Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Mary Meeker Insights to Master Today

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Mary Meeker Insights to Master Today I became a fan of Mary Meeker when she cited a study on millennials I completed many moons ago. So naturally, I was pleased when her 2015 report nearly blew up the Internet. I’m one of those people who read every word of the 150+ slides and have distilled the most critical information to save you time. #1: Platforms Rule In this order, the top global Internet companies are Apple, Google, Alibaba, Facebook, and Amazon. These platforms allow users to create their own marketplaces and mini social networks. Thanks to ongoing user contributions, these companies and their offerings are always growing and evolving â€" and they’re becoming more powerful as a result. Hopefully your organization will strive to emulate these platforms in terms ofcitizen development, and you will experience greater freedom torapidly develop innovative applications. #2: Expanding App Horizons Although Internet user growth and smartphone user growth are starting to slow globally (only +8 percent and +23 percent in 2014, respectively), major action is happening in the developing countries of India, Brazil, and China. Applications and online services that cater to these markets will be hugely successful, and U.S. only operations would be wise to consider expansion. #3: A Change in Perspective We have been accustomed to watching video via the landscape format provided by television â€" until now. Thanks to applications like Snapchat, users are now watching videos in vertical portrait mode. If you are involved in content creation, you need to rethink how you produce video. Your new approach will likely include fewer long-distance shots and more talking-head type close-ups. For the rest, read the full post at Intuits Fast Track blog.

The Need For Writing A Career Objective For Resume

The Need For Writing A Career Objective For ResumeWriting a career objective for resume is also another type of writing. Career objective is one of the most important parts of resume because it is used to place emphasis on your previous and current career positions, certifications, and achievements. It is an effective way to emphasize on what you have done in the past.Resume objective usually displays your objectives from the perspective of an employer or someone who is likely to know you. Objective usually uses words that are easier to understand and there is no ambiguity in the mind of the listener. It should be able to attract the attention of an employer and it should also include a good overview of the skills and expertise of the person who is hiring you.Objective writing should be made in such a way that it can stand out from other resumes. It should contain information that is just useful to the person who is about to hire you. It must also contain something that can be explai ned with all possible terms and explanations so that the interviewer can easily understand your idea.You must also use the objective well and it must be carefully written. It is important that the objective is exactly what the person is looking for because otherwise the person might not be able to understand your needs and wants. There are many ways that you can use for this purpose, but the most effective and appropriate one is through use of resume objective.Use objective when you want to express to the reader the need and demand that the person has for your job. It should be clear and concise and should also be very easy to understand. One of the best things about objective writing is that you do not have to be a professional writer in order to write them. Anyone can write it, including students.Objective writing should be made with precision and care. You must follow the general guidelines set by resume guidelines in order to get the desired results. It is important that you wri te a detailed objective that is not too vague.It is advisable that you include your strengths and weaknesses in your objective. This will help you find out what you are good at and what you are not so good at. It also helps you in addressing the needs of the employer.Writing a career objective for resume is an effective way to showcase your worthiness and capabilities. This type of writing also helps you reach your objective without having to waste your time. If you do not know how to write an objective for resume, you can use a resume editor to help you write an objective for resume.

