Should I Use a Chronological or Functional Resume Format

Should I Use a Chronological or Functional Resume Format Your resume can open and close doors. Its main purpose is to market yourself to your  prospective employers, and hopefully it will land you an interview or two. Resumes can  come in different formats. The most common ones are chronological format and  functional format. There are a variety of  situations in which each certain  formats can work differently. Here is the difference between the two and what could work  best for you, depending on your situation: 1. Chronological resumes: A chronological resume is straightforward and easy to scan, making it the most  commonly used format. It lists information in chronological order, starting with the most  recent information. It works well if you have a very consistent career life. If you are  applying for a job in the same industry, the full chronology will be relevant to your  prospective employer. However, if you gaps in your career path or if you have changed  careers often, then a chronological resume may not be suitable for you, as it will  dramatise these gaps and career changes. Situations where a chronological resume works best for you: Your work history shows progressive experience within the same career field, if  you are applying for a job in the same field. You have worked for companies that are recognised nationally. You are a new graduate, and you have experience in a the field you are applying  for. You are applying for a senior executive position. 2. Functional resumes: A functional resume highlights your skills and abilities. Instead of organising your information in a chronological order, your skills and achievements are organised into  categories. You usually put your work history at the bottom of your resume. This type of  resume is best suited for you if you have gaps in your work history because by not  listing your information chronologically, you can make these gaps less noticeable. A  functional resume is also a good format to you if you have held jobs in different fields, as  you are likely to have acquired various skills in these jobs. However, some employers  may not be used to seeing resumes in this format and may find it confusing and hard to  follow. Situations where a functional resume works best: You have taken extended leaves from the work force. You may be overqualified for the job you are applying for. You are changing careers. You are a new graduate, and you have no experience in the field you want to  work in. You are leaving military and are applying for a job with a different job function. Which format of resume do you prefer to use? Let us know in the comments below!

Learning from Leaders of the Past - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Learning from Leaders of the Past - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In order to get a true feel of what comprises a leader, it’s crucial to analyze those who came before us. Both their cultivated and natural leadership qualities led them to success in various situations. The concrete examples by proven leaders below act as guideposts for our ambitions toward becoming great leaders that attract remarkable people to join our journeys. While leadership takes work and self-discipline, you’ll quickly realize that transforming yourself is well worth the effort. 1. Learn Continuously. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. -Albert Einstein. Einstein was born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1879. Despite his name being synonymous with the word “genius,” Einstein’s academic track record was anything but impressive. His formal education began early at age 6. While he could be described as an above average student, Einstein was quiet and often withdrawn from his peers. At age 11, he left his school, the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich. He became an autodidact, learning from books lent to him by family members. Still, he was rejected from the Eidgenoessische Polyechnische Schule school in Zurich. It would not be until 1901 when Einstein gained employment at a Bernese patent office did he begin extensive research into theoretical physics. Regardless of getting a late start and untraditional path, Einstein would go on to develop the general theory of relativity, one of two pillars of modern physics. He would also go on to receive the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics and would be paramount in helping the Allies deliver victory in WWII by encouraging President Franklin D. Roosevelt to begin research into making a nuclear bomb. Today, a conversation about genius can barely go 5 minutes without the word “Einstein.” 2. Consistent Resolve. Continuous effort â€" not strength or intelligence â€" is the key to unlocking our potential. -Winston Churchill. Often regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders in modern history, Churchill would overcome immense obstacles to eventually lead the British people to victory over Hitler’s Nazi Germany in World War II. Churchill is best known for his demeanor during the Battle of Britain where Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe relentlessly attacked British airfields, infrastructure and civilian populations during the summer of 1940. Despite heavy losses and a pending German invasion, Churchill adamantly rejected any notions that the U.K. should negotiate with the Nazi forces. He knew who he was unwilling to work with and who he wanted to work with. Many nations joined the Allies. During the London Blitz, Churchill instilled confidence amongst the British population by remaining in London during the heaviest bombing campaigns and often regularly visiting areas that were heavily damaged. When times are tough, resolve a long way. 3. Uncanny Ability to Energize Others. Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish  -Sam Walton, founder of WalMart. Because Walton’s business model revolved around lower costs and uncanny customer service, it was imperative to build a highly motivated, passionate staff at each and every location. To ensure a high level of commitment from all WalMart employees, Walton would treat all workers as if they were partners. In addition to implementing profit sharing plans and encouraging stock ownership, Walton would set high goals for even his low level employees, encouraging competition at all levels to keep score on the progress of each individual. His philosophy that high achievements should be rewarded with high payoffs gave everyone throughout the company hope for a more fulfilling future. When things got stale, he would cross-pollinate, having managers switch jobs with one another to stay challenged. These are just three examples of real-world reflection of leadership traits in people who turned themselves into genuine leaders in their respective fields. Most of us won’t go on to be Einsteins or Churchills or Waltons, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Regardless, all of us can learn from the examples of these historic leaders, as well as the leaders in our own lives. Learning bits and pieces from each of their lives can help us become people who others want to follow and work with. Our recruiters suggest that you look around at the people in your life and see where they’ve succeeded in leading others. It won’t be as groundbreaking as winning WWII or founding the most prolific store of our time, but you’ll find that those who consistently work on these leadership traits, succeed wherever they land. And the rest of us will be looking to land with these leaders.

