The Six Second Scan Its Not as Bad as You Think

The Six Second Scan It’s Not as Bad as You Think When I started my career at Virgin Interactive in the early 90’s, my job was to search through media and find coverage of the organization. This was before the Internet was ubiquitous; I cut out clippings from print publications to determine how Virgin and its products were featured in relation to the competition. It was an arduous taskbut I became quick. I could soon scan a 100-page magazine and find a relevant clipping illustrative of how Virgin compared to our rivals. I knew market trends and the conversation surrounding Virgin’s top competitors. From a quick scan, I could glean a wealth of information. This was invaluable training for the life of a recruiter. Traditionally, this has been a major component of a recruiter’s job: scanning through applicant’s resumes in order to find one who’s the perfect fit. Given the hundreds of applicants vying for any particular position, the recruiter must be fast: one study found that, on average, a recruiter may spend only six to eight seconds on an initial resume scan. For the job-seeker, this can be disheartening news. What’s the point of spending valuable time crafting a resume that accurately represents your experiences if it will only be in front of a headhunter’s eyes for less than a tenth of a minute? A job-seeker must have a resume packed with meaningful keywords if it’s going to garner a second look. For instance, an applicant seeking a CFO position may sprinkle his resume with keywords like strategizing, compliance, P L management, profit, etc. to stand out from the pack. However, the onus is not solely on the job-seeker. An intuitive and emotionally intelligent recruiter is vital to the seeker-position matching process. If a resume is missing the “buzziest” keywords, yet otherwise showcases a breadth of experience and clues that the candidate possesses the needed skills (whether or not he’s mastered the current keyword lingo), a recruiter can read between the lines and identify aptitude. This honing in on potential talent, where it may not be as obvious, takes practice. It takes time to develop intuition, in the same way, it took time (and lots of it) for me to scan through magazine after magazine looking for coverage of Virgin. The bad news is that sometimes qualified candidates fall through the cracks. The good news: artificial intelligence will soon play a major role in the recruitment process. We are in an era where there is more data available on individuals than ever before. The future of recruitment will involve artificial intelligence aggregating data across social media platforms in order to identify desired candidates, and to “woo” these candidates to organizations, perhaps before a candidate has even decided to leave his current position. It’s fascinating to contemplate coming changes to the field, and something I talked about in depth with Raghav Singh, Director of Analytics and Reporting for Korn Ferry Futuresteps. He predicts that in the very near future, the sourcing function of recruitment will be almost completely automated. Which begs the question: if sourcing candidates will soon be removed from a recruiter’s job descriptionwhat exactly will the job of a recruiter be? As deep learning systems remove much of the tedium from the recruiter’s role, she will be able to focus on more human-centered tasks: less scanning piles of resumes, more development of talent. Because of this, it’s more important than ever for a recruiter to develop all the professional aspects of herself: to become a proficient marketer, and a strategizer, and human resource professional, and whatever else is called for. This coming shift is good news for recruiter and job seeker alike. As focus shifts away from the resume and all-important “six-second scan,” artificial intelligence will allow the recruiter to make more authentic connections between seeker and positionwhich will lead to happier employees and companies. About the author: Caroline Stokes is the founder of FORWARD and The Emotionally Intelligent Recruiter podcast and training platform.

