able to introduce you to others who need your services.

  • Make it a trial run. To make a transition with less risk, take a trial run. Hold onto your day job while you do some consulting or part-time work or pro-bono services that will broaden your experience and contacts.

  • Take small steps, but take action. Change can be overwhelming. Break your plans down into smaller steps. You might commit yourself to fill out multiple job applications a week or even going to industry-specific job fairs.
​
  • Don’t let frustration take over. As you will navigate through the change, you will have to interact with many new people along the way who are there to facilitate the process. Some people may feel frustration and may unconsciously become rude toward others. If you feel frustrated, remember to remain collected and kind.
​Downsizing your career may open the door to new opportunities and establish a new balance in your life. Be prepared to explore your alternatives and market yourself to new employers.
 
You may find that the outcome may be more fulfilling than what you left behind. Life has a way of often surprising us!
SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-step-down-the-corporate-ladder

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.
 
Feel free to connect with Mandy Fard on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
 
Please follow Market-Connections Resume Services on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com


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Civil Conversations in the Workplace

10/20/2021

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Coworkers smiling and working together in front of the computer. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Civil Conversations In The Workplace
Career Counseling October 20, 2021
Civil Conversations In The Workplace

​Civil Conversations In The Workplace

​Civil conversations are engagements aimed at sharing views or information on topics of high importance in the lives of the general public. They usually stem from and are dictated by our analysis of what mainly influences our social, economic, and political lives, among other things.
 
However, the level of engagement and the success thereof is so much dependent on the personalities of the parties involved. Some people strongly dislike civil conversations citing that, depending on the mental state of the person one is conversing with, the conversations can move from simply sharing information to showing off one’s intelligence and trying to convince the other party that your views are more valid than theirs.
 
Where one is not open-minded, there is a tendency to want to defend beliefs or anything one holds dear to them, which defeats the whole purpose of the engagement. It can easily lead to arguments or fights while where verbal aggression and abuse are present, the focus is lost, and the time invested in the conversation is wasted.
 
Also, it is easy to step out of the line with civil conversations. Controversial issues may arise which may cause trouble for an individual or the company.
 
Colleagues are also the people that we spend the greater part of the day with, as such, it is important to be careful not to ruin our relationships with them to ensure that we remain the team the company can rely on to achieve goals.
 
The following points can help us engage in civil conversations without the risk of messing up our relationships:

Know When To Stop

​It is important to know how to get along with your coworkers. It is also very important to have the ability to tell when things are spiraling out of control and to know when to stop to avoid having the conversation turn into a conflict. We cannot control how other people react to us but always have power over our own words and reactions.

Set Your Limits

We need to set boundaries with regards to how farther we allow our discussions on certain topics to go. We can choose to avoid anything likely to spark an argument or to offend the other person.
 
Controversial topics about individuals or the company itself must be avoided especially when the conversation is not aimed at contributing positively to changing issues of concern. Discussing the absent must be out of bounds especially if the issue does not concern us unless we are helping them to mend relationships.

Choose Wisely

When you have worked with people for a while, you get an idea of how they reason as well as their emotional state. It gets easier to know the right people to engage in meaningful conversations with. If you do not know the person too well, then you probably should not have too much to say to them.
 
Even when we have chosen wisely the people to engage in discussions with, we still need to go further to choose our words wisely. We need to consider the possible impact of our words while they are still just thoughts. The language we use to express ourselves can determine the outcome of expressions that would otherwise be harmless when said right.
 
Where we have our own assumptions, the best way to present them would be in the form of questions that seek clarity or a deeper understanding of an issue rather than an accusation. We should also avoid sarcasm and derogatory language especially when the person we are conversing with is not a close friend.

Be Open-Minded

The most difficult people to have meaningful discussions are those who are too emotionally attached to their beliefs. The first thing that comes to mind if a point mentioned contradicts what they believe in is that they are under attack.
 
Anything that follows is usually an attempt to defend their beliefs. To such people, anyone who holds beliefs contrary to theirs is either enemies or people who need conversion.
 
If you are one of those people, learning about life in general and experiencing meaningful personal growth will be slow or nonexistent. Listen to other people and seek to understand why some things matter to them and why others do not.
Listen More And Talk Enough
There is a type of people who always want to be heard and will not do much listening every time they get a chance to interact with others. I am sure you can imagine how much such people learn from others – zero or little.
 
