Monday, May 18, 2020

Putting the 80-20 Rule to Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Putting the 80-20 Rule to Work - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If you have ever painted a room or a house you know its all about the preparation. Youll know a majority of the work is in the preparation. The actual “work” takes only a fraction of the time. This is the same for taking tests or doing projects at work. This is The Pareto Principle in action. Which is also known at the 80-20 rule. Where 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the painting a room scenario the efforts before you ever pick up a paint brush are much more time consuming and significant to the end results. In a painting a house scenario multiply all of this by 20 or 30 to get to all the masking, sanding, and patching on a much larger scale. The best case scenario in each of these is… YOU DON’T do it halfway. You finish. Which is another tenet and valuable lesson of the Pareto principle. Pareto and Preparation There can be a bit of   disconnect with the literal interpretation of The Pareto Principle when it comes to preparation. Where it might seem like the preparation can be discounted or skipped all together. That’s not how it works. The simple way to combat this is to realize that the actual task is often the result of a lot of work to be able to do the task. Meaning, the 80% (aka the prep) is actually the work  and the 20% is the doing the task. When it comes to painting a room, taking a test, or doing a project for work… preparation is required. Whether the preparation comes in the form of watching a YouTube video, a few hours of research or years of study. Preparation is critical. Don’t discount the need for preparation. Don’t discount the need to spend 80% of your time on preparation. When you do this consistently you’ll find your results are better. You’ll find that you stand out in your career. Other people will notice too. They’ll know that they can count on you because they know you do the thinking up front to insure the long term objectives are met. How do can you think about getting better at the processes of preparation. The Five Ps One way to think about preparation is to consider the 5P’s.  In case youve never heard of the 5Ps… it is a simple mnemonic. And, in a sense it might be initially thought of as a bit of a downer in the way it might come across the first time you read it. But, I take it as an optimistic mantra on the value of preparation and why it’s important to consider the 5P’s before you say yes to anything. The 5 P’s Proper Preparation  Prevents Poor Performance Plan ahead. Which means think ahead. Try and see around corners. Use what you know. Ask questions. Finish Strong As noted earlier in this post… plan your time wisely. Plan to finish and to finish strong. Caveat: Consider the whole project If you use all the time allocated for prep and only leave a small amount of time to complete your project you are setting yourself up for failure. Plan for the 80% and plan for the 20%. Every situation is different and as you get better at certain tasks you will find that your time management gets better too. Three Tips to Pareto principle success Start early Plan accordingly Finish strong When you master these three steps you will be well on your way to mastering The Pareto Principle. Next time you are considering something… take the time to think through the whole project and to provide enough time to get started and to finish strong. I’ll leave it as an exercise to the reader for those times when you are asked to do something big without enough time. Hint: Ask a lot of questions up front and get started early.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Top 7 Trade Careers That Dont Require a Degree CareerMetis.com

Top 7 Trade Careers That Don’t Require a Degree â€" CareerMetis.com University is an amazing opportunity, but it isn’t the right path for everyone. It also isn’t the only path you can take after leaving school, even though it sometimes seems this way. Often, students feel pressured into going to university because they aren’t sure what else to do or don’t feel they are ready to choose a career. Unfortunately this leads to many people making the wrong decision, with 1 in 5 students quitting their university degree in the first year of their course.Why pursue a trade?evalIt’s important to remember that you do not need a degree to get a good job. A degree might look good on your CV, but there are plenty of other ways that you can look great on paper without a degree. If you’re someone who is creative and enjoys learning practical skills, learning a trade might be a good option for you.There are many reasons to consider pursuing a trade after leaving school:Stability is important for lots of people when finding a career, which is definitely p ossible when you learn a trade. Learning a trade requires special training to earn bespoke skills. After this training, you will be much sought after by companies who specialize in your line of work.Once you have your foot in the door at a company, you’ll be able to work your way up to higher positions. Often, this means a stable income with the opportunity to earn a high salary in managerial positions later on in your career.Not many people have the skills or resources to set up their own business. However, if you are skilled at a specific trade, you could eventually create your own business and market your skills.Once you have a few years of experience in your vocation, you shouldn’t struggle to find a job abroad. You skills will be highly sought after in all countries, which is great news if you enjoy travel and want to set up elsewhere.evalAnd the best thing is, you can achieve all this without having a degree. Instead, you can either study for a qualification or get an appr enticeship in a company who specialise in your chosen vocation.Below, you can find information on 7 different trade careers, their average salary and any qualifications you might need to succeed in the profession.Infographic Source : saxtonblades.co.uk