Guest Post 5 Building Blocks of a Great Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Guest Post 5 Building Blocks of a Great Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Derrick Kwa is todays guest blogger. He is the youngest member of the personal branding community. Im really happy to have Derrick in the network and am excited to share his post with you, from the perspective of a young individual, with new age insight. Derrick is a 17 year old from Singapore. Having quit school, hes now trying to forge his own path. He blogs at Sui Generis, where he encourages others to not just go through the motions of life, but to think about what they are doing, and topursue their passions. ___________________________ I dont think there could ever be a “how-to” guide about personal branding. Its such a diverse field, precisely because we are all different. Theres no fixed way of going about it. But I do believe that there are some common traits great personal brands have. So, here are 5 things that make up a great personal brand (in my opinion). Boldness â€"Dictionary.com defines “bold” as “beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action”. And thats a huge part of a great personal brand. Take Scott “the Nametag Guy” Ginsberg, for example. Hes got a great personal brand, hes known for approachability. Why is he known as THE expert on approachability? Because he went beyond the limits. He wears a nametag 24/7 (he has one tatooed on his chest). Now thats being bold. Relationships â€" A brand is only as good as what people say about it. Its not about what you say, but what others say about you. And why would others say good things about you? Strong relationships. The friendships you build, and the people you know, are a big part of your personal brand. Get associated with great people. They will help inspire you to go further, and they will further your personal brand. Want an example of how relationships help build a great personal brand? Just look at Chris Brogan. Abilities â€" A great personal brand plays to your abilities. Its about doing what you are good at, and focusing on that. If you cant swim, theres no way you can brand yourself as a champion swimmer. Branding is about marketing. And have you ever seen a marketer talk about/focus on the negatives of the product? Go with your strengths. Its what sets you apart. Outsource the rest. Natural â€" Your personal brand needs to be authentic. It shouldnt be forced, but should be something natural to you. Dont force yourself to be something that youre not. Focus on what youre passionate about, what you believe in, and brand yourself around that. If youre not authentic, if youre not being natural, people will be able to tell. Different â€" As human beings, were all unique creatures. Our personal brand should be the same. A good personal brand stands out. Its different. Remember “Wheres Waldo”, and how hard it was to find him? In real life, people arent going to spend the time looking for you if youre a “Waldo”, no different from anyone else. You need to be distinct, and easy to spot from a mile away. Boldness, Relationships, Abilities, Natural, Different. The 5 building blocks of a great personal B.R.A.N.D (at least in my opinion). How are you building your personal brand?

