Twentysomething Forget the big city, try middle America

Twentysomething Forget the big city, try middle America By Ryan Healy Soaring education, housing and health care costs in recent years have made simply staying afloat in a large metropolis next to impossible without a huge salary and benefits package. These rising costs are causing the well educated to sell their souls to law firms, investment banks, and management consulting firms to maintain the upper middle class life most of our parents provided for us, According to social critic Daniel Brook, whose debut book is The Trap: Selling Out to Stay Afloat in Winner Take-All America. I know what youre thinking: Those college grads making $80,000 bonuses on Wall Street do not deserve any sympathy; They made a choice to live in the most expensive city in the country and they made a choice to work like slaves for a few years until they can retire to their yachts and country clubs. But if you really look into the situation, Brook has a point. Wall Street I-bankers are certainly earning more than enough to simply stay afloat, but the rest of us are selling out for the sole reason of living in a cool city. Junior year of college, I realized my passion was to become an entrepreneur. It didnt matter. I sold out. I moved to the big city with the enormous rent payments. I took the decent paying job to support my living and partying expenses. Most people I know did the same. Some are content, some are looking for a way out, some are happy. Some of us grew up with dreams of becoming artists, musicians or non profit executives. Regardless of the dream, most of us settled for the same thing; a decent paying job in an overpriced city. What I now realize from first hand experience is unless youre an investment banker with semi-realistic plans of retiring at 35 with a couple million; the big city is overrated. Is it really imperative to live on New Yorks Upper East Side, San Franciscos Marina or Washington D.C.s Dupont Circle? Why not say screw you to the boring job in New York and take the exciting job in Cincinnati, Ohio? My friends from college, Matt, Cole and Adam, knew from day one they didnt want to work for a corporation. They came up with an idea, raised some money and toured the country to find the best place for their first in a chain of restaurants called Fat Sandwich Co. They opened in Norman, Oklahoma. All three are from the Philadelphia/New Jersey area and all of our friends told them they would hate living in Oklahoma. Last week Cole told me that none of them even want to move back to the east coast. From the outside, cities like Cincinnati, Ohio and Norman, Oklahoma arent nearly as exciting or trendy as New York or San Francisco. According to Brook, and I completely agree, chances are we will just be able to stay afloat either way. Since that is the case, I will not hesitate to choosethe fulfilling, under paying job in a small city rather than grind it out during the week to party until 4a.m. on Friday with the rest of the yuppies in the big city. My lease is up in two months and its finally time to pursue my passion. I want a relatively inexpensive city with good entrepreneurial opportunities. I no longer care about trendy bars; I have no desire to eat at expensive restaurants. Some things are more important. Its time for me to make a decision, because there is no reason to be bound by geography or the coolness factor of a city. Ryan Healys blog is Employee Evolution.

Considering an Executive Career Reinvention - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Considering an Executive Career Reinvention Does your current work bring you the fulfillment you need and deserve? Or have you become dissatisfied with the way you make a living and want to look at new career options? Many executives I speak with find themselves languishing in jobs that dont feed their passions or their pocketbooks. My friend and colleague Randi Bussin, a career reinvention expert and personal branding strategist, has written a set of 2 e-booklets for Job-Hunt.org, 5 Steps to Starting Your Career Reinvention and 5 Steps to Implementing Your Career Reinvention. These little e-books are packed with valuable resources and tips to smoothly transition in a new direction. Some of her exercises align with those in my 10 Steps to an Authentic, Magnetic Personal Brand. As with any career transition and job search, start by defining your personal brand and unique promise of value. Heres a synposis of Randis 10 steps to kickstart your transition: First, from Starting Your Career Reinvention 1.   Assessment of Career Likes and Dislikes Write down everything you like and dislike about your job  â€" your boss, your co-workers, your company or organization, your industry. 2.   Separate Your Motivated Skills from Your Burnout Skills What skills are you good at, or relatively good at AND which skills do you enjoy using? Whether or not youre good at them, which skills do you HATE using? 3.   Assess Your Interests or Passions Some of the questions you can ask yourself include: If you could do any job in your life, what would it be? If you could go back to school to study a new field, what classes or topics interest you? Are there areas where your friends and family perceive you as an expert? 4.   Assess Your Values (The rewards you want to get from your work) Ponder these questions: What is important to you in your life and career? What motivates you and is important to you? 5.   Assess Your Finances Know what youre getting into (what salary you can expect) and put together a realistic budget, with a 3 to 6 month cash cushion (and plan for training/professional development expenses). . . . And, from Implementing Your Career Reinvention: 1.   Brainstorm Potential Career Options Recruite 2 to 5 brainstorming partners to help you build a list of career options and hone it down to just 3 to 4 that really interest you. 2.   Research Occupations and Industries Randi includes valuable resources to help you learn about the realities (training/education required, potential earnings, expected job prospects, working conditions, etc.) of various occupations in diverse industries. 3.   Consider Dipping Your Toe In the Water Tips on test-driving jobs in various fields through volunteering, working part time, transferring within your company, and using the mentor-driven service VocationVacations. 4.   Prepare Your Marketing Documents Now youre ready to create your marketing messaging needed to SELL yourself. Given todays tough competitive market and the difficulty most people have in knowing how to strategize these documents, Randi suggests hiring a professional to collaborate with you. 5.   Power Up Your Networking and Find a Mentor Resources include links to Job-Hunts lists of Associations and Local Networking/Job Search Support Groups, and advice on building a relationship with a mentor. Related posts: 5 Tactics to Land a Green Industry Executive Job 16 Deadly Executive Job Search Mistakes Dept. of Labor’s 2010-2011 FREE Career Guide to Industries 00 0

