5 Ways Technology Can Step Up Your Job Search

5 Ways Technology Can Step Up Your Job Search When youre on the hunt for a new job, you want to use all the resources available to you in order to boost your chances of landing that dream role. Technology and social media have become integral parts of our daily life and they  can really step up your job search if you make the most of them, from building a professional online presence, to producing some creative content that showcases your skills. Here are a few ways that you can use social media and technology to assist your job hunt. 1) Optimise your LinkedIn profile A lot of employers will check out your LinkedIn profile when considering you for a role, so  make sure that you have filled in your profile properly, listing all your relevant work experience, education and skills. Though there will be a lot of overlap between your LinkedIn profile and your CV, try to make it a little different so it provides some new insights into your professional experience and achievements. Your summary section allows you to go into a bit more detail and you can also attach multimedia files to your profile, to showcase some of your work. 2) Network on  social media LinkedIn and other social networks are also a great place for you to network and create some business  contacts, who may be able to assist you with your career now or down the line. These could be professionals who work in your desired industry or employees of companies you are interested in working for. A good way to find people to connect with is to join groups relevant to your industry on LinkedIn, Facebook and Google+, where you can get involved in discussions and meet like minded people. Its also a good idea to interact with brands and companies that you are interested in on social media, as it will get you known to them and you can show some personality. 3) Set up a  website If you want to make a bold statement, setting up a website that markets you as a job seeker is bound to get you noticed! The website can work as a virtual CV and portfolio, so employers can build a rounded impression of you as a professional. Be sure to include all of your usual information, such as previous work experience and qualifications so they can check your credentials. You are then free to elaborate on any areas you choose to, by providing multimedia examples of your work, a video introducing yourself, etc. Get creative! Check out Adam Pacittis Employ Adam site to seek a bit of inspiration! 4) Create a video As I mentioned above, a video can be a great way to introduce yourself and show a bit of personality. Be warned that this is not an easy task to nail, but if done right it could give you a fast track to the top of the applicant pile! You could do it in the style of a video CV or even as a bit of a PR stunt to catch an employers eye; but by doing something a little different and injecting a bit of humour into your video, youre most likely to make an impression. You can then upload your video to YouTube and share away! Heres an example of a really creative and well made video by entrepreneur Mark Leruste. 5) Write a blog If you fancy yourself a bit of a writer, blogging is a great way to show your interest and knowledge of an industry. By writing posts that are relevant to the field you want to work in, you prove that you are active in the industry and if youre lucky it may catch the eye of someone hiring for a suitable role. Employers may also check these out when considering your application, so it is a good indication to them that you are being proactive in your career.

The Key to Successful Resume Writing

The Key to Successful Resume WritingResume writing Kansas City is an essential part of the job hunt. After all, it isn't hard to figure out that you are a high school dropout who has been stuck in a dead end job for the last three months before searching for something better. In that time, you must have developed some skills, developed a certain sense of pride about your accomplishments, and you must have some sort of network of contacts in place.To get you started on developing an excellent resume, you should begin by compiling a list of your best skill sets. For instance, you should list your writing abilities, be able to keep your mouth shut when necessary, and be a good communicator. It is important to make sure that you have all these skills, and then you can move on to brainstorming for different types of skills that you want to include on your resume.Before you begin your search for resume writing Kansas City, there are a few things that you need to think about. The first thin g that you should do is to begin gathering a large number of cover letters. This will give you a pretty good idea of what people are looking for, and how much you should prepare.By going through your letter, you should be able to determine if it was received in a recent time or not. By doing this, you can then focus on the other components of your resume, like the resumes that did receive a cover letter, the cover letters themselves, and the personal information that you want to be included on your resume. While cover letters are usually the first thing that is noticed on a resume, it is not the only thing that people look at.A person may glance at your resume and immediately recognize your name, and then look to the rest of your document to determine if it is something that they can put into context. By following the same path, you can then be able to quickly determine what kind of professional services you can offer, and begin to develop your resume around that specific niche. As long as you provide a bit of information about yourself, and then show that you have the necessary knowledge to offer the services that they are seeking, you should be able to quickly begin working on developing a resume with very little hassle.One thing that is really important to remember when you are looking for resume writing Kansas City is that you should go through your notes about the job that you are applying for and identify any unique qualities that you may have that can be exploited in your job hunt. Although there are no strict rules on what you can include in your resume, if you begin to take note of these things you can use them to your advantage. Instead of simply saying that you are looking for a job in the entertainment industry, for instance, you could come up with a listing of your previous jobs that have included various entertainment projects that have been completed.By using these unique skills you have acquired while working in your current position, you can h elp your new job search by providing a bit of insight into the job that you are interested in. In addition to this, you can also use your profile as a contact person for the local entertainment industry. As mentioned, there are no rules on what you can include in your resume, but if you begin to take note of these things you can use them to your advantage.The reason why resume writing Kansas City is so important is because it will become very difficult to market yourself if you are unable to provide some sort of reference for the kind of skills that you possess. As a result, you should ensure that you are employing unique skills and opportunities that can be utilized to your advantage. If you are able to incorporate a resume that includes these things, you will be in a great position to stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Every Female Entrepreneur Should Be Doing These 3 Things -

