No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work experience? Sometimes it can be tough to get a job without experience, and how do you get more experience if you can't get a job? 

Well, your chances are better than you think. Even if your work experience is a little weak, you've probably got life experience that will help you.

After all, it's not really your job history that employers are interested in -- it's your talents, abilities, knowledge, work ethic and attitude. It's likely that you've developed and fine-tuned these traits through your school work, volunteer activities, and interactions with people throughout your entire life.

The key is to identify your best attributes from your life experience and promote these to potential employers in the right way.

Make a detailed list of all your talents, skills, knowledge and personal qualities. Think about all you've done in your life and what you've gained from it.

For example, if you earned extra money by babysitting or mowing lawns, you gained experience in promoting your services, obtaining customers, negotiating payment, and accomplishing the required tasks while demonstrating self-motivation, punctuality, responsibility and customer service!

If you've participated in a sport, you've shown commitment, discipline and teamwork!

And don't forget to list what you've learned in school: computer skills, software applications, math, science, communication, etc.

Once your list is complete, you'll see that you really do have experience and can offer potential employers the talents, abilities, knowledge, work ethic and attitude they need in their ideal candidate!

All you have to do is convince them of that. You can do it... you've convinced people of things all your life! Your parents, siblings, friends, teachers -- think of all the times you were able to convince them to see things your way. It's one of your talents, so use it during your job search and you'll be gaining work experience in no time!

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How NOT to Write a Resume

You can learn a lot about how to do something right by first learning what NOT to do.

Take resumes, for example.

I review about 200-300 a month, and most have at least 2-3 mistakes. Yet, all those hundreds of mistakes can be grouped into just a handful of categories, which you would do well to avoid.

Before sending your resume to employers, send it to at least 2-3 friends whose judgment you trust. Ask them to read it for grammar and punctuation, but also for unintended meanings. Revise as needed.

Job Vacancy Indonesia Mistake #4: Jumbles of Jargon

Some resumes pile on the buzzwords in a vain effort to impress. Like this:

"New-media pioneer working with technical and business professionals to create new ways of presenting content and impactful tools for producing content and organizing workflow."

We'll pass on "impactful" for now -- what does a "new-media pioneer" do, exactly? I've got a picture in my head of covered wagons and HD-TV, but I don't think that's right ....

Again, you can nip most crud in the bud by reading your resume out loud and then sending it to a friend for honest input. Because friends don't let friends embarrass themselves.

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Executive Resume Writing – Moving Beyond Accomplishments

There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive resume writing.  Accomplishments are usually the center point of a conventional resume (i.e., indicating how much money was saved, how sales increased, what processes were proposed, planned, initiated, implemented, or streamlined).

 

Executive resume writing, on the other hand, has more than one focus.  It alludes to the executive’s ability to drive profits (accomplishments) and the capacity to lead (that is, to blend various “soft” skills) an organization.

 

Successes are easier to hone in on. The result is clear, often quantifiable. After all, either you penetrated a market or you didn’t, or either you were a top-performer or you weren’t.

 

It is harder to capture emotional competencies on paper, to indicate who you are, what you stand for, how you relate to others, how you affect change within an organization.

 

When executive resume writing - a list of accomplishments does not suffice.

 

Employers expect more, and since your resume is an introduction to your full qualifications, you must incorporate what you have done as well as provide a notion of how you influence others.

 

This information must be presented in a concise and compelling manner given that your resume is your most important marketing tool.

Moving beyond accomplishments

Coupled with a track record of financial success, good leadership is the single most important factor in the survival of an organization. Because of this, executives who point out the following “soft” needed skills on their resume are usually the ones invited to an interview. 

 

They show that they have the intangible qualities that promote the growth of the organization.  These are the elements in question:

• Visionary – An “idea person” that challenges traditional ways of conducting business, and is willing to take on calculated risks. Demonstrated ability to think strategically, act tactically and have the strength of character to motivate others to buy into his or her ideas, concepts and values.
• Professional Integrity – A person who understands the value of honesty, accountability and trust in a business environment.
• Charisma – Knack for captivating an audience, having a presence that commands respect and has a natural ability to hold the interest of the listener.
• Emotional self-control - Someone who anticipates challenges and overcomes those that are unanticipated.
• Effective use of inner resources – A person that trusts his or her gut instincts and takes the initiative to drive change.
• Flexible Communication Style – The ability to assess a situation, and react to it appropriate
  
  
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Getting career advice from discussion forums

by Scott Boyd

There's only so much information you can get from these articles.