How to Leverage the Internet to Secure a Job - CareerAlley

How to Leverage the Internet to Secure a Job - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The internet has changed everything. Millions of people all over the world now use the web as a source of news and opinion, for entertainment, and to shop. Of course, this growth has had an impact on the job market, too. The rise of Monster and other huge job boards has made it easier than ever to search for a job online. But with the market being so saturated, how much of a chance do you have of securing a job that you apply for online? Unfortunately, its likely that even the most intelligent, driven and experienced of candidates will have at least a couple of their applications sent straight to the Deleted folder. In order to maximise your chance of reaching the interview stage, there are a couple of strategies that you can focus on. Big Boards Draw Big Crowds Huge job sites are like beacons for the unemployed. With thousands of jobs being posted every single day, its easy to get stuck hitting the refresh button and submitting your CV to each new opportunity alongside a hundred other candidates. Its probably unwise to avoid the large boards altogether, especially if you use some of the networking tactics outlined later in this post, but broadly your time is better spent hunting out vacancies elsewhere. A quick Google search is all it will take to reveal smaller, industry-specific boards where you will be competing with a smaller number of applicants and where your rsum is more likely to be viewed. Specialist discussion forums, too, can be goldmines. Primarily this is because community members may post about employment opportunities which are confined to company websites. These are jobs that you would never find on a large board, and which you might have to spend hours sniffing out unassisted. In niche industries, you may even find vacancie s being advertised directly on the forums. Networking Traditionally, if you wanted to get your foot in the door with a potential employer, you would meet them at an industry event, or be introduced by a mutual contact. Of course, this does still happen. However, if you dont have many contacts within the industry, your life is made far easier by social networks. This fact is no secret Forbes agrees but it deserves a slightly more in-depth look. This strategy mainly applies to small businesses and startups, but even big firms may be targeted if you cosy up to recruiters or senior staff. Simply put, platforms such as Twitter allow you to communicate in a semi-informal manner with relative strangers. It is very easy to build up a relationship from nothing using the power of the Internet. What you are trying to do is first be noticed, then build trust, and leverage that trust to support your search for a job. You can do this by engaging directly with your target and their interests. As you become familiar with their likes and dislikes, you will be able to bring relevant material to their attention and start up a conversation. Add your input and show off your expertise. If they have a blog, offer to write a post. Add them to your contacts on Google+ or Linkedin. Once youve built up this relationship, its easy to send them a quick tweet Hi [name], just saw youre hiring for [open position]. Can you offer any suggestions that will help me support my application? Remember, you dont need to be their friend though that would certainly help! All you want is for them to remember your name. Tom James is an online recruiting expert whos helped hundreds of candidates find their dream job. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