Four Horrible Dating Decisions to Avoid

Four Horrible Dating Decisions to Avoid Love makes people act   . . . crazy. There’s no way around it, infatuation is a difficult thing to deal with, especially in the early phases of a relationship. Nevertheless, it’s important for everyone out on the dating scene to exercise a modicum of restraint and act in a responsible manner. Otherwise, you could end up with egg on your face after making an ill-fated relationship decision. The good news is, you can educate yourself now to avoid these four common dating pitfalls. Check them out now, or regret them later; the choice is yours! Over/Under Exposure  Successful dating is a lot like taking care of a delicate flower. Too much attention, preening, watering, and alteration and you’ll stifle any potential for growth. Conversely, don’t give it enough TLC, and it’ll die a lonely death. With that in mind, it’s imperative to strike a healthy balance with a new partner and neither overexpose nor undernourish your relationship. Dating someone you see constantly â€"â€" like a work colleague â€"â€" will present you with a unique set of obstacles. As will transitioning to a long-distance relationship. Ideally, you should see each other a reasonable amount, and increase your time together in conjunction with your flourishing relationship. Getting Money Involved  Never accept or offer to loan a significant amount of money to a new paramour. If there’s one sure-fire way to complicate things and engender distrust, it’s involving money with family, friends, and dating. Plain and simple, money changes the way we think and behave. Note: this is distinct from offering to pay for drinks or accepting a movie ticket. We’re talking about asking for or loaning a substantial portion of capital. Keep your money separate until later on! Going Back for Round 2  People should trust their gut more often. If you’ve dated someone in the past, but now find them on the precipice of re-entering your sphere of influence for whatever reason, resist the temptation to rekindle an old romance. Nine out of ten times this is a bad decision. Remember, if things didn’t work out in the past, there was probably a good reason why. Taking Unnecessary Risks  Dating is all about taking the plunge and trying new things. However, there’s a difference between being adventurous and behaving recklessly. Never put your own personal safety at risk while on a date. And that includes sexual wellness. True, it may be awkward to talk to your partner about getting tested for STDs, but it’s essential that all sexually active individuals take agency to protect their health. Plus, this is the best way to ensure you do your part to quell the spread of dangerous STDs. After all, STD testing is a crucial preventative measure that benefits you, your partner, and the entire population.

