10 social media rules for new college graduates

10 social media rules for new college graduates10 social media rules for new college graduatesStudents and new graduates are being urged to clean up their social media accounts in order to prevent their online profiles from damaging their career prospects.If youre an ambitious student who will soon be graduating and has yet to land your dream role, it could be time to take a critical look at your social media footprint. Does your potential employer know mora about you than you think? Perhaps theyve looked you up on Google and have found those long-forgotten facebook inc snaps of that big night out in Freshers Week when you ended up with a traffic cone on your head? Students are notorious for their partying antics which is all well and good until photographic evidence of your endeavors ends up online for the world to see.Many people approach social media as if its confidential and forget that anything shared online could find its way to their future employers. Whether its an inappropr iate Tweet posted years ago, or a long-forgotten pic from a crazy night out, the news is rife with stories about well-known personalities being caught out by tasteless or unacceptable comments made when they were younger and not quite as internet-savvy.If youre serious about your career you should treat your social media profiles as an extension of your resume. Our social profiles are representative of our personalities, pastimes, and interests, so its vital to be conveying the correct ansehen of yourself to current or prospective employers.By following LondonOffices.coms list of 10 social media dos and donts, students and new graduates can make aya they stay in their futures employers good books.5 things to doCheck your privacy settingWhilst many of us are guilty of thinking that our drunken snaps are safely hidden away from the prying eyes of current or future employers as our own personal profiles are private, did you know that anybody can see your tagged photos if the person tha t uploaded them has made the album public? So, make sure you have your privacy settings locked down.Facebook status privacy settings have been known to change when posted from a mobile device, so however secure you think your privacy settings are, make sure you double check before posting.Google your name and check whats onlineTheres tons of online information that can tell employers a lot about you tweets, posts, blogs, and photos. Its quite easy for employers to find information you may have preferred to keep private, and much of it can be found by simply Googling your name.Pre-empt any disasters by Googling your own name and rectifying anything that may raise alarm bells to potential employers.Create an online presenceIf youre looking for a new job, its important to have an online presence where you can showcase your skills and experience. Your online profiles will also help you connect with contacts who can help you in your job search or assist in moving you up the career ladder later on.Watch your grammarIt might seem like no big deal to use texting language on social media, especially when its convenient while posting on your phone or when you cant make your tweet fit otherwise.However, you could be losing jobs because of it, as employers will often look negatively upon poor spelling and grammar.Be consistentIts fine to rework the descriptions of your work experience so that its suitable for different platforms, but whats not acceptable is if your titles, companies, and dates dont match up. Thats a red flag for prospective employers and at the very least, shows carelessness.5 things to avoidVoice controversial opinionsWhile it is important to get involved with discussions online and flex your ideological muscles, nobody wants to employ an overly-opinionated loudmouth.To employers, your passion could come across as argumentative and you may seem difficult. Steer away from controversial issues if you want to keep the peace.Tweet about bad behaviorThis is a nother really obvious one, but it can cause catastrophic results if not adhered to.Turned up late for lectures for the third time this week and got away with it? Good for you, but dont bother trying to brag to your friends about it over Twitter youre practically asking for future employers to find it and this will only show in a bad light.Display unprofessional profile photosIf an employer conducts a Google search of your name, any pictures affiliated with any of your profiles may pop up on the first results page.So, it goes without saying that career-driven folk should opt for a sensible profile picture opposed to a snap of you lying on the curb, drunk.Bash current/previous employersMany people are tempted to voice their work-related frustrations on Facebook or Twitter, and vent about how much their co-workers or boss have angered or upset them this goes for students who may have only ever had a part-time job. But keep in mind that prospective employers may be looking out for thi s type of information, so refrain from making these comments at all costs.Mock your customersLike complaining about your boss, mocking or complaining about your customers or clients can have equally detrimental effects. Complaining about customers only shows your company and your work ethic in a bad light. Most employers wont stand for that, so avoid posting these types of complaints online.This article first appeared on Your Coffee Break.