The mentality is that they already know so much or enough and the only job that is left is for them to share ‘knowledge’, while some just enjoy being the center of attraction.
 
A good strategy is to keep active listening example​s in mind and exercise listening as a skill. If we learn to listen more and talk enough, we will be in a favorable position to acquire more knowledge and share only things relevant to the discussion, enough not to overwhelm the listener.
Understand Humans In General
We need to always keep in mind that people go through various things daily and some are not strong enough to keep their emotions in control. This means that even people with whom we normally engage in conversations may not be ready for some topics or may react differently to them than they normally do.
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Effective Communication In The Workplace

10/18/2021

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Photo of two ladies communicating at work. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Effective communication in the workplace
Career Counseling October 18, 2021
Effective Communication in the Workplace

Effective Communication in the Workplace

Communication is important in the workplace

Communication is the key to happy or healthy work and personal relations and success in leadership requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. That is how the dynamic leader  gets the most out of relationships, improves relationships, or saves relationships depending on how well he/she communicates with the parties involved.
 
It is impossible to get everyone to work together and continue delivering exceptional results at work if effective communication is lacking.
 
Begin By Working On Your Communication Skills As A Leader To Get The Results You Want From Your Team.

Are you worried that your team is underachieving? If you said yes, then know that a lack of communication is the number one reason why your team is failing to carry out the work delegated to them despite showing promising signs that they can do so.
 
So, how can you know that your communication skills are polished? How can you get everyone to improve their communication skills so that you can begin seeing desirable results?
 
You can achieve this by observing how well you communicate with everyone in the office as well as noticing how team members communicate with each other.

Bad Communication Habits

There Are Bad Habits You Should Change To Begin Seeing The Results You Desire
 
Effective communication begins with getting rid of some of the bad habits that you may have cultivated as a leader without paying too much attention to it. Because believe it or not, producing quality work demands that both your team and you play a certain role in getting work done by communicating efficiently. 
 
Your employees may be failing to live up to their potential because you have created an environment that makes interactive collaboration uncomfortable or uneasy. You may have cultivated a habit of despising or overlooking every idea they come up with.
 
They may have gotten used to having you dictate how individual tasks should be done, etc. and have become submissive. Remember that going far in your business is not an option if you have a team of overly submissive individuals.
 
Refusing to listen to different views and creating an environment that makes sharing ideas or opinions impossible are examples of bad habits you need to get rid of if you are to achieve what you want.
 
If your workers or team members are not comfortable to share their ideas or thoughts with you or with each other on different issues at your workplace, advancing will be a challenge.
 
Therefore, learn to create an environment that encourages people to share their thoughts with you and come up with new ways of carrying out tasks. Encourage contributions from your team as a way of giving them the assurance that you value their presence as well as insights. You may also want to look into ideas for employee appreciation. Who doesn’t want to be part of a team that values his or her views right?

Tips To communicate Effectively In The Workplace

Emphasize Key Points
 
Remember to write down key points when drafting notes for every meeting that you are going to hold and put emphasis on main points at the beginning of the meeting as well as the end. That is how you ensure everyone present retains the important information you want them to leave with.
 
Manage Your Time Wisely During Briefings
 
Do time management apps help your productivity? Perhaps it's a good idea to consider them. There is a plethora of time management apps available. For example, individual time management is as important as project time management. 

Time management is crucial during meetings or briefings hence if your Monday morning meeting is supposed to last for an hour make sure you do not add 15 or more minutes. Keeping your meetings short is an excellent way of making sure everyone remains engaged. 
 
Use Emails And Visuals
 
Send formal emails outlining your goals when working on a big project to keep everyone involved up to speed. Keep your emails short and include important information only such as how far you have gone, changes that may have arisen, and upcoming meetings.
 
Don’t forget to use illustrations, charts, or visuals when communicating your vision, or when embarking on a new project that requires high levels of concentration and retaining knowledge.
 
Speak Clearly
 
Communicating efficiently involves avoiding repeating words or instructions when talking to other people. So, make sure you speak clearly. Ask for feedback and address concerns or questions that your team members may have before closing the assembly.   
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Use a Personal Website in Your Job Search

10/6/2021

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Photo of the Home Page of somebody's personal website example. There is also a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Use a Personal Website in Your Job Search
Job Search Ideas October 6, 2021
Use a Personal Website in Your Job Search

Use a Personal Website in Your Job Search

If you’re job searching, you may consider having more than a paper resume. Graphic designers and other creative types have been using personal websites for years. Today, the idea is becoming more popular.
 