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Charlotte, NC

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Charlotte, NC Whether you are a transplant or a native, living inQueen City can be a boon for your career.Forbes places Charlotte, North Carolina in its Top 10 Best Places for Business and Careers nationwide. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in America, attracting qualified candidates from all over.You are going to need a professionally written resume.Truth is, your resume has about 15 seconds to impress a potential employer and get you into the “yes” pile.Best Resume Services in CharlotteIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Writers in Charlotte:Find My Profession (that's us!) The Resume Sage Top Resume Experts Virginia Franco Resume Writing Career Power Resume Skilled Resumes Andy Thomas Careers Now Ace Resume Writing Resumes by Nico Ad-Venture WritingAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Profession is not just a top-notch resume service available in Charlotte. We are a global company h eadquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. This allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profession commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 48 hours.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, check out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. The Resume SageThe Resume Sage offers executive resume writing services only, so entry-level job seekers will want to choose another company on this list. Just for inputting your email address, you can download their 5-minute Resume Quick Tips, a nice introductory bonus their website provides. They have a very elegant and interactive website with a sample that you can hover over at different points to give you an idea of their resume-writing strategies and philosophy.LinkedIn profiles and coaching are also available from The Resume Sage. They offer a generous 15% discount for active military members transitioning to civilian life.Pros: You will undoubtedly receive a h igh-quality resume with this service. We liked the fact that they employ an independent proofreader for their resumes. As any executive resume writing service knows, even a comma out of place can automatically take your resume out of the running.Cons: This promises to be a pricey service, folks. You must ask for a quote for anything above the critique level.Turnaround: 5â€"20 days depending on the package you choose.Cost: $495 and up. The $495 price is for a resume critique only.Phone: (704) 358-60003. Top Resume ExpertsTop Resume Expertsinstantly gave us something we love: complete transparency on a website. All of Top Resume Experts’ package structures and pricing are crystal clear. They serve a range of job seekers needing resumes, from entry-level to executive clients. A nice extra is that you can bundle in headshots with this service, which could make this a one-stop-shop for you. They will also offer you a free resume review.Pros: Many of the Top Resume packages include Link edIn profiles. Rush jobs are only $69, which is an excellent value from what we’ve seen. You can add an infographic version of your resume for just $69 as well.Cons: We were unable to see many cons about working with this company, but we would have liked to see some information about who their writers were.Turnaround: 3â€"6 business days.Cost: $149â€"399. The top package is for federal resumes of 4â€"6 pages in length, one of their specialties. That’s a service many in the Charlotte area may need. The top executive resume writing package is priced at $349.Phone: (704) 727-23234. Virginia Franco Resume WritingVirginia Franco gives a wonderfully warm video introduction on her website that will instantly make you want to work with her. She is a veteran resume provider with a background in journalism. She is, without question, a talented writer who will take good care of you. She puts an emphasis on writing for today’s readers, who tend to skim and need pre-synopsized material.Pro s: She has some nice add-on services you can bundle in, like interview crib sheets and resume distribution services. 99.4% of her clients get interviewed within 60 days.Cons: Virginia’s care is a huge investment. Even her LinkedIn profiles can cost up to $1375, which is a rare finding in this industry. A single cover letter is $300. This is the only reason why we couldn’t rank her higher; many will not be able to afford to use her, especially if they are between jobs.Turnaround: 5 days with a 48-hour rush service available.Cost: $925-2075.Phone: (704) 771-85725. Career Power ResumeCareer Power Resume is run by a certified professional resume writer (CPRW) with more than 30 years' professional writing experience, Doug Morrison. His work has appeared in more than a dozen published how-to collections of resume and cover letters and he has won a prestigious award for his resume writing. He has even appeared as a career expert on WCNC-TV.Pros: Doug will definitely take the time to ge t to know you and employs a systematic approach that you can trust.Cons: His website is vague about pricing, which job seekers generally don’t appreciate.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $250 and up.Phone: (704) 527-55566. Skilled ResumesSkilled Resumes is run by a former recruiter, Christopher Zourides, and has great reviews and testimonials. He offers resume writing and LinkedIn services for everyone from students to executive-level professionals. He is available 7 days a week and promised a keyword-rich and ATS-friendly end product.Pros: He offers a generous 90-minute initial consult, either by phone or in person.Cons: There isn’t even a ballpark idea about cost or turnaround time on his website.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated, but you will get a free no-obligation quote.Phone: (888) 858-SKILL7. Andy Thomas Careers NowAndy Thomas Careers Now is a business that people in Charlotte respect. Andy is primarily a coach, offering career seminars throughout the country, and was formerly a syndicated radio talk show host. With his company, the resume writing process begins with a one-hour interview. Part of that conversation will include maximizing your salary potential/increasing your earnings, which is probably a nice draw for many people. He can give you interview coaching for an extra fee as well. You might also want to check out his helpful blog.Pros: If you are looking for career advice, you can bundle in coaching even in the medium-priced resume writing packages. If you feel like you aren’t doing yourself justice in your career and need a boost, this might be a good fit for you.Cons: While it appears that Andy does the consultation end of the resume writing process, his two writers do the rest. Hopefully, this doesn’t lead to your skills getting lost in translation. Some job seeker will prefer to work with just one person.Turnaround: Not stated, but rush services are available for an extra fee.Cost: $275â€"500 (top package includes LinkedIn).Phon e: (704) 280-84208. Ace Resume WritingAce Resume Writing’s founder and CEO, Nina Dorsey, is well loved by her clients as her reviews show. She has a dedicated team of writers who will make you look your best whether you are an entry-level, mid-level, or executive job seeker. They do free resume writing outreach in the community too, which we just think brings this company to a whole new echelon of cool.Pros: You can bundle in extras like cover letters for an additional fee. Nina Dorsey even provides some outstanding workshops.Cons: We wish there was some information about pricing on her website. Some job seekers just need reassurance that they can afford a resume writing service before they place a call. Based on reviews of Ace Resume Writing, we are guessing that it is a reasonably affordable service. Some samples would also make the website more helpful.Turnaround: 3 business days.Cost: Not stated.Phone: (980) 202-17529. Resumes by NicoResumes by Nico writer Nicole is based out in Greensboro, but if you are looking to work mostly virtually, you’re set. Her clients have landed jobs with companies like Disney, Google, NBCUniversal, Harvard, and MLB.com. You can expect one-on-one attention and clear, crisp writing from Nicole. How do we know that? Check out the way her website is written. That tells the whole story.Pros: These resume writing packages are very affordable and all of them include an edit of your LinkedIn profile. She has numerous gorgeous samples on her website. Even new grads can afford these resumes.Cons: She is located all the way out in Greensboro, but if you don’t mind working 100% virtually, it shouldn’t be a problem.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $199â€"249Phone: (828) 414-146210. Ad-Venture WritingAd-Venture Writing has a very interesting angle on resume writing. Their approach has to do with reinventing your personal brand. If this sounds like exactly the type of service you need, then you can click the “You had me at hello” but ton on their homepage.Pros: Their samples are beautiful. If you would like some graphic flair in your resume, you won’t be disappointed. Also, if you like collaborating through screen shares, that will be a part of your editing process with this company.Cons: They have such nice resume samples that it was a bit disheartening to see typos on their website on a variety of pages. Hopefully this gets fixed soon.Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: $375â€"725 (the higher end includes LinkedIn).Phone: (704) 589-2348This List Serves The Following Areas Near Charlotte, North Carolina:Salisbury, Monroe, Albemarle, Locust, Concord, Belmont, Gastonia, Kannapolis, China Grove, Statesville, Hickory, Shelby, Hendersonville, Asheville, Morganton, Lenoir, Mt. Airy, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Graham, Reidsville, Asheboro, Kannapolis, China Grove, Rockingham, FayettevilleBest Executive Resume ServiceNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? C heck out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top-rated resume writing services we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you find what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What the Vanderbilts Knew About Employee Loyalty

