"I was told you don't need an objective." But without an objective, how will a prospective employer quickly categorize you? Do you want them to guess what job you want to be considered for? What level -- co-op, internship or full-time job?
Of course, by leaving it off you keep your options open -- but you also may give the impression that you are not focused and are applying to any and all jobs. Employers like to believe your career interests are right in line with what they have to offer. And if you are trying to make a shift in your career path -- all they have to go on is your job history or degree qualifications which may not be the direction you are hoping to go in.
Resumes are quickly scanned -- so if you leave off an objective you are making that employer do a little too much work to find out who you are and where you might fit. You want to make it easy for an employer to move you ahead in the hiring process.
So, by taking a few minutes to make your objective fit their industry or type of candidate, you will give the impression you are a good match for their organization and that leads you closer to the interview.
by Gretchen Burruto
RIT Office of Co-op and Career Services
Friday, January 28, 2011
How to Ask for Advice
A lot of students and recent grads don’t know how best to ask for advice and guidance. The better your ask, the better the answers you’ll receive, so here is a tip:
Make it easy for someone to say yes to your request for help. When you ask someone for advice, be specific about the kind of help you need (job hunting advice, career change advice, etc.), request a specific amount of time (15-30 minutes is usually appropriate) and offer to call the person or meet at his or her office at his or her convenience. Then, be sure to confirm 24 hours in advance so the person knows you’ll show up.
For complete article visit Lindsey Pollak's Blog
Make it easy for someone to say yes to your request for help. When you ask someone for advice, be specific about the kind of help you need (job hunting advice, career change advice, etc.), request a specific amount of time (15-30 minutes is usually appropriate) and offer to call the person or meet at his or her office at his or her convenience. Then, be sure to confirm 24 hours in advance so the person knows you’ll show up.
For complete article visit Lindsey Pollak's Blog
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Resolutions You Should Make this Year to Get Ahead
Resolutions You Should Make this Year to Get Ahead
Monday, January 03, 2011 8:20 AM
Resolution 1: Conquer a fear. Is there a pesky fear that's holding you back at work? Think about what that may be costing you. Resolve to: Sign up for Toastmasters and practice speaking up at any meetings you attend.
Resolution 2: Set boundaries at work. Make this the year you stop being a doormat for your boss or needy co-workers and set some firm boundaries with your time and work load. Resolve to: Practice saying no to seemingly small requests so you can focus on your own projects.
Resolution 3: Build your network. The importance of networking is nothing new; but a fresh new year is the perfect time to reach out to colleagues to wish them well in the year ahead. After all, networking is all about keeping in touch. Resolve to: Meet more people. Join an industry association and actually attend their networking events and workshops.
Resolution 4: Become a mentor to someone new to your industry. If you're feeling a bit uninspired or burned out in your career, taking on the challenge of becoming a mentor is a good way to not only give back, but gain a fresh perspective on your industry. Resolve to: Contact a career services office or an industry association and offer yourself as a mentor.
Resolution 5: Be bold! Ask for a raise or promotion. If your company hasn't given you a raise since sometime before 2008 when the word "recession" became an everyday part of our vocabulary, it's time to be bold and ask for more. Resolve to: List all of the reasons you deserve a raise and/or promotion and make an appointment to review your accomplishments with your boss.
Resolution 6: Set firm boundaries and achieve a work/life balance. Resolve to: Put limits on your precious time.
Resolution 7: Start a business. Resolve to: Write a business plan and take small action steps toward launching your own venture.
Resolution 8: Stop using the recession as an excuse not to find a new job. Resolve to: Brush up your resume and cover letter -- updating them so that if you come across an exciting new job opportunity, you're ready
Resolution 9: Change careers if you’re in a rut. Resolve to: Use LinkedIn to contact people currently working in your dream job and ask them for tips.So many workers are slugging away at jobs they hate simply because they won't take action to pursue their true passion.
Resolution 10: Take on more challenging projects. Stuck in a rut? Tired of slogging away on the same boring projects? Learning a new job function or volunteering to lead a committee can provide you with the types of challenges that make work exciting. Resolve to: Tell your boss that you'd like to learn something new or volunteer to lead a specific project that comes up this year.
Monday, January 03, 2011 8:20 AM
Resolution 1: Conquer a fear. Is there a pesky fear that's holding you back at work? Think about what that may be costing you. Resolve to: Sign up for Toastmasters and practice speaking up at any meetings you attend.
Resolution 2: Set boundaries at work. Make this the year you stop being a doormat for your boss or needy co-workers and set some firm boundaries with your time and work load. Resolve to: Practice saying no to seemingly small requests so you can focus on your own projects.
Resolution 3: Build your network. The importance of networking is nothing new; but a fresh new year is the perfect time to reach out to colleagues to wish them well in the year ahead. After all, networking is all about keeping in touch. Resolve to: Meet more people. Join an industry association and actually attend their networking events and workshops.
Resolution 4: Become a mentor to someone new to your industry. If you're feeling a bit uninspired or burned out in your career, taking on the challenge of becoming a mentor is a good way to not only give back, but gain a fresh perspective on your industry. Resolve to: Contact a career services office or an industry association and offer yourself as a mentor.
Resolution 5: Be bold! Ask for a raise or promotion. If your company hasn't given you a raise since sometime before 2008 when the word "recession" became an everyday part of our vocabulary, it's time to be bold and ask for more. Resolve to: List all of the reasons you deserve a raise and/or promotion and make an appointment to review your accomplishments with your boss.
Resolution 6: Set firm boundaries and achieve a work/life balance. Resolve to: Put limits on your precious time.
Resolution 7: Start a business. Resolve to: Write a business plan and take small action steps toward launching your own venture.
Resolution 8: Stop using the recession as an excuse not to find a new job. Resolve to: Brush up your resume and cover letter -- updating them so that if you come across an exciting new job opportunity, you're ready
Resolution 9: Change careers if you’re in a rut. Resolve to: Use LinkedIn to contact people currently working in your dream job and ask them for tips.So many workers are slugging away at jobs they hate simply because they won't take action to pursue their true passion.
Resolution 10: Take on more challenging projects. Stuck in a rut? Tired of slogging away on the same boring projects? Learning a new job function or volunteering to lead a committee can provide you with the types of challenges that make work exciting. Resolve to: Tell your boss that you'd like to learn something new or volunteer to lead a specific project that comes up this year.
How to Become the World's Greatest Speed Networker
Speed Networker
Speed networking is all the rage right now. It’s not the kind of networking that we’re all used to, but it can be both effective and fun if you follow a few simple rules.
How to be the World's Greatest Speed Networker:
1) Use your time wisely.
2) Know what you need and what you have to offer.
3) Be yourself!
By Berrak S. with Brazen Careerist
Speed networking is all the rage right now. It’s not the kind of networking that we’re all used to, but it can be both effective and fun if you follow a few simple rules.
How to be the World's Greatest Speed Networker:
1) Use your time wisely.
2) Know what you need and what you have to offer.
3) Be yourself!
By Berrak S. with Brazen Careerist
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