The Secret to a Successful Interview

The Secret to a Successful Interview How many times have you been to an interview for a job you were perfect for, you  had exceeded all the qualifications, the person seemed to like you, and things  seemed to go perfectlybut then you called or emailed to follow up and got the  dreaded “We went with another candidate” response? Your resume was perfect, you looked like a million bucks, you smiled, you  researched and demonstrated you knew the company inside and you, and you “sold  yourself” like the complete, perfect package. So what was missing? What sealed the deal for another candidate? What could they possibly have that  you didn’t? Well, because we can’t see every other candidate being interviewed, it’s often  difficult, if not impossible, to tell what other candidates said, did, or had  that you didn’t. However, I recently talked to an HR professional who really understood what was  important in a good worker, and what an interviewer is looking for in any  candidate they hire. I’ve also found that nearly all interviewers see this trait (mostly  unconsciously) as the most important quality in a candidate. It also happens  to be the easiest thing to demonstrate, instantly make you stand out in  almost any interview line-up, and makes any employer look upon you as a highly desirable candidate, but almost no one who goes into an interview focuses on it. How to stand out in any interview The key ingredients to a successful interview are: PASSION LOYALTY. When most of us read interview books that tell us to “sell ourselves” to an  employer, it’s usually all about trying to sell yourself to the employer’s logical brain… but what’s the one thing employers want from workers more than  anything? For example, what if you were in an interview, and the interviewer said: I just  interviewed a candidate with a perfect grade point average, who has more  experience than you, and has worked for X, Y, Z companies… why should I choose  you? Almost anyone would be stumped for an answer! This is where you override the interviewer’s answer by teaching them a different  way of looking at things by using passion. Imagine you said: You know, one thing I’ve found all my life is: there’s nothing you can’t  teach a person. You can teach a person to do any job on the planet, but the one thing you can’t teach is passion! I like to challenge myself every single day: I  like to learn from others, and I work hard to give the best I possibly can to  people. I believe you’re looking for someone who’s honest, who can give you  loyalty, and who is looking for a company they can grow with. I’m looking for a  company who is passionate about what they do, who is constantly pursuing  excellence, and wants employees who are going to love what they do, love coming  to work every day, and who can grow with you, learn, work, and be a team player. No matter how good someone’s qualifications may be, there are many other factors that are even more important than someone’s education or experience, and he  could come here to get career advancement, then just up and leave. I value  honesty when I give my word to someone I keep it, and I can tell you that  if you’re loyal to me, and willing to help me grow, I’ll be loyal to you, and  look forward to growing with you as a company. A good interview is all about what you communicate This is very powerful, because it sends all the messages about you that go much  deeper than just communicating that you look good on paper (because a lot of  candidates do). You’ve communicated something that will truly stand out to an employer:  you’re honest, a team player and someone looking to grow and learn  (meaning you’re open to working with others). This is significant, especially today, when you consider that you’re up against  30 people in an interview. You need a way to stand out that goes beyond just smiling, showing a good resume, or experience.  What employers are really  interviewing is you; their main goal is to make sure you’re the best fit for  their company and are going to be a good long-term investment. If you can  communicate that you’ll be the biggest asset to the company because of your  passion and dedication, many times that’s more important to employers then  what’s on your resume alone (and I’ve had many HR professionals I’ve spoken with  confirm this). Remember to show yourself Remember on your next interview that passion is the biggest asset you can take  with you to stand out. If an employer knows you want to be the  best at whatever you do; that you have a desire to work hard, and do whatever it  takes to make the company a success that will stand out a lot more than simply  your resume or experience alone. Chris Nosal is a communication skills, marketing expert, and blogger, who  consults with businesses and marketers through private consultations. You can  learn more about Chris at his  blog.