5 Tips for Landing a Job Out of College

5 Tips for Landing a Job Out of College The following is a guest post by  Marc Prosser.  His bio follows. So you’re newly out of college, wide-eyed and ready to wander about the world in search for the perfect job. However, there’s plenty of competition out there, so it’s important to showâ€"not just tellâ€"your future employers the ways in which you stand out from the crowd. Feeling nervous and unsure as to what to do next? Here are 5 tips to help you land that promising position, even as a fresh graduate! 1. Plan Proactively Be proactive during your search for a job. While it might do you good to look around job listings that are already posted on job search engines like Indeed, try to take initiative. Look up companies that fall under your desired field. Do your research and make good note of each place. Once you’ve compiled your research, look up the hiring authority and send them an email requesting an informational meeting. They will likely be impressed with the extra mile you went to reach out to them, and you could be one step closer to finding yourself hired!    There are also niche specific job boards you can visit. For example, if you pursue a career in business, you can browse marketing specific jobs from websites like AngelList and GrowthHackers. 2. Use Job Platforms Like LinkedIn Once you’ve secured an interview with a company you applied to, it’s important that you continue your research. If you know the person who will be interviewing you, try to look them up on a professional social network or job platform like LinkedIn. This will give you the chance to connect with them before your interview. Leaving a little note saying something along the lines of “I have an interview with you soon. Looking forward to connecting with you!” will really drive the message across that you’re very interested in the position. 3. Stay Focused, and Practice The day of the interview is here, and you’re anxious to get it done right! Try not to fret too much though, since the key to any successful interview is staying focused and getting everything down correctly. Practice your elevator pitch; have a 2-3-minute long answer prepared for the inevitable “walk me through your background” question. Mastering this is a great way to look confident, collected, and capable in front of the hiring authority. This is also true when you’re explaining your passion for the field as well. There’s nothing wrong with practicing a little just to make sure you’re getting everything you want to say across properly. Ultimately, showing them that you have all the right insights on the “whys” and “why nots” of your experiences will bring you closer to success. Keeping your focus, avoiding distractions, and practicing will help calm your nerves, and the results leave a great, lasting impression on your interviewer! 4. Show That You’ve Grown As a fresh graduate, you’re probably worried that your experiences aren’t as valuable as those who have had more time on the playing field. An interview is the best time to demonstrate your capabilities and maturity. Talk about a time you had taken up a project that didn’t go so well, and explain how you came out of it smarter and stronger. Do not be afraid to talk about failure when being interviewed, as it’s a natural process that everyone goes through plenty of times throughout their careers. The important thing is that you convey that you have grown and learned from the experience. 5. Follow Up! After thanking the interviewer and ensuring that they’ll be in touch, all that’s left to do is wait for the results. If you don’t hear anything, send a follow-up email after a week has passed to remind the hiring authority that you’re still very much interested in the position. It happens often that paperwork piles up and applications can be set aside and forgotten about, so there really is no harm in following up and checking on the status of your application. Landing a Job:  The Bottom Line The hiring process can be a jittery one, but as long as you have your wits about you and you play your cards right, as well as keep these tips in mind, you should be savoring the sweet taste of employment in no time! About The Author Marc Prosser is the co-founder and managing partner of Fit Small Business, a small business informational website that reaches over 800,000 small business readers a month.

