How Do I Convince People That My Skills And Experience Are Relevant

“How Do I Convince People That My Skills And Experience Are Relevant” Help from our Community “How Do I Convince People That My Skills And Experience Are Relevant?” * Luke's always known his job wasn't the best fit. So, he's starting to connect with people who are working in the roles and companies he loves. But getting them to see beyond his CV is a struggle. How do you show potential employers that your skills and experience translate into a new field? What's your career history and current job? I've worked in the police force for 15 years. My current role is with a specialist team that brings different networks and organisations together at a national level to work on crime prevention. I also work with schools on education initiatives. How do you feel about your work? To be honest, I've known for a long time that it's not right for me. I fell into the job because a friend who had joined the police encouraged me to apply. I've always had a nagging feeling that I should do something else but it's the kind of role where it's easy to become institutionalised. I enjoy tasks where I have been given a bit of creativity or where I've been able to interact with people and engage in interesting dialogue. But much of the job is repetitive, there's constant needless change and I don't feel it's somewhere I can develop personally. Most of the time I'm just going through the motions. I'm at the stage where I'm desperate to leave. But I have to make sure I get this right because I have a wife and family to support. I'm fairly young, I've got a long working life ahead of me. I don't want to look back in another 15 years and have regrets. What would you like to be doing instead? I love communicating and talking to people. Whenever I give presentations people tell me I'm good at it. I crave a role where I could use those natural communication skills and have a bit more creative freedom. I love technology and I'm a fan of social media. I'd like to develop my communications skills in either public relations, social media or trade marketing. I'm drawn to the entertainment industry, especially companies like Lego and Disney, and I'm also interested in the charitable sector. I'm very conscious of the feeling that because I want to go so badly, it would be very easy to make a bad decision out of haste. It's important that I take my time and get this right. What's the biggest obstacle in your way? My biggest problem is that trying to move into something completely different means getting people to take me seriously. I've been doing a lot of fact finding, making contacts on LinkedIn, trying to set up meetings. I had a meeting with someone at Disney, just to find out what they'd look for in someone who wanted to join their marketing team and one of the first things they asked about was whether being in police was like you see on TV. Once I was able to get across my varied skill set, they were surprised and started to move beyond the default setting of thinking about security jobs for me. In fact, my contact ended up apologising for pigeonholing me based on how policing's portrayed in the media. I have other skills to bring to the table than just being a police officer. But it's a real struggle to convince employers to see that. I may not have the qualifications but I do have a lot of experience in communications and social media. And I feel like if I could find an opportunity and my true calling, I'd give it my all. How can I get more exposure with potential employers? And how do I show them what I can really do? Can you help Luke? Have you been in a similar situation, or are you in the same boat right now? How do you think Luke could move his shift forwards? Do you know anyone he could talk to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and click the thumbs-up button to show your support. Give Luke a cheer of encouragement by hitting the thumbs-up button here:

Beware of the Newest Credit Card Game

Beware of the Newest Credit Card Game ABCs Good Morning America aired an interesting segment today about  credit card companies that are looking at the places people shop to determine credibility.   So for example, if the credit card companys data shows that a high percentage of people who shop at  XYZ Store dont pay their bills on time, some companies are using this as a reason to significantly cut customers credit limits without warning.   The subject of the segment was a man named Kevin Johnson, a 29 year old who owns a PR Firm in Atlanta and has stellar credit (a 764  FICO score).   He had been a loyal American Express user when he received a letter saying his credit limit was lowered from $10,800 to $3,800.   Ken says he rarely kept any balances on his credit cards and has always paid on time. This new twist  is called behavioral analysis or behavioral scoring and it seems quite unfair.   Apparently this is just another way for credit card companies to assess their risk during the recession.    Its  a bit strange to me,  especially  for those who are trying to save money by shopping at a discount store or for those who have always been loyal paying customers.   The other weird part of the story is that American Express received more than $3 billion in taxpayer money from the Troubled Assets Relief Program, yet they are choosing to cut off great customers like Kevin Johnson.   It is the Kevin Johnsons of the world who are paying the taxes to fund thse bailout programs I guess the moral of the story is that in a battle between a single consumer and a huge credit card company, the credit card company is going to win.   During times like these, we as consumers need to remember that we cant  count on using  our credit card companys  money to get by.   They have the right to revoke our privileges at any time. Read the whole story here for more details.