5 Things to Do Before You Apply to Any Job

5 Things to Do Before You Apply to Any Job5 Things to Do Before You Apply to Any JobImagine that a new restaurant is about to open in yourneighborhood. Youve heard great things about the chef, the place looksattractive and you cant wait to try the food. So you rush in within the first few days it isopen for business, only to find that the restaurant really hasnt finishedthe shakedown period. The food is unevenly prepared, the wait staff isntwell coordinated and your hopes for a perfect evening are dashed. Had the management given itself a little longer to work outthe inevitable bugs before opening, your first impression would likely be muchstronger. The restaurants chances for your repeat business would also havebeen much stronger.Career transitions are rarely easy, and there is apropensity to want to take shortcuts. Often new job hunters with greatpotential are in such a rush to get hired that they hurry the process, like therestaurant that opens its doors without ample preparation. You may be eager toapply to the first position of interest, but the effort is likely doomedwithout adequate planning.When you think about what you need to do for any largeproject, it can become overwhelming. And when you do things out of order, onesmall mistake early on can have larger ramifications later. This is especiallytrue for job landseekers.The key to laying an effective job-search strategy isunderstanding the various parts of a job hunt and putting them into place inan ordered fashion. Its not about writing down everything youve beenresponsible for and calling it arsum, setting up a bare-bones LinkedInprofile or staying up late at night, applying to everything you see advertisedon a job board.For example, take this situation where things are notwell-ordered A job seeker meets someone at a gathering who might be interestedin helping. Can I see a copy of yourrsum? he asks.A reply like, I have to write it Ill get it to you when Ican immediately damages credibility, and it de monstrates little reason for theperson to go out of his way to help. Here are five things you should do beforeapplying for a job1.Figureout what you have to offer an employer.If you are in midcareer and simply want to do what youve been doing somewhereelse, or you want take a step forward in a linear path, this may seem obvious. Still,it is well worth the time and effort to catalog your skills and achievementsbefore you move on to crafting yourrsum.If you want to change your career altogether,or if you are just starting out, rather than saying, I want to be a XXX, youmay benefit by taking advantage of a variety of self-assessment tools such asthe Myers-Briggs. Moreover, it makes a great deal of sense to arrange forinformational bewerbungsinterviews to learn more about your intended path forward fromthose who have already traveled it.2.Figureout employers needs. Think of this phase as the market research you needto do before you are ready to launch your campaign. Check out what openi ngslook like for the types of jobs for which you have great interest. And, if youhappen to find a job that excites you, take a breath and remember that speeddoesnt necessarily trump the quality of your application.Note the responsibilities needed to befulfilled, the skills it takes to accomplish them and the specific experienceemployers seek.3.Craftyour marketing materials. Remember that the purpose of yourrsumandLinkedIn profile is to draw people to you, not tell them all the things forwhich you have been responsible. Usethese keywords and concepts youve learnedabove as you draft yourrsum, LinkedIn profile and cover letters.4.Dig infor the long haul.There is atendency for newly unemployed people to express statements like Im great Iwont have any trouble finding a job. While it is important to maintain apositive self-image and sense of self-worth during what is often a depressingtime, when you are overconfident, you set yourself up for a biggerdisappointment when you dont gain trac tion immediately.5.Dont reinventthe wheel. Collaborate. Find others who are going through what youare experiencing, and learn from each other. Practice you networking and interview skills in a safe environmentbefore you take them on the road. Consider getting a coach, counselor or mentorwho knows the ropes and can help you hone your message.When you sequence your hunt properly, youll be better ableto capitalize on every networking opportunity with the knowledge and confidenceit takes for success. Youll then provide employers with a carefully crafted,well-integrated message demonstrating how you are the answer to their needs.Happy hunting