6 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview

6 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview Photo Credit â€" Wikipedia.orgAh, the interview. It’s always a nerve-racking period of time where you get a chance to find out your fate with a company. You’re constantly being analyzed to see whether you’ll fit the profile they need, and it’s easy to make a few cock-ups here and there.That’s OK â€" you’re allowed to make some mistakes. However, the following examples are mistakes that will undoubtedly put you in a bad position moving forward.Don’t be surprised if you don’t get the job after uttering these words out of your mouth.#1 “How much do I get paid?”evalevalThink about it. This is downright rude to ask in an interview where they haven’t even decided if they want to take you on yet. In their minds, you should be grateful that you’ve got an opportunity to put your case across for this role. If all you care about is money, then why would they think that you’re passionate about your work?#2 “Oh, my old boss? I didn’t like him very much…”Did you g et fired from your old job?OK â€" you need to tread carefully. This might be a time for you to browse the web at places like Job Search Bible for some hints and tips. Ultimately, it’s very easy to say the wrong thing in an interview. But, whatever you do, don’t say that you didn’t like your boss. Don’t say they were an idiot, either! This company wants to be able to establish a good relationship with you, and might think it isn’t possible after hearing this answer.#3 “Sorry I’m late.”Nope. You can’t do this. If you’re going to go to an interview, you cannot be late under anything but the most serious circumstances. Your timeliness must be perfect if you want any chance of walking away with a contract. It’s that simple.#4 “I know I’m not that experienced, but…”Photo Credit â€" Flickr.comI know what you’re trying to do here. You’re trying to accentuate all your positives by using a weakness in the sentence. Unfortunately, that isn’t a good way to go about things. Employers want you to give them reasons why you’re such a good hire. If you’re putting yourself down in any way, it might just put doubt in their minds. Stick to the positives and ditch the negatives.#5 “No, I don’t have any questions.”You know that question you get answered at the end of the interview? They’ll ask if you have any questions for them.evalAlways have something prepared for this moment. If you simply answer “no,” it’s going to present you in a bad light. Do you really care about this role?Do you lack creativity and a proactive demeanor? Are you just lazy? These are the questions that might go through the employer’s mind.#6 “I don’t know much about the company.”evalYou must always research the company ahead of time. These days, there’s no excuse for not getting your hands on a whole host of research material via the internet. If you can’t do this, how much do you really care about getting this job?

National Novel Writing Month - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

National Novel Writing Month - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog NaNoWriMo is a seriously cool project: You sign up, and the idea is that during november 2003, youll write a novel. To make it easier, there are no quality restrictions, only quantity: You must write at least 50.000 words. I LOVE the idea. This means no agonizing over insignificant details. It means you cant procrastinate and delay. Youll have to get down and write! They offer some tips on the site, of which my favourite is: 14. If you cant find someone to explain it to you, just make shit up. Invent. Lie. Wing it. Most people wont notice anyway. And you can always go back and add realistic details later. And from their FAQ: Did you know there is a group in Vancouver that writes novels in a weekend? Yes, and they are fools. Everyone knows that any deep and lasting work of art takes an entire month to make. What really attracts me to this project is the implied license to fail. When you work this fast, you have to try stuff. You have to produce, and nobody can expect high quality results. So you have total freedom to try stuff as long as you do it fast. I actually have an idea for a novel (who doesnt) and I just might do this. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Tips For Writing a Business Trip in Resume

Tips For Writing a Business Trip in ResumeWriting a business trip in resume can be an enjoyable and interesting experience. While you are making the trip, there are various things to consider in your business trip in resume. Here are few of them that are more important to consider when you are making the trip.First and foremost, you need to have your own plan for your business trip. After you finish with the preparation for your trip, you should make your plan to book the flight ticket, accommodation and even the transportation of your family members. As far as the travel itself is concerned, make sure that you make all the arrangements according to your plans. If you are going for vacation, make sure that you follow all the travel rules. If you are going to be away from home for a business trip, you need to book your own airline tickets, hotel rooms and all other essential travel items.Make sure that you have all the travel documents that will be required for the trip. Many companie s require that a travel document like your driver's license and some sort of travel insurance cover you while on the trip. You should check for these things before you begin to plan your business trip in resume. Some companies also require you to make your receipts for meals taken during the trip and this is of utmost importance if you are planning to make a lot of payments. All these things should be included in your travel documents.When you are writing a business trip in resume, make sure that you talk about the number of days you will be away from home. If you are away for a longer period of time, make sure that you talk about all the visits that you will make during the year. You should also mention how long you will be away from home and the number of times you will be traveling on that particular holiday. It is important to mention all these things because a significant part of your resume is related to your travel time and destinations.The other thing to remember when you ar e preparing a business trip in resume is the number of people who will be accompanying you. You should list all the people that you will be taking along with you in your travel. Make sure that you include the official name of each person and also their official identification card number and other official documents.Writing a business trip in resume can be an exciting experience. As you are making the trip, it is important to prepare all the important things. You need to make sure that all the things mentioned in your travel plan are followed. However, making a business trip in resume can be an educational experience also.Writing a business trip in resume is an exciting experience. Make sure that you include all the details of your trip in the resume.