Where to Walk A Walkers Guide to Port Isaac

Where to Walk A Walkers Guide to Port Isaac Port Isaac is a small picturesque fishing village in the north of Cornwall. With various different attractions and things to do, here is our walkers guide to helping you on your way around the village. Doc Martin Tour Fancy something a bit different? Are you a big TV watcher? Well, why not go behind the scenes of the TV drama Doc Martin? If you are a huge fan of the series, then this tour is the one for you! You will spend a full 90 minutes walking around the fictional seaside village of Portwenn looking at all the familiar filming locations such as the Doc’s house, Louisa’s school and Mrs Tishell’s pharmacy. You’ll hear all the stories and anecdotes about the actors from your tour guide who is a former extra from the show. Port Isaac Beach Fancy a spot of crabbing? Or a quick paddle? Take a walk to Port Isaac’s beach! Port Isaac Pottery Not your usual tourist trap but, on your travels in Port Isaac why not pop in to where all the pottery is made? Pre order your pottery before heading down or just shop around when you arrive. There is even a café on site. If you’re feeling tired from all your walking, maybe it’s time for a quick pit stop. Pop into The Golden Lion and sit by the harbour whilst enjoying a crab sandwich and a pint of ale. Cliffside Gallery Now, this is a little bit of a walk as it is at the top of Port Isaac but totally worth it when you see the views so make sure you take your camera. Upon arrival you will be warmly welcomed into the gallery by not only the colourful paintings of Port Isaac and its surroundings but also owner Katie Child’s Border Collie. You might even come away with some specially designed cushions or table mats for your home. Fancy a tea or coffee on your walk? Terrace Tea Rooms has a traditional tea room and an outdoor terrace for those sunny days. Platt Fishermans Friends Now, this only depends on weather conditions but after 25 years running Fishermans Friends perform an open air concert on The Platt in Port Isaac every Friday evening from 8pm. Enjoy a drink while sitting on the beach listening to some music. A perfect walking destination with a rewarding and relaxing end goal. After a long hard day of walking and exploring you’re going to need somewhere to get your head down. Check out www.classic.co.uk for a nearby cottage that suits you. Main image credit.

12 Things to Do to Land a Job by 2017

12 Things to Do to Land a Job by 2017 The following is a guest post by Hayley Panasiuk.  Her bio follows.   Do your goals for 2017 include a new job?   Maybe you are looking to land a job at the best companies in New York City?   It’s possible, and you can do it. Here’s how: Clean and Bulk Up Your LinkedIn Your LinkedIn profile is your virtual resume. This means that while hiring managers spend 30 seconds or less scanning your paper resume, they’ll likely spend less time on your virtual resume. Recruiters and connections can view your profile at any time, and when you send you resume out in response to job postings, they frequently check your LinkedIn. It needs to express your experience, ability, and skills clearly, concisely, and presentably. Make sure that your resume can verify your LinkedIn (hiring managers will hold it against you if you lie on one or the other). Add everyone you know on LinkedIn, including former and current co-workers, friends, family members, and classmates. Professionals don’t keep a rolodex of business cards or an address book of contacts; connections are maintained on LinkedIn. Add pertinent work history and internships, if applicable, education background, organizational memberships, skills, and attach projects, presentations, articles, or websites that you’ve created. Make sure that everything is spelled correctly, is properly (or at least consistently) formatted, and ensure that your byline (what shows up beneath your name) is reflective of who you are as a professional. Don’t list “Seeking employment” as a byline; you’ll be immediately bypassed by recruiters. Importantly, make sure your photo is of your face, appropriate for your profession, and is current. Update Your Resume So you’ve been sending out your resume to every job posting that fits the bill, but you’ve been getting no interviews? When my clients tell me this, almost 100% of the time, it’s because their resume needs to be updated, or in some cases, entirely redrafted. The three most important tips are: 1) delete the summary and bullet-point list of skills at the top unless you have 10+ years of experience; 2) keep your resume to one-page unless you have more than 10 years of experience (no exceptions!); and 3) use bullet points to express your experience, not long-winded, unwieldy sentences. Shorten Your Cover Letter While many companies are forgoing mandating the cover letter as a part of the job application, most applications still require or prefer it. Lots of younger companies use similar application websites that allow you to attach your resume and optionally submit a “note” about why you want to work at the company. The movement in #careertrends is to require a shorter cover letter, if any, and make it meaningful. Express in one paragraph why you want this particular position and this particular company and why you would be perfect for the job. Then state how the company can reach you and that you hope to hear from them. Done! Have Writing Samples Prepared (and Formatted Properly) If you work in an industry that often requires writing samples, make sure you provide them in an organized, formatted, and consistent manner. Here’s how from www.unfoldcareers.com:    Dont-submit-writing-sample-without this/. Update Your References If you do receive an interview, they will most likely ask for a list of references. In my experience, not all companies bother to call the references, they just want to see that you can produce a list of verifiable people who can affirm that you can do the work you say you can and are sane. This should be prepared in advance. Why? You should call or email each reference to get their permission to list them as a reference and/or remind them of who you are and ensure that if called, they will be able to recall you and speak well of you. The single page of references should include no more than 3 references, and be formatted with the same header and font as your resume. Here’s what it should look like: Reach Out to Connections (aka Network) Networking is scary, but it can be productive if done correctly. Start out by looking for job postings that interest you. Then go through your comprehensive list of connections (see Step 1 of this list) to see if you know anyone who works at a company hiring for a job that interests you. Reach out to them and ask them if they would be willing to introduce you. More likely than not, the answer will be yes. Then conduct an informational interview with anyone willing to meet with you.  Talk to them about the company and job.  And express your interest in the company and particular job posting you saw. If the meeting goes well, you’ll walk away with a referral for the job you want and, at a minimum, a new connection. Attend a Networking Event Local industry-specific groups or even alumni groups host frequent events throughout the year. Joining one of these groups can increase your network, offer valuable insight into your competition, and give you face time with managers that have hiring sway at their companies. Volunteering at these events also provides an opportunity to show off your skills and personality to the group/event organizers, who often have successful careers already. Have a Suit or Professional Outfit Prepared This shouldn’t need to be said, but your appearance lends to a positive or negative first impression by the interviewer. Have an ironed suit or other professional attire ready so that it doesn’t contribute to additional stress on the day of the interview. Start Volunteering While this is often a long-term career solution, many people find new careers through connections made while volunteering. Try to find a volunteer opportunity within your area of expertise or industry. It’s a great way to add expertise to your resume at the very least.  And, it can offer opportunities to work with and network with other professionals. For volunteer ideas, check LinkedIn, Idealist.org, or VolunteerMatch. Maintain a List of Unique Job Search Engines Check them daily. Don’t exclude your college or graduate school career sites; they often include positions that favor alumni. Applying through Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, etc. can be a waste of time.  Thousands of resumes are scanned through virtual keyword crawlers. Often you can find more focused, industry-specific jobs on narrowly-tailored job posting sites. For example, entertainmentcareers.net, efinancialcareers.com, or workinsports.com. Join LinkedIn Groups Your school(s) should have alumni groups on LinkedIn, where there are often job postings by other alumni. Other LinkedIn Groups tailored to your specific skills, job, or industry also post jobs.  And they offer events for networking within the group. Hayley Panasiuk Hayley Panasiuk has over 8 years of experience helping others improve their careers.   She founded Unfold Careers to provide affordable career advice to students and professionals struggling to meet their career goals. When she’s not coaching students, she is always on the move.   Hayley works as a corporate attorney in California and travels the world inspiring 9-to-5ers to redefine their goals on Instagram @rebeltraveler. Contact Hayley at [emailprotected]. . Image credits. Main.    Interview.    Job Search.