 

They can be of some help, but the chances are you need some sound advice relating to specific situation.  That's where career advice forums come into play.

 

By using a career advice forum you can put forward your specific questions and get a variety of feedback from people who are or have been in the same position as you.

 

There are some things to remember before you go posting your message asking for advice.

 

What forum to post in?

 Discussion forums are split into different categories.  These categories are further split down into different forums.

 

For example, "CV advice"  could be a category and "CV Appraisals" could be one of the forums in that category.

 

It's not a big deal if you post in the wrong forum - it just makes the information generated from responses to your request easier to find by other people in the future.

 

Search first!

You are not alone!  No matter what issue you are facing, there are many of people who have gone through it before.  If you do a site search for the area that you want to know about you may turn up an old thread (or topic) that answers your problem.

 

Alternatively you mine find an active thread that you can contribute to.

 

Be specific!

There is absolutely no point in you posting a message saying "help I need a job".  In order for people to help you, you need to ask specific questions.

 

Tell people a bit about yourself and your situation and end your post with specific questions that you would like answered.  This way you are more likely to receive the information you need.

 

Help out as well!

The main reason that jobseekers face the same problems time and time again is that very few people take the time to pass on their experiences.

 

If you come to the forum needing advice, then don't feel obliged to post messages in other topics.  We are more than happy to help anyone that asks.

 

But if you can make a good contribution to a discussion then please do so (even if it is contrary to what has been said).  The point of having the discussion forum is that everyone can have their say and we all get a few opinions on the subject area.

 

This way we can accumulate a great resource of information for people who arrive at the forum after you depart.

 

Network!

You can use the discussion forum to make contact with people in the same industry as you or with the same interests, so you can help each other out with contacts and information.

 

I am not saying we are running a dating agency here though!  Be sensible!

 

The main point to remember is that no point is to trivial or silly to ask us - we all ask those questions before!  If you don't ask them now then they may set you back in your job search.

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How to Find Article Writing Jobs?

Article writing jobs are a good way of earning extra money by getting clients to write for. For a person who is initially starting of on this, there is a question of where to get the article writing jobs.

1. Online Job Boards
Similar to online message boards, there are online job boards where job postings are listed and discussed. You can find such job boards online with a standard internet search focusing on freelance web content writing.

2. Online Job Websites
Besides online job boards, there are also online job websites. You may be able to find article writing jobs in popular websites like CareerBuilder.com. The best will be to look for those that focus on freelance writing projects. These can also be found by doing a standard internet search.

3. Online Classified Advertisements
Online classified advertisements, the most popular of which is Craiglist.org, are another way to find freelance article writing jobs online. The only concern here is the possibility of running into scams. Having said this, you will soon find be able to figure out the warning signs for such scams.

4. Online Bidding Websites
Those who need to get projects done can post their projects, like article writing jobs, on online bidding websites. Then, bidders who are freelance writers can bid for these jobs,outlining how much they will do the project for. These sites can also be found using a standard internet search. When choosing what to bid for, look for those that protect you from scammers. This could involve having buyers escrow the funds so that as long as you get the project completed, you get paid.

5. SEO Companies
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) companies specialize in Internet marketing and article marketing plays an important role in this. The webmasters hire article writers to improve the search engine rankings and views of their websites. These SEO companies may advertise using the above methods or they may also have a job opportunities section on their sites.

If you are really serious about making money through article writing, it is best for you to create your own website. This does not have to be a fancy,elaborate site. Include a list or link to your online sample articles, your rates and a summary of the topics that you have expertise in.

Of course, an easy way of getting article writing jobs, is to inform your current clients of your willingness to take on some more projects with them. Repeat clients are also great to have as you already understand their expectations plus you will know their payment reliability.

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Freelance Article Writing Jobs Online - How Can I Survive the Tough Competition?