Why Your Resume Needs Accurate Action Verbs

Why Your Resume Needs Accurate Action Verbs This post is sponsored by  onlineresumebuliders.com, the resume building software available on  your phone, tablet or desktop.   There are many rules to resume writing; an important one being  the need for action words or action verbs. Dont worry if you dont really know what they are, weve got you covered. Action words  are verbs that describe a mental or physical action, and are usually written in the past tense. They are the words that  should be used to start bullet points in your resume, for example: Evaluated training manual for errors. Demonstrated 95% efficiency with SalesForce lead funnel protocols. Facilitated corporate meetings across multiple states. Evaluated, demonstrated and facilitated are all action verbs. They are the first word of the  experience or achievement, and they are considered a “must” on every resume. With a few exceptions, action verbs are the  ideal way to make sure that your resume is ready to get noticed by hiring managers, for the right reasons! Why are they so important, and what are the benefits of using them? Read on. Action words Have more impact Action verbs start each sentence off with a bang! The alternative is  writing your achievements out in complete sentences, with I worked on and I did. This is extremely  repetitive and boring for the hiring manager to read. Writing long sentences full of dull descriptions of the work youve done  does nothing to capture attention or interest.  Strong action words, however, are a  far more  persuasive language tool  that allows you to be  concise and impactful. Make for easy  skim-reading Most employers spend only a few seconds on each resume, before discarding it if they dont find  what they want. Action verbs  provide instant information, and are often the first words that hiring managers see after your  name. Doing your research and using industry-specific action verbs will make it easy for hiring managers to see what they want on your resume and prompt them to spend more time reading through your skills. Help people to picture you in the role Action verbs represent an action. When the verb is specific to  the job to which you are applying, it helps the hiring manager visualize you doing the work. For  example, if you are applying to a job as an assembler, and you use assembled, manufactured and “compiled” as  your  action verbs, the hiring manager is going to naturally  visualize you doing the job. Other examples: Achieved,  completed,  expanded,  exceeded,  improved,  pioneered,  spearheaded,  transformed,  integrated, modeled, modified,  performed, planned, revised, revitalized, shaped, solved Render  your resume unique One caveat is that action verbs should be carefully chosen for both  accuracy and impact. Ideally, choose the most powerful and soecific  action word you can find, and be sure you have used  the word correctly. When you choose great action verbs which accurately showcase your abilities and achievements, you automatically set yourself apart from  applicants who use generic  verbs that send readers to sleep. This will give you the competitive advantage you need when  hiring managers review applications. Give your  resume a  greater flow Finally, action verbs make it easier for you to flow from one  point to the next, without having to use the word “also” or “in addition” regularly. The goal of every resume should be to  make sure that each and every bullet point you place is read, understood and leads nicely onto the next one! Action verbs have a certain power to them that other words do not, and the more time you take determining  which  one  are best for your resume, the more likely you are to have an application that creates an excellent impression on employers. Make sure you take the time to select strong action verbs, and  then wait for the phone to ring with your interview request! About the author:  Micah Abraham is a writer at Online Resume Builders. If you are looking for a new resume, start building yours today at  Onlineresumebuilders.com   it takes as little as 5 minutes.   Image: Shutterstock

How to Deal With Resume Lie Detector

How to Deal With Resume Lie DetectorIf you don't know how to deal with resume lie detector, then you need to learn it. It is true that being dishonest is not an easy thing to do and that honesty is a key thing to have in order to keep your job and it is even more important to know the exact rules for being honest on your resume.Resume lie detector is a rule which says that in order to be truthful on your resume you must be truthful to your own self. That is, you have to know what you are going to say about yourself in the job application. With some proper knowledge, you will be able to come up with a good resume that will contain only positive statements and not any negative remarks against your own personality.If you really want to know how to deal with resume lie detector, you should make sure that your resume does not contain any allegations or accusations against anyone. Instead, it should always contain some kind of praise or compliment for your own accomplishments.Another thing that you have to remember in order to avoid lying on your resume is to remember that there are certain things that you have to write and say about yourself in your career objective. You have to say that you were involved in most of the things that you have done in your life, especially the achievements in that area.At the end of your resume, you have to mention the reasons why you are interested in the particular company. It is always a good idea to say the important points in a short sentence or a paragraph.If you really want to know how to deal with resume lie detector, you should make sure that you can remember everything that you have written. This is the reason why you have to keep track of the speeches you made and even the parts of the resume that you have written.Nowadays, many professional resume writers use the same resume template in their work and they even get access to a software program that allows them to create a perfect resume even without writing it. However, if you want to create your own resume, you should be very careful in choosing the template because this template is usually the basis of every resume.Creating a well-written resume is very hard work and you have to be very careful in your ideas. However, in order to be successful in your efforts, you have to make sure that you will be honest and you will not be afraid to show your weaknesses.