Every Female Entrepreneur Should Be Doing These 3 Things - Work-life balanceâ€"it’s the ever-elusive goal so many of us are constantly trying to achieve. According to Forbes, many women who make the leap into entrepreneurship do so in part because they’re looking for more flexibility. However, the irony is that women who run businesses often feel more trapped than ever before. As a female entrepreneur, you don’t have a boss breathing down your neck, but now you’re the boss who has to make it all happen. The good news is that as the boss, you really aren’t trapped. It’s within your power to find an approach to running your business successfully and keeping everything else afloat, in a way that’s more effective and more efficient. Delegate Most small businesses start out on a tight budget, which is why we often feel like we have to do everything ourselves. The problem is that taking on every single task isn’t the best use of your time, and it may even put your business at a disadvantage. This doesn’t mean you have to hire full-time staff, but you should consider hiring out some of the necessities for getting your business off the ground. For example, one of these necessities is having a website that looks professional and has all the features your business needs. If web development isn’t your area of expertise, a freelance web developer can create a top-notch website for you. Before hiring someone, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for. Most web devs specialize in either front-end, which is what customers see, or back-end, which is the data management side (basically, what makes the site work). Some developers do both of these jobs, but most professionals focus on one or the other. Whether you’re looking to hire one or both of these roles, make sure to find someone who has all the necessary qualifications, including a thorough knowledge of web fundamentals, frameworks, and basic UI/UX design. Along with these skills, look for a candidate who has positive reviews and a portfolio that demonstrates solid experience. Hiring the right person to develop your website is just one example of how delegating ensures you’re setting your business up for success, and you’re also left with more time to focus on the areas that need your attention the most. You can apply this same principle to your home life as well. Consider delegating more of your home responsibilities, perhaps by giving certain chores to your kids, hiring a housekeeper, or trying a meal delivery service. Streamline Along with delegating tasks so you aren’t responsible for doing absolutely everything, another way to achieve better balance is to streamline your processes. Stop and look at whether you have all the tools you need, such as the right software and apps, to get things done efficiently. Not only do you need to have the right tools, but it’s also how you use them that counts. For example, some tools offer automation so that you don’t need to repeat the same task multiple times. Take advantage of this useful feature. Schedule Whether your business is new or you’ve been doing the entrepreneurship thing for a while, it’s worth your time to be intentional about how you’re spending it. Some business owners are more productive when they break up their day, throwing in some exercise or lunch with friends in between work. You may even want to schedule family time. When you schedule everything, you’re more likely to meet personal goals as well as business goals. Yes You, Too Can Be a Successful Female Entrepreneur! Even with a solid schedule and all the right processes in place, we have to accept that there will be times when something is still out of balance. If you ever feel this way, take a step back and focus on the bigger picture. When you run your businessâ€"and the rest of lifeâ€"with these strategies for increasing efficiency and productivity, overall balance will win out more often than not. This guest post was authored by Gloria Martinez Ms. Martinez loves sharing her business expertise and hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses.