Are you doing freelance article writing jobs online? For most freelance writers, they get their writing assignments from freelance websites like eLance or RentaCoder.

Any freelance writers who have joined these websites know how tough the competition can be at times. While it is true that there are many new assignments everyday, there are also many competitors that you have to compete with.

Nowadays, more and more people are looking for ways to make money online. This means you will only get to see more and more people becoming a free lance writer. In other words, you can expect to face even tougher competition in the future.

In order to survive the competition, you need to have other sources of writing assignments. In fact, you should start doing what most freelance writers are not doing.

Instead of just getting assignments from freelance websites, you should also start to take the initiative to contact webmasters. Ask them if they would like new content written for their websites.

Most webmaster will probably say yes. Ultimately, webmasters do need fresh content on a regular basis. No many freelance writers are taking the initiative to contact webmasters. Therefore, you can expect to face a lot less competition in this area.

In fact, if the webmaster like the articles that you have written, you are almost guaranteed that they will want to hire you again in the future. In fact, they might even refer new clients to you.

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Cover Letters: More Helpful Hints

Sell yourself.

We're not talking about Amsterdam's Red Light District. We're talking about finding a job. Cover letters are your first sales pitch to potential employers. Remember that employers receive hundreds of resumes and cover letters from people that are applying for the job YOU want. Your goal is to stand out from the other candidates. A good cover letter introduces you to an employer and explains why you are one of the best candidates applying for a job with the organization. It should motivate the employer to read your resume and hopefully invite you to interview for a position you are seeking.

What does a cover letter do? Basically, it expands on your resume and lets you write about yourself in a more personal way. Cover letters don't have to be stiff and formal--avoid the "rubber stamp" letter. The voice behind the letter should be warm, friendly and genuine. Employers want to hire real people, not robots. Although your letter should reflect your personality, always keep your audience in mind. Catchy opening sentences are wonderful for creative jobs in communications and advertising, but Wall Street might not appreciate it. Before you send out your cover letter, show it to someone in the industry to get feedback.

Ten Basic Rules:

1. Type each letter or use a computerized cover letter service so each letter looks individually typed.
2. Use 8 1/2" x 11" bond paper that matches your resume.
3. Address each employer by name and title. Never send a "Dear Sir/Madam" letter-- it's too impersonal.
4. Send your letter to the highest-ranked official possible so that it will receive immediate attention.
5. Check for grammar and spelling errors. This letter is the first example of your writing skills and how you present yourself.
6. Keep your letter short (three to five paragraphs) to hold the reader's interest.
7. Start your letter with a strong, attention-grabbing sentence.
8. Mention past experience along with recent accomplishments.
9. Convince the company that they want you and need you. Propose a mutually beneficial association with that employer.
10. Have an aggressive closing paragraph and state a specific action, i.e., I will call you in ten days to set up an interview. P.S.: It is important to keep a record of all your correspondence and what stage each application is in.

Purpose & Strategies

• •   Your cover letter is more than likely the first contact you will have with a potential
      employer. If it is well-written, your letter will lead the reader to your resume. If your letter is
      poorly written or produced, the employer may not even take time to review your resume
      and your application has a good chance of ending in the circular file.
• •   When you prepare the cover letter put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. If you
      were doing the hiring, what attributes would the ideal candidate for this job possess? You
      probably would prefer that the person has work experience similar to, or at least
      applicable to, the position he or she is applying for. You would want the ideal candidate
      to be ambitious and anxious to contribute his or her energy and skills to the success of
      your organization. The perfect candidate would demonstrated interest in, and knowledge
      of, your particular company or organization. In short, you would want to hire an energetic,
      dedicated and skilled candidate.
• •   The cover letter affords the opportunity for you to present yourself as the perfect candidate.
      Imagine your cover letter as a marketing tool, much like a television commercial. Effective
      commercials catch your attention by highlighting only the most attractive features of a
      product.
• •   Highlight your most attractive features as a potential employee. Remember, employers
      typically receive hundreds of applications for each job opening. No one is going to waste
      time reading through a long letter crammed with text. Be brief. You should avoid detailing
      your entire work history. The best way to distinguish yourself is to highlight one or two of
      your accomplishments or abilities that show you are an above-average candidate for the
      position. Stressing only a few unique attributes increases your chances of being
      remembered by the recruiter and getting to the interview stage, where you can elaborate
      on the rest of your accomplishments.
• •   Taking time to research each employer promises to be much more effective than sending
      out hundreds of form letters. In effect, you are saying to employers, "This is where I want
      to work. I have done my research and I am confident in my decision."