7 Smart Ways To Speed Up Your Job Search - Hire Imaging

7 Smart Ways To Speed Up Your Job Search - Hire Imaging 1. Pinpoint your skills. The best way to get a job is to go out and land interviews! The best way to get interviews, is to make finding a job your job! Here are seven things you should do to make that happen! 1. Pinpoint your skills. A solid career plan means knowing your skills. Many job seekers can’t answer the question, “Why should I hire you?” The consequences of not being able to answer that question â€" or being able to, are often the distinct advantage or disadvantage for you. Please identify your skills before you move on with your search. List your top 5 adaptive-self management skills, your top 5 transferrable skills, and your top 5 job-related skills. 2. Have a clear goal. A solid career objective is not just fodder for your resume. I know it’s hard to figure out the exact job you want, but getting as close as possible is important. Too many people look for a job without having a good idea of exactly what they are looking for. Define exactly what it is you really want â€" “the” job. The job objective is not the same as a job title. Consider other elements of what makes a job satisfying for you. Later, you can decide what that job is called and what industry it might be in. List the skills you want to use, the special knowledge you would like to use, what types of people you like to work for and with, the type of work environment you prefer, where you want the job to be located, how much money you hope to make, how much responsibility you are willing to accept, and the things that are important to you. Then try describing your ideal job.   3. Know where and how to look for job leads. The “hidden job market” refers to the fact that 85% of all job openings aren’t advertised. Employers hire people they know, people who find out about the jobs through word of mouth or people who happen to be in the right place at the right time. Networking is much more than asking people if they know of job openings. Instead, look at networking as a way to build relationships with people who know other people, who may know other people who know of jobs. Networking is also about getting advice about your search and insight into the organizations you’re trying to get into. Make a list of people you know â€" from family to former coworkers. Contact the people on your list in a systematic way. Present yourself well, ask them for leads, and then contact these referrals and do the same. The three magic networking questions: Do you know of any openings for a person with my skills? If the answer is no (which it usually is), ask the next question. Do you know of someone else who might know of such an opening? If your contact does, get that name and ask for another one. If he or she doesn’t, ask the next question. Do you know of anyone who might know of someone else who might? Another good way to ask this is, “Do you know someone who knows lots of people?” If all else fails, this will usually get you a name. 4. Invest 20 or more hours a week in your job search. Job seekers average less than 15 hours a week looking for work. The average length of unemployment varies from three or more months, with some out of work far longer (older workers and higher earners are two groups who statistically take longer). There is a correlation between hours invested in job search and how long it will take to land. Time management is crucial. Of course, if you are currently employed, you will probably spend less time. That said, the principals are the same. Decide how many hours a week you will spend a week looking for work and which days and times you will look for work. Then, create a schedule and stick to it. Use a daily planner  that allows plenty of space for each days plan on an hourly basis, plus room for daily “to-do” lists. Write in your daily schedule in advance; then add interviews as they come. Get used to carrying it and using it. Or, have it on your phone or mobile device always-ready. 5. Get at least two interviews a day. The average job seeker averages five interviews a month â€" fewer than two a week. I want you to get two a day. It may sound like a lofty goal, but it’s not. Let’s frame the definition of “interview” as: Any face-to-face contact with a person who has the authority to hire or manage someone with your skills or qualifications.  That person may or may not have an opening at the time. With this definition, it is much easier to get interview. You can now interview with all kinds of potential employers, not just those who have openings. Getting names of others to contact from those you know â€" networking â€" is quite successful if you are persistent. 6. Ace interviews. However you get the interviews, you want to create a good impression when you get there. Dress the way you think the boss would dress â€" only neater. In anticipating how you will answer questions, keep in mind that questions are designed to screen you out! Try using this three-step process in your interviews: Understand what is really being asked.     Are you easy to get along with? Are you a good worker? Do you have the experience and training to do the job if we hire you? Are you likely to stay on for a reasonable period of time and be productive? Answer questions briefly, in a harmless way. Many interview questions prompt you to provide negative information. Questions like “What is your major weakness” is one many are not prepared for. A good response is to mention something that is not all damaging, such as “I have been told that I can be thorough to a fault, sometimes not letting go to delegate as I could.” But your answer is not complete until you do the last and third step: Answer the real concern by presenting your related skills. Base your answer on the key skills you identified that are needed in the job. Give examples to support your skill statements. In answering “trick questions” like the weakness question above, you can add that “I have been working on my perfectionist tendencies for some time, and have learned to be more willing to let my staff do things, making sure they have good training and support. I’ve found their performance improves, and I’m free to do other things.” 7. Follow up on all contacts. Folks who follow up with potential employers and with others in their network get jobs faster than those who do not. Send a thank-you note to every person who helps you in your job search. Send the thank-you note within 24 hours of speaking with that person. Develop a system to keep following up with good contacts. In a nutshell, approach your job search as if it were a job itself. Get organized and spend at least 20 hours a week actively looking. Know your skills and have a clear goal. Get lots of interviews, including exploratory interviews through networking. Have a good answer to the question, “Why should I hire you?” Follow up on all the leads you generate, and send out lots of thank-you notes. Pay attention to the details; then be yourself in the interview. Employers are people. They will hire someone who they feel will do the job well, be reliable, and fit easily into the work environment. When you want the job, tell the employer that you want the job and why. Believe in yourself. And ask people to help you! I’d love to hear your comments about shortcuts to the job search. Please comment below!