Good With Numbers Could you start a Career in Bookkeeping

Good With Numbers Could you start a Career in Bookkeeping When considering a career change or going into business for yourself, a career in bookkeeping is an option that has no shortage of work. When considering a career change or going into business for yourself, a career in bookkeeping is an option that has no shortage of work. There are literally tons of small and large businesses that require bookkeepers to work not only within the company but by contract as well. One of the most obvious skills you want to have if you are thinking about being a bookkeeper is being good with numbers. No, you don’t have to be a math scholar but you should at the very least have a good grasp of basic math as well as being able to balance your own chequebook accurately. If you fall into those categories then becoming a bookkeeper is definitely a viable option for you. Numbers, Numbers and more Numbers You may be good with numbers and able to balance a chequebook with ease, now for the important question. Do you enjoy it? If not so much, then being a bookkeeper may not be the best idea for you. Bookkeeping is basically balancing someone else’s larger and more complicated chequebook multiple times a week (or more), paired with a whole lot of repetitive and meticulous data entry involving more, yes you guessed it, numbers. If the thought of that makes your head hurt, then perhaps you may want consider working in the food industry or any type of job that requires a little less mathematics.   Having said that, many people love the challenge of making things balance and see maths as a puzzle with the answer being those columns of figures all lined up right. Communication Skills Being a successful and sought out bookkeeper does involve more than just numbers. According to the book  [amazon template=productasin=0974609390], communication skills are imperative in bookkeeping. Business owners not only want to know all the financial details of their business every step of the way, but they expect financial guidance from you as well. Business owners are typically not bookkeepers and if they were, they wouldn’t need you. If you were to walk into any small business office, the likelihood is if they don’t have a book keeper, their accounts will not be very well kept. Part of your job may be to iron out the problems and give advice on how to keep their accounts better, so being tactful is important here too. Most business owners are not very concerned with the logistics of what you are doing, they only concern themselves with the bottom line, how can we save and make money, and more often than not they want this explained in the least amount of technical jargon as possible. Being vocal and asking questions is vital; the worst kind of bookkeeper is the one that hides quietly in the shadows with their calculator. Be willing and able to have a vested interest in the company you are working for.   Take a Course This should be the first thing you do after you decide to go the bookkeeping route. Even if you feel that your math skills are up to par for the tasks involved in bookkeeping, it’s always best to go into it with an educated concept of what you can look forward to. At the very least achieving a diploma or course certificate will increase your chances of getting your foot in the door, whether it be for employment or to attract clients to your bookkeeping services. A diploma or certificate will give employers and/or potential clients an added confidence in your bookkeeping abilities. In fact, you may want to continue to take online book keeping courses throughout your career to stay fresh and up to date.

Some Supply Chain Resume Tips

Some Supply Chain Resume TipsSupply chain resume tips are extremely important when you are a supply chain executive. Many companies are now integrating the supply chain management system. A lot of companies have implemented a supply chain management system and they are using it successfully. One should follow certain guidelines in order to land the right job.Companies are today keen on getting the best talent in their organization. If you are an executive who has served the company for some time then you should focus your efforts on getting a promotion. These companies are looking for the best talents to serve them.The internet is a common source to look for job opportunities. There are many sites that provide some information about vacancies. The information provided there is mostly correct. It is necessary to focus on the application process. You need to be able to give answers that will convince the employer.For these, you need to ensure that you have the basic career objectives. Some of these objectives include advancement, financial stability, making a name for yourself, and learning new skills. In addition, you also need to highlight your skills in the job. You can mention some of the knowledge and experience you have had in the company. This will surely help you to be noticed.It is necessary to set goals for yourself. You should try to focus on the list of goals mentioned above. You should make sure that you have covered all the basic objectives.Resumes should be professionally written. It is also very important to provide the relevant skills. If you want to be noticed then you should emphasize on the point that you have served the company in the past. The company should also be happy with your service.You can also look for the various career options provided by the company. If you have already served the company then you can mention this in your resume. If you have never served the company then you can mention that and just state the points that can be helpful to the employer.A resume can be useful for many people. You need to be careful while writing the resume. You need to keep a few things in mind so that you are sure to land the suitable job.