More Cover Letter Tips

• •   Never send out a resume without a cover letter.
• •   Address your cover letter specifically to the person by name and title who will most likely
      be interviewing for the job you have in mind.
• •   Call the employer's switchboard to ask for this information.
• •   If you are answering a blind newspaper advertisement- one in which the employer is not
      specified- you can address your letter "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Hiring
      Manager."
• •   The cover letter should be neat, contain no typos, misspellings or errors in grammar.
      Employers judge you on your ability to communicate and your ability to manage the
      presentation of information. A cover letter does both.
• •   Use 8 1/2 x 11 paper allowing a border of at least one inch. This allows space for the
      reader to make notes.
• •   Use the same quality paper as your resume. Match envelope as well.
• •   Use a clear type face large enough to allow easy reading. Avoid script and other exotic
      typefaces.
• •   Individualize your cover letter. Each cover letter you write will have a somewhat different
      slant, depending on what skills are important to the needs of the particular employer.
• •   Whenever possible, do some research on the organization or company before you write
      your cover letter.
• •   Read annual reports or product brochures or by contacting people in the organization.
• •   Keep it to three or four paragraphs and no longer than one page.
• •   Always close your cover letter with a request for an interview.
• •   Suggest a specific time or reason, such as: "I will be in your area next week and would
      appreciate the opportunity for an interview on Tuesday or Wednesday."
• •   Be assertive.
• •   Make a record and keep a copy of each letter and resume you send.

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Cover Letter Basics You Need To Know

The cover letter has one primary purpose: to generate interest in order to land an interview. With this in mind, writing an engaging cover letter is crucial.

These 9 cover letter writing tips will help ensure that your next cover letter attracts ample (positive) attention.

1. It's Expected.
In nearly all cases, a cover letter should accompany every resume that you send out. This is a basic part of business etiquette and failure to do so could make you appear clueless. As a general rule, unless specifically instructed to NOT send a cover letter, it is safe to assume that one is expected.

2. Using E-Mail.
It is perfectly acceptable to send your cover letter (and resume) electronically. When distributing these items via e-mail, make the cover letter the body of the message and add your resume as an attachment. The subject line should include your name and the position you desire. Send the message from a job search only email address that you check at least twice a day.

3. Be Unique.
A canned cover letter screams laziness. Do you really want this to be a prospective employer’s first impression of you? It is expected that you tailor each letter to the specific company. Tailoring can be as simple as describing what drew you to the company or mentioning how you enjoyed speaking with the company representatives at a job fair.

4. Avoid Careless Errors.
The people who make hiring decisions often have numerous applicants to consider in a minimal amount of time; they often must make quick decisions. A misspelled word or grammatical slip-up may be all it takes to end your chances of landing an interview. Take the time to proofread. Also, have your most meticulous friend or family member look over each cover letter.

5. Brevity Is A Virtue.
Ideally a cover letter should be around two-thirds of a page in length and composed of two to three paragraphs. Never send a cover letter over a page long. Sentences should be precise and crisp. Avoid flowery words and redundant phrases. Hiring managers are busy people. If your cover letter looks like it will take more than a minute to read, chances are it will be tossed on the reject pile.

6. Address It To A Person.
Whenever possible address your cover letter to a specific person at the company (preferably someone with hiring authority). If you cannot obtain a name, then consider addressing your letter to the department head of the area that you are interested in (e.g. Director of Marketing). Letters addressed to HR departments have a greater chance of getting lost in the paper shuffle.

7. Describe Your Qualifications.
Use the body of the letter to give a quick overview of your skills and proficiencies. Describe success you have had in the past using your talents. If possible, obtain a job description of the position you seek. Using this as a guide, focus on including your strengths that could benefit the employer and the job. Bullet points may be used in order to convey your points more concisely.

