Cover letters are of great importance as they complete your initial application packet along with your resume. They must be custom tailored for each particular position and organization, never a copy or a duplicate which you have used previously. Here are some important things to consider as you write that great cover letter which will serve as an invitation to …
Resume tips
Here’s a general overview of important things to consider when writing your resume. Overall, be consistent in design and content, truthful and relevant. Design Keep it simple and consistent Keywords Reference the job description throughout your resume; find words that matter to the employer and use them to your advantage. In large companies with hundreds, even thousands of applicants, resumes …
Finding your next job and perhaps a new career
Ready to look for a new job, perhaps even a completely new career? Here are some things to consider as you embark on that journey. 1. Take a good look at yourself and identify your strengths and passions 2. Ask your family and friends what do they see as your strengths 3. Network, network, then network some more 4. Focus …
Never stop learning
Learning is essential and as such should never stop. Do what you can to broaden your horizons each and every day; learn something new and don’t forget to contribute to your respective areas and professions as well. Educate yourself formally and informally, get involved (attend conferences, seminars; read books, journals, websites…) and expand your experiences. Do all of this with …
Leaders: born vs. made
Are exceptional leaders born or are they made? We have heard this question asked and discussed at length and it is my belief that truly exceptional leaders are a combination of both. Yes, they learn, grown and advance through their careers, but one’s DNA (for lack of a better acronym) must be predisposed for leadership. While majority of methodologies, tips, …
Don’t be afraid, explore new opportunities
Don’t be afraid to explore new opportunities. Say yes to cross-functional teams, projects and challenges which will help you gain new perspectives, grow and learn from others. During these opportunities others will hopefully learn from you as well and all those involved will benefit from this mutual exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience. Finally, once you return to your primary …
Open door policy is not optional
Managers and leaders must be available to their teams in any way their staff needs them to be (assuming professionalism and appropriateness of course). Your office door must be open to them, and you need to be accessible and approachable whenever they might need to speak with you. Staff needs to know that you are there to hear them out …
All teams need business sensibility and awareness
Whatever your functional area of expertise is you need to be aware and involved in supporting what your organization is all about. Simply performing your operational functions in isolation is no longer enough to be a valuable contributor. Additionally, by staying away from the organizational core function you are limiting yourself in access, contributions and ultimately career advancement.
Work shouldn’t be a prison sentence
Most of us will spend a third of each of our days (most of them at least) at work so you better make sure it’s not a place that brings out the worst out of you. You deserve to be happy, positive and enjoy what you do so focus on finding what you love and are passionate about, put a …
Based on your resume, would you hire yourself?
Keeping one’s resume up to date is generally not at the top of “to do” lists since most of us don’t change our jobs frequently and as such our resumes quickly become outdated, inaccurate and forgotten. However, considering that we got our current jobs in part due to that old, outdated paper representation of ourselves we should definitely keep them …