Two reasons stand behind this. The growing interest in remote work makes online communications more crucial. You will find that simple templates make it easy for anyone to produce a professional looking site without having to go to coding camp or art school.
 
Impress prospective employers and stand out by showcasing your qualifications in a personal website. Consider how to create and promote your personal website.

Create Your Personal Portfolio Website

  • Optimize the introduction. What employers want to see is your potential or the type of employee you will be without having to read a lot of content. Start with a strong About section that outlines a summary. Remember to mention your accomplishments where necessary.

  • Visuals are important. Take advantage of visuals. It can be anything including icons, photos, and formatting. Choose an appearance that will make your website attractive to others. Take pictures and browse online for free stock photos. If you use a software like Google Charts, you may even consider infographics.

  • Have a headshot. If you don’t want to pay a professional photographer, be sure to use natural light and a neutral background. Smile and wear something classic in dark or neutral solid colors.

  • Include your work samples. Depending on your industry, you might feature content you’ve created or case studies of noteworthy projects. Testimonials are valuable too, because what others say about you can be more persuasive than what you say about yourself.
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  • Consider tabs. Chances are your work includes several aspects or you have a gig on the side. Try to use one website and create tabs or sections for different areas of your career.
 
  • Check contact information. How do you want to be reached? It’s a good idea to have a contact page as opposed to posting your cell phone number or home address on your personal website. 
 
  • Keep it real. Show your individuality, but please keep it professional. Mention some of the things that are not mentioned on your resume like your hobbies or perhaps volunteer work. For example, showing your pictures in swimwear may not be a good idea. 

Promote Your Personal Website

  1. Learn about Search Engine Optimization (SEO).  It attracts prospective employers and other people to your website. Use and apply some basic search engine optimization techniques. For example, research industry keywords and use headings and subheadings. You can find free SEO courses online from reputable organizations like HubSpot.

  1. Include your website in your email signature. It’s a good idea to list your website address in your email signature. If you use a logo or a photo, please be sure it’s not too large in size or bytes. Otherwise, it may slow your email transmission speed or take too much space your Inbox quickly.

  1. Release a newsletter. The tried and true idea of having a newsletter remains an effective way to stay connected. Make it compelling and useful and offer an easy way to cancel the subscription.
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  1. Update regularly. It’s easy to keep your website current, unlike outdated resumes that end up in the recycling bin. Post major changes promptly and start a folder for material you might want to add later, so you’ll remember it for future editing sessions.
 
  1. Perform analytics. Studying your data will help you to evaluate your efforts and make changes as needed. Many website building and hosting companies have analytics built in to help you measure things like unique visitors and traffic sources.
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  1. Build your brand. Think about how your personal website fits into your online presence and your overall efforts to position yourself professionally. Maintain a consistent tone. Audit yourself occasionally, including your social media pages, to see that you’re projecting the image you have in mind.
 
A personal website could make your next job search faster and more successful. It’s one more tool that helps you stand out from the crowd and show an employer how much you have to offer.
SOURCE: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/use-a-personal-website-in-your-job-search

About the Author

Mandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes.

Join Mandy Fard on LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandyfard/
​Follow Market-Connections on LinkedIn: 
​https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-connections-resume-services.com

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​Top Tips for Getting the Most out of Career Coaching

10/5/2021

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Photo of a man & woman using the computer. There is a message about career coaching and a logo from https://www.market-connections.net
Career Counseling October 5, 2021
Top Tips for Getting the Most out of Coaching

Top Tips for Getting the Most out of Career Coaching

There are unlimited ways to get coaching services these days. One internet search will produce thousands of results for all forms of coaching. Finding coaching is easy, getting the most out of coaching….not so much.

Getting the most out of career coaching has more to do with you than it does with your coach. Assuming your coach is reputable and knows how to deliver excellent coaching, the rest is going to be up to you.

 
Here are some top tips for getting the most out of career coaching before you dive in:
 
  • Top-Tip: Find the right career coach
  • Top-Tip: Listen more than you talk
  • Top-Tip: Stick with it