Monday, May 11, 2020

Comment on Blogs to Raise Your Visibility During a Job Search

Comment on Blogs to Raise Your Visibility During a Job Search Last week I wrote about setting up a blog to create visibility and interest in your candidacy when you are in a job search. If you are not ready to start your own blog, another strategy for getting involved in the blogosphere is to comment on other blogs that are relevant to your industry or profession. For example, a finance professional might comment on a post from the Jobs in the Money Career Wires Blog and an HR professional might write something on the Your HR Guy Blog. Writing blog posts is an easy way to create an on-line identity and improve your Google ranking, which is important to do if hiring managers or recruiters are checking you out before calling you in for an interview.If you choose to blog, keep your blogging identity consistent and even consider adding some sort of tag line to your name to distinguish yourself and perhaps even build a following. Over on the Blogging for Business Blog there is a great post about this concept.Whether you are interested in setting up your own blog or just commenting on others, find a way to be found on-line and become a part of the on-line conversations in your field. You will be amazed at how quickly your reputation and your networking leads will grow.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Social Disaster - is your Job Search Safe - CareerAlley

Social Disaster - is your Job Search Safe - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I was recently recruiting for an open position and, after numerous resumes and interviews, narrowed the search down to three candidates and then the final choice. The winning candidate had a very impressive resume and all of his references checked out. Then came the background check (which includes a fairly robust Internet search) and we discovered some disturbing news. The final candidate was a quite active political dissident (on the Internet, using blogs and comments). Now, this might not cause alarm on its own, but his comments bordered on libelous and some statements were inches away from overthrow the government. Needless to say, we passed on this candidate. Do you know what will show up in a robust Internet search on you? Better yet, do you know how your Internet persona is perceived by others (it doesn't really matter what you think)? Tweet This What about you? Do you know what will show up in a robust Internet search on you? Better yet, do you know how your Internet persona is perceived by others (it doesnt really matter what you think)? Beyond the basic test would your mother would be embarrassed?, you should be aware of what lurks in your name and image on the Internet. Have you done a search lately? Are there people with the same or a similar name to yours that can be confused with you (and cause you grief)? The followingprovides some tools and advice to help you manage your social footprint. Reputation Resources Dont Run with Scissors So what mistakes could you possibly make that could be life-threatening to your career? Where do I start? How about your reputation, as in, what lurks in your Internet presence? Probably not so much of a problem for the over 50 crowd, but definitely something to think about for those whove grown up with the Internet. Maybe a picture from college where you were tagged at a Beer Pong party or worse. Your Internet Profile Matters when Searching for a Job Its not always what you know about your Internet profile that can keep you from getting a job (or worse, get you fired). Sometimes what you dont know can hurt you as well. Being tagged in photos, having things posted about you, even someone with a similar name (and ugly Internet profile) can hurt you. The key is to stay on top of your Internet presence and actively manage it. 6 Social Media Mistakes To Avoid While Job Seeking This article, posted on Careerealism.com, provides a few guidelines on how to avoid mistakes (rather than trying to fix the almost unfixable). Some tips are related to your actual search (like leaving your profile open to others) while others involve what you should not post on the Internet. Of course, this all extends to both, what you post on social sites AND what you include in job search sites. While you are on the site, take a look at some of the related articles. What Job Seekers, Employees, and Employers Need to Know About Social Media What Job Seekers, Employees, and Employers Need to Know About Social MediaThis resource, published by the University of Dayton School of Law, talks about the importance of responsible social media use and its possible impact on job hunting. The resource breaks down the privacy settings of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, explaining what potential or current employers can see about you even if you have a private profile. The resource also includes questions job seekers should ask themselves before posting on social networks. How to Check Your Internet Profile There are several ways you can check your own profile on the Internet short of paying for a service to check for you. How to Google Yourself Effectively and What to Do About It Sounds easy, but this article covers not only how but what to do if you find bad stuff. Why you should Google yourself now This is a very good article conducting a search on yourself. Dont forget to check any images. Google Alerts Now that youve Googled yourself, what happens if something comes up tomorrow? Easy, set up a Google Alert which will notify you when/if something comes up. Career Tip of the Day:5 More Resources to Check Your Job Search Social Profile The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster Price: $9.69 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Monday, April 27, 2020