How to Improve Your CV As a CDL Truck Driver

How to Improve Your CV As a CDL Truck DriverHow to improve your CV as a CDL truck driver? There are many things that you can do to make it stand out and catch the attention of potential employers. However, while you should know how to improve it, you should also be sure that you write it well. A good resume is not one that is overly ornate and intricate, but rather a clear statement that summarizes who you are and what you have done in the past.Although there are different careers within the CDL industry, most drivers will specialize in one or two categories. There are the general positions, such as operator, trailer driver, loader, etc. But once you have this classification, it is just a matter of expanding on it. And with all of the types of CDL job available, it can be tough to figure out which is the best position for you.Here is an example of a good CDL resume for you to consider. First, you will need to check to see if your school is still accredited. It is best to begin with t his section because it gives a clear example of your experience, both on the job and as a student.Second, you will need to list all of your current certifications. This is a section that can vary, depending on what you have earned, but some examples are oil field worker, oil well operator, diesel mechanic, tower rigger, weather man, and so on. You should also add your seniority with the company you worked for. Do not forget to list any other specializations or licenses that you may have received. With this information, you should be able to put your most recent accomplishments in one section, and any time you have received certification or training in the past, you can put that in here as well.The next area of the resume that you must include is a summary of what you have done in the past. Most of us have done something that would indicate that we could be a good operator, mechanic, or loader. A nice way to include this is by listing the job title, description, work experience, and any special certifications or degrees you have. Then, list all of your job-related education, beginning with any degrees and culminating with your current education.To improve your resume as a CDL truck driver, you must put into words everything that is needed to provide the employers with an overview of you. So before you even begin, you should decide what you want to include on the resume. Make sure that you set aside at least two hours so that you can focus on the things that you need to know. As long as you spend the time to write, you will soon get the hang of it.Another tip to improve your resume as a CDL truck driver is to keep it short. Most of the information you need to include is all right there on the front of the page. If you continue to write lengthy resumes, you will soon find yourself going over what is on the first page again, causing a potential employer to lose interest and leave your resume behind.Lastly, you should always keep in mind that the first impression i s the last impression, and there is no better way to do that than to write your resume to highlight what you have accomplished and what you have to offer employers. Writing a resume like this is an art form, and there is no better way to learn it than by writing a good resume for a position that you have held before.

How to Email Resume - The Essentials

How to Email Resume - The EssentialsHow to email resume? It is something most people in this country need to know, not least because you're going to be applying for jobs on a regular basis.If you're just starting out and you are planning to apply for jobs online, this is a very good time to start putting together a resume. This will help you get an online job, or it will get you additional interviews.There are some simple things you can do to make sure that your resume is going to be useful and that it stands out from the crowd. The first thing is that you should avoid titles and other content that are generic. If you're an insurance sales rep or a contractor, those are two obvious examples of types of jobs that have specific requirements. Don't use a generic job title that the boss will never see again.Fill it with content that you're proud of. Sometimes there is a stigma about writing content that's not original. It doesn't have to be like that, however, and you should fill it out with the facts and specifics of your background.Try to come up with a solution to a problem that has been bothering you. If you've been looking for work, it might be because you're a stay at home mom, or maybe you were laid off from your previous job. You'll want to write about this problem so that your application is crystal clear.It's okay to use attention grabbing headlines and titles as long as you're not overdoing it. You don't want to get bogged down in these details, but you do want to make them stand out and provide more information than is necessary.These are a few tips on how to email resume. Remember, you are applying to online jobs so you need to make sure that it's very clear and concise, and if you try to ramble, it'll just fall flat on its face.

The Hidden Facts About Writing a Resume and Cover Letter

The Hidden Facts About Writing a Resume and Cover Letter In terms of the cover letter, it's built in a type of business letter which ought to be personalized and persuasive. You may also use a template to make your personalized resumes and letters. As soon as you have finished the letter, don't forget to sign it. Form letters indicate that you're either just sending your resume to each employer in the region or you haven't made an attempt to find out more about the provider. Writing a Resume and Cover Letter Resume or CV is really the most important tool at the very first stage of being hired. Resume is the most important instrument when on the lookout for the job or applying for the university. When you're asking for a job which has been posted by a business that's hiring, you will use the application letter style. If you're asking for work in marketing or sales, you will need to highlight key performance metrics. Before you begin, it can be of help to review some cove r letter samples, just so you've got a visual of how everything fits on the webpage. If you're on the lookout for information about how to compose a cover letter, you're in the proper location. Look over your resume and choose which details you would like to put in your cover letter. Whenever your cover letter is finished, set aside time to examine and edit. For many job seekers, a cover letter plays a considerable role in the application procedure. The procedure for learning how to compose a good resume is a lifelong approach. As a consequence, writing a resume to be utilized in an effective career transition demands a great deal of concentration and effort from a person. You may also incorporate certain examples of accomplishments, activities or projects which are part of your work history. The 5-Minute Rule for Writing a Resume and Cover Letter If you're not certain who to deal with the cover letter to, you always have the option to call the company to discover. A cov er letter is potentially the most significant part the job application procedure. however, it's frequently the most overlooked. You CANNOT use exactly the same exact exact same cover letter to apply for each and every job. You need to make sure to submit a highly convincing and intriguing cover letter, and that's when it is possible to come to Careers Booster for support. Writing a Resume and Cover Letter - Overview Flowery language and long words together with unnecessary verbiage don't have any place on your resume, save that for some upcoming project where good language will help you make a very good impression. There is no explanation as to why your resume must seem amateurish. When you have proofread the letter, after that you can let another person take a look merely to keep on the safe side. An effective cover letter has to be compelling yet to-the-point to avoid wasting an individual's time. A CV and cover letter will together help you receive an interview call, whi ch you are able to convert into work opportunity with your own skills. You may be interested in internship cover letter examples. A cover letter is among the best approaches to convey why you are the very best candidate for the internship, letting you expand on and showcase key abilities and experiences. It gives you a chance to further explain your experience so you can really shine. Some resumes are reviewed by many unique employers and don't give them with the information that they are hunting for. Strong resumes don't need to be lengthy.