Bring the Right Stuff to a Face-to-Face Interview

Bring the Right Stuff to a Face-to-Face Interview Bring the Right Stuff to a Face-to-Face Interview When you were a kid, did your parents ask you to put out your school clothes the night before? Or, if you had an early test, did you pack your backpack before you went to bed? Then why don’t you do it for one of the most important events in your career…the interview? A major frustration for job seekers right now is their inability to convert applications into interviews. So if you “win” an interview, particularly a face-to-face interview, don’t blow it! Bring the Right Stuff Save this checklist and use it before every interview. I guarantee that the day you don’t check your list, you will forget something important. What to take: Portfolio or pad holder with plenty of paper and two pens. Multiple copies of your résumé. A copy of the job description with your notes and questions. Multiple copies of your complete application, including cover letter and résumé. Multiple copies of your list of references (although this is rarely requested during an interview). Work samples, if relevant. Check with your prior employer(s) to make sure these don’t contain any proprietary information. Breath mints â€" use before you enter the building and in between interviews. Small bottle of water, protein bar, or snack. Briefcase to hold all of the above. For ladies, it can be a larger purse. Don’t walk in with your arms full, unable to shake hands, or looking disorganized. What not to bring to an interview: Cellphone, smartphone, tablet, or any electronic device Music player Gum Cigarettes Candy Soda or coffee Laptop or tablet not even to take notes with unless it is requested Look and Sound the Part Interview Attire. Dressing formally and appropriately sends a signal to the interviewer that you care enough to want to make a good first impression. And the inverse not being dressed appropriately will hurt you. Job Search Is All About First Impressions. You want your appearance to convey a confident, respectful, professional, and prepared job seeker. Remember, you are “on stage”and this interview day is your BEST day. You want the interviewer to concentrate on your skills, qualifications, and fit with their job specifications. If you look disheveled or too casual, you may be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Interviewers know that what you wear is not your normal day-to-day attire, and it may not even be the everyday style of their office. Be sure you understand the product or service of the company. Applying for a position with a law firm requires a different “attitude” in dressing than for an Internet or manufacturing company. However, during my 30 years as a hiring manager and job candidate, I have never heard an interviewer complain that, “The candidate came in dressed too nicely.” I know the above points may seem “basic.” But if they are so basic, why do so many candidates still show up with so many bloopers?