Harassed by a Subordinate Employee at Work

Harassed by a Subordinate Employee at Work Harassed by a Subordinate Employee at Work Workplace bullies usually operate from a position of power; in fact, studies show that 80 percent of bullies are in a position of authority. Often bullies target peers, subordinates or those below them in the organizational hierarchy. However, sometimes roles are reversed and the subordinate harasses the supervisor. Below is one account, submitted by an anonymous worker, of how a subordinates abusive, harassing, passive-aggressive behavior wreaked havoc on her supervisor. Bullied by a Subordinate About a year ago, the department I worked in was eliminated. The few of us who remained were assigned to another division. My supervisor has a high title  but found herself with too small a staff to justify it. Therefore, she scurried to find programs in other departments to raid. One department gave her an employee known as a gift because departments are happy to give them away. My supervisor knew the bad reputation of the employee she was acquiring- because it had acquired over 30 years of incompetence and they attend the same church- and wanted minimal interaction with her new acquisition. Therefore, she assigned this gift to me. In the past year, this subordinate has refused to perform any work. At first, she claimed that she was a victim of bad managers for the prior 32 years of her career. Later, she claimed that she was the victim of her last supervisors conspiracy against her. Soon, she turned her attacks on me. She refused to do her work, because, she claimed, she never had to, or I didnt ask her politely, or she didnt understand my request, or her previous supervisor performed her work for her, or it was above her pay grade. My supervisor declared that all the tension  was merely a personal dispute between the subordinate and me. At her most aggressive, the subordinate would lather herself in pungent oils and lotions and stand over me as I sat in my cubicle. She would talk to me only while eating with her mouth open and food falling out and making disgusting sounds from her endless bodily functions. In addition, she would pray loudly to herself, blast evangelical radio about repentance and conduct loud personal conversations about people going to hell for how they treated her. When other people visited me for work-related needs, she would take off her shoes and rub her feet with noxious ointments while trying to join our discussion. Ultimately, after a confrontational  discussion where I cited her many passive-aggressive, obnoxious actions, as well as her self-admitted incompetence, I refused to look at her or talk to her. I told her to stop wasting time with her attacks upon me and do her work. She asked me, Who hurt you so badly that you treat me like this? I told her that I did not invest in myself or my career to be around someone like her and to do her work. She turned her back to escape me and I said, Dont ask my deepest thoughts and ignore me if you cant accept that youre the problem. Co-workers overheard my words and angry tone and gasped at the interaction. How the Bullying Escalated I complained to my supervisor who created the entire situation. I documented the numerous insubordinate actions, unprofessional conduct, and unacceptable work, but my supervisor played my complaints off as my having a difficult personality and advised me to buy an air purifier. She claimed that nobody else complained about the subordinates odor, noise, and throwing papers and trash on surrounding empty cubicles, even though an employee with OCD and fear of germs worked two cubicles away. She said that we had to work out our disagreements between ourselves, but she refused to reassign the subordinate or support my request to pursue formal charges against her. At other times, this subordinate would ask me to stay behind at staff meetings (although she reported to me) to report and reprimand me to our division head. She claimed that I abused her because I could no longer talk to her without yelling and being angry. She accused me often of being a miserable person, independent of her presence. I zealously defended myself, identified her numerous failures to perform and demanded that she be transferred from beneath me. My co-worker even volunteered to manage the subordinate because she had worked with her earlier (and strongly warned our supervisor not to acquire her) and knew her notoriety was well-deserved. In fact, she understood why the subordinate was often assigned to isolated cubicles far away from whatever division she was assigned. Over the course of the year, I have suffered emotionally and physically. I gained 40 pounds from the stress of having to sit in the stench and filth and work with a deadbeat protected by civil service. I have cried at work, cried to my supervisor (who laughs at me and tells me that my weight gain is my own fault), and spent nights infuriated because I am forced to work late to redo the subordinates work because my supervisor makes me accountable. The subordinate continues to threaten to bring me up on charges and accuses me of being widely disliked (although I am professionally accomplished) when I ask her critical questions about her written work product. When I report these attacks to my supervisor, the supervisor threatens to suspend both my subordinate and me. What the Confrontations Have Led to Thus, I have instructed the subordinate to only communicate to me using email so that she protects herself from the abuse she accuses me of and so that I have documentation for her abuse of me. I also use these emails when she later denies saying whatever absurd excuse she devises in her refusal to perform her work. Because I have stated that she should email me only, she openly provokes me to become angry and then says loudly to nobody, Did everyone hear how she speaks to me? Over the course of this year, she has insisted only to my supervisor that she is going to retire any day now. She makes this claim after her most obnoxious confrontations with me after I document her theft of time or insubordination or incompetence. Her false promises effectively buy her three more months of reprieve, because my supervisor tells me that shell be leaving any day now. She has yet to submit her retirement papers. So I continue to wish for her demise or departure.

Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling Agency

Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling Agency Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling Agency When you first meet with an agency, theyll ask you all sorts of questions. Why do you want to be a model? What type of modeling do you want to do? Why do you want to work with our agency? What are your long-term goals as a model? These basic questions will help the agency get to know you and your personality so they can determine if you’re a good fit  for their business. Questions to Ask a Modeling Agency But as important as these questions (and their answers!) are, it’s also important to remember that you’re interviewing them, too! Before signing with a modeling agency, you need to show them you’re professional, engaged and excited about your modeling career by doing as much research as possible (spend some quality time Googling them or calling around) and by asking them the right questions. Let the agency lead the interview, but don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind when the time is right. And remember, there’s no shame in asking the agent to repeat something or explain it further. Joining an agency is a big deal, and you need to be 100% sure of what you’re signing up for! Here are a few basic questions you might want to ask during your modeling agency interview. Do I Have to Attend Your Modeling School? There is nothing wrong with going to modeling school you just dont need modeling classes to become a model. None of the top modeling agencies in New York, Paris, Milan or Tokyo require that a model goes to modeling school before being signed. If an agency requires you sign up for their classes before they will represent you, you might want to look elsewhere. Is Your Agency Considered a Boutique Agency or a Larger Agency? Landing a contract with a great agency should be your top priority, but the size of the agency is just as important as their reputation. Large agencies with many models on their roster may have an endless stream of clients knocking on their doorstep, but that also means there’s more competition between the models. As a new model especially, you might not get the personal attention you need to further your career. So, if you’re just starting out, you may find that a smaller, boutique-style agency is more your style. Who Are Some of the Agencys Clients? Hearing about the agency’s top clients will give you insight into the quality of the agency as well as the types of markets they cover. Some agencies focus more on glamor type modeling, while others may book more jobs for commercial or editorial models. There is no sense in signing with a high-fashion agency if you are primarily a commercial model. What Types of Jobs Do You Book for Your Models? It’s useful to know the breakdown of the types of modeling jobs within the agency. How much is runway? How much is editorial? How much is commercial? How much is print? How much is promotional? Their answer will help you determine if your career goals match what the agency has to offer. What Are Your Commission Rates? In the United States, legitimate agencies make their money off commission. The rate varies, but in general, agencies deduct 10 percent to 20 percent from what you earn. In other words, they only get paid when you get paid. The agency may also charge the client up to an additional 20 percent as a service fee. Keep in mind that models are considered to be self-employed contractors rather than employees of the agency. This means that it’s perfectly normal for models to invest in their own start-up costs that have nothing to do with the agency, such as model scouting services, website profiles, comp cards, photoshoots, etc.

5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer Job

5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer Job 5 Easy Steps to Get Perfect Summer Job Summer is around the corner. It is the best opportunity to find a summer job, get some useful skills and earn money. How should you proceed to get a nice summer job? Continue reading and we will answer all of your questions. 1. First of all you should ask yourself: What kind of job do I want? How many hours am I willing to spend there? What kind of money do I want to earn? 2. The next step to consider are your skills. What do you have to offer to an employer? If you feel confident in a particular area, take advantage of it. Do the same thing with an environment. Do you love sunshine and beach? Why dont you try to be a lifeguard? 3. Create a resume! If you dont know how, you should check out our blog post on How to Write Resume for Dummies. With a good CV, you can leave a professional image, which could be the key for a new job. 4. Start asking everyone around and read every job offer. There are many online tools with job offers as well. You will shortly find a few jobs that fit your preferences. Just apply for a job and send a CV. If it doesnt work out, dont be sad. It is almost never that easy. You will get your job interview eventually, just be patient. 5. Dont be nervous on a job interview. Try to act confidently and search for a basic informations from the field. Think of some questions they could ask and be prepared. Dont be late! These advices might help you to leave a good impression and get your dream summer job! Do you like this story? Share it with your friends. Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