How To Close The Job Interview To Get The Offer - Work It Daily

How To Close The Job Interview To Get The Offer - Work It Daily Many job candidates make a huge mistake in their interviewsâ€"and you need to make sure it isn’t happening in yours. RELATED: How To Prepare For A Job Interview Even though qualified, talented job candidates do a great job of preparing for the interview, researching the company, putting a lot of thought and effort into answering interview questions, and all that...at the end of the interview they fail to ask THE key question that could get them the offer. What’s The Question? It’s about closing. Closing is a sales term. Every sales rep must close, or they may very well lose that businessâ€"but guess what? The job interview is a sales process. You are selling you to that hiring manager for that job. Closing allows you to gauge what’s happened in that interview, and react accordingly. How many times have you left an interview not knowing how it went? Or thinking it went wellâ€"but not getting the job offer? Closing helps you avoid those problems. How Do You Close? If you are closing, you are asking for the next step. Please note: this does not necessarily mean asking for the job. Asking for the next step is easier for you to do, and requires less commitment from the hiring managerâ€"so it’s easier to grant you that next step. In the phone interview, you can say, “Ms. X, I’ve got to tell you that I am very excited about this position and I know that I could excel at it because of A, B, and C. Can you see me being successful in this role?” “Is there any reason why you wouldn’t move me forward?” “Can we go ahead and schedule time for us to meet next week in a face-to-face interview?” In the face-to-face interview, when you can tell that it’s wrapping up (you know your time is up, or the hiring manager starts looking at his watch, for example), you can ask, “Mr. Manager, I’ve enjoyed this time with you today. I hope that you can tell that I’ve put a lot of time, energy, and effort into preparing for this interview. I can tell you that I am super-excited about this roleâ€"even more so now that I’ve learned more about it today. Can you see me being a fantastic addition to your team?” “Can you see me being someone who would thrive in your environment?” “Can we move me forward to the next step?” These are all closing questions that allow you to gauge where you are in the interview so you can react to it. If they say ‘no,’ you can ask why not and possibly correct a misconception or add more information that would change their mind. You’ll never leave another interview wondering if they liked you enough, or if you said everything you needed to say. If you get a ‘yes’ answer, you know you’ve done well. And, because they’ve said yes, they are more likely to offer you the job. What Will You Do Now? A lot of people won’t do this. It requires a lot of courage and a lot of determinationâ€"but who is worth this effort more than you? Learn to use these closing lines in your interview (this closing podcast will help), because it will really improve your interview performance and make it much more likely that you will get the offer. This post was originally published at an earlier date. Related Posts How To Manage Without Being Mean (Is It Possible To Not Be Pushy?) 5 Things To Consider Before You Take That Management Job #1 Key To Becoming An Effective Leader About the author Career Coach - Peggy McKee is an expert resource and a dedicated advocate for job seekers. Known as the Sales Recruiter from Career Confidential, her years of experience as a nationally-known recruiter for sales and marketing jobs give her a unique perspective and advantage in developing the tools and strategies that help job seekers stand head and shoulders above the competition. Peggy has been named #1 on the list of the Top 25 Most Influential Online Recruiters by HR Examiner, and has been quoted in articles from CNN, CAP TODAY, Yahoo! HotJobs, and the Denver Examiner. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!