Writing a Resume Job Description For Mid-Level Graphic Designer

Writing a Resume Job Description For Mid-Level Graphic DesignerFinding the best resumes to submit to graphic design job openings can be challenging, but is especially so when you're working from a blank piece of paper. For this reason, it's important to start out by writing a resume job description for mid level graphic designer. Once you know what your job will entail, you can proceed to work on how to make the most of your resume.If you are looking to break into the field of graphic design and want to be near the top of the ladder, you should go about writing a resume for mid level graphic designer in a way that makes it easy for everyone to see. This means including information that will be useful to employers, such as experience with a wide range of software, experience with computer graphics, etc. Doing this can show that you have real life experience that can help make you more appealing to an employer.The best way to find out what sort of job openings exist for graphic design jobs is by contacting local employers and asking about specific positions that interest you. You'll want to get started on a few, such as applying for an assistant position, and then branch out from there. You don't want to start with a big position until you are sure that you're in a good position for the job.When you are writing a resume job description for mid level graphic designer, it's important to take into account your qualifications. If you are new to the industry, it's important to stay away from too much detail in the resume. Most people who are new to the field are less likely to do well if they think that they're applying for an advanced job position, so it's okay to be as vague as possible.When you're writing a resume job description for mid level graphic designer, you need to emphasize what you can do for an employer. For example, if you have worked in this field for years, you may want to mention that in your cover letter. If you know someone who has been in the fiel d for years, give them this information as well.You can also tell a story about yourself in your resume. A good tip is to include a detailed description of what you were doing before you got into the graphic design field. For example, you may have designed Christmas cards for many years prior to getting into the business.Covering everything in a personal manner will show that you care about your work. It's important to write on your resume the things that are very important to you, and then build your resume around this. In addition, it's important to write a cover letter that's all about you.Don't be intimidated by the idea of taking the leap into a new career, and don't be scared to ask questions. There is no better feeling than talking to a new boss about your career aspirations. It's all part of the process.