8. Remember The Details.
Cover letters, just like resumes, should be printed on quality paper. Generally this means a watermarked paper with 25% cotton content in white or ivory. Print each cover letter on a laser printer; copies even on good paper will not do. Sign each letter in pen (blue ink is preferable). There should be no smudges, stains or even correction fluid on your letter.

9. Don't Re-hash Your Resume.
Your cover letter should not replicate your resume. The cover letter is your chance to add information that does not generally fit into a standard resume, such as why you want to work for the company. Take advantage of this opportunity to distinguish yourself. 

  

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11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating

The job market is the best it's been in 20 years. The Commerce Department estimates that U.S. businesses will need to hire one million new computer scientists, engineers, systems analysts and computer programmers by 2005.

Yet graduates with degrees in computer science are being produced at a fraction of the rate needed. The Information Technology Association of America reports 190,000 current job openings for web experts and other information-technology specialists, and similar shortages are cropping up in other industries as well. 

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These market conditions provide a great opportunity to negotiate an excellent compensation package, but only if you understand how.

There are 11 basic commandments to help you negotiate the best possible deal when changing jobs, whether internally or with a new company. They are:

Be prepared. The more information you have about your market value and the prospective employer, the greater your likelihood of success. This is the first commandment because it's the most important. There's a wealth of information available on the Internet, at the public library and through professional associations and networking groups. Time spent learning how to negotiate and preparing for negotiations may be the best investment you'll ever make.

Recognize that employment negotiations are different. When the negotiations are over, you'll have to work with the person with whom you're negotiating. Moreover, your future success may depend on that person. So, while you want to negotiate the best possible deal, you need to do so in a way that doesn't damage your image. At the same time, the employer's primary concern isn't negotiating the least expensive compensation package it can get away with. Rather, their focus will be on getting you to accept the job.

Understand your needs and those of the employer. To be successful in this type of negotiation, you need to examine your priorities. What do you really want? Are you comfortable with a low salary and a large equity stake? Are you able to handle dramatic swings in income from year to year? Understanding your needs will also help you determine the type of company you want to work for. For example, a family-owned company may be able to offer a competitive salary and a large bonus based on results, but may not be willing to offer significant equity to a non-family member. A start-up company, on the other hand, may not be able to offer market salary, but will typically offer stock options. By recognizing what an employer can and can't do, you'll be able to determine what issues you should press.

Understand the dynamics of the particular negotiations. Sometimes you'll have skills that are in great demand. And sometimes, you may be one of several qualified candidates the company would be happy to hire. Sizing up the situation and understanding the relative position of each party will help you determine when to press your advantage and when to back off.

Never lie, but use the truth to your advantage. It's not only wrong to lie, but in employment negotiations, it's ineffective. If you lie during negotiations, sooner or later you're likely to be caught. Once you are, even if you don't lose the offer, you'll be at a tremendous disadvantage, and your credibility will always be suspect. On the other hand, total candor won't be rewarded. You're under no obligation to blurt out everything you know. You can determine what you want to say and how you want to say it, and try to put everything in its most positive light. One key element of your preparation should be to recognize areas of concern so you can rehearse how to handle them when they inevitably come up.

Understand the role fairness plays in the process. The guiding principle for most employers when negotiating is fairness. Within the constraints of their budget and organizational structure, employers usually will agree to anything that's fair and reasonable to hire someone they want. Appeals to fairness are your most powerful weapon. Thus, you should be able to justify every request you make in terms of fairness. For example, if other computer programmers in similar companies are being given sign-on bonuses, you should expect to be treated no differently. Your prospective employer will want you to accept its offer and feel that you've been treated fairly. Understanding the importance of fairness as a negotiating principle can make the difference between success and failure.

Use uncertainty to your advantage. The more information you convey to a potential employer about your bottom line, the more likely it will limit what you get. Before making an offer, a company typically tries to determine what it will take for you to accept the position. With that information, the prospective employer will be able to determine the minimum package it needs to offer. While they may not offer you as little as they can get away with, if you've divulged too much information, they likely won't offer you as much as they might have otherwise. By not disclosing exactly what your current compensation is or exactly what it would take to get you to leave your job, you'll force a potential employer to make its best offer.