Your step-by-step guide to becoming an amazing woman in tech - Debut

Your step-by-step guide to becoming an amazing woman in tech - Debut This article was written in collaboration with FDM Group. Explore exclusive #fdmcareers  graduate opportunities at FDM Group by downloading the Debut app.  Becoming a strong, assertive woman in tech or STEM industries is definitely a challenge. This article breaks down the necessary steps needed for you to  succeed as an influential woman in tech.   Heres a fun fact.  If there were as many women as men in the tech jobs market, Europes annual GDP could be boosted by as much as  â‚¬9 billion. Thats not a small amount of money. Besides that, encouraging women to have more autonomy over their career choices is simply, just the right thing to do. According to e-skills, only 15% of applicants to computer degrees are female, despite the fact that women consistently achieve higher grades than their male counterparts. This makes one thing clear: women have the right tech skills to conquer this industry. They just need the confidence, and the guidance to make it happen. Here, weve collaborated with FDM Group to help you on the right path towards woman-in-tech greatness. There are just six steps: Step 1: Take stock of your skills To become an impressive woman in tech, you gotta walk the walk as well as talk the talk. The tech industry isnt purely made out of coders. They need business development managers, marketing managers, operations managers and more. Moreover, if youre thinking about  applying for extremely technical roles, do your best to ensure all of your skills are up to scratch. (Dont say youre an expert at something if youre not!) Read up on as many tech job descriptions as possible. Dissect their skills and requirements sections, and compare them to a list of your own skills and requirements. If there are  any gaps, try your best to find ways to level up those skills. For example if a role requires strong knowledge in Microsoft Excel, Google has some advanced tutorials to upgrade your knowledge. Does a place require proficiency in a coding language? Sign up to a CodeAcademy course. More than anything, a woman in tech needs to be a lifelong learner. This industry moves incredibly quickly, and in order to keep up, you need to be on top of your A-game. Step 2: Get commercially aware If only the tech industry was purely about tech. To become a formidable woman in tech, you need to brush up on your commercial awareness  too. In a nutshell, commercial awareness is about how good your general knowledge of business and its various shifting tides are. For example,  relevant topics will include blockchain, artificial intelligence, Snaps IPO and even the controversy surrounding Uber. Essentially, being commercially aware makes you an impressive candidate because it shows youve got the finger on the pulse. Youll have endless topics of conversation at your fingertips, and youll be able to get a better sense of how the industry works as a whole. Step 3: Build your personal brand Personal branding is all about optimising and managing the way you are presented to others, especially in the digital space. Ideally, youll already have an amazing CV and a cracking LinkedIn profile. This will show potential tech employers that your skills and experience information is up-to-date and relevant. However, with the amount of competition out there, this may not be enough to stand out. According to research by the AGR, the average number of applications per vacancy was 68 in 2016. Thats 67 other people youll need to beat out for a potential graduate role in a big company. In order to stand out, you need to leave a great lasting first impression with a hiring manager. Want to learn more? Weve got some  personal branding resources to help you with this here. Step 4: Find a mentor Who better to learn from than someone whos in the position you want to be in? Finding a mentor can be challenging, but it is an incredibly rewarding way to develop yourself and your skills. Its not enough to cold email someone on LinkedIn and expect them to become your mentor, though! A mentor/mentee relationship is a bit like a casserole, it takes time to develop and deepen. The perfect people to approach are your current or past managers at work (as youll already have a relationship). If not, never approach someone you admire with the mentorship question outright. Follow them on social media, engage with them and the content they produce, and then ask them in a private message. Great places to find a potential mentor are Adas List and Hustle Crew, both communities who champion mentorship for women in tech. Step 5: Join or create a geek girl  gang Have a couple of like-minded friends who are thinking of pursuing a tech role? Author Jessica Bennett suggests creating your own geek girl gang, or a Careers Fight Club. The concept is simple. Round up a group of your most driven, techy girl-friends and set up a regular meeting. Each meeting should have an agenda, and the aim of the group should be to support one another in getting the tech job of your dreams. Plus, its a great opportunity to network within your student/graduate community. You never know whos going to be the next big thing after all! Step 6: Conquer the world   Now that youre equipped with everything you need to become a power player in the tech industry, theres just one more step. Go for it. A brilliant quote from techie Jared Erondu sums it up perfectly: If youre in an industry that you love, dont let anyone drive you away from it. Youre a techie. Stand tall.   If you want to add some of the world’s biggest brands to your CV, don’t miss this opportunity and apply today at fdmgroup.com/apply Images via Pexels Download the Debut app and get Talent-Spotted by amazing graduate employers! Connect with Debut on Facebook and Twitter