Summary Sunday Social Job Search and Career Advancement

Summary Sunday Social Job Search and Career Advancement Social Job Search and Career Advancement Job search has changed a bit over the last few years. Keep up to date with trends in social media and information to help advance your career. Social job search means using social media during your job search. And yes, you can search without being on social media, but I dont recommend it. So  if you feel like its difficult to keep up with all the changes to social media platforms, not to worry, Ive got you covered. Every week I share articles across social media to help keep you current with whats going on. Since youre busy, I round up the best articles and share them in a  Sunday Summary. There are recent changes to Facebook you should know about and opinions about LinkedIn you need to know! Social Job Search and Career Advancement LINKEDIN The Worlds Most Connected People Have Disappeared From LinkedIn by Candice Galek | Inc. This isnt the first time Ive heard this. LinkedIn seems to be losing some of its audience for numerous reasons: Features and functions have been taken away Lack of responsiveness and/or explanation to requests for help Overly expensive recruiting subscription costs Too many fake profiles Moral of this story: Never put all your personal branding eggs in one basket! FACEBOOK Facebook Just Made A Pretty Awkward Change To Your Profile by Damon Beres | Huffington Post Have you seen Facebook profiles that look like this now? Heres what you need to know! Image from HuffingtonPost article JOB SEARCH (From the recruiters perspective) How Job Recruiters Screen You On LinkedIn by Quentin Fottrell | MarketWatch Gain insight on how recruiters evaluate your LinkedIn profile, keywords, recommendations and more! JOB SEARCH Try These 5 Activities Before Giving Up On Your Job Search by Bob McIntosh | Things Career Related Have you become discouraged with your job search (or know someone who has). Wise and on-target advice doled out here! Keep Rolling: How to Stay Motivated During Job Search by Hannah Morgan | Job-Hunt.org I write on Job-Hunt.org (confession)! It is an excellent resource and should be your first stop if you are beginning a job search (or youre having difficulty with your job search)! CAREER I Thought My Career Was Over Until I Did These 5 Things by John White | Inc. Excellent article for those who are considering changing jobs! The Career Limitations Of Emotional Intelligence by Rich Belles | Fast Company Learn more about emotional intelligence! Youll need it. And yes, Emotional Intelligence is importantbut perhaps to varying degrees depending on the occupation. Highly emotionally intelligent peopleâ€"who rank high on responsiveness, empathy, listening, and self-awarenessâ€"excel at interpersonal interaction, but they still might struggle with groups that are too big to manage through personal face-time.

Ways to Show Your Boss You Are Ready for a Management Position - CareerAlley

Ways to Show Your Boss You Are Ready for a Management Position - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. No matter what type of industry you are currently employed in, it is natural to want to advance in the career ladder. Although most great leaders started at a low position, their hard work and perseverance paid off and brought them to a well-earned leadership position. This is very inspiring indeed; however, it is easier said than done. If you really believe that you are ready for a management position and you are confident that you have what it takes to lead, then give your boss good reasons to promote you. Be On Time Most bosses come into the office way ahead of everyone else. This gives them the opportunity to do what they need to do before anyone else in the office disturbs them. Coming in early as well will not only give you more time to work on your tasks, it will also be beneficial to your career development. Being on time, or earlier, for work or for a meeting is a sign that you are committed to your work and that you perceive your job to be something very important to you. By being consistent with a flawless attendance, the boss will soon notice and recognize your efforts. Learn the Business A good leader is someone who knows and understands what it is they do. It would be impossible to manage a business without knowing what it is about. No matter what your current position is, learn the ins and outs of the industry you work for. You can easily demonstrate your knowledge by speaking up during staff meetings. If you know what you say makes sense, you will be easily remembered and, hopefully, considered for future projects. Also, if you do certain office tasks without being told, this will give managers the impression that you are passionate about your job, you are very familiar with the business, and that you know what to do on your own. Start with Leading Smaller Groups Becoming a manager, although highly satisfying, can be quite overwhelming. If you want to be recognized to possess leadership skills, you should start learning how by leading smaller groups like a project team or an organization within your department. If you become successful at handling smaller groups of people, chances are, you would be able to handle larger ones as well. You will soon gain the respect and admiration of the people you lead as long as you manage them well. Solving Your Own Problems Any type of work has its ups and downs. However, it takes great skill to be able to focus on finding a solution for your own problems. If there seems to be an issue regarding the business or company you work for, formulate a list of solutions on your own then ask for your bosss opinion. The fact that you are finding ways to solve a problem instead of having your manager do it for you is a great way to get ahead in your career. This highlights the fact that you are independent and dedicated to do your part for the companys sake. Go After the Role, Not the Title Doing these things, even if you are not yet in a management position, will give your boss the idea that you are more interested in the duties and responsibilities involved with being a leader more than the title itself. Bosses want to see how effective and efficient you are even before the high compensation, the great office, the prestigious title, and all the other perks managers enjoy are added into your lifestyle. Author Bio Joshua Turner is a writer who creates articles related to the field of business. In this article, he offers tips to be promoted to a managerial position and aims to encourage further study with a Bachelor of Business Management. 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. Visit me on Facebook