Be creative. Consider the value of the total package. Look for different ways to achieve your objectives. Be willing to make tradeoffs to increase the total value of the deal. If you're creative, you can package what you want in ways that will be acceptable to the company. You'll also be able to find creative "trades" that allow you to withdraw requests that might be problematic to the company in return for improvements in areas where the company has more flexibility. That way, you can maximize the value of the package you negotiate.

Focus on your goals, not on winning. Too often in negotiations, the act of winning becomes more important than achieving your goals. And it's also important not to make your future boss feel as if he's lost in the negotiations. You'll have gained little by negotiating a good deal if you alienate your future boss in the process.

Know when to quit bargaining. The one sure way to lose everything you've obtained is to be greedy. There comes a point in every negotiation when you've achieved everything you could have reasonably expected to gain. While most companies will want to treat you fairly and make you happy, few companies want a to hire a prima donna. Being perceived as greedy or unreasonable may cause the deal to fall apart. Even if it doesn't, you'll have done immeasurable harm to your career. This brings us to the 11th and most important commandment:

Never forget that employment is an ongoing relationship. Job negotiations are the starting point for your career with a company. Get too little and you're disadvantaged throughout your career there; push too hard and you can sour the relationship before it begins. 

How To Handle The Job Hopping Question

The Career Landscape Has Changed
As the economy changes and pink slips pop up, the once optional choice of changing jobs has become a mandatory step towards the top. Times change: 15 years ago employers may have easily rejected a good candidate who held five jobs in eight years. Today, in the wake of company mergers, corporate acquisitions, dot.com shutdowns, mass lay-offs and restructuring, hiring managers are more forgiving of job hoppers. They are realizing it is more of the norm. 

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While today’s employers may be less weary of job changers than their predecessors, some may still have misgivings. That is why you must come prepared with confident, reassuring answers to tricky questions like:

The Tough Interview Question: quot;Why have you switched jobs so often?"

What Is The Interviewer After?
When interviewers ask such an uncomfortable question, they are usually looking or one of the following:

1. A reason to choose you. Valid reason(s) for your jumping jobs.
2. A reason to eliminate you from the selection process. Any red flags that indicate you are the problem and will not last long at the company.

Popular Reasons For Switching Jobs Often
To receive the employer’s approval and acceptance of your reasons for changing careers, formulate an acceptable response to counter the job hopping issue. Some popular reasons for switching jobs include:

1. Taking care of domestic demands, death/extended illness in immediate family, etc.
2. Moving because of spouse’s job, desire to travel, climate, family, etc.
3. Continually seeking more satisfaction in the workplace
4. Experiencing different jobs to determine where true interests lay
5. Working in positions that were only temporary (internships, summer jobs, campaign work, etc.)
6. Wanting more responsibilities, more money, more respect, more prestige, more flexibility, etc.

Be Honest With Your Answers
Don’t try to leave employment skeletons in your closet because sooner or later, they will invariably come back to haunt you. Be bold. Take full responsibility for whatever leaps you made in your professional past and explain why you did what you did and how you’re a better candidate because of such actions.

In your answer, try to:

1. Tie Your Work Together.
   If you worked in different capacities, relate those duties to the position you’re applying for.
   Answer Example:
   "Since I worked in public relations, marketing and promotions, my communication skills continually improved in various mediums which would aid your advertising firm."
2. Explain Why This Time Will Be Different.
   If you always had to leave jobs because your husband was in the military, say how his retiring will change your pattern. If you jumped whenever another offer looked better, say how you have learned loyalty, stability and commitment take precedence over money.
   Answer Example:
   "After I graduated from college, I wanted to test my talents in many different fields but now I know that my true passion is for architecture."
3. Reveal How Your Checkered Career Path Can Benefit The Company.
   List how your skills, experience and education improved in each of your previous jobs and that such a varied background can bring a fresh perspective to the current position.
   Answer Example:
   "Since the film and music industries are so closely related, I feel my experience in the recording and commercial music business helped me acquire unique contacts and skills that will improve your film production company."