7 Tips to Passing the Train Driver Assessment Day

7 Tips to Passing the Train Driver Assessment Day Statistics prove that one of the top 10 most sought after careers after leaving school and full-time education is that of a train driver.Unsurprising then, that there are in excess of 400 applicants for every job that is advertised. This makes it even more prevalent for the aspiring trainee train driver applicant to have a thorough knowledge of the assessment day and what they will be expected to do, once there.In this article we will provide you with the essential top 7 tips to passing the train driver assessment day. These will go a long way in helping you gain the highest grades and scores possible during each element of the train driver assessment centre.To begin with, let’s take a look at the key areas of selection criteria you will be assessed against during the day:  TRAIN DRIVER ASSESSMENT DAY SELECTION CRITERIAThe selection criteria are set by the Rail Safety Standards Board (RSSB). The purpose of the RSSB, amongst other things, is to set Railway Group Standards that shoul d be adhered to within the Rail Industry, including recruitment of trainee train drivers.The RSSB will work with other sectors of the rail industry to provide a cost-effective and efficient means for delivering a railway service, and the safety standards that the service must adhere to. As we are all aware, safety is absolutely critical to the effective operation of all train operating companies.The Rail Industry has determined that the following areas will now form part of the selection criteria for the recruitment of train drivers:ATTENTION: Assessed by way of the Test for Everyday Attention (TEA-OCC)VIGILANCE: Testing process includes the use of the WAFVMEMORY REASONING: A form of selection test that focuses on your ability to train by following rules and procedures (Part 1 and 2)PERCEPTION: The Adaptive Tachistoscopic Traffic Test (ATAVT) is the assessment format used during this stage of the assessment day.REACTION TIME: Both the WAFV and ATAVT are used as part of the selectio n criteria to assess your reaction speed potential.HAND COORDINATION: 2HAND coordination tools are now used for this part of the assessment day.COMMUNICATION: Both the Multimodal Interview (MMI) and the Written Communication Test (WCT) are used by the assessors to check your ability to communicate both verbally and in written format.RELEVANT BEHAVIOURAL/PERSONALITY ATTRIBUTES: The Situational Judgement Test and again, the Multimodal Interview (MMI) are used here to check your performance.So, now that we have a little bit of an understanding as to the selection criteria for the train driver assessment day, let’s move on to the top 7 tips for success:  TIP NUMBER 1: Practice lots of psychometric tests prior to the daySample practice question from How2become’s trainee train driver AART assessment software.Remember, you will only get two attempts to pass the train driver assessment, so make sure you are fully prepared.Whilst it is not uncommon for people to fail the test the first t ime of trying, it is important that you give yourself every chance of success by trying different forms of assessment before you go to the TOC train assessment day.Tests such as group bourdon test, WAFV, Vigilance tests, memory tests and also preparing your answers to the interview questions will all help improve performance on the day.  TIP NUMBER 2: Eat and drink healthily in the 4 weeks leading up to the assessment dayDO NOT underestimate how effective this tip can be! If you currently drink alcohol and eat your fair share of junk food, chances are you will not be at your peak. We guarantee that, if you quit alcohol in the build up to your test, and if you eat healthily by cutting out all junk food, your scores WILL improve. The reason for this is because it has been proven that clarity and focus will help dramatically improve psychometric testing scores all round. If you cut out alcohol and junk food, clarity and focus will drastically increase.  