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What the Vanderbilts Knew About Employee Loyalty I recently visited the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, a beautiful attraction in Asheville, N.C. that is the setting for the largest privately owned home in the U.S. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, it is nearly 179,000 square feet. Of course, with that kind of square footage and the thousands of acres that surround it, it's clear that this is a home that has always needed dozens and dozens of employees. One of the interesting facts I learned by visiting (besides the fact that I should have worn better walking shoes), is that while the Vanderbilts hired staff from overseas (nothing beats an English butler, they say), the family also employed many locals. As time went on, more locals began to work in and around the home. As the years went by, sons and daughters of the staff began to work at Biltmore -- and eventually even the grandchildren. Was it because there were no other jobs? That's part of it -- the Great Depression and then wartime certainly made some jobs difficult to come by. But what struck me was that the Vanderbilts ensured there was a decent quality of life for their laborers as they built a nearby village that had a school and post office. In addition, workers received necessary medical care, and the Vanderbilts took an active interest in ensuring their workers' families also received care. Of course, the cynical view is that the Vanderbilts had so much money these kinds of benefits hardly put a dent in their wallet. But at the same time, it's certainly true that these local people and their families knew good jobs and and an employer when they saw them. In return, the Vanderbilts had loyal employees, and never a lack of willing new talent. So here's the bottom line: If the Vanderbilts figured this out more than a 100 years ago, how come so many employers today won't offer their own employees the same level of compassion and concern? Why are they often so stingy about offering flextime or decent benefits? As the Vanderbilts proved, loyalty is something that is earned by doing the right thing for workers -- and the payoff lasts for generations. Photo: BringFido

How to Write a Better Resume

How to Write a Better ResumeAnyone who is entering the workforce will want to know how to write a better resume. A resume is important and can determine your level of success in the job market.The first thing you should do is get your resume together. It is imperative that you sit down and write your resume in detail, even if you have only a basic understanding of what it takes to write a resume. If you are confident enough in your writing skills, then you may be able to create your own personalized resume that is unique to you.If you are not able to get your resume written for you by a professional resume writer, then there are several things you can do to make the most of your resume. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by simply copying your cover letter into a new job listing. To begin with, you should have a sample cover letter ready. You can check out free samples on the internet, or you can buy some samples from some websites such as a.net sites or dot coms.The next step is to create a resume that suits your needs. You should put together a resume with your current skills, including skill training and education. On the resume, you should also include contact information such as your home phone number, your home address, and a work phone number.Professional resume writers can also assist you with your resume. You should see a professional resume writer if you feel you do not have the skills required to come up with a great resume. These writers can help you build a more effective resume, so you are more likely to get hired.Also, if you want to gain more experience and to improve your job skills, then you should keep your resume current. If you have been out of work for a while, then you may want to look for jobs that require a lower level of skill. However, when you start looking for jobs, it is necessary to ensure you do not forget about what you have learned before and you must continue to practice.There are some ways that you can better your resume writing such as by asking for advice from your family and friends. Also, you can use resume help websites to help you write a better resume and make sure that you are using your skills and talents to their fullest potential.To learn more about how to write a better resume, you should go online and visit websites that can give you advice and tips to improve your resume writing. These sites can help you develop the skills to impress your future employer and make your resume stand out from all the others.