The First Month is Critical for Any New Executive Job

The First Month is Critical for Any New Executive Job You’ve worked so hard on your job search to find a perfect fit for your career and it’s finally paid off. Now that you’re at your new job, what are you supposed to do? Depending on the nature of the job, you may be thrown right into the fire and be slammed with work right away. However, most employers will ease in a new executive and allow them to get a feel for their new position, their co-workers and the overall culture in general. The first month of your new job is critical for setting the standard of your work and becoming familiar with systems and processes you can’t develop or learn through a LinkedIn profile. Here are some things to do during the first month of your new job. Fit In With The Culture You likely did some research about the culture of your new company during the job search. It was important to learn about the culture while writing an executive bio, and the professional resume writing service you used likely took the culture into consideration as they crafted your resume as well. However, there’s nothing like getting first-hand knowledge and experience to learn how people operate on a daily basis. You should have a basic knowledge of the company’s culture before you even begin your first day, but taking further steps to ensure you fit in as much as possible will benefit you as well. Make Internal Connections Connect with anyone you can within the office during your first month. You may have seen some of your coworkers’ LinkedIn profiles, but stop by and have a short conversation whenever you have a chance. This goes for anyone outside of your department as well. Connect with them on a work level and a personal level as appropriate so they will get a sense of who you are and you will establish your reputation along the way. Build Your Credibility To Set The Standard Your professional resume writing service helped you build credibility in your resume, but now it’s time to show it. Go above and beyond the job duties given to you during the first month. Building this credibility right away will help set the standard and give others the impression they can rely on you to get the job done. Don’t Be Overly Ambitious Just be careful about being too ambitious, since you don’t want to show up anyone during your first month. This goes for questioning internal policies and procedures as well. It’s ok to make suggestions at times, but it’s also important to understand every company operates differently and some of these things need to be accepted without rocking the boat. Professional Resume Services is here to help you throughout your job search process and beyond. While we are known as a professional resume writing service, we are well rounded in our experience working with executives throughout their career. To learn more about how we can help you at any stage of your career, feel free to contact us at any time.

Friday, April 17, 2020

A History of Carpenter Resume Refuted

A History of Carpenter Resume Refuted The construction resume templates are quite easy to use. Furthermore, you can learn more on the subject of construction careers on Monster. You will need to find more in construction job provides online. If you're just starting out as a carpenter, you might not have the experience that lots of employers want to find. Your resume objective permits you to present your very best information at the cover of the page where hiring managers are most likely to devote time. Don't neglect to incorporate a career objective simply because you lack experience. Selecting the most suitable combination can indicate that you receive an interview. How to Choose Carpenter Resume Doing carpentry takes a lot of skills. Mechanical Skills Carpenters need mechanical skills to work with a number of tools and machines. Some skills require the usage of tools you want to learn to be able to do certain tasks. Regardless of what, be certain to include relevant s kills in your resume. The Nuiances of Carpenter Resume Carpenters are an important portion of any construction group, and as a result of that, they should have the most suitable training. They have a variety of skills. At times the carpenter will carry out both rough and finish work in the exact same job. A form carpenter should have good standard carpentry skills to carry out his job effectively. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. Adhere to the illustration of the carpenter resume templates by employing strong action words and language right from the work description. It is possible to also seek the help of a carpenter resume cover letter sample to prepare a wonderful cover letter, so you get the very first consideration from your recruiter. Last, uncover whatever you might about your interviewer. Construction Workers are those who perform manual labor in a selection of settings. Employers in the build ing industry are seeking candidates that are reliable and can complete tasks safely and in accordance with deadlines. Tailoring your resume to suit a prospective employer is not any different.

Sunday, April 12, 2020

How To Prepare Yourself For A Background Check - Work It Daily

How To Prepare Yourself For A Background Check - Work It Daily If you are looking for a job, you definitely are not alone. Though the economy has certainly been improving and there are more jobs out there, you can be quite certain that employers are going to keep up with background checks. Each year, the use of background checks is becoming more and more popular as employers are seeing what benefits they bring. In fact, if anything, background checks will start becoming more prominent and more focused as time goes on. Because of this, if you are looking for a job, you definitely need to prepare yourself for a background check. Order Your Reports One of the first things you will want to do as you start your job search is to order a copy of major reports. Some of the things you will want to look at include your credit report, your criminal records, and even your DMV report. Why are all of these things important? Because you can be certain that employers are going to be looking at these reports as well. When it comes to things like your credit report, a company may or may not, depending on where you live, use the information to make a hiring decision. Other records, however, can be used. Make sure that all of the information found on these reports is accurate. If not, get it changed as quickly as possible. Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts Another thing that you should be sure you should do is to clean up your digital footprint. Many employers will do an internet search on potential candidates and if they find your Spring Break 2011 pictures on your Facebook page, they may get the wrong idea about who you are as a person. You should also run a Google search on yourself to see what comes up. If there is anything negative, you can work to take the steps to rectify it before you are judged by a potential employer. Read The Fine Print On All Applications It is more common than not for job seekers to sign their applications without reading the fine print that often accompanies the applications. There is likely very important information in that print that you will need to read in order to know what your information will be used for. You also may be signing permission for the company in question to do something that you are not aware they are doing. Once you read the fine print, make sure that you ask any questions you may have in order to avoid confusion. As you can see, these are just a few of the many things that you can do in order to prepare for a background check. You may also want to consider things like talking to your references in order to find out what they may say to your potential employer or even conducting a background check on yourself. You can generally do that for an inexpensive price and you will get all of the same information that an employer will get. This way, you can be fully prepared for what lies ahead when it comes to your job search. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!