TIP NUMBER 3: Understand the Tra in Driver Assessment Day Scoring CriteriaThe assessors will be primarily looking at your performance on the day. They will not be overly  concerned at this stage whether or not you are a good fit for the Train Operating Company; this will come during the Train Driver Manager interview. On that basis, you need to gain the highest scores possible whilst not sacrificing accuracy. Basically, you will lose marks for inaccurate answers and/or guesswork. Therefore, do not be put off if you do not finish a particular test.Virtually all of the train driver tests are virtually impossible to complete in the given time-frame.  TIP NUMBER 4: The Train Driver Tests Pass MarkThe truth is, nobody, other than the RSSB and the actual creators of each test, knows what the pass mark is. Therefore, do not waste your time searching the Internet trying to find out what it is. Your time will be better spent practicing mock tests and preparing your answers to the interview questions.In addition to the above , there is also no actual ‘pass mark’, but rather a ‘cut-off point’. The RSSB allegedly set a minimum cut-off that it recommended all Train Operating Companies and assessors use. Extensive research found that, if a candidate falls below the minimum cut-off then he or she will most probably not have the aptitude to become a safe train driver.  TIP NUMBER 5: Work to improve your Oral Communication SkillsThe Multi-Modal Interview (MMI) has been specifically designed to assess a candidate’s ability in the area of oral communication. It is not designed to assess your written capabilities; this will be assessed during the Written Communication Test (WCT). The main reason for this is simply because written skills are not deemed as being safety critical within the Rail Industry for Train Drivers, whereas oral communication is.On that basis, your oral communication skills need to be:ConciseClearAudibleRelevantSuccinctTIP NUMBER 6: The Practice Materials the TOC send you WILL be dif ferent to the actual testBear in mind that, the standard of test the TOC will send to you prior to the assessment day, will be different to the tests you will undertake on the actual day itself. Therefore, make sure you practice a wide variety of train driver tests, all of which are available from this website.TIP NUMBER 7: The Written Communication Test (WCT) is Not a PASS or FAIL!There is no pass or fail mark, or a minimum cut-off for that matter, for the Written Communication Test. Whilst this is good news, it does mean that discretion on who passes or fails this part of the process is entirely down to the assessor.The test itself will identify your particular strengths and weaknesses in the area of written communication. Remember that, written skills are not deemed safety critical for the role of a train driver. On that basis, if your written skills are not that great, you can still pass based on your scores in the rest of the combined assessments during the assessment day. This entry was posted in Train Driver, Assessment Centres. Bookmark the permalink. Joshua Brown WHAT IS PI DAY?TRAIN STATION CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT

Job Search Tips Part II - Hallie Crawford

Job Search Tips Part II Here are 6 more helpful tips to have a successful job search: Watch what you say and never bash a former employer. Dress for the job you want. Ask yourself what does a prospective employer need and how can I fulfill that need. Be aware of trends in your field. This will help you remain competitive in the marketplace and know when it’s time to beef up your skills to stand out from the crowd. Get support. People who have the support of a group, do better 100 percent of the time. Focus on what you can control. You can’t control the economy or the job market but you can control your reaction to it. Remain positive and pro-active. is a certified career coach and founder of HallieCrawford.com. Her team of coaches helps people find their dream job and make it a reality. She is regularly featured as an expert in the media including the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and US News World Report. Visit her website at  www.HallieCrawford.com  for more information about her teams career coaching services and to sign up for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a free consult with HallieCrawford.com today