Resume Help Blog

Posts Tagged ‘changing careers’

Getting a job out of college right now is challenging. Employers may be getting hundreds or thousands of applicants for a job that used to get much fewer. College grads have an advantage but need to research companies to set themselves apart. Follow the tips below to help land a job during the recession.

Recent college grads face a tough job market in today’s recession. Below we have listed five tips that will be helpful in your job search. With the economy as sluggish as it is this may take awhile so be patient. One place where there are jobs however is the entertainment industry. If you don’t know where to find these jobs and how to connect here’s place to start.  If you don’t feel comfortable in this industry then here are some tips to help you find work.

1.   Be willing to take unpaid work.
College students usually don’t have a mortgage, children and many of the bigger expenses of life yet. Be willing to take extra measures like moving in with parents or friends and taking unpaid jobs for the experience. This could lead to another opportunity but most importantly, gets you experience in your field.

2.   Learn to network.
One skill that will serve you best in any job market is your ability to talk to people, develop trust and be likeable. Participate in clubs, associations, groups and events that are available on campus.

3.   Read blogs or start one.
One of the quickest ways to become familiar with an industry is to read blogs. Interested in being a chef? Read the top chef blogs. Read the blogs regularly and comment on them to develop relationships.

Some students start a blog of their own focused on the industry they want to work in after graduation. Use it to keep track of research, articles, and events. Just summarize the main points, add a link to the article or information and provide opinion or commentary on the information. Put a link to your blog on your resume. This helps potential employers find you and learn more about you before the interview.

4. Use the Internet.
Use any method at your disposal to see who is hiring. The Internet is a great tool for this.

Use social networking site www.LinkedIn.com to network online. Find people who work at businesses where you hope to work. See if you have any contacts that know someone who works there and ask for an introduction. When you have an interview, spend time on the site researching the people you will meet.

5. Consider alternative industries and careers.
Look at alternative industries that may be hiring for similar skills. One place where there are always openings is the entertainment industry and we have just the source for you. Why do I come back to this? Because there are jobs in this arena. Lots of jobs and they pay well!

Unique Talent = Natural Abilities + Your Unique Way Of Expressing Those Abilities

Your Natural Abilities

■ What’s *that thing you do* which you’re so naturally talented at?
■ What’s the work you’ve done effortlessly ever since you can remember?
■ Do you love to sing, dance, or entertain your friends?
■ What would you write about if I asked you to start sharing your expertise in a series of blog articles?
■ What topic are you so passionate about that you could confidently speak on for 15 minutes on if asked to.

Many people fit this pattern. Maybe you don’t think you have any talent but that isn’t true. You may not ever be an Elvis Presley or a Michael Jackson but you have talent! You could be entertaining people and making top dollar. I watched Dancing With The Stars last night and watched as Donny Osmond danced. He is 51 and said that he had been entertaining “all his life” and loving it. Entertaining is fun, people love to be entertained and entertainers love to entertain. Is this something you have a “natural ability” for but are shy and afraid to try?

It’s In Your DNA

We’ve all got a unique talent – a natural ability that only we can express in a totally unique way.  Just like your DNA, no one in history has ever had that combination.

Which is why:

- No one can write, sing and perform in the exact same way as Michael Jackson.

- No one is quite as unique as Oprah Winfrey but so what.

- No one can be a catalyst for compassion and change in the exact same way  as Mother Theresa.

And the reason why no one can do *that thing you do* in quite the same way you do it. Your own unique talent is built-in; — it’s part of your DNA. And being shy is no excuse not to use that God given talent!

Your Challenge

Your task then is to figure out what that unique talent is (I’ll bet you already have the answer)  and then sign up with Explore Talent and get going.

Once you do that with their guidance you will find your niche in things. You’ll be able to build a powerful personal brand, attract success, wealth, job satisfaction and create a sense of meaning from your professional life that most people spend years searching for.

Like everything, it starts with a first step. Go ahead! (you know you want to!) That first step is to start looking for clues about yourself and your unique talent by asking some tough questions of yourself.

I challenge you to take the first step…

By Sital Ruparelia   www.6figurecareermanagement.com

Important Skills to Have in this Economy

In a brittle economy, job losses and underemployment are common. A sudden layoff might drive you to look for employment outside of your area of expertise leaving you wondering what skills are needed by the employers who are hiring. Outside of the work experience that employers need for their industries, there are skills that everyone should possess in this economy. Effective communication, marketing, LinkedIn, and social media aren’t just buzzwords in the employment arena. They are skills that you can strengthen to boost your marketability among potential employers.

Getting By and Doing Well Without a College Degree

Although many employers require a college degree, there are hundreds more that do not. When you find yourself in the job market, it is important to focus on your expertise and specifically target the position by accentuating experience and/or training that parallels what the company or organization is advertising for. Searching for a new position without a degree can be difficult, therefore, a strong resume is imperative and a pointed cover letter can give you the visibility you need.

Update your Skills for the Current Job Market

If unemployment or underemployment has given you more free time than you would normally have, take advantage of that time to make yourself more marketable in the current job scene.

Ref. ResumeEdge