Competition and Your Global Federal Resume

Competition and Your Global Federal Resume Competition and Your Global Federal Resume Competition and Your Global Federal Resume In a previous post, I touched on some of the attractions of federal positions overseas  (there are many, check  USAJOBs)  and some tips to consider in trying to land one.   I mentioned the stiff competition applicants face attaining an initial overseas  position.   And stiff competition requires your absolute best foot forward for  position target,  resume, and  interview. But who makes up this competition you may ask?   The following groups present a subset.   They may possess some advantages over a typical stateside applicant seeking a first-time overseas position.   This is not meant to scare or discourage, but rather to inform on the tough battle many face wrangling an OCONUS posting. 1) Veterans Veterans preference  is no secret to civilian federal applicants.   At least it shouldnt be.   If it was to you, click that last link!   This post is not about the details or merits of vets preference.   Suffice it to say, there are plenty of details and meritsvets make plenty of sacrifices for the country and are accordingly scored in rough categories of hiring preference.   Perhaps you, the overseas applicant/hopeful reading this, are a vet yourself.   But all of those without prior military service should know that,  when included with vets,  they enter the recruitment process with a slight point deficit from the start.   Without editorializing (I am not a vet myself)  this is an overall fair and prudent public policy.   But those who cannot claim vets preference must put that much more work into their application packages so as to make up any point deficit.   In addition to the codified hiring preference, other reasons vets are number one on the list of overseas competition  are many have experienced the advantages of overseas postings, many may already be overseas when applying to federal jobs, and the primary overseas federal employerthe DoDis the vets realm. 2) Overseas Spouse/Family Member Another  established hiring preference  in many  OCONUS positions is that of spouses and family members of overseas employees and service members.   Family membersincluding unmarried dependent childrenmay claim hiring preference to positions for which they qualify.   And as long as the  Government avoids the transportation cost getting them OCONUS, the family member preference can even extend to those not already overseas!   Together, this group represents significant competition to many seeking overseas (especially administrative-type) positions.   All is not lost if you cannot claim a vets or family member hiring preference.   But your credentials, qualifications, and applicable skills must outweigh your competitions.   And the resume presentation  of your merits  in the  Outline Format with captivating Keyword Phrases  is essential in getting you recognized alongside or above the hiring managers stopper list of potential preference candidates. 3) Former Overseas (Boomerang Employees) The prospect of overseas employment attracts a curious and adaptable type of worker.   Once the novelty and beauty which usually accompanies an overseas posting is experienced, many working overseas do not want to give it up.   (The vast majority at some point must, however, due to the DoDs 5-year rule).   Or maybe  former OCONUS employees  return to the US for a career interlude but eventually decide to bounce back overseas.   This groupwell call them Boomerang Employeesalso represents some fierce competition to anyone trying to land their first overseas position.   While they do not benefit from any  formalized  preference like the vets and family members mentioned above, former overseas employees often wield significantalbeit informalsway in many recruitments.   For example, they may leverage reach back contacts to their benefit.   And the flexibility  OCONUS hiring managers seek is built-in to a resume that already includes successful overseas performance.   Here again, these rea lities are not meant to discourage so much as they are to reiterate what you are up against as you peer across oceans via USAJOBs.   With work and attention paid to your strategy and  resume, you may one day find yourself among the seasoned OCONUS Boomerang Employees. All  federal job openings come with a healthy dose of applicant competition.   The smaller supply and higher demand of  OCONUS jobs make them extremely competitive.   It helps to know your competition but dont be deterred. Contact us  at The Resume Place for help getting started on your first (or next) exciting mission abroad. About the Author Jeremy Mott  is an experienced technical writer with significant analytical and organizational expertise, ideally suited for federal resume writing.   Jeremys experience currently working for the government overseas in Germany and after relocating and finding a Program Analyst position from his DOD position in Louisville, KY (after a closure of a depot there), gives him the background to understand the movement of a career from US to overseas and vice versa. Jeremy changed his agency, occupational series, country and mission with his USAJOBS federal resume and application!  With 12 years in the federal government serving as a Management and Program Analyst, Contract Manager, and Electronics Engineer, his diverse experience is reflective of- and a great asset to- the broad range of Resume Place clients. Now as a Management Analyst within a Programs and Manpower division, he has benefited from much exposure to the inner workings of OPM occupational standards, the tailoring of intervie w questions, applicant selection, and the critical importance of quality recruitment. Jeremy has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s of Public Administration, both from the University of Louisville. He also received a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from a NAVSEA-sponsored program with Indiana University. He lives in Germany with his wife, son, and daughter. ..

Cheat Your Way to a Better Professional Summary

Cheat Your Way to a Better Professional Summary Cheat Your Way to a Better Professional Summary Cheat Your Way to a Better Professional Summary The part about resume writing that I loathe most is the Professional Summary, or Summary of Qualifications. And wouldn't you know, it's the most important part. It's the first thing employers read, and it has to draw them in enough to want to read the rest of your resume. So it makes sense that it would be the most difficult chunk to write. Here are two ways you can cheat and make it easier on yourself: Have a friend write it for you. Jot down your duties, responsibilities, qualities, and accomplishments, then hand that list over to a friend and ask him/her to put it all together in an interesting, impressive, and formal way. This especially helps if you know someone who knows how to write well! If you find it difficult to talk yourself up (I do!), having someone else do it for you could produce better results than attempting to do it on your own. Copy someone else's. Borrow or buy some resume sample books and find a summary that most relates to your career goals and what you do. Then you can edit, paraphrase, massage, and tweak it to make it yours. You could even combine parts of different summaries if you're really struggling. The most useful resume sample books exhibit industry-focused resumes. For instance, if you're a nurse, you can jump straight to the nursing section to see what others in your field have written. Same goes for auto mechanics, writers, accountants, etc. Bottom line: Writing your resume is about as pleasant as, well, nothing. But there are ways to make it less painful. And no matter what you do, make sure the final product is honest, accurate, and something you're comfortable with. And if you use either of these two approaches, don't send out a single copy of your resume without studying it word-for-word first. There's nothing worse than not knowing what your own resume says when employers ask about it in an interview!