Eulogy - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Eulogy - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog This eulogy by John A. Byrne for his father is the most moving thing Ive ever read on the net. An excerpt: He learned to be generous with himself and with his friends. My father didnt have much, but he shared what he had with just about anyone who needed what little he had. When we closed up his house on 89 Sherman Ave. and paid his final bills two years ago, we found out that he sometimes paid the oil bills of friends and neighbors when they didnt have the cash to pay themselves. He never spoke about these generosities, and he never expected anything in return. He was a man who knew what an honest days work was and delivered it without complaint or failure ever. He learned to live life with optimism. Above all, my father was an optimist. He loved to laugh. He loved to please. He was rarely, if ever, critical of people. He didnt have an unkind bone in his body. He filled his life with hope, even when there was little reason to hope. One of my lifes biggest ambitions, is that I may be remembered in much the same way when Im dead (or even while Im still here :o). 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

Cannot Find a Job Here Are 4 Ways to Survive While Job Hunting

Cannot Find a Job Here Are 4 Ways to Survive While Job Hunting Cannot find a job? Knowing how to survive financially is a challenge. But you have options. Here are 4 tips for achieving financial health while job hunting. The U.S. unemployment rate has been hovering around 4% for close to a year. This unemployment rate is a 49-year low and means that there are 6.08 million people without jobs in the United States. Though it is not uncommon, life is difficult when you have no job. Read on about what you can do when you cannot find a job and need money. Apply for Government Assistance One of the hardest times in life is when have to say to yourself I cant find a job and I need money. Its not easy to be in that situation but you are not alone. One of the first things you can do when you have no job and no money is to apply for help from the government. There are many programs out there available to you to help pay for your rent or groceries while you are unemployed. Take some time to research what is available to you in your city and state. Use the U.S. governments benefits finder to help you find out what help is available to you. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available to low-income individuals who need help paying for groceries. You may also qualify for unemployment benefits which will give you some income until you start working again. When you were working, you paid into this unemployment benefit. So dont be ashamed of taking advantage of it when you need it.   Contact Credit Card Companies When You Cannot Find a Job If you have any outstanding balance on a credit card or other loan, contact your provider right away. Let them know that you cannot find a job and that you are struggling financially. Most credit card companies have options for people are unable to pay their full, monthly bill. Contact these lenders right away to avoid paying late fees or defaulting on a loan. Call and ask about your options. Explain that you dont want to default but cant pay the balance at this time. Sometimes companies will waive or lower the minimum payments or freeze the interest.   Cut Your Expenses When you have no income or have to live on a smaller income, the most important thing to do is to cut your expenses as much as possible. Look at your recent expenses and sort them into essential and non-essential items. Food and rent are essential. Gym memberships, eating out, and subscriptions to magazines or TV providers are all non-essential. Remember that you are just cutting out things that you can go without for now. When your financial situation improves, you might be able to afford non-essential expenses. Consider canceling your internet. Many places like public libraries and internet cafes have public computers you can use for free. Your cell phone may or may not be essential. You may be able to switch to another provider that is less expensive. Especially if you opt for a plan with no data. Make sure you read all the fine print before you switch providers. Sometimes the low rate is just an introductory price and will go up after a couple of months. Or the service may not be great with certain providers. Shop around for the best option before you make a switch. In most cases, you can keep the same phone number. Sell Items You Dont Need It may seem harsh but selling items you dont need could help keep you in the black. One surefire way to get the cash you need is to sell a car. Especially if you live in a suburban area where you can take public transit or bike to get to places. Plus, you wont have to pay insurance on the car. And you will save on fuel and maintenance costs. Consider holding a garage sale to get rid of items you dont need. Or look around your home for antiques or collectables that might be worth money at pawn shops. If you have a particular hobby that you are skilled at, consider selling your handiwork or teaching workshops. You might not get rich doing it, but then again, you might find that you are successful and start your own business. If you are really strapped for cash consider looking for payday loans online, no credit check, instant approval sites. It may be enough to get you through. Consider a Survival Job While you are looking for a career job, it may be worth taking a survival job in the meantime. Yes, you will likely make minimum wage but it will give you some income to support yourself. Perhaps a job that has flexible hours or shifts over the weekend is what you need. It can give you money while still giving you time during the week to look for a better job. Dont be discouraged about being in a dead-end job. Even fast-food jobs can provide you with soft skills that are valuable in any industry. You will hone your teamwork, efficiency and customer service skills. Final Thoughts We hope this guide on what to do when you cannot find a job has given you hope and practical advice. Unemployment can be a temporary state. Take this time to update your skill set and update your resume. You could consider volunteering to add valuable work experience to your resume. Visit my website to get my free resume secret report that will show you how to land interviews.